Selene – The Greek Goddess

Imagine a moonlit night with the silver glow of the moon casting its gentle light upon the Earth. In ancient Greece, people believed that this enchanting celestial body was personified as a goddess named Selene. Selene was one of the Titans, a group of powerful and ancient deities who ruled the cosmos long before the Olympian gods like Zeus, Hera, and Athena came into the picture.

Selene’s domain was the night sky, and she was responsible for guiding her chariot across the heavens each night, pulling the moon behind her. Picture her riding a chariot drawn by two magnificent, gleaming white horses across the dark canvas of the night. This visual was the Greeks’ way of explaining the moon’s daily journey across the sky.

Now, here’s a little twist in the story: Moon greek god was madly in love with another Greek god, Endymion. Endymion was a mortal who was granted eternal youth and placed in a perpetual slumber by Zeus as a reward for his good deeds. Selene would visit Endymion every night while he slept, enchanted by his eternal beauty.

Selene’s nightly visits to Endymion’s side are a beautiful representation of the moon’s phases. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, growing brighter and dimmer, Selene’s love story with Endymion was full of highs and lows, with the moon symbolizing their enduring connection.

The moon wasn’t just a symbol of beauty and love in Greek mythology; it also had a significant influence over the mortal world. People believed that the moon had the power to affect human emotions and behavior. Have you ever heard the term “lunatic”? It comes from the Latin word “lunaticus,” which means “moonstruck.” This term was used to describe people who acted strangely during the full moon, a belief that dates back to ancient times.

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About the Author: Becky