Nymphs Shrine

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Following is information about how the Nymphs Shrine is ideally honored:

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The nymphs are a variety of nature spirits. Some were born this way and others were transformed into nymphs during dealings with Gods. There are many; some with individual names and some identified by class – for example Naiads of freshwater springs, rivers, and lakes. Overall, besides wine and honey (nymphs are associated with honeybees), their preferred offerings include songs, poems, and dances. It is said that if you are spontaneously inspired to sing, dance or recite poetry, then you are in the presence of the nymphs. If you know of one specific one you’d like to call upon you may do so, or you can call on them collectively as “Nymphai” (Noom Pie).

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RITUAL

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All of the Greek shrines have a common format for honoring them, asking a boon of them, etc. The format goes:

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1) Say “Khaire (Car-ay) O [their name]. Hail [their name]!”

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2) Tell them why you are calling on them. For example, you might say “Thank you for your presence, wisdom, insight, and assistance in my ritual.”

 

3) Say this:

 

“Eleibometha (Elay bomb etha) soi (soy). We have poured a libation to you. (Pour them a little wine)

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Leipsometha (Layp somm etha) soi (soy). We do pour a libation to you.(Pour them a little more wine) 

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Leibometha (Lay bomb etha) soi (soy). We will pour a libation to you. (Pour them a little more wine and finish the rest yourself)

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Kharin (Car-een) ekhomen (ek-omen) soi (soy). Khaire (Car-ay)! We give you thanks. Hail!”

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NAMES OF NYMPH CLASSES

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•Anthusae — ​Nymphs of flowers.

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•Aurae — Nymphs of cooling breezes. They are daughters of the wind-god Boreas, or Okeanos, the earth-encircling fresh-water stream.

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•Bacchae — The Bacchic nymphs, companions of Dionysus. 

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•Bucolae — Bucolic or rustic nymphs.

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•Crenaeae — Naiad nymphs of wells and fountains.

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•Dryads — The broad category of all nymphs of trees and forests. Some of them have their life force bound to that of a specific tree, usually the loftiest in a forest, or one in a sacred grove of the gods.

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•Epimelides — Nymphs of highland pasture, protectresses of sheep-flocks.

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•Haliae — Nymphs of the sea, the sands, and the rocky shores. They have schools of fish and other sea creatures in their keeping. The most famous of them were the fifty Nereids.

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•Hamadryads — Oak-tree dryads.

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•Heleionomae — Naiads of fresh-water marshes and wetlands.

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•Lampades — Torch-bearing nymphs of the underworld. They probably belong to the train of Persephone or Hecate.

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•Leimenides — Nymphs of the water-meadows, pastures thick with lush grass and flowers.

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•Limnatides — Naiads of lakes.

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•Meliae — Nymphs of honey, bees and honeydew (manna). They are also dryads of the mountain ash.

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•Meliades — Dryads of fruit-trees

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•Naiads — Nymphs of the sources of fresh-water: springs, fountains, streams, rivers, and lakes. Usually called daughters of Okeanos and the River-Gods.

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•Nephelae — Nymphs of the clouds.

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•Oceanids — Nymphs who preside over the sources of fresh water; both earthly, the streams and fountains, and heavenly, moist breezes and rain-clouds. They are daughters of Oceanus, the earth-encircling fresh-water stream, and sisters of the River-Gods.

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•Oreads — Dryads of the mountains, whose life forces are closely tied to those of lofty mountain pines or firs.

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•Pegaeae— Naiads of springs.

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•Potameides — Nymphs of the rivers.

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If you plan to honor each of the Greek shrines, we recommend you start and end with the Community Shrine. Hestia is traditionally the first and last deity to be given offerings.

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There are eight official shrines at Laurelin.

 

Four of the Shrines are to Greek gods and goddesses:

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-Hermes

-Aphrodite

-Pan

-Nymphs

 

 

Four shrines are dedicated to local features:

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-Community (which can also be a Greek shrine for Hertha)

​-Water

​-Wild Ancestors

​-Stone Circle

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You are welcome to visit any of them as long as you treat them with respect.