January 5th- Hephaestus

Hephaestus, son of Hera and possibly Zeus. Though in some myths he was the project of parthenogenesis from Hera created out of jealousy after Zeus created Athena. He was cast out of Olympus by Hera because he was born with a disability. He is the god of fire, volcanoes, metalworking, artisans, metallurgy, carpenters, forges, sculpting, and blacksmiths.

Hephaestus gets revenge on Hera by creating a magical golden throne, but it traps her in it as soon as she sits down. The other gods begged Hephaestus to return and free Hera but her refused. Ares was sent to fetch him, and threatened Hephaestus with fire torched, but failed. In the end Dionysus got him drunk with wine and returned him to Olympia on the back of a mule. 
In exchange for freeing Hera Hephaestus demanded Aphrodite as his bride. their marriage was not happy, and Aphrodite repeatedly cheated on Hephaestus with Ares. 
He was blacksmith to the gods. He designed Hermes' winged helmet and sandals, Aphrodite's girdle, Agamemnon's staff of office, Diomedes' cuirass, Heracles' bronze clappers, Helios' chariot, the shoulder of Pelops, and Eros's bow and arrows. Most famously he also made the armour of Achilles as a favour to his mother Thetis. 

He was worshipped in manufacturing and industrial centres of Greece, especially round Athens, where he often shared festivals with Athena. This is his temple in the city which has survived nearly intact. 

This is the limited edition shade of Superfine Merino & Silk for today. You can find it in the online shop until stocks run out, and as always it forms part of the Buy 2 Get a third half price offer available on this fibre blend. I am happy to combine orders, but will need you to add a note when you purchase each day. I usually have a lot of orders to process on the first day back and without a note it's highly likely I will miss that you have multiple orders.

This is the last of our limited edition colours, any orders placed over the holidays will be packed tomorrow, which is also St Distaffs day, in a different mythology... this is the end of the 12 Days of Christmas celebrations and women would now go back to their looms and spindles to recommence the never ending task of making cloth.