seasaltandwisdom

[seasaltandwisdom]

🌊♆🐎My Heart🐎♆🌊

Last night, I was preparing for my late night libations to Poseidon while playing a Homeric hymn to him and singing; all of a sudden, my husband who is relatively new to Hellenic polytheism picked up the paper with the hymn on it and broke into song. My heart swelled so big and I knew not only I, but Poseidon as well, was very proud.

[seasaltandwisdom]

In this time of need I pray.

Lord Zeus of the foreigners, god of compassion & companionship, we call humbly to you in our time of grief.

We invoke your love for humans & their kinship, & your kindness to strangers.

Bring peace & sovereignty to Gaza, land of the olive trees, & the finest of fabrics.

Bring freedom to Palestine, land of dance, of music, of sweet fruit, long oppressed.

All-Mighty father, king of all kings, all is under your will, & all is within your grasp. We pray for the people of Palestine, & for an easement to their pain.

What’s more, Thunder-Bearer, father of Far-Shooting Apollo, king of Heaven,

I pray for the migrants, the people kept unjustly in the hands of ruthless tyrants, who disrespect your law. I pray too for their freedom, for their lives to be spared, for their safety in lands unfamiliar.

& so too, I pray for the care of their souls in Olympus’ hands, if they should pass. Let them feel no pain, let their martyrdom be answered swiftly, tenfold.

Thank you, good husband of Queen Hera, father of gods, justice-bringer.

[seasaltandwisdom]

may all trans men find a place in the world to be themselves

[seasaltandwisdom]

Hi there. This is going to be a dumb question, but I'm new and would like to make a digital offering to a God. That being said, how are e/digital offerings done compared to more traditional offerings? Do you also have to wash your hands before sending it out? How do you know if it's been accepted?

there’s no dumb questions, dw!

digital offerings are a little different to me bc it’s not something i’m putting onto an altar, so i don’t take cleanliness AS serious but i do try to keep clean hands.

in hellenistic polytheism, for most people, the gods aren’t ‘accepting’ offerings & offering is more of a way to give something to your god as a way to appreciate them or to ask them for their favor. i think of offering as more of giving back to someone who gave something to me, on a grander scale. i think acceptance of offerings is more a thing for practicers of witchcraft. i feel like i’m explaining this badly but i mean that the gods aren’t going to decline an offering, there’s things that are more associated with different gods and i like to use that when offering but even if it’s something not associated with them you won’t upset them. a big contradiction with that is blood, especially human blood, should not be offered.

as always, everyone’s religion is their own. what you do / what works for you is what’s most important. worship the gods as you see fit, as long as it’s respectful and you aren’t being bigoted or rude to others. i hope this makes sense, any other questions for clarification or anything are welcome of course! anyone else feel free to leave advice or suggestions or anything to be helpful!

[seasaltandwisdom]

This post is one of the parts of a guide for beginners, and new helpols!

Right now I will talk about one of the most important yet difficult things to decide: how do you choose a God/Goddess to worship?

We will meet the Twelve Olympians in this post, but I need to make a little precision first!

The Gods we all know more are the famous “Twelve of Olympus” but among them there is a difference: Ouranic and Chthonic.

Ouranic (οὐράνιοι – “of the sky/heavens”): These are the sky-aligned, upper-world gods, like the Olympians.

They are associated with light, order, life, growth, justice, protection, and public worship.

Offerings were and are usually burned, given in the morning or daytime

Libations are poured upward or into a fire

Worship is facing upward or toward an altar

Praying hands are facing the sky

Altars are usually raised

Examples of Ouranic Gods: Zeus, Hera, Apollon, Athena, Hermes (in his Olympian role or else he could be also Chthonic), etc.

Chthonic (χθόνιοι – “of the earth/underworld”): These are the earth-aligned, underworld gods and spirits.

They are tied to death, fate, mystery, ancestors, spirits, silence, transformation.

Offerings were buried or poured into the ground

Libations go downward

Worship usually happens at night

Praying hands facing the ground

Altars are low, close to the ground or pits

Examples of Chthonic Gods: Hades, Persephone, Hekate (in her chthonic aspect), Thanatos, the Erinyes, spirits of the dead.

Some Gods are liminal: they move between both realms. Like for example Hermes or Dionysus.

Who are the Olympians?

The Twelve Olympians (or Dodekatheon) are the best-known deities in Hellenism. They’re the gods of Olympus (high, luminous) and were widely honored in public worship across the Greek world.

They include:

Zeus – “King of the gods”, sky and weather (thunder, lightning, rain), kingships and rule, law, order, justice, oaths, governance, hospitality.

Hera – “Queen of the gods”, marriage and sacred union, Queenship and regality, divine law and family order, protection of women, fertility within the bounds of lawful marriage.

Poseidon – Oceans and seas, arthquakes (called the “Earth-shaker”), horses and horse taming, storms at sea, harbor protection, sailors, seafarers, and islanders, earth and fertility (older cult aspect)

Demeter – Agriculture and cultivated land, grain and cereal crops, fertility of the earth, sacred law and the rhythms of life, protection of marriage and rural communities.

Athena – Wisdom and intellect, strategic warfare (as opposed to Ares' brute force), crafts and weaving, protection of cities, laws and justice, rational thought and fair judgment.

Apollon – The sun and light, prophecy and oracles (especially Delphi), healing and medicine, music, poetry, and the lyre, archery, plagues and purification, reason, order, and harmony, youth and male beauty, shepherds.

Artemis – The wilderness and untamed nature; The hunt and wild animals: virginity, chastity, and protection of women; childbirth and midwifery (as protector of mothers and infants); The moon (in later syncretism); Young maidens and transitions into womanhood; Protection of children and purification

Ares – War and battle (particularly chaotic and bloodthirsty war, unlike Athena’s strategic warfare); physical aggression, rage, bloodlust; courage, violence, and masculine strength; warriors and soldiers; destruction and conquest; rebellion, impulse, and raw desire and fatherhood.

Aphrodite – Love (romantic and erotic); beauty and aesthetics; fertility and procreation; sensual pleasure and desire; attraction, charm, and seduction; marriage and union; the generative forces of life; sea travel and sailors (in some cults)

Hephaistos – Fire; metalworking and metallurgy; blacksmithing and artisanship; sculpture, invention, and design, craft and mechanical ingenuity, technology, and forges; volcanic activity; laborers and working-class people;

Hermes – Travel and roads; boundaries and transitions; messengers and communication; commerce, merchants, markets; thieves, trickery, and wit; luck and fortune, language and writing; herds and shepherds; gymnasiums and athletes; soul-guidance (psychopomp — guide of souls to the Underworld); initiations and liminal states.

Dionysus – Wine and grape cultivation; fertility and nature’s renewal; theater and performance; ecstasy and divine madness; mysticism and altered states; death and rebirth; liberation from social norms; initiation rites and sacred frenzy (Maenadism, Bacchic rites)

Some older traditions include Hestia, goddess of the hearth, instead of Dionysus. In a myth she gives the throne to Dionysus, showing her kindness and peaceful demeanor. Many modern practitioners honor all thirteen.

“Which God do I choose?”

When you’re just stepping into Hellenism, one of the first questions that hits is:

“There are so many gods. who do I begin with?!”

The real answer is that there is not any rule! I need to say that the tradition of choosing a God to worship comes from the influence of Christianity. Ancient Greeks worshipped mostly every God and Goddess.

And personally as a “Reconstructionist” I prefer to do it as the Greeks.

But surely its difficult! And not even I sometimes can do it like I want! So you dont EVER need to push yourself through something you dont want or dont feel like doing.

So how do you choose? I would advice to start reading about every God, specially if you dont know much about Greek Gods and mythology in general. Like I said earlier, the Gods you can worship are not only the Olympians, they are many: Gods, Titans, Spirits etc.

Once you read about some Gods, choose the one who you feel a connection to or you are more interested to.

I want to specify that its normal if you dont feel much attraction at first, or you dont achieve how much you want to worship! Its completely normal if you feel overwhelmed or you cant do what you want to do!

I say to give it time, it doesn’t matter the quantity but the quality. Worship also once a week or more, if you feel like you cant do much! The Gods WONT be mad.

“How do I begin to worship?”

I’ll give you a simple example.

The Olympians are a great place to begin, especially if you’re building a home practice. Here’s a simple structure you can use to begin forming relationships:

Each day (or each time you worship):

Cleanse your hands (khernips)

Light a candle or incense

Say something simple like: “Great Olympians, I honor you with respect and kharis. May you watch over my home and life. May my offerings be accepted.”

Pour water or offer food, flowers, or olive oil

Speak freely to the god(s) you feel drawn to.

No pressure. No perfection needed. Just presence and sincerity.

Also you don’t need a dream or a voice to confirm Their presence. You don’t even need to “feel something” every time.

The gods are bigger than feelings, and their relationships are built in slow, sacred time.

I hope I explained all well! I’m always up to questions! 💛

[seasaltandwisdom]

e-offering to Lord Hermes

promised to offer a collage of things that reminded me of him before work this morning, then i seen daylilies and thought of him so i had to include them in it!

thank you for everything, lord hermes!

[seasaltandwisdom]

I pray to you, Lord Apollo, and I praise your light

I ask of you to watch over me as I start a new medication and to help the side effects be manageable

Apollo Acesius - I ask for your favor and for you to remember the offerings I have given you

Thank you for hearing me as I call to you, thank you for the warmth and hope you give me when I’m feeling overly down or anxious

Thank you for being the light in the darkness and the healer I need very regularly

May you continue to watch over us, We praise you Lord Apollo

Sharp-shooting protector, keep us from what may bring us harm

[seasaltandwisdom]

e-offering to Father Zeus

just a little collage based on things that remind me of Zeus, as i promised to offer when praying to him.

glory to King Zeus! Stay safe!

[seasaltandwisdom]

I Love Seeing my Gods Everywhere

I’m making Mac and Cheese-

And I see Demeter and Kore in the noodles,

I see Hephaestus in the pot,

Poseidon in the water,

Zeus in the olive oil,

And Aphroditê in the sea salt.

I see Hera and Hermes in the milk and butter,

I see Apollo in the cheese’s golden hue.

And through all of it,

The act of cooking and the heat it requires,

Hestia is guiding my hands,

Helping me create nourishment and joy,

All in honor of The Gods.

Thank you Blessed Theoi, may I never cease to sing your praises 🙏🏻

[seasaltandwisdom]

me, my vinyl collection, and lord apollo against the world

[seasaltandwisdom]

I really love the concept of arete. It's all about reaching YOUR full potential, doing YOUR best, and not fixating on what others expect of you or being better than others. It's just a very lovely way of looking at life, especially since I'm a perfectionist and have a bad habit of comparing myself to others :')

[seasaltandwisdom]

Universal Offerings and Devotional Acts

Can't find many offerings that are specific to your deities? These are some offerings that are pretty universal offerings for all of them.

Offerings

Olive Oil

Honey

Incense

Grapes

Wine

Grain

Cakes

Milk

Meats

Candles

Altar cloths

Tarot or oracle cards

Pendulums

Crystals (type varies on the deity but if you want specific universal ones i'd recommend clear quartz and selenite)

Trays and dishes

Any food you've cooked

Flowers of their associated colors (fake ones included!)

Cups or chalices

Art you've made

Crafts you've made

Playing music that reminds you of them

DO NOT OFFER BLOOD TO ANY HELLENIC DEITY. I see this too often on here. Us as humans are prone to "miasma" which is an impurity that develops on and within us that the gods do not enjoy, which is why its encouraged that you wash your hands before preforming worship. Miasma occurs within your blood as well, and you can't simply wash it off of it. Offering blood can even be seen as an insult.

This, however, does not apply to other pantheons. Obviously do not offer blood if you have or had issued with self harm and/or it would be triggering to you. Always offer and collect blood at your own discretion. No god will be angry with you if you aren't comfortable doing so.

Devotional Acts

Make artwork of them

Make a playlist with music that reminds you of them

RESEARCH THEM!!

Wrote letters to or about them

Make a pinterest board about them

Light a candle for them

Dedicate a walk outside to them

Play video games that remind you of them or are associated with them (or all the deities! Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Hades, etc are good examples of this)

Shop for offerings of them

Ask them to spend time with you while you do something

Take care of yourself

Take time off

Cook for them

Craft an offering for them

Read a book, listen to music, really consume any media about or that you associate with them (maybe not lore olympus lol)

I hope these were helpful!

[seasaltandwisdom]

Repeat after me, folks!!

You can't be a Hellenic pagan and be pro-Zionist.

You can't be a Hellenic pagan and be anti-Semitic.

You can't be a Hellenic pagan and be homophobic.

You can't be a Hellenic pagan and be transphobic.

You can't be a Hellenic pagan and be sexist.

You can't be a Hellenic pagan and hate on other minorities/religions.

You can't be a Hellenic pagan and be racist.

You can't be a Hellenic pagan and be an asshole.

Xenia is such a crucial part of Hellenic paganism. Anyone who disagrees with any of these points can kindly fuck off my blog.

[seasaltandwisdom]

you cannot be anti-immigrant and a Zeus worshipper.

being an anti-immigrant hellenic polytheist is directly against the Gods, and you are not welcome to my blog.

[seasaltandwisdom]

i'm sorry to be a bother but I am new to this faith and was wondering what to do when two Deities dislike each other? I have been interested in worshipping Eros and Apollon but have heard in a few myths that they don't really get along. I'm aware this probably isn't an issue, but I want to be safe. Thank you for answering if you do.

hi, you’re not a bother! i never mind asks or dms :)

to put it simply- we don’t take the myths as literal fact, they are stories about the gods and used for entertainment, life lessons, etc. but not stories that actually happened.

the gods don’t dislike each other as far as we can know, they’re incredibly powerful, wise, and old beings that we cannot understand. you can worship any of them, from any pantheon, and everything will be okay. if you choose not to worship a god because of a mythical dispute they had with a different god you’re already worshipping then that’s your personal preference, as long as you stay respectful to all. if it makes you even more comfortable to separate their altars you can do that, it’s your faith!

so you are right, it’s a nonissue and many (myself included) worship eros and apollo together. i know if you’re coming from christianity it can be a bit hard to separate the myths from the gods but take your time and find where you’re comfortable.

as always dms are open, and anyone else who wants to add anything is welcome to do so! <3

[seasaltandwisdom]

Digital Offering for Lord Poseidon 🌊