Some of the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece. 'Ancient Greece' is (generally) defined as the period of about 1000 years from the start of the Greek Dark Ages (about 1100-750BC) until 146BC, when Greece was defeated by Rome at the battle of Corinth and integrated into the Roman Empire.
Adonis
God of vegetation and the life-death-rebirth cycle. He is a handsome God and the consort of Aphrodite - he spent 2/3 of the year with Aphrodite on Earth and the remainder with Persephone in the Underworld.
Aphrodite
Goddess of beauty, sexual love and lust. She is portrayed as a beautiful young woman, naked, partially covered or covered with a piece of cloth. She will help you pull passionate, sexual energy towards yourself, but this sometimes comes with the pain such passion can cause.
Apollo
God of healing and the Arts - also associated with the Sun. He is the handsome twin brother of Artemis and son of Zeus and Leto. He is portrayed with a lyre or a bow & arrows, and drives a golden chariot. The laurel bay plant (the one used as prizes in the ancient Olympic games) is sacred to him, as he was born under one. His animals include wolves, ravens, hawks, dolphins, snakes and the mystical griffin.
Artemis
The Goddess of the hunt, fertility and of the Moon. She is a virgin Goddess, said to have asked Zeus at 3 years of age to grant her eternal virginity - she defended it fiercely, punishing any male that impugned her honour. She is the twin sister of Apollo and daughter of Zeus and Leto. She is seen with a bow and arrows (made by Hephaestus and Cyclopes), often with a stag by her side. She is said by some to have sent the boar that killed Adonis, and is one of the three gods immune to the enchantments of Aphrodite (the others are Hestia and Athena).
Athena
The Goddess of wisdom, crafts and war - she is proficient in both the practicalities (metalworking, etc.) and the tactics of war. Her sacred animal is the owl and she wears a goatskin breastplate (called the Aegis) given to her by her father Zeus. She is always seen as a beautiful virgin woman in armour, never as a child. She never had a consort - Hephaestus tried and failed. She is associated with Athens and the olive tree. She can be called on for protection and wisdom.
Demeter
Goddess of the harvest, fertility and the Earth. She is an older woman, and mother to Persephone (with Poseidon). She taught mankind agriculture and is said to bring the seasons. She can be called on where small children and giving birth are concerned.
Dionysus
The God of wine, life force and instinct. He is the son of Zeus, and gave King Midas his golden touch. He is a patron of music and revelry, and is seen as a young man wearing an animal skin and carrying a staff. His sacred animals are the bull and the goat.
Eros
God of sexual attraction and passionate love. He is also known for romance, but his energy can intoxicate those trying to work with him. He is a small, beautiful man carrying a lyre or a bow and arrows. He is the son of Aphrodite.
Gaia
Mother Earth and creation goddess. She is a mature, robed woman shown with many fruits, vegetables and grains, many times in a cornucopia. She is the mother of the Titans.
Hades
God the Underworld and of wealth. He is the king of he dead, and is shown as a mature man with a beard wearing a helmet - often he is seen wit his young wife Persephone. His older sisters are Hestia, Demeter and Hera and his younger brothers Zeus and Poseidon. He is a dark and morbid God, with a 2-pointed fork as his weapon.
Hecate
Goddess of the Moon and magick. She takes 3 forms - the Maiden, Mother and Crone, but is most often associated with the Crone and the Dark of the Moon. She is found with her hounds at crossroads, where 3 roads meet and in cemeteries. She is seen holding a torch and with snakes in her hair. Hecate can be called upon for magick in the Dark of the Moon, for wisdom, protection and during childbirth.
Hephaestus
God of fire, volcanoes, blacksmiths, craftsmen and sculptors. His brother is Ares, and his mother is Hera. He made weapons for the Gods and for lucky mortals, and also crafted Pandora and her Box. His forge is said to be located in a volcano on the Greek island of Lemnos.
Hera
Goddess of women and marriage. She is known for faithfulness, nobility and generosity - but she has a terrible temper, and if you make her angry she will get even. She is mature and beautiful and is shown wearing a crown and carrying a sceptre. She is married to Zeus and is queen of the Gods.
Hermes
God of communication, thought, commerce and travel. He is shown as a beautiful, athletic young man wearing winged sandals and winged helmet, carrying a caduceus. He is the father of Pan and Eros, among others.
Hestia
Goddess of home and hearth and all things domestic. She is the sister of Hades, Demeter, Hera, Poseidon and Zeus. She can be called upon when working with issues within the home, or while house-hunting. She tends the sacred fire on Mt. Olympus, and was one of the twelve original Olympian Gods before giving up her seat to the newcomer Dionysus.
Muses
Goddesses that inspire the arts. The three original muses are: Aoide (song, voice), Melete (practice) and Mneme (memory). Later came nine more muses: Calliope (epic poetry), Euterpe (music, lyric poetry), Clio (history), Erato (lyrics, love poetry), Melpomene (tragedy), Polyhymnia (sacred poetry and geometry), Terpsichore (dancing), Thalia (comedy) and Urania (astronomy and astrology).
Nike
Goddess of triumph and victory. She was capable of running and flying at great speed and is shown as a winged figure, naked or armed, sometimes with a jug, censer or wreath. She is closely associated with Athena, and was a companion of Zeus. She is a bringer of good luck and presides over military action and athletic competition.
Pan
God of laughter, sexuality, passion, wild places and of shepherds. He is shown with the legs and horns of a goat and the hairy upper body of a man, and is often seen with panpipes. He has masses of sexual energy and is seen as a symbol of male virility.
Persephone
Goddess of the Underworld, fertility and of the harvest. Daughter of Zeus and Demeter, often seen sitting on a throne with her husband Hades in the Underworld. She wears a robe and sometimes carries a pomegranate. Also known as 'Kore', meaning 'the maiden' - many ancient Greeks were afraid to speak her name, as she was the Queen of the Dead.
Poseidon
God of the sea and also of earthquakes. He carries a trident, and his animals are dolphins and horses. He is sometimes shown riding in his chariot, drawn by horses that can run on the ocean surface.
Selene
Goddess of the Moon. She is the feminine personification of the Moon, and appears as Maiden, Mother and Crone. She was often shown riding a bull or horse, or riding in a chariot pulled by a pair of oxen or horses. Equated with the Roman Goddess Luna.
Zeus
The God of sky and thunder, and ruler of Mt. Olympus. He is married to Hera, and is king of the Gods. His symbols are the lightning bolt, the sceptre and the eagle. He is a bearded man, with great wisdom and authority.
Celtic Deities Egyptian Deities
