Spiritual Pollution in Hellenic Polytheism
In Helpol, we have three concepts known as lyma, miasma, and agos.
To some, humans are seen as naturally pure beings, but because we are living mortal creatures, spiritual dirt can cling to us and make us impure.
Here, I will discuss these three types of pollution
(Disclaimer: Some of this information comes from my own personal interpretations, and therefore may not apply to the beliefs of everyone)
Lyma means "something to be washed away". Itis generally just physical dirt. It isn't much of a big deal when it comes to spiritual matters. However, it is still best to be free of it when approaching the gods.
This is where things get complicated.
Miasma is essentially general spiritual pollution. Miasma is something that is completely unavoidable and should not be shamed (well, depending on the cause). Miasma is mainly caused by things related to life and death. This includes sex, childbirth, visiting a cemetery, blood, sexual fluids, etc.
However, miasma has different degrees of severity. More severe miasma comes from acts such as rape, hubris, murder, etc.
Miasma also spreads from people to people. If you walk past someone on the street who just came back from a funeral, their miasma will cling to you as well. This also highlights how unavoidable miasma is. But usually, this kind of indirect miasma is not as bad.
We are not allowed to approach the gods in a state of miasma. Luckily, miasma is not difficult to get rid off (excluding the more severe cases listed above).
All you need to do is wash your hands.
If you get a cut on your leg, the blood is miasmic and therefore you can't approach the gods. But all you need to do is wait for the bleeding to stop, wash away the blood, wash your hands, and then you're good to go.
There is a debate I once had on whether miasma prevents us from praying, giving offerings, and participating in festivals. To me, the answer is yes, but not with prayers. Let me explain why.
In a very simplified description of a certain myth, Orestes killed his mother. This caused him to enter a state of severe miasma and a state of agos (which I will explain later). Long story short, he prayed and asked Apollon to help purify him, in return for a grand offering later on. Apollon heard the prayer and came to help purify Orestes.
In this example, we see that Orestes was still able to pray to Apollon in the worst state of miasma, but promised to give offerings later on.
This implies that prayer is not an issue with miasma.
Here is another example: You don't need to wash your hands when talking to someone, but you should wash your hands if you want to give that person food.
In a similar way, in my opinion, you don't need to wash your hands for a casual prayer, but you should wash them before giving an offering. Although, I also prefer not to pray when I know I am in a miasmic state.
However, this is my own interpretation and others may have different views.
There are other ways to cleanse miasma such as khernips, incense, and scapegoats.
Ocean water is also said to cleanse miasma extremely well.
Agos is a cursed state and is the most extreme form of spiritual pollution. However, agos is not easy to get.
If you commit a horrible act such as murder, you will be in a state of extreme miasma. However, when the gods notice your crime and get enraged (keep in mind that it is usually not that easy to anger the gods), the miasma evolves into agos.
Miasma is a naturally occurring thing, but agos only comes from the wrath of the gods.
Agos is difficult to remove and is a pretty big deal.
Luckily, you don't need to worry about agos unless you're a horrible person who commits heinous acts.
Aaaand that is my interpretation of spiritual pollution in Helpol. I hope this post can be helpful to you!
