Getting Started With Hellenic Polytheism
*this is specifically related to practicing aspects of the ancient religion not just worshipping Greek Gods. I call this "Hellenic Thriskeía" based on the Greek language name for the modern religion— info.
Please respect Greek people, this is a living breathing culture and language. Do not refer to your religion as "Hellenismos" or "Hellenism," and do not refer to yourself as a "Hellene" or "Hellenist" due to your religious identity. Information here & here.
I am not a religious authority of any kind. I have no higher eduction in classics. These are my ideas that I want to share. This is a highly edited version of an old post that I no longer like.
Greek God = Theos (singular) Theoi (plural)
Know you do not need to suddenly know everything to begin worship— studying & worship can happen side by side.
"Ancient texts and material finds attest to its quintessential role for the libation, the most ubiquitous ritual in Greek antiquity. The religious act of intentionally pouring out liquids, whether water, wine, milk or honey, onto the ground, an altar or another surface was performed on numerous occasions" — The Greek Libation Bowl as Embodied Object by Milette Gaifman pg 450 Link
A libation is a ritual outpouring of liquids. Libations were part of all sacrifices but could also be performed as independent rituals. The common terms for the rituals are spondai and choai. The former term is most frequent and referred to a controlled outpouring of a small amount of liquid for the Olympian gods by the help of a jug and a phiale. Choai were poured out entirely and were used for libations to the gods of the underworld, the heroes and the dead. — Libations, Greek by Gunnel Ekroth Abstract
Whether you do separate techniques for "Olympian" vs "Khthonic" is up to you. I don't since many Gods can be considered both depending on the situation, like Hermes.
The most common liquid for this is red wine, but water, honey, milk, or oil are also common. — Link
🔹I’m using Zeus as an example.
Prepare a glass of water or other liquid
Go to the altar if you have one
Wipe hands with Khernips [if you use it, see below]
Sprinkle Khernips lightly on the altar space [if you use it]
“O Mighty Zeus, King of the Gods, you are strong and powerful. I have come to honor you”
Hold up the glass of water
“Zeus, Lord of lightning, I offer you this water out of gratitude and love. I have given to you before and I will give to you again”
Pour the water slowly either into a separate bowl, onto the ground, into a fire, or down a clean sink.
“Zeus, strong and powerful, I ask that you help me get through today’s conference call. I thank you and say farewell.”
Take glass of water and hold it up
“Zeus you are mighty and powerful, I seek your help for this meeting, this water I have brought is to show my desire to honor you”
Pour water out into bowl, ground, fire, or clean sink.
“Thank you, Zeus, King of the Gods”
🔹For those of us with minimal energy you can do this at a sink or in a shower:
The above is important because it builds reciprocity Kharis— the relationship between Theoi and mortals info (by @/verdantlyviolet)
Altars in Ancient Greece were places of sacrifice and ritual worship
...vases began to depict altars in a variety of scenes. These altars were shown either in the context of standard mythological vignettes that were set at or near an altar or in scenes of cult activities, libations, offerings and/or sacrifices focused at an altar. This fairly common practice was continued on red-figured and white ground vases through the mid-fourth century B.C. — Blazing Altars: The Representation of Altars in Attic Vase Painting" By David W. Rupp Link
They were located in land/area specificlly set aside for the worship of the Theoi
A Greek cult-place needed to be set off from the surroundings, to be a temenos, but also to have an altar or a sacrificial installation. This was the bare minimum for its effective use as a location where communication with the divine sphere could be achieved. A temple or a statue of the god was not a prerequisite. — Rings, Pits, Bone and Ash: Greek Altars in Context by Gunnel Ekroth Link
An altar, therefore, constitutes the emblem for holy ground, the presence of the gods and the connection with the divine — same as above
Thus modern altars are used to commune with the divine, a place for them in your home & life, and a place to present offerings & libations. Whether you want to call in an altar, a shrine, or a scared space in English is up to you.
Intentionally designate a space for your worship, big or small, and make sure it is clean.
While this is not necessary it is frequently used in modern worship: Choose an item for the Theoi you wish to worship. Such as a picture of them, a statue, or some other object. Place it in that space.
Add anything you might like: candle, incense, flowers, cloth to cover surface, decorations, etc.
Many Hellenic Polytheists will also keep Khernips (by @/forthegloryofthetheoi) purified water on their altar. Though this is not necessary— post here. About purity vs consecration here (by @/sisterofiris)
You might keep a cup and bowl for libations at this space
You might keep a prayer book or religious journal here also
Say longer prayers and use supplication, supplication is a natural part of Kharis Guides here.
Offer food, which can be similar to the libation formula. Hellenic Polytheists disagree on what to do with the food afterwards which is why I always suggest a libation at the beginning.
Say a prayer when lighting incense to state that it as an offering.
Meditate at the altar. Let thoughts and presence of the Theoi help calm your soul.
Dance or sing for the Theoi at your altar or play them music.
Read the myths aloud to the Theoi.
🌺Reconstructed or Common Practices
🔹I highly suggest Labrys Household Worship book here is an article that has a lot of the book.
🔹Practice the 3 day new month rituals
Hekate Deipnon, Noumenia, and Agathos Daimon,
Info here (by @/verdantlyviolet), here from Labrys, here from Hellenion.
I’m not sure if this is truly historical, see here (by @/verdantlyviolet) however it is used often by recon/revive Hellenic Polytheists. Guide from Hellenion. Video Guide (by @/baringtheaegis.)
🔹Following a reconstructed calendar
These can include regular days scheduled for a particular Theos. Almost all are based off the Ancient Attic calendar. Here is Hellenion's version. There is an app to track the Attic calendar and it overlays Hellenion's festivals/month days (but you can toggle that off) here. Also the HMEPA Calendar Here.
🔹Partake in modern versions of Ancient Festivals
The Hellenic Polytheist community celebrates a variety of different reconstructed festivals. Which you partake in may be dependent on which Theoi you wish to honor. There are practically an endless number.
Common ones I've seen are Dionysia, Anthesteria (by @/khaire-traveler), Theogamia, among others.
🔹Do not stress about calendars or festivals this is just an idea.
Practicing Xenia, hospitality, is considered a ubiquitous aspect of this religion see here. Xenia is not a synonym for "social justice." It is an aspect of Greek culture, referred to as Philoxenia in modern times.
Miasma is not something humans incur unless you commit heinous acts. Lyma is the naturally occuring "dirtiness" of everyday life that can be removed away by washing your hands. Info here (by @/sisterofiris)
The "7 Pillars of Hellenimos" are a modern concept created by a bigot and are in no way a necessary part of this religion. See here & here.
You may wish to study the classical philosophers of Ancient Greece
Here is a big list of resources including multiple Google Drives of information on Hellenic Polytheism.
Avoid YSEE organization they are Greek ethnic-nationalists info
Avoid HellenicFaith website for its immense disrespect of Greek people and culture info
🌺Some Ideas for Choosing Theoi to begin with:
You do not need a Theos to "call to you"; you don't need divination to pick one; you don't need divination to "confirm" if you picked the right one. You can literally just pick any. The Theoi permeated life in ancient Greece and people worshipped the ones of their family and settlement.
I’m not trying to overwhelm anyone I’m just trying to give a whole group of ideas for people. I suggest Theoi.com for easy access info on the Theoi but also be cautious of some information due to its age info (by @/dionysiandevotee)
🔹You could start with Hestia because she is Goddess of the home and thus an excellent place to start in my opinion.
🔹Zeus and Hera the King and Queen of The Theoi
🔹A Theos related to your work/studies. Examples:
Apollo or Asklepios for the health care field
Hermes for communication or information technology fields
Gaia for environmental fields
Themis, Dike, Zeus for legal fields
Athena, Metis, or Sophia for general studies
Hephestios for engineering fields
Rhea, Artemis, Apollo, Hera, or Zeus for parenthood
Nyx if you work the “graveyard shift”
🔹A Theos related to something you want to improve in your life. Examples:
Aphrodite or the Khairtes for self-love or if you struggle with body image issues
Hermes or Iris for communication abilities or interpersonal conflict
Hygeia for struggles with hygiene or disorganization
The Nymphai for building environmental sustainable life habits
Sophrosyne or Dionysos for substance abuse (You cannot convince me that his realm of drinking excludes moderation or elimination if it is a problem for a worshipper)
Demeter, Hestia, Hephaistos, Pan, Artemis for any problems surrounding food
Hypnos for sleep hygiene or sleep disorders
Hermaphroditos, Aphrodite, Dionysos, for LGBTQ identity and issues
🔹A Theos related to things you want to do. Examples:
Athena for weaving or other handcrafts
The Mousai for learning an instrument
Themis or Dike for activism work
Poseidon for ocean or water activities
There are many more bullets that could be added and Theoi that could be added to each of the existing bullet points. Especially when epithets come into play.
You don't have to do any of these, they are simply ideas I conjured up in my mind that I thought I'd share.
🔹Which ever of the Theoi you chose simply give them a libation once a day with a short prayer. You can pick a time or better yet an activity to make it consistent. For example, do it directly after you finish getting dressed. Do it right before you eat breakfast or dinner. Do it before you get ready for bed. Etc, that way it stays consistent and you always have a reminder.
🔹Surrounding the passage of the day/time. The prayers can be very short letting you do them by simply pausing for a minute or two. You can offer a simple libation in the morning and/or night with the prayer.
Prayer to Hemera or Helios in the morning
Prayer Example: “Beautiful Hemera, I thank you for this day, I seek your favor and honor you with my actions. Good morning.”
Prayer to Nyx or Selene at night
Prayer to Helios at noon if you don’t pray to him in the morning.
Prayer Example: “Shining Helios, as you reach your peak this day, I remember you, I thank you for your life giving light.”
Incorporation of 12-Horai such as Mesembria at noon, Dysis at sundown, not sure if Auge would be dawn and Anatole sunrise—but you get the idea.
Prayer to one of the 4-Horai each day of the season we are in— Kheimon for Winter, Phthinophôron for Autumn, Eiar for Spring, and Theros for Summer
🔹Surrounding daily activities.
Prayer to Hemera or Auge upon waking
Prayer to Hygeia before showering or brushing teeth
Prayer Example: “Gentle laughing Hygeia, I enter this shower so I may cleanse myself. I remember your beauty and wish to honor you with my actions, so you may look favorably upon me”
Prayer to Apollo or other health Theoi when you take your medication (if you have it)
Prayer to Hestia at mealtime or before cooking
Prayer Example: “Hestia, first and last among the Olympians, home maker, I cook this food through your strength and thank you for this flame. May my body be replenished”
Prayer to Hermes, Hekate, or Apollo Argyieus, or Soteria when leaving house
Prayer to a Theos related to work/education as you arrive at work or school.
Prayer to a Theos related to a hobby or leisure activity when you start it
Prayer to Hypnos when you go to bed
You can make any combination that would follow the path of your daily activities; it could be any number too this is just an example. And perhaps one libation in the morning or night
🔹Focus on the “Household Gods” which I linked info above to Labrys' Book. Also here (by @/wayfind-er)
