Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with throwing open the cabinet of curiosities and wondrous things I call my brain and leading you on a tour of what actually resides in there – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words.
H is for…
Heliolatry – (n) worship of the sun
After days of rain and clouds, today I woke with the song “Here Comes the Sun” blasting through my brain. What a difference a few early morning rays can make, and today I’m all about the sun.
Our word today has its roots in Greek mythology. Helios was the Titan god of the Sun, brother of Eos (dawn) and Selene (moon). He lived in a golden palace in the river-ocean Oceanus. Every day he emerged at dawn, crowned in the gleaming aureole of the Sun, and drove his chariot drawn by four horses (often pictured as winged) across the sky. When he reached the furthermost land in the far West, he descended into a golden cup which carried him back through Oceanus to his home where he would rise again bringing a new day. He was also considered a guardian of oaths, as well as the god of sight. He was often depicted as all-seeing because it was believed from his position in the heavens as he rode across the sky, he could witness everything in the heavens and on Earth.
I couldn’t help but snap this photo this morning. I have this sun hanging in my bedroom and it was the first rays of sun catching it. Hello Helios!
I’m reminded of the words from one of John Donne’s poems:
”Busy old fool,
unruly sun,
Why
dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtains call on us?”
While of course today’s word clearly belongs to Helios, I have my favorite sun goddesses as well. I’ve mentioned my connection to Sekhmet, the Egyptian lion-headed goddess, and she’s often depicted wearing a solar disk. But I also love Amaterasu, the Japanese Shinto goddess, whose name means “great shining heaven.”
Here’s a snap of a sun goddess I keep on one of my altars:
While I’m riffing about the sun, I have to share this wisdom from Hafiz, as translated by Daniel Landinsky:
“How
Did the rose
Ever open it’s heart
And give this world
All its Beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light
Against its
Being,
Otherwise,
We all remain
Too
Frightened.”
I must say I really love that sentiment.
May we all know the power of heliolatry, be embolden by the gifts of the sun, and may we be filled with light that we are willing to always share.
What about you? What’s your relationship with the sun? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Deborah,
My view of the sun has changed radically in the past three years, after my daughter was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma…usually life-threatening at that stage. I have deep respect now for it, even though I still beach and spend a lot of time outside.
Beth
https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/
What a difficult thing for your daughter to have to deal with. Increased UV exposure is something I imagine we’ll continue to have issues with as global warming escalates. The sun certainly deserves our respect.
I suppose one appreciates the sun more when it hides. So, I’m not a big sun fan. I have fair skin, so I burn easily. And I live in SoCal, so we have more sunny days than not. I’m grateful for it, but I prefer indoors.
You definitely live in a sunny clime Liz.
As a Leo I guess I should like it more! I do love spring sun, not so much hot summer sun. I have a pretty metal sun on the side of my house. I was very excited to see sun when I woke up today! My daughter suffers from seasonal affective disorder, so she really loves the sun, and has to replace it with artificial light in winter. She is also an esthetician, so knows how to keep her skin safe!
I do love John Donne!
The shifting Spring (and Autumn) light are my favorite. I’m glad there’s more awareness about SAD these days and that people are willing to use lights to help ease the symptoms. I’m sure your daughter’s knowledge is a gift to her clients as well.
I have a redhead’s complexion, so too much sun can burn me pretty badly. At the same time, if I don’t see the sun for a few days, I get really depressed and crabby.
I’m with you John.
Sunshine is pretty prevalent in many parts of South Africa – and I love it! What a source of energy, and renewable energy! Yes, may we all be filled with Light that we are willing to share. Thanks Deborah! Your photos are lovely –
Thanks Susan – and may you always be open to receiving and giving light.
My dad has dealt with skin cancer for many decades, so I’m careful in the sun. (lots of sunblock) but I do love the warmth and feel of it. The sun brightens the world and seems to give people a more positive and friendly outlook. I love the photo you took of the sun shining on the sun!
I think it’s wise for all of us to be pro-active when it comes to minimizing sun damage to our skin. But I couldn’t agree more about the warmth and brightness of the sun – and it’s a perfect reminder to me of how we too can behave.
I’m singing along with you too now! I love to see the sun, but not feel it’s burning heat, I love its light and its energy, the best sunshine for me is in the winter!
Wren x
Me too! May we always have exactly as much light and energy that allows us to thrive.
Thanks for bringing the facts about Sun God from across civilization like Greek, Egypt and even Japanese. I must say you are very thoughtful and you keep aesthetic artifacts. Love your collection!
I would like to add that India is the only oldest civilization that still survives to this day
1) You can find sundials in many temples till today which tell the accurate time of the day by the shadow that falls
2) Sun God is known as ‘Surya Devta’ and he represents one of the 5 panch-bhoots (5 elements) that is fire. He is the source of all energy and food on this planet earth
3) There is a very famous festival in the state of Bihar known as ‘Chhath’ Puja in which women have to observe very severe fast and then on concluding days we all pray to both the setting sun and next day to the rising sun
4) We have temples dedicated to Sun God – Surya temple/Sun Temple. One such very famous temple is in Konark in the state of Odisha. It is a carving of the chariot of Sun God. If you ever happen to visit India, you must visit this temple
5) We have various mantras or hymns for Surya dev
(There is more that I can write, but I am sure if you do a search on the net you will find loads of content 😊🙂)
You can read my J post here – https://evergreenleaf.blogspot.com/2019/04/j-joy-atozchallenge-2019.html
What a delight having you so generously share these facts about Indian culture with us Kislaya. I so love all the myriad of gifts participating in the A-to-Z challenge brings – so much to learn and enjoy!
Yes! me too 🙂🙂