#hellenic celebrations

[beautyofaphrodite]

Aphrodite Celebrations and Holidays

Decided to make this because I often don’t know about any holidays where Lady Aphrodite is celebrated.

Here I will put some basic info about celebrations and if I have made a post or do make a post specifically a certain celebration, I will link it here.

Aphrodisia

Aphrodisia is a celebration honoring Aphrodite Pandemos (goddess of all) that I personally celebrate on July 13, though when it was celebrated and for how long is vague.

Post I made about it

Adonia

Adonia was a festival practiced specifically by women to mourn the death of Aphrodite’s consort, Adonis. This was usually celebrated in Spring, when the river Adonis became “blood-red” because of earth washing down from the mountains.

4th of Every Month

The fourth day of every month is sacred to Lady Aphrodite and is a good day to just spend some time with Her.

Fridays

Fridays are also sacred to Her and a good time to spend some time with Her

Other

There are many other festivals and holidays where Aphrodite is celebrated, but these are ones where it’s mainly about Her.

If I missed any, please let me know!

Sources

- my previous post on Aphrodisa

- theoi.com

- Link

- Link

- Post

[whats-the-word-again]

Happy Theogamia! 🦚💍⚡️

To those who celebrate, I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with love! Just as all of Olympus did with King Zeus and Queen Hera’s 300 year wedding!

I couldn’t do much this year, but I did manage to make this quick drawing for the blessed rulers of Olympus and write a little hymn for this divine anniversary <3

Hymn for Theogamia

Rejoice in love of Hera! Rejoice in the love of Zeus! Rejoice in the love that their union created!

Blessed Hera Gamêlia, ruler of marriage, seek joy in your own domain on this day. From Hera Pais, the girl and the maiden; to Hera Nympheuomene, a betrothed bride!

Blessed Zeus Teleios, of marriage rites, know how joyous this celebration is! Blessed Zeus Xenios, of strangers and hospitality, may we all join hands and sing of this wonderful day together, feasting, laughing, and dancing with friends and strangers alike!

Oh, gracious rulers of Olympus, King Zeus who delights in thunder, and ox-eyed Queen Hera; join us mortals in celebrating your eternal union - giving love and plenty to us all!

[boofindoopin]

friendly reminder that if fucking Genghis Khan can practice religious tolerance, so can you.

[dionysianfreak]

Happy Rural Dionysia my friends ! this year, I've sewn a hand-made patch of Dionysos onto my battle jacket <3 I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season, regardless of what you celebrate 🪻🍇🍷

[princesmeadow]

Happy Theogamia Lord Zeus and Lady Hera!

[ivycrownedpanther]

🍇💘 happy rural dionysia! 💘🍇

This is my altar for today! Theres a candle for Dionysus in the middle (back), bracelet I made for him on the left, fluorite hearts carving on the right, and a peen shaped cookie in the middle (front)

As for dionysia activities, today I’ve prayed to him and accidentally fell asleep, made sugar cookies (with vanilla frosting & sprinkles), read hymns, prayed again, and now I’m probably gonna play some video games and maybe later watch a movie :3

[katerinaaqu]

Hey katerinaaqu,

I was wondering if you might know something about apotheosis/deification of mortals in greek mythology. Specifically how it was decided what domain they would become a god of. From what I've gathered it seems like actions in their mortal lives tends to lead to what their domains in divinity is.

Thanks for any help/info you can provide!

Oh that is a very good question. I believe there are indeed plenty of examples in greek mythology of Apotheosis.

Arguably the first one is Dionysus himself. Given how Dionysus is born out of a mortal mother (Semele) and an Olympian god (Zeus). According to Orphic traditions, Dionysus was probably set for divinity since he was born once more as Zagreus before dying and being reincarnated through Semele. It seems like he would prbably be another demigod like Heracles if it weren't for Zeus to finish the pregnancy himself by sewing him into his hip so in a way he got extra divine essence from Zeus. After that he experienced the persecution of Hera and madness induced by her before earning his place as a god among the Olympians

Ever since Dionysus we do see other examples of humans turning into gods. There also seems to be a difference between an Apotheosis and a worship of a hero. For example Heracles was known to become a god after death but not others like Achilles at least in Homer it is not implied that Achilles becomes a god and yet along with Patroclus and Antilochus he is given offerings to his tomb, worshipped more as a hero rather than as a god.

So what is the factor that makes a mortal a god? Well there are many. It could be the mortal's connection to a god as a parent (see Dionysus, Heracles etc) or marriage (Ariadne and Dionysus) or other reations (Dionysus reviving Semele and giving her immortality). For others it seems like it has to do with their heroic deeds on earth. For example we have Heracles who arguably became the greatest hero of Greek mythology or Diomedes who spread Greek culture to Italy by founding plenty of cities. It could also be linked to a mortal have some sort of attribute that is considered sacred or divine in the first place. A good example is Ganymedes who was having the attribute of beauty and youth that are on their own divine properties, thus leading Zeus take interest in him and thus offering him immortality and making him his cup brearer.

Now when it comes to Dionysus for example yes his attributes seem to be reflecting his life. He was the god of rebirth and regeneration of nature (due to his Orphic tradition of dying as Zagreus and coming back to life) or god of madness since he was induced to madness himself. Now for the culivation of vine and winemaking of course depending on the myths involving him like the beautiful satyr, Ampelus could be an indicator. Also the vine is a plant that comes out during late summer and early autumn which again is linked to the regeneration of nature. Also the wine-making as coming from the crushing of grapes and passage of time for alcohol to froment also rings to me the bell of Dionysus's story of regeneration (almost the opposite of Persephone who comes out of the Underworld with Spring, Dionysus is celebrated a lot in winter (see his celebration of Dionysia in December), symbolizing the constant mystery of nature. With his connection to nature seems to be also reflecting his madness and his several roaming about the world in a mad and disoriented state thus he is also considered god of wilderness and several of his followers are satyrs and Maenades, reflecting his roaming and primitive state at that time. The induced madness and alcoholic beverange association and in his life also links to his attributes of divine ecstasy, disoriantation, confusion and daresay savagery. He was also linked to prophetic powers on occasion since he is also known for coming and going from the Hyperborean lands due to his trips in mythology and taking over from Apollo to the sanctuary of Delphi thus sharing the sanctuary. Consequently to that of course and with the above he is also linked to theater; while roaming in the wild he was not himself the same much as the sacred nature of theater is also linking him to rituals and offerings. A sample of theater is the full masks and costumes, which resembles a lot ancient rituals in which masks or even skulls are involved to cover one's face and linked to dancing, singing, unifying of masses etc. Arguably some of the dionysian celebrations of that kind are some of the most ancient known celebrations in Greece and certain festivals even nowadays are said to have the roots to them. All in all he is linked a lot to thinks that have to do with humanity and that is probably because he comes from it himself.

So, having in mind examples such as Dionysus whenever a mortal turns into a god might or might not get an attribute but I believe most of time their attribute or fields are determined by their life story or their mythology. They are also heavily inspired by local traditions in regards to the hero (for example if they are worshipped as city-protector, as protector of youths etc) so it depends on what kind of mythology they have behind. On the occasions we discover offerings or hymns attributed to the deified mortal we can also make assumption on their worship. Oftentimes a sanctuary is also linked to a hero's death or life stops. One example that comes to my mind is a series of mentions to the sanctuary of Protesilaus, the man that stepped first in Troy and losing his life first. The sanctuary is placed in several places according to the sources and they seem to memorize the hero's courage in battle.

So yes it seems that by n large their mortal lives or local myths do determine their domains and attributes. I hope the examples help a bit. I will be happy to dig deeper if you want.

[sag-dab-sar]

🔥Festival of The First & Last🔥

December 31st 2024-January 1st 2023

Happy New Year 🎉

Honored Hestia with last libation of 2024 and first libation of 2025. It was short but I'm happy about it.

[muddileaves]

From my very limited research, I have noticed that King Haides doesn't really have a day of the week associated with Him or any celebrations/festivals. Now, this is probably due to his main associations with the dead, funeral related activities, and wealth.

He was mostly feared, which makes sense but also doesn't. I don't think that we should fear death or dying. It is human to feel worrisome of death, but I don't think that we should be afraid of it.

Celebrating death and the dead should be something we partake in. It's what happens to us when we meet our eventual expiration date. Celebrating death and the dead should be a way of coming to terms and praising the hardships of going through that process. To honor the dead, to honor the deities that help with this transition, to honor the spirits of our loved ones who stay with us and watch over us.

Now, of course, I don't mean we only recognize King Haides in the possible celebration/festival*. But include those that also come to mind when we think about this topic. Lord Thanatos, Lord Kharon, Lord Hermes, and Lady Hecate come to my mind of deities. I'm not too well verse in the associations of the gods, but I have a bit of knowledge, I guess.

If you have comments or are willing to maybe worship this idea, I'm completely open to hearing it!

(* I don't know if these would be correct words to use for this type of "celebration" but to me it seems fitting???)

[dionysusmybeloved]

ORPHIC HYMN #50

TO LYSIOS LENAIOS

Hear, O blessed son of Zeus and of two mothers,

Bacchos of the vintage,

unforgettable seed,

many-named and redeeming daimōn,

holy offspring of the gods,

reveling Bacchos, born of secrecy,

plump giver of many joys,

of fruits which grow well.

Mighty and many-shaped god,

you burst forth from the earth to reach the wine press,

to become a healer for men’s pain,

O sacred blossom!

A sorrow-hating joy to mortals,

O lovely-haired …

a redeemer and a reveler you are,

your thyrsos drives to frenzy,

you are kind-hearted to all

gods and mortals who see your light.

I call upon you now,

come, O sweet bringer of fruit.

(edited with the Apostolos Athanassakis trans.)

Happy Lenaia!🍷🍇

[khaire-traveler]

Each option would be for a limited time or come in a limited quantity. This is my way of expressing gratitude towards the community! Y'all have been wonderful. Thank you for sticking around! 🧡🎉

Please reblog this if you have the chance! It helps me get the most diverse and fair answers that I can.

(Yes, I have posted this before; this is a redo)

[god-blog]

I thought the hunters moon was Tuesday so I already did my ritual for tonight 😭 but the moon is so pretty, I might do it again

From my first ritual:

[boofindoopin]

Having Christian friends during This Time of Year™️ is so silly goosey, especially when they’re stupid. Here’s a real convo I’ve had with my extremely Christian friend: (by the way, I tell people I’m an atheist for my own safety. I live in the Bible Belt. Only four of them know the truth)

Me: what are you doing for Christmas this year?

Friend: going to church and opening gifts with my family that’s coming into town.

Me: aw fun! Me and my family are getting together too.

Friend: … huh?

Me: what? That’s pretty standard Christmas stuff haha

Friend: you-you celebrate Christmas?

Me: yeah? Why would I not…?

Friend: b-but, it’s a Christian holiday! Y-you’re an atheist! It’s called CHRISTmas. CHRIST-MAS, CHRIST, JESUS-

Me: girly pop. I just don’t celebrate Jesus’s birth. That’s it. I don’t celebrate the Christian part.

[moonrisebutterfly]

tomorrow is deipnon in my region!!

[stars-on-the-water]

For all of those celebrating this May 1st!

[messywitch]

moodboard for Dionysus.

ok to rb!