#hellenisticismos

O' Demeter Polyphorbos, golden-haired queen; it is this day I voice my thanks for your gifts. The grain, the corn, the meat, the fruits upon my family's plates—it is all your doing. It is you, generous lady, who nourishes. Great goddess, hear my praise!

and to be clear i’m not talking about like giving what you have available or things that wouldn’t have been found in antiquity, before yall try jump me. i’m talking about things that just do not serve any purpose, hold no significance, or sometimes even are antheticical to what we know about the purpose of offerings.

Hey folks! In the spirit of building community, @wayfind-er and I worked on a set of multi-day prompts and mini-challenges to help us all get to know each other a bit better!

There are 4 sets with 4 days' worth of questions each, plus a devotional mini-challenge! Each day has two questions: one that's explicitly related to Hellenic polytheism, and one that's not. The mini-challenges provide specific mediums to use (digital, writing, visual arts, etc) and an optional prompt. You are welcome to answer any, all, or none of the questions for each day and to participate in any, all, or none of the mini-challenges! Stepping out of your comfort zone is encouraged, but you are under no obligation or expectation to do something you're uncomfortable with or don't have the energy or time to do. Skip prompts if you'd like, switch which questions you do on which days, etc. Do what you want, I'm not your dad!

I will be starting on September 5th and welcome anyone who'd like to do it as a group to join me. But this challenge isn't tied to any sort of deadline: start and stop when and as you wish! Use the hashtag #helpol building blocks to share your answers and look through others'. Hope you enjoy!

SET 1: FOUNDATION

Day 1:

• How did you get started with Hellenic polytheism?

• Which interests and/or hobbies have you had the longest?

Day 2:

• What does your average daily/weekly practice look like? On a good day? On a bad day?

• What is a strong, but silly, opinion you have?

Day 3:

• Are there religions or traditions that you practice alongside helpol or syncretize with it? If so, what are they and why?

• What is your favorite season? Why?

Day 4:

• Do you pray daily? Why or why not?

• What are your favorite plants and/or animals? Why?

Day 5: Challenge!

• Medium: Performance/Digital.

This can mean anything from deity playlists, to virtual collages, to dancing, to reading part of your favorite play out loud!

• Prompt: Cycles

SET 2: WALLS

Day 6:

• What is your favorite food/drink offering to give to the gods?

• Are there any hobbies, activities, or pieces of media that you refuse to try? If so, why?

Day 7:

• What is your favorite non-edible offering to give to the gods?

• What is your favorite form of entertainment (podcast/reading/movies/etc.)? Does it change depending on the topic?

Day 8:

• Do you practice divination? If so, which technique(s)? Why?

• What is your favorite genre, if you have one? Why?

This question isn't limited to books or movies: it includes podcasts, art, music, etc!

Day 9:

• Are there specific colors, symbolism, or imagery you associate heavily with any of the god(s)? Why?

• What is your favorite weather? Why?

Day 10: Challenge!

• Medium: Written

• Prompt: Roots

SET 3: WINDOWS

Day 11:

• Do you practice ancestor veneration or worship? Why or why not?

• Which piece of media do you think has been the most influential for you?

Day 12:

• Is there a common helpol practice that you don't do? If so, why?

• What is your favorite flavor? Favorite scent?

Day 13:

• Is there a part of your practice that you do that is uncommon among helpols? If so, what is it and why?

• What is a hobby, interest, or activity you want to try but haven't been able to yet? Why?

Day 14:

• Do you dream and/or see mental images? Do you think that affects your practice? If so, how?

• What is your favorite activity to do with others?

Day 15: Challenge!

• Medium: Visual Arts

• Prompt: Flow

SET 4: ROOF

Day 16:

• How do you think the culture(s) you grew up in shaped your view of religion?

• How do you calm yourself down when you're going through a rough time?

Day 17:

• Is there a helpol-related resource that you don't see shared around or talked about often?

• Do you prefer to go out and about or to do things at home? Does that change based on the activity?

Day 18:

• Is there an epithet/aspect/domain of a deity that you don't see mentioned often or feel is overlooked? If so, what is it?

• What is your favorite place that you've visited? Why?

Day 19:

• Which epithet(s)/domain(s) of the gods you worship do you feel the most connected to? Why?

• If given the chance, would you go back and speak to your child self? Why or why not?

Day 20: Challenge!

• Medium: wild card! Any medium(s) you'd like.