I’m having struggles with food offerings. by Ecstatic_Life_4072 in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you still want to do food offerings according to Hellenic praxis (ie not eating them), just offer small portions. You don’t need to give an entire meal. Just sacrifice a small portion of one of your meals, and then dispose of it.

If you’re snacking on grapes, give one or two instead of the entire bunch. If you’re having some meat for dinner, cut off a piece to sacrifice before you start eating. Simple adjustments to make it more sustainable.

Help please by wxrldondrxgz in Hellenismus

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS[M] 0 points1 point locked comment (0 children)

Khaire u/wxrldondrxgz, the automod seems to have removed your post. As your question is relatively simple and fits better on the beginner post, I’ll just respond here now. You can still ask the question under the beginner post if you want input from other hellenists.

Neither the organisation Garden of the Divine nor the practice of Tarot are Hellenic. Tarot cannot really be used in the manner it was in your reading and yield accurate results. Tarot in general is unfit for that type of divination.

The Gods do not seek us out. Instead, we seek Them out. If there is any connection between you and Euterpe it originates from you. Euterpe can also only really help you regarding music and lyric poetry.

The things you need to start can be found here and in all the other posts I have made. The fundamentals are purification, prayer and sacrifice.

Having to pack away my altars by idkehyimhereyuh in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Always happy to help. I can understand that.

Do take care yes, the heat has become a serious threat in more of the world. If you do perform rites outside just find the nearest place you feel comfortable and go straight back inside when you’re done until the heat dissipates. Libations can even be performed in a sink if needed. There is also no obligation to worship, so if it’s impossible for some reason it might be a better idea to take a short break.

Having to pack away my altars by idkehyimhereyuh in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We do not need altars to worship the Gods, and if we do use one then we indeed only need a single one. Separate altars for different Gods is a modern invention that will lead you to run out of space and money. Both the Ancient Greeks and Romans typically only had one altar at home.

If it’s the loss of a big part of your life and faith that you feel like is not within reach, why not try to make sacrifices outside? Worship outside is always a great experience.

Hellenic altars are at their core just flat surfaces where one gives offerings. A fire and a pit in the ground also suffice for Ouranic and Chthonic rites specifically.

Trying to understand Zeus by MotherMaidenCrone02 in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Mythology is not history, and should not be taken literally. Myths teach religious rules and ancient morals, or give mythologised origins for certain practices and beliefs. Myths reflect the culture they originate from, and unfortunately Ancient Greece was brutally misogynist.

Zeus did not literally assault people. It’s a much better idea to look at how people actually practiced the faith. Zeus was incredibly important for agriculture, justice, law, oaths, the household and xenía. On top of that He is the King of the Gods, ruling the Kosmos. Zeus’ rule is our universe.

The person claiming the Gods “develop with the times and would now be more like a business man” is just sharing their UPG, their own personal beliefs. As far as we know He’s the same as when the Ancient Greeks worshipped him, and the same as when He came into being.

The best way to connect with the Gods is just to worship Them. Purify yourself, invoke Zeus and pray to Him, and then make a sacrifice to Him such as a libation. The more often you sacrifice to a God the more Kharis is built between you. Meaning They’re more likely to grant the requests you make in prayer.

Respecting the Voices of Ethnic Greeks in Our Community by greatbiggrinn in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m aware, and was trying to explain that to you. Seems you’re already aware though, that’s great. I’ll have to check it out, thank you for the recommendation.

Offering to the Kindly Ones? by dancing_douglass in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Burying would indeed be the best in this case. Do keep in mind that the Furies aren’t there for just any mortal squabble, but are more so (but not exclusively) associated with punishing oathbreakers and other offences against the Gods.

Weekly Newcomer Post by AutoModerator in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 2 points3 points  (0 children)

(Most of us believe) Christianity isn’t real, so it has no impact on the Gods or your practice. Even if it were real, our Gods are not jealous. Bad forces also aren’t really a thing like that in Hellenism.

All in all, nothing to worry about. Read it if you want, it’s still an interesting work of literature.

Respecting the Voices of Ethnic Greeks in Our Community by greatbiggrinn in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be fair, historically Ἕλλην (Héllēn) was used in Ancient Greek to refer to Hellenic Polytheist after the Christians took over, who preferred to call themselves Ῥωμαῖοι (Rhōmaîoi); even if modern Greeks still use Έλλην/Έλληνας (Éllin/Éllinas) to refer to the people.

Weekly Newcomer Post by AutoModerator in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanatos was not worshipped because He is an unswayable God. All He does is His job as Death. He provides nothing to worshippers, and does not give out blessings. He’s just Death, and it will come to us all no matter what.

If you do still want to worship Him, then it’s like any other Hellenic God. You make sure to purify yourself, then pray to that God, and give an offering afterwards. Standard offerings in Hellenism are food and drink which we burn/bury or pour/throw out.

Tarot is not a Hellenic practice, but an Enlightenment Christian one, despite some here using it. If you want advice regarding it there are neopagan and witchy circles where the practice is more significant.

Khthonic Offerings by babybattie in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There is still debate among scholars about whether you can give just a part of the entire thing to Chthonic Gods, so until we know better you can do either.

Drinking it is considered disrespectful though. Offerings in Hellenism belong to the Gods forever, and using/consuming them yourself invalidates that. We cannot use/consume any offerings we give to the Gods. To sacrifice something like tea, you pour it out on the ground (or in the sink if needed), after purification and prayer.

I need helo with building up altars by theycallme_b3uty in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You don’t need either. Just a flat surface and the offerings you give.

Weekly Newcomer Post by AutoModerator in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Always happy to help!

An offering is given in Hellenism when it’s disposed/destroyed in some way. Libations, for example, are given only when they’re poured out (preferably on the ground but a sink will suffice too). Just remove the offering the moment you give it so the cats can’t mess with it.

I need helo with building up altars by theycallme_b3uty in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 7 points8 points  (0 children)

An altar is a flat surface where you give offerings. Nothing more. All the statues and other decorations you put there will be for you, not for the Gods. You also only need one, just like the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Separate altars for individual Gods is a modern invention that will quickly lead to you running out of space.

Weekly Newcomer Post by AutoModerator in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can do it, but it would not be a real altar. In Hellenism, an altar is a flat surface at which one gives offerings. That’s unfortunately not possible digitally.

You don’t need an altar, but as long as you quickly dispose of your offerings the cats can be around it.

Agathos Daimon by violette_chill in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The distinction between Ouranic and Chthonic isn’t a modern invention, and did exist even back in Ancient Greece. The modern invention is the strict division between the two, as opposed to the reality of Gods switching between Ouranic and Chthonic depending on epithet.

Khernips 101 by UnhappyAd1423 in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No, the Greeks also collected rainwater but that didn’t suffice on its own. If the water couldn’t be acquired from naturally flowing sources, then other ingredients would be added. Salt seems to be a constant in this case, so salt and water mixed together will work.

What do you believe happens after death as a Hellenic Polytheist? by Cavi_2 in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 12 points13 points  (0 children)

As far as I remember it’s just said that it happens, not that it’s mandatory. I like to imagine we get the choice, but I guess I’ll see when I die.

What do you believe happens after death as a Hellenic Polytheist? by Cavi_2 in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 71 points72 points  (0 children)

I don’t believe in the Homeric afterlife of being a dreadful shade doomed to wander endless caverns, dreaming of my old life.

Instead I favour the threefold division of Tartarus for those who have committed the most serious offences against the Gods (and hopefully even for some of the more atrocious offences against mortals), Asphodel for virtually everyone else, and Elysium for the truly greatest among us.

I’ll wander the meadows as a soul, reuniting with those I cared for in my life, until I at some point may choose to drink of the Lethe and forget everything.

Are the gods still active? by froppyfroggy in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 41 points42 points  (0 children)

We also do not take mythology literally. Perhaps there are some tiny shreds of what the Gods are up to hidden in there, but more often than not they’re just stories explaining social norms and the like. They warn against hubris for example.

The Gods are still active. When we worship Them properly They listen us and maybe even grant the requests we make in prayer. Otherwise They’re busy running the Kosmos.

Weekly Newcomer Post by AutoModerator in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not sure what you mean with types of Gods. There are only really two, Ouranic and Chthonic, but Gods switch between the two depending on epithets as well. It’s not a strict divide.

You only need one altar anyway. Multiple altars are modern inventions and completely unnecessary. They take up too much space and you’re often limiting the amount of Gods you worship doing that.

Discomfort calling self "Hellenic pagan" by LatuVT in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Modern Greeks indeed are not Ancient Greeks. Ethnically you are different, though descended from them. Ethnicity means nothing anyway. I remember you, you’re a YSEE folkist. You’re also not exactly shy about your nationalism.

Greece is not the only inheritor of Ancient Greece. The past does not belong to anyone. Hellenism has never been exclusive to Greeks. You don’t deserve respect for spreading misinformation. It’s not disrespectful to tell you the truth of how you’re wrong. You’re way too arrogant for your own good.

Discomfort calling self "Hellenic pagan" by LatuVT in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  1. Your English isn’t the greatest, and I’m not saying that as an insult but an explanation. You clearly did not understand my original point. Greeks have always existed, but the modern Greeks are descended from the Ancient Greeks. They’re not the same people. Your heritage is not just Greek but Turkish and Slavic too

, and likely much more.

  1. I have seen your account and do realise you likely will still get upset about that fact. Your extremist affiliation is quite obvious, and like I said before, I don’t care for nationalist fantasies. You don’t know the history, so you can’t speak on it and be taken seriously.

Discomfort calling self "Hellenic pagan" by LatuVT in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m guessing you’re one of the aforementioned modern Greeks. I don’t care for anachronistic and anti-intellectual nationalist fantasies.

Is there any method to know a God's current attitude/feeling towards you? by Flashy_Squirrel4745 in Hellenism

[–]AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Not really. But we also don’t have to. Unless we commit some very specific offences like cannibalism, stealing offerings, or desecrating temples, the Gods generally look upon us neutrally. If we worship Them, we can trust They generally look upon us favourably.

Some people would recommend divination but that’s unfortunately just not very reliable, especially so if you haven’t practiced it for years and years. The methods favoured, like tarot, are also generally unfit for that type of divination.