The Charities: Ancient Greek Goddesses of Charm

The Charities or Kharities are the ancient Greek Goddesses of charm, beauty, creativity, and fertility, but more specifically, they seem to be the Goddesses of pleasant things that result from peaceful gatherings of people, especially festivities.

Their Story

Who and how many they were and where they came from varied by region and time period, but they are most commonly said to number three.

They attended Aphrodite, Eros, Hermes, Apollo, Dionysus and/or Hera as they represent the virtue of finding joy in service to others. But some also married and had separate lives apart from these offices. They were also known to spend time in the company of The Horae and The Muses.

The Charities are usually identified as daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, an Oceanid nymph as attested by Hesiod. However, their parentage has also been given as Dionysus and Aphrodite and Helios and Aegle (Antimachus).

Others who agree that their father was Zeus may argue that their mother was Hera, Harmonia, Lethe, Eurydome, Eurymedousa or Euanthe.

The trio of Charities are usually identified as three sisters: Thalia (Cheer), Algaea (Splendor) and Euphrosyne (Mirth), as attested by Hesiod and Onomacritus.

However, the Spartans omitted Thalia from the trio and replaced her with Cleta (Renown). Pausanias claimed that the Lacedaemonians honored just two and identified them as Cleta(Renown) and Phaenna (Bright).

Likewise, he reports the Athenians recognized two of old: Auxo (Growth) and Hegemone (Leadership) but that Peitho (Persuasion) was more recently added to the mix. Nonnus named the three Pasithea (hallucination), Peitho (persuasion) and Aglaea (splendor). Sostratus names them Pasithea (hallucination), Cale (beauty), and Euphrosyne (mirth).

A vase painting shows five and they are identified as Antheia (Flowers), Eudaimonia (Happiness), Paidia (Play), Pandaisia (Banquet) and Pannychis (Night Festivities)

Homer mentions several graces on their own, including Kharis (Grace) who was a lover of Hephaestus (though Hesiod names her Aglaea) and Pasithea (Hallucination) who was the wife of Hypnos. Several writers refer to the “younger Graces” implying that there have been multiple generations.

In art, the Charities are often represented as three young, nude women, dancing together or embracing joyfully. Their nudity represents their purity and innocence. They bring joy with no thought to personal gain and they have no envy for others who also bring delight. They are just happy to see you smile.

That being said, the Charities are perhaps unique among the immortals in that they are not known for their sexual exploits with mortals or other divinities. They are pure, guileless, without any lascivious thought. Although there is a tale that says they quarreled with Aphrodite over who was the most beautiful and made poor Teiresias act the judge. Was this before, after, or an alternative explanation for his blindness? I am not sure.

Eteocles, King of Orchomenus in Boeotia, Greece in the valley of the Cephissus river, which is sacred to the Charities, is said to be the first to worship and sacrifice to the Charities and also the first to identify them in triplicate. (according to Pausanias). Strabo states that Eteocles founded the temple of the Charities and notes that he was rich in wealth and power, and speculates that this is either the result of his worship of the Charities or the cause of it. Their festival, the Charisia or Charitêsia was held here and also in Paros.

The Charities are the Goddesses of selfless service, but not the sort that results in onerous sacrifice. They are found in service that brings joy to both the giver and the receiver. Artists of all sorts can find patronage among these pleasant ladies, including florists, gardeners, chefs, fashion designers and tailors, jewelers, tattoo artists, athletes and performers who thrill their audiences… If you love doing what you do and it brings joy to others, you have the blessings of the Charities.

The Graces also rule over social discourse and etiquette. Aristotle pointed out that the sanctuary of the Charities was in a very obvious spot so that it would be often seen and remind people to return favors.

Charities in Witchcraft

The Charities represent beauty, abundance and vibrant spontaneous joy. In a witchy practice they can be honored as archetypal energies that bring lightness, happiness, harmony, serentity and an abundant full life.

How to Set up an Altar for the Charities

 A great idea is to set up a small sacred space with fresh flowers, fruit, honey or wine, elements that evoke vitality and the joy of living.

Lighting a clear or golden candle and dedicating a moment of meditation, dance or singing is a simple and direct way to ask them to support you and guide you throughout your ritual or spell.

When is the Best Time to Connect with the Charities?

A ritual can be performed during the waxing or full moon, moments of expansion and abundance. Spring and summer are the best seasons to work with them as they represent the Charities’ energies the most.

How to Connect and Invoke Them?

Entering the ritual space with a gesture of beauty, such as adorning yourself with a flower can open a connection with them and help you establish a bond with them.

Being vocal about your intentions and needs is a wonderful bold gesture to establish a deep and meaningful connection with the Charities.

Speak out aloud, saying words of gratitude and asking them to bring grace and harmony into your life and they will listen to you as it would become a pure and strong act of invocation.

The Three Graces love movement as well!  Dancing, even alone, imagining yourself joining their circle can be amazing. This might sound weird but, make it with intenion, believe in their energy and your own energy and you will feel close to them.

Conclusion

The Charities bring a strong energy with them and can be so helpful in your spiritual journey and witchy path. Learn more about them, show them appreciation, gratitude and opennness and let them join your magic!