Hellenic polytheism
HELLENIC POLYTHEISM
Please note I am still learning.
What is Hellenic Polytheism?
Simply put, it is the belief of Greek gods and worship. Longer answer: It is a revival or reconstruction of an ancient belief system by the Greeks. There is different areas such as hellenic paganism...etc. I, myself, consider myself Hellenic Polytheist. You can worship one or multiple gods. It is a belief focused on devotion, and offerings to the gods. There is 'rules' but for me they are not rules like Christian beliefs.
What are the rules?
I do not think of them as rules, which may upset people but I see them as others do, as ethics. For example, I follow Xenia, which is a concept of hospitality. In this I do worship Zeus as of course, one of his epitaph is Zeus Xenios, but I do not consider him one of the eight I worship. I can explain that more down below. But I follow ethics of: Keeping my boundaries in place, leaving situations if I am uncomfortable, looking after the environment, trying to reduce pride, be an overall good person, stay true to myself, be kind to others, do not commit acts of violence, stand up for others rights, repent offences, look after the dead, pray for the dead, be grateful, face what you fear, do what makes you happy... etc There is a lot more I follow, but to be honest...It is not difficult. Looking at that may scare the crap out of someone, but I was already doing most of this before I joined this religion.
Who can I worship?
This I feel can be touchy in the community. Which...I do not feel it should be. Why do I feel like that? I have been told I should not worship Charon, because ancient Greeks did not. Yet, he is one of my stronger presences when I do pray. To me, there is no lesser or minor gods, or no god you cannot pray too. If yo uwant to pray to gods ancient Greeks may not have prayed too, go ahead. If you feel like they are reaching out, do it. There is no harm! I have had so very funny moments with Charon.
Do you need to have an altar?
No. I do because I enjoy making them and find cleaning them relaxing.
What are the rituals?
I highly suggest researching, I am still in the grips of researching. I do not consider myself a witch, as I do not perform spells. I do not know how and that gives me anxiety. Though I know you can argue I am from Tarot Cards, as I do use them as a form of talking to my gods, I just do not consider myself a witch. No idea why, maybe one day I will. But before I clean and pray, I always clean my hands in a mixture of spring water and salt. This is washes away miasma, which I wrong assumed meant sinning. Hey I was Catholic and freaked out when I read miasma, so for the longest time I was not doing this. Thankfully, somehow, my gods were patient with me and still answered me. I think they realize I have to move at a snails pace or I freak out. Each time you pray, you will also be building a relationship called Kharis with the gods. This is a very important foundation within the religion. It does not just involve praying, you have to give offerings too. Those these do not need to be food or drink, as I know that can be expensive. You can offer drawings, singing, poetry..etc. That is what I offer a lot of the time.
How do you pray?
You are for Chthonic deities meant to lay prostrate on the ground and pray after knocking to 'wake them up'. Funny fact, as soon as I prayed to Hades I was knocking on the floor. Had not researched that, that is on me. Ouranic palms facing up to the sky. Praying/altars are meant to face the east, but that is easier than said than done. Due to my dyslexia and dyspraxia, I for my Chthonic deities cannot lay on the floor because I have printed out the prayers. I lay my palms flat on the floor and tilt my head down. Again, that is simply because I cannot memorise about twenty different prayers.
What do I suggest reading?
Hellenic Polytheism by Chris Alridge, Hellenismos by Tony Mierxwicki, A shorter history of Greek Art by Martin Robertson, The Odyssey, The Iliad, Metamorphoses by Ovid, Black Athena by Martin Bernai, Hippocratic writings, Greek Lives by Plutarch, Religion and The Greeks by Robert Garland, (will update as I get more books)
What websites?
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