The Gods of the Neokoroi - Askelpios
Image courtesy of and copyright © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons.
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 or advices them how to act. 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 mankind, teaching them the secrets of health, and aiding them as they help their fellow men, being patron of Medicine.
Epithets:
Agnitas (unknown meaning), Amumonos Iétéros (blameless physician), Basilei (king), Épiós (mild), Iétér Pantón (healer of all), Paiéon (healer), Sótér (saviour)
Symbols:
snake, staff (NOT the caduceus)
Animal(s):
snake, dog
Sacrifices:
frankincense, any animal but he-goats, particularly cocks and pigs, votive gifts of clay representing infermed/healed limb or of Asklepios himself, money, laurel, olive, oak, garlands, paeons, rings, candles, armor, mirrors, locks, poetry and hymns, songs, anything requested by the God during incubation/dream/divination
Primary Cult Center(s):
Messenia, Epidauros, Kos, Tricca
Festivals:
Asklepia: 8 Elaphebolion (March-April) - celebration of Asklepios the God
Asklepieia: generic name of Asklepios' festivals on all cities
Epidauria: Boedromion (September-October) - simpler preparation to the Great Mysteries
The 8th and the 18th of the month
Daily morning and night sacrifices by the priest in his major temples
Ways to honor:
Live a healthy life. Be mindful of what you eat, and it's effects 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. Follow your doctor's advice. Strive to learn about health and disease and help in health campaigns.
For more information:
Apollodorus' Library 3.10.3-4
Homer's Iliad 2.729-733,
Homeric Hymn to Asklepios 16
Hyginus' Poetica Astronomica 2.14
Orphic Hymn to Asklepios 67
Ovid's Metamorphoses 15.533-546, 15.626-744
Pausanias' Description of Greece 2.26.3-10, 8.25.11
Modern books on Asklepios:
Edelstein, Emma and Ludwig; Asclepius - Collection and Interpretation of Testimonies
Farnell, Lewis; Greek Hero Cults and Ideas of Immortality
Hart, Gerald; Asclepius: The God of Medicine
Meier, C. A.; Healing Dream and Ritual: Ancient Incubation and Modern Psychotherapy
Walton, Alice; Asklepios: The Cult of the Greek God of Medicine
Links:
Asclepius - page on Encyclopedia Mythica
Asclepius - page on Theoi.com
Asclepios, the Greek God of Medicine and Healing
Epidauros - HMC
Temple of Apollon and Asklepios