Adeia 2023: Modern Festival to Demeter
On a global scale, we’re dealing with a climate crisis that is putting food sources at risk. On a more local level, conflicts and abnormal weather are creating risks of bad harvests, resources shortages and/or inflations. We are aware that not everyone is impacted directly by the current ongoing issues, but we hope that this festival (or at least the idea) can be useful beyond these and be seen through a wider scope of praying for food security at large. We named the festival Adeia, from the ancient Greek ἄδεια, which conveniently can signify both “abundance”/”plenty” and “freedom from fear”/”security”. All things the festival aims for. - @thegrapeandthefig’s original post
With El Niño threatening, a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, and record warmest winter almost Australia-wide, the upcoming summer is looking to be dry, hot, and ripe for bushfires.
The gods I am propitiating for my Adeia are Demeter Soteira (saviour), Herakles Alexikakos (averter of evil), Zeus Hyetios (moist/fertilising rain), Hermes Nomios and Apollon Nomios (protectors of pastures and shepherds), Olea (nymph of my garden), and Djarlgarra (local river god).
My menu includes:
Butterflied pork sausages with garden flowers and parsley
Flower shaped oranges with cranberry centres and honey on a bed of barley
Bread on a bed of garden parsley
Rain water in a pitcher
We call upon you in our time of need Benevolent gods, givers of good.
Crises threaten world-over and hardships befall many, and now again we raise our voices in plea.
If these smoky offerings please you, and these sweet drinks warm you, look well upon us. Kindly gods, bless our coffers and larders again, and see abundance flow to our house. And should strife visit our doors, grant us the fortitude to endure.
May Demeter’s lawful eye oversee policy development, so great changes can sprout in years to come
May Zeus meter his life-giving rains, so dry or soggy fields remain moist year-through
May Hermes keep a watchful eye on the flocks and farm-hands, that flystrike and heatstroke never hinder them
With outstretched arms I sing praises to you, bold Djarlgarra, he who holds moisture for our sun-stricken land
And to sweet Olea I gift equally sweet fruits, that you may keep my rain barrels at bursting and my garden fertile
