I light a candle for all the versions of me that helped me get this far. The weary, the wild, and the ones who didn't even know they were magical all along.
The really funny part is that many modern sources that want to gas up Sparta will bring up this specific anecdote, but stop at the "if" and just not mention what happened immediately afterwards.
It's the 2nd of may as I'm writing this, and just in case anyone needs to hear this:
Brushing your teeth 3-4 times a year is still better than nothing. If you promised yourself that you'd do better this year and already fell off the wagon in january, go do it now, even if you can't manage it every day.
Once a week is better than never. Once a month is better than never. Hell, once a year is better than never. If you can't do perfect, better than nothing is better than nothing. Go brush your teeth.
Hello everyone, I hope and pray everyone had a blessed Beltane. I hope everyone has an absolutely lovely summer and comes to no harm. I pray everyone who reads this (and more) be safe and protected and have the most blessed season. Did you do any particular rituals to celebrate the day of Beltane? Do reblog and let us know! I'm very curious and eager to learn about how you all celebrated :) Blessed be !!!!
~ Suya
Welcome to Gathering by the Hearth, an ongoing community engagement project run by @altis-of-olympia. Every Sunday, I will bring a new topic to the blog under the tag #gathering by the Hearth. Please feel free to mention this blog when you respond. The topics will be thought-provoking questions, prompts to get to know one another, questions regarding experiences, etc.
In the spirit of Hospitality, here are some ground rules:
I open this blog to anyone who wishes to interact. The only gift I request from you is kindness. This blog is meant to uplift and bring us together. Please honor this and interact mindfully.
There is no pressure to respond to a topic! They are not mandatory! Please feel no pressure to respond or think of a response. Please try to refrain from comparing yourself to others - this is meant to find commonalities and to help us bond as a community.
All posts that use the community tag or mention this blog are subject to being reblogged. If you would like me to refrain from reblogging, please specify this in your post.
Finally, please don't feel like your response to something isn't worth sharing. It absolutely is. Everyone is at a different point in their practice, with different experiences and different thoughts to bring to the table. Interact with one another. Uplift one another. And please do not be afraid to share an experience!
If you have any critiques, suggestions, topic ideas, or anything else, please feel free to use the community inbox! I am very excited to get this started!
Xaire, Altis.
This blog is dedicated to Hestia of the Hearth, Zeus Xenios, and Athena Xenia.
Xenia in Modern Religious (and Spiritual) Practice: An Introduction for Beginners
Xenia is a highly valued practice of mutuality, friendliness and hospitality, emphasizing values of respect, shelter, and brotherhood. In modern practice, it's an important foundation of Hellenism and a greatly revered Greek practice. It is important within the household, but also outside of one's home. It represents a great unity amongst — and care for — fellow Greeks, strangers and deities alike.
What is Xenia?
Xenia — alternatively, Xenios — was an important social institution in the ancient Greek world (and in many ways, still is today). Xen = foreigner, other, etc... (root of the word, such in terms like xenophobia).
It is a custom about guest-host friendships and relationships, treating guests with respect, etc. Traditionally, before you ask your guests they are or what they're there for, you sit them down, get them a drink and meal, etc...
This was a showcase of hospitality and honor in a prescribed social institutional way, the way of life at the time and kind of like the "law of the land" for Greeks, which bound important practice in Greek antiquity. It was a rule that all Greeks abided by, and that many mortal individuals and great deities stood for. Today, it is still incorporated into the values of the home. (Click here if you'd like to read more about The Sacred Home.) You can see a plethora of examples of xenia in The Iliad; such as Paris' violation of xenia when retrieving Helen in the beginning chapters; or in a couple chapters after when Glaucus and Diamedes (strangers and sworn enemies) meet and swap armour.
Zeus and Xenia
Zeus is not inherently a god of xenia in mythology, especially in terms of stories like Homer's Iliad, but was an enforcer at times throughout mythology and lore. In mythology — and sometimes religiously — he was a god of justice (dike), order, and society.
Zeus sometimes represented or managed important customs (among other deities, like Hestia), and so religiously there is a manifestation of him who is the guard or protector of the institution of xenia. If you were to pray to be received by a stranger in a strange place that you're showing up to, you'd pray to be taken care of and to not be in danger. These prayers would usually be to that specific Zeus. (Travelers would often pray to Hermes, and even had statue-based protection practices when leaving one's home to travel.)
Overall, in some poems — like the Iliad (it should be noted that the Iliad was made as entertainment for the audience) — we don’t see much about Zeus and xenia, but in religious ritual and life that existed and still exists traditionally today.
Xenia in Mythology
There are a few stories in myth that touch on themes of xenia. I won't be focusing on them in this post as mythos was semi separated from religious practice, but I wanted to mention a couple for you all to look into in case you were curious.
Lycaon (The Flood) yes, this is a flood myth!
Side Deed of Herakles: Pholos (there's also themes of xenia in some of Herakles' last six labours)
I also am going to offer classes and courses that go in-depth about these topics, so feel free to check my link in bio to learn more!
Xenia in modern practice?
The cool thing about xenia is that you can practice it near identically nowadays as you could've in ancient times, and many people do.
Some things that follow the rules of xenia which are realistic for modern day practices:
High value of guests (greeting them kindly, offering food and water and a place to sleep before asking them why they've come to you, offering to help them on their endeavors, providing a place to sleep, etc) — some people prefer not to do this with strangers; for safety reasons, that is okay nowadays, because strangers do not inherently follow xenia like you do
Having a guest room prepared (preemptively) at all times
Having extra food stocked at all times (including clean dishware ready for use)
Kindness to strangers — if someone is an enemy or someone you don't know or don't particularly like, still be cordial — this looks like being kind, lending a hand if they need support, taking the time to share a meal or converse and come to terms / understanding with each other, etc
Carrying snacks with you to pass out to others
Volunteering to support unhoused individuals
Xenia was a way of life for the ancients and is a way of life for some people now. It's not inherently religious, but here are some more religion or spirituality-focused ways to practice it in modern times (many practiced in ancient times as well):
Praying to Zeus, Hestia, and Hermes for support in receiving or giving xenia
Prayer for the well-being of yourself and your family, so that xenia is more easily achievable
Setting up protections! Ensuring your home and bodies are protected is a huge aspect of respect within the guidelines of xenia — some new age Hellenists preach that "the Greeks never had protections..." This is inherently wrong historically and contextually, and in modern times many Hellenists highly value protections. It is an important aspect of xenia and religious / spiritual practice to ensure your guests are sheltered appropriately and have proper access to refuge, to ensure that you are taking the initiative to follow the gods' wishes to keep yourself safe, to ensure you are defending your family and valuables, and so on
Praying for the safe travels of others, and praying that others receive xenia along their journeys
Cleansing your home, spaces, and items, as well as yourself regularly
Keeping a hearth (or flame) lit and burning within your home (you can read my post about working with fire to learn how to do this safely)
Pray with your guests, or make food offerings from the meal you shared together
Respecting each space you enter that you have not spiritually staked claim of (others' homes, doctor offices, schools, malls, parks, public spaces and so forth)
FAQ & Fun Facts:
Does xenia extend to women as well?
Yes. In terms of travel in the ancient times, women didn't really show up on their own to a house. They were usually accompanied by a man, whether it be cultural values, misogyny, or protection. In terms of the household and receiving guests, women were expected to uphold xenia when welcoming a guest properly into their household. Often, children were as well. Xenia was considered a household effort and something all Greeks practiced with both pride and humility.
Do non-Greeks practice xenia?
Yes! You do not have to be Greek to practice xenia. Xenia is a Greek concept but is starkly similar to hospitality and other values within other cultures - including Native American, Trinidadian, Indian, and more! Within my community, those of us who work with energy forces, we associate xenia with energy forces like Shelter. Also, non-Greeks may resonate with xenia and that is perfectly fine too — I recently taught my Roman boyfriend and his cousin, as well as a Scottish friend of mine, about some things related to xenia and the concept of a sacred home because they were curious! They now try to incorporate aspects of xenia into how they treat their homes and guests!
I would also like to add on that various nearby countries of Greece within the Mediterranean also picked up on xenia. This is represented in some myths, such as:
Dionysos making is way through the Mediterranean, passing through Turkey. He and his party was welcomed by King Midas and given xenia
Argos and its crew sailed to King Sissicus who's kingdom was on the border of Greece, where they were met with proper xenia
Is xenia a must for disrespectful guests?
Xenia is a guest-host relationship, friendship, and cordiality. Though, yes, the host must offer xenia, the guest must also offer xenia. This can be done by being a considerate and respectful guests:
Don't trash somebody's home
Have manners and utmost gratitude
Offer to help with household chores (such as cleaning your dishes; though typically the host will decline, it's still important to offer)
Respect the host's household rules (such as noise levels, where to sleep, keeping windows shut, etc)
What does violating xenia look like?
Some examples of violations of xenia included:
Not respecting a host's household rules
Disrespecting a host's character or questioning the quality of their character
Attacking them or someone they're allied with on their grounds
Lack of manners
Refusal to eat or drink without good reason
Refusal to converse initially without good reason
Refusal to explain why you have come without good reason
Leaving trash around their house or breaking their items purposefully
Disgracing their sacred items
What are the punishments for violating xenia?
In terms of religion, spirituality and / or mythology:
Being smited by the gods
Being blacklisted from deity work and / or spirit work, at least until you have rectified your wrongdoings
Backlash from the deities in general, honestly (they could cause misfortune in your life, be offended, not claim you as a follower, etc)
In terms of human relationships (both IRL and mythologically):
The right to attack (whether it be one-on-one, a duel, or a full-out war)
The right to remove you from the host's premises
The right to have you cursed and to warn others of your misdeed
The right to send spirits, monsters or other foes your way
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
My Thoughts on "The Influences of Christianity" Reddit Post
The Sacred Home
Do & Don't: A Mini Guide to Respecting Spirits (Various)
Secret Altar Options
Protection Tips for Beginners
Working With Fire (A Brief Beginner's Guide)🔥
And you can check out the rest of my posts here: Table of Contents
And inquire about my services in my Energy and Us community discord server:
Spirituality server focused on mutuality and energy work / conduction, run by Aestas Dilexistavit! Education on energy forces (autonomous /
What tonight felt like with Lady Hestia and Lord Hermes....
me: gets up with the intention of meditating and doing tarot readings for myself and my friends (despite being sick all day)
Lord Hermes: declutter your space.
me: oh- ok...
Lady Hestia: darling, go shower as well
me: yes, yes, I should be clean before a reading mhm
Lord Hermes: for fucks sake this kid-
Lady Hestia: now wear the cute pajamas you haven't touched all year ♡ the ones with the little bears on them ♡♡♡
me: ...? (i literally felt such a Strong urge to take these out and wear the matching set despite already having clothes out for myself... I refuse to believe it was anything but divine messaging I don't even like these pjs much)
Lord Hermes: Now get the juice and a snack and tuck yourself in!
me: i... the juice was an offering for you guys... the tarot reading...
Lord Hermes: yes yes we accept the offering and you don't need the damned cards our message is EAT SOMETHING LIGHT AND GO TO SLEEP DUMB CHILD YOU ARE UNWELL YOU CAN NOT STOP SNEEZING
Lady Hestia: There there calm down Hermes... Go to sleep darling, all nice and warm ♡ let us watch over you instead
this interaction made me realize Lady Hestia was reaching out to me by the way... I've felt like it for a few days but the pajamas sort of confirmed it... I'm aware bears aren't associated with her but these pajamas are warm and depict an older bear and a kiddo bear and feel very homely... I avoid them because they generally feel childish but today they feel so warm and comforting... like my mother picked out my most comfortable clothes and tucked me in while I'm sick... if that makes sense... anyways, goodnight friends... i hope everyone has a good day
anyone else finds their relationship with Lord Hermes as an indulgent older brother who is helping you and guiding you? Like, instead of presenting himself as a God, his connection often feels a lot more like... fond? like he's ruffling my hair and calling me kiddo and indulging me while still guiding me to the right path.
I find myself very loved and safe in his presence, and unconsciously lean into my inner child more internally instead of masking it and being overly 'mature' in his presence. It embarrasses me a bit when I reflect after, but at the same time feels less burdensome and more refreshing.
I totally get this!!! My other helpol friend and I often experience Hermes energy like a mischievous uncle. Like the feeling of being a kid and TheCoolUncle™ lets you stay up past bedtime and eat a bunch of candy 💀
He's by far the chillest deity I've ever worked with. As the god of communication, I feel he's so intune with us on a different level than other gods and goddesses. He's so personable and sweet. I just love that he loves humanity so much to talk to us so casually.
Actually, you are enough. Even if you don’t work. Or study. Or go out. Or have friends. Or have family. You’re enough because you exist and your existence is enough to be enough because you are not a product. You are not a sum of output. You are not a task to complete. But because you are something the universe wanted and put here even if you’ll never understand why. Somewhere in the cosmos your existence makes a difference, even if it’s not the way others existences do.
dededos
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jacobvanloon
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germansingergirl
