The Gods To Me

Important Terms in Hellenism

I think learning even a few words or phrases in ancient Greek is important to connecting with the Gods! So, let's learn the most important ones

Hellenism, Hellenismos, and Hellenistic- Hellenism and Hellenismos are titles given to the religion of worshiping the ancient Greek Gods. Hellenistic is to describe the time period after the death of Alexander the Great to Mark Antony in 31 BC

Kharis- This is one of the most fundamental things in Hellenism. This word can mean many things so to really simplify, it means to give to the Gods so they may give to us. It's the act of building relationship and reciprocity with the divine

Eusebeia- Piety and loyalty

Khernips- Pure water that is used to purify the self, materials, or altars before ritual, sacrifice, and sometimes prayers

Miasma- Mortal pollution or impurity. Things like literal filth (dirt, sweat, ect.) bad or stale energies, or guilt

Ouranic- A God who is not of the earth. These types of Gods are said to live in Olympus

Khthonic- A God who is of the earth. They are typically chalked up to just being the death deities but that's not completely true. Any God who lives and/or has domain over earth are also Khthonic

Sponde- A libation for Ouranic Gods that is poured then sipped by the worshiper

Khoe- A libation for Khthonic Gods that is poured out completely

Dæmon- A spirit or ghost. Specifically NOT a demon

Khaire/Khairete [singular/plural]- Greetings, hello

Elthe deuro- Come here/come to me (this is not impolite to say to Gods, it was traditionally done)

Klue/Kluete [singular/plural]- Hear me

Eukhomai- I pray

Ei boulei- Please, if you wish

Kharin ekho- Thank you

If I missed anything or if you have questions, let me know!

As an autist sometimes the Gods are more easy to communicate with than people. I constantly have the autistic fear of people misinterpreting my words and that just doesn’t exist with them.

Me after rambling about something: sorry, I’m not quite sure how to explain that, I hope you know what I mean

Hermes, the literal God of language: I understand what you mean, it’s okay.

Me, still trying to explain: I just want to make sure you’re not getting the wrong idea

Hermes: Dude, I know what you mean. I always know what you mean. I don’t apply hidden subtext to your words because I know that’s not your intention. I’m not a human.

Me: I’m just nervous I’m coming across wrong

Hermes: oh you poor traumatized child. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.

Ancient Greek Religion & Hellenic Polytheism: A Reading Guide

I’ve been wanting to make something like this for a long while, and talking to my friend @olympianbutch today gave me the push I needed to do so. When I was starting out as a Hellenic Polytheist years ago, this is the kind of resource I needed. So I hope you all enjoy and find this helpful!

Introductory Reading:

Ancient Greek Religion by Jon D. Mikalson

Athenian Popular Religion by Jon D. Mikalson

Greek Religion by Jan N. Bremmer

On Greek Religion by Robert Parker

Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship by LABRYS

Comprehensive Guides:

Greek Religion by Walter Burkert

Companion to Greek Religion edited by Daniel Ogden

Understanding Greek Religion by Jennifer Larson

Rethinking Greek Religion by Julia Klindt

The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Greek Religion edited by Esther Eidinow and Julia Klindt

Polytheism and Society by Robert Parker

The Gods and Theology:

Ancient Greek Cults by Jennifer Larson

Theologies of Ancient Greek Religion edited by Esther Eidinow, Julia Klindt, and Robin Osborne

Underworld Gods in Ancient Greek Religion by Ellie Mackin Roberts

Gods and Heroes of the Ancient World (Routledge Series)

Offerings and Sacrifice:

Personal Experience and Materiality in Greek Religion by K.A. Rask

Singing for the Gods by Barbara Kowalzig

Smoke Signals for the Gods by F.S. Maiden

Sharing with the Gods by Theodora Suk Fong Jim

Primary Sources:

Theogony & Works and Days by Hesiod

The Homeric Hymns

The Orphic Hymns

Sources for the Study of Greek Religion by David Rice and John Stambaugh

Greek Religion: A Sourcebook by Valerie M. Warrior

Ancient Greek Religion: A Sourcebook by Emily Kearns

A guide to worship of Hestia- cheat sheets

Hellenic cheat sheets

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i think it’s very important to be at least be a little playful with your own religion. feeling comfortable and safe enough in your own faith to have fun with it is genuinely so, so important to me. it takes some of the pressure off of always ‘getting it right’. and besides! i like to think that the gods really do appreciate the trust we place in them when we allow ourselves to be truly ourselves—with all our vulnerabilities and flaws—in their presence.

don’t get me wrong; reverent, formal, ceremonial, worship is beautiful!! but so is being able to drop all formalities and just talk to your deities… telling them everything that’s on your mind when you need to, or maybe when you’re just too overwhelmed to worship more traditionally. it’s about being able to pray formal hymns and prayers at their alter (if that’s something that feels right for you), but also feeling comfortable enough to simply reach out and talk to them as if they were an old friend or family member that loves you dearly.

cultivating balance is so important for maintaining a healthy relationship with your religion! so just make sure you don’t forget to actually enjoy your practices. at the end of the day, worship should feel fulfilling, whatever that means for you. ♡

What my deities see on a daily basis (I’d say several times a day and I’m beyond happy they tolerate me ) 😄

Yuletide

Khaire and Good Yule Saturnalia to all syncretic Hellenic polytheists! Wassail!

🔥 Praise be to Hestia the First and Last at the Feast who protects our homes and keeps them warm in the coming winter months.

🐍 Praise be to Zeus Ktesios the Good Spirit and protector, who blesses us with his favor and protection in the new year.

🗝️ Praise be to Hecate Trivia who watches over all crossroads, including the change of seasons. May her magic and blessings be felt throughout the new year.

☀️ Praise be to Apollo Apolysis who brings the light of the returning sun to redeem the earth from these short dark days.

🌌 Praise be to Aphrodite Melaenis of the night, who watches over us and protects us on these long cold nights and always reminds us of the warmth of love.

🌞 Praise be to Helios Isodaetes Invincible Sun, who divides all seasons into equal portions and blesses the southern hemisphere on this first day of their summer season.

❄️ Praise be to Lady Khione who blankets the earth in snow, driving away all pests and protecting our gardens as they rest through winter.

⚡️Praise be to Zeus Charidotes increaser of joy and abundance, who joins us as our families gather, protects our beloved family, and brings us Yuletide cheer.

🍷Praise be to Dionysus Hestius Lord of the Feast and giver of plentiful bounty, who joins us in our Yuletide feasting, and who we graciously honor with our jolly wassail.

🎄Praise be to Dionysus Endendros who dwells within trees and blesses our Yule tree, keeping our homes joyful in these days of bare trees and whose baubles hold years of joyful memories.

💸 Praise be to Hermes Empolaios of commerce and travel who we honor with our purchase of gifts for our loved ones, and who protects those who are traveling this holiday season.

🐐 Praise be to The Yule Goat whose generosity and whimsy have blessed my family for many years, a very hearty “Oh Hell Yeah, Witches!” to him and his beautiful wife this Yule!

🎶 Praise be to Apollo Mousigetis Leader of the Muses who bless us with the joy of music, as we honor them with our Yuletide carols.

✨ Praise be to our household Tomte Ed spirit of the previous owner of our home, who protects our home, animals, and child and whose influence as a teacher in life are still felt in the world.

🌲 Praise be to the ancestors whose spirits protect this land as it slumbers in winter. Our gratitude to you always for your stewardship.

🔥 Praise be to Hestia the First and Last at the Feast we dedicate these days of feasting to all of the gods and to you, in honor of you!

this is your reminder that you are allowed to have an abnormal religious practice or craft. i've seen so many blogs worry about being palatable and accepted and i'm here to say what happens between you, your deities, and (if you practice) your witchcraft is your business alone.

you do not have to share everything with the internet, you are allowed to do things away from the public eye without talking about it. it does not make you alone. it does not strip you of the community you have.

additionally, you are so so SO allowed to practice differently from others. you are allowed to have a nonconforming practice in anything you do, not just for witchcraft or spirituality.

it's okay to make shit strange from time to time. let people question you and make incorrect assumptions about who you are. let them be wrong about you. nobody holds more value to what you do than you, and how you see your own practice.

make things weird. don't be afraid of not being accepted. it's good for you to do things your own way, however that is.

The Gods love you.

Even when you spend days without lighting up their candles.

Even if you don't have an Altar.

Even if you don't feel their presence yet.

Even if you're not at tarot.

Or doesn't have prophetic dreams.

They still love you. And you know why?

Because you're you. And that's enough for them, your presence, your devotion, your well-being, is what truly matters for them.

So don't you feel pressured or sad, lovebug 💜💜

Discovering that stuff in your life aligns a lot with correspondences of the deities your worship is so weird and comforting at the same time.

Like, you've been there all my life and you didn't tell me you sneaky bitch, I love you.