Can I Work with Achilles and Apollo Today?

Those of us who are familiar with Greek mythology might wonder about the possibility of working with legendary figures like Achilles and Apollo. However, in the contemporary world, these gods are no longer in widespread use, which begs the question: can you work with divine beings like Achilles and Apollo?

Contrary to what you might have heard, trying to overthink these ideas could lead to an Achilles' heel - a vulnerability that you might not be aware of. Achilles was a hero in Greek mythology, known for his remarkable abilities and significant temper. Just like a mortal, Achilles had a 'weak spot,' which in his case was his heel.

Achilles: A Hero with a Vulnerable Spot

According to Homer, Achilles was a formidable warrior who was seemingly invulnerable to any form of attack. However, his mother Thetis, a goddess, dipped him in the river Styx as a child, making him invulnerable in all parts of his body except for his heel. This is perhaps where the term 'Achilles Heel' comes from, referring to a significant weakness or vulnerability in a seemingly strong individual or idea.

It is said that Achilles accepted men as servants but would not work with them. This implies that even as a demigod, despite his incredible skills, there were boundaries to his willingness to collaborate with others.

Apollo: The Many Facets of a Major God

Apollo, on the other hand, was one of the major deities in ancient Greek religion, known for his myriad roles. He was the god of the sun, healing, and music, as well as the god of plague. According to legend, he was the half-brother of martial goddess Athena, and worked closely with his sister Artemis, who, like him, had the power to bring about pestilence and healing.

However, not all gods are alike. While Apollo could work with Athena and Artemis, he viewed other suggestions with disdain. A disrespectful or irrelevant proposal, as in the case of king Pygmalion’s wife, could result in severe retribution, to the point of burning the individual on the spot.

Why Not Work with Achilles Today?

While Achilles is a heroic demigod from Greek mythology, his role in the story of the Trojan War is significant but not eternal. Once the heroes and gods left the stage, so did they. Achilles’ legacy is tied to the past, not the present. In modern times, there is no equivalent to the gods of old, and the concept of working with them would be more of a symbolic gesture rather than a practical one.

Achilles’ end was tragic, transitioning from hero to the mythical underworld of Hades, rather than ascending to the Olympian gods or to the heavens. This transition symbolizes the shift from life to death, and from the mortal realm to beyond. Even if one were to summon Achilles, there is no guarantee of a mutually beneficial arrangement, as the myth portrays him as being less willing to work with mere mortals.

Considering the Modern Context of Gods

Today, the concept of gods and goddesses is largely a matter of personal belief or cultural heritage. People are often more inclined to collaborate with entities that symbolize eternal life, creation, and cosmic forces. For instance, beings like the Aeon from modern folklore or deities who represent the beginning and end of time (such as primordial and cosmic deities) are often considered more relevant.

Why spend precious time invoking a soul from the underworld when there are other powerful beings and energies to work with?

In conclusion, while stories of Achilles and Apollo continue to captivate our imaginations, the idea of working with them in a contemporary or practical sense is largely symbolic and inconsistent with modern religious beliefs and practices.

For those seeking to work with divine beings, focusing on more contemporary spiritual or mythological figures that represent eternal concepts such as creation, destruction, and cosmic order might be more fitting.