this is just a random long ahh post about everything to do w my zeus worship !!
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i started worshipping Zeus about 6 months ago. originally i didn't even really feel a "calling" towards him (like Hypnos or Apollo, who i started worshipping because i found them really really cool and wanted to have them in my life 🙏) but i still gave him an altar by Hestia, because i knew they were traditionally worshipped always, especially for the health and safety of the home.
but then one day, i was really exhausted but still wanted to get some worship in. so i only lit zeus' candle and was screwing around with my tarot cards to give myself a bit of a break from the long readings and worship sessions i had been doing. and after i did that, i kinda just sat on my bed and tried to meditate and feel the energy in my room (this is how i trick myself into meditating when i dont want to lmfao), and zeus' energy was really warm and comforting :DDD
so after that i started doing a bit of research into his worship and started to thank him and worship him more and more in my daily life, and now here i am :P
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i have a bunch of different prayers for Zeus, a lot have personal bits, but here are some i like to use the most!
as he is an ouranic god, usually you'd pray towards the sky, with your palms facing up ^^
Daily one (written by me)
O Zeus, son of Kronos, king of the gods, husband of Hera, father of many, brother of five, king of Olympus, hear this prayer
May you guide my judgement to what is right;
May you push me to be the best I can be;
May you bless me with determination;
May you bless me with patience and manners;
May your hands guide me to who and where I'm meant to be.
Bless me as I walk though this world and bless me as I honor all who are honorable.
Your presence shall shine forever in this world.
Thank you, King Zeus, for all you do.
Brief prayer (from Pinterest, credits to OG creator)
Father Zeus, protector of the weak, help me to be strong against my fears.
Father Zeus, protector of the wronged, help me to do right by all I meet.
Father Zeus, protector of the home, help me to safeguard those within my walls.
Father Zeus, help me to do what I must, be with me as I walk in the world.
in my experience, Zeus is not super picky about the things i put on his altar as long as it aligns with him/his domain (like most gods). i usually only give him libations (water, oil or wine) as offerings for him since he gets daily worship. i also wanna have a job in government/law (military lawyer) so i like to put things related to school/my future on the altar.
Things I have on my altar:
Necklace (gold chain w clear quartz)
Libation cup (a mini mason jar lol)
Little container for pretty rocks
i cannot point to a single resource and say "that one. that is the one you need and the only one you need and the only thing you'll ever need as a hellenic polytheist worshipping Zeus" because that's not possible. hellenic polytheism is constantly evolving as more and more info is widely spread and accessible, and as more discoveries are made about ancient greece. so with that out of the way, here's some things you may find helpful.
as the king of the gods and father to a lot of them, Zeus comes up in about 75% of myths you will read, so by reading just a general book about greek mythology (like Mythos by Stephen Frye or The Mythology Book by DK (one of my favorites for beginners)) you can learn a lot about him, his domain, his relationships, and the general idea of him many worshippers hold. as always, myths do not equal facts, so don't by a myth literalist <3
https://theoi.com is the best freaking website as a beginner helpol. it includes a lot of the basic info you need to be a helpol. as most sites, it doesn't include everything you'll ever need, so just remember that <3
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he's a bit intimidating at first, but you'll get used to it. don't be scared... he smells fear... /j
any time it rains or snows, thank him! he appreciates it, especially if you don't light your gods' candles or go to their altars daily.
tell him about your dreams for your future
ask him for guidance if you have a leadership position
offer him bits of your meals! i do this and he loves it 😭🙏