#Hyakíntha Ritual: The The Heortē

[hyakinthou-naos]

Hyakíntha Ritual: The Heortē

1. Ceremonial Garments

As we celebrate the resurrection of Prince Hyacinthus, we adorn ourselves in clothing that reflects our joy and celebration. Jewelry and adornments that honor Prince Hyacinthus and Lord Apollo are worn in abundance as an outward symbol of our joy. Warm shades of oranges, yellows, and whites remind us of the God of Prophecy - and cooler shades of greens and purples remind us of the Spartan Prince.

2. Khernips & Purification

Following the days events, we don our garments and parade to The Temple. We reach the steps and ramps of The Temple's entrance, both adorned with hyacinths, sunflowers, lavender, and larkspur. The Temple's doors are opened wide, music playing from within

The entrance chamber holds a bowl of water where flaming leaves of bay and laurel have been extinguished. The water splashes as we joyfully wash our hands in the lustral water, cleansing ourselves before we enter The Temple's center.

3. Gathering at the Altar

We proceed into The Temple's center; the music still playing softly as we enter. The altar is positioned in the center of the room, behind which stands the Temple's Steward - dressed in robes of purple. Chairs and pillows for seating are arranged in a semi-circle in front of the altar.

We take our seats

4. Opening Prayer & Deity Invocation

We settle into our chosen seats, as the music and conversations slowly fade away. The Steward stands behind the altar and lights the center candle, and speaks:

Hestia, great goddess of the ancients - Daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea - She who is honored before all others. We gather here today and ask that you accept this flame, as a humble offering to you. Hestia, goddess of hearth and home Lead our way, and light our path.

The Steward then moves to light the second candle, and raises their arms to the heavens, saying:

Lord Apollo, shinning god of light and prophecy Son of Lord Zeus and Lady Lêta Lover of Hyacinthus, for whom we celebrate today O bright and shining Lord, we ask that you accept this flame and grace us with your presence. We call upon you today, great god of music and healing, to bare witness to our ritual - as we celebrate the return of your love, the beautiful Hyacinthus, Prince of Sparta. May Lord Hermes carry these words from our lips, to your ears, on mighty Mount Olympus. Du et des, we give so you may give.

Lastly, the Steward moves to light the third candle and the ceremonial incense, and raises their arms to the heavens, saying:

O Hyacinthus, noble prince of Sparta, Son of Amyclas and Diomede, brother of Polyboia Beloved of Apollo, the divine son of Zeus O strong yet gentle Prince, we ask that you accept these offerings of flame and incense - and be with us today We call upon you, radiant prince of blooming flowers, to bear witness to our ritual - as we celebrate your return into the arms of your beloved. May Lord Hermes carry these words from our lips, to your ears, in the heavens where you live forever more.

5. Hymns & Music

As the Steward concludes their prayer, they open a book sat behind the altar - The Temple's book of hymns. The pages turn as the Hytheria settles on a passage, and begins to read:

A Hymn for Hyacinthus [Altered Version]

Oh to the lover of our Lord We see you in every shade of lavender We feel you in every warm spring breeze We understand you every time lovers look into each others eyes. How did he look - the Lord of the Muses - When you ran your fingers through his hair? How did it feel? To touch the sun To feel its warmth Oh how we envy you Oh how we honor you Oh how we rejoice in you Oh lover of our Lord

We Are For You; a Hymn to Lord Apollo [Altered Version]

Lord Phoebus He who shines light into our darkness, He who brings music to our souls. Who would we be without your graces? Who would we be without your love? Oh sweet Lord of all we hold dear - You have been with us - all the days of our lives Waiting patiently for our devotion. And we are here- Knees bent, Eyes closed, Heart open. We are for you, Lord Apollo - We are for you.

The Steward finishes his reading, placing the book back from whence it came, and arranges for the music to begin. Before starting the music, the Steward speaks:

I invite you all to listen to this music, and think of Lord Apollo, and Prince Hyacinthus. Think of how their love, though interrupted by fate, is everlasting. Think of how their dedication to each other is not diminished by their loving of others. Love is boundless, it is joy and lust and adventure - but it is also work and struggle and pain. All that is, is imperfect, even the Gods. Love is imperfection; love exists in multitudes; love is the power we feel here today.

While today we celebrate romantic love, platonic love is just as powerful - and love need not be romantic to be worth the effort.

I invite you all, in the center of this room or from the seats which you have chosen, to dance and be joyful. For today we celebrate love - in all its many forms.

Music begins to play, and the Steward joins the congregation in a dance of youthful joy.

6. Libations

As the music concludes, and the dancers return to their seats, the Steward places a large ceremonial bowl in the center of the participants. The Steward then returns with glasses filled with liquid, giving one to each of those in attendance. The Steward stands in front of the altar and speaks:

In honor and reverence of the ancient ways, we hold before us a libation of milk and water. As we pour these libations, we offer them to Prince Hyacinthus, and Lord Apollo. They who bring us joyous spring, they who show us unending love, they who hold our hands through sorrow - we offer this to them.

We all pour our libations into the center bowl, the liquids swirl and splash, as they all come together as one in the bowl's center.

7. Divination

[Ritual attendees/participants are encouraged to engage in their own personal divination with Prince Hyacinthus and/or Lord Apollo at this time.]

8. Closing Prayers

As the pouring of the libations concludes, the Steward returns to behind the altar. The Steward takes a moment to pause, before speaking:

With joy and laughter, with awe and amazement We conclude this evening rite We give thanks to radiant Lord Apollo, God of music and medicine And his beloved, Prince Hyacinthus, whose beauty and spirit are once again alive Lord Apollo, glorious archer, we thank you for your guiding light, For the wisdom and strength you gift to us, And for the music that stirs our hearts May you continue to inspire and protect us We give thanks to Prince Hyacinthus, he who is noble and pure We honor your return and celebrate you ascension to the heavens Your life, a testament to beauty - a beacon in the darkness, a refuge in the storm May your story echo within us, Reminding us of fleeting life and eternal love

The Steward raises their arms to the heavens, and once again speaks:

May the blessings of Apollo and Hyacinthus Guide us our paths, fill our hearts with joy, And guide us in harmony and peace.

The Steward lowers their arms and extinguishes the second candle, before speaking for a final time:

Hestia, first -

The Steward blows out the center candle.

- and last

And with that, the ritual is concluded.

[hyakinthou-naos]

A couple of photos from my Hyakíntha Night 2 Ritual. The energy was more subdued than I expected, but the gentle energy of Hyacinths’ presence was wonderful.

If any of you hosted rituals tonight we would love to hear about them in our ask box!

Eirene - peace and farewell,

- Aön

[hyakinthou-naos]

Hyakíntha 2024 - Festival Overview

Day 1: The Pénthos: Mourning and Preparation || August 6th ||

Traditionally, the first day of Hyakíntha was dedicated to mourning Hyacinthus. Offerings were made not only to Hyacinthus, but to the dead in general. This day was one of contemplation and solemn observance.

The Temple will be celebrating this day with a solemn and subdued ceremony (in the form of a text post), focused on reflection and remembrance.

[Ritual Guide Here]

[Actual Ritual Here]

Day 2: The Heortē - Celebration and Competition || August 7th ||

In ancient times, this day would be a day of athletic competitions and musical performances. These events were held in honor of Hyacinthus and Lord Apollo. Historically this was also a day that honored the youth of the community, especially young boys due to Apollo's domains.

The Temple will be celebrating this day with an involved and lively ceremony. Including music, art, and devotionals.

[Ritual Guide Here]

[Actual Ritual Here]

Day 3: The Mustērion - Feasts and Mysteries || August 8th ||

Currently, we do not have any sources that describe the third day in detail. Some sources believe communal feasts were held, while others believe the lack of description is due to Mystery Cults and related activities taking place.

The Temple will be celebrating this day with a secret ceremony that will not be shared online in honor of the Mystery Cults of old. We will also be posting several recipes and crafts to incorporate the communal feast.

[Mustērion Post Here]

If you would like to make a special request for any of the three days, please message us directly and we will do what we can to incorporate your ideas into our festival.

Keep an eye out for our ritual post tomorrow morning (eastern standard time). This will allow for time to prepare before the official ritual goes live at 7pm EST.

Eirene, peace and farewell

- The Temple of Hyacinthus