A digital shrine of Asklepios, Healer and Physician of both mortal men and deathless gods. Most of what will be on this page will be focused on Asklepios, plus other deities related to him. This is a combination of historical and personal experiences and I will try to the best of my ability to cite everything that is historical/academical backed. Please don't take my word as fact and do your own research as well ^^
Asklepios was the god of medicine. He was the son of Apollon and the Triccaean princess Koronis. His mother died in labour and when she was laid out on the pyre, Apollon cut the unborn child from her womb. From this Asklepios received his name which means "to cut open." Asklepios was raised by the centaur Chiron who instructed him in the art of medicine. He grew so skilled in the craft that he was able to restore the dead to life. This was a crime against the natural order and so Zeus destroyed him with a thunderbolt.
After his death Asklepios was placed amongst the stars as the constellation Ophiochus ("the Serpent Holder"). Asklepios' apotheosis into godhood occurred at the same time.
Parents: Apollon (father) and Koronis (mother) - according to the most sources such as the Homeric Hymn to Asklepios, Ovid' Metamorphoses, Apollonius Rhodius and Apollodorus to name a few
Wife: Epione (goddess of the soothing of pain) - according to most sources | Hygeia (goddess of good health) - according only to the Orphic Hymn to Asklepios
Children: Hygeia (goddess of good health) | Iaso (goddess of cures, remedies and modes of healing) | Aigle (goddess of radiant good health) | Panaceia (goddess of cures and panaceas) | Akeso (goddess of curing sickness and healing wounds)
This is a combination of historical epithets (from Hymns or other old texts) and modern epithets.
Things you can do to honour Asklepios. This list is not a complete one and you're more than welcomed (even encouraged) to make up your own devotional acts or alter the ones I'm presenting to better suit your practice.
I begin to sing of Asklepios,
son of Apollon and healer of sicknesses.
In the Dotian plain fair Koronis, daughter of King Phlegyas,
bare him, a great joy to men, a soother of cruel pangs.
and so hail to you, lord: in my song I make my prayer to thee!
I swear by Apollon the physician, and Asklepios, and Hygeia, and Panacea, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation . . .
Sing, youths, of Paian, skill-famed, Leto's son,
Far-shooter --ie Paian!-- who fathered a great joy for mortals
when he mingled in love with Koronis
in the land of the Phlegyai --ie Paian!--,
Asklepios, the most famous god --ie Paian!
By him were fathered Makhaon and Podaleirios and Iaso --ie Paian!--
and fair-eyed Aigle and Panakea, children of Epione,
along with Hygieia, all-glorious, undefiled;
ie Paian! Asklepios, the most famous god--ie Paian!
Greetings I give you: graciously visit our widespaced city --ie Paian!--
and grant that we look on the sun's light in joy,
approved with the help of Hygieia, all-glorious, undefiled:
ie Paian!--Asklepios, the most famous god--ie Paian!
High-skilled Asklepios; and summon the two Dioskouroi
and the august Kharites (Graces) and glorious Mousai (Muses)
and kindly Moirai (Fates) and unwearied Helios (Sun)
and Selene (Moon) at her full and all the signs with
which heaven is crowned. Greetings, all you immortal gods
everlasting and immortal goddesses!
Asklepios, lord Paian, healer of all,
you charm away the pains of men who suffer.
Come, mighty and soothing, bring health,
put an end to sickness, then to the harsh fate of death.
O blessed spirit of joyful growth,
O helper, you ward off evil,
honored and mighty son of Phoibos Apollon.
Enemy of disease, consort of Hygieia the blameless,
come as savior, O blessed one, bring life to a good end.
[Asclepius] healer of the world. Often men shall owe health and life, and yours shall be the right to win again departed souls, and, though you dare this once in heaven's despite, Jove's [Zeus'] bolt will thwart that gift a second time. You, now divine, shall be a lifeless corpse, and from a corpse become divine again, and twice you shall renew your destiny.
O Asklepios, son of noble Apollon,
hear our prayer, father of surgeons.
Asklepios Philolaos, lover of people,
Released from a mortal womb by your noble father and
imbued with the great healing knowledge of Chiron,
your skill in medicine across broad Earth and in the heavens
is without equal, O Glowing one.
Serpent-Holder, healer of the gods,
Grace us with your gifts and send dreams
that restore and guide us and reveal the
mysteries of life and well-being.
With your kind-hearted daughter Hygeia,
heal those who are sick among us,
our children, parents, spouses and partners
and all those whom we hold dear
and the mortals known as
[insert the names of the people]
and the mortals who wish to mentain their privacy
but are under your protective sight nonetheless.
Grant them a quick and uneventful recovery.
Soothe their bodies and calm their spirits
that they may enjoy a long and full life
and return to honoring the gods.
And for those of us who walk this old lands
and whose conditions aren't temporary
for what ails us, there is no remedy, and yet
we pray to you, O reliever of suffering,
soothe our pains, even just for a moment,
and let us live long joyous lives.
And we shall honor you with
bloodless offerings and sing
your praises at all our feasts.
