Pisces (Northern Hemisphere)
In the Northern Hemisphere, Pisces is the sixth month of Our Zodiacal Hellenistic Mystery Calendar. In ancient Greece, this month was named according to the chart below.
| Athens | Delphi | Delos | Rhodes | Sparta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elaphebolion | Theoxenios | Galaxion | Badromios | Gerastios |
Sixth is the second Changing month, and it represents the natural law of Progress, which is under the rule of Poseidon. The Soul, the Universe, the year, is at the halfway point in its journey. Because of the Attraction given to it by Hera, it is able to make Progress toward ultimate harmony. This month represents the sphere of Jupiter, which is the sixth level of ascension.
Herakles' Sixth Labor is to eradicate the Stymphalian Birds, sacred to Ares. The birds, with their sharp metallic feathers, are a stand-in for negative or harmful thoughts, and their dark, swampy home symbolizes the subconscious. Herakles' scares the birds into the air with a rattle given to him by Athena, sure to shoot down those he is able to. From this, we learn that the work at this level is to hunt down the negative barbs still lurking in one's subconscious, bring them into the light of day, and shoot them down or drive them off.
Festivals in Pisces
| Day | City | Name | Deities Honored | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Athens | Elaphebolia | Artemis Elaphebolios | Celebrated with offerings of deer-shaped cakes | Date uncertain, likely the 6th |
| 6 | Delphi | Laphria | Artemis, Apollo, Hermes, Athena | Potentially celebrated with unique procession and offering | Date uncertain - see Pytho |
| 7 | Delphi | Theoxenia | Apollo, Leto, Dioscuri | Likely purificatory, celebrates return of the gods, honors dead | Date uncertain - see Pytho |
| 8 | Athens | Asclepia | Asclepius | Commemorates the introduction of the cult of Asclepius to Athens | Possibly instituted as the result of efforts by Sophocles - see Hellenion |
| 9 | Delphi | Telkhinia | Telkhines | Celebrates shapeshifting, metalworking | Date uncertain - see Pytho |
| 10-17 | Athens | City Dionysia | Dionysus | Celebrated with processions, theater, parties, community role-reversals |