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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 2, lines 9–11 · Rest of the soul
2.9
The Orphic Hymns 2.9 · Rest of the soul
Eileithyia, the old goddess of childbirth, is the one women call on, and in her the pain is eased.
· · ·
Εἰλείθυια1
Eileíthyia
Eileithyia
, λύουσα2
lýousa
releasingloosing
πόνους3
pónous
painstoils
ἐν4
en
in
δειναῖς5
deinaîs
terrible
ἀνάγκαις6
anánkais
straitsnecessities
; γάρ7
gár
for
λεχοί8
lechoí
women in labor
καλοῦσι9
kaloûsi
call on
σε10
se
you
μούνην11
moúnēn
alone
, ἀνάπαυμα12
anápauma
restrepose
ψυχῆς13
psychês
of the soul
; γάρ14
gár
for
ἐν15
en
in
σοι16
soi
you
ἀνῖαι17
anîai
the painsgriefs
τοκετῶν18
toketôn
of childbirth
εἰσὶν19
eisìn
are
λαθικηδέες20
lathikēdées
easedcare-forgetting
. Eileithyia, releasing pains in terrible straits; for women in labor call on you alone, rest of the soul; for in you the pains of childbirth are eased.
Eileithyia, releasing pains in terrible straits; for women in labor call on you alone, rest of the soul; for in you the pains of childbirth are eased.
Interpretation
Eileithyia, releasing pains in terrible straits; for women in labor call on you alone, rest of the soul; for in you the pains of childbirth are eased.
Eileithyia is the oldest Greek goddess of childbirth; Homer already knows her. The last line says more than "eased." Lathikēdēs means "making one forget care," and the Iliad uses it for the breast a mother gave her baby to quiet him. In the goddess, the pains of birth become pains that are forgotten once the child is born.
2.12
The Orphic Hymns 2.12 · Grant children and keep them safe
All her names together, Artemis, Eileithyia, Prothyraia, and the request: children, and their safety.
· · ·
Artemis Eileithyia, and the revered Prothyraia, hear, blessed one, and grant children, being our helper, and save them, as you are by nature, always the savior of all.