Orphic Hymns
The Hymns of Orpheus are
a collection of 87 short religious poems composed during the late Hellenistic (3rd or 2nd century BCE) or early Roman (1st to 2nd century CE) era
, rooted in the beliefs of Orphism, a mystery cult or religious philosophy attributed to the mythical hero Orpheus. These hymns are addressed to various deities and divine forces, reflecting a complex cosmology and spiritual framework. The collection includes hymns to major gods such as Zeus , Hera, Poseidon , and Pluto , as well as to nature spirits, primordial beings, and abstract concepts like Justice , Equity , and Law.
- Planetary Invocations (Orphic Hymns, Agrippan planetary calls)
"Therefore in composing verses, and orations, for attracting the vertue of any Star, or Deity, you must diligently consider what vertues any Star contains, as also what effects, and operations, and to infer them in verses, by praising, extolling, amplifying, and setting forth those things which such a kind of Star is wont to cause by way of its influence, and by vilifying, and dispraising those things which it is wont to destroy, and hinder... Besides, with the divers sorts of the names of the Stars, they command us to call upon them by the names of the Intelligencies, ruling over the Stars themselves, of which we shall speak more at large in their proper place. They that desire further examples of these, let them search into the hymns of Orpheus, then which nothing is more efficatious in naturall Magick, if they together with their circumstances, which wise men know, be used according to a due harmony, with all attention." - Aggrippa, Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Bk I, ch. 71
The Orphic Hymns
Original Ancient Greek: Κλῦθί μoυ, Ἑρμεία, Διὸς ἄγγελε, Μαιάδος υἱέ, παγκρατὲς ἦτορ ἔχων, ἐναγώνιε, κοίρανε θνητῶν, εὔφρων, ποικιλόβουλε, διάκτορε Ἀργειφόντα, πτηνοπέδιλε, φίλανδρε, λόγου θνητοῖσι προφῆτα, γυμνάσιν ὃς χαίρεις δολίαις τ’ ἀπάταις, τροφιοῦχε, ἑρμηνεῦ πάντων, κερδέμπορε, λυσιμέριμνε, ὃς χείρεσσιν ἔχεις εἰρήνης ὅπλον ἀμεμφές, Κωρυκιῶτα, μάκαρ, ἐριούνιε, ποικιλόμυθε, ἐργασίαις ἐπαρωγέ, φίλε θνητοῖς ἐν ἀνάγκαις, γλώσσης δεινὸν ὅπλον τὸ σεβάσμιον ἀνθρώποισι· κλῦθί μευ εὐχομένου, βιότου τέλος ἐσθλὸν ὀπάζων ἐργασίαισι, λόγου χάρισιν, καὶ μνημοσύνῃσιν. English Translation: Hermes, draw near, angel of Zeus, son of Maia, almighty in heart, judge of contests Ruler of mortals joyful, clever, guide, slayer of Argus, you of the winged sandals, friend of mankind, prophet to mortals, who delights in exercise, in tricks and deceit, priestly, interpreter of all, protector of trade, who relieves us from our troubles, who holds in his hands peace's blameless tool. Lord of Korykos, blessed, bringer of luck, skilled in speech, aide in our labor, friend to mortals in need, holder the powerful weapon of speech, respected among men. Hear my prayer and grant a good end to a life full of luck, industry, gracious talk, and long memory.
Planetary Invocations
Orphic hymn to aphrodite
Heavenly, smiling Aphrodite, praised in many hymns,
sea-born, revered goddess of generation, you like the nightlong revel
and you couple lovers at night, O scheming mother of Necessity.
Everything comes from you; you have yoked the world,
and you control all three realms. You give birth to all,
to everything in heaven, upon the fruitful earth
and in the depths of the sea, O venerable companion of Bacchos.
You delight in festivities, O bridelike mother of the Erotes,
O Persuasion whose joy is in the bed of love, secretive, giver of grace,
visible and invisible, lovely-tressed daughter of a noble father,
bridal feast companion of the gods, sceptered she-wolf,
beloved and man-loving giver of birth and of life,
with your maddening love-charms you yoke mortals
and the many races of beasts to unbridled passion.
Come, O goddess born in Cyprus, whether you are on Olympos,
O queen, exulting in the beauty of your face,
or you wander in Syria, country of fine frankincense,
or, yet, driving your golden chariot in the plain,
you lord it over Egypt’s fertile river bed.
Come, whether you ride your swan-drawn chariot over the sea’s billows,
joying in the creatures of the deep as they dance in circles,
or you delight in the company of the dark-faced nymphs on land,
(as, light-footed, they frisk over the sandy beaches).
Come, lady, even if you are in Cyprus that cherishes you,
where fair maidens and chaste nymphs throughout the year
sing of you, O blessed one, and of immortal, pure Adonis.
Come, O beautiful and comely goddess;
I summon you with holy words and pious soul.