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I wouldn't be overly concerned of swearing when talking of deities, per say; especially as someone who fucking loves Zeus. The sensitivity people often have towards swearing and profanity is actually quite contemporary, beginning in the 18th century. Such language has often taken a mundane place in the ancient Hellenic world, in truth. I recommend you read the book <strong><em>Holy Shit: A Brief History of Swearing</em></strong> by Melissa Mohr, who goes over obscenities in parts of the ancient Hellenic world, such as Rome, for example.
They call her the goddess of love for reason, lol. I got her from Amazon, here's the link https://www.amazon.co.uk/Design-Toscano-Goddess-Statue-Polyresin/dp/B003M0PNFM/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=aphrodite+statue&qid=1625175524&sprefix=aphr&sr=8-14
> If somebody experiences God, then there is a God. If somebody experiences Vishnu, then there is a Vishnu. If somebody experiences no theism whatsoever, then there is no God; and our reality is absurd enough that this can all be true at the same time. Overnight, I had transitioned from rejecting all religion as nonsense, to accepting all religion as truth. All that remained was to find my truth.
Exactly. I believe the same thing. I went from being a hardcore atheist to believing in contradictory truths. Not sure if you've read Letters from a Living Dead Man, but it talks about this quite a bit. Highly suggest it.
Our lady*
Bought her from Amazon, for pretty cheap. Here's the link https://www.amazon.co.uk/Design-Toscano-Goddess-Statue-Polyresin/dp/B003M0PNFM/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=aphrodite+statue&qid=1625175524&sprefix=aphr&sr=8-14
Hope you have a happy birthday :)
I'm very new, only about a month since I tried and only a handful of times ( because overthinking is a high probability for me) and I'm using a deck gifted to me by my MIL called "Intuitive Tarot" ( this one ) and it seems to be a beginning deck- it came with a book that has a 1-2 page description of each card. I'm not sure about the system, I joined a witchcraft discord and someone had linked a post with the deity tarot spread and I thought 'oh, what a cool opportunity to try to connect'.
I like your interpretation!! Especially with how I've read the various versions of her story it does really sound like something that could be attributed to her. Thank you!
I definitely took a message from the description of the card, taking into account it's position as "things to avoid" in the dictated spread. It was just that last line of "being alive" that struck me as funny so that was the part I posted about to avoid rambling.
To clarify, do you mean that ancient Greeks and Romans didn't use dice or sortes (lot casting) for divination at all? A very comprehensive book about divination in the ancient Greek world, called Mantike (available here), describes many types of divination that were performed by people of the time, including divination by using dice.
I don't see why using dice in divination (or any kind of personal divination) would be considered only a Wiccan practice when it's use in the Greco-Roman world was so well documented.
To add to this, I can recommend two books anyone interested in Hellenism or paganism might want to read to help the journey make more sense:
A World Full of Gods: An Inquiry into Polytheism https://www.amazon.com/World-Full-Gods-Inquiry-Polytheism/dp/0976568101
The Darkening Age: The Christian Destruction of the Classical World https://www.amazon.com/Darkening-Age-Christian-Destruction-Classical/dp/1328589285/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G24FFOXS2P7S&dchild=1&keywords=the+darkening+age&qid=1601325380&s=books&sprefix=the+darkenis%2Cstripbooks%2C175&sr=1-1
Well, first of all, there is no set of "Hellenic festivals" per se. In ancient Greece, every different area had its own festivals. We know the most about the Athenian ones, but they were not the only ones, and even those changed over the thousands of years of Greek polytheism. So, most Hellenic polytheists today celebrate some of those ancient festivals - mostly Athenian - and many create new festivals based on the concepts of the ancient ones, often localized to our own areas.
To get you started, here is my page with blurbs on most of the Athenian festivals and a few others: https://forestdoor.wordpress.com/resources/athenian-festival-calendar/
However, for fuller information you're going to need to go offline and read an academic book or two, most usefully HW Parke's Festivals of the Athenians or Erika Simon's Festivals of Attica. Those will give you a strong basis in the ancient tradition.
I can also recommend my own book, which talks about how to adapt or create festivals for a modern practice: <em>Komos: Celebrating Festivals in Contemporary Hellenic Polytheism</em>. But it's less a list of festivals and more a guide on understanding the purpose, the various elements, the timing, etc. and therefore giving you the tools to construct your own meaningful festival practice.
Since April, I've been able to say that I'm faithful to a daily ritual of devotion. Every morning, just before dawn, I meditate for a few minutes on the Indian god Ganesha (the only non-Hellenic god with whom I feel a distinct bond). Then I go through a regular set of chants of excerpts from the Homeric Hymns and from a tragic play by Euripides—in the original Greek, which I've been studying with help from the memorization app Anki.
The Greek Oracle deck? Here’s the one I got, there are others out there but this is the one that called to me and works pretty well. It’s a bit confusing so if you do get it dm me and I can explain
Feel better! I've been there myself. Had all the migraine sensitivities at once: light, sound, smell, motion, etc. At that point, I was curled up in a ball in a dark bedroom crying from the pain, and praying to Apollon/Asclepius/Anyone to make it go away. Best discovery that has helped my migraines: Migra-eeze
I was able to stop taking my nightly migraine prescription. Fair warning, they taste awful. I take them Kefir so I don't taste them.
Hello! I wrote a paper in college on prostitution in ancient Greece. The book that I used as a resource was Prostitution in the Ancient Greek World by Konstantinos Kapparis. It’s a long book and the writing is academic so I can be hard to get through. But there is valuable information regarding sex workers in Greece and their relationship to the goddess. Below is an Amazon link to the book!
https://www.amazon.com/Prostitution-Ancient-Greek-Konstantinos-Kapparis/dp/3110556758
I don't believe so. You might like looking at The Mythic Tarot.
There's already an Oracle deck with the Theoi on the market, see here. I have it and I love it! You can use these cards differently and more connected with the Theoi, more specific if that makes sense.
Not saying you shouldn't make a tarot deck yourself though, I think it's an amazing (but probably tricky) way to connect to the Theoi in a special, personal and creative way. If you're ever going to make them, I'd love to see ot hear about your progress!
Just a heads up! That calendar you post is great, but depending where you live, the lunar phase may not match the calendar. My new moon was a day earlier than this calendar has it.
Adjust accordingly. Try this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dafftin.android.moon_phase
The widget is great.
Most of the Hellenes on here are pretty casual I think. I know there are quite a few that have a daily routine but I think the vast majority of us just worship or give offerings when we can.
If you are determined to make it a routine you could set an alarm on your phone for every day when you want to perform your rituals. I use an app called Habitica which is designed as a sort of real life RPG to get you into routines. Or maybe you can put a checklist on a mirror or the fridge or somewhere else you are just bound to see it as a reminder.
Best of luck!
Just for divinatory purposes, was this the book it was conjoined to: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Choices-Thinking-Outside-Spirit/dp/0307341658
I bought it on Amazon
​
it's a little pricey but well worth it
It's a book titled "Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship" written by LABRYS (a Hellenic Polytheist community based in Greece). I got my copy through Amazon - here's a link:
Here is a statue for Gaea that is similar to Design Toscano, the most common designs for statues I've seen.
I'm sorry you don't resonate with the Gaias that are most common, but I really think it's not constructive to rant about Wiccans dominating the market - if they weren't there, there just wouldn't be any of those Gaia statues at all.
Many Wiccans honor the Earth, and they call the Earth Gaia as many Hellenists have. Trying to tear down their tradition of honoring Gaia doesn't actually build up a Hellenic tradition of honoring Gaia.
Nothing else springs immediately to mind.
Here is my translation of her Orphic Hymn, from Orphic Hymns Grimoire. The new expanded second edition just came out:
hardback: https://www.hadeanpress.com/shop/orphic-hymns-grimoire
paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Orphic-Hymns-Grimoire-Sara-Mastros/dp/1914166124/
84: Hestia, the Hearth
Hestia, queen, worthy daughter of Time,
Ever-flowing fire, inferno sublime,
Inhabiting ever the heart of the home,
You walk the initiate into the unknown.
You hallow our spirits with your mystic decree:
“The hearthfire at home IS the flame of all mystery!”
Goddess most wealthy, wise, happy and pure,
Grant us your blessings, we mortals implore.
Eternal shapechanger, basis of everything,
You excite tender longing for the green of the spring.
Your red-tongued smile and your warm glowing eyes
Bless with health, wealth, and happiness all of our shrines.
This is indeed Hecate. See here
Yes! All altar are valid! I love this post. Thank you. That was so needed. Yes, not all altars are pintrest or Instagram worthy. And that is perfectly OK.
You are more than welcome to add your wonderful altar to the padlet board I made a while ago. We need more visibility to simple minimalistic altars! here
Also, Amazon has a set of silver-plated replica Greek coins. I don't see why they couldn't substitute.
I’m in the UK, I got this on Amazon, here is the link I have used:
>Do I have to worship/devote things to all of the Gods?
No.
>Is there a specific way I have to pray or devote/offer things to them?
If you want to be traditional, which is recommended for beginners, yes. Check out https://hellenicfaith.com/do-ut-des and https://www.amazon.com/Hellenic-Polytheism-Household-Worship-1/dp/1503121887 for more information.
>Do I have to worship/pray to certain Gods over others?
Short answer: no. Longer answer: Hestia/Vesta is traditionally given honors "first" in rituals and offerings, but speaking personally, I have my own reasons why I don't incorporate her into my practice (yet).
There are books for how to perform proper practice in your home (https://www.amazon.com/Hellenic-Polytheism-Household-Worship-1/dp/1503121887/) and of course you should be doing a lot of reading on things like the mythology (which are not literal events that happened but still have divine meanings for you to uncover) and perhaps the philosophers if you want to go down that path.
But as u/NoBlueberryPie put it, there is no gospel or "book" for Hellenism. It's not that kind of religion. There are multiple different creation stories depending on which school of thought or religious sect you belong to, different cosmogonies, different relationships between the Gods that contradict, etc.
Venus and Aphrodite by Bettany Hughes is a good, easy read on Aphrodite's origins and history.
Huge kudos for not saying Hekate is drawn to you, or you want to "work with" Hekate. There are a lot of great books about her and I personally would start here: https://www.amazon.com/Circle-Hekate-History-Mythology-manifestations-ebook/dp/B078L31M7R
The short answer: no, there isn't. Look at your household practice, break it down into an outline and develop materials and activities that will teach them about piety and engaging the gods.
Like children in Ancient times, modern Hellenist children learn through immersion, by you teaching them via your household religion. If you don't have one, it would be helpful to develop one and teach by example. They'll learn the hymns and prayers you use, you show them how to make offerings, and honor the household gods, how to celebrate the monthly festivals and whichever civil festivals you incorporate. There are plenty of ways to educate them on Virtues and how to cultivate a good life.
There are plenty of teaching opportunities. There are books written at age-appropriate levels. A pretty solid one is D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths. There are child's reading level versions of the Iliad and The Odyssey. Aesop's Fables are helpful too. Teach them how to make different types of foods for offerings, and libations, and use age-appropriate arts and crafts to make votives.
Try this. It's based around Relegio Romana so might have more information.
And too that end if anyone is interested this book is a good resource if a little scholarly.
There is a collection of rituals for certain occasions (really just a series of Orphic/Homeric hymns in an order and a suggestion of offerings) in LABRYS' Household Worship book. It starts with a ritual to welcome the Theoi into one's home.
As others have said though, something specific like this is absolutely not a requirement though - you can simply begin worshipping them in a way that feels natural to you.
With time, you will begin to learn more about Hellenic myths, rituals and ideals and can then incorporate those into your practice.
Offerings do not need to be physical, hymns and prayers of thanks are also a type of offering and are usually made regardless of whether objects and libations are also being given. :)
Tbh, it's not hard to honor the gods while on the road, the ancients did so themselves and often had no choice since it took far longer to travel anywhere than it does for us today, and under much harder conditions. It's far easier to do so today.
A travel altar can be as basic as a couple of small, collapsible silicone dishes, example and some come with clips so they'd even attach to a keychain; a small cloth/scarf/mat to designate the altar space, and an electric or battery candle. If you want deity images for a focal point, keep some in your phone's gallery and prop the phone up at the back of the altar set up. All of these are very compact and take minimal space, and won't get flagged by TSA if you're flying.
If there are outdoor places you can use on your travels, like parks, it's easy enough to make a libation of bottled spring water and a very small portion of food if you're wanting to make those kinds of offerings. Just be sure the food is something safe for wildlife and will break down quickly so it won't attract pests.
I managed to find these ones by searching “candle wax pen” on google! They look almost identical to the ones I have. 🥰
I highly suggest getting this book, it's pretty much all about the afterlife in the Orphic tradition. Goes into great detail on all these questions, I had the same questions and this book is a Godsend (get it? Heh heh heh). As a quick summary tho:
- when you die, take a right
- go down the path past the first tree/lake
- drink from the 2nd lake (lake of Memories) but not too much if you want to retain some of your memories
- reincarnate into the next life after traveling a great distance
as far as the Isles of the Blessed, you have to live 3 good lives to get there. i'd love to go there too one day, I wanna see Athena so bad =) Pretty sure the directions are accurate... but double check with the book. As far as the Underworld goes, I believe that's just the general afterlife... it's possible to just wander around forever down there. Also there's a place people go that cannot fall out of love with someone that does not love them (unrequited love) and they stay stuck there forever. Also you should see Persephone at the gates by the 2nd lake, I believe.
Good travels! Hope to see you in the Isles one day... well... not hope anytime soon, but, you know what I mean, lol <3
Yes I believe they go to the afterlife, but they can also reincarnate into other beings. From the Orphic perspective, animals can become humans, hence why they were mostly vegan; they believed the highest form a spirit could take was a human. I also read in a few afterlife books that spirits can evolve and there are different types of animal like things in the afterlife, read about them in Letters of a Living Dead Man, truly fascinating book, and I do believe it's true.
The history of emperor Julian is amazing but it ended in such a tragedy, looks straight out of an ancient epic really, ive been recomended this book (Gods and Legions) about him before that tells his history into a historical-fiction kinda novel, really reminds me of Bernard Cornwell's style of books and it's amazing from start to finish if you are interested :)
About Pax Deorum i'm really found of the concept, it seems only logical to me that if seek the blessing of the gods for your personal life or household you would also seek it for your community as a whole, specially if said community shared the same general religious practices as you.
The fall of the Roman empire was a very very complicated and multil-layered tragedy indeed but being a hellenic polytheist i can't deny that i feel their forsaking of the old gods played a significant part in it and many contemporaries of both western and eastern empires thought the same till the very fall of Constantinople, that all that tragedy sprouted from them abandoning the gods of their ancestors whom helped build their empire in the first place.
This book is pretty popular, and it includes cheat sheets over most of the popular deities. Looks like you found something that helps already, but just in case:
https://www.amazon.com/Hellenic-Polytheism-Household-Worship-1/dp/1503121887
A spaced repetition system is immensely helpful in learning a new language. Anki is excellent, although making your electronic flash cards can be labor-intensive.
Here you go :)
Not this one no, but I do have Drawing Down the Moon: Ancient Greco-Roman Magic, and I am SO excited to read it! I may get this one you suggested after too!
Can't wait to learn how the hellenist Ancients looked at magic.
Ι believe that this will help you understand the Apollonian and Dionysian principles a bit more :
https://prezi.com/_jfgrj-wrlf4/dionysian-and-apollonian-principles/
Now, the Hermetic principles are a little more complicated I'd say. Hermeticists often spend their entire lives trying to fully grasp the 7 principles in order to apply them into their life. I recently started getting into the study of Hermeticism and I feel my brain overheating whenever I try to make sense of everything haha. It's hard, but it's also fun and worth it.
You might find that you don't agree with some stuff, but you'll still gain knowledge from it and see things from another, very interesting perspective. Some of these teachings can definitely help you change your life for the better, but it takes time! It might be difficult to understand at first, but keep studying and you'll get it eventually.
I strongly recommend this book as an introduction to this topic. Robin Lane Fox is an Oxford Classicist and uses a mix of written and archaeological evidence to discuss what he views as the "lived experience" of ancient religion, including, most critically, how people may have regarded the gods. I found this book a bit of a revelation and the bibliography links to tons of interesting archaeological books and articles.
I’m not a Hellenist, but I love all things Greek, so I lurk. That is absolutely Hebe, as she is the goddess who serves ambrosia and nectar to the gods, and that’s why she’s got her jug and dish ready. I have a statue of her in my kitchen that I bought off Amazon, and you can see that though it’s a different design, she still has her characteristic serving dishes.
I don’t worship her or anything, but Hebe is such a lovely little goddess in her own right and deserves some adulation if you love bringing joy to people through the sharing of food. Maybe you could incorporate her into your practice?
Ritual Texts for the Afterlife by Fritz Graf & Sarah Iles Johnston for Dionysus! Don't have any recs for Apollo though sorry!
These two were decent, quick reads
Hellenic Polytheism : Household Worship (Volume 1) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1503121887/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_MME54X20AXH634JVVQSW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Hellenic Polytheism: A Personal Guide for Ancient Greek Practitioners https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1387067702/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_T4F13TJ4JZ28T4686TJK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Thanks love! It’s https://www.amazon.com/Greek-Mythology-Reading-Alison-Chester-Lambert/dp/184409748X/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=greek+oracle&qid=1630430126&sr=8-5. I will say it’s not 💯 accurate with lore and myths but it works well w/ me. It called to me when I was in a crystal shop but didn’t have the money for it so I bought from Amazon. I have a deep connection with it and always is very accurate/tells me what I need rather than what I want. Sometimes I just ask the Gods to come through(whoever would like to) and give me a message
For Pagan miracles and the religious experience, I always recommend people start with Robin Lane Fox's Pagans and Christians. It discusses the competing miracle traditions in the second century CE and was very useful in shaping my practice and understanding of ancient religion.
Fox provides a lot of threads to pick up in the further reading, if you're interested.
Maybe something like this?
Dictionnaire de l'Antiquité : Mythologie, littérature, civilisation
La Mythologie grecque: Du premier homme à l'apothéose d'Héraclès par Pierre Chuvin
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I always recommend Hésiode:
La Théogonie - I believe this has a version of the Titanomachie. I'm about to reread it myself (in English) because I've been having this era of the gods in minnd.
Les Travaux et les Jours
Happy to provide encouragement. Really, if you read ancient authors such as Herodotus, Plutarch, Julian, and most philosophers you'll see that most ancient people believed that the Gods sent signs and dreams. The book is called Artemidorus' "The Interpretation of Dreams" https://www.amazon.com/Interpretation-Dreams-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0198797958 It's a guidebook from a professional dream interpreter to help his colleagues with their work. We are very fortunate to have the entire work survive from antiquity. I think that the Gods wanted to make sure that we can have an easier time interpreting their messages and so made sure that the whole book survived. I hope it helps you out.
Io Saturnalia!
This is a awesome alter but might I suggest adding Dionysus to it I'm sure he would help make sure any celebration thrown truly amazing .
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https://www.amazon.com/Dionysus-Bucchus-Statue-Bronze-11-inch/dp/B001J1XQTG
You could always give Artemidorus' "The Interpretation of Dreams" a look. He was a professional diviner who lived in the 2nd century AD, The book is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Interpretation-Dreams-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0198797958
Ah yes, I have the book. Well you know domestic or household worship was a private matter, so anyone is free to adapt in the situation he finds. Another helpful with some theological points is this https://www.amazon.com/Hellenic-Ethnic-Religion-Theology-Practice/dp/0692084770?ref_=d6k_applink_bb_marketplace
But essentially the principles of household worship are no matter of controversies. It was not so standardized as hellenism is spread in space and time. Labrys is an organization of some former YSEE members based in Athens so they are more oriented to reconstruct the Athenian period and attic festivals.
Hi again, I was scrolling through amazon trying to find some knock off Greek pottery for my new apartment and I found this exact picture on a vase pot. The page says this god is Zeus. Even has his name written next to him. Take if for what you will.
Amazon. It’s a lot smaller than I thought it’d be but it hangs on my rear view mirror along with my graduation tassel. It’s perfect IMO.
Rembrandt Charms Sterling Silver Winged Shoe Charm (18 x 9 mm) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXFB0V7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zIc6Cb6V5PS00
11.75 Inch Greek Figure Poseidon with Trident Decor Gift Objet D Art https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00508ORRO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rwdKFbNEWXAQH
Poseidon Riding Hippocampus with Trident Statue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ42HPL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QwdKFb3W653A8
And more on Amazon that’s where I bought my Zeus Hera
There is a practice where you see yourself as the god in order to get closer to them, but it’s not in Hellenism it’s in Buddhism I believe.
I also agree to not go with Cunningham in this. There is a really good book about Hellenism called Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship that is basically what the title says. There is also another book called Hellenismos, which isn’t bad but he suggests the use of sulfur as a fumigation, and aside from lighting a match, this really isn’t a good idea since it turns into hydrogen sulfide.
When I do my visualizations, they can take on characteristics of what other people look like. This is normal since our minds usually use faces we’ve seen or parts from them. So if this helps you then great, but don’t let the visualization of them keep you from immersing yourself. I would instead try to pull characteristics from them so you can make a face that is unique to you. It might take a few days of sitting down and working on this but it will happen.
I am a newbie also and currently reading: Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today, by Tony Mierzwicki and have found it extremely helpful.
Also the very first book I read about the Greek Gods is still one of my favorites, Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire’s book of Greek Myths. It’s a children’s book, but thoroughly enjoyable for anyone at any age.
Coming here to say basically the same thing. Don't worry about patrons for now. If such a relationship develops for you, and it may not, it will be over a long period of time. In the meantime, worship who you feel called towards, whether that be one or many gods.
Theoi.com is excellent. Also, books are your friends, don't just limit your research to the internet. If academic books feel intimidating at first, there are several books written by and for modern Hellenic polytheists. Here's mine, for example. The really, really TL;DR would be - make simple but tangible offerings (wine, pure water, honey, cakes, incense, fire, votive figurines are all pretty safe bets across the board), pray from the heart and/or with poetry or music, erect some sort of simple image as a focal point if desired, or go to a place sacred to the god (for instance, the ocean for Poseidon). Then, as you learn more and more about the god(s) and the religion, you will elaborate on all these things, perhaps add festivals, build a formal shrine, etc. But you should jump right in with the basics, and deepen it as you go along.