Mythology Monday: Selene – Goddess and Personification of the Moon
Mythology Monday: Selene, Lunar Titaness of Grace and Power
Welcome to Mythology Monday, our weekly series uncovering the legends behind the gods and goddesses that inspire our soaps. Today, we journey to the night sky to meet Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon.
"Selene and Endymion" by Victor Florence Pollet
The Myth of Selene
Daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, and sister to Helios (the sun) and Eos (the dawn), Selene governs the moon with luminous grace. Ancient poets describe her crossing the night sky in a silver chariot, pulled by pale horses or luminous oxen.
Her most famous myth tells of Endymion, a mortal shepherd whose beauty captured Selene's heart. To preserve his youth and her love, she placed him into an eternal slumber, visiting him night after night. This story, like the moon itself, is a symbol of devotion, constancy, and quiet longing.
Worship Practices of Selene
While Selene had no major temples of her own, she was revered through lunar rituals and household worship, especially during the new and full moons. Her energy was often invoked in Thessalian magic, agricultural rites, and female-centered ceremonies.
Selene was also worshipped alongside Artemis and Hecate, goddesses of the moon’s many aspects: wild, mysterious, and mystical. In Laconia and Eleusis, inscriptions and offerings suggest that she played a role in rites of passage, dream magic, and seasonal transitions.
The Orphic Hymns, an ancient collection of sacred verse, praise her as “Queen of the Night, Radiant Selene,” highlighting her influence over time, emotion, and cosmic order.
Archaeological Echoes of Selene
While direct temples to Selene are rare, artifacts echoing her worship appear across the ancient world:
- Terracotta figurines and oil lamps featuring crescent moons.
- Grave goods symbolizing nighttime protection.
- A famous Pompeian mosaic in the House of the Menander, depicting Selene descending from the heavens to embrace Endymion.
- In Asia Minor, Selene is referenced in temples of Artemis, emphasizing her role in lunar worship.
These remnants suggest that Selene’s spirit was invoked in both life and death—for protection, love, and the deep mysteries of the night.
Selene Soap: A Fragrance Inspired by the Moon Goddess
Our Selene soap is more than skincare—it’s a moonlit ritual. Inspired by the goddess who glides across the night sky, this bar captures the mystique and elegance of lunar light in scent and spirit.
Delicate white blossoms and Turkish rose bloom softly in the air, joined by the citrusy kiss of neroli and a whisper of moonflower nectar. Beneath these ethereal florals, hints of wild lilac and sugared tuberose add depth and allure—like the velvet hush of twilight gardens.
Finally, a warm, grounding base of white musk and sandalwood lingers on the skin—smooth, sensual, and comforting, like the gentle glow of a full moon overhead.
Whether you’re preparing for sleep, a ritual bath, or simply seeking a moment of peace, Selene wraps you in divine stillness and celestial beauty.
- Handmade with care
- Infused with myth and moonlight
- Perfect for evening rituals or moon phase celebrations
Let the moonlight cleanse you.
Tags: Selene, Greek mythology, moon goddess, handmade soap, Bacchus’s Bathhouse, Mythology Monday, lunar rituals, goddess soap, moonflower fragrance, sandalwood, Turkish rose, celestial beauty