hellenic-fire

[hellenic-fire]

Absolutely be political in your worship.

Aphrodite isn't called Pandemos (of All People) so you can sit around and let the big names capitalise love and serve it only to those who can afford to pay past the persecution. Hermes isn't called Oeopolus (Shepherd) so you can sit around and let a bunch of power-hungry wolves lead a flock of influencable sheep. Apollo isn't called Paean (Healer) so you can sit around while wealthy corporations serve healthcare only to those who can afford not to die. Athena isn't called Ambulia (Counsellor) so you can sit around while the people are being fed propaganda against each other to divert them from the real enemy at the top. Dionysus isn't called Eleuthereus (the Liberator) so you can sit around while freedom is only granted to those whose skins have the acceptable colour while the others die in chains. Zeus isn't called Xenios (of the Foreigners) so you can sit around while the borders are closed to those who need it and only open to those who can give back the money.

The Gods stand with the oppressed, and so should you.

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I finally expanded my interpretations of the gods, featuring my version of Dionysus :D

Was inspired to do this when Lord Dionysus made his presence known a couple nights ago through my tarot readings, always great to hear from him ^^

[hellenic-fire]

for lady hestia

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I had a very brief and interesting dream from Lord Dionysus last night. It was simply a glimpse at one of His forms. He has long dark hair, a jaguar hood, solid red eyes, and fangs. All he said was "We're all beasts, in the end." I'm still trying to understand what He means!

[hellenic-fire]

Aphrodite Areia🕊⚔️

(The warlike)

Happy friday everyone!

[hellenic-fire]

Aphrodite; Prayer For Strength

Grant me strength in this moment of need.

May your divine love empower my spirit.

Aphrodite, guide me with your wisdom,

As I embrace the power of love within me.

Through your eternal beauty,

May I rise, renewed and unbroken.

[hellenic-fire]

I'm going to put a stop to this shit right now.

The gods are not going to punish you for the way the election turned out.

There's already a trend I'm seeing where people are claiming the gods are mad, and mad at us specifically, and I NEED you to please, please try and listen to me when I say that this is a part of grief. We are scared and looking for someone to punish us, to tell us that we're bad, to validate how scared we feel.

This is even MORE prevalent if you've grown up with abusive parents.

Listen, I cannot speak on behalf of the gods, nobody can, especially random people on tiktok.

Try to see that this is a part of doom-scrolling, it's also a part of the grieving process, it's also a part of fear.

You are not in trouble.

[hellenic-fire]

Libations

As a Hellenic polytheist, one of our most important duties to our gods would be to give libations. Libations are liquid offerings to our gods, not only in recognition of them and their importance but as an invitation into our lives for them.

When it comes to giving libations, it can be difficult for those of us practicing and worshipping in secret. So in this post I'll go over typical libations and how they're given, and then some methods I believe would be helpful for those that can't give openly! Please keep in mind that the suggested methods (for those practicing in secret) come from someone who is still navigating and learning her own religion. As always, do your own research where needed and do methods that make you most comfortable in your practices.

Typical Libations

Wine (typically red)

Symbolic of the divine ether, and Zeus's influence on the soul. Additionally, dark red wine represents the blood of Dionysus/Zagreus. We drink his blood as reflectance for his sacrifice by the titans and the eating of his flesh. It represents his metamorphosis, and in turn, our own cycle of birth.

Milk

Representative of Hera and Ira', who's breast milk formed the galaxies and cosmos. Milk also represents the earth.

Honey

Honey just golden which is incredibly symbolic of the gods, particularly their ichor (the blood of the gods). Honey is also a powerful preservative representing the immortality of the gods.

Fine oil (typically olive)

Oil historical lyrics symbolizes life, prosperity, and the divine spirit.

Milk and honey together are also a considerable libations but is particularly good for death related gods and the honoring of the dead. Milk and honey libations for them should NOT be consumed.

Giving Libations

To give libations, you would first pick up the offering bowl full of whatever you are giving with your right hand, then hold it with both and recite a dedication. The dedication itself is up to you but the example I saw is as follows:

"We dedicate this libation to khrismôdós Apóllôn and aithǽrios Diónysos and to all the happy, deathless Gods!"

Libations can be made to a singular god or multiple at once. Just ensure you have enough for them equally. Dedications can also be to a singular god or you can name the ones you are dedicating to.

Once you've made tour dedication, you'll transfer the bowl to your left hand and pour your offering on the ground or into whatever reservoir you have dedicated to it on your altaf. This is your libation, and the offering now belongs to them. Once you've made your libations you may sip from the remaining contents of the bowl as communion. Before doing so you may recite a prayer. Here is an example:

"We drink the blood of Diónysos! May the Aithír of Zefs intoxicate our souls and transform us!"

Please be aware that you should NOT drink libations to the dead or to death gods.

When sipping from the remainder of your libations, do NOT sip from the part where you poured. You should drink from the opposite end of the bowl.

Libations in Secret

When you're practicing in secret, these method of libations can be incredibly difficult. So with that, here are a few ways that I think could be helpful!

Can't access or drink wine/milk/honey? Substitute them for water or better yet, flavored juices!

Pomegranate juice can make a good libation for Underworld gods and goddesses, apple juice would be good for Zeus, etc. Research your deity's associations and try working with them. Water is also life-giving and integral to life.

Can't pour your libations outside or in a dedicated offering bowl? Use cups!

Pour your libations directly from the bottle to a cup and sit it on a shelf or desk or wherever you've dedicated to your god. You can recite your prayers and dedications in your head as well.

Worried about wasting drinks? Offer a smaller amount!

Typically what you give should be more than you keep, but your gods understand your struggles and would be understanding of your intentions. Offer a small amount of your drink, honey, etc and inform them of your reasonings and intentions. Your gods love you, they'll be happy with your efforts regardless.

Can't do your libations during the day? Do them at night!

Give your libations while everyone is asleep. You can even hide it under your bed or behind something to keep it for the time you want. (Please be careful of doing this with honey and be mindful of possible insects, pets, pests, spills, etc)

A minor? Do your libations at school!

You can do your libations while at school by making them during a PE class, during lunch, or any period of time where you can take a moment to do so! (I'm not condoning using your bathroom breaks to sneak off and do them, I'm just saying you definitely could do that)

Regardless of how you do your libations and with what, your practice is your own as is your relationship with your god(s). Do what feels right for you ♡

[hellenic-fire]

Thank you, Lord Ares, for giving me comfort even when I lash out.

[hellenic-fire]

I'll keep this short: Nour's campaign has been stagnating and Tumblr keeps banning her accounts. If you can, please consider donating. She has five young children to care for (one immunocompromised), and many members of her extended family—who were already poor before the war broke out—now rely on this fundraiser to make it through the winter.

Currently: $34,770 / $90,000

For vetting info, look here.

[hellenic-fire]

as a mormon child i never got why people loved religion so much, until i converted to hellenism- i've never been so happy about belief and my place on the planet, ive never felt so loved

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Carnelian intaglio depicting Hercules, Roman, 1st century BC

from The Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University

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☽☾ The Early Lightbringer ☽☾

FINALLY managed to get this drawing of Lady Eos done , and it sure took a lot out of me but I'm glad I got to finish it in her honor <3

This drawing depicts my take on the goddess , titaness & embodiment of dawn , Lady Eos . I gave her flowers in her hair, mainly roses & crocuses, a pitcher with water alluding to dew , and a star of light over her head , connecting to her two sons Lord Eosphorus ( the morning star ) & Lord Hesperos ( the evening star ). I tried to base her wings on Swallows ( at least in shape ) , and her colors are based on the dawn lighting up the night sky, which you can hopefully recognize in the back . I kinda wish I could've added a bit more in terms of jewelry but I'm content with it now , don't want to mess it up . The earrings are based on the sun & the moon , as a nod to her siblings <3

Since the goddess Lady Selene is my matron goddess, I try to honor her direct , beloved siblings Lady Eos & Lord Helios every chance I get , and I thought a devotional drawing was the perfect idea ! I really hope Lady Eos likes it , and hope you'll do too !

( divider made by me ! ♡)

[hellenic-fire]

Praying to the Gods that my job search ends in success.

[hellenic-fire]

i can't vibe with anyone who thinks icarus was an ignorant idiot for flying too close to the sun. "oh i'd never do that i would have remembered my father's warning and been fine". do you seriously think that after years of imprisonment, feeling the sun on your face and the open air beneath your wings, you would be able to focus on anything but the joy of being alive and free? do you actually think that if you were given the opportunity to go where nobody has never been before, you wouldn't want to push it to the limit? to dare to be the first to try what no one else has ever even thought possible? do you honestly think you're too good for your own human nature? look me in the eyes and tell me if i strapped a pair of wings to your back that could take you wherever you wanted to go whenever you pleased that you'd be careful and sensible about it. you are not better than icarus just because you have the benefit of his example.

[hellenic-fire]

I love dedicating the mundane to my deities.

cooking, cleaning, enjoying a warm beverage with Hestia.

thinking of Aphrodite as I pick out my outfits, apply makeup, shower.

feeling Hecate's presence in the neighborhood dogs' barks, crows cawing, black cats playing in my yard.

seeing Persephone in the little sprouts on my windowsill, in the leaves falling, in the colors of autumn and spring and summer.

researching my ancestry, honoring my loved ones who have passed, knowing Hades sees and appreciates it.

[hellenic-fire]

You can always reinvent yourself, you can always learn to love yourself. The Gods know what path your headed down and they know that things get better.

The seeds that you plant today will ripen in another season, water them often.