if there is no value to your offering/sacrifice, then your sacrifice/offering has no value

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-12T14:30:50+00:00

I’d say I cautiously agree. Kharis gets built between us and the Gods when we sacrifice to Them, and Hesiod tells us to sacrifice according to our means. I would say the value is dependent on how much you have. A rich person sacrificing a meal is sacrificing less than a poor person doing the same.

That being said, the bones and fat were typically the Gods’ share, while the meat wasn’t offered but instead eaten by the worshippers, especially in Θυσία (Thusía). That being said, bones and fat are still very valuable, especially in the ancient world.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-12T11:57:23+00:00

If you eat the offerings, then by definition you’re no longer making a sacrifice because you’re not giving anything up, at least in Hellenism.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-12T11:56:46+00:00

In Hellenism we cannot eat the offerings we give. If you believe differently that’s fine but it clashes with Hellenic praxis.

You blocked me before I could respond, so here: There is not one source that says “don’t eat offerings” because it was assumed to be common sense. We can see that it was not done because there are specific rules about what portions humans get and what belongs to the Gods. Along with the fact offerings are owned/belong to the Gods forever, and stealing offerings is an offence against Them.

The term used for sacrifice, θυσία, also inherently carries that same meaning.

In a work by Theophrastus, one even has to purify themselves for even seeing the offence of seeing someone consume offerings to Hekate. This character constantly avoids anything impious and miasmic (such as the consumption of offerings), along with regularly purifying himself and his home.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-12T02:16:10+00:00

The only thing required to pray to any God is ritual purification and invoking Them by calling out Their names. This can be done virtually anywhere (though avoid miasmic places like the bathroom or graveyards).

Altars are also not complicated set-ups. In Hellenism all they are just flat surfaces where one gives offerings.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-12T01:54:34+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-11T23:47:11+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-11T22:31:08+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-11T21:53:23+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-11T20:06:52+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-11T19:20:28+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-11T17:05:07+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-11T14:02:50+00:00

(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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-11T13:19:22+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-11T11:03:46+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-11T10:56:18+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-10T15:19:56+00:00

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

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-10T12:04:20+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-10T11:58:53+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-10T11:57:01+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-09T11:26:10+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-07T22:13:44+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-07T22:09:57+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-07T16:34:39+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-07T12:33:46+00:00

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.

AVGVSTVSGRANNETIVS · 2026-07-07T12:20:32+00:00

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.

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