โ โ๏ธ #Riela's Writings and Prayers โ original poetry, prayers, reflections, and devotions
โ ๐ธ #Riela's Offerings โ digital offerings, altar ideas, and symbolic gifts
โ ๐ค #Riela Yapping โ personal rambles, casual thoughts, and maybe some chaos
โ ๐ #Riela's Non-HelPol Posts โ random, personal, or unrelated things I enjoy
Feel free to browse through whichever part of me youโre here for ๐
Iโm here to learn, grow, and share, and Iโd love to meet others walking this path โ whether you're a fellow polytheist, curious newcomer, or someone just passing through.
I just prayed to Nyx and Erebus for the first time.. So like, I think I can somehow feel a god's presence bc whenever I approach one of my main gods I worship like Psyche and sometimes even Hermes, I always get light-headed. Now, while and after praying to Nyx and Erebus, it kinda feels more than what I usually feel.
I don't usually worship Chthonic deities so this is actually a change for me.
Hiiii Pixil. I was just wondering if maybe you would have some sort of resources (like books or something) that I could look through. I've been practicing Hellenic Polytheism for about a year and a half and I really would like to get more educated in a space away from Tumblr. I figured as someone who is well trusted in the community I could ask you. If not, I may also go ask Altis.
So, do you happen to have any links to trusted books and articles I might find? Buying and or physical things are not possible for me in my current home state.
Blessed be!
Hello Ollie!
I'm so glad I'm trusted in the community! And yep, I have books
Religion in the Ancient Greek City by Louise Bruit Zaidman and Pauline Schmitt Pentel, translated by Paul Cartledge (recommendation found via @oracleofhemerasia ) I'm not sure if this can be found online
https://sacred-texts.com/index.htm , this has a lot of legal, free, online resources
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CdYreRSrZvJipEAkp806ZA18TekVXm19Ofsgqrq5anE/edit?usp=drivesdk , this has a lot of resources at the bottom however it was created by two Tumblr users ( @vilixrie and @eternalmneme )
That's all I can think of, but hopefully that helps!
@altis-of-olympia, if you're up to it feel free to continue on!
HELLO! โบ๏ธ Here a newbie (and new to tumblr in general, I feel like a nonna! Lol.)
I started my journey a while ago, but in my closest circle no one shares my beliefs, and although they allow me to practice them with relative freedom, I know that I need to gather more information (I have a HUGE anxiety over screwing it up, or angering a deity) could you give me a patient guide on how not to screw up? Im so sorry if my english sounds weird! Thats not my native language ๐
thank you in advance! ๐
Hi there! ๐ฅฐ Thank you so much for the question! This is one of the principal questions of beginners, many feel afraid of angering the Gods or do something wrong!
This topic is really important to start in this journey, so I hope Iโll answer, and maybe also reassure you!
I want to say that I hear you, and first I want you to know youโre not alone. So many of us start out with that same worry, the fear of messing up, of doing something wrong, or even angering the gods.
But hereโs the truth: the gods are not sitting there waiting for us to make a mistake! What they care about most is your sincerity.
Think of it this way: if a child draws a picture for you, even if itโs messy, you treasure it because it came from their heart. The gods are the same. They value the honesty of your offering, not how perfect it looks!
We are their children, and they can be quite patient with us.
Sure, the fear is real sometimes! Sometimes we feel โoverwhelmedโ thinking about a literal God, thinking about how strong they can be. But the truth is that, even if they are so strong, they can be patient and caring.
If we are respectful towards them, they will surely see all the good intetion!
Now, giving a guide in a short answer is really difficult! First of all I reccommend you and all beginners to look up at this document made by me and @vilixrie here ๐๐ป https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CdYreRSrZvJipEAkp806ZA18TekVXm19Ofsgqrq5anE/edit?usp=drivesdk
A Beginner Guide to Hellenic Polytheism Hello everyone! This document was made by: Vilixrie (on tiktok - riverxxsage and Tumblr) and eternal
Its a good beginner guide that can give some answers!
But, I want to still give you some advice to answer your question!
So, if you want a simple way to move forward without fear: start small. A small altar, a drawing made by you, a glass of water, a quiet prayer, lighting a candle.
If you want to do some devotional acts you can make diy creations, speak loudly to the Gods, praying to them, or make any offering!
These are never wrong. Like I said, its very hard to make the Gods angry. Just speak from your heart. Take your time to learn. You donโt have to master everything at once!
And when you feel uncertain, say it out loud, speak to the Gods, be open and speak about your insicurities and problems. Thatโs already devotion, thats praise, and itโs more than enough for a beautiful start!๐ซถ๐ป
So please breathe, take things step by step, and know that you canโt ruin your path with honesty and respect. Youโre already doing it right just by caring this much! ๐ป๐ซถ๐ป
I hope I answered your question, though, you can still ask me more and Iโll be pleased to answer you! If you didnโt understand something and want to ask me anything more specific! Though in the document there is already a lot, I want beginners to feel reassured and answered at any time!๐๐
Food was seen as a gift from the Gods to Man in Antiquity. This belief is the reason we worship harvest Gods, like Demetra, and hunting Gods, like Artemis. Food is also one of the foundations of life on Earth. We cannot exist without nourishment. And so it makes sense that we would offer food to the Theoi as an act of Piety. In this post, I will be exploring the foundations of food sacrifice as they were in Ancient Greece, and how they have evolved into the offerings we know of today.ย
โฟใWhat is food sacrifice?ใโฟ
Food sacrifice is a ritual practice that is still done to this day in a variety of religions and backgrounds. In Hellenic Polytheism, it was done traditionally before a meal and offered to the Ouranic Gods. I will expand more on this later.ย
The concept of sacrifice was very popular in Ancient Greece and was done very commonly in daily life. Before every meal, at sunrise and sunset, during rituals, and before festivals. The most common form of food sacrifice would be the libation. The libation, as defined by LABRYS in Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship, is โa sacred act that is an integral part of Hellenic Worship. It is the ceremonial pouring of liquid offerings onto an altar, into a sacred fire, on the ground, on the roots (for trees) or into the sea, rivers, and lakes.โ In modern practice, you can libate with whatever you have. Water is the most common, especially for folks who cannot legally obtain alcohol. Wine is most popular. In Antiquity, unmixed wine was often used. I personally often use honeyed milk and olive oil, just as they did in Ancient Greece. Perfumes and fruit juice were also used for libations. In most cases, the vessel was almost entirely emptied, save for a few gulps, so the individual could drink the last bit. This is only done with consumable offerings and with Ouranic Deities. Please do not drink perfume. When taking an oath, the vessel would be shattered to symbolize the permanence or importance of the spoken words.
Food was frequently thrown into the hearth or sacred fire to burn as an offering to the Gods. The act of burning it was equated with giving it to the Gods. Animal sacrifices were also burned after being drained of their blood, and the remains were typically used for divinatory purposes. I will go a bit more in-depth on how it was done in Antiquity later on in this post. In modern times, some people still burn their food sacrifices if they have the means to do so. I will also elaborate upon this later in this post.ย
With that being said, let's discuss Ancient Greece.
โฟใHow were they used in antiquity?ใโฟ
In Ancient Greece, most offerings were burned in the Hearth. If one did not have access to the Hearth, one could do what Odysseus and his crew did and make one. Every home, or Oikos, came equipped with a hearth either in the kitchen, the courtyard, or both. Food could also be placed in baskets or offering bowls on the altar to be thrown into the hearth at a later date.ย
The food offered varied depending on a few different factors. Firstly, geographical location. People offered the food that was local to them. Cheese could be offeredโcakes, sweets, honeycakes, barley, grain. These were all typical offerings, regardless of geographical location, though, the specifics could vary.ย
The second was cult practice. My favorite cult to use as an example here is the Cult of Pythagoras. The Pythagoreans were known for being vegetarians. They did not consume meat, and because of this, their offerings would have been vastly different from, say, the common person in Athens. Rather strict Pythagoreans (referred to as โThe Pureโ) wouldnโt let blood touch their altars at all. This practice was not very common. Blood was poured on the altar and within the tenemos all the time. They did not offer food that came from animals, simply defined in a variety of scholarly texts as โfleshy foods.โ Rather, they focused on offering incense, as most did, honeycombs, and grains. Grains were, and still are, a very popular food offering.ย
In some rituals, it was also required to consume or abstain from food. For Thesmophoria and Skira, for example, people were expected to fast before the feast in the evening. On Skira, this was only expected of women. In other rituals, Iโve found the example of this in Dionysian Rites, it was expected that meat is consumed raw in honor of the creation of Man from Titans. Meat itself was seen as food of the highest status. It was the food of Demigods. For this reason, the God-King diet would consist of meats, bread, wine, and not much else. But that is not much to do with food offerings, and more to do with the Ancient Greek Diet.ย
Food was offered at the beginning of a meal in a very specific order. LABRYS defines this order as first and last to Hestia, The Olympians in order next, then followed by Soter Zeus / Zeus the Savior. The food was thrown into the hearth alongside a prayer, then enjoyed by those present for the meal.
โฟใHow do we use them in modern praxis?ใโฟ
The modern application of food offerings varies from practitioner to practitioner, similar to how it varied based on cult and location. First, people offer what they have. The offering methods are different. Some folk set aside the last bite, allow the Gods to enjoy it while they eat the rest of the meal, then come back around to it. For foods that do not spoil fast, it is left on the altar and consumed at a later date. Other folks will, like the Greeks, burn their offerings in the hearth.ย
Some individuals choose to make cakes or bread in the shape of sacred animals for the Gods they plan on giving these offerings to. For Zeus, one could make an eagle-shaped cake. For Apollon, a snake-shaped cake. Hermes, turtle-shaped, and so on. The act of creating this votive can also be offered to the God in preparation for the bigger ritual. The burning or consumption of these pieces can be interpreted as both animal and food sacrifice.
For Chthonic Gods, the food is left outside on the ground. When doing so, the practitioner should ensure that the food is not only biodegradable but also safe for animal consumption. For this reason, it is important to be aware of your local wildlife. Chthonic food offerings should not be consumed after being offered as well โ it is assumed that they have been touched by the Gods of the Underworld, and consuming them will only bring the Underworld to you. If you cannot leave it outside, throw it out. If you feel bad throwing out food (understandably so), cut off a smaller portion to throw out instead. Do not eat the cut-off portion, but you may enjoy the rest.
If you have any other methods for food offerings, please feel free to share them! I am not all knowing, and if I did not mention it above, chances are I do not know of that method.
โฟใNuances surrounding food offeringsใโฟ
Some folks have issues with food offerings for a few different reasons. Some of these reasons are listed below.ย
โฟใWasting food, throwing unconsumed food out, or being unable to throw food away for any reason.
โฟใCost of Groceries.
โฟใHiding one's practice from family and/or friends.
โฟใInability to pray before a meal or offering (see previous point for reasoning).
โฟใBeing unable to leave food outside for the Chthonic Gods.ย
I have dealt with a few of these, and outlined below are some ways in which I have handled and dealt with these issues.ย
โฟใThe meal preparation would be offered to the Gods instead. No matter how minimal the prep was. If I were just having toast, then the act of taking the bread from the pantry and toasting it was my devotional act. Or, offering something else while preparing my food, like singing or dancing.
โฟใWhen I lived at home, I would offer snacks more than meals. If I had cookies wrapped in packaging, the whole package would go on the altar for a while before I disposed of it by consuming it myself. This eased the guilt of wasting groceries. I can live without junk food.
โฟใPlenty of folks, myself included, have offered the steam of a meal or hot drink to the Ouranic Gods. The steam rises to the Heavens where they reside, so it is perfectly reasonable to offer this to them.
โฟใI would pray silently to myself before a meal. If I were out at dinner, Iโd pray while waiting for my food or leave to the bathroom. If I were at home, I would pray in my head while eating around my last bite. Now, while with roommates, I hum as a form of prayer instead.ย
Of course, there are a myriad of work arounds to some of these issues. Feel free to be as innovative and creative as possible with this. It is your practice. What works for me may not work for you.ย
โฟใCommon food offerings and replacementsใโฟ
Some common offerings include:
โฟใWine. Red wine was frequently used, but any wine will do. If you donโt purchase wine, you can use any alcohol in your libations.
โฟใWater. Tap water is just fine.
โฟใMilk. Any milk is fine (whole, almond, soy, oat, etc).
โฟใOlive oil. Any oil is fine (Olive oil, Almond Oil, Peanut Oil, Avocado Oil, just be mindful of allergies).
โฟใHoney.
โฟใMeal cakes (honeycakes, barley cakes, corn bread, any kind of cake).
โฟใFruit juice. Any kind of fruit. Feel free to use any fruit relating to your God when libating.
โฟใBaked goods. Iโve offered cookies, brownies, and cake to the Gods. You can offer any baked goods.
You are not limited to the above offerings - you can offer whatever you please, whatever you have. I tend to use sesame seeds in place of barley in most offerings and rituals. Some rituals or holidays may outline specific food offerings. If you do not have it and cannot afford it, it is okay to use replacements. In my own rituals, I typically offer honeyed milk, olive oil, rain water and, if I have it, wine. I have offered soft drinks in the past. I find that Lord Apollon is rather partial to orange soda.ย
This was a bit lengthy, but I hope it was worth the read! As usual, if you have any questions or would like any elaboration, please feel free to ask me. Iโve included my sources below, should you want to do any further reading.ย
Xaire, Altis.ย
Sources -
Detienne, Marcel, and Jean-Pierre Vernant. The Cuisine of Sacrifice among the Greeks. University of Chicago Press, 1989.
Hi everyone!! Me and @eternalmneme (THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING ME WITH THIS) made this document filled with info made for new HelPols! If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to tell me!
Hello! @vilixrie and I have put together a guide filled with helpful information, especially for those new to Hellenism. Iโm incredibly grateful to @vilixrie for letting me be part of this project ๐ฅฐ I hope you find it useful!
The Gods and Their Signs: Symbols of the Divine in Hellenic Practice (from page 13)
This section explores the symbols and signs associated with the Gods, including the Chthonic Deities and Primordial Forces.
I go over each deity starting from their family ties and children, to their symbols and, most importantly, their offerings. Youโll also find key hymns, a sample prayer, important epithets, and festivals dedicated to Them!
Playlists for Prayers, Practicing, and Divination โ Why Is It Important? (from page 87)
Here Iโve curated playlists for the following deities: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, Dionysus, and Hestia.
Each playlist includes hymns, devotional music, and ambient videos perfect for meditation, prayer, and connecting more deeply with each God or Goddess!
Recommended Books on Hellenism (from page 94)
In the Resources section, Iโve included a list of recommended books available in English, Italian, French, Spanish, and German; easy to find and perfect for deepening your knowledge and practice.
Am I the only one who wants to be in some sort of small group of teen HelPols that just chat about life, the gods, rituals and stuff like that. Like something close to a coven. Idk what to call it lol. I mean, I am in a few discord servers but I prefer something smaller and not like 50+ ppl bc of social problems ๐. Atp I kinda wanna make one lmao.
Hello, dear traveler! You may recognize me from my main blog, but this little corner of Tumblr is something much more personal.. A side blog! Dedicated to the goddess of the soul, Psyche!
Here, I go by Psyrene, a name I made from the first syllable of "Psyche" and the last of serene. Still, you may also call me by my other names: Riela or River โ all are welcome here!
โ ๏ธ I am a minor, so please do not bring NSFW content into this space. You will not be welcomed here.
๐ญ I am an INTJ! I also like imagining things and making stories.
๐ธ I have a deep love for symbols and meanings. I love exploring the small details of things!
๐ Like I said, this blog is dedicated to Psyche so you'll probably see Psyche related stuff here. My main blog will be more about Hellenic Polytheism in general.
โฑ๏ธ I am still considered new. I have been practicing for five months now. It would be seven if I hadn't left for two months.
๐๏ธ I worship Aphrodite, Hypnos and Hermes! I've recently just started worshipping Psyche but I feel more drawn to her hence why I created this blog! I want to become closer to her.
๐ฟ This blog is part journal, part offering โ a soft archive of my growing devotion and relationship with her.
๐ Sometimes I write short prayers.
๐ Sometimes I share my thoughts.
๐ท Sometimes I just sit quietly and feel grateful.
๐ Devotional writings for Psyche โ poetry, prose, prayers, and whispers of the soul. Will be under the tag: #Psyrene's devotional writings and prayers
๐ฆ Offerings and Devotional acts for Psyche - digital, arts and crafts, whatever! Will be under the tags: #Psyrene's offerings and #Psyrene's devotional acts
๐ Occasional entries and yap sessions! Under the tag: Talking with Psyrene
๐ธ Resources and soft thoughts for fellow devotees โ especially those who may be new or young in their path! Under the tag: #Psyrene's library
I just really wanna yap. Like just a random yap related to Hellenic Polytheism.
I actually enjoy making digital offerings. Makes me feel creative ๐.
And even tho it hasn't really been a week yet, my journey in worshipping Psyche is going well! I feel like I'm more drawn to her than all the gods I practice. And damn, I gotta credit myself for praying everyday to her. Ik it's not required but like I'm not usually that consistent. I pray to her in the morning and at night, wear devotional jewelry and even made some sort of devotional journal for her! Am I considered a devotee now? Lol /silly. I'm actually considering making a devotion blog for Psyche lol. Should I?
I call upon butterfly hearted Psyche! Pure soul, bride of Love and mother of Delightful Hedone!
Charming Goddess and full of grace. Whose beauty captured the hearts of men and gods alike! Daughter of humanity, passionate soul who bears the love of the most beautiful winged Eros!
Tested soul you are, Persevering Psyche! Who showed us that to change is to suffer, and to suffer for the greater good and the brightest future. Your inner strength unmatched and deservedly earned a place among the gods, beside your golden-haired husband for all of eternity!
Praise to be the Reborn Goddess of the soul, Wise and loving โ may you guide our mortal souls and tender hearts, and accept these words of devotion! Blessed be!
I just started worshipping Psyche and made a prayer for her. Forgive me if it's not that good hehe.
.... this blog is slowly but surely turning into a psyche sideblog- anyways! here are some ideas if you are curious about psyche, heavily upg since she was not worshiped by the ancients. but things in purple do have backing to them in her story and worship of other gods, and italics is specifically things i have found she likes
epithets
- of the clear mind
- of therapists
- blooming
- bringer of hope
associated animals:
- butterflies and moths (her most well known symbol, you've seen this one)
- ants
- sheep and rams
- hummingbirds
tarot cards:
- the lovers
- the star
- 9 of wands
offering ideas (other than universal offerings)
- imagery of her animals
- jewelry, perfume and makeup
- flowers, preferably ones with a nice smell
- calming teas and foods
- chocolate or chocolate flavored things
devotional acts:
- read her story (you can read it in theoi.com!)
- take care of your mental health (and take your medications if you have any!)
- honor her husband, daughter, and mother-in-law
- research psychology
- research her animals
- journal
- dedicate your psychology related appointments to her
some prayers to her:
- to psyche, by greekpagan
- to lady psyche when taking medication by @/praise-to-the-theoi
- hymn to psyche by @/kait-blackhound for the countrydionysia event
- hymn to goddess psyche by reddit user ErenaVsdv
- to psyche, the hope bringer by me
- unnamed psyche prayer by me
Flowers from River @vilixrie - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
