Part Two: Theory of Themis and Apollo past relationship dynamic in the myth. And how it connects to [TOA] to Apollo finally becoming Apollo.

Previous post to part one to get more context: https://www.reddit.com/r/camphalfblood/comments/1wkomp5/my_random_theory_on_why_themis_greek_titan/

Base on the pjo universe, How Apollo got his prophecy power was by slaying the python. And it does closely follow the Homeric Hymn to Apollo.

The past:

“The Homeric Hymn to Apollo mentions that Themis was present at Apollo's birth, along with the other great goddesses. Instead of being suckled, Themis fed Apollo nectar and ambrosia.“

Themis was the one who makes Apollo fully matured from a baby to a fully grown powerful god. Themis being present during his birth, feeding a youngling is very rare.

This is the Second time she has nurse a god.

In my interpretation, I don’t think themis visiting Apollo is random. She is literally a goddess of divine laws, justice and order. To conclude it seems as if Apollo birth was cosmic. Like a blessing toward Apollo because there is something Apollo can do as part of the Olympian generation. Something she think he can do that she can’t.

Which is getting close to humanity.

Themis used to hold prophecy in most version of the myths. From pjo, she doesn’t seem to interfere or appear in any instances. And to hold a domain of prophecy, mortals or demigods would seek for it for help so being distant with them isn’t going to help them.

Hence, Themis being at his side when he was birthed was a sign that balance is going to be ensured. She wanted him to grow up fast for a new change to happen.

Secondly, humanity for her, her lack of appearances or visible action in pjo, she doesn’t seem to have any personal connection toward it. Instead, probably working in the background. And her domain focus on the whole universe.

Meanwhile, for Apollo, he is a god of logic and order. And what humanity has for him, it doesn’t hurt him in the way that he want to push away.

From the myths, he has continue to engage with mortals even if it hurts him. In the myths, his lovers didn’t have great endings. Even at times he regretted the action of what he did, justice seems to be elusive toward him. Justice doesn’t seem to serve or push a right punishment toward him. Sure, there was where Eros had shoot an arrow of love at him and an arrow of hate at Daphne which was revenge toward Apollo. But it costs a harm towards an innocent so it doesn’t really count as justice.

He technically can be distant, And not get involve in mortals but that what seperate Themis and him.

Well, that WAS what seperate Themis and Apollo before he lose it in pjo modern timeline.

Before Apollo lose the agency of making his own choice. (Learned helplessness because of the abuse from Zeus and the toxic environment of Olympus).

Hence, Themis must have seen Apollo as essential to humanity. Humanity at their worst have oppose Apollo domain heavily just as much as Themis domain was but Apollo not being perfect and still connected to humanity despite the pain is embodiment of light.

Thus, Themis still held Apollo in good regard, watching him get involved actively in the world.

Themis still carries sentimentality toward him.

And even in her own ways, allow his method of caring in the past. There were not mention of her punishing him from breaking divine laws. Apollo had broken the divine laws more than one time in the past. The time where he makes the fates drunk to save Admetus. The time where he plotted with Athena, Posedion and Hera to overthrow Zeus. And killing the cyclops who make Zeus lightning bolts.

Whether or not did she know Apollo future, her feelings toward him was like “I wish you the best. Knowing divine laws would be breached or hurt when you are born. And I know the world would be enlightened by the birth of you.”

Basically Themis is a great great grandmother to Apollo who watching him in the sidelines, knowing his potential to be a good god.

Modern pjo timeline before TOA:

We never get to see Apollo pov of Themis. But I think he might have felt grateful for Themis for nursing him as that was the strength he needed to kill the python.

As we can see from the gods in pjo, they are distant. And Apollo had become distant. Compare to the myths to how he is in pjo, he never actively participated in mortal affairs.

Modern pjo timeline during TOA:

Which is what make TOA break this cycle. It forces Apollo to do quests. Quests that make Apollo grief and suffer. He can’t ignore the mortals anymore. He can’t be distant with them.

In the end of TOA, he can’t ignore the flaws of Olympus. In the end of TOA, he wants to do better. When Apollo becomes human, it breaks his shell of arrogance.

Themis and Apollo relationship dynamic give the TOA a more connected narrative to who Apollo is.

By the end of TOA, Themis even with her lack of appearance, she would have probably approve of what Apollo is now. Because Apollo finally stop pretending.