NYMPHS Personifications of the more pleasant aspects of nature, nymphs were a kind of middle being between gods and men, communicating with both, loved and respected by both. They were gifted with the power to make themselves visible or invisible at will, they could perform many feats normally only possible to the gods, and they were always young, beautiful and happy, carefree and loving, but yet when they were entrusted with the care of a thing or person, as in the case of Ida and Althaea, who were charged with looking after the infant Zeus, they took this responsibility very seriously, showing the practical, able side of female nature.