Dionysus Deity - Blog Posts
rise of the bacchus! (Blessed Anthesteria!!)
When the chariot of the sun rises after ten reckless nights,
The Bacchus rises with his nymphs and satyrs and in his hand is a thyrsus,
Creatures of the world dance in joy as the music fills their ears,
And the mothers smile at their children’s cheers.
Maenads, satyrs, nymphs of all types,
And the women, the workers, and people of all kind,
Children wear their ivy wreaths and they sing for the Bacchus,
‘My neighbors and friends have you heard the news?
Today, today, the son of Smele and Zeus
He walks the earth with his goblet filled with wine
With leopards and panthers walking with the divine.’
A pinecone and ivy vines curled around it,
The glorious thyrsus stands tall,
A symbol of the vintage god,
It gives him highlights, I must admit.
He lurks around the actors while they play a dramatic skit,
Giving them skill that makes us bawl,
As the lovers twirl in their waltz,
Moonlit lights and stars what a lovely skit
My neighbors and friends have you heard the news?
Today, today, the son of Smele and Zeus
He walks the earth with his goblet filled with wine
With leopards and panthers walking with the divine
Lord Dionysos
God of grapes, wine, intoxication, ecstasy, insanity, inhibition, theatre, festivity, queerness, the wilds, madness, and pleasure.
Epithets
Maenoles ~ The Mad and Raging
Hestios ~ Of the Feast
Androgynos ~ The Androgynous
Phallen ~ The Phallic
Theoinos ~ God of Wine
Oinops ~ The Wine-Dark
Agathos Daimon ~ The Good Spirit
Kittophoros ~ The Ivy-Bearing
Staphylites ~ Of the Grape
Dimetor ~ The Twice-Born
Eleuthereus ~ Of Liberation
Soterius ~ Savior from Madness
Agyieus ~ Of the Streets
Mystes ~ Of the Mysteries
Khthonios ~ The Cthonic; Of the Earth
Melpomenos ~ Of the Tragedies; Of the Tragic Plays
Bassareus ~ The Fox-Like
Associations
Animals
Bulls
Leopards, panthers, tigers, and lions
Goats
Serpents
Foxes
Donkeys
Plants
Ivy
Grapes
Bindweed
Cinnamon
Silver fir trees
Cedar / Pine trees
Colors
Purple
Red
Black
Silver
Gold
White
Offerings and Devotional Acts
Wine and other alcohols
Cigarettes and other tobacco products
Other intoxicating substances
Candles and incense
Foods and drinks
Dried flowers
Bones
Coins
Symbols of queerness (pride flags, empty HRT vials, pride related colors, etc.)
Jewelry
Crystals and stones
Ivy and other vined plants
Fresh or dried fruits
Plants
Going to theatre performances
Going to bars and clubs
Getting intoxicated
Performance art
Dancing
Practicing moderation
Visiting vineyards and orchards
(credit to @sister-lucifer for the Dionysos themed dividers!)
[. . .] Dionysos was anciently known to be the fierce and merciless protector of that which merits mercy: the unborn, the possible, the serendipitous — of any helpless, voiceless being.
— The God Who Comes by Rosemarie Taylor-Perry
🍇 Subtle Dionysus Worship 🥂
Drinking grape juice or wine; fruity drinks also work; raise a glass to him
Eating food that you love, especially comfort foods
Hosting or attending parties
Hanging out with loved ones
Celebrating your accomplishments, big or small
Having a candle that reminds you of him (no altar needed)
Putting on grape-scented or fruit-scented perfumes/colognes
Wearing jewelry that reminds you of him
Seeking community; LGBTQ+ support groups, gamer groups, fandom groups, etc.
Having a bull, leopard, goat, or cat stuffed animal
Decorating parts of your room with real or fake ivy vines
Growing a plant, especially ivy or vined plants
Wearing showy or lavish outfits; wearing outfits that make you feel good about yourself
Taking care of your mental health; finding new and healthy ways to cope with issues
Keeping a mental health journal
Keeping a picture of him in your wallet
Having leopard, bull, or big cat imagery around
Taking a hike/walk in a local forest or nature preserve
Taking a walk at night, especially on a new or full moon (only if safe in your area, please)
Dancing, especially to songs that make you feel wild, free, and expressive
Listening to energizing or expressive music
Watching/reading musicals or plays
Performing in a musical or play (including backstage and tech)
Taking your medications; setting reminders for them
Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally
Learning to accept both the "dark" and "light" parts of yourself
Being kind to those outcast by society, especially the homeless and addicts
Volunteering at a homeless shelter
Engaging in activities that bring you joy, especially those that are looked down upon
Finding ways to be rebellious, especially towards authority (don't do this if it risks your own safety)
Expressing yourself in little ways if unable to be open about it (wearing a bracelet that represents your gender identity, shoelaces that are pride flag colored, etc.)
Embracing all the unique things that make you who you are
Support LGBT, homeless shelter, environmental preservation, or humanitarian organizations
Volunteer at a homeless shelter
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May add more later! This is my list of discreet ways to worship Dionysus. I hope it helps, and take care! 💜
Link to Subtle Worship Master list
... Sing on! sing on! and Bacchus will be here Astride upon his gorgeous Indian throne, And over whimpering tigers shake the spear ...
... With yellow ivy crowned and gummy cone, While at his side the wanton Bassarid Will throw the lion by the mane and catch the mountain kid! ...
”Bacchus” // Michelangelo // Bargello Museum // Florence, Italy ”The Burden of Itys” // Oscar Wilde
Linked in arms, dance with me. Wine was spilt, not for three. More for two, two linked in hand. Hand-in-hand, watch them go. Laughter like grapes, complex like vines. They dance to their own design. Around the fire, through the woods. Calm mundane moments, love not misunderstood. Hand-in-hand, linked in embrace.
{ for Dionysus and Ariadne }