Transgender Apollo
An Alternative Interpretation of Pseudo-Apollodorus'
Bibliotheca 1. 21 - The Birth of Artemis and Apollo
*The following is not meant to be taken as holy writ or a universal truth believed by all Hellenic Polytheists, but instead as a Temple Teaching - as well as an alternate interpretation/reinterpretation of Pseudo-Apollodorus' account of the birth of Artemis and Apollo.
"Of the daughters of Koios (Coeus), Asteria in the form of a quail threw herself into the sea while fleeing a sexual union with Zeus. A polis was originally named Asteria after her : later on it became Delos. The other daughter Leto had relations with Zeus, for which she was hounded by Hera all over the earth. She finally reached Delos and gave birth to Artemis, who thereupon helped her deliver Apollon."
Historical & Academic Context:
According to our research, this passage from the Bibliotheca appears to be the only mythic account in which Artemis is explicitly described as being born before Apollo. It may also be the only narrative that recounts Artemis acting as midwife to Lêto during Apollo's birth. When examining this unique narrative, it's important to remember that Hellenic Polytheism has no "bible" - no singular source of myth that establishes "cannon" or "correct" interpretation. The mythic traditions that have trickled down to us through history are sometimes consistent - but more often than not are contradictory. There is no "right" or "wrong"; there is simply variation in faith and belief.
Something that accentuates this point is the fact that Apollo's mythos did not always position him as Artemis' twin. Historical and anthropological evidence suggests that Apollo was worshipped independently of Artemis before the twin narrative emerged.
"In some of these local traditions Apollo is mentioned alone, and in others together with his sister Artemis." - Theoi.com
Temple Teachings & Mythic Interpretation:
Temple Hyacinthus has chosen to align our Temple's teachings with this particular passage from the Bibliotheca, but through an alternative interpretation of the text quoted above.
In our interpretation, Artemis and Apollo are not twins - but the same entity.
When Apollo was born to Lady Lêta - he was given the name of Artemis and regarded as a Goddess. She was granted domains such as hunting, the wilderness, and wild animals. However, as time went on, Artemis came to understand that she was in fact - not a Goddess of the Moon, but a God of the Sun. Then, with the love and blessing of his mother and father, he assisted in the "birth" of Apollo. Thus, Lord Apollo emerged: a deity who was born and given a name, only to be reborn by his own hands. A transmasculine, transgender, transcendent divinity - and Patron of The Temple of Hyacinthus.
Under this interpretation, and within the Temple, we did not wish to erase Artemis. We instead meant to reinterpret Apollo's mythos in a way that honored the divinity inherent in being transgender. So, in an effort to not erase Artemis, we worship and reattribute the domains, myths, and practices associated with Artemis to Diana Nemorensis, the primordial Italic Goddess. While still holding space for Lord Apollo's story as a transgender God.
Thumbnail Credit: original image created by art janaG on Youtube (link)
