Adeia: Modern Festival to Demeter
On a global scale, we’re dealing with a climate crisis that is putting food sources at risk. On a more local level, conflicts and abnormal weather are creating risks of bad harvests, resources shortages and/or inflations.
We are aware that not everyone is impacted directly by the current ongoing issues, but we hope that this festival (or at least the idea) can be useful beyond these and be seen through a wider scope of praying for food security at large.
We named the festival Adeia, from the ancient Greek ἄδεια, which conveniently can signify both “abundance”/”plenty” and “freedom from fear”/”security”. All things the festival aims for.
- @thegrapeandthefig’s original post
The gods I am propitiating for my Adeia are Demeter Soteira (saviour), Herakles Alexikakos (averter of evil), Zeus Hyetios (moist/fertilising rain), Hermes Nomios (protector of pastures and shepherds), Olea (nymph of my garden), and Djarlgarra (local river god).
Honey and oranges with dried figs
We call upon you in our time of need
Benevolent gods, givers of good
Crises threaten world-over and hardships befall many, and now again we raise our voices in plea
If these smoky offerings please you, and these sweet drinks warm you, look well upon us.
Kindly gods, bless our coffers and larders again, and see abundance flow to our house.
And should strife visit our doors, grant us the fortitude to endure
May Zeus meter his life-giving rains, so dry or soggy fields remain moist year-through
May Hermes keep a watchful eye on the flocks and farm-hands, that flystrike and heatstroke never hinder them
With outstretched arms I sing praises to you, bold Djarlgarra, he who holds moisture for our sun-stricken land
And to sweet Olea I gift equally sweet fruits, that you may keep my rain barrels at bursting and my garden fertile