templeof-demeter

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Hear me, Demeter Thesmophoros, as I pray for those who seek you now

In your journeys you have encountered trial and tribulation, been the one too stand up and fight for what is just.

and today, I am before you arms outstretched in hopes of reaching you.

I ask of you, Great Mother, for your comforting embrace

In these times of anxiety and fear for many, we look towards the Gods

for your hope, your light, your guidance, and your love.

May those in homes and lands unsafe be protected,

May those without homes be sheltered,

May those without justice or hope find it swiftly.

Demeter, Great Mother and Bringer of Law,

We thank you with every meal, for the creation is of your doing

And we thank you for the comforts each bring

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In brighter news, my leafy green plants (in honor of Demeter) have begun to sprout!

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11/10 - Question of the Week

When and how do you pray? Do you prefer traditional prayer or your own way?

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and to the lovely-haired demeter, i sing! bountiful goddess, i seek to know the  wheat-touched fingers of your ever giving hands. teach me of the golden warmth of survival, holy dirt beneath  my fingernails, oh goddess of the  earth — show me how you stand  in every season and never bend your lovely brow —

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I tend to just call her Deo, sometimes I call her variations of mom or other motherly affectionate terms. I haven’t come up with any epithets, but I’d love to explore that as well!

11/03 - Question of the Week

Do you have any UPG epithets or “nicknames” for Demeter?

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Animal sacrifice might also be understood in terms of a meal shared between men and gods. In Greek sacrifice as described by Homer, writing in the early seventh century BC, when the victim – usually a sheep or an ox – had been slaughtered, bones wrapped in fat were burned on the altar with small pieces of meat, while the rest of the carcass was cut up and cooked for human consumption. This can be interpreted as a shared meal, in which gods and men each received an appropriate part of the animal. Reserved for the immortal gods were the long-lasting parts of the animal, namely the bones, and the fat with its preservative properties. While these were burning, the smoke would rise into the air for the gods to appreciate. Meanwhile the meat, which would soon rot, was eaten by mortals, who would themselves eventually die.

Mystery Cults in the Ancient World by Hugh Bowden

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I will eventually be posting my personal/the temple calendar. It’s subject to change, of course, but this is to say that November is my only month without any holidays, and there is one holiday at the end of December. This is in part due to the calendar I originally found and modified, and in part due to my own bear-like habits (hibernating for the winter). I found it very nice that the calendar I found was like that. For me it was a small thing that showed me that things do make sense.

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Why do the Gods let bad things happen?

About a month ago I was talking to my fiancée, who is atheist, we joke about me trying to convert her and I finally asked her why she has no interest in religion and she said “It’s a pretty first level of atheism question, but I always wonder why any God would let such bad things happen. And why would I want to worship one that does.”

I remember growing up in a very Christian household and asking this when I was very young, having experienced my fathers death so early I only inevitably questioned how any divine being could let that happen and let the following consequences of that keep going. I actually hadn’t thought much on this question when I became Hellenic Polytheistic, but I understand where this question comes from and want to give my thoughts on it. Especially as someone whose been through the ringer of bad life experiences, but still finds comfort in the divine.

I saw a comment on a Reddit post with an analogy I really liked, by GnawerOfTheMoon

I think this is kind of like why I “let” a spider hiding behind my bookcase eat another bug alive. The answer would be that it doesn’t have anything to do with me, because I am not directly involved in every tiny event that happens in this house even thought it is “mine.” The spider, the bug, and I occupy slightly different realms of experience despite technically being in the same space.

I loved this, it makes the concept I believe so easy to understand and explain. The Gods are all powerful, but they don’t see and involve themselves in every single thing. Oftentimes we expect the Gods to be omni-everything beings, but that just doesn’t make sense for them in my opinion- they can be many places at once, their epithets allow for this, and they are more wise and more powerful than we could possibly understand, but they are not involved in every single situation that occurs with mortals. Especially when looking at mythology- while I believe they are more symbolic, they can hold some truth- there’s no way the Gods could ever be “tricked” or secrets be kept from them if they were omnipotent, so we must assume they are not involved in all activities of the world.

The Gods help us onto healthy paths after tragedy strikes, they help us understand the whys of nature and humanity, they exist outside of the world we know and they still help us, we consult them as best we can. And this is part of why we worship them in spite of the badness that happens- we desire their light and wisdom. I believe it’s perfectly appropriate to worship them in spite of the badness around us because of this, because they bring light and hope.

This has been in my drafts for about two weeks now, and with recent U.S election results I’ve seen people talking about feeling spited by the gods, feeling that the gods are angry, or just questioning how they could let this happen. While this is an opinion piece, not backed in academic research, I hope this can be helpful in some way.

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Zeus & Demeter

Apollo & Apollo

Dionysus & Dionysus/ Ariadne

Aphrodite & Aphrodite

Aphrodite & Aphrodite

—went to the getty villa so happy to see so many sculptures of these beautiful deities <3

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Let me make this very clear:

When it comes to Hellenic Polytheism, there is no human religious authority, especially not one that stands before or speaks for the gods.

It does not matter what someone tells you. It does not matter if they claim to be a priestess/priest of X deity or a messenger for Y deity. It does not matter what their supposed past life was like. It does not matter if they claim to be the literal fucking Oracle of Apollo.

No one has the right to tell you how to worship the gods. No one has the right to assert their authority over your religion.

And most of all, remember that people can and do lie.

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Hello there! I am a person who was raised in a Jewish culture/religion and for quite some time I have been feeling a pull towards Hellenic Polytheism, I have been researching about the religion too, I have started worshipping Apollo, etc.

For a very long time I have wondered, do Hellenic people pray in different times of day? Do you pray before eating? In Judaism, we pray every morning, pray before we eat at Shabbat, etc. Do those customs exist in Hellenic Polythiesm? Are prayers a must?

If so, how are prayers/hymns constructed? Can a simple practitioner like me create my own prayer?

I apologize for so many questions, this religion is so interesting, I have never felt so pulled into something like this in my entire life.

Hi there! No worries! I'm happy to answer your questions. 😊

Just to preface, I will reference more traditional ways of worship and pretty much talk about how the ancients did it, as I personally rely on historical accuracy in my practice to a certain degree. You don't need to strictly do everything the traditional way, though! It might be a little difficult when getting started, so don't be too hard on yourself if you don't get some things or can't do some things!

How to pray

Perhaps you already know it, so I'll keep it short:

Ouranic [Heavelny] Gods - stand with hands outstretched in the air and palms facing upward

Chthonic [Underworld] Gods - hands mustn’t be raised, and the prayer should be murmured

Einalic [Sea] Gods, Nymphs and spirits of the earth - arms must be spread wide towards the sea; the hands are also be facing the cult image

If you happen to be in need of holding something, e.g. a text/prayer written down, keep it in your left hand and (if needed) outstretch your right hand. Kneeling wasn't very common, but clutching the knees of statues or touching its base might've happened at times.

There's also this somewhat mysterious thing called Proskynesis. I'm in the process of doing more research about it and I'll be writing a longer post about it. Essentially, it's like "blowing a kiss" to the god/gods". There were some accounts of people doing it for the Sun [Helios], e.g. in the morning or when approaching a statue in a temple, however, I'm not sure how common it actually was. It might've become more popular in the late classical period or Hellenistic period due to Alexander's The Great desire to popularise ruler worship but that's a talk for another time. I personally sometimes do it, e.g. perform proskynesis towards the sky/clouds for Zeus. It's not a requirement, though.

When to pray

When it comes to prayer, one would pray in the morning or even give an offering to the gods, e.g. pouring libation. One would also pray in the afternoon or any time prior to supper which was the most important and the biggest meal and in the evening at any time following the supper and before sleeping. Evening prayer might've been considered quite important (obviously, not everyone did all of that every single day; it was considered quite pious).

It was also customary to pray before meals and offer the first (and sometimes the last) bite of the food to Hestia, whether by burning it or placing it at the domestic altar. However, nowadays I've seen that some people simply dedicate the first and the last bite to Hestia by stating it's for her if they can't physically offer it.

Although prayer might seem quite important in Hellenic Polytheism, IMO it's not a MUST. No one will force you to pray and if you can't pray for some reason (e.g. a disability) there are other ways you can honour the gods, e.g. devotional acts or offerings.

Construction

You can absolutely create your own prayers and/or hymns and make them personal to you! They can be as simple or as complicated as you want them to be.

I write some of my prayers but I also find this website to be very helpful and I highly recommend checking it out! The author has written various types of prayers for plenty of the Hellenic Gods. It's quite easy to search for them, too.

Shameless self-promo but you can also check out my Hellenic cheat sheets. They include basic prayers and hymns.

Hymns

Hymns are usually used for praise and often accompanied by burning incense and giving offerings to the deity.

You begin by addressing the deity/deities. If you'd like to incorporate some Greek into your practice you could say something like:

(When addressing multiple deities)

Greek: Ἔλθετε, Θεοὶ μάκαρες, ἀθάνατοι! Εἰσακούσατε προσευχήν ἐμοῦ! [Élthete, Theoí mákares, athánatoi! Eisakoúsate prosefchín emoú!]

English: Come, blessed, deathless Gods! Hearken to my prayer!

(When addressing a single deity)

Greek: κλῦτε μευ εὐχομένου λαῶν ὕπερ εὔφρονι θυμῷ! [Klýte mef efchoménou laón ýper éffroni thymó!]

English: Hear me with gracious soul as I pray on behalf of mankind!

The Homeric Hymns and Orphic Hymns are probably the most famous and often are a go-to among Hellenic polytheists but they're by no means the only hymns out there! You can find those hymns and some other less popular ones on websites such as Theoi.com and Hellenicgods.org. I also recommend checking out@hymnstothetheoi on Tumblr for more wonderfully written hymns.

This great post, for example, explains how one could go about writing a hymn based on The Orphic Hymn to Pan, so it might be helpful if you'd like to write hymns yourself!

Prayer

But let's talk about what a potential prayer formula could look like.

Let's try to write a super simple prayer together:

1. Who & why?

First, you need to decide whom you'd like to pray to and why.

Since you mentioned Apollo, let's go with that! We'll pray to him for, let's say some artistic inspiration.

2. Appropriate attitude & posture

It depends on the "type" of the deity you'd like to pray to. I already mentioned it above.

Apollo is an Ouranic deity, so when praying to him, one should stand up with outstretched hands, palms facing up.

3. Identification and addressing the deity

This stage involves naming the god and listing some of his epithets relating to some functions of the deity or even family relations. You can find awesome info about that on Theoi.com.

So let's start!

Hear me, O Phoibos [Bright] Apollo,

Radiant son of Thundering Zeus and Blessed Leto,

Brother to swift-footed Artemis.

4. Mythology

Mythology is often mentioned in prayer. This can be followed by a recounting of some relevant myths, which act as symbola or attributes and the functions of the god.

Let's continue:

Leader of lovely Muses,

Apollo Khrysolýris [Of Golden Lyre] whose lyre plays the sweetest of songs,

He whose gentle voice soothes mortal ears,

Your skill is unequalled.

5. Justification

Here we could mention something to justify our intention of this prayer by establishing what you have already done to honour that god. It might feel weird at first but assure you, it's not guilt-tripping the god to help you and it was commonly included in ancient prayer!

Apollo Kharopiós [Bringer of Joy],

If I've ever sung You praises,

Hear my plea and grace me with your aid!

6. Petition or Praise

Now we ask for what we'd like to receive and state the purpose of the prayer (or just give praise).

In dance and song the artist and the poet pray to You for inspiration and for revelation;

And so now I, too pray You kindly bestow Your divine gift of inspiration on me!

7. Vow/Promise

Usually, prayers (especially those asking for a favour) involve some form of offering for the deity. Outright demanding something from Theoi is not exactly respectful. Reciprocity, or Kharis, is the foundation of our relationship with the gods. You give - they give sort of thing or Do ut des (yes, it's Latin and yes, it's a Roman phrase but it functioned like that in The Ancient Greek Religion, too).

Apollo Mousêgetês [Leader of Muses; as the preceding],

I pray for your favour.

As a token of gratitude, I will present you with an offering of frankincense!

And done! The whole prayer looks like this:

[3] Leader of lovely Muses,

Apollo Khrysolýris whose lyre plays the sweetest of songs,

He whose gentle voice soothes mortal ears,

Your skill is unequalled.

[4] Leader of lovely Muses,

Apollo Khrysolýris whose lyre plays the sweetest of songs,

He whose gentle voice soothes mortal ears,

Your skill is unequalled.

[5] Apollo Kharopiós,

If I've ever sung You praises,

Hear my plea and grace me with your aid!

[6] In dance and song the artist and the poet pray to You for inspiration and for revelation;

And so now I, too pray You kindly bestow Your divine gift of inspiration on me!

[7] Apollo Mousêgetês,

I pray for your favour.

As a token of gratitude, I will present you with an offering of frankincense!

Here's another link to a great explanation on how to pray, although this one is also about asking for something. I know it's a TikTok but Dr Ellie Mackin Roberts is an ancient historian and I think she explained it very well using an example of Chyses praying to Apollo in The Iliad making it a bit easier to understand.

I hope this clears some things up!

I think you might also find this post helpful. I talk there about some basic things, such as "the pillars of Hellenism", literature, clothing etc.

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November Divination with Demeter

I hope the best for us all, may your hands be blessed this month.

1. What message do you have for followers of the temple?

8 of Cups & Study

Something has not gone the way we had hoped, this may be in regards to the recent election for those following or could be something in our personal lives. Either way, a goal or idea we had has not come to fruition the way we expected, and this is okay. Disappointment, Demeter urges us to understand, is a natural consequence to our curiosity and ambitions. We can use this as a learning opportunity and take what we learn and apply it to the next step in our journeys.

2. What advice do you have for followers who may be going through difficult times this month?

2 of Swords, 3 of Pentacles & Z

Z - Zeta “Flee the very great storm, lest you be disabled in some way.”

We cannot sit and wait, we cannot be alone, this is not how humans are meant to be. We are a community, and I believe Demeter is advising us to take a path towards teamwork and community building- this can be spiritual community, work and career, family, political, or something else all your own. We have two options, and often the more difficult and time consuming it is to begin, the better it will be. However, don’t jump in without a plan and resources. A farmer does not get to harvest quality goods from a poorly constructed and uncared for land.

3. What signs or symbols should followers be looking out for this month?

The High Priestess

Look out for opposing colors, traditional religious symbols, fruits, and horns.

This does not mean everything we see is a sign, but to look out for notable aspects of these things. Such as a cloud in a particular shape you find meaningful; or seeing a pair of horns from an animal that just wouldn’t commonly be there. Use discretion.

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Just a reminder (specifically to US folks) that the gods are not at fault for the election results. I feel this is important to say because while some of us were praying for different results, it doesn't mean that we were ignored, forgotten, or left on our own. The way I think about it is that the gods don't control the individual free wills of people; we have our own free will and make our own decisions. We can't blame them for the actions of others, for the free will of others. It sucks that things turned out the way that we did, but it's not the fault of the gods. Try to remember that.

Furthermore, they'll have the backs of their worshippers during the times ahead. They didn't completely abandon us or something. If they supported you before the election, they'll continue sharing that support with you. They're not going to leave you swimming in the middle of the ocean without a lifeboat.

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October has ended, and I have not been in tune in the way I wish, but I know my efforts are still good enough. I am taking the time to nurture myself and foster community, the small joys inbetween rudimentary and difficult times.

I hope your month has been well, and that you can take the time to reflect on this month and anticipate what is to come.

October Divination with Demeter

I had a bit of a busy end to my September, exploring my opportunities in work and hobby and making time to rest when I can! I haven’t been engaging in casual divination and practice as much as I’d like; and will be working on that this month. I hope your September was fruitful and relaxing!

1. What message do you have for followers of the temple?

The Tower, Reversed

Ψ - “You have this righteous judgement from the Gods”

As we experience the external changing of the seasons, Demeter may be urging us to look inside ourselves for personal and internal change. Many of us may go through some significant personal changes, we may change our religious practices, beliefs and opinions on topics we once were sure on, question our life and its purposes, have shifts in personality and desires. These things are essential for the growth of a person- and there is no reason to shy away from it. In fact, shying from it may hurt ourselves. Deo is asking that we be in tune with ourselves and give space for the changes because we will change, whether we like it or not.

2. What advice do you have for followers who may be going through difficult times this month?

9 of cups

The Empress, Reversed

You are good enough - Full moon in Virgo

While things may come and go, and aspects of our life may change or be fleeting, we always have something to be grateful for. Demeter urges us to not let the negativity overshadow the positivity, as difficult as that may be. Life has many struggles, she knows it well, but we have to make time for ourselves and to nurture ourselves the way we nurture others. Give yourself the space to connect to nature and yourself, we won’t always have the time to do so- cherish what you can. And no matter the cases of life, you are good enough and worthy of the joys you receive. Do not be upset if these joys and grateful moments feel far and few in between.

3. What signs or symbols should followers be looking out for this month?

Sounds of instruments, clouds, feathers, general religious imagery, full moon

This does not mean every cloud or feather is a sign, but to look out for notable aspects of these things. Such as a cloud in a particular shape you find meaningful; or hearing music when not intending to be listening to it. Use discretion.

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Gods who offer light in the night, I hold you most dear Gods of the road, of protection, and the earth as you shine Endlessly, my fears are seen and soothed by you as you guide

Artemis Amphipyros, Lady Mene under the will of her dear mother She shows every wandering man across the land what is hidden Bull-horned goddess, the light of her crescent moon dances above

Demeter Erinys, Kyanopeplos in your mourning As you search the earth, torches in hand While you gift and enlighten us with your many mysteries Though in rage and woe, you still gave us survival The means to get through every moment of harsh weather

Dionysos Lamptêros, Nyktelios with the many in your shadow One would be hard fought to have a better delight Only to experience a moment in your divine revelry Under your crackling light, I am in tune with the many cries

Hekate Dadophoros, Daeira who sees the lost souls Nudging them along with the many howls Her very presence incites, most noble, all-hearing She guides the weary, the shunned, and the unanswered Ebony-horned Mene, glad-hearted in connecting gods and men

Hermes Argeiphontês, Kêryx I hear your booming voice Navigating me in every search to know what is before me No matter how much I stumble upon your infinite paths I know that with you, I will reach the end of all roads I travel

Pandia Selene, Pasiphae, magnifying your brother's might Shining down your soft, silver light to brighten the darkness Bull-horned, white, round, and in full view leaving nothing a mystery

* I am using Argeiphontês here not to refer to him as the killer of Argos, but as the Radiant One. While it isn't much, and a rarer artistic depiction, torch-bearing Hermes does exist

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I hiked through the park today

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Localise your practice. You don’t need to offer the things traditionally associated with your deity if you don’t have them. No wheat or barley to offer Renenutet? The dandelion in your garden will do just fine if that’s what fits your practice. No moonstone for Artemis? A pretty rock you picked from the forest will look amazing on her altar.

Our gods were worshipped around a wide geographical range, with diverse cultures, plants and animals. Don’t let the unavailability of certain resources stop you from worshipping in a way that is authentic to you.