Sun and Moon – An Original Greek Myth

Thrown Into Tartarus

One day, the sky God, Zeus, and Leto, the Titanide of motherhood had two children. One was a boy, and the other was a girl. The twins were named Apollo and Artemis. They were very intelligent children, and they knew almost everything related to the Gods and Titans. One thing they didn’t know, however, was that Apollo was related to Helios, the God of the sun. Artemis too was related to a legendary Goddess. That Goddess was Selene, Goddess of the moon. “Mommy! How come you are a Titanide, and Dad is a God? I thought Gods and Titans hated each other. Zeus even chopped up Grandaddy Kronos!” Artemis asked. Artemis was right though. Titans and Gods hated each other. “Well, I sided with the Gods in the Titan War because I thought your grandfather, Kronos, was wrong. He started the war because he hated all of the Gods, but a few Titans sided with them. Those Titans were me and your uncle, Prometheus!” Leto chided. “Yes, yes. After the Titan War, Leto and I fell in love, and a couple years later we had you two.” Zeus said. “OK.” Apollo and Artemis were listening very intently, and were clearly glad for the new knowledge. But Leto and Zeus’s love did not last much longer. One day, Leto tried to kill Apollo. This angered Zeus so much, that he threw Leto into the deepest pit in the Underworld: Tartarus.

A New Great Prophecy

After Leto betrayed Zeus and her children, Zeus did not dare to marry anymore. Instead of caring for Apollo and Artemis on his own, he ventured off to Mount Olympus so the other Gods could take care of them. On the day of the Winter Solstice, the Council of the Gods was held. They discussed about Apollo and Artemis, and what their future would mean for them. All of them knew the Fates had chosen the twin’s destiny. They must become Gods. What they would become Gods of, they were discussing. “I think those yappin’ kids should be Gods of the same thing. It only makes sense.” Ares, the God of war said. “Yes, but that would unbalance the Council.” Hera scolded. “Pfft… We can unbalance it just this once!” Ares countered. “ENOUGH!” Zeus yelled. “I have come to a decision. Do not disturb me on my throne!” That night, Zeus was in a dilemma. If he told Apollo and Artemis about his decision to make them Gods, they would start a new civil war among the Gods. But, he quickly flicked away his doubts, and called for the twins. “Lady Artemis and Lord Apollo, come here please.” Zeus said. The twins froze and asked in unison, “Why did you say, ‘Lady Artemis and Lord Apollo’ dad?” “You will understand soon enough, my children. The Fates have chosen a new Great Prophecy. It is simple. You must become Gods.” Zeus replied.  “What is the prophecy daddy?” Artemis questioned. Zeus cleared his throat, and started to recite:

“Two children of Motherhood and Sky.

Will be betrayed by the Titan not knowing why.

Children of Olympus they must become.

Fight and bloodshed as outcome.

But the Sun and Moon shall prevail leaving a final breath.

To the infinite darkness forever and cold to death.”

The twins stared in amazement. “I only get the first three lines. It means mommy betrayed us and we have to become Gods.” Apollo said proudly. “But what do the other lines mean?” Artemis asked. “Ah, my children. Always full of questions. The Ten Olympians do not know either, but we do know one line. It is telling us what Gods you should become. Now we aren’t the Ten Olympians, but the Twelve Olympians.” Zeus confided. “Artemis, Goddess of the moon and archery. Apollo, God of the sun and music.”

Civil War

In Zeus’s head, he really knew what every line meant except for the last one. That is why he was very afraid to pass this information onto the twins. “But we can’t have both things up at the same time! That could shatter Earth, and along with it, Olympus.” Artemis complained, using her vast intellect. “Yeah, well then the sun will be up all the time!” Apollo screamed. “No! Meanie!” Artemis said. Gods started siding with either Apollo or Artemis. Hephaestus, Hestia, Hera, Hades, Hermes, and Ares sided with Apollo. “The sun has more light. Which of you don’t like light?” Hera said. Poseidon, Athena, Aphrodite and Demeter raised their hands. The Gods fought and fought. The civil war among the Gods began.

Compromise

“STOP! Artemis and I have come to an agreement.” Apollo said Artemis as if she were the most disgusting thing to exist. “The Great Prophecy says we will prevail together. We think that twelve hours of the day should have the sun.” “And the other twelve the moon.” Artemis finished. “And you know what else the Great Prophecy says? That we will fight.” Ares said. “So? Fighting has and end. This is that end.” Artemis said. Hera and Zeus whispered behind all the Gods. “As Queen of the Gods,” Hera’s voice boomed, “this compromise is final. Twelve hours for the sun and another twelve for the moon.” “Yes!” Apollo celebrated in a whisper. 

Sun and Moon

Countless days and nights went on, with the first twelve hours of the day being sunny, and the other twelve being dark. The mortals down on Earth seemed to like this too. There was no more death to hypothermia, as it wasn’t dark until later on. Even then, humans had time to prepare. Satyrs loved this change as well. During the day, flowers would bloom, and they would pick all of them for fun. This compromise ended infinite dread. This compromise changed the world forever.