The river Styx was believed to encircle the Underworld in nine loops and together with the river Acheron, separated the realms of the living from the dead. The most enduring myth associated with Styx is that of the dreaded boatperson Charon who expected a tip for ferrying the soul of the deceased across Styx to the other side in his leaky old boat.
    The waters of Styx were said to be used by the Gods themselves when making oaths of the most solemn kind. For should they break that oath then they must drink that water which was so powerful it would lay out cold even a God or Goddess for one year minimum.
    Old Herodotus the historian suggested this myth was told by the locals in Arcadia of their stream named Styx.

In fact Styx is actually the God of rivers and when he appears his presence is awesome. He is tall and always is enveloped in a great dark robe. His hands are boney and strange-looking and his voice sounds like wracking gravel:

"I thank you for paying homage to me. I do not expect to be honoured often but it does please me when you do. I have been ignored for so long. Many times have I been insulted, ridiculed and held up as a joke by mortals." 

It is hard to imagine anyone insulting or even ridiculing Styx, for his very presence makes you cower, his presence is awesomely powerful. But as frightening as he seems, he can be most gentle and is aware that not every human is thoughtless toward his realm, as the following team-member's encounter reveals:

'...I was taken to the mouth of a river into the sea, though I have no idea where we were. The strange towering figure of Styx was beside me. We stood on the riverbank above the estuary. The river was running quite swiftly and it was bringing down a lot of litter, in fact the banks were covered in rubbish. It looked revolting.
    "This is an unhappy river."

Then I was taken upriver and saw a pleasure-boat with about eight people on board, they were playing music, loud music, drinking beer and throwing the cans overboard. Styx's voice became a threatening growl:
    "All who do this will have to face me."
    We carried on upriver and there was a factory and some workmen busy by an outflow pipe.
    "These men are blessed by me. They are mending a pipe that was found leaking into the river. Fortunately it was quickly discovered and prompt action has been taken and I bless those in charge. All those who clean my rivers have my blessing though they do not realise it. There are those who now help to clean rivers and streams and great factories do not pollute as they did. But accidents happen, sometimes through clumsiness. Even this will stop in time. 
    I am influencing mortals to take precautions. But much more has to be done. Mortals are polluting the rivers, killing fish and affecting those who go to the rivers for water, and there still are mortals who do this."

Next we seemed to be in a tropical place, perhaps the Amazon. There were colourful birds swooping over the river and huge dragonflies flitting about. We travelled further and found a patch of sandy gravel where three children were playing, brown-skinned, black haired children so I guessed they were native to the area. They were splashing each other, laughing and playing. Even Styx appeared to be enjoying himself:

"This is a happy river. In time all rivers will be happy. All boats will be gone and fishing will be stopped. Many fishermen have had to face me and no doubt many more will; but there are not as many as there were.
    I am the God of all rivers, I am also in charge of this river..."  
    The river changed and we arrived at a weird expanse of water. 
    No longer grey-brown but extremely dark blue with a consistency like thick blue runny custard but clear for I could see the bottom. 

 "To you mortals this river is in another dimension, yet all have to cross."

Festival of Styx - 28th November