I’ve seen a lot of incorrect information going around about libations, so I wanted to make my own post on the practice since they’re my favorite kind of offering.
What is a libation?
Libations are the ritual act of pouring out a liquid (typically wine) as an offering to a deity, spirit, or the deceased. The liquid is poured either directly onto the ground, or into a bowl and then taken outside to be poured onto the ground. It is accompanied by a prayer. [1]
Traditionally, libations were done at mealtimes, at formal events and rituals, and in times of need. [2] There are two forms of libations:
Spondai - for Ouranic (Olympian/heavenly) and Einalic (sea) Gods, as well as nymphs and nature spirits. Involves giving a measured pour of liquid to the deity, and the pourer consuming the remaining liquid. The act of consuming some yourself symbolizes both offering and participating. [3]
Choai - for Chthonic (underworld) deities and spirits, as well as heroes and the deceased. This involves pouring out the entire liquid and not consuming any - a complete offering. [3] It’s important to not consume any liquid given in Choai, in order to show the upmost respect.
Without some kind of prayer or dedication, a libation is just spillage [4]. The prayer can be simple; even just mentally dedicating it to a deity works. Or you can make it more complex - it’s truly up to you.
Historically, libations were primarily wine diluted with water, olive oil, milk mixed with honey, or just water.[3][4] But you can truly do it with any liquid that you would drink, (I.e. done with respect, and not a bodily fluid). Personally, things I’ve used range from diluted and undiluted wine, to soda and strawberry boba, (a little silly, but they both fit the occasion!).
Sample libation prayer to Apollon
This is the prayer format I personally use for libations. Note that I am not a reconstructionist. In preparation, I cleanse myself of miasma by washing my hands and face, and depending on the formality of the occasion I may wear a veil.
“I call to Apollon, radiant and beautiful God;
Apollon, sender of plagues, granter of good health, leader of the muses, and deliverer of visions and enlightenment.
I praise you, honor you, and I thank you for your blessings.
*In this time, I ask for your support; [insert petition here].*
Oh Apollon, please accept this offering and be well-disposed.”
*Optional section - libations can be just praise if desired.
I then pour the deities share of the glass of wine into the dirt. While I’m sipping on the remaining wine, I usually have a more casual conversation with the deity and just kinda chill in Their presence. It’s quite peaceful and nice.
As I said previously, the prayers can be shorter as well. Honestly they can be as simple as this:
“I call to Apollon; please, accept this offering and be well-disposed.”
I hope people find this to be helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions or would like more sample libation prayers.
[2] Émile Benveniste, “Indo-European Language and Society” Book 6. Miami Linguistics Series, no. 12. (University of Miami Press, 1973.) Chapter 2. http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.ebook:CHS_Benveniste.Indo-European_Language_and_Society.1973.
[3] “The Enduring Ritual of Libations: Unveiling the Deep Roots of an Ancient Practice” The Archeologist, (May 8, 2024). www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/the-enduring-ritual-of-libations-unveiling-the-deep-roots-of-an-ancient-practice
[4] Tony Mierzwicki, “Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today” (Llewellyn Publications, August 8, 2018): 37, 77-78.
Gonna be so real with y’all, I cannot see/hear/feel my deities
Closest I get is like maybe a cold wind for Lord Hades and once or twice a couple voice in my head (and I’m still not sure if it was my own thoughts, a different part, hallucinations, or an actual deity)
I feel like a lot of things on this site is related to hearing/seeing/feeling your deities, especially with communication or like funny things
And while that’s super cool and props to y’all, it’s fine to not hear/see/feel your deities
I saw a Reddit post the other day with someone saying they have a really emotional deep connection moment with Aphrodite and were asking how they can thank her and someone responded “Your love and devotion are enough for her,” noooooooo please for the love of the Gods offer her something it could be anything—a glass of water with a prayer—literally anything
In pagan culture GLOBALLY reciprocity is a stable in worship, in hellenic polytheism/paganism it’s the concept of Kharis or “I give so that you may give” building a connection with the Gods is based in offerings, it’s not bribery or a gum ball machine, it’s giving a piece of yourself or a representation of a piece of yourself in gratitude and praise, I personally don’t pray unless I’m giving an offering or promising that I’ll offer later,
If you’ve had a meaningfully deep moment with the Gods please I’m begging you, you have to Show your devotion it’s not just a feeling in your heart
And an offering could literally be anything with that intention—dance, singing along with a song that reminds you of said God, a glass of water poured out on the ground (libations), Incense, food—and this isn’t just Hellenic polytheism it’s across cultures world wide. I’m not advocating for strict reconstruction cause I’m far from that, there are real spiritual experiences that haven’t involved offering but we have to remember this isn’t Christianity the Gods don’t just love us unconditionally, worship is building a relationship with them so that you can share a bond with them, that’s probably controversial, as far as my own experience the Gods enjoy getting to know us or they wouldn’t, they love having reciprocity with us, and as we build relationship with them I believe just like any relationship a type of love can be formed
Tldr: please offer to your Gods
maybe you offer to your Gods once a week or once a day but pray to the without an offering sometimes I can’t police your practice but I believe you’ll grow closer to your Gods if you bring offering into your practice
In my last studies about the Goddess Aphrodite, I was very curious to research her many epithets, despite knowing some of them, these were my last ones listed here:
Places of worship and worship:
Acidalia: Inspired by the city of Idálion, in Cyprus, one of its places of worship.
Amathusia: Venerated in the ancient city of Amathus, in Cyprus.
Amyklaios: Honored in Amicleia, in Laconia.
Aphakitis: Related to the city Aphace, in Syria, where she was worshiped in an oracular temple.
Arakynthia: Originating from Arakynthus mountain, one of her places of worship.
Argennis: Worshiped by Argenus, a friend of Agamemnon, who built a temple in her name.
Cythereia: From the island of Cythera, one of her supposed birthplaces.
Erykina: Referring to Mount Éryx in Sicily, associated with the worship of Venus.
Idalia: Venerated in the city of Idalion, in Cyprus.
Kastiniê: Due to Mount Castius, a place of worship.
Knidia: Associated with the city of Cnidus, where she was also worshiped.
Kôlias: Venerated in Colias, in Attica.
Kypria: From Cyprus, one of her supposed birth locations.
Kyprogenese: Born in Cyprus.
Melinaia: Venerated in the city of Argos.
Aphrodite Syria Thea: From Syria, revered in a temple syncretized with the Goddess Astarte.
Aphrodite Zephyritis: Invoked on the promontory of Zephyrus in Egypt.
Aphrodite Zêrynthia: Revered in Zerintia, Thrace, as a Goddess worshiped in the region.
Maritime protection
Euploia: Related to safe sea travel.
Limenia: Protector of ports and navigators.
Nauarkhís: Protector of navigators and their vessels.
Aphrodite Pontía: Lady of the Headlands, with temples strategically located along the open sea.
Birth (associated with the sea)
Anadyomenê: The one who emerged from the sea, being born in a scallop shell.
Aphrogeneia: Denotes its birth from sea foam.
Equória: Due to its birth in the sea, linked to maritime locations.
Haligenes: Born from the depths of the sea.
War
Areia: Evoking your connection to war, love and violence.
Hôplismenê: Armada, related to his relationship with Ares.
Androphonos (Mankiller)
Hekaergê: One who acts from a distance, without direct confrontations.
Summakhia (Ally in war)
Vegetable world
Antheia: Friend of Flowers, as she was known in Knossus.
Kêpois: Related to gardens and flowers.
Love and sex/Prostitution
Apostrophia: Connotes the illicit and forbidden love that she often represented.
Dôritis: Reflecting your generosity and giving of love.
Epistrophia: Suggesting that she is the facilitator of love.
Hetaira: As a lover, reflecting your connection to love and pleasures.
Kataskopia: Suggesting your ability to watch love blossom.
Melaines: The Dark One, related to nocturnal loves under the starry sky.
Migôntis: The one who unites loving hearts.
Aphrodite Pandêmos: The Goddess of the People, referring to her connection with earthly and common love relationships, daughter of Zeus and Dione.
Psithyristês Aphrodite: The Whisperer, who gently whispers to passionate hearts.
Aphrodite Pothôn Meter: The Mother of Desire, whose presence incites sensual and lascivious passions.
Aphrodite Praxis: Related to the sexual aspect and acceptance of the complexities of libido.
Aphrodite Symmakhia: She Who Remains in Love, because it is love that perpetuates and inspires her actions.
Despoena: Meaning lover, as it was known in some traditions.
Porne (Fleshy; Prostitute)
Sky
Alilat: Known as Aphrodite Urania by the Arabs, symbolizing her celestial nature.
Alitta: Another Arabic reference to Aphrodite Urania.
Aphrodite Ourania: The Celestial, alluding to her origin as the daughter of Uranus (the Sky) and Thalassa (the Sea).
Childbirth/fertility and marriage
Gamêlioi Theoi: The Goddess of Marriage, one of the five main deities who bless marriages.
Genetullis: Protector of Births, linked to the protection of births.
Makhanitis: Associated with creation and fertility.
Nymphia: The Bride, blessing relationships.
Hêrê: In her association with Hephaestus, her husband.
Chthonic (death)
Tumborukhos (grave digger)
Epitumbidia (She over the tombs)
Its nature
Aphrodite Philommeidés: The Friend of Smiles, personifying joy and joviality in her divine actions.
Aphrodite Peithô: The Persuader, revered in Athens for her ability to persuade hearts and minds.
Morphô: Celebrating your beauty and beauty.
Mechanitis: Suggesting his inventiveness and creativity.
Khryseê: The Golden One, symbolizing her shine.
Kallipygos: Highlighting its beauty and grace.
Glykymeílikhos: With a sweet smile, which exudes joy.
Eutesphanos: Crowned with great splendor.
Day: Denoting his divine and splendid nature.
Ambologêra: The one who wards off old age, as she herself is eternally young.
Apatouros: Suggestive of the trick, reflecting the myth in which she deceived the giants
Kallisti (The most beautiful)
Basilis (Queen)
Eleemon (Merciful)
Origin (perhaps related to historical origin)
Aphrodite Xenia: The Foreigner, remembering her Asian origin.
Diona: Reference to her Asian origin, with links to Dione, the Oceanid.
Myths
Nikephoros: The Victorious, in reference to the competition with Athena and Hera.
Dios Thugatêr: Meaning daughter of Zeus in one of the myths associated with her.
Apatouros: Suggestive of the trick, reflecting the myth in which she deceived the giants.
Libyan Lotus trees or Nettle trees. Member of the Elm tree family. The trees are southern European species of nettle trees, the Romans just refer them to as Lotus trees.
I’ve read from a source that lady bugs or lady birds are sacred to her but I find just one source so take it with a gain of salt. Lady bugs is mostly associated with Freyja so I would imagine relating to fertility.
Titles and Epithets:
Luciana is the Goddess of light and childbirth and newborns. Her name is alone to be just be a goddess alone which is possibly she originated from a Sabine moon goddess. But her name itself can be a title like how “Hekate or Hekatos” is used not just for a name of a goddess. Her name Luciana can be derived from the Latin word “Lux” which is luminous and light also “Lucus” which means Groves I’ll explain in the next paragraph. I’ll put other names she was referred by but also what goddesses of which they took her name as an epithet/title.
- Noctiluca - Giving Light by Night
- Luna - Of The Moonlight
- Lucifera - Giver of Light
- Juno Luciana - Shining one. With this title there is more information about the worship of Luciana.
- Diana Luciana - Divine Queen
- Hekate Luciana - Hekate was also known to bear this title as a light bearer.
- Saint Lucia or Saint Lucy: It is theorised and not so uncommon of when goddesses or gods become saints after Christianisation a well known example is St Brigid once known before in pre-Christian Ireland as a Celtic goddess of the Hearth. Saint Lucia is said to be the Goddess of Luciana whose symbol is a torch as well.
General Information
During the early days of the Roman Empire Luciana was one of the first temples to be established. She is said to be originated from the tribe of Sabine whose role as a moon goddess. Her role within Roman religion was mostly documented as Juno Luciana which isn’t surprising since Juno is the goddess of marriage and motherhood and childbirth. Her temple was set on Cisipan Hill on a Grove. But a shrine to Luciana was built on Esquiline Hill around 373 BCE on March 1st. It was always set on a grove which was surrounded by Lotus trees or Nettle trees which was very sacred and celebrated by offering locks of hair from Vestal Virgins who acknowledge their vows of chastity and a choice to not become a mother.
When Luciana was invoked during childbirth for easy delivery and a healthy child to be born. Women would let their hair loose and untie any knots from their clothing in a way of sympathetic magic letting energy of the birth flow easily and without any complications. After the baby was delivered, the child would be brought to the goddess’s altar called Sellisternium (a altar dedicated to a goddess) along for a feast of celebration. Luciana is very much centered around all things pregnancy, newborns, fertility, she even is called a Saviour from infertility, She is in charge bringing Newborns into the light of the world, also grants Newborns safe passage.
Her festivals
Held on March 1st, the Roman new year also called Matronalia plus the anniversary of the temple’s founding. Where married women would be given money from their husbands to make an offering to Juno Luciana of Womanhood. They (Matrons) would general go to the temple make offerings on Esquiline Hill. Afterwards a festival of Family would began as the Matrons of the household would be a central figure with their husbands giving them gifts and Slaves would be served as well.
You don’t have to have fancy crystals and herbs for spell jars btw. You can use sugar, coffee grounds, leaves, acorns, etc. Don’t fall victim to witchcraft consumerism.
Hello there! I was wondering, do you happen to have any resources on Italian folk magic or witchcraft? I am a baby witch of Italian heritage and have been trying to reconnect with some of my family’s old practices, but finding information is surprisingly difficult or ends up dipping into Roman paganism which I’m not sure is the same thing or not. Thank you!
I am also of Italian heritage and it has been a struggle to find anything on Italian folk magic that isn't just Wicca with parmesan sprinkled on it!!
I will say that Raven Grimassi has been quoted often for Italian witchcraft but from what I know he just sorta created his own thing (or based it on personal beliefs) and marketed that as traditional Italian witchcraft.
A lot of Italian folk magic is going to involve Christianity, so be prepared for that. It is also going to be reminiscent of roman paganism because that's just how culture works; it melds together over time and the religions and beliefs of the past never fully disappear.
I would look into Italian cunningfolk/folk healers as well as Italian folk medicine and folklore. Also, try to contact people who practice Italian folk magic.
I'm part of a discord server dedicated to folk magic of all sorts called the Woodland Folk server and here are some of the resources they have about Italian folklore:
kitchenofmae's Helpful Tips & Resource Reccomendations for Italian Folk Magic
They also have a downloadable pdf of Mary-Grace Fahrun's Italian Folk Magic: Rue's Kitchen Witchery and The Tradition of Segnature. Underground Indigenous Practices in Italy
If you practice or know someone who practices Italian folk magic please link your/their accounts!
Roman Goddess Bona Dea “The Good Goddess” Indigenous goddess to Italy/Rome.
Her names/Titles:
Fauna
Feminae Dea (The Women’s Goddess)
Laudanda Dea (the Goddess that must be praised)
Sancta (The Holy One)
Damia (this name may have been derived from Demeter)
Her attributes are:
Chasity
Fertility
Healing
Women
Protector of the State
Nature
Her Symbols:
Jar of Wine
Snakes
Lions
Wreath of Vines
Sceptre
Cornucopia
This not well known goddess was worshipped traditionally by only women especially Roman women. Men were forbidden to perform her sacred rites. Women who were initiated into her cult were to perform sacred rites during the night, drinking strong wine and offering blood sacrifices. It is said by women worshipping Bona Dea, the goddess reveals her true name to her. By performing these sacred rites to Bona Dea the women are breaking social norms and laws typically these rites were traditionally and lawfully only performed by men, women weren’t permitted to drink strong wine nor perform during the night (unless under formal circumstances and permission) it is said women couldn’t even performed any sacred rites unless if she was a priestess, her cults were usually led by Vestal Virgins or her own sacred priestess called Damiatrix (Sacerdos Bonae Deae). From all social classes she is worshipped. She is also linked to Terra, Cybele, Ops, Ceres, and Demeter (Damia possibly). However she is most often called Fauna, who is the wife, sister, and daughter of the God Faunus, who is a nature God his female counterpart. Fauna is a nature goddess and also can prophesied women’s fates. Bona Dea had two annual festivals held at her temple at Aventine Hill.
Aphrodisia is a festival to honor Lady Aphrodite, specifically Her epithet Aphrodite Pandemos (Lady of All)
When is Aphrodisia?
We don’t know exactly when Aphrodisia is or was in ancient times. Some things that came up in my research were: the third week in July to the third week in August, the summer solstice, and July 13. Because I personally need a specific date to celebrate, I will be celebrating on July 13, which happens to be tomorrow.
Traditional Celebrations
Traditionally, to start the festival, a dove was sacrificed to purify Her temple, and a statue of Her would be brought to the sea and washed, followed by a procession. Feasts were very common during Aphrodisia.
Modern Celebration Ideas
So of course we probably can’t sacrifice doves and parade a statue of Her from a temple to the sea nowadays, but there are many ways we can still celebrate Aphrodisia. These are a few ideas, you don’t have to do all of them or any at all.
🐚 Purify Her Altar
🐚 Spend time with Her
🐚 Bake something
🐚 Offer a libation or some sort of food
🐚 Do whatever makes you feel close to Her
🐚 Offer incense and/or light a candle for Her
🐚 Have a self-care day
🐚 Spend some time researching Her
I will be wearing a color that reminds me of Her, lighting Her candle, enjoying the small things in life, spending time with my partner, painting my nails, listening to music that reminds me of Her, and I may watch a romance movie. I will try to bake something or offer her something if I can.
Remember that no matter what you do for Her, or even if you don’t do anything extra at all, She will be happy. You do not need to do any elaborate celebrations or offerings in order to please Her. Just do what you can, Lady Aphrodite understands ❤️
If you're leaving Christianity and getting into some form of paganism, you should check and see whether you've got any internalized "faithmaxxing/worshipmaxxing is the only true way to be spiritual" going on, and if so, work on it. Stuff like thinking you need to have perfect faith in your deities at all times or thinking you need to practice 3.5 spells per day to be A Real Witch. You're going to mess yourself up if you carry on with that.
The ancient Greeks were big on this idea of "miasma" - Miasma was the ancient Greek concept of spiritual pollution that had to be purified through rituals.
The Greeks had all these purification rituals. You'd have to bathe, make offerings to the gods, do special ceremonies - all that to cleanse yourself and be right with the divine. Couldn't even step foot in the temple without getting your purity on point first.
And it wasn't just religious spaces that had to be spotless - the Greeks were big on personal hygiene too. They enjoyed all that fresh fit and regular grooming. Anyone slacking on the cleanliness was probably seen as a total weirdo.
So yeah, purity and cleanliness were like, super important in the Hellenistic world. It was a big deal to keep that miasma away and stay right with the gods.
Modern Cleanliness & Purification
Meditation - Quieting your mind and focusing on your breath can help clear out any negative energy or emotional baggage you're carrying around.
Cleansing- Taking some sage or other fragrant herbs and wafting the smoke around your living space or even yourself can help throw out bad vibes.
Salt baths - Soaking in a tub full of Epsom salts or sea salt can help wash away stress and tension, both physical and mental.
Journaling - Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be super cathartic. Getting all that stuff out of your head and onto the page can make you feel lighter.
Spending time in nature - Being outdoors, whether it's a hike in the woods or just chilling in a park, can be incredibly cleansing.
Veiling - Covering your head with a scarf or shawl can help create a sense of sacred space and concentration during spiritual practices. You could also veil as a devotional act to your deities.
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