Kirké

Kirké lived on a remote island called Aiaia. The Argonauts first landed on this island, returning with the Golden Fleece. The second visitor was Odysseus, returning from the Trojan War.

The most famous Kirké spells include:

1) the transformation of the girl Skylla into a sea monster
The sea god Glaukos fell in love with Skylla. But she was terrified of his appearance and fled from him, regardless of the fact that he was the son of a god. Glaukos asked Kirke for magical herbs that would change Skylla's mind. Kirké offered herself to Glaukos instead, but he desired only Skylla. Kirké then became angry with both of them, used the magic herbs, and infested the bay with them. Skylla entered it and immediately began to transform into a monster. Glaukos, who saw this, wept and fled. Skylla then turned into a cliff that people still avoid today.

2) the transformation of Odysseus' boatmen into pigs
After Odysseus' ship arrived at the island of Cyrene, his men set out to explore. On their quest, they found the house of Kirke, who invited them in. But only Eurylochos suspected the ruse and stayed outside. The other men were then offered enchanted food by Kirké, after which they became pigs. Eurylochos ran back to the ship and told Odysseus, who armed himself and went to the house. On the way he was stopped by the god Hermes, who gave him a magic herb that made Kirké's spells not work on him. Afterwards, Ulysses began to feast and tried to persuade Kirké to cancel her spell. He succeeded and stayed on the island with his men for a year. On their departure, Kirké did not prevent them from leaving, but instead sent them to the underworld to the oracle Teiresias, who told them what awaited them on their future journeys and what they should beware of. What Teires did not advise them, Kirké advised them. After the expedition sailed, Kirké gave birth to Ulysses' son, Telegon.

3) the transformation of a beautiful youth named Picus into a woodpecker
Picus fell in love with the fairy Kanenta, whom he married. One day, Kirké saw him hunting. She liked Picus very much and tried to get him to return her love. However, her efforts were unsuccessful, which angered her. Kirké therefore set up a hunting party, which Picus and his party set out to hunt. Kirké separated him from the party and with three strokes of her magic wand, turned him into a woodpecker. She then turned his party into wild beasts. Kanéns melted into light breezes out of grief for Pic.