#hellenic polytheist

[stormiemychelle]

Devotional act to Lady Aphrodite<3

Last night I shaved my legs and dedicated it to Lady Aphrodite.

Just a reminder that your practice doesn't have to be elaborate and fancy but if it is thats totally okay!

#hellenic polytheism #aphrodite #hellenic gods #hellenic polytheist #deity worship #hellenic community #hellenism #offerings #aphrodite devotee #lady aphrodite #aphrodite devotion #aphrodite worship #aphrodite deity

[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

[posthumous-pagan]

the struggle

#hellenic polytheism #hellenic pagan #hellenic paganism #pagan #hellenic polytheist #helpol #paganblr #meme

[royal-wren]

A little appreciation for the domains of a deity that don't get much attention/recognition. I'm making this because I do think it would be lovely if the aspects mentioned below got more attention, and additions not mentioned are welcome so long as it's an obscure part of them. This was going to be just a few and then I got carried away and did the main Twelve Olympians

A little love for:

Apollon as the God of Foreigners (the Arcadian friendship's harmony with Hermes being the god of travelers/way-god couldn't be any louder)

Aphrodite as a Goddess of the Arts (anything love-themed falls to her by default)

Ares of Civil Order, Defender, and Of Courage

Artemis as the Goddess of Dancing and equal Leader of the Mousai

Athene as the Goddess of Carpentry, Metalwork, and Sculpting

Demeter as Friend of Peace and Law-Giver

Hephaistos as the one with a delicate touch that creates beautiful works of art (It isn't so much unknown but honestly the thing I love most and not the first thing one thinks of with his talents/image)

Hera as the Skillful Bender of Language, Bender of Oaths and Promises

Hermes, God of Peace/Diplomacy, Divine Protector of All, as well as a God of Poetry and Knowledge (rightfully the other half to Athene)

Hestia of the Earth, Earth Dwelling and Delighting in the Works of Man, The One That Made Buildings

Poseidon of Fertility, the Plant Nurturer, and Holder of the Earth

Zeus of the People, Gracious and Merciful, Of Refuge, Counsellor

#hellenic polytheism #hellenic pagan #hellenic gods #hellenic paganism #hellenic polytheist #helpol #apollon #apollo #apollon deity #aphrodite #aphrodite deity #ares #ares deity #artemis #artemis deity #athene #athena #athena deity #athene deity #demeter #demeter deity #hera #hera deity #hermes #hermes deity #hestia #hestia deity #hephaistos #hephaestus #poseidon

[olympianbutch]

(Ranting about a comment I saw on TikTok.)

I genuinely need people to stop blaming ancient Greek religion/the gods for ancient Greek societal conventions like infanticide, slavery, and misogyny.

Exposed infants were protected by Kourotrophos gods!

Versions of the gods exist who were liberators of enslaved persons!

Women undeniably found the most freedom in the religious sphere!

For all of ancient Greece's sociocultural conservatism, the gods virtually demanded that worshippers subvert customs. In the words of my professor, "The Greek gods are a lot more progressive than you'd expect from the conservative ancient Greeks."

#helpol #hellenic polytheism #hellenic polytheist #ancient Greek religion #classicsblr

[hestiashearthfire]

You do not need a sign.

For the love of the gods, just pray. You do not need to be called. You do not need to be contacted. Just pray.

#hellenic polytheism #hellenic pagan #hellenic devotion #hellenic reconstructionism #helpol #hellenic paganism #hellenic polytheist #hellenic community #hellenic gods #prayer

[daughter-of-theforgotten-gods]

My Greek mythology professor was talking about how yes, giving offerings and sacrifices is worship to the gods, but reading Hesiods poetry was a way to worship and connect to them as well.

So even if you can’t give physical offerings you can at least read about the gods as a way of worship

#hellenic polytheism #hellenic polytheist #greek mythology #greek gods #hesiod #Hesiod theogony

[temple-of-eternal-hera]

There's nothing more romantic to me than Hera and Zeus in Their celestial aspects. She's the Goddess of the Sky and Stars. He's the God of the Sky and Storms. I bet They just dance around in the aether making pretty colors sometimes.

#hellenic polytheism #helpol #hellenic pagan #hera #zeus #hellenic paganism #hellenic polythiest #hellenism #hellenic polytheist #king zeus #queen hera

[mylifeforawinegod]

Just a quick reminder~

Not all polytheists consider themselves as pagans, and not all pagans consider themselves polytheists. The two terms aren't universally interchangeable.

(Some people use the terms interchangeably for themselves because the terms are heavily intertwined for them. This is not the case for everyone.)

#Pagan #Polytheist #greek polytheism #hellenic polytheism #hellenic polytheist #helpol #Paganism #witchcraft #eclectic witch #eclectic pagan

[seedsandsprouts]

🏺🔥

#helpol #hellenic polytheist #hellenic polytheism #hellenic pagan #hellenic paganism #Hephaestus #Hephaistos #Hephaestus worship #Hephaestus devotee #Hephaestus devotion #greek mythology #greek myth art #classicsblr #my art #digital art

[cursingcrona]

I'm so tired of practicing alone. Physically, yes; but i also just feel so separated from the community.

I want people to stop saying there's a specific way to pray, worship, work with, devote, honor, or practice within hellenic polytheism.

But on the physical hand, i want people to dance in the sunlight with me as we pray to our gods. I want to be surrounded by like minded people as we practice what makes us and our religion ours.

#apollo devotee #hellenic polytheism #polytheism #witchcraft #dionysus deity #pagan #hellenic polytheist #helpol

[apollons-laurel]

A reminder that feeling compelled to begin worshipping/researching a god is also a sign and you don’t need to see some major sign in order to begin worshipping!

I began worshipping Lord Apollon because I was interested in him for some reason, and that’s led me to many years of researching/worshipping him! He never came to me through animal symbolism or anything major/visible but my worship of him is something that feels so right, even when I have a drought and struggle to actively worship, I never feel too worried or uncomfortable to return to normal because he is my god and I felt and still feel like I was meant to worship him

The idea that you need to see physical signs in order to begin worshipping/building a relationship with a god is ridiculous and should never stop you! Think about all the other gods you don’t feel compelled to worship and compare it to those that you do, and if you want to begin worshipping loads of gods, then go for it! There’s no right or wrong way to begin worship and only you know what’s the right thing for yourself

#apart from lady asteria I don’t think I’ve ever experienced signs from a god #I’m tired and writing this so I hope it makes sense #apollo #apollo deity #apollo devotee #apollo worship #hellenic pagan #apollo devotion #apollon #hellenic polytheism #hellenic worship #hellenic polytheistic #hellenic devotion #hellenic polythiest #hellenic deities #hellenic gods #hellenic polytheist #hellenism #hellenic pantheon #apollon worship #lord apollon #lord apollo #apollon deity

[beatingdrumspouringwine]

i think the fastest and most effective prayer to any God in an emergency is just "[insert name], please help me". specifics are good in like, formal situations, but let me tell you: i parked my car in mud which froze overnight (temps in my area dropped from 50 degrees fahrenheit down to about 10 degrees with windchill), and after trying for almost a full hour to get my car unstuck from the mud, i just stared vacantly to the sky and said "Hermes, please help." and wouldn't you know it, about three minutes later my car's wheels somehow managed to gain traction and the frozen mud around them loosened enough to actually allow me to back out.

i have more thoughts on this whole (very good) incident namely involving a tiktok by olympianbutch on invocations (not tagging him because i'm not writing that essay yet), the power of the names of the Gods, and how the Gods are very, very, very good. but it's almost 3am and my brain is potatoes, so we'll post that all some other time :)

for now, i'll give a simple thank You Hermes for getting me unstuck from the mud <3

#helpol #hellenic gods #hellenic polytheism #hellenic polytheist #hellenic pagan #hellenism #hermes #hermes deity #helpol rambles

[posthumous-pagan]

prayers don't have to be perfect by the way.

I pray to the gods in the middle of my classes, my shifts at work, and in the shower.

I pray waiting at the bus stop.

I pray looking for something I lost.

I'm not always the best at consistently praying and leaving offerings at my altar. most of my worship is quick prayers on the go and devotional acts.

that's ok. I'm trying and the gods don't hate me or anything.

they don't hate you either. practice in a way that fits into your life and your needs. that's enough I think.

#parker talks #hellenic polytheism #hellenic pagan #hellenic paganism #pagan #hellenic polytheist #helpol #hellenic polythiest #paganblr

[diana-thyme]

Greek Gods 101: Hecate

Hecate is a goddess of witchcraft, Magic, night, the moon, ghosts, and necromancy. Excluding the universal offerings, some common offerings include:

Divination Tools

Witchcraft Tools

Imagery of the Moon or Stars

Imagery or Depictions of Ghosts

Imagery or Depictions of Torches

Items Associated with Hunting (Boots, Bows, Arrows, Bones, Etc.)

Imagery or Depictions of Dogs

Imagery or Depictions of Polecats

Depictions of Darkness

Veils

For devotional acts, some activities that can be done for her include:

Performing Spells

Watching the Night Sky

Stargazing

Learning About Astronomy

Visiting Graveyards

Visiting Crossroads and Other Liminal Spaces

Lighting Candles to Help Ghosts Find Their Way

Volunteering at Animal Shelters

Hunting

She is celebrated in 4 Athenian holidays:

Hekate’s Deipnon

Noumenia

Lesser Mysteries

Heliogenna

#hecate #hecate goddess #hecate deity #hekate #hekate goddess #hekate deity #deities #hellenism #helpol #hellenic #hellenic pagan #hellenic polytheism #hellenic community #hellenic polytheist #hellenic deities

[hestiashearthfire]

Gentle reminder as we go into 2024 to please practice fire safety when giving offerings. If you have live candles and incense on your altar, never leave them unattended, and always keep a bowl of water nearby for safely extinguishing any lit matches, incense sticks, or other flammable items. You can even get fancy and have a dedicated water bowl if you must, but be safe. Fire is pretty, but dangerous.

#fire safety #hellenic polytheism #hellenic pagan #hellenic devotion #helpol #hellenic reconstructionism #hellenic paganism #hellenic polytheist #hellenic community #prayer #paganblr #paganism