Timothy Jay Alexander says there are seven pillars of Hellenismos: Ethike Arete (ethics), Eusebia (reverence of the Gods), Hagneia (ritual purity by avoiding miasma), Nomos Arkhaios (observance of tradition), Sophia (pursuit of wisdom and truth), Sophrosune (control of self through deep contemplation), and Xenia (hospitality). I’ve seen people say there are nine pillars, some say four, some say “what pillars?” Personally, I think it can be simplified into two categories: ethics and reverence.
Ethike Arete means virtue of character. Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics lists several virtues by which to live. I think that Sophia, Sophrosune, and Xenia are perfectly encompassed within these virtues. Sophia (pursuit of wisdom and truth) by practical and theoretical wisdom, truthfulness, and science. Sophrosune (control of self through deep contemplation) by intuitive understanding, courage, temperance, and patience. Xenia (hospitality) by friendliness, liberality, and magnanimity.
Eusebia means piety, duty, and respect. Observance of tradition (Nomos Arkhaios) is part of that duty to the Gods. One of those traditions happens to be ritual purity (Hagneia). I think a lot of people are concerned that the Gods will be angry with them for not cleansing miasma properly, or for having miasma in general (chronic illness, for example). I believe that Hagneia is a rule put in place to protect us, to let us get better; in sympathy for us, not in contempt for what we might bring before the Gods. What causes us to be unclean? Dirt and germs, illness and injury, childbirth and death, bodily fluids, negative emotions, etc. All of these instances can upset your entire life and can easily take your attention away from the Gods. But it is NOT sinful and you should NEVER be ashamed of it.
Physical miasma is just basic hygiene. Don’t come to group worship if you have the flu, wash your hands, the usual. Feeling depressed, been sick, etc. and haven’t made offerings in a while? Its okay! Take your time to heal and cleanse your miasma, the Gods will understand. There is no way that I, personally, can believe in the Gods of agriculture, medicine, justice, knowledge, and love, without believing that this time of purification isn’t self-care and so very much needed for our mental and physical health.
I know the ancient Greeks, themselves, have made us scared of miasma. But we must remember that much of what they considered miasma was political and changed with new leadership-- that the Gods themselves did not set miasma in stone like Yahweh did the Ten Commandments. If you need the set in stone guidelines there are only three. They were inscribed on the Temple of Apollo in Delphi and read thus:
