Selene, the moon goddess, Luna (Roman)
She is a young woman with an extremely white face who travels on a silver
chariot drawn by two horses. Sometimes riding a horse or a bull.
Selene wear a robes, carry a torch, and a half moon on her head. After
her brother Helios (Sun) crosses the sky, she begins her trek. Before
Selene's trip across the night sky she bathes in the sea.
Sometimes
confused with Artemis and Hecate, who were moon-goddesses. The actual moon is
the reflection of her pale body.
Selenes' Family History
- Selene was daughter of Hyperion, one of the TITANS, a bringer of light,
(or the Titan Pallas, Helios, or Zeus) and Theia (Theia, the sister of Helios.
).
- Selene's twin brother: Helius, (the sun god).
- Selene's sister: Eos, (the dawn), who is known for her numerous love
affairs
Selene, Love Affairs
Selene, the moon goddess, was involved in many love affairs.
SELENE and ENDYMION
Endymion was a beautiful shepherd boy of Asia
Minor, the mortal lover of the moon goddess Selene. Each night he was kissed
to sleep by her. She begged Zeus to grant him eternal life so she might be
able to embrace him forever.
Endymion was allowed to choose what he would, and he chose to sleep for
ever, remaining deathless and ageless. Zeus granted his wish. Every night
Selene visits him on Mt. Latmus.
Selene and Endymion have fifty daughters.
SELENE and PAN
Pan who gave her a herd of white oxen.
SELENE and ZEUS Selene's involvement with Zeus with whom she had
three daughters, and the Nemean lion, which fell to the earth from the moon.
Selene nourished the Nemean lion which Heracles killed. She was the mother of
Pandia by Zeus.
Endymion Selenes Lover
The seduction of Endymion is the love affair that brings Selene the most
fame. She fell in love with the shepard, Endymion, and seduced him while he
lie sleeping in a cave.
Her seduction of Endymion resulted in the birth of fifty daughters, one
of which was Naxos.
Since Selene was so deeply in love with Endymion she asked Zeus to allow
him to decide his own fate. Zeus granted Selene's request, and Endymion chose
never to grow old and to sleep eternally.
However, Endymion's eternal sleep did not prevent him from Selene giving
birth to his daughters.
Endymion was visited by Selene every night and kissed by her rays of
light.
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