Nyx from the Pergamon Zeus Altar

Nyx is the Goddess of the Night.  Her name has both Greek and African origins, in Greek the name means GODDESS OF THE NIGHT, in African the name means GODDESS OF LIGHT.  Nyx, also known as Nox, was the first daughter of Chaos, gave birth to Erebus (Darkness), Tartarus (a place deep beneath the underworld), and Gaia (Mother Earth) whom is also known as her sister.  She mated with Erebus and bore to him two children, Aether (Upper Air) and Hemera (Day).  Then, on her own she gave birth to Apate (Deception), Eris (Discord), Geras (Old Age), The Hesperides (Hespere, Eretheis and Aegle), Hypnos (Sleep), Kera (Fate), Keres (Misery), Moirai (The Fates: Klotho, Lakhesis and Atropos), Momos (Blame), Moros (End), Nemesis (Divine Retribution), Oizys (Pain), Oneiroi (the Tribe of Dreams), Philotes (Affection) and Thanatos (Death).

Nyx has been attributed with the powers over illness, suffering, dreams, misfortunes, quarrels, war, murder, sleep and death.  In fact, any inexplicable or frightening thing that befell man is attributed to her.  Nyx is also the surpreme ruler of prophetic power.

Nyx by Jessica Galbreth

Nyx lives like her daughter Hermera, beyond the horizons in Tartarus.  Twice every day, at dusk and dawn they pass the bronze gates of the other world, to traverse the heavens.  Nyx rides in a black chariot drawn by two black steeds, and accompanied by the stars.  She is a serious figure clad in long, heavy drapery, on her head a black star spangled veil, she has black wings and carries twin children in her arms.  One child was black, who was Death; the other was white, who was Sleep. 

Nyx covers many theologies and symbolically represents the Darkness within each of us.  She is the eternal lure, the endless possibilities of fathomless resourses.  Nyx is the shadow made divine; for if we only have the courage to understand and embrace the darkness, we find that all things are possible, and nothing is out of reach if we only give it form.  Nyx has no limits.  She also reminds us that it is easy to get caught up in the delusions around our suffering, our misfortunes, and our fears.  Nyx calls us to lift the veils of illusions, to awaken our power and dismantle blame so that wholeness can be attained within each of us.  She is here to let us know that we have more potential than we realize if only we would open ourselves and our hearts to her. 

Night by Edward Burne-Jones

                                             

                                                Additional attributes:

Element:  Water

Planet:  Moon

Colors:  Black and Silver

Symbol:  Stars on a black veil

Animals: Bat and Owl

Day of the Week:  Monday

Time of Year:  Strongest around Yule.

I made a veil for my original art.

Trance Journey with Nyx:

This journey is most powerful if done outside on a moonless night so that the stars are bright in the sky.  Go to an uninterrupted place, sit quietly and calm your thoughts.  Look at the stars and ask Nyx to be with you, guide you, and bring you back to this world.  As you are gazing on the stars one seems to move closer.  As it does you can see the beautiful pearly white light entering you.  It begins at your head, flowing down filling your heart, hands, and all the way down to your feet.  You see this beautiful light eminating from your feet, your hands, your heart, your head and when you speak, from your mouth.  This star light is cleansing you, taking all your blameful thoughts, words, and actions from you.  These negative things are being replaced by the knowing of all that is possible and by love.  In turn, visualize each person that you have condemned, or who may be condemning you.  If you have harmed another, send some of this pearly white light to them and ask for their forgiveness.  If another has harmed you, send some white light to them and ask that the hurt be replaced by forgiveness.  Know that you are safe and protected by this beautiful starlight and that you are cleansed and ready to start anew.  Thank the star for cleansing you and Nyx for being your guide and release them.  Sit awhile longer and be still.  Think of those whom you asked for forgiveness from and seek them out to apologize to them personally if at all possible.  Carry with you the knowledge that you safe and protected by the beautiful white pearly light of the star.

 

References:

http://www.enchanted-art.com/nyx.html

http://www.theowiki.com/index.php/Nyx

http://www.loggia.com/myth/nyx.html

http://www.timelessmyths.com/classical/primeval.html#Nyx

http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Mythology/Nyx.html

http://www.paleothea.com/MinorsF-N.html#Ny

The New Book of Goddesses & Heroines by Patricia Monaghan, Llewellyn Publication, St. Paul, MN, 2000

Myth and Mankind, Titans and Olympians:  Greek & Roman Myth by Time Life, Duncan Baird Publishers, Castle House, London, 1997

Mysteries of the Unknown Series, Time and Space by Time Life, Time-Life Books, Alexandria, VA, 1990

The Woman’s Distionar of Symbols and Sacred Objects by Barbara Walker, Harper Collins, San Francisco, CA, 1988

 

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