So you want to work with Apollo. Or perhaps you felt called to learn more about him. Regardless of what drew you to this specific page, this blog post is meant to be a comprehensive summary of the Greek god of music, light, healing, and prophecy.

Keep reading to learn more about Apollo, the roles and symbols he's embodied in Greek mythology, and how you could work with him today using the power of scent and astrology.

Table of Contents

☀️ Who is Apollo?

Apollo is the Greek god of music, light, healing, and prophecy. He is one of the most influential gods from the pantheon and his mythology, such as his tragic love story with young Hyacinthus, has become quite popular in modern pop culture. 

Apollo is the son of Zeus and Leto and is the younger twin brother of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt. He was born on the island Delos.

Apollo represents clarity, order, and brilliance. Though he isn't the actual god of sun (that would be Helios, though later traditions viewed the two deities as one and the same), at his core, Apollo is a spiritual force that governs prophecy, healing, justice, and sacred art. He was known for six main roles in mythology:

1. The Destroyer of Evil – Apollo punishes the arrogant and the unjust. Armed with a bow made by Hephaestus, he brings plague when dishonored and famously slays the serpent Python, claiming the Oracle at Delphi.

2. The Healer and Protector – He can send disease, but he can also cure it. Apollo was called upon to purify, protect, and restore. He fathered Asclepius, god of medicine, and held titles like “Averter of Evil” and “Savior.”

3. The God of Prophecy – As the mouthpiece of Zeus, Apollo delivered divine truth through oracles—especially at Delphi. He granted prophetic vision to chosen mortals and guided cities in making major decisions.

4. The Patron of Music and Poetry – Apollo plays the lyre, inspires the Muses, and governs harmony in all its forms. He was said to have built the walls of Troy through music. For artists and creators, he’s the divine source of inspiration.

5. The Guardian of Herds – Apollo once lived among mortals as a shepherd, tending flocks for King Admetus. This quieter, pastoral side shows his connection to nature and the sacred rhythms of life.

6. The Founder of Cities – Greek colonies always consulted Apollo before they were founded. He offered not just spiritual vision, but structure. He was invoked to establish order, laws, and civic identity.

Over time, Apollo became increasingly associated with the sun. His title “Phoibos” means “radiant,” and many ancient writers linked him with solar deities from other cultures—like the Egyptian Horus or the mythic Hyperboreans, who lived in eternal sunlight and worshipped him as their chief god.

Whether you see him as a solar god, a divine messenger, a master musician, or the embodiment of cosmic order, Apollo represents something unique—beauty and justice, healer and punisher, intellect and seer.

☀️ Scent Notes Inspired by Apollo

Every Iris of the Moon oil starts with the question: What energy is this deity trying to embody through scent?

Apollo didn’t feel subtle. His energy came through very clear when I was browsing the perfume section of Sephora. I was greatly inspired by D&G Light Blue Summer Vibes, but I want to emphasize that Apollo is not a dupe of that perfume. 

I wanted Apollo's fragrance to smell like sipping an Aperol spritz while watching the sunset off the Mediterranean coast. Fresh, vibrant, and warm.

Here’s how I translated this setting into a fragrance. 

You may use these scent notes as inspiration for your own spiritual practice with Apollo, whether that be making your own spell oil or gathering the physical manifestations of these notes for your altar.

And if you're interested in trying out Iris of the Moon's interpretation of Apollo as a scented body oil, you may check out his deity oil here.

He may be used as a moisturizing body oil, a subtle perfume oil, or as an anointing oil to dress your candles or yourself.

⭐️ Astrology

Another way to work with Apollo is to see where he may be hiding in your birth chart.

Just like how we have planets and stars in our solar system that play an integral part in shaping our soul blueprint, the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter contains millions of asteroids that are also part of our galactic ecosystem. 

Asteroid Apollo (1862) is one of them.

Check out our asteroid astrology guide here to figure out how to find Apollo in your birth chart.

In asteroid astrology, Apollo represents our drive for self-expression through creative endeavors and the desire for truth. 

Apollo's placement points to areas where we can shine, inspire, and heal, emphasizing our intellectual and artistic pursuits, as well as our ability to bring light and understanding into the lives of others.

☄️ Asteroid Apollo (1862) by Zodiac Sign

Asteroid Apollo's zodiac sign placement is a reflection of which characteristics he is here to help you embody. 

🏠 Asteroid Apollo (1862) by House

Asteroid Apollo's house placement indicates which area of life he is here to assist you in.

Interested in working with Apollo? Consider working with him using Apollo Deity Oil, a moisturizing scented body oil infused with notes of twilight ocean, citrus notes, orange blossom, hyacinth, and oak wood.

He may be used as a moisturizing body oil, a subtle perfume oil, or as an anointing oil to dress your candles or yourself.