The Horae: goddesses of seasons and hours

The family of time goddesses behind Sponde’s name.

Published 2026-10-23

In Greek myth the Horae were goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time.^[4]

How many?

Their number varied, but was most commonly three: either Thallo, Auxo and Carpo, goddesses of the order of nature, or Eunomia, Dike and Eirene — good order, justice and peace.^[4]

The dance of the seasons

The course of the seasons was described as the dance of the Horae. In Hesiod’s Works and Days they help crown Pandora with garlands of flowers.^[4]

The Hours of the day

A separate, less-known set of ten or twelve Hours personified the times of day, from just before sunrise to just after sunset.^[4]

Sponde’s hour

Sponde presided over the seventh hour, when libations were poured after lunch.^[1] The “e” ending marks the moon’s retrograde orbit.^[1]

Numbered citations link to the sources list on the Sponde overview page.