#asklepiad answers

[cassianus]

The Holy Martyr Platon, brother of the holy Martyr Antiochus the Physician (July 16), was born at the city of Ancyra in Galatia. While still a youth he left home and went through the cities, preaching the Word of God to pagans, amazing his audience with the persuasiveness and beauty of his speech, and his profound knowledge of Greek learning.

Because of his preaching he was arrested and brought for trial to the temple of Zeus before the governor Agrippinus. At first, the judge attempted to persuade the saint to turn away from Christ by flattery. He assured the youth that he might be on a par of intellect with the greatest of the philosophers Plato, if only he worshipped also the pagan gods. To this St Platon answered, that the wisdom of the philosopher, although great, was but ephemeral and limited, whereas the true, eternal and unbounded wisdom comprised the Gospel teachings. Then the judge promised to give him his beautiful niece for his wife if he would deny Christ. He also threatened him with torture and death if he refused. St Platon replied that he chose a temporal death for the sake of eternal life. The patience of the governor was exhausted, and he gave orders to mercilessly beat the martyr, and then send him off to prison.

When they led St Platon off to prison, he turned to the people gathered about the temple, and he called on them not to forsake the Christian Faith. Seven days later they again led the Martyr Platon for trial before Agrippinus in the temple of Zeus, where they had the implements of torture already prepared: boiling cauldrons, red-hot iron and sharp hooks. The judge offered the martyr a choice: either to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, or to feel the effects of these implements of torture on his body. Again the saint steadfastly refused to worship idols, and after his tortures they threw him in prison for eighteen more days without bread or water. But seeing that this did not shake the martyr, they offered him his life and freedom if he would only say, “Great is the god Apollo.” The martyr refused to deny Chirst or to sacrifice to the idols. Therefore, Agrippinus ordered the holy Martyr Platon to be beheaded.

The Holy Martyr Roman was deacon at a church in Palestinian Caesarea. During one of the persecutions against Christians he moved to Antioch, where he encouraged Christians in the faith by his example and fervent preaching.

When the Antiochian governor Asklepiades was considering the destruction of the Christian temple, St Roman called on the believers to stand up for their sanctuary. He persuaded them that if they managed to protect the church, then there would be rejoicing on earth in the Church Militant, and if they should perish in defense of the church, there would still be rejoicing in the heavenly Church Triumphant. Seeing such a firm resolve among the people, the governor did not dare to carry out his plans.

Some time afterwards, there was a pagan celebration in the city and many people came to Antioch from the surrounding area. St Roman began denouncing the idol-worship and called on all to follow Christ. They arrested him and subjected him to torture. During his torments the martyr saw a boy, a Christian named Barulas in the crowd. He directed the governor’s attention to him saying, “This young man is wiser than you, though you are older than he, because he knows the True God. You, however, worship lifeless idols.”

The governor Asklepiades gave orders to bring the boy to him. To all the questions of the governor, Barulas firmly and without fear confessed his faith in Christ, the True God. Asklepiades in a rage gave orders to whip Barulas, and then behead him. Before his death the holy child asked his mother, who was present at the execution, to give him something to drink. The mother called out to him to endure bravely to the end. She herself carried her son to the place of execution, and later buried him.

St Roman was sentenced to burned alive, but a heavy rain extinguished the fire. The saint began glorifying Christ and insulting the pagan gods. The governor commanded that his tongue be cut out, but even deprived of his tongue, St Roman loudly continued to glorify the Lord. Then the torturers placed a noose around his neck and choked him to death.

[asklepiad-apollon]

do you think that non greek people should be allowed to follow hellenic polytheism? do you find it hard to take us seriously bc it's your culture? is it cultural appropriation? i don't mean to cause offence by asking i just saw some posts floating around and i'd like to know your opinion..just feeling kind of discouraged and awful about being in this religion but i'm trying my best to be respectful and learn and i just wanted to know what you thought

preface to these asks: I’m so sorry it took me so long to reply! I’ve been away from tumblr for a very long time! 

 In my personal opinion, and I don’t mean to be rude, I think that people who try to gatekeep the religion are not people that I would want to engage with or allow into my own personal communities. There’s is a difference between modern Greek culture and the surviving Greek Religion; around 98% of all Greeks are Greek Orthodox, and a lot of our traditions do follow Greek Orthodox cultures, even if you aren’t religious yourself. Not all of them, but many of them. I grew up around Greek kids and myself participating in Orthodox activities, Orthodox meals, Orthodox outfits, etc... (shoutout to all the fellow Greek kids who remember sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor of the church LOL) 

Additionally, Hellenic polytheism has never been very strictly about bloodlines and passing down religion through the lineage through blood. Unlike other religions that are closed to this day, Greek polytheistic religion was often spread across the lands (see- how they would literally preach and share about it to other areas, such as when they went to Egypt, both parties took inspiration about the Apollo god and started sharing religious traditions, which would later become permanent in both religions. Also see -  some shrines had open invitations to all passersbies that were travelling, regardless of social status or immigrant status)

Greeks, both modern and ancient, seem to be quite open about the religion, wanting the world to feel the “glory” of Greece and to have it spread. In my experience, people I’ve spoken to irl are more than happy to see people across the world practice. In fact, when I talked about American worshippers, I can sometimes see the light in people’s eyes because they feel like the Gods are not dead.

However, just a little note: I think it’s good to understand that the Gods in Hellenic Polytheism did come from Greece, and that Greece itself has a beautiful, big culture to learn about. To many of us in Greece who are practicing the religion, the Gods are not just toys to use; they’re a lifestyle to us. Greeks tend to be very reconstructionist in nature, in that they want the religion to be just like how it was back in the Ancient Days, lol. But it’s totally fine to be revivalist and encorporate the Gods in your practice in whatever way you like. 

I think the bottom line is just: be respectful! Respect Greek people, and scholars who have studied ancient greek culture, language, and religion. Don’t try and act like you can speak for all the Gods and don’t act like there is one right or wrong way to practice. But the respect should go both ways; they should respect you, too.

and unpopular opinion: people who say only racial greeks can even talk to the gods and that greece is the only pure land are often racist/ethnofascists/etc and fail to regard the complex racial situations in both modern and ancient greece :x

#hellenic polytheism #hellenism #greek polytheism #asklepiad answers

[the-horned-paladin]

On Worshipping Cthonic Deities

This post is made in partnership with @asklepiad-apollon discussing our own experience in working primarily with Ouranic or Cthonic Greek Gods. I’m honored to work with such an experienced and reputable Hellenic polytheist on a topic so dear to my heart, and I’m even more blessed to be able to call him my friend.

As a disclaimer, most if not all of this post is completely UPG. This is practically all opinion and experience in my devotion and practice. Do not take any of this as fact. If it helps you, wonderful, if it doesn't sound right to you, that's perfectly fine.

 My experience working with the divine has always centered heavily around why I am here. I have always believed I exist for some purpose, whether it is bestowed to me by a divine force or is a result of the innate abilities of my soul. This has been a belief that has sustained me and driven me to learn and grow throughout my life. I was born into Methodism, which is a branch of Christianity. From there I started to explore Wicca but quickly found it did not fit me. I then turned to popular pagan gods, specifically Norse, Roman, and Greek gods. More time passed and I found that no matter who I attempted to worship or do work with, the one deity I always came back to was Hades.

 My focus as a divinator and as a magical practitioner has primarily focused on life lessons, dealing with trauma, spirit work, and accepting the passage of time and death. I firmly believe that death is what gives life meaning. The power of the spirit is beyond measure, our soul is what contains all the lessons we have learned over our life/lives. Learning is what I believe to be everyone's basic life purpose, without delving into innate talents or soul passions. Hades has always been a deity I have been interested in. I have come to associate him not only with the judgement of souls, but with family, balance, morality, and learning from trauma.

 Although I work with Ouranic deities, my practice primarily focuses on working with the earth. Working with spirits. Working with the dead and dying, with spirits from other dimensions, and with the parts of me that live and die throughout each cycle in my life. There are many reasons I think my relationship with Hades is the strongest of any deity I've worked with. I think a lot of it comes down to how I perceive the Cthonic gods, as I also work with Persephone and their son Zagreus.

 When I look at the Cthonic gods versus the Ouranic gods, I see one major difference. I see a difference in their experience with and comprehension of the weight of mortality. The Ouranic deities live in Olympus, where there is no death. It is not to say that they do not experience grief or loss. But in much of the lore where the Ouranic deities experience grief over death, those deaths occur on Earth. It is foreign to them, and they try to evade it, but they cannot, and it is of great pain to them. The weight of time in the world of humans is not normal for Ouranic deities.

 With Cthonic gods it is much different. Their work is of the earth or below it. Everything they do has something to do with the cycle of time, be it with creating new life in the spring, reigning over the harvest, judging the souls of the departed, working with spirits, and even experiencing death themselves. Everything regarding the earth has a level of mortality to it. Fruits, Flowers, People, all finite. The Cthonic gods regularly work with people and things that do not last, that rot and die, they have a very real comprehension about how their work is infinite and yet strangely temporary. Working so closely with the human experience almost requires an understanding of how imperative the usage of time is to human experience. How material items are so valuable because they alter the human experience in such a limited span of time.

 Concepts such as balance, morality, death, afterlife, prosperity, life, emotions, all these things are very important when I consider Cthonic deities. Because they are such important concepts to humans. When I make offerings to Hades, I find that when I offer acts that require time, or when I spend time with him, those are the acts he seems to appreciate most. I gander it is because he understands that regardless of whether I get to reincarnate, that is time I have permanently lost. I no longer have that time. I am moving ever closer to my last day on earth.

 I have spent time saving a baby vulture. I have spent time tending gardens in the name of Hades, Persephone, and his children. I have spent time asking him for guidance through divination. Spending mealtime quietly speaking with him. Writing prayers and poems for him. Learning about death magic. Researching him. Researching philosophy and trying to better myself in his name. Making a more balanced and fair life that I feel he might be proud of. He knows that this is time I can never get back, and I often feel most satisfied after doing things for him that require even a small amount of time. I feel it is because he understands what it truly means to sacrifice your time to someone else because you adore them.

 Worshiping the Gods of Olympus is to shout and revel in the land of the immortals. It is to bask in the glory of infinite light and divinity, to paint our spirits in gold and cry their holy names, never to be forgotten.

 Worshiping the Gods of Earth is to hear their whispers in a land we are afraid of being taken from and buried in. It is to cry to them for answers to questions maybe no other god can answer. And they reassure us that even if we can find no light at all, they will always walk with us through the dark.

#greek gods #cthonic #upg #hades #hellenic polytheism #Harper's Original Content

[asklepiad-apollon]

Hey, I hope this does not come off as offensive, I'm a Babywitch so I'm getting used to everything. I saw that you have a lot of knowledge in terms of Worshipping Greek Gods, and I wanted to ask: Do you have any tips on worshipping Eurynome? I love her so much? but very few people know her, and since I'm a beginner, it makes me so lost, aah. I apreciatte your work so much, thank you very much, and I'm sorry if that wasn't the right place.

preface to these asks: I’m so sorry it took me so long to reply! I’ve been away from tumblr for a very long time!

Your question was not offensive at all! Greek mythos has soooo many different deities and other spiritual beings. Some people even worship the heroes, like Achilles! With all the different names to know, it can be really hard for new worshippers to try and get their bearings on things when there’s not a lot of resources. 

My first recommendation is to scan her page on a wonderful website called Theoi.com to see if anything inspires you: HERE

But in general, worshipping deities does not have to be very by the book! you can do whatever makes you feel most comfortable and whatever’s available to you. Some little things I’d do...

Leave offerings of things that you think she’d like! Anything that reminds you of her would be a nice offering.

Set up a little place for her on an altar or shelf to place things for her or even print out some photos that remind you of her or statues that look like her!

Maybe offer your drinks/food during the day, too. Something along the lines of being like, “hey, I need the physical essence of this food, but if you would like the energy from this food I dedicate it to you.” 

Find music that reminds you of her and listen to it!

From her Theoi.com page, here are some items that seem to be associated with her: fish scales, underwater creatures, anything from the ocean, the color gold, snakes, and cypress, stones/marble/statues

Tl;dr is that there’s no concrete way to worship, especially when the deity doesn’t have a lot of concrete information. Just follow your heart and I hope it goes well!!! Feel free to ask more questions any time!

#hellenic polytheism #Eurynome #asklepiad answers

[asklepiad-apollon]

How do you know if a god is calling you? I’m Christian, but I feel a draw to Hades, which is ironic, because it’s death I fear the most. I don’t know if it’s just the concept of Hades that interests me, though.

Hey there!

I think feeling a draw is enough to warrant you trying to go on your own path to start looking into a deity. I say this because, while some people might have experiences like this, usually giant signs and magnificent introductions from Gods don’t happen! It’s common to speak to a God through prayer and feel almost nothing in return. This is totally okay!

I also want to point out that Hades, while he is the King of the Underworld, isn’t necessarily death himself! Death is Thanatos, and he’s the one that does a lot of the, erm, rather spooky parts of the life cycle! That’s what scares me, too, haha.

In the words of my partner, @the-horned-paladin, Hades is all about balance. Where there is light, there is darkness. Where there is confidence, there must be modesty. Where there is life, there must be death. His relationship with Persephone is further proof of this; half the year he is in love and joyful, and the other half he must focus on his work in keeping the souls safe. 

If you’re feeling pulled to Hades, I think it could indicate that maybe you’re struggling with the idea of balance in your life. I, too, was horribly fearful of death and dark things. And it’s funny because Hades began to approach me as well, and at my own pace, I’m starting to learn that I can’t just be happy and bubbly all the time. I must be calm, relaxed, and allow myself to grieve sometimes, too.

In the end, I think there’s no difinitive way to know for sure if a God is calling you. Sometimes it’s just a feeling, a little idea, a little tug in the back of your mind. Sometimes the Gods wait for us to make the first step, because it’s not every day that they come crashing in through the door, haha.

Anyways, I wish you the best of luck! Do not fear Hades; he is a kind soul. Very misunderstood, and he does the hardest job of all... look after the souls who were taken away too soon. 

If you have any more questions, feel free to let me know!

#hellenic polytheism #hades #asklepiad answers #hades deity #haides

[asklepiad-apollon]

Hey, I’m new to your blog and worship in general so I apologize if you’ve already answered this! How do you dispose of offerings typically? For example, If I offered some sweets or a drink, would it be okay to eat/drink them afterwards? I’ve heard of pouring them into the earth but I figured that was only for chthonic dieties, and I made this offering to Apollo specifically.

Hello there! 

In regards to Ouranic Gods, I think it’s totally fine to eat the offerings! It’s what I do, personally. Or, if you don’t want to wait before you eat it, I’d offer it while you’re consuming it~ I usually say something along the lines of “Dear Hermes, I’m consuming the physical aspect of this food, but I offer you the spiritual energy of this food as much as you’d like. I hope to share this meal with you! Thank you!” or something like that, haha. 

And with Chthonic deities, usually you do pour them into the Earth or bury them in order to “give them back” to the Gods of the Underworld and the Earth. :) Though I do know of quite a few people who share food like tea to the Chthonic Gods, but usually if they didn’t put anything on the altar (consuming it directly instead of offering it on the altar and then taking it back and eating it)

Hope this helps!

#asklepiad answers #Hellenic Polytheism

[asklepiad-apollon]

Good evening! If you wouldn't mind, I have a question about Hellenic Polytheism. I consider myself a Hellenic Polytheist because I worship Aphrodite and Dionysus (I pray at my altars every week, give them offerings every day, and generally try to make them a part of my life), but I fear I'm not practicing correctly. Is there a set way to worship? I'm still trying to figure this religion out. Thanks!

I don’t mind at all!

In my humble opinion, I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to worship. You see, the resources we have that take a look back into ancient traditions are often very much destroyed, and with some of the resources that we do have, it’s almost impossible for us, in a modern society, to recreate some of the traditions that they had in ancient greece because we lack the religious places of worship, religious items, and social context of that time period.

So, what I see is a lot of people kind of forging their own way to worship however they feel fits their lifestyle best! I think you’re already doing a lot by the fact that you give offerings every day; even I don’t do that, haha. I just really don’t have the energy lately! 

But that’s okay! Whatever you feel like is right for you, I’d say go for it. The only “rules” I personally think there are is just don’t be a jerk to the deities and don’t make oaths that you do not plan on keeping - oaths are extremely important in Ancient Greece culture (and, by extension, ancient greek religion!) 

#asklepiad answers

[asklepiad-apollon]

How TF are you initiated in anything when mystery religions didn't survive

Hmm, it's fascinating you say this because as a Greek person, in Greece, I've been a part of many religious organizations that do, in fact, have official rituals. Sounds like someone doesn't know much about the community 🤔

I feel like people are very much quick to consider Ancient Religions as dead; but we're still surviving.

#asklepiad answers #hellenic polytheism

[asklepiad-apollon]

hi, i’m a follower of the gods (mainly one right now), but making my relationship with them feel too... religious? makes me uncomfortable and anxious and want to drop it even if it’s been a good thing for me. is it wrong or disrespectful to still say i’m not religious even though i’m a follower? i usually refer to it more as spirituality instead

Not at all! I think that you can refer to your practice as whatever you want. Even though it’s not my own personal path, some people call themselves exclusively witches (not calling themselves polytheist) and still give offerings to the Gods and acknowledge them and work with them. 

I think however you want to interact with them is valid, and no matter what peope online say, your relationship with the Gods is yours and yours alone and if it’s working between you and them, that’s what matters in the end. 

#asklepiad answers

[asklepiad-apollon]

Hey!Been a fan of your blog for a while now and I have a question: How do you feel about all the non-greeks practicing Hellenic Polytheism and getting heavily involved with our culture (to the point where they act superior abt it)? I feel like I might be a bit too harsh on "outsiders" practising hellenism but idk, which is why I came here to ask for your opinion basically. I don't want to be one of those rude people but my religion means a lot to me and i feel like it gets taken out of context..

Heya, I think this question is totally valid and I don’t think you’re being rude. I understand what it’s like to have something that you think is a part of your culture to be taken away from you and used in a context outside of your own. It’s really scary, and I totally understand that.

Sometimes, I look at myself, and I see how heavily I tie Hellenic Polytheism to my Greek upbringing and Greek culture, I see my history and my country and I feel immensely proud. It makes me happy when I can practice being Greek in a more obvious way through my religion and connect to my ancestors.

That being said, I think it’s important to understand that the old religion is basically gone, or, at least, the way we practiced it is gone. All that’s left now are remnants of the past and, truly, a lot of people don’t have the resources to practice Hellenic Polytheism “correctly” - most of the old resources have been destroyed through time or through Christianity trying to cleanse us of it, or all we have are remnants of papyri or vase paintings to try and piece together what happened.

Sometimes people want to be a part of the Greek culture but it’s hard because there are no temples and there are no Greek locations around them where they can immerse themselves in the culture. 

I think it’s important to understand that, undoubtedly, the non-Greek people understand that the religion is Greek and comes from our country. Our experiences are valid and as Greek folks we can say what is and isn’t disrespectful to our culture. But, as far as the religion goes, nobody has the resources or the organized structure to say what is and isn’t right except for large groups like YSEE, but even then, they cannot speak for all the practitioners all around the world. In the end, we really are just a bunch of people trying to worship the Gods we love. Isn’t that enough?

I’m sorry people have acted superior towards you, that’s just not fair. Your experiences are valid. But at the end of the day we love the Gods all the same and it’s so, so hard for someone who is not living in Greece to actually practice the religion in the “Greek” way and tie it to the Greek culture.

But it’s always nice to see people pay tribute to Greece from time to time.

#hellenic polytheism #asklepiad answers

[asklepiad-apollon]

I have only recently (within the past year) accepted that I am a hellenic polytheist. I've mostly been studying in order to learn the best way to worship the theoi. I am messaging you in order to say hello, because I saw that you moved to Canada (I apologise if that is incorrect) and I am Canadian.

Heya!

Congratulations of figuring out that Hellenic Polytheism was a good fit for you! Sometimes it can be scary to dive into a pantheon with lots of Gods and lots of new information, but in the end I hope it’s really rewarding for you. Also, just remember, there’s no truly right or wrong way to go about things. The Gods accept you as you are.

And yes, I am in Canada atm!! I love it here so much, omg. 

#asklepiad answers

[asklepiad-apollon]

just so u know dodekatheist is a term made up by nationalists

Really? Because in Greek, Dodekatheism (or rather, Dodekatheismos) is literally the word we use to describe the religion. Or, at least, that's what the groups I've been around use.

But thank you for the information, if the term is being spun in such a way in the English meaning and the word itself I'll change my bio to reflect that! I do not wish to associate with that.

#asklepiad answers

[asklepiad-apollon]

Hi I love ur blog so much Im not very well versed in mythology but I’ve had a huge interest in Greek gods and goddesses (mainly goddesses tbh) and I was wondering who you think would could help me with my transition? I’m a trans girl and I live in a transphobic and abusive environment and I wanted to seek help, protection, guidance and advice from some strong lady. I really like Artemis bc I love the moon a lot, but she has a lot of masculine energy and I don’t. Anyway thank u have a niceday

Heya! First of all, I just want to say you are such a strong person for continuing to endure despite your surroundings being stacked against you. Keep fighting, yeah? The Gods, no matter who you end up turning to, are on your side.

My first advice would be to take a look into Aphrodite; she, of course, is the Goddess of love, but that also includes self-love, which can be accepting yourself and femininity, regardless of how other people around you want you to view yourself. Regardless of what other people say, she does love and support trans women. She has been identified with both male and female biological traits, in her Aphrodite form as well as her Aphroditus statues, who is identified with the Moon and at their sacrifices men and women exchanged clothing with which the line between gender in the ancient society was blurred regardless of biological features. She was still their Goddess of Love no matter what traits she had physically. You get to be who you wish to be and she will guide you to self love and acceptance in a feminine world within your transition; she is one of, if not the most feminine energy of all the Greek Goddesses, and also the most nurturing.  She is also immensely strong, with her title Areia, the Goddess of Love and War. She will fight for you!

Secondly, I don’t think Artemis would be a bad choice for you. Perhaps she might appear more masculine to some, but one of her roles as a Greek Goddess is actually called “the protector of girls,” protecting them from the harmful gaze of others and harm. She takes girls under her wing and I think the beauty of Artemis is that she can be both badass and tough while still not sacrificing her beauty, her soft, mysterious Moon side of her. She, to me, appears a lot about duality.

Lastly, Dionysos, much like Aphrodite, has been identified with trans and nonbinary individuals for them, also, shifting forms biologically within art and statues and just generally being gender-ambiguous. Dionysos is about partying, ecstasy, theater, wild passion and love.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask more questions any time you’d like.

#hellenic polytheism #asklepiad answers

[asklepiad-apollon]

Hello! I was wondering if you knew what rules there are (if there are any) for epithets? Sometimes I see a God have the epithet at the end of their name and other times I see them only be called by the epithet (Like Aphrodite being called "Kypros"). Is there a rule to this? thank you! x

Hello! Sorry for not getting to your question earlier, I was a bit busy.

In regards to “rules,” there aren’t really rules per say, moreso there’s just a way that they work! They’re kind of like adjectives, but they’re things that don’t change about a deity. They change the meaning of the deity’s name (or a noun, if they’re used to describe something else.) Take Aphrodite Ourania, for example. Ourania - The Divine Aphrodite. It’s a quality of hers that doesn’t change, and it describes her. 

I’ve seen epithets be written both in front of and after the deity’s name, but I would not exclusively write the epithet without the deity’s name, mostly because they’re adjectives. Ourania - divine, heavenly. Who is divine and heavenly? It doesn’t really specify, and while some epithets are not shared between deities so you could technically use them and people would know who you’re talking about, they are supposed to be used with a noun (or deity’s name, in this case) to describe them, especially since many epithets such as Xenia/Xenios are shared among many of the Gods in the pantheon. Seriously, so many epithets are shared, haha.

Side note - you can also make up your own epithets for the deities you worship! Go wild! 

Hope I helped. :) If you have any more questions, feel free to ask! 

#hellenic polytheism #asklepiad answers

[asklepiad-apollon]

I just wanted to thank you for your new post! I really think I needed to hear it -💛💛💛

Aww, it’s no problem, I’m so happy that I could help!!

#asklepiad answers

[asklepiad-apollon]

Hi, glad you're fine and back! Do you know how Hekate's cult works nowadays? As a witch, I'm particularly fond of her and feel a callin towards the Lady of Crossroads. Also, how does hellenistic people few magick nowadays?

Thank you so much, friend!

Truthfully, she is not worshiped prominently in Hellenic polytheist groups in Greece, if that’s what you mean by cult. But there are many worshipers online and around the world who have devoted some worship to her; she’s a very popular deity among witches of all various paths in life! 

People celebrate her holiday trio days, Noumenia / Deipnon / Agathos Daimon which come one after the other on the nights of the new moons. What I’ve seen done is that offerings are usually left on crossroads at your altar (the place where two branches of the altar meet) in set of three. She’s also the Goddess of Witchcraft, of course, so she has a lot of wonderful history with divination and I find that divination and witchcraft in general is used as a devotional offering activity.

If by Hellenistic people you mean Greek people as a whole (Hellenic means Greek) - since the population is 99% Orthodox they’re extremely against it. However, among the Hellenic polytheist community I find that they’re very open to it while some people just prefer to not do it, though I’ve never personally seen any arguments about it asides from some very vocal people in the community online speaking about how witchcraft is “ruining the Gods” or whatever, which I personally think is absolutely ridiculous because divination has always been a historical way to contact the Gods.

Ancient Greeks used trancework, scrying, omen reading, etc etc. It was literally a huge cultural part of their worship, so to say that witchcraft is ruining the religion is... hmm. Really makes you think about people wanting to gatekeep the religion like that.

#hellenic polytheism #asklepiad answers