#hellenic pagans

[crazycatsiren]

How NOT to act with the gods

I have noticed two extremes when it comes to new/young practitioners of Hellenic Polytheism. On one end, there are those who treat the gods as these big scary beings from above who are to be feared at all costs and whom you need to tiptoe around. On the other end, there are those who treat the gods as if they're no big deal at all, no more significant than human spirits floating around, whom you can make demands of and toy with whenever and however you feel like. Neither is healthy, but I will say that the latter is worse.

In my experience, the Greek gods are overall, a very cool bunch. But as nice and sweet as they can be, they're still gods, and don't think for a moment they will forget this.

They are not our equals. They don't operate on the same level as mortals. We are humans. We will never be on the same plane as they are. As willing and happy as they are to be our friends, guides, mentors, companions, parental figures, even lovers, they are still gods, and we need to remember this.

It's an outright terrible and dangerous idea to think you can do better than the gods. To think you can play power games with them. To think you can outsmart them or outdo them when it comes to anything, spiritual or mundane. Hubris has grave consequences. It's not an offense you ever want to find yourself attached to. Yes, the rules apply, even for the gods you're not devoted to, even for the gods you don't personally "like". If you disrespect the gods, they're going to disrespect you back, and what they can do to you is nowhere near the same scale as what you think you can do to them.

Keep in mind, the gods are loyal to their families. Even if your insult is not directed at a deity you worship, you will find yourself out of favor with that deity if it touches someone they care about. Remember the myth of Queen Niobe's hubris, when Niobe became exceedingly proud of her 14 children, that she claimed superiority in motherhood over the goddess Leto, for she bore 7 sons and 7 daughters, and Leto bore only 1 of each. The divine twins, enraged at this insult to their mother, took it into their own hands to avenge their mother's honor. Armed with their golden and silver bows and arrows, they descended upon Thebes and struck down Niobe's 14 children (Apollon the 7 boys, and Artemis the 7 girls).

The gods don't want us to be afraid of them, but they sure as hell don't want to be disrespected and disregarded. If you're going to worship them, then you need to at least mind your manners. You are not better than them at anything. You never will be. You are mortal. You are not a god. Believing that you can play games with them and manipulate them to your advantage is not only foolish, but also downright dangerous. If they weren't powerful enough to easily see through your tricks, then they wouldn't be gods.

(Artwork ©ArtbyLadyViktoria)

[1-800-nymph]

I want y’all to know that at least ONCE, your deity(s)/spirit guide(s)/angel(s) has watched you sleep with their eyes softening in endearment at your gentle, sleeping face. They leaned over, hovering their lips above your forehead with their eyes closed, taking a moment to hear the darling sound of your slow breathing & taking in the waft of your sweet scent, before they placed a kiss on your forehead in a smitten moment of tender fondness. They protect you in your most vulnerable state whilst they fall more in love with you!!! They love you!!! Every part of you!!! Pls remember this!!!!

[theswordofpens]

To all those who deal with "Magic,"

Good day/evening to you all. I'm writing this letter to any pagans, Romani, wiccans, witches, wizards, warlocks, shamans, druids, and anyone else who may be in the use of magic or may have knowledge of magical things. What I aim to do is to acquire knowledge of those things dealing with magic, because my current knowledge of the subject is regrettably minuscule and insufficient. Permit me, if you would, an explanation as to my inquiry.

The reason as to my interest in acquisition of magical knowledge is partly due to my upbringing. Having been raised Protestant, our church taught us that Magic and the related arts are strictly forbidden. However, it always puzzled me whenever I asked adults about magic. They would give me the age-old statement, "Magic doesn't exist, Joshua." This statement brought more questions to mind because these individuals were Christian, just as I am. And yet, they dont believe in the existence of something that their religious text teaches shouldn't be practiced. In other words, they don't acknowledge the existence in magic, despite the fact that the bible does. After a few years, I made contact with a few pagans and witches; one of witch I was even seriously dating. And the more that I had observed this culture, the more I realized that I had very little knowledge of it. Thus I decided I would study their arts in order to understand the unknown better.

Which brings me to my inquiry. I ask that you would inform me of any knowledge regarding to magic and related subjects that you wish to impart onto me. Anything at all would be of great assistance to me. Because unlike those who seek to shun it out and scorn it completely, I seek to understand it better. Thank you all very much for your time and assistance.

Signed,

Joshua Villanueva

[balkanaffairsofficial]

Hellenismos. The Native Greek religion is an officially recognised religion of Greece; it's followers are in the thousands. Let's take a moment and reflect on Europe's current religious situation. Much of Europe has become spiritually sterile because the modern religious institutions of Europe have failed to answer the questions and give spiritual fulfillment to the vast growing younger generations of Europe. Paganism; the revival of Europe's native ancestral faith is the fastest growing religion among young European men and women; but also among the older generations.

[daintydynamite]

Any tips on how to rekindle a relationship with a god?

So I used to worship Hermes, but I kinda stopped after I went through shit with my life and drifted away from witchcraft as a whole. Me and Hermes left on good terms, but I’m starting to want to go back to working with him. Any tips?

[transxpaganxdude]

yoooo Norse/Hellenic pagans, quick question for ya:

how do you feel about people worshiping/honoring multiple pantheons is this something the gods are cool with? do you engage solely with the Norse/Greek pantheon, or do you honor other(s) as well? how does one fit gods from multiple pantheons into a coherent practice?

I’m a bit of a baby pagan looking to “discover” which gods I am called to, and ethnically I’m Finnish so I feel a connection to Finnish cosmology/gods through that, but I am also v interested in Norse and Greek mythology.

I’m trying to decide if I should pick one of them and stick with it (after some research and soul searching ofc) or if it’s OK to honor say both the Norse and Finnish gods...but would the Norse/Greek deities be offended to be honored by someone with a more basically Finnish worldview (regarding the nature of spirits, the different kinds, etc) or is it better to single-pantheon and let research and prayer and meditation be my guide? I know there are eclectic pagans *out* there. I just don’t know how that works. ?? if anyone has advice on this I’d love to hear it

[crazycatsiren]

Hellenic Pagan Oath Taking

I feel like this is an important topic that needs to be addressed and clarified, especially for new worshippers/devotees.

Being a devotee to a deity does not mean you need to be oath bound to that deity. Swearing an oath to a deity is not a requirement for being a devotee of theirs. It will never be a requirement. You are not 100% committed to or "stuck with" a deity for life by being a devotee. You can be devoted to multiple deities at the same time. You are allowed to stop being a devotee if it no longer works for you.

Oaths are not necessary, and are not to be taken lightly. As a matter of fact, I highly discourage new devotees from taking any oath in the beginning. An oath can be a life long commitment, and not something you can simply change your mind about or walk away from later. It's simply not a good idea to bind yourself to a deity without knowing exactly what you're doing and being absolutely certain of what you're signing up for.

Being oath bound to a deity is a rather serious responsibility to take on. A deity will expect you to keep your word and what you have promised. Breaking an oath is a huge deal. Epiorkia, or perjury, is a grievous offense with consequences. Horkos, the daemon of oaths, will inflict punishment upon perjurers most swiftly and harshly. In Hesiod’s Theogony, Horkos is one “who does more damage than any other to earthly men, when anyone, of his knowledge, swears to a false oath.” “Beware of all the fifth days [of the month]; for they are harsh and angry; it was on the fifth, they say, that the Erinyes (Furies) assisted at the bearing of Horkos (Horcus, Oath), whom Eris (Strife) bore, to be a plague on those who take false oath.” So, long story short, if you make an oath to a deity, do not break it. If you aren't sure without an ounce of doubt that you can and will keep it until you die, then don't swear it!

Being oath bound to a deity doesn't mean you're not allowed to worship other deities. It's the point of polytheism. I, for one, love all the Greek gods and goddesses. I'm devoted to four of them. I worship and follow many, and they are always present in my life. But I devote much more time and activities to Artemis, and my relationship with her is much more special and exclusive. She gets the VIP treatment, in a sense. Being oath bound committed to her means more of my devotions go to her than any other deity. Of all the divine beings, she is the most important one to me.

Being oath bound to a deity means your relationship is still reciprocal, but on a deeper level. By giving Artemis my daughterly devotion, I have in turn gained a loving mother. I never had a true relationship with my biological mother. After decades of toxicity and abuse, I finally severed my ties with her. In Artemis I have found the mother I never had, and thanks to her, I can finally have a mother who is willing to be a mother to me. As her adopted daughter, I will love her, honor her, cherish her, and remain dedicated to and grateful for her forever.

An oath should be realistic. And carefully thought through. I recommend keeping it simple and flexible, so you don't accidentally break it or any of its conditions. Words have meanings.

In conclusion: oaths can be very good things to have for Hellenic Pagans, if the seriousness and weight of them are taken into consideration. An oath is like any other promise that should not be broken to begin with in good conscience. But when divine beings are involved, there are higher stakes for breaking promises.