#hellanic polytheism

[hellenismrules]

The gods are all in their own “groups” of sorts, or at least most of them are, I’m going to try and break down the groups, what they are, and the divinities in those groups.

Now another thing to mention is that some gods are in multiple groups, as they’re not confined to just one role or job and have a broad range of skills and abilities!

The names of the groups are,

Theoi Olympioi

The Olympian’s, in a broad spectrum. Basically everyone who is not in the Theoi Khthonioi.

Theoi Agoraioi

These are the gods of the peoples assembly and marketplace, some of the gods in this group are;

King Zeus

Lady Athena

Lady Dike

Lady Themis

Lady Colliope

Lord Hermes

Lord Hephaestus

Lord Apollon

Theoi Daitioi

The gods of feasts and banquets

Lord Dionysos

Lady Hestia

Lady Aphrodite

The Charities

Occasionally the Theoi Mouskoi also join the Theoi Daitioi

Theoi Gamelioi

The gods of marriage

King Zeus

Queen Hera

Lady Aphrodite

Lord Hymenaios

The Erotes

Lord Peitho

The Charities

Lady Eunomia

lady Harmonia

Lady Hebe

Theoi Georgikoi

The gods of agriculture, I would like to note that most of those in this group are Chthonic deities, though I couldn’t find specific names

Lady Demeter

Theoi Gymnastikoi

The gods of the gymnasium

Lord Hermes

Lord Heracles

The Dioscuri

Lady Nike

Lord Agon

Lord Eros

Theoi Halioi

The gods of the sea, most of those in this group are minor sea divinities, nymphs, and others.

King Poseidon

Lord Apollon

Lady Artemis

Lady Aphrodite

The Dioscuri

Theoi Iatrikoi

The gods of medicine and healing

Lord Apollon

Lord Asclepius

Lady Epione

Lady Hygeia

Lady Panaceia

Lady Aegle

Lady Iaso

Lady Akeso

Lord Telesphorus

Theoi Ktesioi

Gods of the house and home

King Zeus

Lady Hestia

Lady Hekate

Lord Hermes

Theoi Montikoi

Gods of oracles, divination and prophecy

Lord Apollon

King Zeus

Lady Phoibe

Lady Themis

Lady Dione

Lady Mnemosyne

Lord Hermes

Theoi Nomioi

Gods of the countryside and country pursuits

Lady Artemis

Lord Hermes

Lord Dionysos

Theoi Mousikoi

Gods of music, dance, and education of the arts

Lord Apollon

Lady Artemis

The Muses

The Charaties

Lord Hymenaeus

Lord Lino’s

Lord Dionysos

Lord Hermes

Lady Aphrodite

Theoi Polemikoi

The gods of war

Lord Ares

Lady Athena

Lady Enyo

Lady Eris

Lady Nike

Lord Deimos

Lord Phobos

King Zeus

Lord Apollon

Theoi Thesmioi

The gods of divine law and order

King Zeus

Lady Demeter

The Horae

Lady Themis

Lord Apollon

Theoi Khthonioi

The gods and divinities of the underworld

King Hades

Queen Persephone

Lady Hekate

Lord Erebus

Lord Hypnus

Lady Makaria

Lady Nyx

Lord Tartaros

Lord Thanatos

[skyrim-crossing]

Do you still worship Dionysus?

I do lovely! I have worked with him for nearly 7 years now 🩵

[tobesco]

Lady Hestia’s altar setup tonight before bed. I added the little wooden chest with a small leather bound notebook for sigils inside, the candle snuffer, a lighter and the glass plate for the main candle to sit on.

I’ve also been veiling for three days (and I had been before that, but not actively calling it veiling) and it’s been pretty great! I just use a bandana that covers my hair and it works great with my work since I work in a kitchen and have to cover my hair anyways. I feel as if I’m most connected to her in this way since I haven’t made plans or progress in other ways (such as spells or rituals - I’m actually pretty nervous to try any of those for a while...)

I haven’t been as interactive or reaching out to her as I want to be, but I wrote out a couple prayers to her before bed tonight as my devotional to her for a lack of devotion over the last couple days due to work.

I am in love with her and how she is so patient with me. I have a lot to learn and a lot more to grow and I’m glad she allows me to learn slowly because I was afraid she would want me to jump in right away. But I am so thankful and so grateful to be devoted to her.

[hellenismrules]

I’ve been working with Zeus and Hades for a long while, so here’s how I see them and my favorite interactions since I don’t see many funny interactions with these two.

How I see them Personality wise:

Zeus: a sort of BBQ dad that shows up once every six years, says something super wise and random and then disappears until you need him again

Hades: The dad that doesn’t get paid enough and is constantly giving you the look of “What the fuck did you just do” but is very prideful of your accomplishments

Appearance wise? I don’t see them as completely humanoid, though I also don’t see them being more animalistic?

Zeus: all that I’ve seen from him in zoned out inspiration and zoning back in to a big drawing of Zeus, I see him a somewhat tan, with lighter har that matches the color of his eyes, with four bovine horns, other then that I can’t describe him.

Hades: I can’t describe him well at all, other then pale and dark eyed, he hasn’t shown me a lot of himself, but he does talk to me the most out of anyone I’ve worked with (I think that’s a good thing??)

Now for the interactions! 🤣🤣🤣

For context, I was using the Keyboard method for the first two

Hades: Give me fire, girl

Me: you’ll have to wait until the morning, King Hades

Hades: GAH!

Zeus: Celery

Me: I don’t like Celery- it tastes like perfume water!

Zeus: Yes.

Me, doing a love reading for me and my Gf:

Hades, clearly done with my bullshit because we both knew I didn’t need this reading: You love each other. Gross. I didn’t say stop the reading.

Hades then proceeds to give my friend @ember1224 two very ominous romance readings about their lack of communication with their partner.

[skyrim-crossing]

I've never met anyone who worshipped Dionysus before and I'm kind of curious, how do you worship Dionysus? Is there anything special that you need to do ? Like offerings or things like that ? If you don't want to answer that's totally fine !

Hey, it's no problem! There are many ways in which people can do it, it's all up to what your comfortable with. As he is the god of wine and theatre (and other things I will probably mention too) you do need to be careful if you're going to consume alcohol and/or drugs, and have sex/masturbate. Only do so if you're over the legal age, comfortable, and in a safe place. Okay, now to it.

As mentioned, lots of people have different ways of worship. So feel free to mention how my experience is different to yours. To me, I try to incorporate my religion into as much of my daily life as possible. For example, I sometimes help look after dolphins at my local aquarium, practice theatre and dance, and the most important thing, just to be happy.

However, I set time aside at the end of every week to meditate at my altar. Altar picture below (excuse the mess, I'm redecorating 😂)

When it doesnt look like a bomb site, I have a soft pillow that I sit on, light my off camera wine candles, and put on some music. I don't really pray or anything, I just kind of sit there and feel the good vibes, you know?

As you can see, I am obsessed with pinecones. Thankfully, pinecones are heavily associated with Dionysus. I have over 50 different pinecones, and I tend to rotate them when I clean my altar. I collect crystals too, but they are more for myself than for Dionysus. I'm buying a lot more items to make a brand new altar because most of these things are just random pieces I've found lmao. Here are my favourite things:

A copper offering bowl my boyfriend bought me from Greece

This plate I definitely didn't take from my grandparents house

And this stupid cute necklace I bought off etsy (I wear it everywhere)

As I'm only 16, I dont do drugs or go to parties or anything, but I will occasionally have a glass of red wine or grape juice, when I sit at my altar.

Ultimately, the best way to worship Dionysus is to have fun and be happy ^^

[amongstthewillowsandstars]

What is Paganism?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as "A Religion that worships many gods, especially a religion that existed before the main world religions."

Merriam-Webster defines it as "A pagan beliefs or practices, a pagan religion." Also it includes "The quality or state of being a pagan."

Oxford Languages defines it as "A religion other than one of the main world religions, specifically a non-Christian or pre-Christian religion. Also, a modern religious movement incorporating beliefs or practices from outside the main world religions (Christianity, Judaism, or Islam), especially nature worship."

According to Wikipedia (I know, not always the best source, but handy) it was a term that began being used in the fourth century to describe people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism. This term was both originally used for rural living individuals and for those who were civilians instead of military.

The Pagan Federation International page defines paganism as simply "a polytheistic or pantheistic nature worshiping religion."

The consensus is that it is non-Christian/pre-Christian, polytheistic, and nature worshiping. But what exactly is Paganism other than that simple explanation? I know it is a blanket term that serves to cover many different faiths, some of the most widely known being Wicca, Druidry, Asatru, Hellanism, Kemetism, Ethnic Traditions (Closed Practices) and Non-Ethnic Traditions (Open Practices). Under each one of those "header" catagories if you will is a myriad of other branches of paganism.

And this is where I would like to begin my studies. I plan to research as many of the branches as I am able to to see which path suits me best, with the exception of the Closed Practices of course. For those I would like to make a list acknowledging them, and a space for those who do practice them to provide information only if they are willing to do so.

Feel free to tag along and to correct me on any facts that I get incorrect. I wish for this to be a learning space for all who find it.

Edit: On doing further research I found this wonderful article posted by the American Humanist Association. It includes recommended reading and links to articles to do further research as well, though I am finding one or two of the links don't work.

[hellanistpunk]

Im such a candle offerings stan just ask @sheoftheheights

Sometimes theyre handmade sometimes they're shop brought (depending on my work and the uses)

Anointing oils are brilliant (theres some on my blog but i can also share more ) and sigils either carved or on the jars,I also tie or glue charms to the jars.

I have many posts on my blog about my offering candles and a few essays on candles in ancient Greece

I am a candle offering stan. Not enough Hellenic polytheists offer candles. It’s not necessarily historically accurate, but candle offerings are really cool! You can anoint them with oils and the sacred plants of your deity, and if it’s a scented candle it’s essentially incense that lasts for days. Plus it keeps your altar and statues lit and that’s aesthetic as hell.

[hellenismrules]

Just an update to show I’m alive- I’m actually planning and scheduling multiple posts, I’m almost done writing everything down in my notes and then I’ll clean it up and transfer it to tumblr so I can organize it all a little better.

The next posts will be the titans and the primordial divinities :)

The things that are taking me the longest are getting allll of the nymphs down, and the encyclopedia I’m working on that will (hopefully) have most deities, Demi-gods and heroes. Anyway, have a good night (or morning) wherever you are, I’ll hopefully be posting again soon :)

[hellenismrules]

Ngl all the reactions to my post on the groups of olympians scared the shit out of me

Also why are like- half of you guys Apollon Devotees (I have nothing against you guys- it’s just something I’ve noticed 🤣)

One of these days I’ll actually make a post about myself and with some basic info and pin it but as of right now I just

I just don’t have the brain capacity rn

Aaanyyyways, my next post will be on the Greek Underworld (or a post I’ll pin about myself, maybe both) and I’ll try and post that tonight- these take a while because I write everything down first in my bigass Latin Trapperkeeper so if I have no internet I can still fact check myself with the stuff I have written down- so please be patient- as always you can request for me to write a whole post on a specific deity it just might take a while since I am only a Junior in high school (year 11) so I’m super stressed and mentally exhausted as a 16yr old, especially since I’m turning 17 soon

[hellenismrules]

I would just like to note that I used to openly work with Finnish and Nordic deities (specifically Loki, Garmr, Fenrir and Lempo) before I moved fully into Hellenism, so if anyone has any questions on other religions I can at least attempt to help 🤷‍♀️

In all honesty I mostly just started this blog to try and help new Hellenistic while also using this to sort of journal my own practices

I mainly use Tarot to communicate with the gods, and most of my knowledge is on the Chthonic Deities as I primarily work with them, though I do also work with Lord Zeus

He really likes my shiny tarot cards (yes that’s how I started working with him 💀)

Im an open book, and willing to answer any questions as long as they’re not super personal :)

[hellenismrules]

I would like to say I’m now seventeen, the gods have made the mistake of letting me live another year and I shall use that year to torment everyone I know. This message is sponsored by Lord Hermes

[hellenismrules]

Adding onto my previous post I also have these gods’ jars done

Lord Hermes: osmanthus, jasmine, mallow, lotus seed, genmaicha, Calendula, chrysanthemum, fig, obsidian, lapis, quartz, selenite, bittersweeet, black salt

Lord Hephaestus: osmanthus, lotus seed, genmaicha, Calendula, chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, pine nut, aloe, dandelion fluorite, tigers eye, agate, pyrite

Lady Hestia: peony, osmanthus, genmaicha, Calendula, red plum, honeysuckle, hibiscus, pine nut, pink pearl, quartz, smoky quartz, Dalmatian jasper.

I have 125? More bottles coming, and I have a small list that I’m going to make jars for, if you feel like I should add anyone I will!

Lord Heracles, Prince Achilles, Ser Patroclus, King Odysseus, Queen Persephone, King Haides, Lord Zagreus, Lord Atlas, Lady Eris, Lord Hypnos, Lord Thanatos, and Lady Enyo are on my list

[hellenismrules]

So going back to my plans to start a business (yes I will get back to my godly posts- It’s been nearing testing in school so I’ve been stressed af) but I’ve got some spell jars set up for some of the gods

Lady Aphrodite: mint, rosemary, pink salt, rose petals, fig, peach blossom, pink pearl, rose quartz, strawberry quartz

Lord Apollon; mint, plantain, eupatorium, chrysanthemum, osmanthus, yellow topaz, ruminated quartz, clear quartz

Lord Ares: bittersweet, black salt, chrysanthemum, red plum, red jasper, red agate, garnet, tigers eye, pine nut

Lady Artemis: mugwart, clover, black salt, hyssop, plantain, sophora, amazonite, green jasper, garden quartz, tigers eye

Lord Dionysos: forget me not, carnation, lavender, hyssop, chrysanthemum, violet, amethyst, dandelion

Lady Athena: clover, mint, rosemary, sophora, dianthus leaf, lotus seed, fluorite, quartz, ruminated quartz, siraitia, chamomile, lapis Lazuli

King Zeus: lemon, jasmine, mallow, osmanthus, pink salt, black salt, rosemary, mint, rose, sophora, turquoise, quartz, ruminated quartz

Queen Hera: peony, violet, gomphrena, butterfly pea, jasmine, peach blossom, calendula, carnation, red plum, honeysuckle, hibiscus, ruminated quartz, rose quartz, pink pearl, quartz.

King Poseidon: butterfly pea, calendula, lavender, pine nut, fig, adventurine, amazinite, malachite, tigers eye

Lady Demeter: butterfly pea, osmanthus, forget me not, dianthus leaf, red plum, lavender, honeysuckle, hibiscus, mother wart, cedar sage, Dalmatian jasper, turquoise, smoky quartz, ruminated quartz.

[hellanistpunk]

I very good thread to show how everyones experience with a diety is different!! As we are all different people so what they can aid us with and what they think we need is tailored to us.

(I hope i explained that properly im not the best with words )

This is just me venting tbh, sorry for using your askbox to do that, but...I'm just so tired of seeing Apollo always represented as a pale blonde white twink! Iʾve seen other representations of him but that's by far the one that I see the most. It just doesn't match up with how he appears to me, and this stereotype that he is some carefree himbo??? Where does that come from? He might crack a joke from time to time but he's far more serious than that! I guess I'm just mad on his behalf lol 😄

Lol @rosegoldtunic and I have this exact conversation every time we talk! I’m not even exaggerating! Every single time we Skype we talk about how a lot of people don’t actually know all the aspects of Apollo and because of that he gets labeled as the dumb dramatic pretty boy.

Apollo is the god of many things but what gets emphasized the most is the art and creative aspect. Yet Apollo is also the god of truth, philosophy, knowledge, science, math, and civilization. I mean we have to remember he gave us the Delphic Maxims. And if you read them you can clearly see that this boy is not out there causing trouble and pulling pranks with Hermes and Dionysus. He’s much more likely to be the buzz kill or designated driver.

Apollo is responsible, blunt, strict, logical, and rational. But I think because of the emphasis on his role in music and poetry people get confused since our society has very strict views on how we see creatives vs intellectuals.

Creative people are seen as being emotional and beautiful creatures. Living life outside of the expectations of society. Basically Dionysus. (Tbh a lot of how some people view Apollo is really more Dionysus imo)

Intellectual people are seen as logical, rational, almost emotionless, even cold. And while humanity is learning to not separate intelligence and beauty, I still believe its easier for people to associate Apollo’s level of beauty with creativity than intelligence.

Also when we think about the exact areas of art Apollo represents it really is more about technique and structure than creativity that comes purely from emotions.

Aela said it the best when she said that Apollo is the technical aspect of art while its Dionysus who is the emotions of art. (also people forget there are other creative gods like Athena and Aphrodite and esp Hephaestus. It’s my argument that Hephaestus is the real god of art and creativity but that’s a topic for another post)

So ultimately i think these stereotypes and separations mixed with the lack of knowledge about who Apollo actually is and what he represents has caused a lot of misconceptions and misinformation about him.

I’ve been thinking about writing an entire post about this since like i said Aela and me have been talking about it a lot and Apollo and I have been getting closer and I just feel compelled to clear some things up for him. Esp bc he’s arguably the most popular god so I feel like we should all at the very least know the basics about him.

[hellenismrules]

Genuine question, would anyone want to buy any supplies for altars or buying full altars? I’ve been thinking of setting up a small business for a while now and I’m curious on who would even be interested in buying anything.

One of my goals is, in the future, to make Cartomancy (normal card decks) and Tarot decks for each individual divinity- or at the very least the main Hellenic gods.

I want to save up enough to buy and renovate a building and make it a safe place to practice Hellenic polytheism- I guess in a pseudo church of sorts? I know Christian’s have hundreds of places to go to pray and practice their religion and I want to give that same opportunity to us.

It’s a far reaching goal- and with the economy in America it’s definitely less likely to happen, but it’s worth a shot, I suppose

[skyrim-crossing]

Any other Dionysus worshipers on here? Feeling pretty lonely :(