Narrator: Thomas Jones 🇬🇧 Writer: Frankie Regalia ✍️ Sound effects: mythical flute, mountain breeze 🪈🌬️ Includes mentions of: Food, Magic, Children, Romance, Insects, Gratitude, Fantastical Creatures, Animals, Mythology, Wedding. Welcome back, sleepyheads. Tonight, our Olympian Gods mythology series continues with Hera, the goddess of marriage, women, family, dignity, poise, and tradition. 😴 Watch, listen and comment on this episode on the Get Sleepy YouTube channel. And hit subscribe while you're there! Enjoy various playlists of our stories and meditations on our Slumber Studios Spotify profile. Support Us Get Sleepy’s Premium Feed: getsleepy.com/support/ Get Sleepy Merchandise: getsleepy.com/store Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-sleepy/id1487513861 Connect Stay up to date on all our news and even vote on upcoming episodes! Website: getsleepy.com/ Facebook: facebook.com/getsleepypod/ Instagram: instagram.com/getsleepypod/ Twitter: twitter.com/getsleepypod Our Apps Redeem exclusive unlimited access to Premium content for 1 month FREE in our mobile apps built by the Get Sleepy and Slumber Studios team: Deep Sleep Sounds: deepsleepsounds.com/getsleepy/ Slumber: slumber.fm/getsleepy/ FAQs Have a query for us or need help with something? You might find your answer here:Get Sleepy FAQs About Get Sleepy Get Sleepy is the #1 story-telling podcast designed to help you get a great night’s rest. By combining sleep meditations with a relaxing bedtime story, each episode will guide you gently towards sleep. Get Sleepy Premium Get instant access to ad-free episodes and Thursday night bonus episodes by subscribing to our premium feed. It's easy! Sign up in two taps! Get Sleepy Premium feed includes: Monday and Wednesday night episodes (with zero ads). An exclusive Thursday night bonus episode. Access to the entire back catalog (also ad-free). Extra-long episodes. Exclusive sleep meditation episodes. Discounts on merchandise. We’ll love you forever. Get your 7-day free trial: getsleepy.com/support. Thank you so much for listening! Feedback? Let us know your thoughts! getsleepy.com/contact-us/. Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios. Check out our podcasts, apps, and more at slumberstudios.com. That’s all for now. Sweet dreams ❤️ 😴 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chapter 1: What is the focus of this episode?
Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. As always, I'm your host, Thomas. Thank you for tuning in. Tonight, we continue our progress through meeting each of the twelve Olympian gods. While there were nearly innumerable gods in ancient Greek mythology, the Olympians were the most powerful and important. We've met Zeus, king of the gods.
But tonight, we are graced by the presence of his queen and consort, Hera. Hera is the goddess of marriage, women, family, dignity, poise, and tradition. She is the only being who has the courage and command to be the divine partner of Zeus. It would not do for us to meet her in a state of agitation or high energy.
Chapter 2: Who is Hera in Greek mythology?
She asks that we instill in ourselves the self-possession and poise that she herself stands for. A big thanks to Frankie for her wonderful writing, which I have the pleasure of reading tonight. If you're enjoying the show, we'd love to have your support on our members' feed, Get Sleepy Premium.
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Chapter 3: What qualities does Hera represent?
So why not join us tomorrow for our premium exclusive about a lucky penny found in the woods that takes our protagonist on a magical adventure. It's an extra long story which will be read by Elizabeth. To learn more about Get Sleepy Premium, just go to getsleepy.com slash support or follow the link in the show notes. You get the first seven days free of charge, so there's no immediate commitment.
Thank you so much for your support, my friends. Now then, before we begin tonight's story, relax your body into the safety and comfort of your bed. Enjoy finding the most luxurious position and the nicest spot to sink into, appreciating the support of your mattress and pillow. Let your muscles release the tension they've been holding all day, and allow yourself to let go completely.
Chapter 4: What is the significance of Hera's wedding?
Take deep, full breaths. Fill your lungs slowly. Then release them in the same manner. Create a new rhythm in your body using your breath. Allow this pattern of inhale and exhale to consume the totality of your attention. Your mind may still be busy from the stresses of the day. Be gentle with yourself as you draw your attention back to your breath and your body. You are only human.
And meditation is a skill that must be built over time, and it takes lots of practice. Enjoy a few more deep breaths. Our tale this evening takes place high on Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. Clouds wrap around the twin peaks of the mountain, hiding the home of the gods from view, from mortal eyes. But we have been invited for the event of the millennium, and so the clouds part for us.
Chapter 5: What role do Hera's children play in the story?
This is where our story begins. The summit of Mount Olympus looks down over the still very young world. Zeus has wrestled control of the cosmos from his father's generation, and has but one important duty left. The goddess Hera looks down on the world, contemplating the day ahead of her. It is the most important day of her young life.
She has fought hard during the War of the Titans, and now she gets her reward. She feels the breath of Zephyrus, the god of the west wind, against her cheek. She knew this day would come, but didn't expect to be nervous. Below her stretches out the entirety of Greece. It is untouched by humans, as they have not yet been created.
The glittering blue of the Mediterranean calls out to Hera from the distance. From this vantage point, Hera can also see above the cloud line. Her view is split in two, below the browns, greens, and blues of the world. Above, she sees the white landscape of clouds that dominate the sky. Heaven and earth are held in her eyes.
A small voice from behind her calls out for her attention, and Hira turns away from the view. Hibi, her youngest child, toddles up to Hira. Hera picks up the tiny goddess and places a kiss on her forehead. A prophecy and peek into the future flashes through Hera's mind like one of Zeus's thunderbolts. Hebe will be the goddess of youth.
Hera smiles to herself, thinking about the vast range of talents, skills, and responsibilities her children hold. All of her children were born during the course of the war, so it is unsurprising that her oldest children, Ares and Hephaestus, should be attached to the powers of war. Ares is the god of battles, warriors, heroes, and war.
Hephaestus is the god of fire, volcanoes, the forge, and crafting, though his skills are mainly put to crafting weapons and armor to an incredible standard and beauty. Even her daughter Eris is the goddess of discord. And what is war at its heart but extreme discord? Hera wonders, though, how sweet Hebe and her sister Aletheia, goddess of childbirth, came to be so different from their siblings.
The goddess puts the matter from her mind as she sets Hebe down and lets the child toddle off towards Aletheia, who sits not far away. Hera counts her blessings to have five strong and powerful divine children. She casts her eyes over them now, all arrayed around the Palace of the Gods, waiting for the event to begin with the other guests. Elythia babysits Hebe.
Eris stands in a dark corner with Hecate and the other underworld gods. Ares boastfully and loudly tells a story amongst a group of warriors. Hephaestus stands to one side in deep conversation with his assistants, the Hecatonchires, no doubt talking about something to do with crafting. Hera smiles to herself and feels her nerves calm at the sight of her children.
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Chapter 6: What contest do Zeus and Hera hold for their wedding feast?
A voice that booms like thunder pulls her attention away, and she immediately makes herself invisible. Zeus comes around the corner, the grin on his face melting away like snow in a heavy rain when he cannot see her. She stifles a giggle and reminds him that he is not permitted to see her before the wedding. Zeus's great brow crinkles in mock sadness.
He begs her to make herself visible, grasping around for her. Hera nimbly avoids his outstretched hands and sends him on his way, telling him she will see him at the altar. He gives up and obeys her orders, as always. Hera is not a goddess to be disobeyed. The sudden eruption of music lets her know that the time has come.
Chapter 7: How do the animals and creatures contribute to the feast?
She makes herself visible once again, and steps out into the crowd of gods, demigods, titans, nymphs, and immortal beings. They all turn to watch her as she picks her way through the gathering. The faces of friends, family, and nearly all of creation smile back at her. Hebe waves at Hera from her sister's arms and loudly announces that that is her mother. Hera laughs with everyone else.
The last few people in the crowd make way for her, and she finds herself in front of an altar covered in flowers, beside which stands Zeus. Hera feels the soft grass beneath her feet as she walks towards Zeus. She has been planning this day for so long that she can hardly believe it is happening.
She has known for a long time, due to her prophetic powers, that it is her destiny, her moros, to become the queen of heaven. Nevertheless, the responsibility and duty of her future have been making her nervous. Yet, at this moment, as she walks towards the god that will be her husband, she doesn't feel any anticipation. She is ready for the job ahead of her.
She is about to participate in the first wedding ever, but it will not be the last time that she achieves a first. She is Hera, and as such, is the mother guardian of the entire cosmos. The wedding is happening now because Zeus and Hera promised one another that they would have a ceremony and a celebration once the war was over. Finally, the day has come.
This is not just a union of two gods, but also a ritual to welcome peace and establish the Olympians as the rulers of all. It is both a marriage ceremony and a coronation for Hera, and most definitely the happiest moment of her life so far. The ceremony is simple. Zeus and Hera pledge themselves to one another and to the just ruling of the cosmos.
They name their children as signs of their strong partnership and declare all of creation their offspring and under their protection. They seal their vows with a tender kiss, and the gathered crowd cheers boisterously. And so, it is done. The celebration commences immediately, and the guests begin to cheerfully set up for a very special competition.
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Chapter 8: What is the taste of the special dish presented to Hera?
In preparation for the wedding, Zeus and Hera put it all through the world that they would hold a contest for the best dish at the feast. The winning food or drink would be the chosen dish of the gods, and the maker would be granted a single boon from the royal couple.
Hera thought it appropriate that they start their marriage with a joint decision, something to show the world that she and Zeus are now a unified pair. All through the main ballroom of the heavenly palace, creatures and beings assemble themselves and their offerings.
Animals, insects, nymphs, dryads, oceanids, satyrs, and everything in between look around eagerly, awaiting the start of the judging. The collection of dishes and generally edible things reflects the great variety of creatures that made them. Some things would be digestible or delectable for a spider, while others would be appetizing to a bear instead.
Hera and Zeus, like all immortals, can eat anything they want. Zeus and Hera make their way down the line of beings. They greet each one with the regality and poise that is afforded to them as the king and queen of heaven. Hera takes great pleasure in looking each creature in the eye and connecting with them before trying their dish.
She admires the large eyes of a doe, shakes the soft hand of a nereid, and pats the fluffy fur of a wolf. Finally, Hera and her new husband come to a tiny, fuzzy bee. The black and yellow creature alights softly on Hera's finger and peers at her with large eyes. The bee folds her delicate gossamer wings and proffers a tiny cup with two drops of a golden substance inside.
Hera takes a sip before passing it to Zeus. The drop touches her tongue and blossoms in her mouth like nothing she has ever tasted before. It is both sweet and floral, yet it doesn't cloy at her taste buds with sweetness or clog up her nose with perfume. It's somewhere between a paste and a liquid.
Hera imagines it mixed with hot water and mint leaves for a warming drink, or smothered on freshly baked bread. Just as the flavor is slowly fading away, She looks at her husband and knows immediately that they are of the same mind. This marvelous food is their choice. Hera asks the bee what it is called, and the bee replies that it is honey. Hera inquires more about how honey is made.
The bee takes the queen of heaven through her process. She bobs through the air, going from flower to flower and collecting pollen. The sticky pollen attaches to her fuzzy body as she visits every bloom she can find. The bee tells Hera that she makes honey from the pollen of many flowers, but that the flavor and aroma can be changed by adding more or less of one plant or another.
Hera listens, enraptured by the ingenuity of this little creature. She can tell that Zeus is mostly interested in finding more honey than listening to how it's made. But Hera ignores him. She congratulates the bee on her creation and announces to the gathered guests and contestants that this honey is the winner.
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