Poseidon

Culture: Ancient Greek   Domain: The sea, earthquakes, horses

Poseidon rules the sea and, as "Earth-shaker," is also a god of earthquakes; he is closely tied to horses, said to have created the first one by striking a rock with his trident. Brother to Zeus and Hades, he drew the sea as his share when the three divided the cosmos after the fall of the Titans. His temper is proverbial, and sailors of the ancient world took his favor seriously.

Associations

The sea and its storms, earthquakes, horses, the trident, dolphins.

Ways people honor him (modern)

• Offer thanks or a small libation before sea travel or swimming
• Keep a shell or sea water charged on the altar
• Approach coastal weather and tides with respect, not command
• Read the Homeric Hymn to Poseidon

Approach any deity with respect and do your own research. Practices vary widely between traditions, and modern devotional practice often goes beyond what survives in ancient sources.