Where the name comes from...

 

Ceyx, the king of Thessaly, was the son of Hesperus, the star that brings in the day. His wife, Alcyone, was the daughter of Aeolus, the King of the Winds. They were a faithful and devoted couple, never separated but nevertheless, there came a time when Ceyx had to make a long journey across the sea to consult an oracle. Alcyone was hysterical with grief and worry. She had grown up in the palace of the King of the Winds and knew what often happened to ships at sea. She begged to be allowed to go with him, but Ceyx would not allow it and sailed alone.

 

That night a great storm broke. The crew was terrified, but Ceyx was at peace, knowing Alcyone was safe on shore. The boat sank and all were drowned. As the waters closed over Ceyx, the word "Alcyone" was on his lips. Alcyone waited patiently for Ceyx's return. She prayed nightly to Hera (Juno) to safeguard her husband. The goddess was touched by her prayers for a man already dead. She sent Morpheus, the god of sleep to visit Alcyone in a dream. Morpheus assumed the shape of Ceyx. He said to Alcyone, "Poor wife, look, your husband is here. Do you know me, or is my face changed in death? Your name was on my lips when the waters overwhelmed me." On waking Alcyone knew her husband was dead. When the sun rose she went down to the shore. As she stared out over the water she saw something in the distance floating towards her. As it got closer she saw it was the body of her husband Ceyx. She ran through the surf but instead of sinking into the waves she found herself flying or riding over them. The gods had taken pity on the couple and turned them into to sea birds.

 

Every winter there is a week when the sea is perfectly calm. These are days when Alcyone, the gannet bird, broods over her nest floating on the sea. Ceyx, the kingfisher, a bright colored, crest headed bird, is nearby. And these days of perfect peace are named after her, Alcyone, or more commonly, Halcyon days.