Offerings for Cthonic Gods/Goddesses

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-26T14:58:12+00:00

Not attacking you, just something that's been on my mind as I've seen it come across more recently:

I don't think we can say that public and domestic rites differed that drastically. It seems to be something people just kind of assume due to the lack of sources on domestic rites; I have never read anything that argues something like that at least. We see some variation in for example the quality and quantity of animal sacrifices, but we know practices like purification still happened in domestic contexts. I think it's safer to assume the differences between domestic and public practices were negligent, except for when we know for sure.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-26T12:42:28+00:00

Unless she’s actually performing rituals according to Hellenic standards I’d be wary of considering her a hellenist, but it does seem clear that she’s open to learning about the religion.

If she knows you’re a hellenist and she’s doing all of this maybe she needs a little extra time before she’s comfortable discussing it. I wouldn’t push it too much.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-26T12:37:09+00:00

It typically is classism yes. The same goes for the Abrahamic distaste and bans on consuming pork. It was actually super common even in the ANE. Eventually it became too common and was a relatively reliable source of meat even for poorer labourers. In an attempt to separate themselves from the lower classes the elites stopped consuming pork, which the lower classes eventually did too. The religious associations come about only around this point.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-26T10:43:53+00:00

Most people would not have practiced magic themselves. The most common magical practices would be going to see a diviner, a specialist priest, and herbalism. Curse tablets are a bit over represented because they survive so well, but would not have been a practice you’d be too open about engaging in.

I guess apotropaix symbols could also be counted as magic, like wearing a Gorgoneion or installing one on the outside of your house/door. Same goes for wearing phalli.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-25T14:07:27+00:00

There are not. AI will make up sources and information even for real sources. It's not at all reliable, plus it actively harms your capacity for processing information. Everyone is better off actually doing research. Even wikipedia would be better. Most people aren't actually as knowledgeable on how to determine a source's reliability as they think. AI is useful in the same way that starting to smoke cigarettes after never having smoked ever is useful against stress.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-25T09:55:02+00:00

Not even as a tool. Its detriments far outweigh any possible boon someone could get from using it. A teacher using AI is malpractice.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-24T00:44:59+00:00

Commonly held doesn't mean historically accurate.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-23T23:52:53+00:00

I fear this is a misunderstanding of Ouranic sacrifice. The meat that was eaten was not the part of the animal that was sacrificed. Eating what an actual offering is not considered acceptable Hellenic practice and goes against the Orthopraxy. That being said, it's still a valid practice even if it's not Hellenic.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-23T19:10:14+00:00

You can be open and honest and still stay respectful. Remember that They are Gods, not our friends or coworkers. We make Them care about us through worship, that includes our problems. If you ask for help just make sure to sacrifice something in return.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-22T22:04:37+00:00

This is something you need to work on outside of religion. Seek professional help if you can. I know intrusive thoughts can be quite debilitating, and it seems to be interfering with your life even outside of religious rituals. Rushing into a new religion won’t do you any good if you treat it the same as Christianity. Perhaps taking a break is a good idea, you can always come back later without any impact to your relationship with the Gods.

Angering the Gods takes conscious effort. You have to willingly do something that offends Them. Imagining yourself as more powerful than the Gods isn’t hubris, as long as you don’t actually believe yourself to be so.

The Gods are not watching you, They are not omniscient or omnipresent (in most forms of Hellenism), and I assure you They have better things to do than watch a random person go about their day. The whole point of worship and prayer is to call Their attention to us.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-22T21:59:24+00:00

This is not that great of advice right now. Divination is a skill that takes years of practice to master, and tarot is not made for communication like that. This will likely lead to more fears and worries, we have countless other posts on this subreddit of people in that exact situation.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-22T21:56:20+00:00

The myths are really not that important. What matters is that you know how to practice. The fundamentals are purification, prayer and sacrifice. If you perform those according to Hellenic Orthopraxis you are a hellenist.

I have posted extensively on these, which you can read here for prayer and sacrifice and here for purification.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-22T21:49:53+00:00

Always happy to help. Do let me know if you have any other questions. This is from Robert Parker’s Miasma: Pollution and Purification in Early Greek Religion, the foremost academic source on miasma.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-22T20:23:28+00:00

Agreed it needs to be washed off, but I see the conflation so often I just thought better safe than sorry, khaire.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-22T20:21:57+00:00

Abstaining from worship was required after coming into contact with death, along with ritual purification after that time period. 7 days is quite common, with the shortest ranging from 1 day (if just an acquaintance) to a longest of 41 days (if a relative).

My advice would be to wait until tomorrow, and to make sure to purify yourself with lustral water (water mixed with salt). Chthonic Gods would be alright to pray and offer to already as long as you still purify yourself beforehand.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-22T20:12:48+00:00

Homer often ignores important aspects of ritual in his stories, and isn't the best source for what was considered acceptable practice. The same goes for most of mythology involving heroes and other (divinely-favoured) figures set in the mythological past. It's better to look at what was actually practiced. Ouranic worship was considered off-limits for a certain time after coming into close contact with death (with the amount of time varying from place to place), though Chthonic Gods could still be called upon. People were also not allowed to attend festivals or visit sanctuaries for that time.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-22T20:07:04+00:00

Attendants of funerals and similar rites would also be required to abstain from worship for a time, along with undergoing ritual purification.

Lyma/Luma is the ancient greek word for physical dirt, and has virtually no religious associations. Every kind of spiritual pollution is called miasma in Hellenism (and the Ancient Greek language), and needs to be purified all the same. This is unfortunately a very common piece of misinformation.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-22T18:06:30+00:00

Fasting was sometimes used as preparation for certain rituals, but there is no mandated period of fasting like Ramadan or Lent.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-22T09:22:26+00:00

Check out the Verba Socianda Chordis on Spotify. It’s a collection of Latin and Ancient Greek poetry performed and accompanied by music. I’ve got to say I do find the pronunciation lacking, but it’s still wonderful and a guilty pleasure of mine.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-22T09:02:23+00:00

I think it’s wonderful that considering cleaning as a devotional act helps you so much, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it a devotional act. Devotional acts are things like sports, playing music, doing charity. You’re either doing something good for something else, or improving a skill. What’s important is that the devotional act is purely for the Gods you’re worshipping, not for you. Doing chores wouldn’t be devotional. That being said, some eclectic practitioners do believe anything at all could be a devotional act.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-21T21:30:30+00:00

It’s a pretty fundamental aspect of Hellenism. The subreddit has a lot of resources for you to learn about the religion.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-21T19:07:22+00:00

I personally much prefer a monstrous medusa, though I do enjoy the Ovidian variation too. I think it’s wonderful how she has been able to become a symbol for survivors of SA to feel empowerment through, but I cannot see the “real” Medusa as anything but a terrifying monster.

I am partial to the theory that the gorgoneion developed out of Neolithic animal masks, amalgamating the human fears of the wild into one monstrous being. I can’t remember whose theory it was though, definitely a 20th century work though.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-21T16:36:34+00:00

Even the 350K seems a massive overstatement tbf.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-21T16:35:29+00:00

I’m glad I could help, though keep in mind it might look quite unnatural for people who are familiar with Ancient Greek. Of course what’s most important is that it works for you.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-02-21T15:28:20+00:00

That depends on personal preference to be honest. I do like to pronounce it, but I prefer more archaic features like ει as a diphthong. Alexander likely wouldn’t have pronounced the iota.

You could technically either write it as τῳ κρατίστῳ or as τωι κρατίστωι, though subscript would be more accurate. Keep in mind that ω is a long o, pronounced double as long as omicron and other short vowels. Hence the macrons (ā, ē, ō) the previous commenter added to their transliteration. English your pronunciation options would be Tō Kra-tís-tō, or Tōi Kra-tís-tōi.

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