Greek Gods and Goddesses

God and Goddess myths have inhabited the human imagination and spirit for thousands of years, representing the eternally male and feminine qualities that pattern each and everyone lives. Each of the myths are different just as each god or goddess is unique -- motivated by different values and priorities. Each has god/goddess-given characteristics, both positive and potentially problematic ones.

God and Goddess myths . . . intriguing stories full of struggles, emotions, heartache, and endurance. Think of any of these legendary men and ladies and stories of adventure, passion, and revenge come to mind. In antiquity the gods/goddess myths played much the same role that soap operas do in our times.

Filled with action, power plays, love affairs, success and the agony of defeat, the gods/goddess myths do much more than simply entertain -- they once instructed and shaped the world around them, teaching what is normal, acceptable, and likely to be rewarded (or punished).

Above all else, both then and now, the myths shed light upon human nature and the struggle to be whole in body, mind, and soul.

Human have always asked the eternal questions: "Who am I?" "Where do I come from?" "Is there life after death?" From the very beginning of time a small minority of humans has had the ability of using the imagination and visions to make up stories about the creation of the world. Every know civilization has its own myths and legends which explain how the world was created and which explain the origins of humankind.

Over the past four thousand years of western civilization, the Bible has been accepted as the only word of God. Yet, when one studies the Bible, one finds that this book is a history of people who were very warlike and who believed in one God who happened to be male. The Bible contains their story and their belief system, and it tells how they overcame and destroyed other civilizations and cultures who believed in both Gods and Goddesses.

By studying comparative religions and researching archaeological findings, one discovers that long before the monotheistic belief in one God came to be accepted as the one truth there existed a belief system that accepted many Gods and Goddesses. All cultures have myths and legends about the creation of the world and of the creation of humans, with a variation on how the female "matter" was touched by the male "spirit" sky and gave birth to the different types of life on earth.

I have chosen to concentrate on the Greek Pantheon because I find that since it includes archetypes which represent transpersonal qualities such as wisdom, strength, and love that exist in all of humankind, the dark side, the shadow side of nature, is also allowed to exist. This is a useful tool.

As a method of understanding the Greek Pantheon, I have chosen to describe the Gods and Goddesses that were the primary Deities of the Hellenic World. I have taken most of the following descriptions of Gods and Goddesses from Athena Laflamme who through health and sickness was able to pursue her dream.

The Gods and Goddesses that are most commonly know in the Greek Pantheon are the male Gods Hermes, Zeus, Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, Hades, Poseidon and Dionysus and the female Goddesses Hera, Hestia, Aphrodite, Demeter, PErsephone, Athena, and Artemis. I have not attempted to include all Greek Gods and Goddesses, nor have I included all the qualities they represent. However, the following descriptions should serve as an aid to understanding some of the qualities of human nature that the early Deities represents.

The understanding that results when we intuitively or intellectually grasp the meaning of the gods and goddesses myths can be both powerful and healing. By knowing who our god/goddess archetypes are, we can be aware of the potential within us that is a source of spirituality, wisdom and action. Sometimes we need to hear the voices. We listen to them in the voice of others and in the quiet spaces of our meditations.

We listen for voices that we can draw on for guidance
Voices that support us in making choices that reflect the god/goddess within
Voices of creativity, personal integration and joy.

Your own personal god/goddess awaits you. They will guide you on the path of self-discovery and personal growth, helping you recognize your strengths in ways that allow you to use your innate talents and strengths.

Click on a name below to be taken to the myth. Enjoy!

Goddesses:

The Goddess Aphrodite

The Goddess Athena

The Goddess Demeter

The Goddess Hera

The Goddess Hestia

The Goddess Persephone

Gods:

The God Apollo

The God Ares

The God Dionysus