Khalkeia
A Festival in Honor of Hephaestos and Athena
Our Ritual Today
Khalkeia is a festival honoring crafts; people should bring items of craft they have made during the year, and materials for the beginning of new items. As Athena is Goddess of spinning and weaving, this is a good time to bring fabrics or the materials to make fabrics. Hephaestos is the God of the forge, therefore mechanical things may be brought and honored; He is also the maker of furniture. Both deities are concerned with jewelry, so it is appropriate at this festival to wear lots of it, or bring the materials to make it.
(Note: It might be a good thing to have these items in something that makes them easy to carry on your arm to leave your hands free for the Khernips. [I’m learning why baskets were so popular! But canvas bags will work nicely too)
Purification of People
As the Lustral Water (spring water mixed with sea salt) is poured over your hands, say:
Far off, Far off, Even to the Profane! Then enter the area.
Purification of the Temenos
After calling for “solemn silence” Priest/Priestess will walk around the area sprinkling it with Nator. (baking soda and salt)
After this, the fire tender will light the fire saying: “I conjure you sacred fire whose mother is Hestia and whose Father is Hephaestos”. After which the barley is passed around with each person taking a small handful and tossing it into the fire.
First libation
“Sponde! Hestia guardian of hearth’s fire, yours is always the first and the last.”
First Hymnodia
Priest/Priestess will ask for solemn silence again
Print outs of libation prayers will be available as well as Homeric Hymns
At this time someone can read the Homeric Hymn to Hephaestos.
Libation to Hephaestos:
While all offer their cups, Herald leads the people in saying:
“Sponde! Hephaestos, Son of Zeus and of Hera, Ambidexter; maker of things mechanical, God of the forge, maker of jewelry, maker of furniture, maker of peace between those who quarrel: we call upon You with whatever name it pleases You to be called! Grant us that civilized ease which your works bring to toiling humankind, and teach us to use Your gifts wisely.”
Everyone will pour a libation to Hephaestos and drink.
Second Hymnodia
Priest/Priestess will ask for solemn silence again
Someone reads the second Homeric Hymn to Athena
Libation to Athena:
“Sponde! Athena Hephaestia, Agoraia, weaver, Ergane: we call upon You with whatever name it pleases You to be called! Grant us that skill which brings Arete ¹ to mortal life.”
¹ (respect and/or good reputation brought about by competition)
Again, after this is finished everyone pours a libation to Athena and then drinks themselves.
Libation to the Olympians as a group
“Sponde! Immortal Olympians, Come join our host.”
Presentations and Activities
This is the time when people bring forth those accomplishments that the Gods have inspired in the past year. Crafts that have been done should be brought forth with any explanations necessary; prayers of thanksgiving may be offered for the help of the Gods at each showing.
After the showing of past accomplishments people should bring forth the materials, or drawings, (plans) of projects that they intend to begin at this time. For those who can it is a good time to actually begin the project, while the food cooks!
Feast
We eat of the foods that are cooked, after giving a portion to the Gods.
Closing Libations
“Sponde! Immortal Olympians, we thank you for joining our host.”
“Sponde! Athena Hephaestia, Agoraia, weaver, Ergane: we call upon You with whatever name it pleases You to be called! Grant us that skill which brings Arete to mortal life.”
“Sponde! Hephaestos, Son of Zeus and of Hera, Ambidexter; maker of things mechanical, God of the forge, maker of jewelry, maker of furniture, maker of peace between those who quarrel: we call upon You with whatever name it pleases You to be called! Grant us that civilized ease which your works bring to toiling humankind, and teach us to use Your gifts wisely.”
“Sponde! Hestia guardian of hearth’s fire, yours is always the first and the last.”
Participants will clean the area so that is the same as when they arrived. After the clean up, Herald will lead us saying: “Be brave for all good things have come to pass.”