Scholars
of mythical texts have suggested that Circe is a Goddess
of love and some link her with the Babylonian Goddess
named Ishtar. But most often Circe is remembered for her
part in Homer's epic 'The
Odyssey' wherein she turned Odysseus' friends into
pigs and would have had the man himself had he not eaten a
magic herb to protect him.
According
to the tale Circe was persuaded to change them back if
Odysseus spent a year with her. Must have been a brave and
clever man.
"I am
Circe, a Goddess. A great Goddess. A monster Goddess. All
have feared me!"
And with
good cause. Circe is never gentle. She is fierce and
frightening to look at, she stands as tall as she wants -
anything between 3 and 7 metres. Her head is a mass of
thick spirals of course wiry hair which gives off electric
currents and most encounters involve her plucking a strand
and using it to shock. But she also has long sharp pointed
nails, huge saw -edged nails as big as a man's hand. Her
eyes are cruel slits opening just enough to show steely
grey centres; her skin has a green tinge to it. She
appears ageless, neither elderly nor young and usually
naked, showing her massive arms and legs and breasts. Her
voice is a mixture of snarl and growl:
"Brave
mortals welcoming me into this temple. Many would be too
terrified, but I appreciate being honoured. You are the
only mortals for many centuries who have seen me.
Today
is special, a day when great power and strength came down
upon me, Circe. I can look any way I wish, have as many
heads as I wish. Do you fear me? You should."
Time spent
with Circe tends to be intense in the extreme. She can
be kind, gentle even, but by her standards not
ours. Circe enjoys mortal company in much the same way a
cat enjoys a mouse, but so far team-members have always
made it back, albeit shaken, stirred and shocked.
"You
honour me, that is as it should be. More mortals should
honour me. I now have many temples and those who attend
will learn more about me. I give the gifts of great
strength. Now I am going back to festivities, you go back
to your world. I give you one gift, anything you want,
within reason. Go! I admire your courage."
Temple
Diaries Circe
Festival
of Circe - February 20th |