Values of Hellenic Polytheism/Pagan
I want to take a moment today to talk about a concept best described as the values/principles/”pillars” of Hellenic polytheism. I thought I would write up a comprehensive post detailing and explaining what I am referring to
This concept is a modern, recreationist concept. The Ancient Greeks did not have a list of values (I loathe to use the word virtues, though it is applicable in this instance) that they abided by like Christians do virtues to obey and sins to stay away from. These values were built into the culture, society, and laws that they lived by.
Despite the recent inception of the concept of Hellenic polytheist values, it remains a useful tool for modern practitioners, of reconstructionist, revivalist, and other varieties, to guide our practices, actions, and behaviors.
Why do we need these values? These values are useful as any values are. They guide us, inform our behaviors, and inform how we treat each other and how we worship the gods. I certainly am not suggesting codifying them in any way, or insisting everyone must follow all of them, some of them, or any of them. These values are based directly on named cultural and social norms the Ancient Greeks held, and many Modern Greeks hold today, and these norms tied heavily and inextricably to their religion, which thus makes them relevant to Hellenic Polytheists.
I’ve compiled a non-exhaustive list of Hellenic polytheist values below, along with a brief description/definition of them. This list was compiled in collaboration with two, anti-racist, anti-fascist Greek Hellenic polytheists.
A non-exhaustive list of Hellenic polytheist values:
Eusebeia - piety, reverence, awe/respect/fear of the gods
Arete - excellence, the total utilization of one’s abilities, the fulfillment of one’s potential
Hagneia - ritual purity, avoiding miasma
Nomos Arkhaios - observance of ancient tradition, religion, laws, and customs
Sophia - pursuit of truth and wisdom
Sophrosune - self control through contemplation
Xenia - hospitality and guest host relationship
Kharis - building a relationship with the gods
Eudaimonia - to achieve personal happiness
Phronesis - intelligence of practical action, practical wisdom, moral or ethical strength
Gnothi safton - know thyself. Know your place in this world and in your society. Don’t undersell yourself, don’t be prideful and hubristic.
This is a really great guide for how to live your life in a way that honors the gods, respects others, and increases your moral, intellectual, and ethical strength.
Please do not feel that you have to follow these if you’re not a Hellenic polytheist! Even if you are, follow as many or as few as you’d like.I also personally feel that adding your own personal values to the ones listed above (and those not listed) is the best way to practice and live an observant life.
For example, you may personally feel that modesty or veiling is a value you want to observe. I include service and justice in my personal “pillars” of Hellenic polytheism. I believe the gods want me to live my life in service to others and to right the wrongs of the world and seek justice for those who require it.
Some examples, not mandates, on how to interpret the named values above in your life today:
Eusebeia - having appropriate reverence for the gods, communicating with them and venerating them regularly, giving offerings to the gods that they enjoy, worshipping Ouranic gods as Ouranic and Chthonic gods as Chthonic
Arete - pursuing excellence in whatever field or area you wish. Whether that’s excellence in school, excellence in physical and mental health, excellence in healthy boundaries, recovery, and relationships. Pursuing your dreams, fulfilling your purpose.
Hagneia - following regular hygiene habits, purifying yourself with khernips and barley groats and any other method you wish before formal rituals
Xenia - being genuinely friendly, cordial, and hospitable to everyone (within reason, excepting racists, sexists, fascists, etc.). Being selfless in your relationships with others.
Gnothi safton - radical acceptance of your life, your circumstances, your past. Not giving in to or letting self-doubt, insecurities, negative insults from others change your behavior. Not falling prey to traps of hubris, excessive pride and vanity, lack of humility. Being humble yet confident.
I hope this guide will be useful to you all and help us as a community live by values that both do service to the ancient religion we reconstruct today and respect and enforce our modern-day moral and ethical code.
