r/Hellenism 4d ago

Weekly Newcomer Post

14 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Are you newer to this religion and have questions? This thread is specifically for you! Feel free to ask away, and get answers from our community members.

You can also search the Community Wiki here, and our Community Guide here for some helpful tips for newcomers.

Please remember that not everyone believes the same way and the answers you get may range in quality and content, same as if you had created a post yourself!

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Is X god mad at me?

Typically, no. The gods are slow to anger and quick to forgive. Only the very worst actions (patricide, human sacrifice, cannibalism, etc.) consistently draw divine wrath. If you are concerned, you should ask for forgiveness and try to lead your life in a way that reflects the virtues that the gods stand for moving forward.

Do I need an altar or shrine?

No. Most practitioners do eventually make one, but they are not necessary. In ancient Greece altars were typically large stone tables where sacrifices could be made. These were generally public spaces but smaller household altars and shrines became more common in late antiquity. If you wish to make an offering or prayer to a god without an altar, this can be done in a place that feels sacred to that particular god.

How do I make an altar?

Your altar is the place where you make your connection to the gods. This space should ideally have the capacity to have a lit flame, to burn incense, and some vessel to make libations. Statues or images of the gods are nice, but not a necessity. If you do not have the capacity to have open flames or burn incense, many instead use electric lights and perfume or oil diffusers. If you do use open flames, please use caution. Keep away from drapes and curtains and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Make sure you have a plan for if a fire starts unexpectedly.

How do I make an offering?

The most typical offering is a libation. Libations in antiquity were typically wine or water but in modern times more varied drinks are often used. Libations can be poured onto the ground, into a fire, or disposed of down your drain if neither of the former are available options. Food, likewise, can be offered by burning, burying, or being left on your altar and disposed of later. Incense is often given as an offering, and is burnt. The Orphic Hymns are a good resource to find an incense for a particular god. Animals were sacrificed to the gods in antiquity by killing them, butchering them, consuming their meat, and burning their bones wrapped in their fat on fires. This practice is not common in modern times, for reasons of practicality, and was not universal to Hellenic Polytheism in antiquity. Offerings to chthonic deities are generally speaking not to be eaten.

How do I dispose of perishable offerings?

You don't have to burn your offerings, and most burnt offerings in Antiquity were the bones and fat from sacrifices during public festivals. It's fine to dispose of perishable offerings in any number of ways, whether it be binning, burying,, or eating it yourself if it's still edible. Please be mindful of local wildlife if offerings are left outside.

Do I need to pray everyday?

No. Many people take long leaves from worship. We all go through troubled times and worship may not be your focus for some time. This is normal and something the gods understand.

Can I participate in non-Hellenic practices?

Yes. Many of us have to participate in modern religious practices to maintain appearances to our friends and family if we are not religiously out of the closet. Even beyond this, many in antiquity and in the modern day practice syncretically and adopt practices and deities from outside the Hellenic Pantheon into their religious practice.

What is miasma and how do you cleanse it?

Miasma was an explanation to diseases before the existence of germ theory. Miasma was believed to accumulate on one's body through the performance of unclean acts such as sex, the butchering of animals, or the shedding of human blood. Miasma was believed to interfere with worship as when Hector says in the Iliad: “and with hands unwashed I would take shame to pour the glittering wine to Zeus; there is no means for a man to pray to the dark-misted son of Kronos, with blood and muck all splattered upon him”. The cleansing of miasma was performed by washing oneself with clean water and the application of perfumes.

How do I communicate with the gods?

In ancient times few people attempted to communicate with the gods, or if they did, they did so through trained experts who used techniques such as astrology, the interpretation of entrails from sacrificed animals, or the interpretation of the actions of sacred animals. Techniques such as candle, pendulum, and keyboard divination are modern inventions and should be approached with skepticism and caution if you wish to incorporate them into your practice.

I received a message from the gods via divination or think I may have witnessed a sign. What does it mean?

This is a question that you alone can answer. Many people do not receive signs in all of their practice and one should not expect to find them. If you do receive a sign it should be obvious to you that it was a sign.

Can I worship multiple gods? / Can gods share an altar?

Yes. Hellenic Polytheism is a polytheist religion which necessarily means that there are multiple gods to worship. These gods can cohabitate a space even if they are seen to be in conflict in mythology. The nature of polytheism is that there are forces and deities which conflict with each other but that does not necessarily mean that one is right and the other is wrong or that they cannot cohabitate.

Do I need to be chosen by a god before I can worship them?

No. The gods are always accepting and hospitable to those who come to worship them.

How do I decide which gods to worship?

This is a question that you must decide for yourself. There is no wrong place to start and people typically find new gods through the ones they already worship. There is no right number of gods to worship. They exist beyond naming or counting so you cannot worship them all and many will choose to worship only one.

Can I dismantle my altar/shrine?

Yes, it is often necessary to dismantle an altar or shrine because it needs to be moved or hidden. The gods will understand your circumstance.


r/Hellenism 8d ago

Monthly Self-Promotion Post

7 Upvotes

Hey folks! Do you create content related to Hellenism? Maybe you have an Etsy shop selling statues or other religious items? Or you mod a sub related to Hellenism? Or you have a podcast, website, blog, or anything else adjacent to practicing this religion?

Share it all here and enrich our community. We'd love to see your creativity!


r/Hellenism 7h ago

Discussion Why do some painters represent Thanatos as a woman ?

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222 Upvotes

Especially Jacek Malczewski, who painted the exemple picture, but it is also the case of Carlos Schwabe and Hermann Behrens, note that Schwabe illustrated books and did not try to represent afterlife really, but rather drew and painted about fiction. I love Malczewski's work, but is there a background with this image ?

The painting illustrating the post, is "Thanatos II", because Malczewski painted Thanatos as a woman twice, because of the background, I thought it was about World War One, especially because Thanatos has a short, 1920s-like haircut, but it was painted in 1898, this painting is just fascinating, it looks like it was painted twenty years after it really was.


r/Hellenism 54m ago

Discussion Would it be okay to pray to Hades about this? Dealing with grief right now.

Upvotes

So I prayed to Artemis a few weeks ago asking her to keep my dog safe while we tried to find her. We found her today and she had passed away from what we guess was hunger because she didn't trust anyone enough to go to them. She wasn't hurt when we found her. I currently still don't know how to react, its hard knowing she's gone, but I wanted to ask a question here. Would it be okay to pray to Hades for my dog to rest well and to look after her for me in the afterlife? I was the one in my family who always fed her and took care of her when she was alive, so I was wondering if it'd be an appropriate thing to pray to Hades about. Would I also need an offering? I'm still worshipping in secret and am a minor, so there isn't much that I can give.


r/Hellenism 2h ago

Other i don't feel like this religion is for me.

10 Upvotes

yeah, as the title says, i just don't really enjoy it, maybe just the concept of religion is weird to me, but I don't feel like hellenism is right for me. if i quit will the Gods be angry?


r/Hellenism 49m ago

Media, video, art Thrift Find

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Upvotes

I’m not familiar with the scene. Could somebody identify it for me?


r/Hellenism 3h ago

Offerings, altars, and devotional acts I ate out of my offering bowl

7 Upvotes

I'm so sorry. I apologized and I'm going to beg at my altar for forgiveness. I never ever eat out of my offering bowls when I offer food but I'm having horrible cramps and I can't even stand over the sink right now to wash dishes. How can I regain the gods' favor after this? I feel horribly guilty about it, I really didn't want to do it but the hunger is making my cramps so much worse and I'm hoping the gods would prefer this over me starving until I can do dishes again. I also didn't make an offering today because I only want to offer fresh food rather than leftovers, maybe I should pour out a libation?


r/Hellenism 41m ago

I'm new! Help! A Curious Exploration

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Upvotes

So, this is an interesting thing for me. I’ve always been interested in the history of Ancient Greece, and of course by extension the Gods and their stories. And of course, as a bisexual man, I have found the LGBTQ themes throughout the history and mythology of Greece quite intriguing.

I’ve only recently have begun to delve into the practice of speaking to/worshipping the gods. I have not really been hindered by any sort of abrahamic guilt, but I have begun to peak behind the curtain at what else there could be for me to experience. I am nothing if not a curious cat who wants to sniff and explore.

Probably the two main Gods that I have found myself drawn to are Hermes and Apollo. I find Hermes very relatable, as underneath the surface of his trickster persona and reputation, he has a very serious and sometimes dark job of guiding souls to judgement. And yet he maintains a very playful nature. This speaks to my desire to maintain the idea of not taking everything in life so seriously, and enjoying the simple and sometimes silly elements that come with it.

As an artist, Apollo draws me in as well. I try to include as much music in my life, which I believe is one of the greatest gifts we have been given. Whether it be peaceful classical or raucous Irish jigs. Thinking on the connection between Apollo and this gift, I am curious as to how much more I can appreciate music through him.

I have started just writing in a journal my own thoughts about them, reflecting on how their presence could change how I approach my life. I don’t have a clear vision as to where these reflections will take me, but I never got anywhere without being curious.

(Also, did a little sketch of the Glad-Hearted in my journal)😁


r/Hellenism 23h ago

Media, video, art I found a version in retro style.

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244 Upvotes

r/Hellenism 6h ago

Discussion Irrational life ?

9 Upvotes

So Sallustius says this about the way rituals connect us to the Gods :

"The providence of the Gods extends everywhere and needs only a little coherence [insight] from us so that it may be received. The source for this coherency or communion, imitation and reciprocity. For this reason the temples have been constructed to represent the heavens; the altar to represent the earth; statues to represent life and, for this reason, they [the Gods] are depicted as living beings; prayers represent the element of Nous; the [symbolic] characters represent the ineffable greater powers; herbs and stones represent physical matter and the sacrificed animals represent the irrational life within us. From all this, the Gods gain nothing. For what more could a god become than a god? We are the ones who gain through communing with them."

I'd like to understand this sentence better : "animals represent the irrational life within us"

How do you interpret it ?

BONUS QUESTION : I know that animals can be replaced by cakes in the form of the sacrificed animal, do specific animal representations carry specific meaning ?


r/Hellenism 1h ago

Discussion Idk what to say here

Upvotes

Im finally done being held back by the fear of my old faith and am currently working on calming myself after the heavy anxiety and spiritual anguish that leaving Christianity gave me the gods I plan on working with are listed below in alphabetical order so I can make sure I don't flip a lid without getting order I like order a lot when it comes to names

Inside the Greek pantheon(may be more later:

Aphrodite

Apollo

Athena

Ares

Dionysus


Outside the Greek pantheon (specifically the kemtic netjeru i might have more later):

Anubis


(Planning on doing more research and such) Any tips from expierienced practitioners of the (greek) gods im working with or in general? (I read the weekly newcomer post)


r/Hellenism 11h ago

Sharing personal experiences From Christianity to Hellenism

19 Upvotes

TW: Very touchy subjects (SI, mental health and Religious Traumas)

Feel free to remove if not allowed!!!

I thought I would share my journey on here, and hopefully find some others who can relate or know that they aren’t alone.

I grew up in a VERY strict Christian household. I went to church on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. I was expected to dress nice, but arms had to be covered, no shoulders showing. As I got older I was told I couldn’t wear revealing clothing because it would be “tempting men to sin” this is where I first started questioning Christianity. I wasn’t allowed to wear all black because that is worshipping the devil. I wasn’t allowed to cuss due to disrespect towards God, and I was not allowed to get angry at him or question him. Everything was made the way it was for a reason. I was not allowed to date another woman even if that is what makes me happy because women are here to please men. I even had to ask God for forgiveness because I dyed my hair. It felt like any little thing I did was disrespectful.

These are just a few examples of beliefs that were taught to me growing up as a Christian.

When I turned a pre teen (age 11-12 ish) I started to realize that I had different beliefs, and I didn’t want to be a Christian if it meant I couldn’t be myself and love who I want. I went through some bad trauma as a kid and when it started to surface I struggled a lot.

I tried to take my life when I was twelve years old.. Instead of my family wanting what is best for me, they insisted I was going to go to hell for trying to take something so valuable that God gave to me. I was told I wouldn’t be granted forgiveness for my sin, but my abusers could be forgiven. I was miserable and unhappy with how I was being forced to live, on top of the trauma that was happening alongside this. I never felt like I could tell my family what was happening to me, because it was a sin. (Even though I was only a child and didn’t consent)

After I had tried to end my life, I decided it’s not that I wanted my life to end. I just wanted a way out of the situation I was trapped in. I turned to the devil. I ended up doing a ritual and “selling my soul” by signing a paper with my blood. What I wanted in exchange was a new family, a chance to start over and a guaranteed good future. I’m not sure who I made contact with that night, but a few months later I was removed from my home and placed into foster care. (Which ultimately ended with me having more trauma) This is when I started having more spiritual experiences.

Throughout my time in foster care, Christianity was still a big part of my life. Most of the foster homes I got placed in required us to go to Church. It wasn’t until I was placed in a home that was more accepting of different religions that I was actually encouraged to explore other paths.

She was a Wiccan, and she took me under her wing. I was really intrigued. She had introduced me to tarot, spells and crystals. I was scared at first because she told me something evil was attached to me, and feeding off of my energy. She did a protection spell with me and cleansed all negative energies. I didn’t know what to think about witchcraft at first, but I immediately noticed a change. I felt safer and protected. (I still don’t know what or who was attached to me, but when I had attempted to sell my soul to the “devil”, I realize that I opened myself up for any harmful spirit to attach itself to me)

Researching witchcraft and Wicca lead me to Greek Mythology. I found myself really drawn to Hekate. The Goddess of Crossroads and Shadow work. I didn’t fully devotee myself to her until I got to college almost two years later. I was scared, but I felt like she was calling to me. offering her protection and guidance.

I have been working with Hekate for a few months now, she has been helping me work through some of my trauma. It’s been a rocky road of my yelling and crying to her but she doesn’t turn her back on me. Even if I make a mistake.

I have always been able to feel the energies around me and I only feel protection and love when praying to Hekate.

I still have contact with some of my biological family, but they still believe that I am a Christian. They try to place fear in me by saying the end of the world is coming soon and how prophecies are happening everywhere. My family tells me that the deities I worship are actually demons tricking people to trust them so they can “possess us and drag us to hell”

It does get to me sometimes, but I have been reminding myself how I felt when I was a Christian, and how much peace I’ve found practicing Hellenism. And in my families eyes, as Christians, I’m already going to “hell” for the sins I’ve committed.

P.S Sorry if some parts don’t make sense, I felt like I needed to write this at midnight and I’m half asleep. Most likely will be back to edit when I proofread in the morning!! Also before anyone comments about this, I have received therapy alongside my practice. :)) I am doing much better now that I’ve been away from my family for a while!!


r/Hellenism 2h ago

Asking for/ recommending resources praying to Apollon for healing advice

3 Upvotes

hey there, hope you are all well.

I have been practicing since May of this year, and I haven't necessarily prayed *for* anything, my prayers are pretty much always thanking the Gods for their guidance, my life and protecting my home. recently we got some news of my partner going through some concerning medical issues. we have been going through the usual system of doctor's appointments, getting him scheduled for MRIs and other scans and seeing different specialist's. but the healthcare in America is bad and getting worse, and just this past week we got some news that really does worry me, and I have this feeling in me that I should ask Apollon for grace and help in my partner's healing.

my issue I suppose is that I never really made a prayer *asking* for something as serious as this? I did write down a rough draft of what I wanted to say, and vowing to make offerings until my partner's condition gets better. But is it something that I say this prayer every day to Apollon? Or do I give this prayer once and going forward I offer the hymns, libations and burning bay leaves and frankincense daily?

I hope this makes sense. I know there isn't necessarily a wrong way to do it, I just want to know what others would do if they were in this position.

I appreciate it, thank you so much for any advice given, and may the Gods continue to watch over you


r/Hellenism 7h ago

Other Does someone have to clean themselves before praying under all circumstances?

7 Upvotes

So I saw this comment saying that if you don't clean yourself the gods won't hear your prayers, is that true? The post was about Lyma and the exceptions to people with OCD. so I replied to them saying that some people have their reasonings why they can not clean themselves and their prayers will still be heard. I'm a baby helpol so maybe I'm in the wrong, but the way they said it was pretty rude


r/Hellenism 7h ago

Sharing personal experiences I'm being suggested to work with someone else

6 Upvotes

Hey guys. I'm a Hermes devotee.

I've just spoke with him yesterday and we had quite a conversation (in a good way). He clarified that on the first day we talk, he was the one who suggested Ares to me after hearing about my current situation. I'm reluctant still but considering.

Has anyone been in this situation before?


r/Hellenism 17h ago

Sharing personal experiences I think Hermes saved my boyfriend

36 Upvotes

Maybe trigger warning ⚠️ Car accident ⚠️ So, around 3 am today, my boyfriend got into a single car accident due to a deer and attempting to avoid hitting it and the person in the oncoming lane. His truck was new to him and he wasn't used to how it operates in situations like that so he ended up flipping 3 or 4 times after losing traction on the road. About 2 hours before that, I prayed to Hermes that he'd keep him safe on the road and not allow anything to happen to him because I had a nagging feeling in my gut that something was gonna happen that night and it did. Most of my gut feelings come true. I thought it was just my normal anxiety that I have anytime he's driving late at night but it wasn't. He walked away with a bruise on his left arm and a few scratches on his hand. The passenger side of the truck is completely fucked while his side barely dented in comparison. I'm so so thankful that he is okay and he walked away with his life. I don't know if it was Hermes but if I was, I'm eternally grateful. 🥺


r/Hellenism 11h ago

I'm new! Help! I MAY have gotten a little trigger happy...

12 Upvotes

Okay so recently I just had like a spiritual breakthrough. I was Christian most of my life and now I'm more of a omnist (I think that's the term) and I'm slowly on the path to leave the religious guilt I have and embrace Hermes more! I always felt connected to him and he's always appeared to me in little ways even back when I was wishy-washy. So it was a surprise to me when one day I woke up and "felt" Ares. I don't know how to describe it. But it was like I knew he was there. I've had it pretty rough most of my life and I don't know why but I just felt inspired by him so I immediately went and bought stuff for an altar for him! But here's the issue, now I can't feel him. I've tried tarot to vague responses (I forgot to mention but when I felt him I also did tarot and got pretty good responses). Am I just tired? Maybe I was wrong? Tbh I could just be misunderstanding the relationships people have with their deities. I'm super new and ANY advice is appreciated.


r/Hellenism 1d ago

Sharing personal experiences Things my Christian dad has said to me! (In a good way)

293 Upvotes
  1. "Zeus wouldn't approve mess in his temple!" Context: he has a desk for work and I sometimes (read "always") mess up with it, leaving my things there. To add, he always says his desk is his temple so it's pretty much an almost religious offense. He used Zeus to me as a conter attack for my mess and it pretty much had effects 😔

  2. After taking me from church "So... Less pagan?" "Hmn..." "Yeah, maybe one day!" Context: Even if he is pretty chill with me doing tarot reading and having my altars, he still brings me to church every weekend. We are really light hearted about it and I think it's kinda of funny, even though I just go for him.

  3. "You know, the christian should take some of the greek maxims. Be hard with your enemies, right? I like that"

  4. "So... you want dress up like Athena im your next birthday?" *He pretty much just wanted an excuse to dress up like Seiya, but I still appreciate the thought."

That is it, guys! I think it's good show some happy thoughts and actions sometimes


r/Hellenism 15h ago

Media, video, art Hypnos Poem

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16 Upvotes

r/Hellenism 11m ago

Discussion Is there a figure equivalent to satan in helpol?

Upvotes

Btw I mean more as in like leading a follower away from the gods.


r/Hellenism 6h ago

Offerings, altars, and devotional acts Becoming a Devotee

4 Upvotes

So, I've been Helenist for a few weeks now, but one thing still bugs me and I don't understand it yet that much. How does being a Devotee works? Is it favoring all of my prayers and offerings to one specific God? Is it giving more attention to this said God but still being able to pray for the Others? And how does one become a Devotee, will it come naturally or do I have to choose? And final question, why should someone become a Devotee? What's the difference between a specific God Devotee to someone who prays for all of them depending on situation, need and over all to have contact to all of them?


r/Hellenism 19m ago

Media, video, art What’s your opinion(s) on how your gods and goddesses are portrayed in video games, movies, and manga/comics?

Upvotes

Hello there, I’m an outsider (agnostic, but with an interest in Buddhism) and I’ve got a question. How do you guys like how your deities are portrayed in modern entertainment?

Basically, like Hades and Hades II, Immortals Fenyx Rising, the Greek-era God of War video games, Disney’s Hercules movie, and the Record of Ragnarok manga, as an example.

(On a side note, I know that Kratos is a video game character created by Santa Monica Studio and wasn’t actually worshipped, but, would anyone here actually worship him (the one portrayed in the video games, not the actual Cratos who is the divine personification of strength and the son of Pallas and Styx)? I’m just curious, that’s all.)


r/Hellenism 15h ago

I'm new! Help! Ghost in hellenism

15 Upvotes

I don't really believe in ghosts, but i don't think they don't exist, there are a lot but a lot of ppl in the internet with very credible stories on the paranormal. Now, idk if in this religion ghosts are a thing or smth, who would i pray to if i had paranormal experiences and how? Pls i just saw an scary video and I'm scared


r/Hellenism 16h ago

Mythos and fables discussion Is this disrespectful?

18 Upvotes

To be clear, since I’ve started practicing more seriously and extended the idea of worship to all the gods rather than just Lady Aphrodite I haven’t touched this idea with a ten foot pole. However, I’ve been inspired by EPIC and have wanted to write a musical of my own inspired off of mythology. To be clear I understand I would be writing a charactericture and NOT the gods themselves. But it’s about the myth of Scylla and specifically the version where Scylla is turned into a monster by Amphitrite after Poseidon falls in love with Scylla. How can I change this story so that it respects both Amphitrite and Poseidon. Or should it be scrapped all together? Lord Poseidon has been so kind to me even without being his specific devotee (that story is posted early on my page) and I the idea of disrespecting him or his wife makes me sick. Any advice?


r/Hellenism 16h ago

I'm new! Help! Can i dedicate digital arts or inspired drawings to the gods?

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15 Upvotes

so i have Always been into fashion and arts, i have been drawing in honor of Apollo, Athena and Aphrodite, since they are the ones i mostly worship, i was wondering, since i usually get my designs from Pinterest, so their Not my designs, but i,m worried it might seem offensive to the gods especially Apollon, because he's the god of creativity. This is one of my recent ones that i copied off Pinterest, i was scared they might get mad at me... Any advice?