Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

284 SELF-INITIATION IN10 THE GoWEN DAWN TRADmON
Hathor
Zeus
Hera
ZEUS (equivalent to the Roman Jupiter): Originally the
Greek god of the sky and of all atmospheric phenomena,
Zeus was the lord of winds, clouds, thunder and rain. The
god is sometimes referred to as Nephelgeretes or "cloudgatherer."
He resided in the uppermost regions of the air
and on mountain tops. Later Zeus took on the characteristics
of a supreme god who was omnipotent and all-knowing.
A wise leader of gods and men, he ruled all in
accordance to the law of fate. Zeus is usually depicted as a
robust mature man with a serious expression and deep set
eyes. Thick hair and a curled beard frame his face and a
crown of oak leaves adorns his head. Sometimes nude, but
more often wearing a long mantle which uncovers his
chest and right arm, the god holds a scepter in his left
hand and a thunderbolt in his right. An eagle is sometime
shown at his feet.
HERA (equivalent to the Roman Juno): Queen of the gods.
Originally a Greek sky goddess, Hera became the wife of
Zeus, and the cults of the two sky-deities merged. The noisy
quarrels of Zeus and Hera were reflected in the storms and
atmospheric disturbances. Hera also has a connection with
the threephases of the moon. She is a champion of women
and fecundity.
Greek Gods ofthe Winds:
BOREAS: The North Wind, harsh and destructive, represented
as a winged mature man with hair floating in
the wind.
ZEPHYRUS: The West Wmd. Originally baleful, Zephyrus
later became a sweet-scented and beneficial wind.
EURUS: The East Wind.
NOTUS: The South Wind.
AEOLUS: Guardian and father of the winds appointed by
Zeus. He was the inventor of ships' sails, who could calm
or arouse the fury of the winds at will.
THOR or DONAR: The Teutonic god of thunder and
storm. Thor was the strongest of the gods and he is portrayed
as a tall vigorous man with a red beard traversing
across the heavens in a chariot pulled by goats. The Hammer
of Thor, called Mjollnir, was a symbol of the thunderbolt.
When his chariot rolled across the sky, it caused the
sound of thunder. When lightning was seen, it was said to