Important Terms In Hellenism

even if you can't feel your deities, they are still here, and they still love you.

HP 101: Where to start

Hellenic Polytheism can be a bit daunting to start off - and it’s hard to know where to find the right information or what to research! Hopefully this post will help to give you a starting point - but please don’t base all your information off of one person! NOTE: I may link posts with conflicting information/methods. I leave it to you to decide what feels right and fits for you!

Websites, book lists and PDFs:

Theoi.com

Library Genesis

Hellenism resources

PDFs of myths

HP online accurate resources

Classics, mythology and modern worship

HP book list

Accurate resources

Book recommendations and online resources

Bibliography of Black-Centered Resources for Ancient Mediterranean Studies

The types of HP:

Recon vs. Revivalism

Reconstructionism vs Revivalism

The basics of practicing HP:

Making libations

Introduction to epithets

Veiling basics + a veiling primer + basic hair binding and veiling + hellenic hairstyles in religious rites

How to write a prayer

Daily prayer journal

How to pray, praise and worship the Theoi

Homeric hymns - helpful for writing devotionals, hymns, etc. (external site)

The Delphic Maxims

Basic Hellenic supplies

Oaths

Sacred places

Offerings (and whether or not to eat them)

Hellenic khthonic ritual

How to honor Ouranic and Chthonic gods

Hellenic Calendars and when to worship deities:

The days of the month

Devotions for the last day of the month

A Hellenismos calendar 

Hellenion.org calendar (external site)

Hellenic festival year (external site)

About the Hellenic calendar of festivals

Pronunciation and terminology:

Hellenic pronunciation for the Theoi + Hellenic pronunciation pt. 2 + article

Khernips + Khernips pt. 2 + pt. 3

Miasma, khernips and katharmosis

On Lyma

Hellenic terminology (external site)

Finding / Information on deities:

Sacred animals of the gods 

Theoi.com (my go-to)

Household gods

The Nymphai

Odds and ends:

On household worship

Other resources:

List of devotees on tumblr

Practical practicing of HP

This wonderful resource masterpost!

Masterpost of Hellenic polytheism and Roman polytheism resources

Shops for Hellenic polytheists

Introduction to Ancient Greek History - open Yale course

Note: Some areas are certainly lacking in the information department, please add resources if you have them! I’ve included all I could find as of mid 2020.

Links updated June, 2020. Please inform me of broken links via askbox!

When you step into sunlight, you honor Apollo. When you admire the moon, you honor Artemis. When you admire cloud shapes, you honor Hera. When you smell petrichor, you honor Zeus. When you laugh at a joke, you honor Hermes. When your body twitches to dance at a particularly upbeat music, you honor Dinoysus. When you enjoy the first bite of your breakfast, you honor Demeter. When you choose your peace over any conflict, you honor Athena. When you warm yourself up by sheltering yourself in blanket, you honor Hestia. When you listen to Ocean sounds, you honor Poseidon. When you smell flowers, you honor Persephone. When you admire the coolness of first day of Autumn, you honor Hades. When you wear your favourite jewellery, you honor Hephaestus. When you smile, you honor Aphrodite. When you exercise, you honor Ares. When you light a torch in a dark room, you honor Hekate.

Your body is a shrine to Gods, your being an act of devotion for them. You, by yourself, are enough for them.

Hello please reblog this if you’re okay with people sending you random asks to get to know you better

On some days worship is just:

☀️ Subtle Apollon Worship 🏹

Singing/listening to your favorite songs; this applies to any music, though

Listening to music while studying

Playing any instrument

Dedicating a journal to writing poetry or stories

Reading poetry books; reading ancient poetry/stories (especially ancient Greek poetry/stories)

Dancing to any music of your choice

Setting reminders to take medication on time; taking your medication in general

Taking care of your body physically, such as brushing one's teeth or taking a shower

Taking a walk on a sunny day; basking in the warmth of the light

Keeping a pic of him in your wallet

Wearing jewelry that reminds you of him

Keeping imagery of light/the sun, lyres, instruments, music, swans, cranes, or ravens around

Getting a wolf, swan, or dolphin stuffed animal

Anything to do with positive and healthy self-wellness

Learning archery

Learning to do divination outside of the obvious (the obvious being tarot, runes, and pendulums, for example; not obvious would be cartomancy, pyromancy, carromancy, shufflomancy, etc.)

Doing homework (yes, really)

Being kind to yourself when you're having a difficult time

Placing positive affirmations on somewhere you'd see them everyday, especially ones about things you're proud of

Checking in with yourself emotionally throughout the day; how are you feeling? What are some good things that have happened so far? What are some not so good things?

Learning about philosophy and taking note of your thoughts on the topic

Learning more about yourself (e.g. make a list of things you enjoy, try new hobbies, experiment with new outfits, etc.)

Expressing yourself through art of any kind

Having a candle that reminds you of him (no altar needed)

Keeping a personal journal/diary - somewhere where you can keep track of your thoughts and feelings

Practice compassion and patience, especially with yourself

Continue learning throughout your life; interesting topics, philosophy, music, psychology, physical health, etc.

Learn about any medical conditions you or a loved one has

Learn about your healthcare options and medical rights (HIPPA in the US)

Support education forward, humanitarian, healthcare, or homeless shelter organizations

Volunteer at a homeless shelter

Donate clothes, toys, hygiene kits, and other items; hygiene kits are always needed

Be kind to children; play with them if offered

Make a list of things that make you feel human throughout the year - moments where you feel present, content, and alive

Sharpen your mind; play memory or mentally stimulating games

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May add more later! For now, this is my list of discreet ways to worship Apollo. I hope it helps someone, and take care, y'all! 🧡

Link to Subtle Worship Master list

Yuletide

Khaire and Good Yule Saturnalia to all syncretic Hellenic polytheists! Wassail!

🔥 Praise be to Hestia the First and Last at the Feast who protects our homes and keeps them warm in the coming winter months.

🐍 Praise be to Zeus Ktesios the Good Spirit and protector, who blesses us with his favor and protection in the new year.

🗝️ Praise be to Hecate Trivia who watches over all crossroads, including the change of seasons. May her magic and blessings be felt throughout the new year.

☀️ Praise be to Apollo Apolysis who brings the light of the returning sun to redeem the earth from these short dark days.

🌌 Praise be to Aphrodite Melaenis of the night, who watches over us and protects us on these long cold nights and always reminds us of the warmth of love.

🌞 Praise be to Helios Isodaetes Invincible Sun, who divides all seasons into equal portions and blesses the southern hemisphere on this first day of their summer season.

❄️ Praise be to Lady Khione who blankets the earth in snow, driving away all pests and protecting our gardens as they rest through winter.

⚡️Praise be to Zeus Charidotes increaser of joy and abundance, who joins us as our families gather, protects our beloved family, and brings us Yuletide cheer.

🍷Praise be to Dionysus Hestius Lord of the Feast and giver of plentiful bounty, who joins us in our Yuletide feasting, and who we graciously honor with our jolly wassail.

🎄Praise be to Dionysus Endendros who dwells within trees and blesses our Yule tree, keeping our homes joyful in these days of bare trees and whose baubles hold years of joyful memories.

💸 Praise be to Hermes Empolaios of commerce and travel who we honor with our purchase of gifts for our loved ones, and who protects those who are traveling this holiday season.

🐐 Praise be to The Yule Goat whose generosity and whimsy have blessed my family for many years, a very hearty “Oh Hell Yeah, Witches!” to him and his beautiful wife this Yule!

🎶 Praise be to Apollo Mousigetis Leader of the Muses who bless us with the joy of music, as we honor them with our Yuletide carols.

✨ Praise be to our household Tomte Ed spirit of the previous owner of our home, who protects our home, animals, and child and whose influence as a teacher in life are still felt in the world.

🌲 Praise be to the ancestors whose spirits protect this land as it slumbers in winter. Our gratitude to you always for your stewardship.

🔥 Praise be to Hestia the First and Last at the Feast we dedicate these days of feasting to all of the gods and to you, in honor of you!

friendly reminder: you don’t owe anyone any explanations as to why you practice the way you practice. If the Gods are happy with your practice who is anyone to say otherwise??

it’s okay to have your own thoughts and opinions but let’s stop w the policing of devotion when the policing doesn’t even make sense

I’ve seen numerous of people saying that there are beginner deities and hard deities. Here’s the thing: do not allow people to stop you from working with deities. You are allowed to work with any deities you wish, and there is no such thing as certain level deities.