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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 38, lines 12–13 · Then all the flowers bloom
38.12
The Orphic Hymns 38.12 · Then all the flowers bloom
The dust of their dancing reaches the clouds, and when they have passed, everything flowers.
· · ·
τε1
te
and
εἱλιγμοῖς2
heiligmoîs
from the whirlingwindings
ποδῶν3
podôn
of your feet
κονίη4
koníē
the dust
ἀφικάνει5
aphikánei
reaches
νεφέλας6
nephélas
the clouds
ἐρχομένων7
erchoménōn
as you come
; τότε8
tóte
then
δή9
dḗ
indeed
ῥα10
rha
—
πάντα11
pánta
all
ἄνθεα12
ánthea
the flowers
τέθηλε13
téthēle
bloomhave burst into bloom
καὶ14
kaì
too
. and from the whirling of your feet the dust reaches the clouds as you come; then indeed all the flowers bloom too.
and from the whirling of your feet the dust reaches the clouds as you come; then indeed all the flowers bloom too.
Interpretation
and from the whirling of your feet the dust reaches the clouds as you come; and then all the flowers burst into bloom.
The image turns from storm to spring. The dust from the dancers' whirling feet climbs to the clouds, and "then all the flowers bloom." The Kouretes bring the winds and the weather that make things grow, which is why the hymn calls them "life-giving breaths" at the start and at the end asks them to breathe on the crops.
38.14
The Orphic Hymns 38.14 · Nurturers and destroyers
When they are angry they destroy a man's living, his property and even his life, and the sea groans.
· · ·
Immortal gods, both nurturers and also destroyers, whenever you rush out in anger at men, destroying their living and possessions, and even burning the people themselves; and the great sea groans, deep-eddying,