The Hellenic Temple of Apollon, Zeus, and Pan

Qargelia

Thargelia: Purification of the Community and Birthday of Apollon and Artemis

The Thargelia is an ancient Athenian festival celebrating the birthday of Apollon and Artemis. The day prior to the festival is a day of purification, where a pharmakhos is used to expel all of the impurities of the city so that new growth can begin. In the ancient ceremony, the Athenians picked two ugly, poor criminals from the city and decorated them with figs. These people were then led around the city, absorbing all miasmas (impurities) as they went. Finally, the people were driven out of the city or killed (depending on the time period), sending the impurities away from the city.

There is evidence to suggest that the ritual of the pharmakhos pre-dates Apollon’s introduction into the pantheon. It has been recorded that the ritual was done other times than at the Thargelia, usually during times of plague. The idea was to place the entire city’s miasma onto something else…a scapegoat, and then to destroy it. In later periods, a goat was used for the ritual. In modern times, a straw doll is fashioned in the likeness of a pharmakhos and then used for the ritual.

Some groups have thought of using a human pharmakhos for their ritual, without killing him/her. This can be possible if the right precautions are taken…for instance: the person must be given another name, a mask and other clothing to wear for the duration of the ritual; these items must then be burned afterwards and the person takes a ceremonial bath to cleanse away any other miasma before they assume their original name. It is my personal feeling that a doll is a better way to accomplish the ritual, as it is a less dangerous approach, and because one of the most important aspects of the ancient ritual was to destroy the pharmakhos-not as a sacrifice to Apollon, but as a method of purification. There must be no possibility of the miasma staying in the group after the ritual is accomplished.

On the second day of the ancient festival there was an offering of the thargeloi: two loaves of bread with vegetables. For the modern celebration, some worshippers will use calzones made with legumes. In ancient times, these were first fruit offerings and not shared, although in modern times, if Apollon and Artemis approve, the offerings can be shared.

Preparations: The altar is adorned with a golden or white cloth, symbolizing Apollon as a God of Purification. Candles should be of white or gold. The usual implements of thusia are present in the ritual space. There is also prepared a chair in the ritual space for the HTAZP oracular prophesy ritual, as it is a tradition of the temple to channel the God on His birthday.

An appropriate main sacrifice is chicken marinated in orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, rosemary and bay. Following ancient tradition, two loaves of bread are baked with vegetables in them--the thargeloi. These are offered later on in the day’s events. Other offerings can be anything golden or white in color.

The night prior to the ritual, the pharmakhos is made with straw and twine, along with small paper figs which will be used to decorate the doll during the pharmakhos ritual. The doll is consecrated as a magical tool for the purposes of purification, and should be bound well.

Opening Activities

Rite of the Pharmakhos

The pharmakhos doll is passed around to each participant, who uses a pencil or marker to draw or write something onto it that represents the impurity, sickness, or negative energies they wish to be rid of. The doll is then brought to another location and destroyed, either by burning, burying or simply throwing into the garbage in its own garbage bag if burning is impractical for the given space.

Theoxenia

Procession

Marking Sacred Space and Purification

Opening Prayer

The bowl of barley is passed around to the participants who each take a handful. The priest or priestess speaks the following or similar prayer:

Holy Apollon, Averter of Evils,
God of Healing, God of the Golden Bow,
I/We come before You and Your sister
Artemis, of the Silver Bow-
Goddess of Hunting and Strength,
To celebrate the date of Your birth.
May You look upon us all with favor,
And delight in our offerings to You both.
May Apollon help us to heal after our purification.
May Artemis help us to be strong as we heal.
Holy Ones, come to this space,
Celebrate this great day with us!

Each person tosses their barley into the main offering bowl, along with any personal prayers they may have.

Offerings and Feast

Selections of the feast foods are placed upon a plate for Artemis and Apollon, along with a cup of wine or other beverage that the worshipers are sharing. The rest of the food is consumed by the participants.

Festivities

Movies and Games:

If a movie has been chosen and the space allows, the movie can be played while the participants eat and enjoy in the company of each other and the Gods. Games may be played later as well again in the festive atmosphere. The winner of the games is presented with a prize, which he/she dedicates to Apollon and Artemis.

Offering the Thargeloi:

This is the final activity of the celebration. At this time, the thargeloi (bread with vegetables baked into it—I usually use calzones) are brought out and a portion of them is cut off and given to Apollon and Artemis respectively. An addition to the ritual can be the singing of “happy birthday” to Them while the cakes are lit with candles.

Closing Divination and Ritual:

Before the participants leave, each has an opportunity to take some personal time in the temenos, where the priest will offer divination where Apollon will be consulted. Afterwards, each participant is given a moment to make any closing offerings or libations in thanks before they depart.