When we think of Hades, we often imagine the god of the Underworld, ruling over shadows and death. But there’s so much more to his story than that. Hades also represents power, wealth, and the lasting legacy we leave behind. Today, we’ll dive into how Hades is connected to wealth and legacy—and how you can reflect on your own journey to create a lasting impact.
Hades: The King of Wealth and Legacy
Hades is often misunderstood as just the god of the dead. However, his realm of the Underworld is not only a place of endings but also of transformation. In ancient Greece, Hades was connected to the depths where precious metals, gems, and resources are found—symbolizing wealth that is hidden and requires effort to uncover.
In fact, Hades’ association with wealth goes back to ancient texts. In Hesiod’s Theogony, Hades is one of the three brothers who divide the world after the Titans are defeated. While Zeus gets the sky and Poseidon the sea, Hades is given the Underworld—rich with resources, and wealth that must be mined from the earth’s depths (Hesiod, Theogony, 722-725). His realm is both a place of death and transformation, much like the process of building wealth: it requires patience, insight, and sometimes even a bit of darkness.
Hades’ legacy isn’t just about the riches of the Underworld; it’s also about what we leave behind. His role as the god who oversees what endures beneath the surface makes him the perfect symbol for legacy-building. Wealth, whether material or spiritual, is something that lasts beyond our immediate lifetime, and Hades teaches us to cultivate that enduring power.
A Ritual to Reflect on Your Legacy
Reflecting on your legacy is a powerful way to connect with Hades’ energy. This simple visualization ritual helps you consider the wealth and legacy you are creating:
Legacy in the River Ritual
- Hold a small object (like a stone, coin, or charm) in your hand.
- Close your eyes and imagine placing it in a flowing river, watching it drift downstream.
- Visualize the river carrying it toward fertile lands, symbolizing your legacy growing and expanding.
- Whisper: “I trust the flow of my journey and the legacy I leave behind.”
- Keep the object as a reminder of the path you’re creating and the legacy you are building.
This visualization reminds you that, like the river, your journey may take unexpected turns, but it will carry your legacy forward in ways that are deeply meaningful.
Journal Prompt: Building Your Legacy
Take a few moments to reflect on the legacy you’re creating.
- What’s one action you can take today to leave a lasting impact?
- What is your legacy, and how can you grow it into something that benefits both you and those who come after you?
Summary: Key Takeaways
- Hades is the god of wealth and legacy, ruling over the Underworld where treasures are hidden and transformed.
- Hades teaches that wealth and legacy are built over time, much like the riches found deep beneath the earth.
- His realm of transformation shows us that we can change our circumstances by honoring the process of growth and expansion.
- The Legacy in the River Ritual is a powerful way to reflect on your own path to wealth and the impact you’re creating.
- Take time to journal on your legacy and the steps you can take to create something lasting.
Sources:
- Hesiod, Theogony, trans. Hugh G. Evelyn-White (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1914).
- Walter Burkert, Greek Religion (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1985).
- Sarah Iles Johnston, Restless Dead: Encounters Between the Living and the Dead in Ancient Greece (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1999).
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