Kind and Generous God

Hephaestus

Smith and Crafts God

Homeric Hymn

XX. TO HEPHAESTUS (8 lines)

(ll. 1-7) Sing, clear-voiced Muses, of Hephaestus famed for

inventions.  With bright-eyed Athene he taught men glorious gifts

throughout the world, -- men who before used to dwell in caves in

the mountains like wild beasts.  But now that they have learned

crafts through Hephaestus the famed worker, easily they live a

peaceful life in their own houses the whole year round.

(l. 8) Be gracious, Hephaestus, and grant me success and

prosperity!

Orphic Hymn To Hephestus

- Fumigation from Frankincense and Manna -

Mighty Hephestus who bears the unwearying fire in bright torrents streaming,

Deathless God whose strong hands create divine craft and pure elements,

To You belongs a portion of the Earth.

All-Taming Artist, All-Diffusive Power,

You devour all form, aether, sun, moon and the clear light of the stars.

You are all of these that men perceive, and all mortals, dwellings, tribes, and cities belong to You.

Hear us, Blessed Power, and to these holy rites incline to sanctify the incense,

Do not unleash Your burning, raging fires,

Preserve, instead, the vital flame of life that burns within us.