Sophie

She/her│New Hellenic Polytheist│Constantly learning and growing│Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, Persephone, Hades│Reveres all Theoi│Always open for new friends :))│profile pic by taybee art's pic crew ⚠️No TERFs, racists, nazis, homophobes, or any bigots at all allowed⚠️ side blog: lovingthegods

[babyhellenicsophie]

I’m in a bit of a weird place in my practice right now. I’m very happy with worshipping the gods, but I feel like there’s so much more I need to learn and to know and I kinda just wanna expand my practice more

I’m in a bit of a slump, though, and I’m struggling to find resources pertaining to Hellenic Polytheism. Anybody got any recommendations on books or papers about Hellenic Polytheism?

[adaydream222]

Reblog if your blog is a safe space for

- witches of color - male witches - lgbtqpiad+ witches - non religious witches - young witches - beginner witches - plus size witches - disabled witches - witches suffering mental illness

[babyhellenicsophie]

❤️

[uponlaurels]

day ??? of wishing for helpol friends

[theoi-crow]

Reblog and comment if you are a Hellenic Polytheist!

[babyhellenicsophie]

I need friends in this community haha

[babyhellenicsophie]

had a research defense for my research 2 class. Thank you, Lady Athena for your guidance.

[koraki-grimoire]

Witchcraft in Hellenismos

Disclaimer: This post is non-exhaustive, and though I'll try to equally spread my focus, it will inevitably lean towards the kinds of magik I personally practice.

Often, in modern pagan circles, people are under the impression that Ancient Hellenismos either didn't have or despised witchcraft. This is largely from three causes. The first is simply misreading, or failing to come across witchcraft in the Hellenism they research. Second is only reading about or adhering to branches that didn't like witchcraft (usually due to it being perceived as hubristic) and therefore assuming that's the most popular opinion. Finally, sometimes people apply their assumptions based on Christian and Germanic culture to Hellenismos, and assume it carries the same attitudes.

In actuality, the view of witchcraft was historically more neutral. Witches weren't typically seen as hags, but maidens, respectable men, priests, and more. It should also be noted that, frankly, "witch" is a slightly tonally incorrect translation usually applied to the word "pharmakis."

For historical attitudes towards witches, we can read works surrounding mainly Medea and Kirke, as well as Hekate if we go past pharmakeia.

But pharmakeia and nekromankia (necromancy) are far from the only forms of witchcraft or magik--which in Ancient Greek would be "mageia" or "goeteia" depending on time and place, but will simply be called "magik" here.

So, with that very long introduction, let's get into types of magik.

Pharmakeia - Herbal Sorcery, Witchcraft

Pharmakeia is perhaps the most recognizable form of magik in historical Hellenismos. As mentioned, it was associated with the heroine Medea, as well as the goddess/nymph/hero (it's complicated) Kirke. This was magik performed using the aid of herbs, and both historically and now blends magik and science. It includes brewing poisons, casting curses, potionmaking, transmutation, and more. Kirke, famously, used pharmakeia to transform men into swine, whereas Medea tended towards poisoning, but both had variety in their craft.

Generally, when pharmakeia is translated, it's done very broadly compared to other kinds of magik. For example, pharmakeia is usually translated, especially in the Odyssey, to "witchcraft" or "sorcery." Pharmakis--the word for a practitioner of pharmakeia--is usually translated to "witch." This often leads to misconceptions of witchcraft in Hellenismos being specifically oriented around herbs and transmutation, when that's only a small piece of the picture.

Nekromankia/Nekromanteia - Necromancy

Nekromankia is far more famous now in its Anglicized pop-culture form, but it was most certainly present in Hellenismos. It's important to clarify that in Ancient Hellas, nekromankia was magik pertaining to the dead, not things such as zombies and raising the dead. In Hellenismos, the maintenance of good relationships between the dead and the living is of great importance. There were plenty of festivals devoted to placating and celebrating the dead--not to mention the monthly Attic holiday Hekate's Deipnon, devoted to honoring Hekate, goddess of nekromankia. So, unsurprisingly, there were witches who gravitated towards this as a craft.

Multiple Hellenic deities were associated with nekromankia, the most notable of which being Hekate, but also Persephone. Though, of course, any khthonic deity--especially khthonic theoi who also had non-khthonic aspects--were relevant, such as Haides or Hermes. A practitioner of nekromankia would be referred to as a nekromanteías.

Manteia - Divination, Oracles

It should be noted that manteia is heavily contested as being a form of witchcraft or even magik in Hellenismos, but it certainly meets the qualifications. The main reason this debate exists is controversy around magik in Hellenismos in general, since as most Hellenists know manteia is so central to so much of our religion, and those who dislike magik are insulted by it being considered that. Additionally, the definition of magik is constantly in flux--it's debated in modern magik circles, and it's even harder to apply a definition we can hardly agree on to an ancient culture with its own independent definitions.

Manteia is, most simply, the power to give prophecies, divination, and the use of oracles. It's the power of the Pythia (Delphic Oracle), it's in the Olympian Alphabet Oracle, it's every single seer and prophecy and divinatory method known to us.

Someone who practices manteia is called a mantis (usually translated as "soothsayer" or "diviner") or a khresmologos ("oracle"), depending on station.

Heliomanteia - Solar Magik

Heliomanteia is hard to find detailed historical information on, but most simply, it's magikal invocation of the sun. This is generally done by attempting to harness the power of the sun, or by requesting the aid of solar deities (namely, Helios).

Interestingly, Helios had many associations with witchcraft and warding off evil. It could be assumed that, due to the qualities attributed to Helios, heliomanteia would be best used to reveal truth, ward off evil, harness the power of fire, promote life, and similar.

Presumably, a practitioner of heliomanteia is a heliomantis.

Goeteia - Magik, Charms

Goeteia (in modern times "goetia") is a term for magik that fell out of style for general magik around the 5th century BC in favor of mageia. It, additionally, was shoehorned into a dichotomy of theurgy (divine, "professional," and virtuous magik) and goeteia (low, malicious, and fraudulent magik). This was largely due to political and social overhaul. The name became associated with fraudulent and harmful magik, and talk of goeteia in Ancient Hellas is a major source most anti-witch Hellenists use.

The goes (practitioner of goetia) was maligned, seen as hubristic and either trying to go against the power of the gods or intending to scam others. Plato famously portrayed them as malicious frauds, and he was not alone. Since the term "goes" is generally translated as "witch," it's not a leap to figure out why this lead to a lot of anti-witch Hellenists.

However, before this (and technically after), "goeteia" simply meant magic, charms, and similar. As a unique practice, and not simply an umbrella term for witchcraft, it can be considered channeling, a relative of nekromankia, or baneful magik, depending how much one leans into the later definition.

Theourgía - Deity Work, Divine Magik

Theourgia (in modern times "theurgy") quite literally translates to "deity work" or "god(s) working." It is ritual, sometimes magik, done with the intent of invoking one or more of the theoi. This was the ritual magik often performed by priests. In fact, it could be considered the mainstream magik of Ancient Hellas--assuming, of course, that one considers it magik.

It's not only historic magik that was central to the religion, but sets historical precedent for the controversial phrase "deity work." The existence of theurgy as the "higher form" of magik in Ancient Hellas is singlehandedly enough evidence to prove the phrase is not and would not be considered inherently hubristic. It should be noted that this form isn't inherently superior, but if you asked Plato, he would disagree.

There are certainly more forms of mageia in Ancient Hellas--For example, I skipped over amulets (periapta), which were almost incontestably the most common magik in a lot of Ancient Hellas, since they could technically fit under some other crafts and because they're the easiest to research on your own. It's a similar case with potions, too.

One important takeaway is the hard line between magik, religion, and science is a fairly recent invention. Pharmakeia could act as medicine, not just sorcery. Many potions were also medication. Frankly, the more women were involved, the more practical it tended to be, with 'spells' often being genuine aids to childbirth and/or birth control. This didn't make them any less magikal, and the magik doesn't make it less real.

And I hope I made it very, very clear, but witchcraft has always been in Hellenismos, and isn't inherently hubristic. That is a myth, and is rooted often in historical (and modern) classism, misogyny, xenophobia, or similar. Always consider your source's incentive to stigmatize before discounting all Hellenic witches.

[screeching-0wl]

I don't know who needs to hear this but...

The Gods love you.

They love you when you smile.

They love you when you cry.

They love you even if you have a hard time noticing them.

They love you and are with you.

They love you both when you're feeling down or when you're feeling like your on top of the world.

They love you even if you haven't prayed in a while or can't pray.

They love you when you haven't made any offerings in a while or can't make them.

They love you even if you forget about festivals or don't participate in them.

They love you when you reconstruct in your practice and they love you when you don't.

They love you even if you have doubts.

They love you when you can't get out of bed.

They love you when you're batteling your own thoughts.

They love you when you find it hard to take care of yourself.

They love you when you've fallen and they'll help you get back up.

They love you when you struggle and they see you.

They love you when you think you are not enough but you are enough to them just as you are.

They love you, value and recognise you as a beautiful, unique being that you are.

The Gods love you even when you can't love yourself.

[babyhellenicsophie]

I’ve been busy and school’s been draining, but shout out to the gods for being there even when I’m exhausted

[hoeratius]

Tagamemnon ask game

Homer: Iliad, Odyssey, or Aeneid?

Sappho: what lost work would you love to rediscover?

Agamemnon: what work could have burnt with the Library of Alexandria for all you care?

Andromache: favourite ancient family dynamic?

Clytemnestra: who would you go back in time for, just to slap them in the face (possibly with a man-slaying axe)?

Helen: do you think the gods are just? Which one would you choose as your divine protector?

Odysseus: which god would pick you as their nemesis?

Alexander the Great: what ancient figure do you identify with (most)? 

DIonysus: tragedy or comedy?

Medea: most underappreciated ancient figure?

Teiresias: if you could speak to any historical character for an evening, who would you choose? 

Cassandra: what modern development would you most like to tell the ancients about? Any particular individual who would respond well/badly?

Dido: favourite non-Roman/Greek ancient society? 

Persephone: what myth’s modern interpretation bothers you most?

Antigone: what ancient myth would you like to see adapted into a modern setting?

Calliope: what modern piece of art would be great as an Ancient!AU? 

Callimachus: long, continuous works or short pieces of beauty?

Paris: Aphrodite, Hera, or Athena?

Diogenes: favourite random/weird/amazing fact or story that you use to show people that classics is fun? 

Socrates: why would ancient Rome/Greece have cancelled you?

Turnus: which ancient death haunts you?

Mark Antony: favourite ancient sexyman?

Cicero: favourite Greek and/or Latin word?

Ovid: how would you describe your literary ‘type’? What genre really floats your boat?

Phidias: favourite piece of art?

Catullus: what poem or line makes you go feral? 

Hades: what is your favourite mythical creature? 

[babyhellenicsophie]

pls i need friends on here hahaha

[spirits-child]

Today I was remembered by a historian that Apollo is Hermes's older brother and that made me cry

[babyhellenicsophie]

Reminds me of the time I was about to make an offering to Hermes and Apollo was just sort of like “,,, tell him hi for me, please”

I love them both so much

[pomegranateandivy-deactivated20]

Fun conversation prompts for Hellenic polytheists

Fun new ask box meme: ask me fun questions about my religion.

Whole pantheon or select few?

Which theoi hold domain over areas of influence in your life?

Which theos do you think has the coolest/most interesting story? Why?

Which theoi are you closest to?

How often do you make offerings?

How do you, personally, make offerings?

Which pillars (if any) influence your practice the most, and how/why?

Do you follow the delphic maxims? Which ones are most relevant/important to you?

Do you celebrate any festivals? Which ones?

What’s your favorite myth? And which version?

How do you feel about new myths and re-writes/adaptations of old myths?

Do you keep a prayer book?

Do you dress up for ritual?

Do you wear/use devotional jewelry, outfits, make up, perfume/cologne/body spray, or anything of the like?

When did you find your way to Hellenic polytheism?

Do you worship any deities outside of Hellenic polytheism?

Share a current picture of your shrine or altar if you have one!

Share a story about a time you felt the theoi were involved actively in your life!

Write something nice for one of the theoi!

Tell us something about your practice!

[thegrapeandthefig]

You know what? Let’s bring this back.

[babyhellenicsophie]

When I was in the first grade, there was this poem recitation competition that I was chosen to compete in at school. We had to wear costumes for the competition, so I dressed up as lady Athena.

and i just,, find that funny, because almost ten years later, I now worship lady Athena, and she’s so dear to my heart. I can’t imagine life without her in it.

I don’t really have a reason to be posting this, but it just reminds me of invisible string when Taylor Swift sings ‘were there clues i didn’t see?’

[erosienne-deactivated20210919]

It is loving Ares hours ,,, he's just so fuckin great

[erosienne-deactivated20210919]

The Paphian [Aphrodite] also, her lovely mother, decorated her daughter’s newbuilt bower for Cadmos, while she sang of the god-ordained marriage; her father [Ares] danced with joy for his girl, bare and stript of his armour, a tame Ares! and laid his right arm unweaponed about Aphrodite, while he sounded the spirit of the Loves on his wedding-trumpet answering the panspipes: he had shaken off from his helmet head the plumes of horsehair so familiar in the battlefield, and wreathed bloodless garlands about his hair, weaving a merry song for Love.

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 5 88

I'm so soft ,,, oh Gods. He takes off his armour and dances for his girl! His little girl because he loves her so much,,,,,, Ares is just such a good dad.

He isn't just some war God with excessive bloodlust, he the God of courage! And passion! And has so much love for his family to give!

[verdantlyviolet]

I am here for this

[babyhellenicsophie]

I love this!

[babyhellenicsophie]

I think I’ll finally get started in Hero worship. I’ve wanted to get into it for a while, but now I’ll finally get to it.

I’m looking forward to where this will take me.

[babyhellenicsophie]

Classes start tomorrow, and I’ve been put in my favorite teacher’s class. Part of me thinks Athena put me here, so I’d get my shit together, haha.

Safe to say, I actually am quite motivated because of this.

Thanks, Athena

[babyhellenicsophie]

I got a solo piece for my theatre company's recital! I offered the sessions of this workshop to Apollo, so I just want to thank him for this opportunity. I'm so grateful for his love and support.

Sidenote; I'm not saying the only reason I got the solo piece is because joining the workshop and taking the classes were an offering to Apollo. I know I earned this through my own merit and it would be unfair to say otherwise. However, I just want to express my gratitude to him, because he has been so supportive throughout my lessons and I like to think that his guidance throughout my lessons has helped build my confidence and skill, which then in turn helped me get the solo.

[babyhellenicsophie]

I crocheted a bag today. i could just feel Athena smiling at me.

Thanks for everything, lady Athena.

[babyhellenicsophie]

Hi, friends.

We had something really scary happen with my mom today. She experienced symptoms of a stroke, but once she was brought to the hospital, the doctors said she didn't have a stroke because her blood pressure was normal.

She's seemingly okay right now but she'll be going to the hospital tomorrow for tests to figure out what's up.

So, if it's not too much to ask, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Please. My mom says she'll be fine, but my sister and I are still incredibly worried. Of course, on the medical side of things, we're doing all we can but waiting on what the doctors will say is always scary. I've said my prayers to Lord Apollo (as he and I already have a relationship in place and he was the first one who came to mind when I started to panic), and I know he's looking after my family. All we need right now is emotional/moral support, and if you can provide that through prayers, that is wholeheartedly appreciated. If you don't pray or don't have the emotional energy to be a source of support, that's totally okay. Thank you for everything, guys.