So, hello, everyone. I've noticed that there are quite a few new baby Hellenists and I want to remind you about such an important thing as…
So what is Khernips and why is it needed?
Khernips is a kind of holy water that existed in ancient Greece and with which worshipers purified themselves from miasma, spiritual dirt.
For example, it is like if we want to meet an important person in our life and to present ourselves in a proper light, we use simple hygiene to make it pleasant for the person to be near you. It's the same with miasma and gods, just in the spiritual way.
If you've been having trouble getting in touch with a deity lately, you might want to make this special water, Khernips, also called lustral water, comes in. It is a specific type of water that is used for cleansing and purification. It can be used on people, animals, plants, and inanimate objects. Khernips is recommended to be used prior to every ritual and formal prayer; especially when we try to gain communion with the Gods.
If one wishes to use khernips to cleanse an item, it is recommended one sprinkle Khernips over what is wished to be cleansed; as opposed to placing things in the Khernips. [Quoting some words from the website.]
The other question is, how do you make Khernips?
– You'll need a bowl or a regular large glass.
– In the original you'll need seawater and spring water, but you can use the most ordinary tap water if you can't get other options.
– A tiny fragrant twig or leaf, herbs, a stick of incense or a torch.
– A napkin or small towel.
When all the ingredients are ready, how do we use them?
1. Pour the water into a bowl mixing sea water with spring water, or just pour out ordinary tap water.
2. Light our dried leaf, stick or whatever you choose above our water and say the word “Xerniptosai” pronounced, “zer-nip-tos-aye-ee” – which means “be purified”.
3. Wash your hands with the water, then the face. You may say “Kherniptomai”, meaning “I wash with lustral water”.
4. Sprinkle the area and all participants in the ritual with the khernips, saying: “Hekas hekas este bebēloi”, or “begone, begone ye profane!”
Alternatively, you could say: “Apo apo kakodaimones”, or “begone, begone evil spirits!”
5. Dry your hands and face with the cloth.
6. You may now approach the Gods! 🙆🏻
I hope this helps you in communicating with your deities! Thank you for attention. ☕️🩶
Resource: Hellenic Faith website.
