Eos The Dawn Goddess

Areas of Influence: Eos, Goddess of the dawn in ancient Greece was one of the Titans.

Every morning she awoke and used her rosy fingers to open the gates of heaven. This enabled her brother Helios (the sun God) to ride his chariot across the sky. She also brought forth the hope of a new day.

The dew was said to be her tears.

This female deity is most noted for her insatiable appetite for young men. Her desire is said to have been the result of a curse, placed upon her by Aphrodite, when she discovered her affair with Ares. She also kidnapped four lovers: Cephalus, Clitus, Ganymede and Tithonus. The later was a Trojan prince whom she begged Zeus to grant immortality. What she forgot to ask for was eternal youth. Eventually he shrivelled up with old age and she turned him into a grasshopper.

Her love for Orion was unrequited.

Origins and Genealogy: She was daughter of the Titans Theia and Hyperion. She had two close siblings Helios (the sun) and Selene (the moon).

With Aeolus the keeper of the winds, she bore four sons these became the winds of the cardinal directions.

Strengths: Passion. 

Weaknesses: Insatiable desire.

Roman Equivalent: Aurora. 

 Symbolism

Depicted in art with rosy fingers, wearing a saffron robe and a tiara or diadem.

In pictures of this Goddess she is usually shown winged or riding a winged golden chariot. Follow this link and discover a variety of artist representations of the Goddess including a winged almost angelic looking one by artist Evelyn De Morgan.

Sacred Plant: Saffron. 

Roman Equivalent: Aurora.

Eos Archetype

The Femme Fatale:

This Archetype represents the seductress or enchantress who manipulates men for sex, status or money. The complete lack of emotional involvement with their victim, results in the symbolic killing or getting rid of her lover when he has served his purpose.

On the more positive side rejection by the male can result in the opening her heart.

Eos fits this Archetype with her relentless pursuit of young men. She displayed these tendencies even before Aphrodite's curse. This pattern of behaviour appears to be a family trait as her sister Selene also has numerous lovers.

Please follow this link to the Archetypes page to discover which other Goddess Archetypes resonate with you.

How To Work With This Archetype

The Femme Fatale:

The femme fatale reminds you to be honest and look at why you are staying in a relationship? Is it the money, the house and status etc or are you emotionally connected to your lover.

If on the other hand you are looking for a new partner ask yourself how importantly you rank his earnings potential and status in your list of desirable qualities.