Ways of Worship: Nemesis

Nemesis is the Goddess of divine retribution, justice, and revenge. She handed out punishment for evil deeds, undeserved good fortune, and hubris. Her Roman form is Invidia. Nyx is Nemesis's mother, however, her father is widely disputed. Some say Zeus, while others claim Oceanus and even Erebus. Nemesis's children are as disputed as her father. Some myths claim she is the mother of Helen and her twin Clytemnestra, and likewise the twins Castor and Pollux, but Leda was also sourced to be the mother of both sets of twins. In the case of Castor and Pollux, Nemesis is said to be the birth mother, while Leda was the one to raise the twins as an adopted mother and the only one they knew.

Nemesis is most well-known for her role in the death of Narcissus, a well-known myth and the origin of the name for narcissistic personality disorder. Narcissus was a very arrogant hunter who was very obsessed with himself and always disdained anyone in love with him. He could often be found looking at and fawning over himself in any reflective surface. Because of this, he was guilty of hubris and Nemesis decided this needed to be punished. She lured him to an enchanted pool where he fell even more in love with himself. He never left the pool and eventually died still looking at his own reflection.

Altar, Offerings, and Symbols

Although the Goddess was well respected and worshipped, not much is known about her symbols or if she has as many as previously seen in the Olympians. We don't know if this is because the information has been lost in time or if she could be considered a "minor" Goddess.

General: Sword and scales; sometimes a whip, measuring rod, dagger, bridle, scourge, and wings; sometimes a griffin-drawn chariot, rudder, wheel, and crown.

Animals: Goose

Prayers

Things to Pray For: Retribution, revenge, punishment of evil or wrongdoing, and distributing karma.

Prayer to Nemesis

Nemesis, strong and just Lady,Nemesis, She who none can escape,Nemesis, Goddess of retribution and revenge,I implore You to hear my cry,Something very wrong has been done.You have seen this with Your eyes that see all.I implore You to hear my cry,

Ride swiftly on the wings of the Griffin to the task at hand.I implore You to hear my cry,With Your mighty sword, I ask You to strike down the enemy.I beg You to know my woe, torment and suffering,Nemesis, strong and just Lady in indigo,

Let retribution beginLet retribution beginLet retribution begin

Nemesis Prayer 2

I praise bright-eyed Nemesis, daughter of dark-cloaked Nyx,Nemesis who watches, who knows wheneverwe have done harm, who makes certain that all evilis punished, that all who are guilty receive their due.Swift-winged Nemesis, bearer of the apple branch,

in days of old were you well honored, goddess,by those who suffered the losses and pains of love;many were the false-hearted lovers who felt your wrath.Fair-minded Nemesis, just one, unyielding oneyou are the firmest foe of cruel and violent men,you are the avenger of the wronged, the disperserof right reward. Nemesis, I honor you.