Unrelated to Eleusinian Mysteries, Eleusinia similarly celebrated Demeter as the Goddess of the Harvest. On these days a thanksgiving was held to honor the Goddess. Commonly, grain and wheat as well as baked good were given in offering.
Eleusinia did not take place every year. The festival takes place every two years; once on the last year of the Olympiad as Greater Eleusinia, and once on the second year of the Olympiad as Eleusinia. Greater Eleusinia held the only difference of a larger and complex observance to Demeter.
Both festivals consisted of games held with prizes, a procession and a sacrifice. Winners were said to take home large amounts of grain.
Traditional Offerings:
- Grain/Wheat or Baked Goods
- Imagery of Demeter
- Hymns to Demeter
- Libations to Demeter
Traditional Acts:
- Hymns to Demeter
- Libations to Demeter
- Playing of games observed in Ancient Greece (such as footraces or wrestling)
Δημητηρ (Demeter) was the Olympian goddess of agriculture, grain and bread who sustained mankind with the earth's rich bounty. She presided over the foremost of the Mystery Cults which promised its intiates the path to a blessed afterlife in the realm of Elysium. Demeter was depicted as a mature woman, often wearing a crown and bearing sheafs of wheat or a cornucopia (horn of plenty), and a torch.
Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter 1 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th or 6th B.C.) :
"I begin to sing of rich-haired Demeter reverend goddess (semne thea)--of her and her trim-ankled daughter [Persephone] whom Aidoneus (Haides) rapt away . . . Right blessed is he among men on earth whom they freely love: soon they do send Ploutos (Plutus, Wealth) as guest to his great house, Ploutos (Wealth) who gives wealth to mortal men. And now, queen of the land of sweet Eleusis and sea-girt Paros and rocky Antron, queen (potnia), giver of good gifts (aglaodoros), bringer of seasons (horephoros), lady (anassa) Deo, be gracious, you and your daughter all beauteous Persephone, and for my song grant me heart-cheering substance."
On the festival:
Eleusinia, ancient Greek festival in honour of Demeter (the goddess of agriculture), unconnected with the Eleusinian Mysteries despite the similarity of names. The Eleusinia, which included games and contests, was held every two years, probably in the month of Metageitnion (August–September). Every second festival had a particularly elaborate observance and was known as the Great Eleusinia. Its purpose was thanksgiving and sacrifice to Demeter for the gift of grain.
Currently working on my own version of the adapted Attic calendar! So far I only have January, but February is almost done as well. Fair warning, this goes in depth about what the festivals/celebrations are and how to commemorate, so this post is gigantic.
Attention: This is for the SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE!
⛧ [10/01/24] [Hekatombion 40th] - Hekate Deipnon
WHAT IS IT & WAYS TO CELEBRATE: It takes place at the end of the Lunar month. Hekate means "bringer of light", so at the darkest part of the month, we prepare our homes for the transition to a new month and offer her a meal. Think of it as a mini new year; clean/cleanse your house (especially altars), get rid of things you don't want to bring into next month (physical, spiritual, etc), and leave Hekate an offering at sundown (preferably a meal, but if you can't afford to waste food, just give her something else. Maybe bury or burn it if you can). Here's a list of good offerings (best left outside or at her altar, if you have one for her):
Bread
Cake (especially lit with candles)
Pomegranate
Wine
Honey
Cinnamon
Milk
Chocolate
Roses
Lavender
Poppy seeds
Dandelions
Incense (Frankincense, Lavender, Jasmine, Citrus, Dragons blood, Rosemary, or anything you have at hand)
Keys
Candles
Tea lights
Bones
Fire/Bonfire
Oil lamps
Crow/Raven/Own feathers
Poetry, Literature, Music, Hymns, etc
⛧ [11/01/24] [Metageitnion 1st] - Noumenia
WHAT IS IT & HOW TO CELEBRATE: The Noumenia is the first day of the visible New Moon and is held in honor of the household Gods. The Noumenia is a celebration of the start of a new Hellenic month and seeks blessings for the household. Honestly? You can just kick back and relax if you want or can, to invite calm energies into the upcoming month. But, if you (like me) want to be a little extra, here's some ways to celebrate:
Start a new personal project or hobby, or just pick back on things you've been putting off.
Set intentions for the coming month, and make plans for any of the month’s upcoming festivals, or for any of your personal upcoming plans.
Leave offerings for your deities.
Moon/stargaze, maybe meditate under the Moon.
Do a reading with your preferred divination method with the Theoi, asking what you should focus on in the coming month.
⛧ [12/01/24] [Metageitnion 2nd] - Agathos Daimon
WHAT IS IT & HOW TO CELEBRATE: One of my favorites! Daimons are household spirits that look after you and your family, so this is a day to honor Him! Pour a libation (especially wine, but mine likes milk better to be honest), make an offering, light a candle, maybe even make Him a lil altar! He's heavily associated with snakes, but aside from that you can offer (or put in His altar) anything you correlate with abundance, good luck, protection, etc. These guys are so overlooked and I love them. Here's a more in-depth post about Him and the holiday.
WHAT IS IT & HOW TO CELEBRATE: Not exactly festivals, that's why I compiled them into one section, but these Lunar days are sacred to these deities in that order. Maybe leave them an offering or light them a candle, maybe even just devotional acts! Here's a good list of offerings for each:
WHAT IS IT & HOW TO CELEBRATE: The Eleusinia was a thanksgiving festival held to honor Demeter for the gift of grain. A modern way to celebrate is to have a big dinner (maybe include some breads and baking) and give thanks to Lady Demeter through it! Thank her for grain and the agricultural processes that we benefit from!
⛧ [28/01/24 ?] [Metageitnion 18th ?] - Adonia
WHAT IS IT & HOW TO CELEBRATE: A festival mourning the death of Adonis, one of Aphrodite's human lovers. Traditionally, it was celebrated only by women (as a trans guy, I personally don't give a fuck and celebrate it anyway). Also, there's no source for an exact date, so this is an educated guess at best (most sources just refers to it as taking place "midsummer"). For a way to celebrate, I found this amazing hymn/poem. Remember to honor Aphrodite on this day as well.
⛧ [30/01/24] [Metageitnion 20th] - Hera Telkhinia
WHAT IS IT & HOW TO CELEBRATE: A minor sacrifice for Hera, taking place in the suburbs of Athens. Again, not a lot of info, but if you worship or have a connection to her, maybe read her a hymn, pour a libation honor her on this day! Here's a Orphic hymn to her:
Hera, incense aromatic herbs and spices.
You are seated in a cerulean cavern, having the form of air,
Íra queen of all, happy one who shares the bed of Zefs,
You provide gentle breezes which sustain the soul.
Mother indeed of storms, attendant of the winds, all-begetting.
Apart from you life and generation cannot be found;
Mingled with the majestic air you partake of everything.
You alone hold sovereignty, ruling over all.
You are the stream which flutters down through the rushing winds.
And now you, happy Goddess, many named, queen of all,
Come with a countenance of kindness and joy.
The souls of the dead come from the underworld and walk abroad. People would chew on hawthorn or buckthorn and besmear their doors with tar to protect themselves from evil.
Day 1- Pithoigia (The Jar opening)
The jars of wine from last year are opened.
Day 2- Choës (The Pouring)
People dress gaily and gave rounds of drinks to acquaintances and friends. Drinking contests are held to see who can drink the fastest. Drinks where also poured on the graves of the deceased.
Day 3- Chytroi (The Pots)
Fruit is offered to Hermès and the souls of the dead, who where then bidden to depart.
Apaturia
Days of discussion
Time- 11th-13th of mid-October to mid-November
Day 1- Dorpia
A festival is held at a persons house.
Day 2- Anarrhysis
A sacrifice is made. In modern day we will count this as a gift giving day. (In Ancient Greece they offered goat and ox heads)
Day 3- Kureōtis
A day of offerings, such as hair.
Dionysia
A festival of theatrical performances of dramatic tragedies and comedies.
Time- is split into 2 parts through out the year
Rural Dionysia
Held in December-January. It celebrates the cultivation of vines. A mini parade is held of girls and boys holding baskets of long bread, other offerings, jars of water, and jars of wine. After the Pompe, the mini parade is called, they have dancing and singing contests and dithyrambs where sung too.
City Dionysia
Held 3 months after The Rural Dionysia. Offerings are given to Dionysus to prevent a plague affecting the male genitalia.
Eleusinia
Festival of games
Time- held every 2 years in the middle of August and September.
The Eleusinia is a festival in honour of Demeter. Every other festival is known as The Great Eleusinia it’s purpose was thanksgiving and sacrifice to Demeter for the gift of grain. The festival consists of games and contests. They don’t have a specific theme.
Panathenaea
A celebration of Athena via games incorporating religious festival, ceremonies, athletic competitions, and cultural events.
Time- The Great Panathenaea is held every 4 years and the lesser is held every year, but both are in June though
The Great Panathenaea
This is just a more magnificent display of The Lesser Panathenaea.
1. The Musical Contest
• Is only held at The Greater Panathenaea. In modern times the best speaking of an excerpt of the Iliad and the odyssey would win the contest.
2. The Gymnastic Contest
• Is only held at The Greater Panathenaea. 3 groups of 12-15, 16-19, and 20 and above compete. A race is the only recorded event.
3. The Equestrian Contest
• Is only held at The Greater Panathenaea. A horse chariot race between 2 people. I’m modern day it would not be horses.
4. The Smaller Contests
• The Pyrrhic dance
• I’m modern times it would be a dance competition based on remembering choreography.
• The Procession and Sacrifices
• The procession is a showing of all the victors. At the end of the procession everyone that participated in the events offers and sacrifice/offering to the gods.
• The Officials of the Festival
• The chosen, up to, 10 organize the musical, gymnastics, and equestrian contests of the festival. They would also choose the prizes.
Thargelia
An agricultural festival held in honour of Apollo and Artemis.
Time- May 24th and 25th annually
Day 1
The first fruits of the earth are offered to ward off pestilence and convince Apollo to not give excessive heat. I’m modern day you would also throw a rock in the sea or large body of water.
Day 2
Olive branches bound by wool were affixed by doors of houses. Choruses of men and boys take part in a musical Contest which the prize is a tripod. Adopted people are prayed for to be adopted and taken into a loving home.
Thesmophoria
A festival honouring Demeter and her daughter Persephone.
Time- late October for 3 days annually
The festival was held to celebrated in order to promote fertility, both human and agricultural. It was celebrated by other women and men were forbidden to see the rites.
I am a man by birth so I will not read or write about any of the rites and rituals.
I researched all of these in one night and I’m also very new to fully embracing Hellenic polytheism. If there is anything wrong or needs to be corrected please comment or message me. Also yes I know that using Wikipedia as a source isn’t that great but most things where very confusing to read.
Sources:
Anthesteria - Wikipedia
Apaturia - Wikipedia
Dionysia - Wikipedia
Eleusinia, ancient Greek festival in honour of Demeter (the goddess of agriculture), unconnected with the Eleusinian Mysteries despite the s
Thargelia - Wikipedia
In ancient Greek religion the Panathenaea was an Athenian festival celebrated every June in honour of the goddess Athena. The Lesser Panathe
On August the 1st we celebrate the sixth sabbath of the wheel of the year, we celebrate Demeter and the Eleusinia Festival, we celebrate the sacrifice of the horned god, we make bread to honour and thank mother nature for everything that she offered us.
The sweet soft scent of roses fills the air
With silent music, even as a dream
The lilies anguish and the censors stream.
Sweet sounds and scents are mingled everywhere;
Far in the clear blue distance climbs the mountain stair.
