bluemorfedbutterfly

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

I have a question. I'm new to Hellenism and I don't know much about it yet so I decided to ask you. If I made an offering to a god ( Apollo in this case ) and I called this offering 'good for nothing' (in vulgar way) in later conversation with someone. And when I realised it I felt the god was upset and i tried to give him offerings and I said sorry multiple times, then is it possible he forgave me? I really want him to forgive me and I really love Apollo as a god.

Hi, try to refrain from saying that in the future :) My best advice is learning from your mistake. But you did everything right in the end, Apollo wouldn't be upset. An offering and a few prayers will make it alright

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

What to put in your hellenic journal and why it helps

Building a kharis with gods using a religious journal is really helpful. It helped me keep my information and my thoughts related to the Gods organized. It can also help beginners if they are uncomfortable reciting hymns out loud.

What could be put inside it:

Every day write one delphic maxim and write how you interpret it or what you think about it

Make a shopping list for your altar and offerings

Compose prayers

Hymns/ prayers to your patrons and Hestia, Nyx, Helios, Hypnos

Write something as if you are conversating with the Gods.

Important information on deities

Favorite offerings, incenses, and libations of the Gods

Important Callendar events, festivals, and key info on celebration

Quotes from the most famous books of Gods that you relate to or want to remember

Instructions on composing prayers

What afterlife means in Hellenismos

What defines hubris, agos and miasma

7 pillars of Hellenismos and their meaning

Do some drawings for the Gods as a devotional act

Include your personal experiences with the divine and how it affected you

Write down the signs you saw during the week

You can also decorate it with the images of Gods

Delphic Maxims:

https://www.tumblr.com/bluemorfedbutterfly/746793310790828032/delphic-maxims-pt1-the-delphic-maxims-are-a?source=share

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

I will do a post about hellenic journal and what to add inside it. It really helped me built a relationship with the gods and be more organized, having everything in one place is really helpful so follow me if you don't want to miss it!

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

Isn’t it great to wake up and know that our deities see us, love us and care about us, just the way we are?

Isn’t it great that they help us become better people? and i’m sure majority of the time we don’t even notice it

Isn’t it great how out of all the people alive in this space rock we call earth, our deities chose us?

Isn’t it great to have a parental/friendly/warm/partner-in-chaotic-crime figure that will always understand you?

Isn’t it great how these ancient deities that have been existed for yonks, are pleased with trinkets and items that remind us of them?

There is nothing greater than the love between a deity and their devotees and i think that’s fucking gorgeous.

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

Example Modernisation of an Ancient Greek Festival

For times when you want to go all-out and make a fuss! Festivals were exciting events and a celebration of the people and their gods.

Firstly, dress up! This is a fun event, a party even, so try wearing something that gets you in the mood or mindset. Traditionally people would wash or at least wash their hands beforehand for purification.

Light a candle and/or incense and call your god/s. Say a prayer or hymn, or just tell them how great they are and that you want to share in this festival with them. Traditional actions also include a procession toward the sacred space, scattering barley (likely for purification) and making an offering/sacrifice

Festivals were held for a multitude of reasons and featured many different ways to honour the deity or event happening that day. Below are some examples and how you could celebrate in that way, alone or with others.

Imagery

Statues - dress the statue, decorate with necklaces, garlands, flower crowns, or anoint with water/oils

painting/picture/drawing - place flowers around it/hanging from the frame, anoint with water/oils

shrine/altar space - decorate however you see fit. Crystals, flowers, images, random bits and bobs, etc. Wreaths, flowers, offerings, items/imagery/colours sacred to the deity

Contests

backyard sports

card games

board games

video games

arm wrestling

races

Plays and Performances

tv shows/movies

plays

stand up comedy

playing an instrument

read poetry aloud

sing (along with the radio!)

dancing (the shuffle with your dog totally counts)

create a playlist/s

Feast

fruit

meat/s

vegetables

cheese, dips and crackers

bread (especially object-shaped bread *cough phallus cough*)

drinks (alcoholic or not)

soups/stews/porridge

set aside a plate for the deity (called theoxenia)

Seasonal

seasonal fruits and vegetables

new wine/alcohol

celebrating/saying thanks for the warmth of summer

warding off the cold of winter

praying for a good harvest

praying for the prosperity and wealth of the family/household/city

rememberance

These are not every day activities and do not have to be enacted for every festival. But if a bit of fun and partying sounds like a good idea, go for it!

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

Something that always irks me is when people act like Ancient Greek religion DOESNT have rules. Or that they varied too much to be applicable.

Obviously, that’s not true.  Rules did vary depending upon region (sacred laws). But they’re still rules. There’s some pretty overarching rules such as these, which are historical:

Do not violate Xenia

Do not break your oaths 

Do not abuse supplicants 

Do not allow agos

Do not allow murderers 

Try to approach the gods while washed (which there is leeway here depending upon the situation but for example, priests HAD to be ritually ‘pure’).

Bury the dead 

Respect the Pythia 

Do not steal from temples 

Obey sacred laws (temple-specific rules)

Etc etc

Sacred laws did vary some. Certain sanctuaries required a different level of ritual purity than others, and some allowed you to take the wood for example from temples. But that’s the exception — not the rule. There was also multiple different levels of purity. Also blood isn’t polluting, it’s actually purifying.  Pagan religions actually do have rules. Even if they’re not applicable anymore (such as ‘respect the Pythia’ because there is no Pythia), knowing why they’re there is so important. These rules can take on new meaning, especially for revivalists, but they still exist. Sources: Understanding Greek religion, The Oath in Ancient Greece, On Greek Religion, The Seer in Ancient Greece, A companion to Greek religion, Inner purity and pollution in Greek religion, etc.

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

Just now I performed a ritual for Dionysus. The interaction I felt with him was unique. During the ritual from being completely serious and sober, I somehow was feeling more and more high which was interesting... Besides, I immediately turned on my ritual music and started dancing. This experience was AMAZING and surprising.

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

Persephone devotees what are your experiences in worshiping her ? I am very drawn to her and trying to establish connection, but I want to hear about other people's experience

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

So I’ve been working with Apollo for a couple weeks now… it’s been slow, which is good. He did warn me to get into the basics again when it comes to witchcraft and Hellenism in general. What are some good resources/things I should start with?

This is a general website on the gods: https://www.theoi.com/

This is the website for the hellenic beliefs and theology: https://hellenicfaith.com/

Mostly I recommend researching these websites and I would also recommend the book 'The Penguin Book of classical myths'

This is a post in a blog that is unfortunately not active but has good guides on deities, prayers, etc.: https://www.tumblr.com/screeching-0wl/666952242338856960/hellenic-cheat-sheets?source=share

Try to take it slow and do not rush with the research since it could easily overwhelm you. :)

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

Are the Gods all knowing? If so is there any proof of it.I've been wanting to Worship Hellenic Gods but im scared that they will curse me or make a mistake tyy ♥️♥️♥️

It is really hard to offend Gods. You have to do something unspeakable (like kill somebody or disrespect the shrine) for them to be offended and actually curse you. Mistakes are acceptable as long as you recognize them! For example, a mistake is when you didn't clean you hands before approaching an altar. Make sure you learn from this mistake and move on. :)

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

Please talk to me if you have any questions regarding hellenism :) I am kind of new, but I am educated enough to help people who are confused.

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

The 7 Pillars of Hellenism.

Xenia - This is the pillar that signifies hospitality, generosity and reciprocity. It's typically demonstrated in a guest/host dynamic.

Kharis - This is the pillar that signifies appreciation and gratitude. It entails giving to the gods and and expressing gratitude when you receive something from them.

Eusebia - This is the pillar that signifies reverence and veneration towards the gods. It can be translated to 'piety' or 'reverant conduct' meaning that you show respect for them.

Hagneia - This is the pillar that signifies purifying yourself. It entails having moral, perhaps physical too, purity and avoiding miasma where possible.

Arete - This is the pillar that signifies excellence and brilliance. It entails trying to reach your highest potential and this can be in any field.

Sophia - This is the pillar that signifies the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.

Sophrosyne - This is the pillar that signifies self-control and prudence. It involves being of sound mind and remaining balanced, which can further lead to other positive qualities to have.

I hope these are right and that I didn't misunderstand their meanings! Hopefully this is useful to anyone, I certainly enjoyed making the post!

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

Final version of my altar. If anyone interested as of now My patron deities are: Dionysus, Persephone and Aphrodite.

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

i can't take the majority of posters on this site seriously. everything is "terfy" but nothing is racist. everyone is a misandrist if you put men dni in your bio but no one is capable of misogyny. every kink under the sun is perfectly harmless and are never tinged by our white supremacist and patriarchal society, but if you try and have a genuine discussion about abuse in bdsm/kink spaces you're an "anti" and on the same level as homophobic fascists. everyone wants to apparently help palestine but no one wants to threaten biden with witholding their vote. yall are so unserious it makes my head spin

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

Important facts about Helios, god of the sun

Helios, often known simply as "the Titan," was the son of the Titans Hyperion and Theia.

He served as both the god of the sun and the sun personified.

Every day, Helios drove his golden chariot across the sky, bringing light to the world

In one myth, Helios'  son Phaethon attempted to drive the sun chariot himself. Unfortunately, Phaethon lost control of the steeds, scorched the earth, and died

Helios helped Demeter to find Persephone

His cult gained prominence in later antiquity when he became associated with the Olympian god Apollo.

Helios's sister Selene lit the darkness by driving through the night sky on her moon-chariot.

Helios can see and hear everything that is happening on earth during his journey

He was the one who saw Aphrodite lying with the war-god Ares and reported the affair to Hephaistos

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

Important facts about Hypnos, god of sleep

He is a son of Nyx

He was bribed by Hera to put Zeus to sleep after she made love to him to draw Zeus's attention from the battlefield at Troy.

His brother is Thanatos, and they both reside in the Underworld. His ebony bed within the cave cradles him during his own restful slumber, mirroring his role as the god of sleep

His human form is a young man with messy hair, as was portrayed on vases and other art.

His most distinctive feature is a pair of small wings sprouting from both sides of his head, symbolizing the delicate transition between wakefulness and slumber.

Alongside Hypnos, artists included symbols such as poppy flowers (associated with sleep), a horn of sleep-inducing opium, and references to the River Lethe, which represented forgetfulness and oblivion

His influence extended beyond mere sleep; he touched the realms of dreams, rest, and rejuvenation.

[bluemorfedbutterfly]

Are there any holidays you celebrate dedicated to deities????

There is a lot actually. Even tho I don't celebrate them as a festivals or anything, it is mostly required to make an offering. There is also one holiday that includes fasting for one day dedicated to Demeter and Persephone, I will post about it sooner or later.

Here you can find a calendar for this year:

https://www.hellenion.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HellenionCalendar2024.html

And here you can find rituals connected to those celebrations:

https://athenaswisdom22.wordpress.com/