#hellenist

[alsostheon]

Spiritual Pollution in Hellenic Polytheism

In Helpol, we have three concepts known as lyma, miasma, and agos.

To some, humans are seen as naturally pure beings, but because we are living mortal creatures, spiritual dirt can cling to us and make us impure.

Here, I will discuss these three types of pollution

(Disclaimer: Some of this information comes from my own personal interpretations, and therefore may not apply to the beliefs of everyone)

Lyma

Lyma means "something to be washed away". Itis generally just physical dirt. It isn't much of a big deal when it comes to spiritual matters. However, it is still best to be free of it when approaching the gods.

Miasma

This is where things get complicated.

Miasma is essentially general spiritual pollution. Miasma is something that is completely unavoidable and should not be shamed (well, depending on the cause). Miasma is mainly caused by things related to life and death. This includes sex, childbirth, visiting a cemetery, blood, sexual fluids, etc.

However, miasma has different degrees of severity. More severe miasma comes from acts such as rape, hubris, murder, etc.

Miasma also spreads from people to people. If you walk past someone on the street who just came back from a funeral, their miasma will cling to you as well. This also highlights how unavoidable miasma is. But usually, this kind of indirect miasma is not as bad.

We are not allowed to approach the gods in a state of miasma. Luckily, miasma is not difficult to get rid off (excluding the more severe cases listed above).

All you need to do is wash your hands.

If you get a cut on your leg, the blood is miasmic and therefore you can't approach the gods. But all you need to do is wait for the bleeding to stop, wash away the blood, wash your hands, and then you're good to go.

There is a debate I once had on whether miasma prevents us from praying, giving offerings, and participating in festivals. To me, the answer is yes, but not with prayers. Let me explain why.

In a very simplified description of a certain myth, Orestes killed his mother. This caused him to enter a state of severe miasma and a state of agos (which I will explain later). Long story short, he prayed and asked Apollon to help purify him, in return for a grand offering later on. Apollon heard the prayer and came to help purify Orestes.

In this example, we see that Orestes was still able to pray to Apollon in the worst state of miasma, but promised to give offerings later on.

This implies that prayer is not an issue with miasma.

Here is another example: You don't need to wash your hands when talking to someone, but you should wash your hands if you want to give that person food.

In a similar way, in my opinion, you don't need to wash your hands for a casual prayer, but you should wash them before giving an offering. Although, I also prefer not to pray when I know I am in a miasmic state.

However, this is my own interpretation and others may have different views.

There are other ways to cleanse miasma such as khernips, incense, and scapegoats.

Ocean water is also said to cleanse miasma extremely well.

Agos

Agos is a cursed state and is the most extreme form of spiritual pollution. However, agos is not easy to get.

If you commit a horrible act such as murder, you will be in a state of extreme miasma. However, when the gods notice your crime and get enraged (keep in mind that it is usually not that easy to anger the gods), the miasma evolves into agos.

Miasma is a naturally occurring thing, but agos only comes from the wrath of the gods.

Agos is difficult to remove and is a pretty big deal.

Luckily, you don't need to worry about agos unless you're a horrible person who commits heinous acts.

Aaaand that is my interpretation of spiritual pollution in Helpol. I hope this post can be helpful to you!

Blessed be!

#hellenic polytheism #hellenic polytheist #hellenic paganism #hellenic pagan #theoi #helpol #paganism #pagan #polytheism #polytheist #helpolblr #hellenism #hellenismos #hellenist #ancient greek religion #lyma #miasma #agos

[hisfluer]

glory & song to apollo! i sing to thee, golden among gods! may this song be as sweet as your own, may my fingers be as nimble as yours — teach me, oh glorious one of  radiance, to shine as you do. honey touches your lips, spills golden as you turn your face and illuminate. golden god,  swift and reaching, may my words & song be a delight  to your ears. i pray for your wisdom, for your ever learning  heart to teach me. i wish to see as you see, to know as you know — the world opens itself like a flower freshly blooming in the golden light of your day. grace my fingers with your golden  touch, inspire me to do as you do! oh, sing! rejoice! delight! may the world open up before me, every place that embraces the golden light of your sun, and may i have the boldness to  go! give your light to my eyes, to my hands, to my feet so that i may go where even the shades fear — unbowed & unbent. 

#apollo #apollo god #apollo worship #apollo deity #apollo devotion #apollo devotee #hellenism #hellenic #helpol #helpolblr #hellenist #hellenistic #hellenic polytheism #hellenic polytheist #hellenic pagan #hellenic paganism #pagan #pagan community #theoi #theoi worship #greek god #greek gods #greek mythology #hellenic devotion #hellenic witch #deity devotion #deity work #deity #deity worship #hymanls

[chiefhellenist]

Daily Devotions with the Orphic Hymns

Today is 4th of Metageitnion (21st of August)

This modern system of daily devotions blends material from two sources: Hesiod's sacred month, as described in his Works and Days, and the Orphic Hymns. The ideas in the Orphic Hymns sometimes don't match with more mainstream beliefs of the polis. But using these hymns is worth it because it helps us honor not just the main gods, but also many smaller ones. This way, we can pay our respects to a wide range of gods throughout the whole month.

Other hymns may of course be substituted at the individual's discretion. The numbers given for the hymns correspond to those in Apostolos N. Athanassakis, The Orphic Hymns: Text, Translation and Notes

Thomas Taylor's 1792 translation of the hymns is available online, free and in its entirety, at the Internet Sacred Texts Archive. Here:

Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning

Wash hands and face

Light lamp or candle

Hymn to Hestia (#84)

Light incense

Hymn to Eos (#78)

Hymn to Helios (#8)

Hymn(s) to special god/dess(es) of the day (see chart)

Additional hymns as desired (see chart)

Pour libation

Make personal supplications and thanksgivings

"Orpheus to Mousaios" (pp. 2-5)

Extinguish lamp or candle

Evening

Wash hands and face

Light lamp or candle

Hymn to Hestia (#84)

Light incense

Hymn to Nyx (#3)

Hymn to Selene (#9)

Hymn to the Stars (#7)

Hymn(s) to patron/matron god/desses

Hymn to Sleep (#85)

Hymn to Dream (#86)

Pour libation

Make personal supplications and thanksgivings

Hymn to Zeus (#15)

Extinguish lamp or candle

A shortened version of the devotions may be done by simply lighting a candle, reading "Orpheus to Mousaios," saying any personal prayers, and extinguishing the candle.

Notes on chart:

Days mentioned by Hesiod as sacred to specific deities are marked.

Horkos is the god (or, if you like, personification) of Oath. Days sacred to this deity are considered difficult.

As the lunar calendar months range between 29 and 30 days in the Greek reckoning, it may be necessary in short months to recite all the hymns for both day 29 and day 30 on the day of the dark moon. As the last day of the month is sacred to Hekate, Her hymn should always be included.

About Incense

The Orphic Hymns specify particular types of incense to be offered to each deity. In cases where one is saying multiple hymns with differing instructions, one might either choose a single type or make a blend of all those indicated. Pure frankincense makes a good all-purpose offertory incense.

The incense specifications from the Orphic text are as follows:

Frankincense: Apollon, Ares, Artemis, Asklepios, Bakkhai, Dike, Eos, Hephaistos, Herakles, Hermes, Hygeia, Kouretes, Muses, Nike, Satyros, Silenos, Tethys, Themis, Titans

Myrrh: Leto, Nereus, Poseidon

Storax: Chthonic Hermes, Dionysos, Eleusinian Demeter, Erinues (also frankincense), Graces, Kronos, Semele, Zeus

Aromatic Herbs: Adonis, Athena, Eros, Eumenides, Fates, Hera, Hestia, Horai, Nereids, Nymphs, Okeanos, Rhea

Various: Mother of the Gods, Pan, Chthonic Dionysos (any except frankincense), Gaia (any grain; no beans or aromatic herbs)

No Incense (underworld deities): Hekate, Nemesis, Persephon

#paganlife #pagan community #pagans of tumblr #paganblr #hellenism #hellenic polythiest #hellenic pagan #hellenic polytheism #hellenic polytheist #hellenic deities #hellenist #hellenic gods #greek gods #paganism #polytheist #polytheistic #greek polytheism

[hearth-and-veil]

May the Great Goddess Hestia, First and Last Olympian, Beloved of Gods and Mortals, extend Her blessings upon you in 2023!

#hellenism #hellenic polytheism #hellenic paganism #hellenic pagan #hellenist #hellenic reconstructionism #hellenic #hestia #goddess hestia #goddess worship #2023 #new year #new year 2023

[lovelypearls]

Aphrodite Areia is so good and important to me I just *clenches fist* love a strong woman associated with beauty also being associated with blood and war and being powerful, slaying her enemies, giving me the strength to defeat mine...love her so goddamn fucking much 💖🗡️ it really makes me sad there's so little representation of her in art and things let me admire her ugh

#aphrodite #aphrodite worship #aphrodite areia #hellenism #hellenist #hellenic pagan

[froghat1745]

God is our toxic boyfriend:

He tells us how to dress, what to say, what to eat, and how to behave.

We have to give the things we like up to prove we still love him

Sunday is "his night" and we have to do what he wants or else he will be all pissy at us and make us miserable

If other men lust after us it's our fault for "dressing like a slut" and being unfaithful to him

We have to do exactly what he wants or else we are unfaithful

He tells us that without him, we will never be happy

And guess what- the pegan gods are the childhood best friends who are sitting at our dining room table for coffee who are like:

"Heyyyy.. you should probably leave him. He is toxic and its time you focus on yourself and living with individuality and self love instead of living to please him"

#ex catholic #peganism #convertedpegan #hellenist #ex religious

[quill-the-tired-one]

Veiling Struggles and Overcoming Them

There have been many times, especially recently, where I've thought to myself, "Life would be so much easier for me if I just took off my veil" and the way that I work through that thought is reminding myself of why I chose veiling in the first place and why I continue to do it. Veiling makes me feel powerful and in control of my mind and my body. It is a constant reminder of Lady Hestia, who watches me with pride as I continue to veil through my hardships. It has stuck with me as a reminder of my faith and love of my religion. So to any veiling person of any religion that is struggling, think through why you do it. Blessed be you :)

#veiling pagan #lady hestia #hestia worship #hestia devotee #veiling #veil #religion #hellenist #hellenism

[libralight]

#witchy #witch #astrology #witchblr #aesthetic #mood #candle #cozy #fire #hellenist #hellenic #norse #norse paganism

[loemius]

i’m trying to do more research as i’ve recently started working with apollo, is there any books or further places of research i could us to look further?

khaire anon! thank you for this ask! as always i'm no expert, and this is just my humble opinion. apollo is quite the complicated god with a long history of worship. i learn something new about him every day, honestly. if you’re looking for basics to research on him, though, here are my suggestions: -homeric hymns to apollo (hymn 3 and 21). especially hymn 3, it’s a long one, but it covers his birth and the establishment of his temple in delphi. it’s massive to his historical worship and is directly where some of his epithets come from. two that come to mind are dephinius (of the dolphins) and pythian (rotten; apollo takes this name to establish his supremacy OVER the pytho dragon). these hymns are available here or here. the first link is the evelyn white translation to hymn 3 and includes a link to hymn 21, the second is rodney merrill’s translation of hymn 3. i have no preference, as i like to read multiple translations and look for commonalities and differences, but those two i’m fond of. -check out some of his cult worship. i highly suggest you look into his worship in delphi as your first place, as it’s where his most famous oracle was located, which you can check out here for a brief synopsis to get you started. that being said, he was worshipped all throughout greece and in other areas like turkey, italy and france, so if that interests you, do some research on those topics. -dig deep into some of his epithets. there’s paean, healer. interestingly, there’s even a specific kind of song named a paean as well. these two (1 2 turn cc on for link 2 for translation) to apollon are some of my favorites. there’s phoebus, shining, his chief epithet. smintheos, lord of mice. musagetes, king of the muses. lykean, of the wolves/of lycia. alexikakos, averter of evil. all of these have so much history behind them that there were specific priests of specific epithets at specific temples devoted to that epithet during the later periods of worship that you can dive into. and these are just a handful of his epithets! pick a few that interest you and dive into a research hole and see what windows open. -check out the delphic maxims. they can be found here. -look into his oracle, the pythia. check out pythagoras, the triangle guy. no i’m not kidding he had an entire mystery cult about apollo -look into his role in the iliad. he’s a major player in that epic, which can be found here. the iliad is a bit complicated to understand, as it’s not a full account of the trojan war -- it actually takes place near the end and begins with a specific conflict between agamemnon and a priest of apollon which then spirals into a whole thing between agamemnon and achilles and like, just a whole Thing(tm). there’s so much to unpack with apollo and the iliad that i’d need a whole other post and like, a works cited to really get into it. i hope this helps you anon! may your relationship with apollon be fruitful and may the theoi guide you to happiness and peace! best wishes!

#apollo deity #apollo devotion #helpol #hellenic reconstructionism #hellenic polytheism #hellenist #hellenic pagan #apollo #my posts

[moonkissedmeli]

hello! i'm new to witchcraft in general - what deities do you work with and how do you implement working with them into your daily schedule?

Hi there <3 Welcome to the exciting world of the occult.

I'm a Hellenist, so I try to show reverence for all the Theoi. But my matrons/patrons are Apollo, Hermes, Aphrodite, Persephone, Demeter, and Artemis.

For me, I've really accepted that life is very busy and that ritual offerings and worships are best saved for special occasions and holidays. I could never keep up with ritual or maintain a seasonal altar. Actually, I don't even have physical shrines anymore. I simply don't have space and my cats are naughty and destroy everything, lmao.

It's good practice when working with a new deity or a pantheon to especially show respect and reverence for the leaders of that Pantheon or the parentage of that deity, especially when you're first starting out. This isn't a rule though, like it's 2024 and we are so far from ancient times, there is very few "right" or "wrong" ways . But, I just like to do this. For me, that's Zeus and Hera. I was never a "devotee" of either of these deities, but when I started out, I would say their names first in prayers. I would always find ways to honor them - thank Zeus for storms (I love storms), when I got married I made a peacock painting for Hera. Small things that show respect.

And, that's basically how I treat my matrons and patrons. I use e-alters a lot. I reblog things that remind me of them. I do small things to embody their characteristics and imbibe their desires. I do my skincare with Aphrodite, I plant flowers with Persephone, I bask in the sun and read tarot with Apollo, I study with Hermes, I learn vegetable gardening with Demeter, and I heal my abuse and take my power back with Artemis. You will learn about your deities and then you will see how they speak to you and you will reciprocate it. I think, it becomes more intuitive then you think.

When you start to align yourself with the divine and everything you do feels like ritual.

However, to me, one of the most important things is knowing their holidays or their days of the week/month, etc. Anytime where a proper ritual offering (or whatever you do) would normally be done. Relationships are reciprocal. Plan do something extra on these days when you can - but it doesn't have to be so traditional. For example, it is said Artemis was born on the 6th of May, every 6th day of the month belongs to her. On the 6th of May I would try to do something like, eat wild meat or go on a big hike. But, on the 6th day of each month - I might plan to eat a hearty meal containing meat (I don't eat a lot of meat regularly and was actually strictly plant-based for a long time, so this is an extra thing I'd do for her).

Best of luck on your journey <3

#hellenic #hellenist #new witch #witch #witchcraft 101 #pagan #paganblr #witchblr #artemis #persephone #aphrodite #apollo #hermes #demeter #diety

[hisfluer]

i sing & i delight in the song to artemis — swift running goddess of the wild, may i run  alongside you. bold goddess, your heart pounds within my ears as i race, race, race toward the full gleaming moon. my steps are silver, my voice a hunter’s call, and i run! i pray to you, goddess illuminate, to show  me how to seek the secret paths within the woods, how to  string together weapons with my hands, how to wrestle my  freedom from the hands of those who would pull me down. give my arms the strength to pull the bow back, to inhale  the breath of the wild, to release and strike true, true, true.  fleet-footed goddess of silver, let me dance with you  as your cry trills through the woods and wake the birds  from their nests. the snare will never touch my  feet, my strength is too great and my heart too bold. o,  goddess of the hunt — teach me to run wild. 

#artemis #artemis god #artemis goddess #artemis worship #artemis deity #artemis devotion #artemis devotee #hellenism #hellenic #helpol #helpolblr #hellenic polytheism #hellenic paganism #hellenist #hellenic polytheist #hellenic pagan #greek gods #greek mythology #theoi #theoi worship #hellenic witch #pagan #deity devotion #deity work #deity #hymnals #x

[nicodeangelbro]

does anyone know any good hellenist discord servers? preferably 18+

#hellenist #greek mythology #hellenic pagan #paganism

[hearth-and-veil]

I do think that some ‘cutesy’ UPGs are totally fine and not offensive to the Theoi. Yes, I agree, Hera would absolutely wear Valentino. Of course Apollo would drive a Jeep. Hestia does probably enjoy some spanakopita.

These things are different from the “fanfiction” version of the Theoi, and many of these UPGs are based well in Greek tradition. If evaluating which type of car you think each Olympian would drive gives you a greater understanding of Them, I say go for it. 

#hellenism #hellenic polytheism #hellenic pagan #hellenist #UPG #upg content #not all upg is bad

[lovelypearls]

Heavenly Aphrodite, born rising from seafoam green, crying tears of pearl; bless me, and allow me to witness the infinite possibilities of beauty, the shades and colors and patterns of our exquisiteness.

Allow me to feel the fire in my heart, the softness in my soul, the weakness in my knees as I look in awe at how ethereal the human form can be.

Bless me Lady Aphrodite, bless me with raging, bursting, boundless love 💕

#aphrodite #aphrodite worship #poetry #prayers #hellenism #hellenist #aphrodite deity #my writing

[ocean-not-found]

#gay pagan #pagan #hellenist #hellenic pagan #hellenistic #ishtar #astarte #hail holy queen #queen #queen of heaven #mary devotee #mary #marian pagan #marian worship #roman statue #isis goddess #goddess isis #goddess of the sky #goddess of the moon #goddess of heaven #goddess religion #goddess #venus #venus aphrodite #ode to aphrodite #aphrodite devotee #aphrodite worship #aphrodite #roman mythology #roman goddess

[thisuserisgonesorry]

"join a cult! its fun!!" i just chugged half a bottle of expired wine and then realised what i did. dont fucking do that.

#mine #dionysus #lighthearted obviously #join the cult of dionysus #do it right now #dionysos #bacchus #greek gods #hellenic pagan #hellenist #hellenism #hellenic polythiest #hellenic pantheon #hellenic deities #hellenic polytheism #hellenic religion #hellenic witch #greek pantheon #dionysus deity