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Held from 7-15 June, Vestalia is a sacred festival dedicated to Vesta, goddess of the hearth. Here are some ideas to celebrate each day, including their historical basis:

The 9th of June was the day the three most senior Vestal Virgins prepared mola salsa, a salt based cake offering, and presented it as an offering to Vesta. A recipe for mola salsa can be found here.

On the final day of Vestalia, festivities were concluded with a cleansing of the temple storehouse and sweeping of filth/debris. This was followed by the ritual disposal of sweepings into the Tiber. This was done to prepare for the upcoming harvest.

The final days of Vestalia are a great time to clean out your pantry, fridge, or freezer. Donate any unperishable, unexpired food items to a local shelter or food pantry. This is also a good time to do a floor cleansing, or a simple mundane sweep or vacuum around your home.

Wishing everyone a joyous and prosperous season! Io Vestalia!

The Parthenos of Tauris

*this is specifically related to practicing aspects of the ancient religion not just worshipping Greek Gods. I call this "Hellenic Thriskeía" based on the Greek language name for the modern religion— info.

Please respect Greek people, this is a living breathing culture and language. Do not refer to your religion as "Hellenimos" or "Hellenism," and do not refer to yourself as a "Hellene" or "Hellenist" due to your religious identity. Information here & here.

I am not a religious authority of any kind. I have no higher eduction in classics. These are my ideas that I want to share. This is a highly edited version of an old post that I no longer like.

Greek God = Theos (singular) Theoi (plural)

Know you do not need to suddenly know everything to begin worship— studying & worship can happen side by side.

🌺A Basic Act of Worship

"Ancient texts and material finds attest to its quintessential role for the libation, the most ubiquitous ritual in Greek antiquity. The religious act of intentionally pouring out liquids, whether water, wine, milk or honey, onto the ground, an altar or another surface was performed on numerous occasions" — The Greek Libation Bowl as Embodied Object by Milette Gaifman pg 450 Link

A libation is a ritual outpouring of liquids. Libations were part of all sacrifices but could also be performed as independent rituals. The common terms for the rituals are spondai and choai. The former term is most frequent and referred to a controlled outpouring of a small amount of liquid for the Olympian gods by the help of a jug and a phiale. Choai were poured out entirely and were used for libations to the gods of the underworld, the heroes and the dead. — Libations, Greek by Gunnel Ekroth Abstract

Whether you do separate techniques for "Olympian" vs "Khthonic" is up to you. I don't since many Gods can be considered both depending on the situation, like Hermes.

The most common liquid for this is red wine, but water, honey, milk, or oil are also common. — Link

🔹I’m using Zeus as an example.

Wash hands.

Prepare a glass of water or other liquid

Go to the altar if you have one

Wipe hands with Khernips [if you use it, see below]

Sprinkle Khernips lightly on the altar space [if you use it]

“O Mighty Zeus, King of the Gods, you are strong and powerful. I have come to honor you”

Hold up the glass of water

“Zeus, Lord of lightning, I offer you this water out of gratitude and love. I have given to you before and I will give to you again”

Pour the water slowly either into a separate bowl, onto the ground, into a fire, or down a clean sink.

“Zeus, strong and powerful, I ask that you help me get through today’s conference call. I thank you and say farewell.”

🔹Simpler form:

Wash hands

Take glass of water and hold it up

“Zeus you are mighty and powerful, I seek your help for this meeting, this water I have brought is to show my desire to honor you”

Pour water out into bowl, ground, fire, or clean sink.

“Thank you, Zeus, King of the Gods”

🔹For those of us with minimal energy you can do this at a sink or in a shower:

The above is important because it builds reciprocity Kharis— the relationship between Theoi and mortals info (by @/verdantlyviolet)

🌺 Altars

Altars in Ancient Greece were places of sacrifice and ritual worship

...vases began to depict altars in a variety of scenes. These altars were shown either in the context of standard mythological vignettes that were set at or near an altar or in scenes of cult activities, libations, offerings and/or sacrifices focused at an altar. This fairly common practice was continued on red-figured and white ground vases through the mid-fourth century B.C. — Blazing Altars: The Representation of Altars in Attic Vase Painting" By David W. Rupp Link

They were located in land/area specificlly set aside for the worship of the Theoi

A Greek cult-place needed to be set off from the surroundings, to be a temenos, but also to have an altar or a sacrificial installation. This was the bare minimum for its effective use as a location where communication with the divine sphere could be achieved. A temple or a statue of the god was not a prerequisite. — Rings, Pits, Bone and Ash: Greek Altars in Context by Gunnel Ekroth Link

An altar, therefore, constitutes the emblem for holy ground, the presence of the gods and the connection with the divine — same as above

Thus modern altars are used to commune with the divine, a place for them in your home & life, and a place to present offerings & libations. Whether you want to call in an altar, a shrine, or a scared space in English is up to you.

To set up an altar:

Intentionally designate a space for your worship, big or small, and make sure it is clean.

While this is not necessary it is frequently used in modern worship: Choose an item for the Theoi you wish to worship. Such as a picture of them, a statue, or some other object. Place it in that space.

Add anything you might like: candle, incense, flowers, cloth to cover surface, decorations, etc.

Many Hellenic Polytheists will also keep Khernips (by @/forthegloryofthetheoi) purified water on their altar. Though this is not necessary— post here. About purity vs consecration here (by @/sisterofiris)

You might keep a cup and bowl for libations at this space

You might keep a prayer book or religious journal here also

🌺Further Worship Aspects

Say longer prayers and use supplication, supplication is a natural part of Kharis Guides here.

Offer food, which can be similar to the libation formula. Hellenic Polytheists disagree on what to do with the food afterwards which is why I always suggest a libation at the beginning.

Say a prayer when lighting incense to state that it as an offering.

Meditate at the altar. Let thoughts and presence of the Theoi help calm your soul.

Dance or sing for the Theoi at your altar or play them music.

Read the myths aloud to the Theoi.

🌺Reconstructed or Common Practices

🔹I highly suggest Labrys Household Worship book here is an article that has a lot of the book.

🔹Practice the 3 day new month rituals

Hekate Deipnon, Noumenia, and Agathos Daimon,

Info here (by @/verdantlyviolet), here from Labrys, here from Hellenion.

🔹Create a Kathiskos.

I’m not sure if this is truly historical, see here (by @/verdantlyviolet) however it is used often by recon/revive Hellenic Polytheists. Guide from Hellenion. Video Guide (by @/baringtheaegis.)

🔹Following a reconstructed calendar

These can include regular days scheduled for a particular Theos. Almost all are based off the Ancient Attic calendar. Here is Hellenion's version. There is an app to track the Attic calendar and it overlays Hellenion's festivals/month days (but you can toggle that off) here. Also the HMEPA Calendar Here.

🔹Partake in modern versions of Ancient Festivals

The Hellenic Polytheist community celebrates a variety of different reconstructed festivals. Which you partake in may be dependent on which Theoi you wish to honor. There are practically an endless number.

Common ones I've seen are Dionysia, Anthesteria (by @/khaire-traveler), Theogamia, among others.

🔹Do not stress about calendars or festivals this is just an idea.

🌺Miscellaneous

Practicing Xenia, hospitality, is considered a ubiquitous aspect of this religion see here. Xenia is not a synonym for "social justice." It is an aspect of Greek culture, referred to as Philoxenia in modern times.

Miasma is not something humans incur unless you commit heinous acts. Lyma is the naturally occuring "dirtiness" of everyday life that can be removed away by washing your hands. Info here (by @/sisterofiris)

The "7 Pillars of Hellenimos" are a modern concept created by a bigot and are in no way a necessary part of this religion. See here & here.

You may wish to study the classical philosophers of Ancient Greece

Here is a big list of resources including multiple Google Drives of information on Hellenic Polytheism.

Avoid YSEE organization they are Greek ethnic-nationalists info

Avoid HellenicFaith website for its immense disrespect of Greek people and culture info

🌺Some Ideas for Choosing Theoi to begin with:

You do not need a Theos to "call to you"; you don't need divination to pick one; you don't need divination to "confirm" if you picked the right one. You can literally just pick any. The Theoi permeated life in ancient Greece and people worshipped the ones of their family and settlement.

I’m not trying to overwhelm anyone I’m just trying to give a whole group of ideas for people. I suggest Theoi.com for easy access info on the Theoi but also be cautious of some information due to its age info (by @/dionysiandevotee)

🔹You could start with Hestia because she is Goddess of the home and thus an excellent place to start in my opinion.

🔹Zeus and Hera the King and Queen of The Theoi

🔹A Theos related to your work/studies. Examples:

Apollo or Asklepios for the health care field

Hermes for communication or information technology fields

Gaia for environmental fields

Themis, Dike, Zeus for legal fields

Athena, Metis, or Sophia for general studies

Hephestios for engineering fields

Rhea, Artemis, Apollo, Hera, or Zeus for parenthood

Nyx if you work the “graveyard shift”

🔹A Theos related to something you want to improve in your life. Examples:

Aphrodite or the Khairtes for self-love or if you struggle with body image issues

Hermes or Iris for communication abilities or interpersonal conflict

Hygeia for struggles with hygiene or disorganization

The Nymphai for building environmental sustainable life habits

Sophrosyne or Dionysos for substance abuse (You cannot convince me that his realm of drinking excludes moderation or elimination if it is a problem for a worshipper)

Demeter, Hestia, Hephaistos, Pan, Artemis for any problems surrounding food

Hypnos for sleep hygiene or sleep disorders

Soteria for easing fears

Hermaphroditos, Aphrodite, Dionysos, for LGBTQ identity and issues

🔹A Theos related to things you want to do. Examples:

Athena for weaving or other handcrafts

The Mousai for learning an instrument

Themis or Dike for activism work

Nike for sports

Apollo for divination

Poseidon for ocean or water activities

Hermes for writing

There are many more bullets that could be added and Theoi that could be added to each of the existing bullet points. Especially when epithets come into play.

🌺Modern Worship Ideas

You don't have to do any of these, they are simply ideas I conjured up in my mind that I thought I'd share.

🔹Which ever of the Theoi you chose simply give them a libation once a day with a short prayer. You can pick a time or better yet an activity to make it consistent. For example, do it directly after you finish getting dressed. Do it right before you eat breakfast or dinner. Do it before you get ready for bed. Etc, that way it stays consistent and you always have a reminder.

🔹Surrounding the passage of the day/time. The prayers can be very short letting you do them by simply pausing for a minute or two. You can offer a simple libation in the morning and/or night with the prayer.

Prayer to Hemera or Helios in the morning

Prayer Example: “Beautiful Hemera, I thank you for this day, I seek your favor and honor you with my actions. Good morning.”

Prayer to Nyx or Selene at night

Prayer to Helios at noon if you don’t pray to him in the morning.

Prayer Example: “Shining Helios, as you reach your peak this day, I remember you, I thank you for your life giving light.”

Incorporation of 12-Horai such as Mesembria at noon, Dysis at sundown, not sure if Auge would be dawn and Anatole sunrise—but you get the idea.

Prayer to one of the 4-Horai each day of the season we are in— Kheimon for Winter, Phthinophôron for Autumn, Eiar for Spring, and Theros for Summer

🔹Surrounding daily activities.

Prayer to Hemera or Auge upon waking

Prayer to Hygeia before showering or brushing teeth

Prayer Example: “Gentle laughing Hygeia, I enter this shower so I may cleanse myself. I remember your beauty and wish to honor you with my actions, so you may look favorably upon me”

Prayer to Apollo or other health Theoi when you take your medication (if you have it)

Prayer to Hestia at mealtime or before cooking

Prayer Example: “Hestia, first and last among the Olympians, home maker, I cook this food through your strength and thank you for this flame. May my body be replenished”

Prayer to Hermes, Hekate, or Apollo Argyieus, or Soteria when leaving house

Prayer to a Theos related to work/education as you arrive at work or school.

Prayer to a Theos related to a hobby or leisure activity when you start it

Prayer to Hypnos when you go to bed

You can make any combination that would follow the path of your daily activities; it could be any number too this is just an example. And perhaps one libation in the morning or night

🔹Focus on the “Household Gods” which I linked info above to Labrys' Book. Also here (by @/wayfind-er)

Hestia

Zeus Ktesios

Zeus Herkeios

Apollo Argyieus

Hermes

Hekate

🏛️The Twelve Olympians🏛️

While the ancient Greeks feared Hades to the point of refusing to utter his name, the Dead - their ancestors and loved ones, could not be so easily neglected. It was not uncommon for people to visit the dead for wisdom and guidance. The earliest reference of an Oracle of the Dead comes from Homer's Odyssey.

[long post under cut]

Pentheus, the King of Thebes, was torn apart limb-from-limb (sparagmos) by his own mother, Agave, and her sisters in a Dionysian frenzy for defying the god Dionysus.

Finally got my Prometheus design out aaaaa I was going crazy.

His hair is based on the Prometheus-Atlas kylix, the decorations on his left arm are gifts from Hesione, and he has a couple prototype humans hanging from his belt.

Also. Birb.

so reading it with full impact means either 1) having your wikipedia/mythology handbook/etc open on the side or relying on your mythological foreknowledge and suddenly instead of just reading a list of boats you are going 'that guy is a son of THESEUS???? wait that guy SACKED THEBES mere years before this??? wait that guy is descended from poseidon and a witch??? wait that guy is known for his magic horses???' and suddenly all these guys, when they pop up in the rest of the epic, gain a whole new level of characterization because you know the Lore. but since the iliad is a SUPERMASSIVE epic the Lore has been packaged into a neat list form for maximum efficiency. an ancient greek audience, with the mythological knowledge they would have had, could do this effortlessly and would have enjoyed it immensely.