Hello I’m Brenn my pronouns are xe/xem and I’m 16 currently residing in Texas. I am a Hellenic polytheistic with main interests in The Fates, Dionysus, Hades, Hecate, and Persephone. I’m more active on my Instagram: grndm.snflwr
Reblog this if u a hellenic polytheist who LOVES trans/nonbinary folks and queer folks. Reblog this is u a hellenic polytheist or hellenic who believes in ending the gender binary and allowing people to identify as however the fuck they want to, and supporting them. Reblog this if ur a hellenic polytheist who believes our gods both draw strength from and ALSO transcend gender.
Reblog this if u understand or want to understand that just because western/white ideals of gender involve a binary, that this isn’t the only way of looking at gender that historically existed and STILL exists across cultures, and that to enforce one view over others is white supremacy and only feeds patriarchal oppression by reinforcing its ideals of binary and punishment of nonconformity
reblog this if ur a hellenic polytheist who says NO to crusty white cisheteropatriarchy– in which white cis men oppress all those who don’t identify as white heterosexual cisgender men.
reblog this if you realize that we have to work together.
for those who have been fighting this fight in the community long before i got here, I THANK YOU <3
- Signed your local trans gendernonconforming brujx, as a devotional activity for Dionysus and my Indigenous, two-spirit and trans ancestors.
When I describe Hellenic polytheism to people I usually say this:
In Christianity there is a clear sinful or not sinful guideline that everyone follows and lives by, but in Hellenic polytheism there really isn’t. Everyone goes to hades and is judged. All of the gods did things that aren’t that great but it all depends on who you worship. There are many choices and all depends on who you are and your lifestyle.
I am aware that we are living in this overwhelming trend of everything being casual - faith and practice alike - and while I understand it and appreciate it in some contexts, I deeply mourn it in all the others.
witchcraft is all memes and jokes and pretty moodboards, gods are all buddies and punch lines in a joke - rituals are just quirky, and prayer has to sound funny, and blase, and casual, off-hand. and that is fine. it is okay. everyone has their own way of approaching their path, and gods know that our old pagan faiths have never been solemn worship and stuck-up silent celebrations.
but I encourage everyone to abandon this need to be casual at least in one aspect of their path - laugh, be merry, joke, of course, speak to your gods as to your friends, but for once in a blue moon do not be casual about it. forget to be cool and blase and unaffected for a moment. let the worship swallow you, let the celebration drown you in gold and hymn, let the prayer make the earth tremble with its power. don’t just be yourself in this moment, snap out of your ordinary thought - be the highest priestess, be the beast, be the oracle. be both the altar, and the offering, and the knife that cuts it. allow yourself to be both elevated and wild, mortal and forever in that moment. abandon the shame and fear of being too deep into it. don’t be just cozy and comfortable with the warmth of your worship, burn with it - and burn madly, and reach the skies with your flames.
Research is the most important thing to do before heading into Faery work and witchcraft. You want to have a lot of in depth and versatile knowledge covering many areas of the topic so you’ll be able to understand and interact with the Fair Folk! If you don’t want to work with the Fair Folk you can use this list to help yourself understand them and take the proper measure if you ever stumble upon them. I know the list could go on forever but I’m compiling the topics I find build a good foundation of understanding. I have compiled this list to give those interested guidance and a push in the right direction, it is best you do your own research before asking other’s personal knowledge and opinions!!
The Origins of the Fae (Tuatha de Dannan, Aos Sí, Tylwyth Teg)
Faeries in Different Cultures: Celtic (Irish, Scottish, Gaulish, French), Norse, Influences from Greek and Roman culture.
Folklore & Myths!! ex. Oisin and Tír na nÓg , Fenian Cycle, Arthurian Legend.
Celtic Gods, Goddesses & Heroes- strong influences and connections to the Fae
Types of Faeries (study diverse types from pixies,brownies, pooka to Kelpies, Bwbach and Red caps) *Make sure you can at least answer who, what and where about them.
The Otherworlds (Tir na Nog, Caer Arianrhod, Annwn, Alfheim, Svartalfheim, etc.)
The souls of the dead come from the underworld and walk abroad. People would chew on hawthorn or buckthorn and besmear their doors with tar to protect themselves from evil.
Day 1- Pithoigia (The Jar opening)
The jars of wine from last year are opened.
Day 2- Choës (The Pouring)
People dress gaily and gave rounds of drinks to acquaintances and friends. Drinking contests are held to see who can drink the fastest. Drinks where also poured on the graves of the deceased.
Day 3- Chytroi (The Pots)
Fruit is offered to Hermès and the souls of the dead, who where then bidden to depart.
Apaturia
Days of discussion
Time- 11th-13th of mid-October to mid-November
Day 1- Dorpia
A festival is held at a persons house.
Day 2- Anarrhysis
A sacrifice is made. In modern day we will count this as a gift giving day. (In Ancient Greece they offered goat and ox heads)
Day 3- Kureōtis
A day of offerings, such as hair.
Dionysia
A festival of theatrical performances of dramatic tragedies and comedies.
Time- is split into 2 parts through out the year
Rural Dionysia
Held in December-January. It celebrates the cultivation of vines. A mini parade is held of girls and boys holding baskets of long bread, other offerings, jars of water, and jars of wine. After the Pompe, the mini parade is called, they have dancing and singing contests and dithyrambs where sung too.
City Dionysia
Held 3 months after The Rural Dionysia. Offerings are given to Dionysus to prevent a plague affecting the male genitalia.
Eleusinia
Festival of games
Time- held every 2 years in the middle of August and September.
The Eleusinia is a festival in honour of Demeter. Every other festival is known as The Great Eleusinia it’s purpose was thanksgiving and sacrifice to Demeter for the gift of grain. The festival consists of games and contests. They don’t have a specific theme.
Panathenaea
A celebration of Athena via games incorporating religious festival, ceremonies, athletic competitions, and cultural events.
Time- The Great Panathenaea is held every 4 years and the lesser is held every year, but both are in June though
The Great Panathenaea
This is just a more magnificent display of The Lesser Panathenaea.
1. The Musical Contest
• Is only held at The Greater Panathenaea. In modern times the best speaking of an excerpt of the Iliad and the odyssey would win the contest.
2. The Gymnastic Contest
• Is only held at The Greater Panathenaea. 3 groups of 12-15, 16-19, and 20 and above compete. A race is the only recorded event.
3. The Equestrian Contest
• Is only held at The Greater Panathenaea. A horse chariot race between 2 people. I’m modern day it would not be horses.
4. The Smaller Contests
• The Pyrrhic dance
• I’m modern times it would be a dance competition based on remembering choreography.
• The Procession and Sacrifices
• The procession is a showing of all the victors. At the end of the procession everyone that participated in the events offers and sacrifice/offering to the gods.
• The Officials of the Festival
• The chosen, up to, 10 organize the musical, gymnastics, and equestrian contests of the festival. They would also choose the prizes.
Thargelia
An agricultural festival held in honour of Apollo and Artemis.
Time- May 24th and 25th annually
Day 1
The first fruits of the earth are offered to ward off pestilence and convince Apollo to not give excessive heat. I’m modern day you would also throw a rock in the sea or large body of water.
Day 2
Olive branches bound by wool were affixed by doors of houses. Choruses of men and boys take part in a musical Contest which the prize is a tripod. Adopted people are prayed for to be adopted and taken into a loving home.
Thesmophoria
A festival honouring Demeter and her daughter Persephone.
Time- late October for 3 days annually
The festival was held to celebrated in order to promote fertility, both human and agricultural. It was celebrated by other women and men were forbidden to see the rites.
I am a man by birth so I will not read or write about any of the rites and rituals.
I researched all of these in one night and I’m also very new to fully embracing Hellenic polytheism. If there is anything wrong or needs to be corrected please comment or message me. Also yes I know that using Wikipedia as a source isn’t that great but most things where very confusing to read.
Sources:
Anthesteria - Wikipedia
Apaturia - Wikipedia
Dionysia - Wikipedia
Eleusinia, ancient Greek festival in honour of Demeter (the goddess of agriculture), unconnected with the Eleusinian Mysteries despite the s
Thargelia - Wikipedia
In ancient Greek religion the Panathenaea was an Athenian festival celebrated every June in honour of the goddess Athena. The Lesser Panathe
"Dionysus (or Dionysos) is the Olympian god of wine, vegetation, pleasure, festivity, madness, and wild frenzy."
Large Altars:
Wine/mead
Grape juice
Intoxicants
Grapes
Honey
Olive oil
Apples
Figs
Eggs
Goblets
Curved daggers
Pine incense or frankensince
Bull horns
Snake skin
Leopard or tiger print objects
Purple candles
Theatre masks
Sexual toys (He was sometimes worshipped as a giant phallus!)
Percussion instruments
Wine bottles
Small/Hidden Altars:
Fake/toy grapes
Leaves or curls from grapevines
Ivy leaves
Pine needles
Pinecones
Apple seeds
Bindweed
Wildflowers
Toys, photos, or art of any big cats, snakes, and/or bulls
Hymns
Songs you've written
Any art that you create
Any stories that you create
Art or pictures of the comedy and tragedy masks
Wine corks
Wine labels
Toy or miniature drums
Purple crystals like amethyst, grape agate, sugilite, etc.
Devotional Acts:
Make a playlist for Him
Dance and sing to your favorite songs or songs you'd think He would like
Throw a feast in His honor
Remembering to take your medication (if you have any) and taking care of your mental health
Support/donate to your local theatre in His name
Be a part of the theatre!
Stand up for those that are marginalized
Write stories/plays for Him
Invite Him to watch plays or movies with you, especially comedies or tragedies
Throw parties or attend them
Attend festivals
Attend a wine tasting
Go on wine tours
Attend parades
Masturbate or partake in sexual acts for Him (if you're comfortable doing so)
Drink alcohol or grape juice
Smoke pot (only if you want to)
Learn about winemaking
Support local vineyards
Wear wreaths made from ivy
Wear faux leopard or tiger print
Wear the color purple
Pray to Him for things such as protection while intoxicated/high, relaxation, improvement in your mental health, fertility, ecstasy, for everything going well in the theatre
