The Harpies ("The Snatchers") are storm goddesses. Some say They were
the daughters of the monsters Typhon and Echidna; while others name Them
daughters of Thaumas son of Gaea
and Pontus, and Electra daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. This lineage links
Them to the storms of the sea, as Oceanus, Tethys and Pontus are all ocean
deities. It also makes Them sisters to the beautiful rainbow goddess Iris,
who arrives after the storm.
Kelaeno ("The Black One", as Kali
of India is "The Black Goddess"), is like Her sisters an agent of divine
vengeance. She was known to be a prophetess, and was said to have had two
sons by Poseidon. Kelaeno is also the name of one of the seven sisters
who became the constellation of the Pleiades.
The Harpies were represented as winged women who were sometimes depicted
as beautiful creatures with the faces of girls and the bodies of birds,
and at other times as hideous monsters with sharp talons who were agents
of divine retribution, pursuing and tormenting criminals. They were known
for their ravenous appetites and filthy habits, devouring their victims'
food and fouling any that remained uneaten by them. They were also believed
to carry away the souls of the dead. They were usually three in number:
Aello "Whirlwind", Okypete "The Swift Flyer", and Kelaeno, though Homer
only names one, Podarge "Swift Footed".
Kelaeno in a reading signifies anger and an approaching storm, which
may well be of your own making. Understanding and addressing the roots
of this anger are important at this time.
Alternate spellings: Celaeno