dionysianivy

[dionysianivy]

Anthesteria Invocation of Dionysos

I know Anthesteria isn't for another few weeks, but might as well start the prepping early, right? :) Anyways, even though Anthesteria also focuses on death as one of its main aspects, I do think there's a lot of joy involved in calling upon ancestors, especially queer ones. And this year of all years, I think there's something particularly radical and important about rejoicing with our ancestors.

I call upon the thrice-born, holy Bakkhic Lord Dionysos, Who roars through the heights of Mount Olympos, Cries out among the land of the living, And dances through the depths of the Underworld. I call upon the God who comes decked in grapes, Ever-blossoming, ever-youthful, Who brings the sun and stars and moon to the depths. I call upon Dionysos whose hands reach forth from frozen dirt, Who speaks with the voices of night-birds and small frogs, Who glints off of frozen ice with the light of summers yet to come, Whose dark eyes glitter like the ever-later night, Who thaws frozen lands and frozen hearts, Who drives the living to dance and the dead to joy. If ever I have broken open bottles of wine with friends, And drank of that sweetness which You have given to the mortals whom you love, If ever I have whispered your praises among beds of flowers, If ever I have seen You in the thin space between day and night, sky and earth, life and death, I pray You roar into my space, And light my winter-wearied heart to dance once again.

[dionysianivy]

The Anthesteria was a three-day festival of Dionysos held on 11-13 Anthesterion (February 9-11 on 2025), at the time of the new wine. Each day of the Anthesteria had its own specific practices and events, making for a varied and complex festival.

The first day, Pithoigia (Opening of Jars) was when the new wine was opened, offered to Dionysos, and tasted for the first time. The Pithoigia was not a time for heavy drinking and celebrants were expected to use moderation, mixing their wine with water. (Parker, Polytheism 290)

The second day, Khoes (Cups) was a day devoted to drinking. Drinking competitions were held, and silly games were played by the drinkers. (Parker, Polytheism 294). On a civic level, the Khoes was also the day of a ritual marriage between the wife of the basileus (an Athenian official selected by lot and in charge of the city’s religious activity) and the god Dionysos; little is known of this rite.

The third and final day, Khytroi (Pots) involved an offering of panspermia (a traditional dish of grains and legumes) to chthonic Hermes and the dead, a more somber occasion with a focus on the presence of the potentially-dangerous dead. Precautionary measures were taken, such as the chewing of buckthorn and the painting of doors with pitch. (Parker, Polytheism 295)

[dionysianivy]

ORPHIC HYMN #45

TO LORD DIONYSUS

Come blessed Dionysos,

bull-faced god conceived in fire,

Bassareus and Bacchos,

many-named master of all.

You delight in bloody swords,

you delight in the holy Maenads,

as you howl throughout Olympos,

all-roaring and frenzied Bacchos.

Armed with the thyrsos, wrathful in the extreme,

you are honored

by all gods and all men

who dwell upon the earth.

Come, blessed and leaping god,

bring abundant joy to all.

(edited with the Apostolos Athanassakis trans.)

[dionysianivy]

Flower-poem for Bacchos/Poema-florido pra Baco

I nurture my flowers with dark wine. The sweet-smelling grape-tears are drank by black earth, The savoury taste of tanins and liberation. The freedom of winds rustling leaves is their proclamation. They bloom, old and new, in a lively ecstasy! A party of colours and shapes, just amazing! Water can be a good source of a stable health, but Wine brings them loose and works just as well. So by Bacchos I wine them through, in maenad-moderation! The flowered nymphs rejoice in their sacred contemplation! I nurture my garden with dark wine, for I know Dionysos takes care of me. I care not for what grumpy gardeners say, for Bacchos will light my way.

português:

Nutro minhas flores com vinho escuro. O dulcíssimo cheiro das lágrimas de uva bebidas pela terra negra, O sabor rico de taninos e destensão. A liberdade dos ventos agita-folhas é sua proclamação. Elas florescem, velhas e novas, em êxtase vivaz! Uma folia multicor-e-forme, esplêndida! Água pode ser a fonte de uma estável saúde, mas Vinho as liberta e funciona amiúde. Então por Baco eu as vinho todas, em mênade-moderação! As ninfas flóreas rejubilam em sacra contemplação! Nutro meu jardim com vinho escuro, pois sei que Dioniso de mim cuida. Não me importa o dito por chatos jardineiros, pois Baco me ajuda.

[dionysianivy]

ORPHIC HYMN #46

TO DIONYSUS LIKNITES

I summon to these prayers

Dionysos Liknites,

born at Nysa, blossoming,

beloved and kindly Bacchos,

nursling of the Nymphs

and of fair-wreathed Aphrodite.

The forests once felt your feet

quiver in the dance

as frenzy drove you and the graceful Nymphs

on and on.

The counsels of Zeus brought you

to noble Persephone,

who reared you to be loved

by the deathless gods.

Kindheartedly come, O blessed one,

accept the gift of this sacrifice.

(trans. by Apostolos Athanassakis)

[dionysianivy]

𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝

Kala Anthesteria everyone! 🍷 May these three sacred days be filled with joy, peace, and blessings. 🏺🍇🐆🌿

[dionysianivy]

My beloved altar on this sunny Anthesteria 2025

[dionysianivy]

Blessed second day of Anthesteria, everyone! 🥰🏺🍷

Today is Choës, and even though I don't drink wine, I had some Coca-Cola with pastries filled with chocolate and strawberry jam, which I made this morning. ♡ I also spent some time in nature, even though it's very cold, and I spotted some flowers in my garden. I wanted to pick them for my Anthesteria altar, but I don’t like taking flowers from the ground. I'm also planning to have a nice breakfast with my family, recite some hymns to Dionysus, and probably dance later. 🌼🐆🌿 I also spotted Dionysus on his panther on the back of my Iliad it's so beautiful! 🏺🌼🍷 I'm hoping everyone has a great day, and may these three days of celebration be blessed for you all.

Kala Anthesteria! 🍇🌲

[dionysianivy]

Khaire! I just want to wish you a Happy and blessed Anthesteria🌹 :D

Hiii Kala Anthesteria 🥰🍇🍷🌸 May you have a blessed and joyful celebration <3🏺🌲

[dionysianivy]

𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚

⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁

What is Anthesteria?

Anthesteria, celebrated from the 11th to the 13th of Anthesterion (February–March), was one of the biggest festivals dedicated to Dionysus. Known as the Festival of Flowers, it marked the arrival of spring, the opening of the new wine casks, and the renewal of life. But it wasn’t just about feasting and drinking, it was also a time of purification, fertility, and remembrance, when the boundary between the living and the dead grew thin.

At the heart of the festival was the ritual opening of the wine casks that had been fermenting since the last harvest. This wasn’t just practical; it was symbolic. The wine had been maturing underground, just like Dionysus himself had once been carried in Zeus' thigh before being "born again." Bringing the wine to the surface was more than just a tradition,it was a reflection of Dionysus’ own myth.

But Anthesteria wasn’t all joy and celebration. It was believed that during these days, spirits wandered freely, so while people enjoyed the festivities, they also took precautions to protect themselves. The festival was a strange mix of life and death, revelry and ritual, perfectly embodying the nature of Dionysus, a God of both wild celebration and deep mystery. During Anthesteria, it was also said that the maenads celebrated privately in the mountains and forests. In some legends, Dionysus' marriage to Ariadne was held during Anthesteria.

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Days of Anthesteria

Day 1: Pithoigia (Jar-Opening) 🌸

The first day of Anthesteria, Pithoigia, was centered around the ritual opening of the pithoi, large clay jars that contained the previous year’s wine. These casks had spent months underground, and now, they were unearthed and brought to the sanctuary of Dionysus. A portion of the wine was poured out as an offering, and the rest was shared by all members of the household.

The day was filled with flowers, marking the beginning of the season. Everyone over the age of three was invited to participate in the first taste of the new wine, and the mood was communal and joyous.

Day 2: Choës (Pitchers) 🏺

The second day of the festival, Choës, was a time of popular merrymaking, characterized by wine-drinking contests in which even slaves and children participated. People dressed in their finest clothes, with some even embodying figures from myth connected to Dionysus. There were visits to friends and drinking contests, where participants had to drink an entire chous (about 3 liters) in complete silence. This day was open to everyone, even slaves, highlighting how Dionysus transcended the boundaries of class and status.

For children, Choës marked a special rite of passage. Boys reaching their second year were crowned with flowers and given small drinking vessels, symbolizing their gradual initiation into the community. Meanwhile, the devoted followers of Dionysus, his maenads and priestesses, took part in private, sacred rituals that marked the spiritual union between them and the god.

Day 3: Chytroi (Pots) 💀

The final day, Chytroi, was dedicated to the spirits of the dead. Pots filled with a sacred mix of seeds and grains, called panspermia, were offered to Hermes Chthonios and the wandering souls of the deceased. During this time, it was believed that the spirits of the underworld walked among the living. To protect against any malevolent spirits, people chewed on hawthorn leaves and smeared their doorways with tar. The festival came to a close with the dismissal of the spirits: "Away with you, Keres, it is no longer Anthesteria!"

With these words, the spirits were sent back to the underworld, and life in Athens returned to normal, marking the end of the brief but intense period when the living and the dead had shared the same space.

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Activities To Do:

🍷 Drink wine, or any liquid that you like.

🍷 Place flowers on your altar.

🍷 Honor God Dionysus.

🍷 Go to pottery.

🍷 Make a special mask for Lord Dionysus.

🍷 Do a libation in nature.

🍷 Go to the theater.

🍷 Collect flowers from nature.

🍷 Read and recite the hymns to Dionysus.

🍷 Honor both life and death.

🍷 Take a walk in nature and/or in the mountains.

🍷 Draw Dionysus's symbol or carve His name in stones or wood.

🍷 Make art for Dionysus.

🍷 Make a flower crown.

🍷 Honor your deceased loved ones.

🍷 Leave offerings for spirits.

🍷 Light candles.

🍷 Plant seeds in your garden.

🍷 Plan a feast and celebrate with your loved ones.

🍷 Sing and dance while listening to your favorite songs.

🍷 Do creative activities like art or poetry.

🍷 Go wild and celebrate it as you wish, Kala Anthesteria!

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[dionysianivy]

Blessed Anthesteria everyone🍇🍷🌼🐆🌿

May Dionysus bless us all during these three sacred days ahead. May we celebrate freely, with joy and fire in our hearts. We honor God Dionysus and also is a sacred festival of flowers, death, sex, wine, and life. May everyone have a great time and celebrate in whatever way feels right to them.

Hail Lord Dionysus and Kala Anthesteria🌸🍷🕯

[dionysianivy]

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞

Just my favorite couple from mythology celebrating Valentine's Day together ♡

[dionysianivy]

Had a dream last night of being in a vineyard, eating grapes and pomegranates while a childhood song played in the background. I also remember seeing a man holding grapes. Aghh, I love Dionysian dreams! 🍇🌿🐆🍷Thank you Dionysus for this peaceful night and beautiful dream🌲

[dionysianivy]

The Gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again.

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I’ll tell you a  s e c r e t.  Happy Birthday, Jara! 

[dionysianivy]

𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀 as 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐘

Preparing for his fight with Achilles. Troy (2004).