Anoixi

The Vernal Equinox

Anoixi is the celebration of the Spring Equinox in our Temple's tradition. The name of this festival is directly derived from the Greek άνοιξη, meaning Spring or springtime (source: Wiktionary).

Occurring annually on Herakleios 19, 20, or 21 (depending on that year's Spring Equinox), it is a festival of joy, flowers, and the welcoming of new beginnings and growth.

symbols & Decore

hair binding / veiling

  • No Recommendation

Jewelry / Adornments

  • Recommended

foods of significance

  • Salads, Especially Those Containing Kale or Spinach

  • Seasonal Fruits Such As Mandarins and Blood Oranges

  • Lamb (If it Aligns With Your Practice)

colors of significance

  • Pink

  • Green

  • Yellow

symbols of significance

  • Flowers, Especially Dandelions​

  • Symbols you Associate with Spring

  • Eggs and Other Symbols of New Life

history vs modern day

While Anoixi is a festival invented in the modern age to reflect our Temple's traditions, including our adherance to The Truth of Devotion, the festival also takes inspiration and influence from the Wiccan* Sabbat of Ostara, as well as the Athenian festival of Anthesteria.

From Hellenion, regarding Anthesteria:

"A three-day festival that literally means Festival of Flowers, it celebrates the Spring, new wine and the dead. At the beginning of the holiday, the Athenians would crown children who were three years old with wreaths of the first flowers of the year. "​

Temple Hyacinthus observes Anoixi as a celebration of the Spring Equinox and the dawn of new beginnings. Additionally, the festival occurs during the month of Herakleios - during which we honor Lord Hermes. During Anoixi, we encourage incorporating Lord Hermes into your ritual in his role of 'Hermes Anthophoros*'.

Additionally, it is on this day that our Temple teaches that Lady Kore has shed her title of 'Persephone' and returned from Hades to be with her mother, Lady Demeter. Even if it is just a simple acknowledgement during ritual, it is important in our Temple's tradition to acknowledge Kore's return - and to refrain from referring to her as 'Persephone' until after Fthinóporo (the Autumn Equinox).

 

*Not a historic epithet given to Hermes, Hermes Anthophoros literally translates to 'Hermes the Flowering' (source: LSJ.gr) - but in our Temple's tradition it is meant to allude to the title of 'Hermes; harbinger of Spring'.

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Theoxenia