h | twenty | she/they/he

egyptology & classical studies

greco-roman-kemetic polytheist

I read that if you came in contact with death you had to cleanse the miasma before praying or approaching a sacred place. How would you recommend cleansing? and also if you believe there should be some kind of cleansing/protection involved when praying to kthonic deities?

- @sunlit-arrow

Hi, yes, thank you for asking @sunlit-arrow!

And yes, if you come in contact with anything that's dead or related to death you'll get Miasma.

Personally, I'd take a long and thorough shower as well as smoke/incense cleanse myself to get rid of it. You can also make a special kind of Khnerpis (cleansing water) by putting incense ashes into it or burned herbs. There's no right or wrong way to cleanse yourself though.

To answer your second question — yes, I think one should take precautions when praying to khthonic deities or khthonic aspects of deities. The most common and "effective" would be veiling to prevent Miasma from entering, what I also recommend but is not necessary, is that you don't make direct eye contact with your shrine/altar but put the veil in front of your face, it should give extra protection.

And another very important thing with khthonic (aspects of) deities is that you do not eat the offerings you have left. Normally, you would be able to but when it's a khthonic (aspect of a) deity it gets tainted with Miasma.

But I have to mention that historically the Greeks did not worship any khthonic deities or khthonic aspects of deities as it was a taboo sort of. I personally am against worshipping khthonics in my four walls but everyone is entitled to their own worship! So you do you.

A general tip at the end: please don't make yourself crazy over Miasma, it's very rare to get it and not the end of the world.

You should start simple and small and with that I mean a hearth or household altar.

Start small, worship only those who are actively taking part in your life like Hestia representing your home or the Lares protecting your property or Renenutet who ensures you get food.

There's so many deities out there that protect you and ensure you're safe and sound, honour them in small ways before you risk getting a burnout from overdoing yourself.

Hiding behind the anon button, of course

"I have not closed my ears to truth." — yet you completely ignore the fact there's people unlike you

"I have not made anyone cry." — yet you bully people for no reasonable reason

"I have not been angry without reason." — yet you are right wing

"I have not terrorized anyone." — yet you hate on and harass whole demographics

"I have not been exclusively angry." — yet you shame anyone who isn't to your standards

"I have not behaved with violence." — yet you have harmed innocent people

"I have not caused disruption of peace." — yet you make life for many living hell

"I have not overstepped my boundaries of concern." — yet you behave like your word is law

"I have not worked evil." — yet your political views are evil incarnate

"I have not used evil thoughts, words or deeds." — yet you wish death upon anyone who's not to your standards

"I have not placed myself on a pedestal." — yet you see certain demographics as below yourself

"I have not acted with insolence." — yet you are yourself

In fact, many Roman gods had different functions before they syncretised (got infused) with the Hellenic pantheon! For example, Mars used to be a protector of Rome and it's agriculture before he became associated with war due to his syncretism with Ares.

Plus, many deities have existed long before the city of Rome was even founded. For example Juno and Minerva: they're originally etruscan deities going by the names Uni (Juno) and Menrva (Minerva).

And also, some deities do not have an "equivalent" in the Hellenic pantheon. For example Janus, the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, frames, and endings. Yes, he may be similar to Khronos, but no, he's not his "equivalent" (also since he exists since etruscan times).