NYX Goddess of the Night
Taylah Hunter
At the beginning of creation, there was only one being - Chaos.
An empty void.
An invisible plane.
A lonely existence.
Out of her nothingness, Chaos formed the first being, Erebus (Darkness), who dispersed gloom and shadows across the realm. Then, Chaos birthed a second being, Nyx (Night), a dark entity of infinite beauty who scattered grand clusters of galaxies and stardust over all that Erebus had created. Together, the pair gave Chaos dimension, a foundation with which she could birth new beings to fill and extend her new realm.
Nyx looked around her. Swirling galaxies followed the swift movements of her flowing hair. With her fingertips, she forged nebulae that glistened with vibrant hues of purples and magenta. She travelled across the realm in a majestic black chariot, pulled by four elegant horses. She enjoyed the power she had over the night sky.
The next beings to come of Chaos were Gaea (Earth), Tartarus (Underworld) and Eros (Love). Gaea accepted Eros, and was a peaceful and loving place in the higher plane. Tartarus did not accept Eros, and became a place of hatred and torment. This is where Erebus and Nyx decided to reside.
Erebus and Nyx were soon married. Despite the pair’s black and gloomy qualities and their residency in the Underworld, Nyx birthed luminous beings Aether (Brightness) and Hemera (Day). Nyx’s children created the Earth, Heaven and the Sea, extending Chaos’ grand plan. Aether and Hemera illuminated their new creations by casting away their mother’s darkness of the night sky, and in its absence they created soft clouds and a bright blue sky. Nyx was ambivalent about this. On one hand, she was happy for her children and was proud of all they had created. On the other, it upset her that her darkness was discarded, and her children had moved away from her. Eager to come up with a solution, Nyx visited Aether and Hemera, followed by a trail of stars and dark mists. Aether and
Hemera were overjoyed to see their mother, and watched as the darkness fell over their creations. The siblings were surprised at how magnificent it looked with their mother’s night sky. The subtle lights from the stars and moon made the Sea glisten and sparkle. The Earth looked peaceful and quiet. Heaven had a unique purple glow. They decided to let their mother visit occasionally, and decided on a cycle. Nyx could visit and spread her night sky, Hemera would discard them and create daylight, and then Nyx would visit again. Nyx was overjoyed to be able to see her children more often. Aether and Hemera were also pleased with their agreement. They grew to love their mother’s night sky, and the way the darkness affected those on Heaven and Earth. However, this did not last long.
On Tartarus, the feeling of isolation when she was away from her children was overpowering. She craved more children. She wanted them to love her darkness, her true self. She wanted them to live with her in the Underworld. Using her impressive power, she birthed 10 beings - on her own. She created: Moros: Creates doom and drives mortals to their deadly fate. Ker: A gruesome entity who wreaks destruction and havoc. Thanatos: A daemonic being who spreads death. Hypnos: Creates deep sleep and dreams, favouring nightmares. Momus: Satire, mockery and blame are his specialties. Oizys: Inflicts pain, misery and suffering. Nemesis: Enjoys revenge, particularly to those who are arrogant to her. Apate: Enjoys spreading lies and being deceitful. Eris: Creates chaos, strife and discord.
This time however, all her children had aspects of darkness and evil.
Nyx stepped back and looked at her creations. She could not comprehend what she had just done. She turned her back to her children and paused. All 10 of her new children were so different; some were beautiful and feminine, some were beastly and deformed. They each had remarkable characteristics that she had never seen before. However, being the loving and caring mother that she is, Nyx turned around. She embraced her children, and let them go and explore the Underworld. Despite the unique traits of her children, she was glad to have new company. Getting to know her children, Nyx let them explore other worlds, such as the Earth, Heaven and Sea; created by her first two children. She had grown to love and accept the evil ways of her children, enjoying their devious
and sinister powers. When the night sky fell over the Earth, Heaven and Sea, her children would follow. Once her darkness consumed the sky, they set off, causing mischief and disorder. Ker would destroy homes. Moros
would lead mortals to Thanatos, who would then kill them in the darkness where he could not be seen. Oizys would spread disease, Apate would spread rumours. Hypnos would give children horrible nightmares of monsters.
All of the children could hide under the safety of their mothers security blanket; the night sky. They took advantage of her darkness, when mortals become blind and vulnerable. When the night is over and Hemera removes the darkness, they return back to the Underworld with Nyx. She snickers at the actions of her children, basking in her power.
Nyx is one with night. She embodies darkness in the way she covers the realm with galaxies, and in her mysterious and ominous actions.
She is strong and powerful, and she knows she is feared by others. She is proud to scatter the night wherever she goes, and she does so with beauty.
References:
Aaron 2000, ‘HYGINUS, FABULAE 1-49 - Theoi classical texts library’, viewed 4 November, 2016, <http://www.theoi.com/Text/ HyginusFabulae1.html>. Archive 2016, ‘A hand-book of mythology: Myths and legends of ancient Greece and Rome ..’, viewed 4 November, 2016, <https:// archive.org/stream/ahandbookmythol00beregoog#page/n184/ mode/2up/search/nyx>. GreekMythology 1997, ‘Chaos pictures’, viewed 4 November, 2016, <http://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Chaos/chaos. html>. Immortal Monday, e 2013, ‘The goddess of night: Nyx on immortal Monday’, Debra Kristi, viewed 4 November, 2016, <http:// www.debrakristi.com/2013/06/03/the-goddess-of-night-nyx-onimmortal-monday/>. New Pagan 2012, ‘Nyx, goddess of night’, A Year And A Day, viewed 4 November, 2016, <https://ayearandadaywicca.wordpress. com/2012/07/17/nyx-goddess-of-night/>. Michael Taft 2014, Greek gods & Goddesses (gods and Goddesses of mythology), Britannica Educational Publishing/Rosen Publishing Group, New York, USA.