Also called Delphyne (female serpent in the Homeric Hymn).
Their story
In the Homeric Hymn to Apollo, a great she-serpent at the spring near Delphi was killed by the young Apollo with his arrows, and she rotted, pythein, in the sun, giving the place the name Pytho. Later writers name the serpent Python, a child of Gaia who guarded the oracle before Apollo. Apollo was purified for the killing, and the Pythian Games honoured his victory.
Best times to give to them
- The Septerion at Delphi, which re-enacted the slaying
- The Pythian Games
What they like being given
- None are traditional to the serpent; laurel for Apollo recalls the story
- A candle lit while reading or retelling the story
How to honour them
- Reflect on the story as the passing of Delphi from the old earth powers to Apollo.
- Remember that Apollo had to be purified after the killing; even needed victories leave a mark.
How they can help you
- Understanding Delphi
- Transitions of power
- Purification after conflict
Symbols
- great serpent
- spring
- laurel
- arrows
Sources
- Homeric Hymn 3, to Apollo 300-374
- Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.438-451
- Plutarch, On the Obsolescence of Oracles 15