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poured libations for Zeus while me and my wife were spending time outside praying. we asked for more time to finish our prayers, and the thunder that had consistently been rolling in ceased for 25 minutes.

finally, we heard thunder rumble again. we ran inside and immediately the sky fell. o Great King, thank You so much for hearing our prayer and holding back your mighty clouds!

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In this post I will help beginners understand the basics of Hellenism, which is the oikos! Hope this help and I’ll explain all well! Enjoy your reading💛 (Sorry for my English if I’ve mistaken something, its not my frist language)

The sacred Household in Hellenism🏡

“The gods are not far away — they live among us, beginning at the hearth.”

When people first come to Hellenism, many expect temples, elaborate rituals, and festivals with incense drifting into the sky. And yes, those things exist, and they’re beautiful.

But in traditional Hellenic religion, the true center of worship has always been the household — the oikos. This is where devotion begins.

The oikos is more than just your physical living space. In ancient Greece, it referred to the entire household unit: the family, the home, the land, the goods, and the sacred forces that protected and sustained them.

For Hellenists, our home is a temple in miniature. It’s where you interact with the gods every day, where you make offerings, pray, purify, and maintain order. You don’t need an expensive altar, what you need is intention, reverence, and consistency.

Hestia: The heart of the Home🔥

At the center of the sacred household is Hestia, goddess of the hearth flame.

She is the first-born of the Olympians, and the first (and last) to receive offerings in every ritual.

Hestia represents warmth, safety, peace, continuity. In ancient homes, the hearth fire was never allowed to go out, and when a new household was formed, the flame was lit from the family hearth.

(I will do more about the Gods in specific in other posts)

In a modern practice, you can honor Hestia simply:

Light a candle or lamp in her name.

Offer a drop of oil, water, or wine.

Speak a short prayer:

“Hestia, keeper of the hearth, may your flame burn bright in my home.”

It doesn’t need to be elaborate!

But ancient Greeks honored her a bit differently!

As I said earlier, the hearth (estia) was a literal fire in the center of the home. It was always kept burning as a sacred flame: extinguishing it was considered bad luck or impious unless ritually necessary.

Every meal and domestic ritual began with a libation or offering to Hestia! In fact, no matter which god was being honored, Hestia received the first and last libation in any sacrificial ritual.

She didn’t have many temples, her domain was every home and public places! At city level, a sacred fire to Hestia burned in the prytaneion (town hall or public hearth), symbolizing civic unity.

And then as another ritual, when a couple got married or a new household was formed, a flame from the bride’s family hearth was carried to the new home to light the new hearth, symbolizing continuity and divine blessing!

The Household Gods are more than one!🏛️

The sacred household includes more than Hestia. Such as: Zeus Ktesios, Hermes Propylaios / Hermes Agoraios, ancestors and Household Spirits (like Agathos Daimon).

Of course, there are more Gods that protects Household but these are the most commonly honored ones!

Zeus Ktesios: Protector of the household, provider of goods and food. Many Hellenists keep a ktesios jar, a simple container filled with water, oil, and other symbolic items like bay leaves or coins. It’s kept in a clean corner of the pantry or home.

Hermes Propylaios / Hermes Agoraios: Hermes protects the boundaries of the home and the spaces beyond. He is honored at the threshold, by the door, as guardian of comings and goings. A small stone or figure by your door can be his marker. He’s the god who makes movement and communication possible.

Ancestors and Household Spirits: The dead are never far from the living in Hellenism. Ancestors (both literal and spiritual) are remembered with respect and offerings.

But what can we do as a devotion in our homes?

There are many ways! But I’ll offer a little simple routine:

Washing your hands (khernips) to purify

Lighting a candle for Hestia

Pouring a libation (water, milk, wine)

Speaking a short prayer

Leaving a small offering: bread, olive oil, fruit, or incense.

Remember that none of this is a RULE and necessary, but it builds Kharis and in more simple words it tells the Gods “this is your home too and may you protect it”, we make space for the Gods and its a simple yet efficent devotional act!

It reminds us that the divine is not far away! In Hellenism, this is where devotion starts!

I hope you enjoyed. I tried to explain this well enough and at the same time as short as I could!

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Charles François Jalabert (French painter, 1818-1901)

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I did not feel beautiful today,

so instead I went down to the river.

I gathered stones from the water,

and felt the sun on my back,

and pretended I was older than the world.

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i love doing badly edited memes for my deities

also yes i eat salt

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In ancient Greek religion, an empty throne often signified the possible presence of a god, even in the absence of an image or statue. These thrones were placed during rituals and festivals, such as Theophania at Delphi, as a sign that a deity might arrive.

At times, they were reserved for gods beyond the local pantheon. In intercultural sanctuaries like Delos or Piraeus, divine visitors from other cultures were honoured with these sacred seats. Foreign deities, such as Isis (Auset), were welcomed through processions and offerings. Their presence was acknowledged by the throne left waiting.

This practice was deeply tied to the Greek value of xenia, or sacred hospitality. Welcoming the unknown god mirrored the ethical imperative to welcome the stranger. The Greeks didn't always know who would come, but they made room nonetheless. The empty throne stood as a symbol of respect, openness, and readiness.

For modern Hellenic Polytheists, this symbolism carries real ethical weight. Xenia is not optional; it’s a central religious duty. Refugees, migrants, strangers, and newcomers deserve the same care once offered to unknown gods.

As a divine law protected by Zeus Xenios, xenia calls us to wait with hope, to receive with kindness, and to respond with generosity. The empty throne is a reminder that hospitality is a virtue, custom, and sacred practice in the religion of Hellenic Polytheism.

Hail the deathless gods; Hail Zeus Xenios

My 2min 20s video on this topic Instagram, TikTok, YouTube

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highlights from spring ceramics :) featuring Poseidon, Hera, and Zeus as a stormcloud 💕⛈️

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Kalokaíri 2025: Embracing Joy

"Kalokaíri is the celebration of the Summer Solstice in our Temple's tradition. The name of this festival is directly derived from the Greek καλοκαίρι, meaning 'Summer' or 'Summertime'. ...it is a festival of excitement, joy, and celebrating the longest day of the year as we start our journey back towards Cheimónas." - Temple Hyacinthus

To learn more about the Summer Solstice festival, occurring this year on 06/20/2025, check out our website: TempleHyacinthus.org/Solar-Festivals/Kalokairi

And if you're interested in learning more about this year's Kalokaíri theme "Embracing Joy" then keep an eye on our Tumblr, and/or our website's blog page: TempleHyacinthus.org/Blog

If you have any questions about this Solar Festival, or any of the events on our Temple Calendar, feel free to send us an ask!

Eirene - peace and farewell,

- Temple Hyacinthus

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Happy Pride Month !!! Happy Venus Day!!! Happy Friday the 13th!!!! 💕🖤✴️

The patron and protector of the dolls herself: Lady Aphrodite!

This was so so much fun to paint! I’m so glad I finished it today! I hope I did her justice!

Details!

Big fan of that tummy

I love her sm omgs

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I truly think that one of the best things you can do with your polytheistic practise is to stop listening to random people on the internet.

Don’t listen to the people who tell you that the gods don’t care about or love you. Don’t listen to the people who tell you an offering of water is not good enough. Don’t listen to the people who say it’s a requirement for show of devotion to have expensive items strewn across your altar. Don’t listen to people who tell you that you should have an altar even if you can’t. Don’t listen to people who suggest your disability makes you worthless to the gods because you can’t do what others can.

Try to find and make your own experiences with the gods, and look at what works for you and them. Please don’t let some random post on the internet stress you out and make you think you are doing something wrong (chances are, you’re not, especially if it’s absurd statements like the above).

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In this time of need I pray.

Lord Zeus of the foreigners, god of compassion & companionship, we call humbly to you in our time of grief.

We invoke your love for humans & their kinship, & your kindness to strangers.

Bring peace & sovereignty to Gaza, land of the olive trees, & the finest of fabrics.

Bring freedom to Palestine, land of dance, of music, of sweet fruit, long oppressed.

All-Mighty father, king of all kings, all is under your will, & all is within your grasp. We pray for the people of Palestine, & for an easement to their pain.

What’s more, Thunder-Bearer, father of Far-Shooting Apollo, king of Heaven,

I pray for the migrants, the people kept unjustly in the hands of ruthless tyrants, who disrespect your law. I pray too for their freedom, for their lives to be spared, for their safety in lands unfamiliar.

& so too, I pray for the care of their souls in Olympus’ hands, if they should pass. Let them feel no pain, let their martyrdom be answered swiftly, tenfold.

Thank you, good husband of Queen Hera, father of gods, justice-bringer.

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Digital space for Lady Demeter

Since it's summer, I decided to put all the season's specials on her space.

Oh Lady, how grateful I am for the bountiful fruits of summer. Khaire!!

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This is the best artistic rendition of Mother Hera I've ever come across. She's so beautiful I can barely move my eyes. So gentle and loving. Btw this is not my creation. The creator has their name in the corner and they're in devianart so all credits to them and a load of gratitude cuz this is very very accurate to how I see my Mother in my mind. I found this pic on Pinterest so yep. BUT MOTHER DO I LOVE YOU?!!!!! I could cry just by looking at this.

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My collage for Apollon Phoibos, the radiant and pure light that shines for us all. 💛

Το αφιέρωμά μου στον Απόλλωνα Φοίβο, το λαμπερό και αγνό φως που λάμπει για όλους μας. 💛

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decided to be creative and paint little coasters for each of my altars today

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I made this as a digital offering for Lady Aphrodite 🩷

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and when i go to sleep at night

begging the fates not to make me keep going,

asking the gods to have mercy on me,

praying to be left to rest

the sun will rise in the morning and remind me it’s okay

that i’ll get through this day, and the next

because they’re with me, they always have been

and my suffering won’t be forgotten but the pain will dull, eventually

and it’ll all be okay in the end