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NYMPHÁLIA - ΝΥΜΦΑΛΙΑ
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NYMPHÁLIA
The Nymphália (Νυμφάλια) is a festival of Dimítir (Demeter, Δημήτηρ) --- she in particular --- but it is also for the Nýmphai, the kosmogonía (cosmogony, κοσμογονία), and other sacred things.
Pærsæphóni (Persephone, Περσεφόνη) is the daughter of Dimítir. Pærsæphóni is the Kóri (Core, Κόρη). The Kóri is the divine soul who comes to help.
Pærsæphóni united with Zefs (Ζεύς) and produced Zagréfs (Zagreus, Ζαγρεύς), the saviour of all creation. The Nýmphai participate in the nurturing of Zagréfs, and they help to elevate him. He is at the breast of his mother and the Nýmphai are caring for both.
By celebrating the Nymphália we reenact the nursing of baby Diónysos (Διόνυσος) by Pærsæphóni, the Nýmphai (Nymphs, Νύμφαι), and all of creation. The Sun, Moon and Stars, the Galaxy, the Kózmos, the two substances, Gods, men and creatures --- all of Nature unites at the breast of Pærsæphóni where Zagréfs is suckling. And the Nýmphai are the nurses of this divine miracle.
When to perform the Nymphália
The date when the Nymphália was originally celebrated is likely unknown. It has been proposed to observe the festival early in the month of Dimítir, the zodiacal month of Stákhys (Wheat-ear, Στάχυς), beginning 21 August.
The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Rhapsodic Theogony.
We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.
Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.
Introduction to the Thæí (the Gods): The Nature of the Gods.
How do we know there are Gods? Experiencing Gods.
The logo to the left is the principal symbol of this website. It is called the CESS logo, i.e. the Children of the Earth and the Starry Sky. The Pætilía (Petelia; Gr. Πετηλία) and other golden tablets having this phrase are the inspiration for the symbol. The image represents this idea: Earth (divisible substance) and the Sky (continuous substance) are the two kozmogonic substances. The twelve stars represent the Natural Laws, the dominions of the Olympian Gods. In front of these symbols is the seven-stringed kithára (cithara; Gr. κιθάρα), the the lyre of Apóllohn (Apollo; Gr. Ἀπόλλων). It (here) represents the bond between Gods and mortals and is representative that we are the children of Orphéfs (Orpheus; Gr. Ὀρφεύς).
PLEASE NOTE: Throughout the pages of this website, you will find fascinating stories about our Gods. These narratives are known as mythology, the traditional stories of the Gods and Heroes. While these tales are great mystical vehicles containing transcendent truth, they are symbolic and should not be taken literally. A literal reading will frequently yield an erroneous result. The meaning of the myths is concealed in code. To understand them requires a key. For instance, when a God kills someone, this usually means a transformation of the soul to a higher level. Similarly, sexual union with a God is a transformation.
We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.
Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.
SPELLING: HellenicGods.org uses the Reuchlinian method of pronouncing ancient Greek, the system preferred by scholars from Greece itself. An approach was developed to enable the student to easily approximate the Greek words. Consequently, the way we spell words is unique, as this method of transliteration is exclusive to this website. For more information, visit these three pages:
Pronunciation of Ancient Greek
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