Khalkeia

by Melissa, edited by various authors

(29 or 30 Pyanepsion)  A festival of Athena Ergane and Hephaistos, the Khalkeia was primarily associated with artisans—especially bronze smiths—by the Classical Period. Few deities were linked as closely as Athena and Hephaistos were at Athens; not only was Hephaistos and Athena the de facto parents of Erikhthonios, the pseudo-mythical first king of Athens, but also in Athens, Athena was also addressed under the title of Hephaisteia.  Apparently this festival involved a procession of workers with baskets of grain for offerings as well as meat sacrifices.  Likely the workshops were closed on this day, an early version of Labor Day (Parke 92-93).  Also, at this time the loom was setup for the weaving of the peplos which was to be offered to Athena at the Panathenaia, 9 months later in Hekatombaion (Parke 38).

How might we celebrate this today?  Is it a day to practice crafts or a day to rest from them?  It might be a good day to begin a long-term project, especially one that will contribute to a festival later in the calendar.  The Homeric Hymn 20 to Hephaistos (and Athena) as well as Orphic Hymn 32 to Athena are appropriate.

Source:
Parke, H.W., Festival of the Athenians, 1977


A sample Khalkeia ritual can be found here.

And a prayer for the festival is here.