nio-does-thingss

[nio-does-thingss]

Non-Deity Practices!

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

The Gods are obviously the more talked about part of polytheist circles, but there are some other things that you can include in your practice. This is by no means a comprehensive list of everything you can do, or even the only definition of these things. Just some ideas for expanding your practice.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Ancestor Veneration

-Leave offerings for those who came before you! Pay your respects and ask for their wisdom. For my practice, I sometimes make a cup of coffee for my late grandmother! Something simple but meaningful to her.

Hero Worship

-This is more akin to veneration than worship for many people. It's similar to ancestor veneration but for individuals in history and mythology that are considered important to one's religious beliefs. (Kind of a fast and loose definition since there's a lot of variety in this type of worship).

Hospitality

-More up to interpretation, but some pagan religions put emphasis on being hospitable and also involved in your community. For me, this means volunteer work, helping my neighbors, and being welcoming in my home.

Local Flora and Fauna

-Research your home! Learn the animals, the weather, when the flowers bloom. Involve yourself with your natural world. This is especially useful if you want to base your calendar or offerings/Rituals around the seasons and such.

Local Spirits

-Deities get a lot of attention, but don't leave out the spirits of the land and your home. Leave out a bite of your snack or a glass of water. (If leaving stuff outside, make sure it won't hurt any animals that get into it).

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

[nio-does-thingss]

need to take a step back from worship because you’re too busy? it’s fine

need to take a step back from worship because you’re overwhelmed? it’s fine

need to take a step back from worship because you’re worried your parents might find out? it’s fine

need to take a step back from worship for your own physical health? it’s fine

need to take a step back from worship for your own mental and emotional wellbeing? it’s fine

need to take a step back from worship because you felt like you bit off more than you can chew? it’s fine

need to take a step back from worship because you feel a disconnect from the gods? it’s fine

need to take a step back from worship despite not having a reason for it? it’s fine

remember that no matter what. it’s fine

your deities love you. they always have, they always will.

prioritize yourself and your wellbeing.

go easy on yourself and be kind to yourself.

worship is not a race.

you’ll always be welcomed back with open arms, regardless.

[nio-does-thingss]

If you are collecting seashells, please remember to keep the shortage of shells for hermit crabs in mind!

It's a massive issue that the over-collection of seashells has led to. While efforts are being made to attempt to combat the problem, those of us who live near coasts and hermit crab populated areas can help our crabby friends by keeping our hands off the shells that hermit crabs use as homes!

You may be wondering, "Stag, what does this have to do with Hellenic Polytheism?" Many worshippers and devotees of ocean-related deities like to collect seashells and give them as offerings, so this is somewhat of a PSA to maybe think twice before picking up certain shells.

Hermit crab seashells can look like the following:

If you're dead set on collecting a seashell, please focus on flat ones. They're far less likely to be used as hermit crab homes. And as always, if you happen to see trash on beaches or in hermit crab populated areas, please throw it away, even if it isn't yours. You could be saving a crabby - or another animal - life!

[nio-does-thingss]

Herakleios 2025

The Month of March - Honoring Hermes

According to the Delphic Calendar as presented on Pytho.Notion - Herakleios (historically) is the month that most closely aligns with the month of May. However, due to The Temple's association with Lord Hermes as a harbinger of Anoixi (the spring equinox) the month of Herakleios is celebrated in March to better align our worship with this association.

Herakleios was originally named in honor of Herakleia, a festival honoring Herakles:

"The Herakleia is a festival celebrated in honor of Herakles.  Not much more is knopwn of it, but other Herakleia in the Greek world had a strong connection to Athletic events and the Gymnasia. Perhaps he was honoured here alongside other Gymnasia gods, such as Hermes. Delphi’s connection to Herakles is strong, from a mythological point of view."​ - Source: Pytho.Notion

Herakleios Holy Days

Herakleios 14: The Bamboo Moon

Herakleios 19: Asklepia

Herakleios 20: Anoxi & Theophania

Herakleios 29: Triakas Herakleios

Herkaleios 30: Noumenia Herakleios

At The Temple of Hyacinthus, has chosen to align our Ritual Months and Solar Festivals with the modern, Gregorian, calendar. While many Hellenic Polytheistic groups adhere to the ancient ways of a lunar month, we have chosen to modernize our calendar. Neither path is more "correct" than another - it is simply a natural variation of our diverse and multifaceted faith.

[nio-does-thingss]

Sleep is something that goes so underappreciated

Imagine how tiring life would be without any breaks or dreams to guide us?

Everything would be so overwhelming without rest, and I'm so thankful that we need it

Thank you, Lord Hypnos💙

[nio-does-thingss]

Listen. You ARE nature. You’re an entire ecosystem. Your flesh sculpted from the dirt. Your blood brewed from rain water. Thousands of creatures living inside of you, on your skin, who wouldn’t be alive without you just like you wouldn’t be either without them. You are born from the forest and the sea. Be kind to yourself.

[nio-does-thingss]

If you are a pagan devoted to a deity, please live.

Continue writing about them, please keep saying their names. Please keep worshiping them. If you can’t find the strength within yourself to live for yourself, please try to live for them.

I know it’s getting scary. I think it’s going to get scarier. But please, if nothing else. Live.

Thousands of years, hundreds of genocides and crusades and decimation of culture, and yet somehow my Lords still have followers. Somehow I’ve found them. Somehow these names still have meaning. Through all of us they still remain.

Despite the efforts of centuries of suppression and control, My Lord is still alive, because I am alive.

In our fringe little cults, even when we must whisper because we cannot scream.

and maybe one day we’ll be free to frolic in fields or dance in forests while we chant without fear.

but for now, just live. Please.

[nio-does-thingss]

Love seeing little pawprints. So fucking magical. There was a little guy here.

[nio-does-thingss]

Dandelions

[nio-does-thingss]

apollo is there when you hum to yourself to find comfort.

aphrodite is there when you choose to take a day for yourself.

[nio-does-thingss]

"...and everywhere, all of us have need of Zeus."

Aratus - Phaenomena

[nio-does-thingss]

"Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found.

I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay…

small acts of kindness and love."

Gandalf.

[nio-does-thingss]

[nio-does-thingss]

The full moon during a “blood moon” eclipse beside a statue of the ancient Greek goddess Hera in central Athens on July 27, 2018.

Image: Aris Messinis / AFP

** Visit my Links page for my other blogs & Facebook Pages

[nio-does-thingss]

casual pagan things

"oh wow we had exactly the perfect amount of vinegar for these pickles!"

"hurrayyy praise the vinegar gods!"

"wait who is the god of vinegar?? Dionysus??"

"hmm I don't think so because vinegar is AFTER alcohol. who covers fermentation?? is that a Hades thing??"

"hmm maybe.... ohh what about Demeter??"

"ok let's Google it....

".... apparently Jesus was fed vinegar during the crucifixion. not helpful. let me try GREEK god of vinegar"

"well the Jesus thing makes sense I guess"

"ok apparently Athena was also the goddess of oil.."

"oil, alright alright, getting closer,"

"AH- ok there's a god named Aristaeus who is the god of beekeeping, cheese making, olives, and shepherds. so it sounds like he'd probably be in charge of pickles, too!"

"excellent let's give some Kool-Aid to Aristaeus for helping us with the pickles"

[nio-does-thingss]

Do you think Hypnos relishes in cradling newborns, asleep more often than they are awake?

Do you think Morpheus smiles at lucid dreamers as they explore his realm, mesmerized and delighted by the beauty of it?

Do you think Hypnos runs a gentle hand through your hair as you nap away a headache?

Do you think Morpheus shapes a child's dream after their favorite bedtime story, just to bring them joy?

Do you think Hypnos holds you in his arms just a bit closer when someone tries to wake you but you still need more rest?

Do you think Morpheus watches encouragingly as you lay in bed in the morning, trying to remember what you dreamed about?

[nio-does-thingss]

girl's best friend