The Helpol Helpline

A HelPol blog dedicated to delivering information, advice and more! My askbox is currently CLOSED

[thehelpolhelpline]

Welcome To The HelPol Helpline!

Hello! My name is Thea, and welcome to my blog. As you can probably tell, I initially made this to talk about Hellenic Polytheism and maybe even give some advice along the way

It's very important for me to say that I'm not an expert, so if I make a mistake then please let me know. I don't want to spread false information, especially not about religion

Now, Let Me Introduce Myself!

Like I said before, you can call me Thea and my pronouns are she/her. I'm a devotee to Dionysos, and have been for about a year or so now, I've learned a lot on my journey and still have plenty more to educate myself on

Boundaries

ASKBOX IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

- If you have a question for me, then I'm more than happy to answer them, but I'd feel a lot more comfortable if it was asked via my askbox rather than my DMs. Of course, if you wish to remain anonymous then I completely understand - Please don't spam me if I don't answer your question right away, I have a lot of things going on (general life admin) and so I can't be glued to my laptop all the time. I'll do my best to get to your question! - My askbox and blog is open to monotheists and atheists too, but please be respectful. I'm a huge advocate for creating a judgement-free space to educate and understand, and I won't tolerate or argue with people that try to invalidate anyone's faith - All content will be tagged appropriately if it's necessary to do so

[khaire-traveler]

I'm a big supporter of "the gods love you, regardless of how much you're able to do to worship them", but at the same time, it's difficult to forge a relationship with any deity (or even other people) if you don't allow yourself to be known by them. If you don't have moments of vulnerability, moments of silliness, moments of small joy even, then it's difficult to forge relationships or take them to a deeper level. Loving gods (or even other people) can be a scary thing for some people (hell, it was for me), but if you don't allow your heart to be exposed, even just a little, then you're not going to get back as much as you're hoping to.

Anything that's worth anything in life is going to require some level of risk, as terrifying as that feels sometimes, and in my opinion, having a deeper connection with a deity is one of those things that's worth the risk.

My point isn't that we aren't loved by the gods if we don't do a ritual everyday or pray every hour; my point here is that we cannot deepen our bonds if we aren't willing to dip more than just our toes into our deity relationships. Love your gods, and know that you are loved, but they can't really help you if you won't let them in, you know?

[thehelpolhelpline]

A beautifully-written post that makes excellent points. Don't be afraid to find playfulness and vulnerability in your worship, it's an important part of building connection with the Gods

[thehelpolhelpline]

Dionysian Celebrations: A Quick Guide

First of all, I hope everyone is having a pleasant New Year! I also believe a few Helpol and Pagan holidays have since passed, so I also wanted to wish you all a belated Imbolc, Rural Dionysia, and Lenaia!

Because there have been a few holidays that have passed, as well as more to come, I decided to make a quick post going into the specifics of the celebrations in the Dionysian calendar for those that want to know a little more about each one, and how they can honour it in their own way

DISCLAIMER: It's very difficult for me to find exact dates for these celebrations, so any timeframes given are purely estimates, if anyone can find a more accurate source then please let me know!

Also, you'll notice that a lot of these are things that can be done all year round, and I encourage that! Much like how charity and kindness aren't limited to Christmastime, a lot of these can be applied even when their respective festivals are over

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Lenaia

DAYS OF WORSHIP: January 28th - February 2nd

Lenaia involves connection to the divine presence of Dionysos Lenaios, and focused on wine and ecstasy and emotional release, as well as the performance of comedies. It may have been celebrated in honour of Dionysos' rebirth after being 'murdered' by the Cyclopes I say 'may have', because very little is really known about Lenaia. It's said that it was originally a small, local festival which was mainly celebrated by the Maenads (female worshippers of Dionysos - Lenai being another name for them). It's also said that it was the foundation, of sorts, to the much larger City Dionysia, which we'll speak about later

How You Can Honour Lenaia

- Write down something that's occupying your mind. It could be an unwanted memory, something in the future that you're worried about, or just a thought that you wish would go away. Write it down on a piece of paper, then "release it" by destroying the paper however you wish. You could, if you're able to, write it on a plate and smash it on the ground outside, but this might not be accessible to everyone

- Indulge in comedy. This can take many forms. You could watch a show or movie that makes you laugh, watch stand-up comedy routines online/in person, or even write your own sketches. Comedy is an important part of Lenaia, and it's also just a lot of fun!

- If you do drink, offer a small libation of wine and drink with Him. If you don't drink/don't like wine, then you could do the same with grape juice. You probably could even use water if that's all you have access to

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Anthesteria

DAYS OF WORSHIP: 19th - 21st February (I've seen several different timeframes for this one, so if I'm wrong please let me know!)

Anthesteria is a three-day festival that celebrates the beginning of Spring. The first day (Pithoigia) involved the giving of libations, the second (Choës) was dedicated to merry-making and involved lots of music and storytelling, and the third day (Chytroi) was for honouring the dead. While this used to involve giving a sacrifice, you'll be happy to know that it's no longer a requirement!

How You Can Honour Anthesteria

- During Pithoigia, you can give a libation of wine/a beverage of your choice. While new wine was used in Ancient Greece, it's completely understandable if you don't want to buy a whole new bottle (I've seen those prices. They're eye-watering)

- Choës is far more social, the perfect time to check up on friends! You don't need to tell them about Anthesteria, just a quick catch-up (be it in person or over the phone) is a great way to honour the day - it's also nice to show your friends that you love them! Music is also a great way to celebrate, so put on your favourite song and dance, sing, or simply sit and allow the melody to wash over you. If storytelling is your thing, maybe write a short story or poem inspired by the song you're listening to

- Since Chytroi is focused on honouring the dead, it can be a very heavy time for some, particularly those that have experienced loss and grief. For that reason, I don't think it's right for me to instruct anyone on what to do on the third day. In truth, my only advice is to honour the dead however you feel is right, but also remember to take care of your own wellbeing too. Like I said, grief is a difficult thing to navigate, and while it can be healthy to confront it, going too far will only make it worse

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City Dionysia

DAYS OF WORSHIP: March 25th - April 1st

City Dionysia (also referred to as Great Dionysia) was a very important celebration in Ancient Athens. It involved theatrical performances which both entertained, and provided an opportunity for people to reflect on societal and personal changes which needed to be made. City Dionysia is a time for both creative revelry, and tackling complex issues and ideas

How You Can Honour City Dionysia

- Try and get involved in social justice. Especially with everything going on in the news, it's the best time to figure out how you can do your part. Whether that's by going to protests, donating to charities, signing petitions, or helping to educate others/sharing information you find from reputable sources, everyone has the ability to get involved somehow. It might be overwhelming at first, but you don't have to get involved in every single aspect. Even only getting involved in one is better than nothing at all

- Show some appreciation for the theatre. Tickets to live shows are expensive, so don't feel pressured to go out and spend large amounts. Instead, you can find clips online, or source playscripts/books about theatre from a bookstore, library, or online

- Since City Dionysia is just as much about reflecting on yourself as it is the world, try making a list of goals you want to achieve and when you hope to achieve them by. Even if you don't end up tackling them all, it'll be great to look back on how far you've come

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Rural Dionysia

DAYS OF WORSHIP: 30th Dec - 5th Jan

As the name suggests, Rural Dionysia honours agricultural life and the power of the natural world. It was a more intimate festival when compared to City Dionysia, and represented unity, renewal and rebirth

How You Can Honour Rural Dionysia

- Once again, libations are a great way of honouring this festival. It may sound repetitive, but it makes sense for wine to be important to Dionysos!

- Because there's such a strong emphasis on nature, going out and experiencing it for yourself is another good way of celebrating. Even if you don't live somewhere with many green spaces, it might still be worth taking the time to see if the natural world comes through in spite of it. Maybe the road you live on has a strip of trees nearby, or maybe weeds and shrubs emerge stubbornly from between concrete slabs

- Even if there's very little fauna around you, maybe this could be the time to look into what you can do to protect the natural world while also giving back to your community. Is there a local organization or charity you could donate to or volunteer at? Maybe you could pick up the litter that surrounds your neighbourhood, or maybe it's as simple as reflecting on how you could make little changes to your life in order to live in a more eco-friendly way

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References

This is, admittedly, the first time I've collated my references rather than dotting them throughout a post. But, I feel like it would be useful to share exactly where I get information from so that you can look as well - especially since I went to a lot of different places for this!

[s.n] [n.d] Day 7. Lenaia: The Ancient Greek Festival of Light and Transformation bridgesuu [online]. Available from: Day 7. Lenaia: The Ancient Greek Festival of Light and Transformation. - BridgesUU

[s.n] [n.d] Lenaia hellenicaworld [online]. Available from: Lenaia

Britannica Editors (2017) Anthesteria britannica [online]. Available from: Dionysus | Powers, God, Parents, Meaning, Symbols, & Facts | Britannica

[s.n] [n.d] Anthesteria hellenicfaith [online]. Available from: Anthesteria | Hellenic Faith

Michaela Antonis (2024) The Rituals of the City Dionysia: A Festival Of Transformation mythologyworldwide [online]. Available from: The Rituals of the City Dionysia: A Festival of Transformation - Greek Mythology

Jessi [n.d] Rural (Country) Dionysia hellenion [online]. Available from: Rural (Country) Dionysia – Hellenion

Jen Sequel (2025) Rural Dionysia: The Ancient Greek Festival of Wine, Fertility, and Winter Renewal jensequel [online]. Available from: Rural Dionysia: The Ancient Greek Festival of Wine, Fertility, and Winter Renewal

[thehelpolhelpline]

I grew up atheist, I've never really known how to pray or what to do, is there anything general structure I could use for myself?

As someone who also grew up atheist, I can completely empathize with this. What I found helped me with establishing routine was doing weekly prayer rather than daily. Though daily seems to be more common, it can be very overwhelming for somebody new to religious practice, dedicating one day in the week to prayer is an easy gateway into establishing routine

Longer prayers, for me at least, usually involve washing my hands and face with cool water, and then saying a prayer in my head in front of my alter (you don't need to have one, I just like having a designated spot). You can find prayers online, or do what I did and write your own. Don't worry if you're not the greatest writer, intention is always the top priority

[thehelpolhelpline]

Easy Ways To Worship (When Things Are A Bit Difficult)

It's been a while, isn't it?

This post is, admittedly, based on my own personal experiences. As of recently, for several reasons, I've been struggling with praying. I still feel deeply connected to Dionysos, however my motivation to properly pray has been low.

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Why Might People Struggle With Praying

There are a few reasons why someone might end up struggling with prayer even though they feel a connection to their God/s. This can be due to increasingly busy schedules, events in life that mean you have other things to think about, or you might even be in a situation/location where prayer is inaccessible. It could even be as simple as physical or emotional exhaustion

None of this makes you a bad person, nor will you be punished for it. I've said this a few times before, but your faith should never be more important than your own wellbeing. If you ever find yourself having to choose between praying and taking time to do you own life admin, the Gods will never take offense to you choosing yourself for as long as you need to

That being said, if you want some ways to make worship a little easier to take into for day-to-day life, then here are some ways to do so

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Easy/Subtle Worship Methods

Prayer Modifications

Prayers don't have to be particularly long. Usually, prayer is a ritual that involves cleansing and taking time to prayer. It's a special thing, but it can, understandably, feel overwhelming. In prayer, what matters more than technique is intention, so there's nothing wrong with making prayer time work for you

It's perfectly OK for a prayer to take place while you're lying in bed, before you go to sleep. And a prayer can also be a short sentence - my go-to is "praise be to Dionysos". Short, simple, straight to the point

Devotional Jewellery/Objects

If you have/find an object that reminds you of your Deity, then carrying it around with you could help you feel more connected - the same way a Christian might wear a cross around their neck. People often use jewellery (necklaces, bracelets, rings etc.) but you could also use gemstones or other imagery. It doesn't have to be a large object, just something you can keep in a pocket somewhere

Day-To-Day Activities

Devotional activities are another great way of maintaining a connection with a Deity. Be that by picking up a hobby, or consuming media that reminds of them, devotional tasks can be as simple as you'd like them to be. For example, I've made a devotional playlist that I listen to from time to time. I've also written poems in the past that centre around Dionysos. You don't have to spent copious amounts of time and money on these things, but it might be worth looking into what your God/s are known for and finding adjacent activities or media about those subjects

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Worship is a beautiful thing, and something that must be taken seriously. That being said, it doesn't mean that prayer is more important than you're own wellbeing. If you ever need to take time away/alter your worship, for whatever reason, the Gods won't look at you harshly.

Remember that, in prayer and worship, intention is far more important than method

[thehelpolhelpline]

Hello I’m back and with a bit of a crisis

I have two pieces of jewelry, one dedicated to Dionysus and one to Apollo. My mom bought the Dionysus one for me and my Apollo one was handmade so they’re both really important to me for multiple reasons

Recently I was in rehearsal for a show and I went to touch my necklace for Dionysus and it just ? Wasn’t there anymore. Which wasn’t the most surprising, that necklace broke all the time, but every time it would have at least fallen somewhere near me, and I hadn’t left that one room since I got there. I checked the entire room and every I had been like three times before leaving, and got my mom to check the car while I was gone but neither of us found anything, my friend said she’d keep an eye out and she never found it either. I hoped that maybe it fell off when I was at home and I somehow didn’t notice for hours but I haven’t found it at home either

Considering the necklace was kind of badly made and broke often I thought it was just a sad event

After that I stopped where my bracelets to rehearsal either, because I was also scared of losing those and I knew that once the show was over I wouldn’t be back in that entire building for possibly years. I put all my bracelets on my alter, including the one for Apollo. Just this morning I went to put them all on and every single bracelet was there except for apollos. It’s completely gone, not anywhere else on or around the alter. I don’t know where it might’ve possibly gone

I’m starting to worry that there’s a reason that only my dedicational jewelry keeps going missing, has that ever happened to you or have you ever heard of things similar?? I’m honestly really distressed, no matter the reason for them going missing I generally just don’t like them not being with me. I’ve tried praying, asking them if they could help me find the lost jewelry in return for offerings but nothing’s helped yet

Once again apologies for the very long ask I’m just very paranoid and concerned about this

Truthfully, I don't think there's anything to worry about. I've had moments where I've almost lost/misplaced my own necklace, more often than not it's just gone missing and isn't a sign of the Gods being upset

I hope you find your jewellery soon, but just remember that being punished by the Gods very rarely happens. And it only does when someone is deliberately and intentionally malicious or disrespectful

[thehelpolhelpline]

is it true that if I communicate with a chtonic deity, I get miasma? I'm very curious! :D

Well, Dionysos is considered a chtonic God, and nobody's complained about the way I smell yet!

In all seriousness, while it's good to have old texts in mind when it comes to worship, I'd take ideas like this with a pinch of salt. This is purely my own opinion, but it feels like a fear-mongering tactic. Like saying the Christian God will punish people if they do something wrong. I've never seen anyone complain of miasma induced by worship, but if anyone has then I'm open to hearing their perspective!

[thehelpolhelpline]

Hypothetically if you somehow over complicate worship in your brain despite knowing logically it brings you peace, but you’ve like stressed yourself out and it’s hard to have the motivation to pray how would you go about mending that so you can worship happily like you used to?

If prayer is causing you stress, then it might be worth re-evaluating how you worship and changing it to better suit you at the moment

The way you pray can vary over time depending on how your life changes, I've gone between praying everyday and only praying every so often. Sometimes I give an offering, other times I don't. I've even put prayer on hold because I had other things I needed to sort out

There's nothing wrong with not having a prayer style that fluctuates, especially not if it makes prayer more accessible to you

[thehelpolhelpline]

hello!!

im about to get some tarot cards, and im a VERY baby helpol, so i was wondering the basics of using them in hellenism. if it helps, im a devotee to Lord Apollon and Lord Hypnos!

I'm afraid I don't know the first thing about Tarot, so I'm opening this up to the comments in the hopes that others will be able to give an answer!

If anyone has any input or advice, please do leave a comment

[thehelpolhelpline]

Hey! I’m uh… back

So I recently communicated with Dionysus with a pendulum for the first time and he seemed reluctant to use it at all, I got the vibe that he didn’t really want to use the pendulum? But later he also said he wanted his very own pendulum just for himself so maybe that was the problem? Anyways if you have experience with actually communicating with him through divination and such do you know if this is common with him? Like wanting his own objects, being more reluctant/small with his answers, etc? Just curious cause I was a bit surprised I guess?

I'll be honest, I've only ever communicated with Dionysos when he's given a signal that he wants to speak with me. And those moments are few and far between. I also use a different method of divination (dice)

However, the few times I've communicated with Him via divination, I've only ever really gotten short answers. Again, this might be partly due to how I do it, but the Gods giving shorter answers is actually quite common. I know many people online like to say they've had long, detailed conversations with deities, but this has been put under scrutiny several times. I'd say take these claims with a pinch of salt as, more often than not, you're more likely to get shorter, even more cryptic, answers

Sometimes, the Gods might reach out for an offering, but don't be afraid if you're unable to give one right away. The Gods are very understanding, and they know that some things are out of your control

[thehelpolhelpline]

hello!! i’m new to hellenism and need some advice uhh yeah

i feel like sometimes i’m not connected to my religion. like i can’t feel any signs or feelings towards the gods i worship. i dont know if it’s me just not doing enough or what. any advice to help?

As someone that's been through similar, I'll try and give my insight as best as I can

First of all, it's important to say that it's not a personal failing to not feel connected to your religion, it's nothing to do with how hard you try. There are many reasons that you might not be as connected as you once were, maybe there are other things on your mind or you're in a situation where consistent prayer is difficult. The Gods won't punish or look down on you for this

What helped me is prioritizing how I needed to pray over trying to imitate how others did it. I currently can't use an alter, so I have a necklace that I take with me everywhere. And, when I want to pray, I hold it and say my prayer in my head. Sometimes I say the full thing, other times it's a simple "praise be to Dionysos". I also tend to squeeze it whenever an association brings me back to Him, it serves as a little acknowledgement of the moment.

It's normal to go through phases in terms of how connected you feel to your religion, sometimes you'll feel super close and other times it'll be further away. What I also found helpful is trying to seek them out in your day-to-day life. For example, Dionysos is the God of Theatre, something I'm already passionate about, so I like to immerse myself in that world as much as I can. I'm not sure which God/s you worship, but it's worth looking into what they're associated with and potentially researching or picking up a hobby linked to it

If anyone else has any suggestion, then please do share your input!

[thehelpolhelpline]

More Things I Wish I Knew When I First Converted To HelPol

It's been a while, hasn't it? My apologies, things got a little busy I'll be completely honest, I initially only wanted to make this because I realised I'd forgotten some points in my original post. But, I saw that a lot of people seemed to like that post, which was even more of a reason to make a part 2!

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It's OK To Only Worship One God

Polytheism, by definition, is the belief that there is more than one God - which is seen in several religions such as Tengrism and Hinduism. Despite this, I only really felt myself being drawn to Dionysos, but I'd only come across HelPols that worshipped several at once

It's actually completely alright to feel more strongly drawn to a particular deity, as long as you maintain a level of respect with all the Gods. Polytheists that only pray to one do exist, and it's also possible to feel a stronger connection to one particular deity out of those they worship

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The Gods Don't Hold Grudges

This is a bit more of a personal one, but it's worth sharing

I'm of Turkish descent, and there's a long history of Anatolia (Ancient Türkiye) committing numerous acts of oppression and genocide on the Greeks. For this reason, part of me wondered if the Gods felt some level of disgust and anger towards me because of my heritage. However, in reading about Dionysos and speaking with other HelPols, I found out that a large number of Anatolians worshipped the Gods

On top of this, I was reassured that the Gods will not hold you accountable for the actions of those that came before you. Especially not those from centuries ago

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It's Alright To Turn To Gods You Don't Worship For Help

Without going into too much detail, but I found myself in a situation where I desperately needed the assistance of Apollo. I hesitated asking, because I hadn't devoted myself to Him - would He even listen?

I bit the bullet, gave an offering, and prayed. Thankfully, I sensed Him listening, and I can safely say that I feel better for it

Sometimes, we need to turn to someone specific in our moment of need, this is nothing to be ashamed of. Personally, I like to give something in return, like an offering

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[thehelpolhelpline]

Explaining Dionysos (As Simply As Possible)

So, you want to know more about Dionysos, but don't know where or how to start? Don't worry, because I've definitely been there! Hence why I've put together a little guide to give you some starter knowledge

DISCLAIMER: This is only a basic guide, I'll be including sources that I've found helpful that I recommend you check out. I'm not a fountain of knowledge, and those resources will help deepen understanding

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The Many Names Of Dionysos

Dionysos goes by a lot of different names, many of which you can find on theoi.com under "Dionysus Names And Epitaph"

But I'll explain some of the more common ones here:

- Obviously, the most common way you'll hear Him referred to is Dionysus or Dionysos. Both of these iterations mean the same thing, with Dionysos being the original Greek and Dionysus being it's Latinized counterpart - Another name He commonly goes by is Bacchus, which is where the term "Bacchae" comes from - more on that later!

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Myths And Stories

Like all the Gods, the best way to learn about them is through stories written about them by the Ancient Greeks themselves. Below, I've listed some plays and myths as well as short summaries of each. Like I said at the start though, please don't just go off of my descriptions, reading the original stories will always give you more accurate information

Plays/Poetry About Dionysos

- THE BACCHAE (EURIPIDES): A Greek tragedy about revenge and the cost of disrespecting a God. The term "Bacchae" refers to His female followers, which were also known as Maeneds - THE FROGS (ARISTOPHANES): A comedy about Dionysos' descent into the Underworld to revive the deceased writer Euripides

Myths Featuring Dionysos

Dionysiaca, the epic poem by Nonnus Panopolis, is the most detailed source of Dionysian myth, but you can probably find more accessible iterations of the stories elsewhere online. There are a lot of myths, but I've supplied short summaries of key ones below

I do urge people to look into others, which you can find a list of via thecollector.com under "10 Myths About The Greek God Dionysus" HelPol aside, they're just really interesting

- THE BIRTH OF DIONYSOS/WRATH OF HERA: Son of an affair between Zeus and Semele, the myth includes Hera's revenge and Zeus' protection of His son - AMPELOS AND THE GRAPEVINE: Details how Dionysos came to invent wine after the death of a young satyr whom Dionysos loved - ARIADNE: How Ariadne, after being abandoned by Theseus, became Dionysos' wife - HERA'S RESCUE AND DIONYSOS' ASCENCION TO OLYMPUS: How Dionysos rescued Hera from Hephaesteus, which resulted in her welcoming him as an Olympian

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Days Of Worship

I struggled with finding exact dates as to when these holidays were celebrated, I don't even know if "holiday" is the proper terminology, but hopefully this will give a decent amount of understanding on some important dates in the Dionysian calendar

- CITY DIONYSIA (25TH MARCH - 1ST APRIL): A celebration which involves a focus on dramatic arts and civic pride, as well as the subversion of societal roles

- RURAL DIONYSIA (30TH DECEMBER - 5TH JANUARY): As the name suggests, this focuses on the natural aspects of life, and honours traditional customs

- LENAIA (28TH JANUARY - 2ND FEBRUARY): This celebration focuses on wine-related attributes, as well as ecstacy and connecting to His divine presence

- ANTHESTERIA (3RD - 5TH MARCH): A celebration of Spring, and an honouring of the dead

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Of course, this is just a basic list and by no means an entire summary of Dionysian knowledge, if there's anything I missed then please let me know! I can go into more detail about other aspects (like offering ideas or devotional acts) in another post. But if you have any questions then leave a comment!

[thehelpolhelpline]

I’m back 🧍 apologies for so many questions, again take your time to answer and no pressure at all for anything

I have devotional jewelry for both Apollo and Dionysus, and it feels very natural and comforting to wear them, but I feel almost unsafe and vulnerable when I take them off. I have no clue if that means anything or if I’m just so used to wearing them now or whatever but??

Is there also a specific way I must “assign”, for lack of a better term, a piece of jewelry or any sort of object to them or do you think they just know?

As someone that owns a devotional necklace, I think it's normal to feel a sense of comfort when wearing it. I personally feel a strong sense of closeness to Dionysos when I have it nearby. However, I've never felt unsafe or vulnerable without it, I don't know how common that is. But, as someone that also does a lot of activities where I can't wear my necklace all the time, the Gods won't be angered by you not constantly wearing it or forgetting every so often

In terms of assigning jewellery, I just hold it when I pray, but that's by no means the definitive way of doing it. The thing with HelPol, while there are rules to an extent, different people will have their own way of going about things that fits them. There are very few wrong ways of practicing, as long as it's done with intention and respect. So, for some, simply buying/making the jewellery with the intention of using it for devotional purposes is enough

[thehelpolhelpline]

I’m pretty new to paganism and religion as a whole. I was not raised religious in any way nor was I really taught about any religion, so I really have a lot I need to learn. Starting from scratch if you will.

(If it’s helpful information at all I worship Dionysus and Apollo)

I get very worried about how prayer works and if I’m reaching the gods. Are there specific incantations I must say? Can I simply think of them and that’s enough to send my prayer? Must I say their name? Must I always give an offering? Must I always light a candle?

Essentially I have many many questions and don’t know exactly where or how to find my answers

I also worry about honouring and respecting my gods. Should I always refer to them formally? As if talking to someone far above me socially? Or is it ok to just talk to them as I would any other human? I often get too anxious to pray at all in fear that I might be doing something wrong and only making our connection worse

Also, so sorry about how long this is, but I don’t quite understand how to build a connection with them? Especially because I can’t exactly just have a conversation with them. With humans you build a connection and relationship typically by asking questions to get to know them or by spending more and more time with them but it’s not like I can just interview the gods or… hang out with them so to speak.

Apologies for how long this whole thing was, no pressure to like… answer all of it or anything. I just am… confused I guess and don’t know exactly where to go about all of this

I'll try and answer each question in its own section, hopefully it helps! HelPol is a religion that not many people talk or really know about, so it's completely understandable to have a lot of questions. In fact, a lot of your questions are ones that I had when I started

Prayer in HelPol

There are Homeric (longer and incorporate more mythos) and Orphic (shorter and easier to memorise) prayers for the Gods, but you can also write your own - which is what I did. If you write your own, it doesn't need to be a long one, nor do you need to be poetic and formal if that's not your style. A simple "Dionysos, I honour you, thanks for [xyz]" is just as good!

And prayers don't have to be spoken outloud either, so it's perfectly alright to speak them in your head. As long as you talk to them with respect, that's what matters

Building A Connection

Building a connection with the Gods takes time, like any connection does, but it's quite simple to do! Prayer, giving offerings (when you're able to), and partaking in devotional activities. These devotional activities don't have to be huge, I have a devotional playlist that I listen to while going on walks. I'm also super into theatre, so I read a lot of playscripts and watch clips of shows whenever I can

Hopefully this has been of some use, and if anyone else has advice then leave a comment! I wish you good luck on your HelPol journey

[thehelpolhelpline]

Films With A Dionysian Flair

If there's one thing anyone that knows me knows, it's that I'm somewhat of a film nerd. Since I love talking about them, I figured this was the perfect excuse to do so!

NOTE: Content warnings will be provided wherever necessary, pretty much all of these films are unsafe for minors

Since mine are quite broad, I recommend using the website DoesTheDogDie for more specific content warnings - just be aware that some might contain spoilers

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Velvet Goldmine (1998) - Dir. Todd Haynes

It feels like this film was MADE for me A visually striking homage to 80s glam, with themes of liberation from social norms and coming-of-age, Velvet Goldmine is easily one of my top films of all time. Everything from the soundtrack to the cinematography is absolutely stunning, and it's become a go-to recommendation!

CONTENT WARNINGS: This film contains nudity/sexual content, drug usage, and mentions of/implied sexual assault. It also contains flashing lights

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The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - Dir. Jim Sharman

I don't think I could've made this list without mentioning The Rocky Horror Picture Show. While there are elements that are controversial in this modern day, there's no denying the powerful impact this film has had on LGBT audiences. Not only has it encouraged people to embrace their wildness and hidden desires, but it provides a safe space for people to be themselves at screenings and theatre showings Personally, I adore both the film and the stage show, and I think it's completely soaked in Dionysian energy

CONTENT WARNING: This film features outdated language and sexual content

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Wilde (1994) - Dir. Brian Gilbert

The Picture Of Dorian Gray is pretty much THE book about hedonism, so of course the biopic about its author will feel just as delightfully indulgent! Detailing Oscar Wilde coming to terms with his sexuality, as well as his passionate affair with Alfred Bosie Douglas, Wilde is a visual and narrative treat

CONTENT WARNINGS: This film contains nudity/sexual content and homophobia

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We Are Animals (2013) - Dir. Dominic Haxton

I feel like this one might be the most niche film on this list, but it's arguably the most Dionysian one here. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the character of Nathan was directly inspired by Him! Set in a dystopian world where men are forced to take medication to suppress their homosexual urges, We Are Animals is all about fighting against societal norms and finding liberation in owning your desires

CONTENT WARNINGS: This film contains sexual content, violence and blood

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Moulin Rouge! (2001) - Dir. Baz Luhrmann

As a massive fan of musical theatre, I'm admittedly hesitant to recommend this film to those newer to the genre, purely because it can get pretty wacky at certain points. However, that's the exact reason why I recommend it to those looking for a film with raw Dionysian energy

A beautiful story of pure love that's as magical as it is forbidden, wrapped in striking visuals and a glorious soundtrack, Moulin Rouge is easily one of my favourite stage-to-screen adaptations

CONTENT WARNINGS: This films contains sexual content, psychological/emotional abuse, violence, death, and flashing lights

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Burlesque (2010) - Dir. Steve Antin

I feel like most films about performers could make it onto this list, but Burlesque in particular deserves its spot. Stories about a wide-eyed newcomer that wants to make it big in the entertainment industry never get old, and Burlesque treats this sexually liberating world with the respect it deserves

And yes, it's another musical. No, I won't apologize

CONTENT WARNINGS: Contains sexual content, alcohol abuse and strobe effects

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Chicago (2002) - Dir. Rob Marshall

You could honestly make this and Burlesque a double bill (which I now want to do. Like, REALLY badly)

Fans of musicals, murder-mysteries, and films that show a darker side to showbiz will love Chicago. Easily one of the best movie-musical adaptations of all time in terms of both accuracy to the original source and cleverly utilized creative licencing which actually enhances the story

CONTENT WARNINGS: This film contains gaslighting, themes of adultery, and sexual innuendo and implications. It also contains shaky cam and flashing lights

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Rent (2005) - Dir. Chris Columbus

YES IT'S ANOTHER MUSICAL, OK? LET ME LIVE!! /lh

Whereas the other films on this list speak more to the madness and sexual liberation of Dionysus, Rent focuses more on communal celebration and finding unity and resistance in the dark. It's a rebellious and sparky film about "being an us for once, instead of a them"

CONTENT WARNINGS: This film contains drug use/addiction, AIDS and death

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There are probably plenty more films that I don't have, so please leave some more Dionysos-coded films below! And, if there are films that remind you of other Deities, feel free to share them as well

[thehelpolhelpline]

Hi, I hope you're doing well! Do the Gods know everything we think/do like how Christians say God does? Or do they just know what we tell them?

Thanks!!!!

This is a really good question, and one I've asked myself many times. While I don't think anyone can answer with 100% certainty, I have my own personal view and I encourage others to share theirs!

In my opinion, I think the Gods have way better things to do than watching our personal lives like reality TV. And, in all honesty, I don't believe they have that ability

Unlike in monotheistic religions like Christianity, there's no All Powerful Deity in HelPol. Zeus is King, yes, but his rule is over the Gods. Not humanity, therefore He doesn't have the ability to control mortals the way it's believed the Christian God can

In layman's terms: while the Gods possess powers beyond our comprehension, I don't believe they're omnipotent. They have their domains, so to speak, but they're not able to see or control every aspect of our lives. In fact, I'd say it's genuinely problematic if someone believes they're constantly being observed by a higher power - regardless of their religious belief