Galatea – Dea di Acque
There are many great myths written about the cold-hearted nymph Galatea the daughter of Dorida, goddess of the sea.
Her love story begins like many others.
All her life Galatea lives without love. She is perfectly content to have a cold heart and feel nothing for the many men who bring her gifts daily and write the most exquisite poems about her beauty.
As Venus watches over this one sunny day, she decides to change Galatea’s fate and bless her with the gift of Amor.
Galatea helplessly falls in love with Akid, a strong young man, who loves her deeply as well. They only get a day together before a jealous God almost kills Akid and in an attempt to save him Galatea turns him into a cold, long river forever bound to flow on Earth.
The broken-hearted nymph sits by the river for many days, months, years, just hoping to catch his reflection in the deep clear water. She knows that he must be looking for a way to be with her. But without even the smallest sign from Akid after a century, she begins to lose hope. As time keeps passing she prays to the gods that she too, turns into a beautiful flowing river so she can finally join her lover and they can explore the world as one.
After many prayers Dorida finally takes pity on Galatea and appears before her. She tells her, “Daughter I will grant your wish, but please remember that all magic has consequences, for no one and nothing can bring you back once you part with the earth. As soon as your transformation has begun, you cannot turn back. It shall be complete in seven days”
Without a moment’s thought Galatea excitedly agrees, after centuries of waiting to be with her lover, what is seven more days?
The goddess of the sea brings forth her magic and Galatea slowly begins to change, first her skin, then her hair, slowly start to turn to a bluish tone…
She runs to the river, happy, crying with joy!
That’s when a long glass bottle is washed ashore, she knows that it is for her.
In a breath she breaks it against a big rock and reads the following:
“For my love Galatea,
I’ve travelled through seven seas and most of the Earth. I’ve flown in rivers, oceans and even swamps, looking for the answers to bring me back to you in human form. It took me centuries, but my darling I never forgot about us and continued to hope. In the deep of South Africa where it is so unbearably hot, I healed a man from quenching thirst. This man as it turned out had special powers and granted me one wish to thank me for my gift to him. Guess what that wish was? I have transformed to human form, as my wounds heal I impatiently wait for you, finally we can be together my love!”
Galatea leapt with joy at her beloved’s words, and just as quickly fell to the ground as her watery legs gave out and she remembered her mother’s words.
It was too late she had already made her choice…
