athenaeum-of-the-herald

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

Can I still celebrate Christmas with my family if I'm a Hellenic Polytheist? This has been lingering in the back of my mind for a while. Christmas is technically a Christian holiday, right?

Khaire!

Honestly, celebrate whatever you want. You can still enjoy and partake in a holiday outside of your religion!

I love Christmas and know many other hellenic polytheists that celebrate it. To tell someone they can't is like saying you can't celebrate St. Patrick's Day if you're not Irish. Holidays may have religious origins, but a vast majority of people don't celebrate them religiously. Enjoy your Christmas whimsy ♡

Safe travels!

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

You remind me of fairies and old Disney movies,,

This is genuinely the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me and I didn't even respond to this because I just enjoyed rereading it in my asks box, thank you so much 🥹♡

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

My love language is 1000% gift giving and I've noticed that in my 15 years of hellenic polytheism (6 years of full devotion to the religion), I've never bought as many gifts and offerings as I have for Lord Hermes. Any chance I get, I want nothing more than to buy things to offer to Him.

I say this to say, I'm currently working on an oracle deck for Him as a devotional act and offering and thought I'd share some of the art I've made for it so far ♡

There's still A LOT of cards to do (54 total) and these will definitely go through a lot of edits but I'm having fun ♡

Xaire the Herald ♡•*° ⚚ *°•♡

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

There's something so heart wrenchingly beautiful and fulfilling about creating for a god.

To spend your time meticulously crafting something to present to them. To dedicate a piece of yourself and your life (because your time is your life) to them, for them.

What a beautiful thing ♡

offerings that are made by hand >>>>

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

The Gods are my greatest source of inspiration, their influence is my greatest source of comfort.

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

Just a reminder that you can be religious and believe in science in tandem. They aren't mutually exclusive, and I view them as 2 sides of the same coin ♡

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

can you do tarot readings with gods that aren’t of divination? like, you’re not asking them things about the future, but something else. like as a way to connect to them, i saw people doing it and people who say you can’t. so i’m confused

Khaire!

Divination is simply a method of communication, I've never really had any issues communicating with my deities through it.

I will say (and this is entirely my personal belief and experience with tarot when it comes to deities), I find it much harder and less productive to use it with a deity I haven't established a relationship with in some capacity. Even with deities I don't worship but have communicated with on the behalf of others or for one reason or another, I make an offering and invoke them through prayer before attempting a reading. I find that my readings are much clearer and make much more sense this way.

I hope that helped in some way, safe travels! ♡

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

It is the 4th of the 4th my dudes

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

Happy April 4th!

It's the fourth day of the fourth month - a time to celebrate Lord Hermes! Four is a sacred number for the god Hermes, and what day is better to celebrate him than the fourth day of the fourth month in the year? c:

Some things you can do to celebrate Lord Hermes today:

Say a good morning prayer, and greet Hermes; invite him to join you throughout the day!

Engage in random acts of kindness, especially towards strangers

Consume borrowed material online, specifically from shitty authors, directors, or similar

If you have any coins, leave a few in a public place where someone else can find and take them; leaving four coins would be especially great

Offer Hermes an energizing tea or drink; add honey if you can (and it wouldn't taste absolutely atrocious)

Offer Hermes baked goods, sweets, fruits, or a cooked meal; make something tasty for him

Write a poem about Hermes

Create or offer art to Hermes; can be of him, his sacred symbols, or something that reminds you of him

Give him something you found that reminded you of him, particularly if you encountered it that day

Take a walk, bike ride, hike, car ride, etc.; travel.to another location, even if it's not that far away

Go somewhere new, and explore around today, even if it's not that far away

Spend time playing with any pets you own; give your pets an extra treat today, if you can

Give more generous tips to waiters, waitresses, etc. today, if you can

Support a small business; spread the word about them

Treat a loved one to a meal or spend some time with them

Honor your ancestors; pay homage to the souls of anyone you love and miss

Write Hermes a kind or grateful letter, wishing him well

Decorate your Hermes altar with flowers (origami flowers count)

Write a story in honor of Hermes, even one about him (I encourage it to be kept respectful, obviously)

Watch your favorite comedy movie

Go see any local stand-up comedians

Go out of your way to help people today

Donate clothes, hygiene kits, or socks to a homeless shelter or outreach program nearby

Volunteer for any local causes you support, especially those dedicated to helping animal shelters, the homeless, immigrants (especially in the U.S. right now), or humanitarian efforts

Purchase a meal and/or groceries for a homeless person, if you can and know/see any

Practice divination, especially methods you struggle with

I hope you all have an absolutely lovely day! May Lord Hermes bless you with the best of luck today, if you wish him to. Praise be to Hermes! 🧡🪽🐏🐢

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

Friendly Reminder that the religion is called Hellenic Polytheism and you are a Hellenic Polytheist.

It is not Hellenism, Hellenismos, Hellenistic Polytheism and you are not a Hellenist or Hellenic.

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

Sometimes I forget I have free will

Have a turtle Hermes

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

This may seem a bit random, but is it ok to ask you questions about historical godspousing? Totally chill if not! Have a lovely day :)

Khaire!

I've done quite a bit of digging into godspousal the past few months (I'd only first heard about it maybe 2ish years ago or so) and there really is no historical backing to the concept.

While the gods had their moments of fratinizing with mortals at their leisure and pleasure, "godspousal" in modern verbiage is not something that existed historically.

The ONLY mention of marriage between a god and a mortal would be in Dionysiaca by Nonnus, but the book is ENTIRELY satirical and should in no way he taken seriously or used as a source of any kind.

Historically, there is no backing for godpousal.

Safe travels! ♡

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

i have this urge to start building ships models and start to know more about ship building, which is probably lady athena’s influence since it’s something i was NEVER interested in, and i also want to start weaving, knitting, crocheting, sewing etc (this, too, was very sudden). so i wanted to ask you: is there anything you have started to feel interested for AFTER you starting to be close to lord hermes? something that didn’t interest you before, but then you suddenly started to feel pulled and interested in it

Khaire!

Honestly it took me a minute to think on this question because I wasn't sure if they're was anything I got into after becoming close to Lord Hermes. My interests have honestly always aligned with his domains.

But I have realized that I've started leaving things to luck and chance more since I've devoted myself to Him.

I like taking risks, leaving some decisions up to a coin flip or pure chance. Online gambling isn't legal in my state, but I get to indulge in it occasionally with my friends (I'd probably do it more if it was legal, honestly).

Naturally, I don't leave major decisions to chance (most of the time) or gamble huge amounts, but when I do, I feel much closer to him. In my head, it feels like standing in his domain, heart racing as the next few seconds are completely in his hands. It's quite thrilling!

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

when i do food offerings i give them to all the gods and try to divide them equally, but is it fine if i add to it for a specific god? like if i have to give an offering to a god, for something, and the offering is a bigger portion. because reading in the iliad and other texts, they did make sacrifices for specific gods, so it should be fine, but i also know that dividing equally is important. so i’m confused since these two things look like opposites to me

Khaire!

I think it's important to remember that not everyone god in ancient greece was worshipped equally. Regionally, certain gods were primary gods based on their cultural, economical, and political values.

With that in mind, I don't see why it'd be a problem to give more to specific gods ♡

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

can i say a maybe stupid fear of mine? right now i’m studying politics and everything that is in that (strategy, war, peace, states, etc) meaning that my “professional matron” is lady athena, and she’s being amazing, i adore her. and so i’m afraid that once i stop studying that (i don’t plan to get into politics, it’s just that it’s one of the two components of my major) our relationship will “dull”, even if i’ll keep worshipping her, and i’m scared because she’s always so good to me and always sends me positive reassuring cards and she made me even start to like the things i’m studying (i wasn’t a fan of my politics related subjects before her) and i don’t want to stop having this kind of relationship

Khaire!!

Honestly, this is a pretty normal and valid fears. I myself have felt it.

The fact of the matter is though, the gods love worship and devotion, and what you've been doing for Her is a devotional act. Your connection has been built on kharis, and your kharis doesn't magically dissolve once you stop doing a specific action.

I'd say just find other ways to honor Her (which it sounds like you may already do with such a close relationship). Letting go of one method of devotion won't change your relationship in its entirety, so I wouldn't worry ♡

I hope this answered your question and reassured you even a teeny bit, and safe travels!

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

Reminder that I'm not a Classicist or ancient history expert. I feel like a lot of people assume me to be a teacher of these things, and that is not my intention. I share the knowledge that I have, the knowledge I can find, and the knowledge that I've experienced. Please, please, please take everything you see online with a massive grain of salt, even me! No one is exempt from being wrong sometimes; just remember to correct people politely (assume the best).

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

The Cult of Hermes

I thought it'd be fun to do some long posts on specific gods as a small guide for beginners, those interested in learning about them, or even just little refreshers.

Naturally this isn't everything (if anything it's the basics) and I can't cover everything single topic and aspect of a god in asking singular Tumblr post, but I hope it's a decent starting point!

As always, I am a single source and encourage you to seek out other resources and learn more for yourself ♡

• 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨����𝐲 •

Hermes- son of Zeus and the Pleiades nymph Maia, father of Pan- was the Olympian god of herds and flocks, travellers and hospitality, roads and trade, thievery and cunning, heralds and diplomacy, language and writing, athletic contests and gymnasiums, astronomy and astrology. He was the herald and personal messenger of Zeus, King of the Gods, and also the guide of the dead who led souls down into the underworld.

Hermes was depicted as either a handsome and athletic, beardless youth or as an older, bearded man, with winged boots and a herald's wand.

(excerpt from theoi.com)

• 𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐲𝐦𝐧 •

Hermes was born at dawn in a cave in Kyllene on the 4th of the 10th month and was immediately a menace to everyone and everything he came in contact with. He lept from his cradle as an infant in search of Apollo's cattle and, in midday, found a tortoise at the front of his cave and was immediately enamored by the beauty of hef shell. He took the tortoise into his cave and, with an iron knife, removed the shell. With sheep's guts, reeds, and cowhide, he fastened the shell into a lyre, the sound of it haunting and beautiful. He sang of Kronos and Maia, and his own birth as well as Maia's handmaidens.

But while he sang, he realized he wanted more and paved the lyre in his crib before setting off in search of meat. As the sun began to set, he made his way to the mountains of Piera, where the gods kept their divine cattle and stole a herd of 50. He turned their hooves backward, so as they walked, their tracks led away from him and fastened himself sandals as he hated walking barefoot.

An old man tending his vineyard witnessed him herding the cows, and Hermes promised him abundance in wine if the man pretended he hadn't met him.

The moon rode high as Hermes led the cattle to a high arching cave, feeding them lotus and grass. Having acquired the cattle, Hermes then desired fire and started one with sticks in a pit he created.

Hermes then picked 2 cows from the herd and drove his knife through their backbones. He cut their meat, cooking it over the fire and cut it into 12, even portions. He set the offering out on a flat stone, and even though the smell was tempting, he did not eat. Instead, he lifted the smoking meats and fat high in the air to show off his skills of thievery.

When he had finished, he threw his sandals into the Alpheos River and smoldered the fire. He smoothed the ashes until nothing remained.

He quickly returned to his home in Kyllene as dawn rose, so stealthy and quick he was heard and seen by no mortal or god, and crawled back into his cradle and swaddled himself as if he'd never left.

But his mother noticed his absence, and Maia asked where he had gone, calling him all manner of shameless and cunning and a thief. Hermes (being the gaslighter he is) feined innocence, appales his mother could think these things of just a newborn.

He told her that he would learn any skill for them, as he desired to not stay in the cave and wanted to be rich, with crops, and to speak with the other gods. He wanted the same respects from Zeus given to Apollo, defiantly stating that if he couldn't receive them, he would just steal them.

It was during this time that the sun rose, and Apollo found the old man Hermes had sworn to secrecy, asking if he had seen a man with his cattle. The old man claimed he had not, but instead saw a baby with a wand leading the herd. Apollo headed the words speedily in search of his cattle and found the cave of Kyllene where Hermes lived.

He opened the closets and all, searching for his cattle before going before Hermes and asking where he had hidden his cows. He threatened to throw him into Tartarus, where Maia nor Zeus would ever be able to rescue him. Hermes (once again being a gaslighter from birth) claimed he'd never seen nor heard of Apollo's cattle. He claimed that because he was just a baby, he didn't have the capabilities to take his cattle and instead was focused on newborn things such as his mother's milk. That he had only been born yesterday, and his feet were too soft to handle the rough ground. Because Hermes was the original male manipulator, he offered to even swear an oath to Zeus that he hadn't taken the caftle nor seen anyone that had. Hermes apparently had a terrible poker face as a baby, though, as his expressions betrayed his words and made Apollo laugh.

Apollo claimed he'd be a plunderer, robbing all manner of homes before naming him the prince of thieves and scooping him up and taking him away. Hermes decided that as a baby, his best bet to be released was to do the most baby thing in the world. Which was fart and sneeze in Apollo's face, who flung him to the ground.

Apollo told him that he WILL lead him to his cattle, and Hermes, in annoyance, continued to claim he had no clue what he was talking about. The two made their way to Zeus.

Apollo recounted what he knew to Zeus, how Hermes had stolen his cattle and hidden them.

Hermes claimed he didn't even know how to lie and spoke about how Apollo had barged into his home and threatened him over cattle he knew nothing about, attempting to force a confession. He pleased (near demanded) that Zeus take his side as the youngest brother, and Zeus laughed from amusement at Hermes's lies. He ordered the brothers to work together to find the cattle, with Hermes as the guide, which he agreed to.

Hermes led Apollo to the cave he held the cows, and Apollo was appalled to find 2 of them dead. Apollo was set to kill him there, but Hermes instead grabbed the lyre he crafted, playing it for Apollo, who was immediately taken to it. Apollo asked if he had crafted it himself or taken it from mortals, and Hermes proudly announced the lyre to be his own creation.

Apollo offered Hermes rites and riches for him and his mother in exchange for the lyre, which Hermes agreed to. In the exchange, Apollo gave Hermes his whip, nicknames him the cattle hearder. And as Apollo played, Zeus joined them as friends.

For a moment Apollo worried that Hermes would steal his lyre and bow (valid fears) and asked that Hermes swear to the gods not to, which he did, and Apollo promised to love Hermes more than any other siblings.

Apollo gave Hermes the herald's wand, making note that the wand would not grant Hermes the oracular gifts bestowed upon him by Zeus (as he had promised to never share them). Instead, he would use it to confuse the mortal with luck, helping one and harming the other.

Hermes was then granted rulership over the cattle, horses, and mules, as well as lions, boards, dogs, and sheep. He was made the messenger of Hades, guide of the living and dead, dealing with the mortal and immortal, always flipping a coin for whether he will help or trick.

• 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭 •

Hermes's cult was central in Peloponnese, with his most important shrine being in Mount Kyllene in Arkadia. That said, he was actively worshipped in Arkadia, Athens, and Delphi.

• 𝐀𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚 •

In Arkadia, his shine in Mount Kyllene was a major site of worship as his birthplace. Statues of him were placed in fields and at crossroads, where farmers and travelers would make small offerings to as a rustic god and god of travel. He was often honored as a pastoral god as opposed to a trickster or messenger and was revered as the protector of flocks, herds, and the wild.

• 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 •

As opposed to Arkadia, Hermes played a major role in the economic and active aspects of Athens as a protector of commerce/trade, travel, athleticism, and aspects of public life. He was honored as the patron of merchants, thieves, traders, athletes, and heralds, and was deeply ingrained in Athenian life which thrived in marketplace culture as he had several statues and altars dedicated to him throughout the agora (marketplace). It was common to make small offerings to these statues before engaging in commerce as he was invoked for fair trade. Although it's considered that merchants may have also invoked him as a god of cunning and trickery.

Statues of Hermae (stone pillars of his head and an errect phallus) were seen at crossroads and city entrance for protection and good luck and even used as property markers.

Athletes would also pray to and give offerings to Hermes before games for speed and dexterity, and young Athenians participated in rituals for him.

• 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐢 •

Delphic Hermes was strongly seen as a patron messenger, mediator, and guide. Gis khthonic ties were most heavily seen here, as psychopomp and his ties to the divine, communication, and divination were paramount.

As Apollo traded his caduceus for Hermes's lyre, he was worshipped closely alongside him as a second primary deity in Delphi. Those who sought the divinity of the Oracle would also often invoke Hermes for guidance and protection, as well as the messenger of the gods.

Because Delphi was so sacred as the center of divination and prophecy, Hermes would commonly be invoked to help understand and interpret the cryptic messages of the Pythia.

It was heavily seen in Delphi (and Athens) that Hermes was also the guide of souls and was invoked during funerary rites to safely guide the deceased in the afterlife.

Finally, Hermes was sometimes associated with the Omphalos as a divine boundary keeper, maintaining balance between the mortal and divine realms. He was believed to protect the sanctity of Delphi, preventing chaotic or deceitful forces from disrupting Apollo’s prophetic order.

• 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 •

• 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 •

Golden winged boots or sandals that allowed him to fly

A wide brimmed hat granting him invisibility, a or winged cap

The Caduceus granted to him by Apollo

A golden blade he weilded in the war between the gods and giants

• 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐬 •

Epimêlios- Keeper of the Flocks

Kriophoros- Ram-Bearer

Agoraios- Of the Market-Place

Dolios- Of Crafts, Of Wiles

Enagônios- Of the Games

Promakhos- Champion

Hermêneutês- Interpretor, Translator

Trikephalos- Three-Headed (Of Road-Intersections)

• 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 •

• 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 •

Coins and money

Cakes and pastries

Feathers

Books

Coffee

Journals and pens

Keys

Dice

Playing cards

Gambling tokens

Maps

Travel souvenirs

Milk and honey

Ram/cattle/sheep/dog imagery

• 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐬 •

Carrying a lucky coin or token

Studying anything

Learning a language

Journaling

Writing

Traveling (even if it's just to the store or park)

Practicing/learning lockpicking (preferably not on other people's property)

Getting "sticky fingers" with major corporations

Partaking in safe gambling (adults only)

Helping/donating to animal shelters

Writing poetry

Doing puzzles and riddles

Writing letters

Supporting small businesses

Learning card tricks

Learning how to count cards in poker/cheat in gambling (adults only)

Leaving coins or offerings at crossroads

While fairly sloppy, I hope this little blurb was informative! It was fun to make and I plan to make more ♡

Safe travels!