#noumenia

O holy Noumenia! The beginning of a new lunar month, the renewal of life and of light. With the rising of each cycle of the moon, and the dawning of the sun each morning, we are blessed by all-shining Helios and Selene with the opportunity to begin anew, growing and arising from our pasts. As the flowers and fruits of the earth have their phases - not blooming constantly but each according to their season, not remaining wilted and drained but returning to life again and again - so too do we. I have felt as if I am withering lately, but as I was giving offerings and hymns to the blessed gods today, I was struck by this idea of a sort of eternal renewal. In a related vein, I've been thinking about a specific quote from Disco Elysium lately - "After life - death, after death - life again."

Hail, white-armed goddess, bright Selene, mild, bright-tressed queen!。.:*:・'°☆

— this Noumenia i mainly want to honor the gorgeous, shining Selene. i often think of Her and look up at Her with awe and adoration. She inspires me and renders me speechless with the beauty She holds. may She bring us a productive new month, new beginnings and strenght.

even though its the late stage of september for me, im already thinking of october. i look forward to the new month with clear mind and heart. i can keep going, i will keep going.

may the household gods keep me in their favor as well. the Ever Protecting Apollón Agyeius, Giver of Good Things Hermész Dotor Eaon, Hesztia of the Home, Hekaté Trioditis and Zeusz of the House.

Happy Noumenia to all who celebrate ! Happy New Moon !

Also made the Kathiskos earlier this evening and said a hymn to Zeus Ktesios for blessings and protection for my household 💕

On the day when the first sliver of moon begins to show, we give offerings to our household gods. These gods often include, but are not limited to, Zeus, Hestia, Hermes, Hekate, and Apollon in their household aspects. I adorned my hearth with flowers and gave offerings of home baked honey cakes, wine, honey, and incense, while reading the Orphic Hymns of the household gods. I always find the Noumenia to feel like a clean slate, where we can go into the next lunar cycle with a fresh start.

A very yummy spice cookie that has olive oil and honey as the base. It has the texture of a small cake and comes out relatively small. The perfect offering size.

I didn’t have any orange juice when I made them this year so I subbed water and had to use closer to two cups of flour to get the right consistency. I also omitted the chopped nut topping because I’m not a fan of that.

Servings: ~20

Cal/serv: ~107

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup orange juice (or water if you want it less citrusy)

1/4 cup honey (plus more for drizzling)

1/4 cup brown sugar or raw cane sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves (optional but very traditional)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Chopped walnuts or pistachios (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, honey, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and baking soda.

Slowly stir in the flour until a soft, oily dough forms. It should be pliable but not sticky—add a little more flour if needed.

Scoop about 1 tbsp of dough and shape into small ovals or rounds. Slightly flatten and place on the baking sheet.

Bake for 12–15 minutes until just golden and set.

While still warm, drizzle with extra honey and sprinkle with crushed nuts (if using).

Transfer to a cooling rack after five minutes

Hope you enjoy and your gods do too!

Noumenia is a monthly celebration, and is the first day of the three day ritual that includes Hekate's Deipnon & the Agathos Daimon! Noumenia always takes place on the first day of the month of the Attic calendar.

This is a day for honoring your household theoi! Generally this includes: Hestia, Zeus Ktesios, Zeus Erkeios, Hermes, Hekate, & Apollon Agyieus. You could also use this day to honor other theoi that are important to you and/ or your household!

And remember, on the Attic calendar all days actually begin at sundown!

Ideas on how to celebrate~

Decorate with fresh flowers.

Refresh your Kadiskos.

Have a meal with your family and loved ones.

Set some goals for the new month.

Make some honey cake, a traditional offering for this day!

Burn some incense.

Hold a ritual to honor the household gods.

Further reading~

Light incense for Zeus, Apollo, Hekate, Hestia, Hermes, and other gods you celebrate in the household. If you’re closeted, just say it’s for meditation.

Have a cup of tea or coffee and offer/share it with the gods.

Light candles for them.

Read hymns either in your head or aloud.

Do something which interacts with their domains (bask in the sun for Apollo, cloud watch for Zeus, cook for Hestia, etc…)

Make a honey mug cake for them!

Write something of them as a devotional act.

Clean the house or your personal space in their honour.