It's so important for us to understand that we can connect with the Gods in our own personal ways. Just because you see someone on this app with the aesthetic altars/shrines, and the routine rituals, etc. doesn't mean you need to do/have those things in order to connect to the Gods.
The Gods know. And they understand that everyone connects differently. Whether its going out into nature, or praying softly in your car before work, or giving small offerings into the earth, the Gods accept you.
It can be difficult to understand the concept that religious connection is a personal journey, not something you need to envy from someone else. Find what helps you connect, and do those things.
No matter how big or small your actions may be, the Gods love you all the same.
GROND are releasing their concept album “The Temple” via Xtreem Music, inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s short story of the same name and interwoven with the historical figure of the German submarine commander Otto Eduard Weddigen from the First World War.
1. Rotter Himmel 03:00
2. Weddigen 05:47
3. Pour le Merite 04:24
4. U-29 05:37
5. Dreadnought 05:18
6. Submergence 05:45
7. Radiant Fury 05:54
8. The Temple 06:33
9. Dark Solitude of the Sea 05:32
Printing some of these to replace some questionable prints from the edition. #linocut #reliefprint #thetemple #hplovecraft @gansettbeer https://www.instagram.com/p/B4gYy0IAob9/?igshid=9e872dogw9
Veiling is a practice with both ancient and modern roots. While veiling was not universally practiced by all ancient Greeks, it held symbolic and practical significance in certain contexts, particularly in relation to specific Gods, rituals, and social customs.
As someone who practices veiling more often than not, I wanted to discuss the history behind it as pertaining to the religion, and show you some examples of different veils you can use.
Historical Veiling in Ancient Greece
In ancient Greece, veiling was not just religious but was linked to societal norms regarding gender, respect, and propriety. It was common for women to veil their heads when outside the home, though men could veil as well.
Veiling also had a ritual function in religious ceremonies. Priestesses often veiled during rituals or temple service as a sign of reverence and purity when approaching the Gods. In some festivals, such as those dedicated to Demeter or Hestia, veiling was particularly significant, reflecting the Goddesses’ connection to the home, modesty, and fertility.
In modern times, we can veil during rituals or daily life as a way to express reverence for the Gods, especially when in prayer.
The reasons for veiling vary among practitioners and may include:
1. Honoring Tradition: Veiling can be used as a way of honoring ancient customs, particularly when engaging in things regarding Hestia, Demeter, or Persephone.
2. Ritual Purity: Veiling can be used as a means of maintaining ritual purity, particularly when one wishes to separate the mundane from the sacred.
3. Modesty and Respect: Veiling can also reflect a personal choice to express modesty or respect, particularly in the presence of deities or during rituals dedicated to chthonic Gods.
Different Forms of Veiling in Modern Practice
Full Veil (Himation-style): The veil covers the head and sometimes drapes over the shoulders.
Partial Veiling: This veil covers just the top of the head or wearing a scarf. This can be a less formal or everyday expression of devotion, often used in daily prayers or minor rituals.
Face Veiling: In some instances, particularly in rituals involving the chthonic deities, one may veil their faces in addition to their heads. Sometimes known as Tegidion, This is done to show humility or to protect oneself spiritually when interacting with Gods associated with death or the afterlife, like Hades or Persephone.
God-Specific Veiling
Veiling can be done as a specific act of devotion to certain Gods. For example:
- Hestia (Goddess of the hearth)
- Demeter and Persephone (Goddesses of agriculture and the underworld)
- Hekate (Goddess of witchcraft, crossroads, and the underworld)
As always, I can discuss this more in depth if anyone would like :)
This may be a really hot take, but I feel that a lot of ancient religious practices in modern times, have been made too "mainstream" in the sense that some of the things I see practitioners do is quite disrespectful at times. (i.e yes, we should talk to the Gods and connect with them but no, they're not your besties that you hang out with and talk to as such).
At the end of the day, its your practice and you should do what feels right (and this is in no way targeted at anyone specific) but some of the things I see on the internet make me feel that we may never get the respect we deserve from other religions.
my favorite tea ever has been blueberry tea, and for some reason i have always associated blueberry tea with Poseidon. so every time i drink it, i brew an extra cup for his altar.
Even as a reconstructionist who values keeping things as close to the ancient as possible, I have one belief that I hold dear to me - and that is that the Gods are omnipresent. Regardless of historical context (which I know is not historically accurate), or what others may think, its a belief that keeps me going.
