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What does Helpol stand for ?

Helpol is Hellenic polytheism (This is the Greek pantheon)

Wait but I thought it was called Hellenismos / Hellenism / Hellenic / Hellenistic ?

To break it down , there really wasn't a word for the religion practiced back then . It just , was . Unlike Christianity that had a name . There are a lot of new words now though , so much that it does get confusing . 

 The Greek-English lexicon written Liddell & Scott defines Hellenismos or Ἑλληνισμός as: “imitation of the Greeks, Hellenism, II. the use of a pure Greek style and idiom” As seen on page 478 (note you can find the pdf version of this book on internet archive)  This definition therefor , means anything that is Greek can be defined as Ἑλληνισμός . Including  Greek food , the Greek orthodox church , Greek clothing , Etc. . So , calling a worshiper of Greek Gods Hellenismos isn't technically wrong . Just very broad .

The Oxford dictionary defines Hellenism as: “the national character or culture of Greece, especially ancient Greece… the study or imitation of ancient Greek culture.” So , this word gets closer to practicing the ancient Greek religion . It as well , isn't technically wrong to use , but talks about culture as a whole . So if you don't practice the whole culture of ancient Greece , this word is pushing it .

The Oxford dictionary defines Hellenic as: “the branch of the Indo-European language family comprising classical and modern Greek. … relating to or denoting Iron Age and Classical Greek culture” The first definition means the language , the second is the culture of ancient Greece , this is also getting closer to what we want .

The Oxford dictionary defines Hellenistic as: “relating to Greek history, language, and culture from the death of Alexander the Great to the defeat of Cleopatra and Mark Antony by Octavian in 31 BC. During this period Greek culture flourished, spreading through the Mediterranean and into the Near East and Asia and centering on Alexandria in Egypt and Pergamum in Turkey.”  While this definition talks about culture , it is a time period . This is not right , please do not call yourself Hellenistic , you are not a time period . 

We use Helpol . Combining Hellenic , Pagan , and Polytheist together . There isn't an actual word so we made one up ! Please , don't call yourself a time period , or the Greek language . 

What does Rompol stand for ?

Rompol is Roman polytheism (This is the Roman pantheon)

Similar to Helpol it didn't have a word , so we made one up .

What is Polytheism ?

Polytheism is the belief in (not necessarily the worship of) multiple gods / divine beings https://www.britannica.com/topic/polytheism.

What is Monotheism?

Monotheism is the belief in ONE god , monotheist religions claim there is only one god who rules everything. 

https://www.britannica.com/topic/monotheism

What are the Abrahamic religions ?

The Abrahamic religions are those who believe in the prophet Abraham. They’re Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. https://history.wisc.edu/publications/the-abrahamic-religions-a-very-short-introduction

What is Paganism ?

Paganism was originally a derogatory catch-all term to refer to any non-Abrahamic religion. It simply means anyone who isn't Catholic, Jewish, or Muslim. Pagans are often seen as those who are Polytheistic or non-religious and who “worship” the earth https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pagan

What is Witchcraft ?

It's kind of exactly that, a person who takes part in divination, spells, and any other form of witchcraft. Modern / neo-witchcraft used to be synonymous with wiccan. While I am not a wiccan, nor do I draw from their beliefs , I do not condemn those who are. Parts of the religion and beliefs draw from other cultures, but so do many many many other things we do. If you're a Christian you've 100% taken part in some spectacle / ritual that is a bastardized version from another religion. We should ALL ALWAYS be aware and conscious of the origins of what we're doing. If you're not a part of that culture, don't do it ! simple as that.  

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/panmankey/2020/02/wicca-cultural-appropriation

https://magebymoonlight.com/paganism-wicca-witchcraft

What is divination ?

Divination is often seen as a form of witchcraft (I specifically don’t see it as strictly witchcraft I believe it depends on what kind of divination a person is doing , what their intentions are , and what they believe in) the most common forms of divination are; Tarot / oracle cards , runes , reading tea leaves , palm reading , bone throwing (Ostomancy) , pendulum reading , numerology , astrology , and so many more. Divination is a tool to uncover hidden knowledge / advance your understanding of a situation / get a read for the environment . I know lots of people that will use tarot to get a feel for a person's intentions upon first meeting them . It's important to note that tarot doesn't “predict your future” tarot builds on what you already know to give you a clearer understanding of a situation and guide you on how you should act . If you get a reading that says "You'll buy a house on May 5th” then you sit on your ass , May fifth rolls around and you didn't buy the house . It's not the tarot's fault . You didn't take action . The cards are simply there to broaden your understanding and offer some guidance . 

https://www.learnreligions.com/methods-of-divination-2561764

https://www.google.com/search?client=opera-gx&q=types+of+divination&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Is divination / witchcraft not devil worship ?

I'm so glad you asked ! If you're someone coming from an Abrahamic religion that says anything divination wise is devil worship, I'm happy to tell you that's not the case . I promise you wont go to Christian hell for touching a tarot card . Divination is simply a tool to connect with yourself and whatever higher power / spirit guides you believe in . It's not the same thing as actively worshipping demons / beings that are seen as “evil” or demonized . Demons don't control tarot , they can't move the stars around so the astrology people start going on killing sprees , that's just not how it works .

How many gods are there ?

Hundreds of thousands of gods !! In my religion alone there's well over 200 deities we worship , not to mention spirits , daimons , and other beings we worship as well . It depends on what culture you're from too . My religion says that every god and every belief system is valid , christians say that my belief is shit and I'm going to hell . So really it depends on who you ask . (Ps here's a fun list of some gods , yes its wikipedia , get over yourself)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Greek_deities#Immortals

What are the “pillars”  ?

This is kind of a debated topic , some sources say there are 3 pillars , others have 6 and some even have 8 . You can't go wrong with holding all 8 in mind while living your life . They’re all good things to keep in mind . Heres what i like to hold 

Kharis- giving without expectation of reward 

Eusebia- piety and love of the Theoi

Hagneia- purity before the Theoi

Katharmos -purification

Sophrosune- self-control

Xenia- hospitality

Sophia- pursuit of wisdom

Arete- living to your fullest potential

Nomos Arkhaios- keeping the old religion

This is a really good poster for these https://www.reddit.com/r/Hellenism/comments/1jhh7ri/pillars_of_hellenismos

Kharis , Katharmos , and Xenia are often seen as the 3 main pillars . With Xenia + Kharis held in the highest regard .

What types of beings can I worship in Helpol ?

There's many types of beings we worship. Θεοί (also called theoi) are gods / deities (titans, giants, gods, and Olympians), Heroes, such as Hercules, Achilles, Theseus, etc. Daimons, both divine and semi divine beings such as nymphs or local spirits. We also honor ancestral spirits ! 

https://www.theoi.com

What is an altar and do I have to have one ?

An altar is a place to revere the gods. While not required for daily worship they are / were used for animal sacrifice. An altar is a nice physical reminder of your worship, and they allow for a place to store offerings. They are not at all required though !

Can I have more than one god on an altar?

Yes! As long as you separate ouranic and kthonic deities you can have as many gods in a shared altar as you can manage. This is my favorite blog and it goes over altars !

https://www.asimplealtarblog.com/blog/how-to-worship-the-greek-gods-everything-you-need-to-know

How do I build an altar ?

First find a place you're proud to display your altar . Mine is on top of my dresser because it's a large space that I like . Then get a bowl / plate / dish / whatever for offerings . Now you need to cleanse your space and offering dish (can do this with any method you like ) . Now you can decorate it and start offering whatever you'd like . Be sure to keep it CLEAN .

I've had a few altars . The first is a large tin (to store all my offerings in it ) . The tin is on my dresser which has other offerings spread across it + candles and usually a bowl for khernips and whatever food / libation I'm offering . The next is a pocket altar . It's an altoid tin that I sculpted Greek mosaic designs on the lid and has a mini candle plus some small trinkets for my gods so I can carry it in my bag with me everywhere I go .

How do you pray ? 

Praying to Greek gods depends mainly on what type of being you're wanting to pray to . ALWAYS CLEANS YOURSELF BEFORE PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS .

If you want to pray to an ouranic god ,, the common method is to stand with your palms facing up , look at an image of the deity , and say your prayer out loud . 

For Kthonic it was sitting / kneeling with your hands facing the ground and to whisper / speak under your breath with eyes averted . A standard prayer format is as follows : - state the gods epithet and name to invoke them (note; use the epithet of the quality you want to invoke. Asking for strength use the epithet related to strength) 

Praise the god

 Say thankyou / ask for what you want to ask for ↓

state why they should do what you're asking .  - This step is not required  but I feel it's important to add when asking for a large favor .

 Lastly, thank them + praise again - if you're asking for something 

A good examples are as follows .  

Note , I wrote this first one asking Lord Apollo for strength . 

Apollos Greek name is Ἀπόλλων , the anglicized version is Apollon you can use either .

Apollon Boêdromios . Apollon Paiêon . Apollon Alexikakos

Apollo Rescuer , Apollo Healer . Apollo Averter of Evil and Harm .

Oh blessed Apollon , lord of healing and averter of evil and harm . I thank you for your gifts which have enhanced our lives . I thank you for healing those who are harmed and plagued . Oh shining Apollon , divine healer and radiant God of light . I ask for your help in healing my body and mind in the coming days . I ask for your strength as I go through this difficult time . Guide me with your light through this dark time and please allow my body to come back to its full strength . If I have ever lit incense in your honor , made an offering that you enjoyed , or said a prayer that pleased you . Please accept my prayer . Thank you Lord Apollo . Your kindness humbles me and your sympathy touches me . May your body and soul be always as healthy as my own . May every song be sung in your honor and fill your space with lovely music . May offerings always be laid at your feet and each day bring a smile to your rosy cheeks . 

Hail Apollon .

Here is a prayer from https://athenaswisdom22.wordpress.com/list-of-prayers-to-the-gods/prayers-to-the-gods

O shining Apollo, son of lightning-wielding Zeus and blessed Leto, brother of swift-footed Artemis, father of gods and gallant heroes; great Apollo, whose sun-bright hair is yet unshorn, whose fair face and well-built  form, ageless and abiding, hold ever the beauty of youth.

Laurel-wreathed god, child of Delos, far-shooting one whose shafts fly straight and true, you keep the evil of the world at bay, you deliver mankind from plague and disease, and yet your arrows carry death and well to men, swiftly and suddenly.

Sweet are the songs men sing to laud your name, sweet too the spark of insight, O companion of the excellent Muses.

In Delphi, O Apollo, was your name well spoken, were you well honored with gifts and libations, and you shared the words of father Zeus with men.

Apollo, protector of humanity, brilliant one, I praise and give thanks for your blessings.

Here is another example of a prayer from ‘In Praise of Olympus: Prayers to the Greek Gods’ by Hearthstone .

Mighty Zeus, Father Zeus, friend of the traveler, friend of the stranger, friend of the householder.

Wielder of lightning, driver of storms, master of the hard-flung rains that bring life to the earth.

Oh brothers three the youngest, your father’s might you overthrew with cunning wit, his throne you took, his world you made your own.

Kindly Zeus, watchful Zeus, your wrath falls on the oathbreaker, the wrongdoer, the one without honor who preys on his fellows; likewise, your blessings are on the one who does right, whose word is good, whose hand is open, whose welcome is warm, whose integrity is a certainty.

Great Zeus, father of gods, lord of fair Olympos, wise one, contriving one, maintainer of order, from the deep earth you rose, in the bright sky you reign.

Zeus of many names, friend of the Fates, I praise you!

Prayers don't have to follow this format but it is very common . I implore you to read some then go write your own !

What are khernips ?

Khernips are a form of cleansing , its a ritualistic water used before entering temples or praying . To make it you need a clean bowl , water , salt , a match / lighter , bayleafs or other herbs . Fill your bowl with water and add salt , burn your bayleaf / herb and say  “xerniptosai,” pronounced “kher-nip-TOS-aye-ee” which means “to be purified” You could also ask your deities to purify the water for you . Now that you have purified water , dip your fingers in it and “wash” your hands . You can also put the water on your face to fully purify yourself . You don't need to remake this every time you want to pray , I often make a bowl of Khernips and leave it on my altar for a week at a time before making another . I also sprinkle / flick the water onto my altar and offerings to cleanse it .

https://ahellenicherald.com/informational/khernips

https://aminoapps.com/c/hellenistic-polytheism/page/blog/khernips-made-easy/J7bQ_k2FduloWkXxG6Prm4xlVjQdlv7N4

https://setjataset.wordpress.com/2020/04/14/hekate-magick-khernips-sacred-water

Why do I need to cleanse before praying ?

For one , being dirty is just gross . For two , it is incredibly disrespectful to have human dirt and grime when talking to the divine . They're above human dirt and shouldn't be disrespected with our earthly filth .  

In 'Works and Days' written by Hesiod he states this :

"Never omit to wash your hands before you pour to Zeus and to the other Gods the morning offering of sparkling wine; they will not hear your prayers but spit them back"

This is a very lovely article that goes over this in more depth 

https://baringtheaegis.blogspot.com/2012/07/m-is-for-miasma-katharmos-and-preparing.html

What is kharis ?

Kharis or Χάρις is mutual respect and reciprocal relationship between a worshipper and their deity . It is essential for our practice . You giving an offering every time you pray for something from the gods strengthens this relationship . Reading / singing their hymns helps build this relationship . Making something in their honor builds this relationship .

Kharis is so so important for our practice . It is one of the big three pillars of our religion .

https://baringtheaegis.blogspot.com/2012/07/kharis-our-relationship-with-gods.html

What is Lyma ?

Lyma is uncleanliness that is picked up in daily life . It's nothing to be ashamed of , think of it as walking through a room after a smoker has been in there , how the smoke lingers to your clothes . That doesn't make you a smoker , it just means you need to take a shower .  Lyma is similar , its everyday dirt and grime that you need to clean off before talking to a deity . They don't live on the mortal plain , and don't interact with dirt the same way we do , in our respect for them we clean ourselves before praying .

What is Miasma ?

While Lyma is general dirt, Miasma is a lot more than that . “It's egregious acts committed against the natural order” , Murder , Death , Sexual Assault , Violence , Destruction / Desecration of sacred things . You absolutely MUST clean yourself if you've come in contact with anything like this

https://www.asimplealtarblog.com/blog/how-to-worship-the-greek-gods-everything-you-need-to-know

https://baringtheaegis.blogspot.com/2012/07/m-is-for-miasma-katharmos-and-preparing.html

Are there still temples around ?

Yes and no , there are some active temples such as Pietas Comunità Gentile in Italy . The Temple of Alexander and the Earth in Greece , and a few others . Greece is very picky when it comes to allowing temples , there was one that was recently opened but was banned from public use . this article briefly explains it

https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/02/28/the-temple-of-pan-in-arcadia-march/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIvjvpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYaAJHetAht5BNDzAzh9t2c7P-eSj8elY7TZEdw1GA2c7UsQv6UKS_RbIQ_aem_3aehhhw64AyCqxUx3bxdxA

For the most part though worshipping at ancient temple remains in Greece are prohibited .

How many beings can I worship ?

As many as you can mentally handle . Honestly it's extremely personal , if you can only handle one god , then that's perfect . If you can handle 10 gods and keep worship up then that's great . Just don't burn yourself out .

What is a Theoi ?

Theoi is a Greek word for gods

What the heck is a daemon ?

Daemons are spirit personifications !

https://www.theoi.com/greek-mythology/personifications.html

Is that not devil worship ?

Nope ! not even a little bit . “lady luck” is the same as a daemon . Which is NOT the Christian demon , an evil spirit .

What are sins in helpol ?

There aren't “sins” though there are things you can do to get punishment in the underworld . This includes: Hubris “excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods, leading to retribution or nemesis.” -Oxford dictionary . Breaking Xenia , which is the ancient belief of hospitality ,, Everyone should open their doors to the needy and have to be respectful to others . Xenia is almost always translated to “Guest friendship” In the myths Lord Zeus would disguise himself as a beggar to test people's Xenia .

Is there heaven and hell ?

No . Heaven could closest be Elysium otherwise known as the Elysian Fields Elysian Plains or Elysian Realm Which is in the underworld . It's the afterlife reserved for heroes , those specifically blessed by gods , or people who lived a good life . 

Hell doesn't exist either . Everyone who dies goes to the underworld , or hades . There's  four parts of the underworld: Asphodel Meadows , Elysian Fields , Tartarus , and the isle of the blessed . -Note if you get reincarnated 3 times , and get sent to Elysian fields all three times then you can go to the isle of the blessed .

The Asphodel Meadows are where most all souls go , it's just a place where souls go to rest .

Tartarus is the deepest pit of the underworld , it's where monsters go for punishment . Tartarus was a titan and became the entombment for monsters and humans who were horrible . The myths state that Tartarus is so bad Hades himself never ventures down there . https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Elysian%20Field

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphodel_Meadows

https://www.worldhistory.org/Tartarus

What about reincarnation ?

Yup ! Reincarnation is a thing , sometimes called “transmigration of the soul” “ It was a feature of ancient Greek mythology to have souls judged after death, with the promise of possible salvation for the soul from the wheels of rebirth.”

History of reincarnation + Info about it https://www.hellenion.org/essays-on-hellenic-polytheism/reincarnation-an-orphic-perspective/#:~:text=Orphism%20was%20one%20of%20the,fully%20explained%20is%20in%20Orphism. https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/EJC137420#:~:text=It%20was%20a%20feature%20of,with%20the%20gods%20through%20purifications.

How do I call upon a god ?

To call upon a god you use their epithets .

What are epithets ?

Epithets are titles / descriptors usually expressing a quality .

You can find hundreds on https://www.theoi.com

How do I do research ? 

Look around for what information you want to find . Coss reference it between other sources and check if the information roughly matches up . Note that the best sources will be old history books that were written in the time period you're looking for . Look for both academic sources and non academic sources . It's helpful to get info from places like tumblr then fact check it with an academic source . If you ever need help with research please contact me . Whatever you do DONT USE AI .

When do I know if I've built enough kharis ?

The goal of worshipping shouldn't be to only ask for favors from the gods . If your entire reason for worshipping is to build enough Kharis to be able to do divination you're going about this with the wrong intentions . That being said , it's difficult to gauge if you've “got enough kharis” . It is super personal , and you should feel extremely comfortable in your worship . It might even take a few years to get to a level where you're very comfortable with your gods . I can't tell you , it's something you're going to have to figure out .

How many gods do you worship ?

Right now 3 . This is because I'm very very stressed at school and I can't devote my time in a way that is fair to my gods . Over the summer I was worshipping Artemis , Athena , Apollon , Ares , Hermes , and Hypnos . Currently I'm only worshipping Apollon , Hypnos , and Athena . To be very honest , my worship has declined in ways I'm ashamed to admit , this blog is a big devotional act for me !

What is the Xenia Declaration ?

https://www.xeniadeclaration.com

What is the Declaration of deeds ?

https://declarationofdeeds.com

Do I need to sign these ?

No , but you should read them and uphold them .

Wait but I have more questions ???

Send me an ask ! I can do a detailed breakdown on anything you need with sources sited for your comfort + peace of mind that you're getting proper information .

Fun things to do tomorrow :

As the autumn equinox is the end of the summer months, and preparation for winter , It's a good time to tie up loose ends , pay off debts , and finish that project that's been sitting on your shelf for ages . . .

Make a bonfire 

What's a bonfire without song and dance ? Have a little celebration with your family ,  bring music , stories , and food to be shared around the fire .

Bake an apple pie

Bake bread

Go apple picking

Make apple butter

Make jam from fresh fruits (even better if you picked them yourself)

Brew a homemade wine 

Clean your room and prepare to get cozy for the winter

Cleanse your energy

Journal ! What have you been working towards since the Spring equinox ? What worked out and what didn't ? Celebrate your achievements and plan what you’re going to work on now .

Start preparing yourself for winter, this could be getting canned foods , ensuring you have enough cold weather gear , and stocking up on anything else you might need .

Visit a loved ones burial sight and give thanks (or place an apple on their marker)

Decorate your home for autumn

Make a meal for your family . Be sure to include fall veggies and sides ; gourds , corn , peppers , cucumbers , zucchini , etc . . . While eating , reflect on the year , both the good and bad , share happy memories with those around you . After the meal , share the chore of cleaning up .

Create an Equinox altar ! This can include trinkets , small crafts , things gathered from nature and arranged in a pretty way , gathering food stuffs to use , using fall colored candles , anything that makes you reflect on the year .

A gratitude ritual !

Give back to Mother Gaia + Give thanks for the years past and your harvest .

Meditate 

Draw something that represents autumn to you

Listen to an equinox playlist while cooking / baking / creating something 

Give thanks to Demeter for the harvest of the past year

Give thanks to Persephone

Do whatever feels right for you ! Just don't forget to be thankful .

Colors associated with the equinox :

Reds

Oranges

Peach

Yellow

Green

Soft browns

Warm , Earthy tones are heavily associated with fall 

Fall color pallets

Plants associated with the equinox :

Marigold

Sage

Cinnamon

Rosemary

Apples

Acorns

Pumpkins

Frankincense  

Barley

Oats

Wheat

Milkweed

Blackberry

Ivy

Chrysanthemum

Fennel

Palm

Pomegranate

Aster

Cedar

Honey suckle

herbs to use in magic

Books to read this equinox :

Note, These books I've not read, they come from others lists and recommendations found online .

Godkiller -Hannah Kaner

Before the coffee gets cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Not quite dead yet - Holly Jackson

We Solve Murders - Richard Osman

The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún - Nagabe

Wisdom from the hidden life of trees - Peter Wohlleben

The apple : A delicious history - Sally Coulthard

Cacophony of Bone : The Circle of a Year - Kerri Ní Dochartaigh

Wilder: How Rewilding is Transforming Conservation and Changing the World - Millie Kerr

Wedding of the Foxes: Essays - Katherine Larson

Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma - Dr. Mariel Buqué

Earthly Bodies: Embracing Animal Nature - Vanessa Chakour

The Oak Papers - James Canton

Still As Bright: An Illuminating History of the Moon, from Antiquity to Tomorrow - Christopher Cokinos

Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom - Joseph Goldstein

Rest Is Sacred: Reclaiming Our Brilliance through the Practice of Stillness - Octavia F. Raheem

In the Shelter: Finding a Home in the World - Pádraig Ó. Tuama

Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain - Amy Jeffs

Playlists :

Spotify - 1

Spotify - 2

Spotify - 3

Spotify - 4

Spotify - 5 

Spotify - 6

Spotify - 7

Spotify - 8

Spotify - 9 

Spotify - 10 

~

Youtube music - 1

Youtube music - 2

Youtube music - 3

Youtube music - 4

Youtube music - 5

Youtube music - 6

Youtube music - 7

Youtube music - 8

Youtube music - 9 

Youtube music - 10

~

Amazon music -1 

Amazon music - 2

Amazon music - 3

Amazon music -4

Amazon music - 5

Amazon music - 6

Amazon music - 7

Amazon music 8

Amazon music - 9

Amazon music - 10

Not sure how to find playlists on apple music , Sorry guys . I only managed to find this album .

Apple Music album

That's all from me , Kilo signing out . Stay safe , You're loved , don't forget to thank the gods , and hope you have a good day .