Helios: When You Need a Little Light
The light at the end of the tunnel...for those of us who need all the light we can get.
Imagine you are in this dark cave. You hear a noise and look over and see nothing but black. You keep walking and feeling your way through the cold hallow cave fearing that someone is watching you…waiting for you. Then you see the light…
Helios, the Spirit of the Sun - and before Apollo, the ultimate Sun god; is that light you are seeing at the end of the tunnel. He is also the one you felt watching you as you made your way through seemingly endless darkness.
This pre-Hellenic deity was venerated, heavily, during ancient times for the same reason we honor Thomas Edison for his light bulb: light is the ultimate sign of power.
The good kind of power.
Though you may not always realize it, there is more to life than darkness. When you watch the news or hear a sad story, or even the Lady Chatterley next to you exclaim how this world is nothing like it used to be; there is still hope.
For those of us who suffer from mental illness, particularly depression, it can be hard to feel the strength of the light when we feel so empty. Like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, we tend to forget that there is a wonderland waiting for us to come to life.
So how do we not only find the light in dark times, but hold onto it?
We pray. We venerate. We invoke. (At least, us Pagans do.)
Much as the history of the first Sun god is lost, he is still held to high esteem all over the world. From references to his name in movies and shows to sundials, Helios is still watching over our society day in and day out and calls to us. If only we choose to see through the eyes of light instead of darkness, we can hear the call of his bright sun.
As the summer solstice passes and we come into a time of birth, renewal, and light, I believe it’s important to recognize just how much we need more light in this world.
On a personal note, I use to feel so sad when it was sunny. I didn’t know what I was going to do with myself on sunny days - feeling guilty that I wasn’t doing enough to honor the glory of nature’s primary light.
Things changed for me when I decided that I wasn’t going to give up. They also changed when I realized just how powerful the sun and its essence is to my life. Helios, energizes me and helps me make the most of everyday - even when it rains.
He awakens the power within in me.
So how can Helios, as powerful as he is, be incorporated in your life?
Think of him when you are having a bad day. Think of him we all hope is lost. Think of him when you need to stand in your true power.
Helios, may be one of the strongest and most masculine figures of ancient mythologic times - but he is also one of the gentlest. Like the children he raised and the secrets he has revealed under his glorious light, Helios can help you when you need a light at the end of the tunnel.
When you invoke his name, picture the light of the sun surrounding you. Bask in the glow of the rays and call of his name. For he sees all and knows all and can help you.
[Helios, the tender god with a heart of gold…your light is needed now more than ever to guide humanity to a brighter place. Maybe, if we truly believe in light over darkness, we can start to build a better place for everyone who shares in your glow.]
Pray to Helios…for he knows!