beatingdrumspouringwine

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

i think Chappell Roan is very Dionysos-coded, no i will not elaborate

#or maybe i will #i'm so in love with that woman #she's absolutely iconic #and i have had good luck babe on repeat since it came out #anyways

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

Words from the Gods

Communication with the Gods is daunting. There's something about the many ways by which it can happen, the strange ways by which it can happen, and also how it is seen online versus real life, all of which can lead to confusion and a bit of dismay. I remembered reading a lot of stories about people's encounters with the Gods, which seemed to be these casual conversations, like those you would have with friends. I definitely wasn't getting those kinds of communications, and had a lot of worry that I was doing things Wrong, Somehow. There was definitely some time where my worship was based more towards "man, I hope this God/Goddess gets me some cool experiences I could share with my friends!" instead of wanting to focus on building a relationship with the Deity Themselves.

Over the years, I've grown better at understanding and picking out communications from the Gods. Obviously, I'm not an expert on it, and I wouldn't claim to be. However, I'm starting this series (words from the Gods) to hopefully help with explaining the different ways that I have encountered the Gods (mostly Dionysos), and how they impacted me, as well as how to discern these communications. As the old saying goes, your mileage may vary, but I do hope that this will help people in their worship!

I can't quite say when the first post comes out, seeing as I'm swinging terrifyingly close to finals, graduation, and the Great Adult Life that lies beyond college. But, I'll try my best to keep it going and updated!

edited this to remove the line markers that i sometimes use to mark how much i've written lol, my ADHD needs some fun little thing to keep me writing

#dionysian #dionysos #dionysus #hellenic polytheism #hellenic polytheist #dionysos deity #dionysus deity #hellenic pagan #hellenic gods #hellenism

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

hello all! i’m taking a trip to the MFA in Boston tomorrow, which has an incredible collection of statuary of the Greek Gods! as such, i want to put out an offer to take prayer requests :) they have statues of Juno/Hera, one of the Muses, Dionysos, Hermes, Hygeia, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, and Ares, as far as I can remember! so, if you want me to offer up any prayers, just let me know - i won’t post them, i’ll just pray + delete 💕

#helpol #hellenic polytheist #hellenic paganism #hellenic polytheism

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

going to try a fun little experiment where i sprinkle just about everything i use on a daily basis with khernips and see how that goes

(obviously we're not counting toiletry stuff, but like, my driver's license, debit card, different plants, perhaps my pillow at night, etc.)

this is mostly because i found that the more i ritually cleanse myself and the things on my altar, the better i feel and the better my altar supplies seem to work (wax warmer spreads scent faster, tarot reads better, plants seem a bit healthier, etc.), and while it is a bit unorthodox, i'm also just... curious as to whether or not this would help improve my spiritual life, even if it's a bit! i'll report back on the results later :)

#dionysian shitposts #dionysian #helpol #but as always #it's only a light shitpost #a lot of this is actually a very seriouspost #also there needs to be someone filling in the ecological niche of “grandma who puts holy water on everything” in the Helpol community #so why not me?

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

Advice for beginner Hellenists

This isn't necessarily a post where I include a list of Gods, epithets, resources, and offerings for said Gods, but rather, hopefully soothing the worries of those of us who are starting the journey into the religion. As someone who was once in a religion that made other religions sound like something absolutely terrifying, my journey into Hellenism was once which was also... pretty terrifying, and this fear was mostly just from my own mind.

Anyways, my list of Advice:

You can literally just start praying. If you want to get more formal, you can absolutely get more formal, but you very much don't have to. I've definitely had my first prayers to some Gods be "hello, [God or Goddess's name], I want to worship You! Please lead me in my journey. Thanks!" I can promise you, the Gods are much kinder and more understanding than any of us fully know.

You can also just start worshiping in general. I feel like I've seen on occasion people worried about the Gods not "calling" to them. This is definitely not something that needs to happen pre-worship. If you find them interesting enough to pray to, then that in and of itself is enough.

In a similar vein, I wouldn't be too concerned about the idea of "signs". I feel like there's a tendency for folks to be incredibly worried about everything when first starting out - the behavior of a candle, the sighting of an animal, a strange dream, all can suddenly seem to take on jarring significance. But I can promise you, the Gods don't constantly give out signs, and frequently, these strange occurrences can be attributed to the mundane. When something comes from the Gods, you will know, trust me!

You don't have to worry too much about the idea of cleanliness, be it spiritual or physical. Khernips are cool, and I'd definitely recommend integrating them into your practice sooner or later. Hygiene is cool too! But if I'm being honest, we in the modern day are far more physically clean, and a lot less likely to regularly encounter the type of pollution that would have been encountered in ancient Greece.

The Gods will be at varying distances over the course of your worship. Sometimes, They will feel close, joyfully, burningly so. And sometimes, They will feel far, and prayers may even feel a bit futile. Both of those are perfectly okay, and neither of those will be permanent.

And, once again in a similar vein, you will likely not find yourself having constant, close mystical experiences with the Gods (i.e., conversations, visions, etc.). These experiences are rare and far between, and I would advise that you not make them a central part of your worship. They will come when the Gods deem you're ready for them, and you definitely won't be expecting it. Focus on the little things!

My final thing (for now) is that you also shouldn't put undue pressure on yourself to be doing some sort of big offering to the Gods. If that's what you can afford, that's great! But if not, fresh water, a small wildflower that you came across and picked*, or a small bit of a meal also count as a good offering!

And with that, my (much longer than I was previously planning on) list of things for beginners to keep in mind! A lot of this list is made up of things which I picked up along the way, and a lot of it is also made from my own personal hindsight being 20/20. I hope this is helpful to someone, and that it maybe soothes some of the (incredibly common) worries which so often accompany those who are venturing into the world of Hellenic polytheism!

#dionysian #dionysos #dionysus #hellenic polytheism #hellenic polytheist #dionysos deity #dionysus deity #hellenic pagan #hellenic gods #hellenism #helpol #beginner helpol

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

back in my early practice, i used to feel like i was trying to find some kind of “shareable” experience with the Gods - something that was really cool and unique that would make me seem cool and unique as well

anyways that was an insanely unhealthy way of worshiping, and i am very glad that my 2019-2020 era of worship was short. but also, ironically enough, i fully stopped chasing that “worship clout” (for lack of a better word) when i started praying to Dionysos, and now i’ve had 3 experiences that younger me would have been so ready to scream about from the rooftops, but me now is just like “oh sweet, mystical experiences” and has spoken NOTHING about them

anyways i’m just putting this out there as a reminder to myself to talk about these experiences, because i think it might help other people (i’ve been given permission to share them from Dionysos after a lot of prayers + some minor divination, i’m just a chronic procrastinator)

ALSO this is a reminder that your relationship with the Gods does not have to be based entirely on these Really Big Encounters!!! sometimes you can just chill and pray to the Gods, and that is SO good!

#also i never fully realize how much i changed #but after i’m finished writing up my next post #it’s straight to mystical visions with Dionysos

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

I bring a bacchic revelry sort of vibe to thebes that pentheus doesn't really like

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

At night, the frogs croak loud enough to drive Dionysos mad twice-over.

The wind blows with the breath of Zephyrus, and Notos' cold breath no longer stings bare skin. Even the winds that are cold seem to come from a warmer source.

Apollo has returned to Delphi, and prophecies float freely through the ruins.

The Dryads slowly open their bleary red eyes from their long rest. By the time they are fully open, they will be green. In the meantime, their evergreen sisters tell them stories of the winter.

Artemis restrings Her bow, and carefully places perfect arrows into Her quiver. For now, She only hunts what grows in the forest - fiddlehead ferns, ramps, and water from sweet-flowing springs. But when the animals fully awaken, when the young are grown, She will take again to Her hunting grounds.

Athena receives Her yearly influx of frantic prayers from students as they embark on their end-of-the-year projects, be they theses or finals.

Hermes stands guard over muddy roads, stopping fools from going where their cars cannot.

Zeus sends down rain that is warm, that people can stand and dance in. This rain gives life, and never freezes. Below, blessed Hera laughs and picks the new flowers, and gently ushers Her peacock’s new chicks beneath Her skirt when the rain is too hard.

Below the Earth, Hades passes letters to Iris, each one carefully addressed to His beloved Wife, and Iris joyfully takes the letters in Her careful hands and springs up from the Underworld, leaving colorful arcs in the sky as She runs.

And, of course, Persephone returns to open-armed Demeter, whose joy echoes through the world along with that of Her Daughter's. How beautiful and blessed are the joys of the Gods!

#poetry #helpol #hellenic polytheist #hellenic paganism #it’s finally spring :) #for me at least #i hope it is for all of you as well!

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

sometimes Dionysos will grab me by the shoulders and talk some really severe sense into me when i need it the most

sometimes, He gently cups my face and tells me everything will be all right

i had one of the latter kind of nights tonight, and i’m feeling quite happy :)

#anyways the whole grabbing thing is metaphor #i have only ever had Dionysos grab me once #like in a physical sense #and it was to pass on a Message #very intense but super cool

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

Dionysos came THROUGH for me for both nights of the play I was in :) Who would have known that worshiping a God of theater would have helped me with... a good performance in theater?

#in other breaking news #the sky is blue #dionysian #dionysos #dionysus

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

Dionysos bless me 😭

#i am in the classic Scottish play by Shakespeare #opening night is tonight #i haven’t been in a play before #Dionysos help me #Dionysos bless me

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

My asks are always open, and I do love talking about everything related to my spiritual life 😊

The person who re-blogged this wants you to know that they are open to questions regarding their spiritual path, witchcraft and faith, and in fact, would love to talk about their spiritual path with you and have a casual talk!!

(this applies to me pspspsps HMU , don't hesitate, i am always open to respectful discussion of our spiritual paths and just being friends!!)

#please tho #i love answering asks! #i’m never bothered by them :)

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

this is entirely unrelated to my usual content, but i wanted to put this out there:

the solar eclipse was the most beautiful thing i have ever seen with my own two eyes, and i can only pray that my life is long and blessed enough to witness one again :,)

#it was worth the 13 hour drive in case anyone is wondering

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

it's okay to ask your Deities for help when you have nothing to offer in return, especially when you're scared

#yes absolutely

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

things i am desperately in need of:

1. life-sized statues of my Gods that i can run to and wrap my arms around when i feel Emotions

2. see number 1

#dionysian shitposts #but also my 5 inch high Dionysos is great for worship #but not so much when i need to really express my gratitude to Him #Which WOULD be by hugging

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

Obscure Gods: Misa/Mise/Mises

It isn’t hard to find information on Iakkhos, considering His identification with the ever-popular Dionysos, but try finding information on Misa, the feminine portion of the God Iakkhos.

The Orphic Hymns give us the following hymn to Mises:

The fumigation of storax. Call Thesmophorus, spermatic God [Dionysos], of various names, who bears the leafy rod: Mises [Misa], ineffable, pure, sacred queen, two-fold Iacchus, male and female seen: Illustr’ous, whether to rejoice is thine in incense offer’d, in the fane divine; Or if in Phrygia most thy soul delights, performing with thy mother sacred rites; Or if the land of Cyprus is thy care, well pleas’d to dwell with Cytheria fair; Or if exulting in the fertile plains with thy dark mother Isis, where she reigns, With nurses pure attended, near the flood of sacred Egypt, thy divine abode: Wherever resident, blest pow’r attend, and with benignant mind these labours end. - Orphic Hymn XLI, trans. Thomas Taylor

This is the Goddess who is the femininity of Dionysos. She is described as a maiden, called Kore. Asklepiades of Tragilos says she’s a daughter of Dysaules and Baubo. In the 19th century, scholars wondered if Misa was not Cybele or Persephone under an Orphic gloss. She is also understood to be one of the attendants of Demeter.

As a deity of the Orphics, Misa is sometimes understood as both male and female. Understood as both stable and generative. In spite of Her androgyny, Mise is repeatedly referred to by feminine terms. She is hardly alone in this trait. There is bearded Aphrodite, and Hermaphrodite, as well as many others.

Some think that Misa originated as a local deity, who became adopted by the mystes of Orpheus.

With Her connection with Cybele, it is possible that her origin lay in Phrygia.

Normally, I would here talk about Her cult, but the truth is that the Orphics were varied and are not a singular practice, but are rather a multiplicity that vary, centered around Dionysos and of the Two Goddesses, Demeter and Kore. Speculations are rampant. This is all made more difficult by the fact that Orphism overlapped with other groups of the day, including the Pythagoreans. Additionally, the Mystery cults held their secrets close, and so little survives that some, such as Martin West, believe that Orphism was little more than dabbling.

Orphics took food restrictions and taboos on activities that other Hellenes accepted readily. There was an emphasis on purity, much like many cults of the era. We know that incense and libations were offered, and that in Misa’s case, storax was a useful offering. More is difficult to say, though many have produced speculation and fantasy over the ages.

So we know that Mises is a Goddess with characteristics of two genders, that she is a Queen, and a powerful one at that. We know she has the quality of purity, but not much about what that really means. In light of Her possible conflation with Cybele, it seems she is a Great Mother type of deity. And we know that She receives offerings of Storax. I find myself wondering if her androgyny has not made some scholars reluctant to dig into her origins and history in more depth. Perhaps, perhaps not. It may be, that there simply is nothing that survives.

Sources:

Theoi.com

Athanassakis, Apostolos and Benjamin Wolkow. The Orphic Hymns, Johns Hopkins, 2013. Dowden, Ken and Niall Livingstone, eds. A Companion to Greek Mythology. Wiley, 2011. Edmonds, III, Radcliffe G. Redefining Ancient Orphism: A Study in Greek Religion, Cambridge, 2013. Faber, G-S. A dissertation on the mysteries of the Cabiri; or the great gods of Phenicia, Samothrace, Egypt, Troas, Grece, Italy and Crete (etc.), Rivington, 1803. Guthrie, W. K. C. Orpheus and Greek Religion. Princeton, 1935. Harrison, Jane Ellen. Prolegomena to the study of Greek religion, University Press, 1908. Herrero de Jauregui, Miguel. Orphism and Christianity in Late Antiquity, de Gruyter, 2010. Lindsay, Jack. The Ancient World: Manners and Morals, Putnam, 1968. Nelson, Marie C. and Jean Ikenberry. Psychosexual Imperatives: their role in identity formation, Human Sciences, 1979. West, Martin. The Orphic Poems, Clarendon, 1983.

Image:

Koryakov Yuri, “Number of Genders in the Languages of the World: 256 Languages sample.” Map, in public domain, via wikicommons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Number_genders.png

#this is so cool #Mise is such an underrated Goddess

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

update! i found some free software for writing down chant music, and am now trying to figure out how it works, and then put the Orphic Hymn to Dionysos to music! hopefully it sounds at least halfway decent, or even perhaps good :)

got this silly goofy idea today: what if i tried putting the Orphic Hymns to gregorian chant music?

like it couldn't be that hard, plus sometimes chants go hard, plus the only kind of music i actively sound good singing is chant.

also i am actively taking all the fun and shiny stuff with me on my way out of the religion :)

#dionysian shitposts #Apollo come to my aid i pray #help my dumbass out in this time of “writing music” #i haven't tried to write music since i was in middle school and desperately wanted to be a DJ