Too Indecisive for a Title

Hey there, sunshine! ☀️

Hellenic paganism doesn't have one single piece of holy scripture like Abrahamic religions do. Our texts are a little more scattered. We have the Homeric Hymns and the Orphic Hymns, each are a collection of hymns and prayers to the gods. There is also Hesiod's Theogony, an epic 1000+ line poem that details the genealogies of the gods, and also Hesiod's Works and Days, which is more on the subject of morality and farming, but includes good lessons on how to interact with the gods.

You can buy these online in the forms of physical books, but there should also be free pdf versions of them out there, as well as websites that have the entire collection of hymns written out.

As for a text that gives instructions regarding customs and offerings, there isn't one set, singular text that I know of. We learn from historical and archaeological research, from writings like those listed above, and from each other. There are modern books on Hellenic paganism and its practices written by scholars that you could look for. Some are expensive though, and if you do enough digging on the internet yourself, you should be able to come up with some information.

I could teach you a couple basics right now.

When appealing to a deity or making an offering, it’s wise to know how this was traditionally done in the past so you can be as respectful as possible and build a true reciprocity with the gods. This type of prayer structure is found in all manner of pagan religions from Norse paganism, Hellenic (Greek) polytheism, Kemetic (Egyptian) prayer and so on. I got the inspiration and much of the information here from @Ocean Keltoi on Youtube who is a fantastic scholar and Norse heathen who actively stands against prejudice and is all around a wonderful resource. 

Now, there are three main elements of a pagan prayer, which should be done in this order:

1. The Invocation. This is where you call upon the specific god you’re hoping to connect with. Think of it as writing the name and address on your letter to the Gods - it lets the deity know that this prayer is directed at them, which is important in a polytheistic religion with many gods. To start your invocation, address the deity directly by name, or use an epithet or kenning that they're known by. It's especially wise to choose an epithet that relates to what you're praying for, like using one of Apollo's healer epithets while addressing him in a prayer about a loved one's sickness,  for instance. It’s also a good idea to praise them highly and with a certain air of reverence. These are ancient deities after all. 

2. The Argument. Here you give your reasons for why a deity should fulfill your request and favor you. If you’ve brought offerings, cite them here. You can also include reasons for why you’re reaching out, such as love in a prayer for Aphrodite or matters of justice with the god Tyr. This is where you make your case to them. And if you’re reaching out to a deity you don’t have a working relationship with, which let’s be honest will be the case many more times than we’d like, then you can tell them this here also. A good example might be “Oh Tyr, one-handed war god and son of Odin, though we have not met before I have heard your name and been called to it…”

3. The Request. Finally you ask the gods to look kindly on your request and to grant you their blessing. Again, be as respectful and reverent as possible towards them. 

Prayer Example: “Grey-eyed Athena, daughter of thundering Zeus, if ever I have poured out sweet wine for you, look kindly on me and grant me your wisdom.”

How to stand when making the prayer

This depends on which God you’re reaching out to and, of course, your own personal comfort. The most common ways of praying are to stand and perform some gesture of reverence, kneel while praying and even prostrate, kneeling fully on the ground with your head down as you appeal to the gods. Some might also choose to wear veils when performing prayers or rituals for deities, though this is naturally up to the individual. 

In Hellenic tradition, if you’re praying to an Ouranic god (deities of the heavens) you would traditionally wear your hair up and stand with your arms raised to the heavens while reciting your prayer. Meanwhile, if you are praying to a Chthonic god (deities of the underworld), you would kneel and face downwards towards the Earth with your hair flowing freely. 

Some Norse sources tell of ancient pagans prostrating before the gods, and yet this is still not entirely necessary. Pray however you see fit and what is most comfortable for you at the moment. 

^ This is what prostrating looks like

Sources:

Ocean Keltoi's video on pagan prayers

🌊I will sing of stately Aphrodite, golden-crowned and beautiful,

Whose dominion is the walled cities of all sea-set Cyprus.

There the moist breath of the western wind wafted her over the waves of the loud-moaning sea in soft foam….

🦢Muse, tell me the deeds of golden Aphrodite Cyprian,

Who sits up sweet passion in the gods and subdues the tribes of mortal men and birds that fly in the air

And all the many creatures that the dry land rears, and all that the sea: all these love the deeds of rich-crowned Cytherea

🌹(Homeric hymn 5 & 6 to Aphrodite)

You are strong, lovely, and fierce.

Your love rings true through the hills and across the seas.

Your trident, a weapon of strength, rains down upon the mighty waves as they crest the ridge.

Your shield, a shrine of hope, covers your children as they hurry into your embrace.

With all of your strength, please protect me and my family as we sleep tonight.

Cover us in a blanket of your love and nestle us into a deep slumber.

Fight away the demons or evil spirits that try to drive us into sleep paralysis.

Shield us with your shield, and fight for us with your trident.

For you are powerful and fearful as the seas themselves.

We praise you for the rest of our days.

Thank you for your protection in advance.

Thank you for loving and finding me.

Continue to lead me gently through the turmoil.

We praise you for the rest of our days.

For you are the power, the love, the fierce, forever and ever.

You are my rock.

So shall it be. Amen.

Position

When praying to underworld deities, we should direct our prayers downwards. An example of this is seen in the ninth scroll of the Iliad when Althaea prays to Haides and dread Persephone by kneeling and beating her hands on the ground. Whereas women wore their hair up or covered for ouranic rituals, they wore their hair down in chthonic rituals. The prayer should be murmured.

Offerings

Chthonic Theoi received special nighttime offerings of black animals, unmixed wine and special libations of milk and honey. Animal sacrifice was always done in a holókaustos--a sacrifice where the entire animal was burned and none of the meat was saved for human consumptions.

Homer in the Odyssey writes Circe advising Odysseus how to perform a libation to the dead:

"Draw near then, as I bid you, hero, and dig a trench two feet square, then pour a libation all around to the dead, first of milk and honey, then of sweet wine, thirdly of water, sprinkled with white barley meal."

Prayer format

The format is the same as when praying to any other theoi: Invoke the god, introduce yourself, make an argument as to why they should listen to you, and make a request .

Who are the underworld deities?

- Haides, King of the underworld

- Persephone, Queen of the underworld

- Hecate, Goddess of magic

- Thanatos, God of death

- Hermes Athanatus Diactorus, the chtonic aspect of Hermes in which he guides souls to the underworld

- Nyx, primordial Goddess of the night

- Hypnos, God of sleep

- Charon, ferryman of the dead

- Cerberus, guardian of the underworld

- The Furies, goddesses of vengeance and retribution

Sources:

- ‘Greek Religion’ by Walter Burkert (1985)

- Baring the Aegis blogspot

MASTERPOST <- click here for the other entries

Everyday Magic, morning routine edition! Let's go over some things I did this morning as part of my not so consistent but witchy nonetheless morning routine.

Woke up and brushed my teeth + washed my face for cleansing

I didn't do this but I can recommend it: moisturizer on your face and body in the design of sigils

Lit my deity candles and said good morning to them

Sat down with them for a little with crystals and meditated

Wrote 25 things I'm grateful for in my manifestation journal

Changed the water in my deities' offering cups

Brewed some lavender black tea and drank it

Sprayed my veil with Hekate mist to promote clarity, decision making and to embody some Hekate vibes

Wore my veil as an act of devotion and for energy protection

Shook my lavender oil that is infusing

Picked a piece of witchy jewelry for the day (I chose my pentacle pendant for protection! Maybe I'll do a post on my jewelry)

Anointed myself with protection oil

Forewarning, this is just my personalized spell that I created as an amateur witch, not a cure by any means. I can’t guarantee anything.

Energizing Spell (morning)

Sit in front of your altar, if you have one, and meditate until all is clear (abt 5 minutes if you want a measurement).

Hold [crystal] near [chakra] (horoscope might help if your having trouble deciding).

Put on daily lotions, oils, etc.

With classes and everything going on it is hard to make and keep a routine. I also have very bad abilities to keep a routine although I am trying. If you have any ideas to add to my routine please let me know.

My religious routines

I try to tell the Goddesses I worship good morning when I wake up.

When I get my coffee in the morning I try to fix them a libation of tea or coffee.

I try to pray and talk to them in this time aswell.

I'm trying to start meditating daily. Meditation is hard to do because I have focus issues. If you have ways to focus when meditating please tell me.

This is about where I'm at with my daily religious routine. I study regularly to learn more I'm trying to learn more about the attic calender and work it into my life. But it is quite overwhelming so I'm working it in slowly.

My witchcraft routine.

When I shower in the morning I am cleansing my self physically and spiritually.

I try to match my clothes to what I want to get out of my day (ex: black protection, red:strength/passion, ect)

When I make my coffee i add spices to bring in what I want for the day (ex: cinnamon:love)

I'm trying to start walking outside to feel closer with nature and earth.

When I clean my room I use this time to cleanse

I'm trying to make this my routine. I do skip sometimes because I just don't have the energy but I try to do it daily.

*You do not have to have a daily practice. A routine can be beneficial but not everyone has the energy or ability to have one.*

Quick tarot card pull for guidance

A short meditation session

Carry crystals that suit your intentions

Add some drinkable moon water to beverages or food