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Does Hellenism have a Holy Book? Or like a Bool with Rules,Customs,Offerings etc?? Kinda like a Bible :>

Hey there, sunshine! ☀️

Hellenic paganism doesn't have one single piece of holy scripture like Abrahamic religions do. Our texts are a little more scattered. We have the Homeric Hymns and the Orphic Hymns, each are a collection of hymns and prayers to the gods. There is also Hesiod's Theogony, an epic 1000+ line poem that details the genealogies of the gods, and also Hesiod's Works and Days, which is more on the subject of morality and farming, but includes good lessons on how to interact with the gods.

You can buy these online in the forms of physical books, but there should also be free pdf versions of them out there, as well as websites that have the entire collection of hymns written out.

As for a text that gives instructions regarding customs and offerings, there isn't one set, singular text that I know of. We learn from historical and archaeological research, from writings like those listed above, and from each other. There are modern books on Hellenic paganism and its practices written by scholars that you could look for. Some are expensive though, and if you do enough digging on the internet yourself, you should be able to come up with some information.

I could teach you a couple basics right now.

1. Be clean when praying

There is a line in Hesiod's Works and Days that reads, "Never pour a libation of sparkling wine to Zeus after dawn with unwashen hands, nor to others of the deathless gods."

This line refers to the custom of washing our hands before giving offerings or libations to the gods. There is a water we make, I think with burnt herbs in it, called khernips that is used to clean our hands. You don't have to use it though (I don't) and simply washing your hands normally works just as well. I believe it also symbolises being generally clean. Being ready for your day and in a good state when presenting yourself to the gods is important, I think.

2. How to pray

Here is a post I found about how to pray in Hellenic paganism. I found it very helpful and I've been pagan for years now, so I think it could help you. (Link)

Also a note, we have a version of "amen" that can be said at the end of prayers, if that sense of closing off makes prayer easier for you. I know it did for me. The word is "khaire", and as I understand it, it means "blessings" or "good wishes". You can say it to someone or to close a prayer.

EDIT: "Khaire" or "khairete" can be used. They both mean "hail" or "farewell" or "blessings". "Khaire" is to address one, and "khairete" is to address a group.

3. Ouranic and chthonic

Quick run down on ouranic and chthonic. Ouranic means celestial, and it is how we refer to gods who live on the surface and in Olympus. These include Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Aphrodite, etc. Chthonic means underground, and it is used to refer to gods who live in the Underworld. These are Hades, Persephone (half the year at least), and Thanatos.

In Ancient times, offerings to ouranic deities were either libations poured to them in a bowl or cup or the smoke of burning food. It is believed that the essence of the food would be carried up to the gods through the smoke. Looking at this in modern day, incense smoke is an excellent offering and we can leave food offerings and libations out on the altar along with a lit candle.

Offerings to chthonic deities usually went in the ground, so that it may be absorbed through the earth and reach the gods in the Underworld that way. Usually libations were poured out on the ground and food offerings buried in a dug hole. If you have a garden or pot plants and your offerings are safe for them then the practice can be replicated that way. I've also seen people use boxes on the altar, putting offerings inside and closing it, symbolising burying it.

Or you can simply treat chthonic deities the same as ouranic deities when giving offerings. Whatever works best for you, but this is what was done traditionally.

4. Read the myths

Read the myths of the gods you wish to worship. You learn a lot and can come to your own conclusions about your worship by learning about their stories and roles in society.

This may all seem like a lot now, and not having one singular piece of decisive scripture can be challenging if you're used to having one, but it does get easier. You'll settle and find your feet. Knowing these things will become second nature, and you will build your own practice based on them. No one's worship looks the same, especially with paganism, and that's as it should be.

Thank you so much for asking, sunshine! So sorry for the long response, but I figured I'd rather leave you with some starting points and things to investigate. Please feel free to send another ask or dm me in future if you have any more questions.

Khaire! ☀️

[opaldisaster]

The Structure of a Pagan Prayer

When appealing to a deity or making an offering, it’s wise to know how this was traditionally done in the past so you can be as respectful as possible and build a true reciprocity with the gods. This type of prayer structure is found in all manner of pagan religions from Norse paganism, Hellenic (Greek) polytheism, Kemetic (Egyptian) prayer and so on. I got the inspiration and much of the information here from @Ocean Keltoi on Youtube who is a fantastic scholar and Norse heathen who actively stands against prejudice and is all around a wonderful resource. 

Now, there are three main elements of a pagan prayer, which should be done in this order:

1. The Invocation. This is where you call upon the specific god you’re hoping to connect with. Think of it as writing the name and address on your letter to the Gods - it lets the deity know that this prayer is directed at them, which is important in a polytheistic religion with many gods. To start your invocation, address the deity directly by name, or use an epithet or kenning that they're known by. It's especially wise to choose an epithet that relates to what you're praying for, like using one of Apollo's healer epithets while addressing him in a prayer about a loved one's sickness,  for instance. It’s also a good idea to praise them highly and with a certain air of reverence. These are ancient deities after all. 

2. The Argument. Here you give your reasons for why a deity should fulfill your request and favor you. If you’ve brought offerings, cite them here. You can also include reasons for why you’re reaching out, such as love in a prayer for Aphrodite or matters of justice with the god Tyr. This is where you make your case to them. And if you’re reaching out to a deity you don’t have a working relationship with, which let’s be honest will be the case many more times than we’d like, then you can tell them this here also. A good example might be “Oh Tyr, one-handed war god and son of Odin, though we have not met before I have heard your name and been called to it…”

3. The Request. Finally you ask the gods to look kindly on your request and to grant you their blessing. Again, be as respectful and reverent as possible towards them. 

Prayer Example: “Grey-eyed Athena, daughter of thundering Zeus, if ever I have poured out sweet wine for you, look kindly on me and grant me your wisdom.”

How to stand when making the prayer

This depends on which God you’re reaching out to and, of course, your own personal comfort. The most common ways of praying are to stand and perform some gesture of reverence, kneel while praying and even prostrate, kneeling fully on the ground with your head down as you appeal to the gods. Some might also choose to wear veils when performing prayers or rituals for deities, though this is naturally up to the individual. 

In Hellenic tradition, if you’re praying to an Ouranic god (deities of the heavens) you would traditionally wear your hair up and stand with your arms raised to the heavens while reciting your prayer. Meanwhile, if you are praying to a Chthonic god (deities of the underworld), you would kneel and face downwards towards the Earth with your hair flowing freely. 

Some Norse sources tell of ancient pagans prostrating before the gods, and yet this is still not entirely necessary. Pray however you see fit and what is most comfortable for you at the moment. 

^ This is what prostrating looks like

Sources:

Ocean Keltoi's video on pagan prayers

Hearth and Fire Work's blog post on Hellenic prayer structure

[opaldisaster]

Venus inspired photoshoot!!

[opaldisaster]

It's a lot healthier to go for a daily walk than to sign up for a gym membership you won't be using because you hate that kind of exercise. It's a lot healthier to eat a frozen meal than to skip a meal because you were too tired to cook something healthy. It's a lot healthier to take a quick shower than to procrastinate an elaborate routine for days. Don't aim so high that you won't be hitting anything!

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🌊I will sing of stately Aphrodite, golden-crowned and beautiful,

Whose dominion is the walled cities of all sea-set Cyprus.

There the moist breath of the western wind wafted her over the waves of the loud-moaning sea in soft foam….

🦢Muse, tell me the deeds of golden Aphrodite Cyprian,

Who sits up sweet passion in the gods and subdues the tribes of mortal men and birds that fly in the air

And all the many creatures that the dry land rears, and all that the sea: all these love the deeds of rich-crowned Cytherea

🌹(Homeric hymn 5 & 6 to Aphrodite)

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Dearest Poseidon

You are strong, lovely, and fierce.

Your love rings true through the hills and across the seas.

Your trident, a weapon of strength, rains down upon the mighty waves as they crest the ridge.

Your shield, a shrine of hope, covers your children as they hurry into your embrace.

With all of your strength, please protect me and my family as we sleep tonight.

Cover us in a blanket of your love and nestle us into a deep slumber.

Fight away the demons or evil spirits that try to drive us into sleep paralysis.

Shield us with your shield, and fight for us with your trident.

For you are powerful and fearful as the seas themselves.

We praise you for the rest of our days.

Thank you for your protection in advance.

Thank you for loving and finding me.

Continue to lead me gently through the turmoil.

We praise you for the rest of our days.

For you are the power, the love, the fierce, forever and ever.

You are my rock.

So shall it be. Amen.

A Prayer to Poseidon

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Deity Diaries #2 11/13/23 8:17 pm

I did this tarot spread with Aphrodite this past Sunday. It was so nice to sit down with her. I approached her altar, lit her candles, refreshed her libations. I gave her a hard apple cider offering that I've been thinking about giving her since Autumn Equinox (adhd ammirite?). I got a lot of clarity and a few questionable pulls I'll dig into deeper (I'm still learning tarot.)

I've felt so much closer to her closer to her in just the last few days. I've seen so much of her in the world and in myself. It's just been a really good week and I want to share!

Gonna stay updated on the job I prayed for (just interviewed today and should hear back in a few days).

[opaldisaster]

Things I want for myself

-drinking buddies

-a very specific orange skirt (in my size)

-a laptop that won't break in under 5 years

-an inexpensive psychedelic trip

-more friends

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I have questions but also feel like I know everything I ever need to know about everything ever.

Remember, you can always get a new dildo as an offering for Dionysus. He'll love it, and it's historically accurate.

Follow me for more religion tips.

[opaldisaster]

How to pray to the chthonic gods 🪦 🌒

Position

When praying to underworld deities, we should direct our prayers downwards. An example of this is seen in the ninth scroll of the Iliad when Althaea prays to Haides and dread Persephone by kneeling and beating her hands on the ground. Whereas women wore their hair up or covered for ouranic rituals, they wore their hair down in chthonic rituals. The prayer should be murmured.

Offerings

Chthonic Theoi received special nighttime offerings of black animals, unmixed wine and special libations of milk and honey. Animal sacrifice was always done in a holókaustos--a sacrifice where the entire animal was burned and none of the meat was saved for human consumptions.

Homer in the Odyssey writes Circe advising Odysseus how to perform a libation to the dead:

"Draw near then, as I bid you, hero, and dig a trench two feet square, then pour a libation all around to the dead, first of milk and honey, then of sweet wine, thirdly of water, sprinkled with white barley meal."

Prayer format

The format is the same as when praying to any other theoi: Invoke the god, introduce yourself, make an argument as to why they should listen to you, and make a request .

Who are the underworld deities?

- Haides, King of the underworld

- Persephone, Queen of the underworld

- Hecate, Goddess of magic

- Thanatos, God of death

- Hermes Athanatus Diactorus, the chtonic aspect of Hermes in which he guides souls to the underworld

- Nyx, primordial Goddess of the night

- Hypnos, God of sleep

- Charon, ferryman of the dead

- Cerberus, guardian of the underworld

- The Furies, goddesses of vengeance and retribution

Sources:

- ‘Greek Religion’ by Walter Burkert (1985)

- Baring the Aegis blogspot

- Hellenic Faith blog

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Deity Diaries

11/11/23 8:27 p.m.

It's been maybe a month or two since I made the switch form worshipping Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, and Hermes to just worshipping Aphrodite and I wish I'd written down when that was exactly. I want to keep track of these things more, especially since I have time blindness. (This legit could have happened two weeks ago idk.) But here we are.

So, I reconfigured my altar. Stripped it down, threw out the food offerings, put away the rest, said goodbye to all other deities, gave them the run down of what was happening, reminded myself that this is only temporary. I wrote Athena a heartfelt letter as she was my main deity and really my introduction into the Greek pantheon all the way back in 6th grade World History class. I cried a bit but was really excited to start this new chapter and really focus my practice so I had enough energy for everyone. I just want to be the best worshipper I can, eventually becoming a devotee.

Well, a few weeks later, turns out I still barely have enough energy for one deity. My memory is shit so I have to go back and reread and recheck everything before I do it. All of my sources are online which I didn't think threw before I "quit" social media. Turns out it's hard to cut down on screen time when your screens have all your information on it.

Between my multiple colds and TikTok withdrawals, (world's cringiest and embarrassing phrase) I haven't done much besides assemble 75% of my altar and stare at the other 25% then ignore it. As I'm writing this I'm only just now realizing that I didn't plan ahead very well, kinda setting myself up for failure. If I had laid out everything I needed to do on paper before getting started, I wouldn't feel like such a failure. I wouldn't be floundering so much.

Since I can't afford a ton of books, (and my booklist is all stored in my TikTok favorites, ugh) I have to spend hours hand writing and/or printing the resources out, organize them, and make them cute (Aphrodite worshipper, duh). All before I even make a formal offering. Ugh this is so exhausting. I'm losing touch with the joy and excitement of research and learning and practicing this faith and craft.

In my own defense, I've been stuck in the same loop for months because I keep losing the list of prayers, spells, and hymns I've compiled over the last 3 years. Either from lack of organization, online sources getting deleted, having too many servers, or being slowed down from not being able to find anything quick enough for my ADHD brain.

It's been super discouraging, tbh. I can't even think of a single spell or prayer to say over my coffee in the morning, the same coffee I've drank for 2 years? And all the research I've done on Aphrodite specifically escapes me the moment I stand in front of her altar? That took me weeks to set up because I couldn't remember if there is any specific ritual done before setting up a new altar? Just talking about this makes me wanna take a nap.

I'm not giving up, though, just frustrated. I know there's a lesson in all this, I just have to be willing to learn it. A well-organized grimoire is a must for me, especially since I have decided not to buy books or return to the hellish rabbit hole that is social media. I have to keep reminding myself:

You're not lazy, you're just unprepared.

You're not lazy, you're just unprepared.

You're not lazy, you're just unprepared.

I'm not lazy, I'm just unprepared.

[opaldisaster]

Everyday Magic - Entry #6

MASTERPOST <- click here for the other entries

Everyday Magic, morning routine edition! Let's go over some things I did this morning as part of my not so consistent but witchy nonetheless morning routine.

Woke up and brushed my teeth + washed my face for cleansing

I didn't do this but I can recommend it: moisturizer on your face and body in the design of sigils

Lit my deity candles and said good morning to them

Sat down with them for a little with crystals and meditated

Wrote 25 things I'm grateful for in my manifestation journal

Changed the water in my deities' offering cups

Brewed some lavender black tea and drank it

Sprayed my veil with Hekate mist to promote clarity, decision making and to embody some Hekate vibes

Wore my veil as an act of devotion and for energy protection

Shook my lavender oil that is infusing

Picked a piece of witchy jewelry for the day (I chose my pentacle pendant for protection! Maybe I'll do a post on my jewelry)

Anointed myself with protection oil

What are some things you do as part of a witchy morning routine?

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Yo I’ve got another spell. For anyone who has trouble with energizing in the morning, hope this helps :3

Forewarning, this is just my personalized spell that I created as an amateur witch, not a cure by any means. I can’t guarantee anything.

Energizing Spell (morning)

Sit in front of your altar, if you have one, and meditate until all is clear (abt 5 minutes if you want a measurement).

Hold [crystal] near [chakra] (horoscope might help if your having trouble deciding).

Put on daily lotions, oils, etc.

“Thank [season] for this energizing morning. Let vulnerability manifest in one’s favor and call upon sensitivity. Let this path give one the strength to continue and vine. Let one’s system be a cycle and disperse the dense. Let it rain for one’s poise. So mote it be.”

[opaldisaster]

My Religious and Witchcraft Routine

With classes and everything going on it is hard to make and keep a routine. I also have very bad abilities to keep a routine although I am trying. If you have any ideas to add to my routine please let me know.

My religious routines

I try to tell the Goddesses I worship good morning when I wake up.

When I get my coffee in the morning I try to fix them a libation of tea or coffee.

I try to pray and talk to them in this time aswell.

I'm trying to start meditating daily. Meditation is hard to do because I have focus issues. If you have ways to focus when meditating please tell me.

This is about where I'm at with my daily religious routine. I study regularly to learn more I'm trying to learn more about the attic calender and work it into my life. But it is quite overwhelming so I'm working it in slowly.

My witchcraft routine.

When I shower in the morning I am cleansing my self physically and spiritually.

I try to match my clothes to what I want to get out of my day (ex: black protection, red:strength/passion, ect)

When I make my coffee i add spices to bring in what I want for the day (ex: cinnamon:love)

I'm trying to start walking outside to feel closer with nature and earth.

When I clean my room I use this time to cleanse

I'm trying to make this my routine. I do skip sometimes because I just don't have the energy but I try to do it daily.

*You do not have to have a daily practice. A routine can be beneficial but not everyone has the energy or ability to have one.*

♡Have a Great day!♡

[opaldisaster]

Many people have asked for all-age-appropriate bedtime invocations in the pagan witch sense. Add to your Book of Shadows in the Invocation section - although it is a prayer - in Wicca we call it an #invocation

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Easy witchy morning routine

Quick tarot card pull for guidance

A short meditation session

Carry crystals that suit your intentions

Add some drinkable moon water to beverages or food

Stretch in the morning to center yourself

[opaldisaster]

Please reblog for a bigger sample size.