Blessing: Asklepios is even more concerned with health and healing than his father, Apollo. He comes to people in their dreams, and works miracle cures. He shows people how to live better lives, how to be more fit and energetic. Spiritual healing and psychology are also his concern. All of his skills he gladly shares with humankind, teaching us the secrets of health, and aiding us as we help our fellows.
Epithets: Forthcoming
Equated With: Imouthes (Imhotep), Serapis, Apollon, Paian.
Associations: snake, crow, staff, frankincense, cocks, votive gifts of clay
Festivals:
Asklepieia (8 Xanthikos)
Ways to honor: Live a healthy life. Be mindful of what you eat, and its affects on your body. Exercise. Learn about vitamins and alternative medicine. Explore Reiki and incubation. Visit the sick. Donate time or money to medical research and treatment.
Ancient Texts:
Excerpt from Guide to Greece by Pausanias
Excerpt From On Animals by Aelian
Excerpt from the Letter of Thessalos to Caesar Augustus
Homeric Hymn XVI (To Asklepios)
Orphic Hymn LXVII (To Asklepios)
Modern Texts:
A Healer’s Prayer to Asklepios by Amanda Aremisia Forrester
Hail Asklepios by Amanda Aremisia Forrester
Hymn to Asklepios I by Rebecca Buchanan
Prayer for Asklepios’ Day by Amanda Aremisia Forrester
To Asklepios by Erynn Rowan Laurie
Festivals and Rituals:
A Weekly Ritual of Devotion to Asklepios by Amanda Aremisia Forrester
Articles:
Asklepios the Physician by Amanda Aremisia Forrester
Links:
EncyclopediaMythica entry on Asclepius
There’s a thesis about Asklepios and his cult available for viewing.
“The appeal of Asklepios and the politics of healing in the Greco-Roman world”
Wickkiser, Bronwen Lara, 1969- (2003-05)
PDF can be download and viewed here:
http://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/12602
361 pages.
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