pyrphoros-library

[pyrphoros-library]

Vocab List: Dyssebia

Dyssebia is the daemon of impiety and unholiness, there are no recorded parents for Dyssebia but there is infact evidence from Aeschyulus of her daughter Hybris (The Daemon of insolence and violence).  Dyssebia has the direct opposite of Eusebia, Daemon of Piety and Holiness. These daemons serve to show the cause and effect of each of these actions (Dyssebia and Eusebia respectfully)

Practicing Hellenic Polytheism requires an understanding of Dyssebia and Eusebia and within that, requires knowledge of ritual format and why rituals are composed how they are. At first Eusebia will come from an active search for accurate knowledge, then as you advance to a novice, figuring out an interpretation as to why those rituals happen how they do, then as an advanced practitoner, using those ritual formats in your practice to continue Eusebia. There are things you will not always learn from straight reading, interpretation of ritual and religion are required to fully grasp Eusebia, and therefore avoid Dyssebia.

Written by @everything-about-the-ancients

Vocab list

Afterlife

Agos

Amplakia

Asebeia

Attic

Chthonic

Daemons

Dreams

Dyssebeia

Einalic, Oceanic

Enages

Epithets

Eudaimonia

Euphemia

Eusebeia

Festivals

Funerals and Mourning

Gates

Gnosis

Hagneia

Hagnos

Hamartia

Hearth

Hero

Hesiodic

Hierai Bibloi

Hieroi Logoi

Hieros Homeric

Hosios

Hubris

Hyperborea

Katharmos

Katharos

Kharis

Libation

Life Cycle Rituals

Lyma

Lyssa

Magic

Mantikē,

Manteis

Miaino

Miaros

Miasma

Moria

Mysaros

Mysos

Mystery Cults

Mythology

Nesoi

Nympholepsy, Nympholepts

Nymphs

Oaths

Olympus

Oracles

Orphic

Ouranic

Ourea

Palace

Panhellenism

Phasma

Phren,Phrenes

Potamoi

Prayer

Priests

Protection

Protogenoi

Reconstructionsim

Regionality

Restless Dead

Revivalism

Ritual

Rustic

Sacred Sacrifice and offerings sanctuaries,

Sophrosyne

SPG

Supplicants

Temples

Theoi

Titans

Underworld

UPG

Vows

VPG

Working

Worship

Xenia

[pyrphoros-library]

Historical Prayer to Zeus for Sea travel

Father Zeus, hold our wind fair and keep our comrades safe

for then, when we land you’ll have our thanks;

and keep the gusts and gales away,

dont hurl this new storm upon us as we fight the churning waves, 

but take though on our advance.

- Political fragments, 106. Archilochus

[pyrphoros-library]

Of all creatures that can think and feel, we women are treated the worst

Euripedies

[pyrphoros-library]

Oh it is easy for the one who stands outside the prison-wall of pain to exhort and teach the one who suffers

Aeschylus

[pyrphoros-library]

We men are wretched things

Homer

[pyrphoros-library]

Empty Words are Evil

Homer

[pyrphoros-library]

Vocab List: Daimon

Daemon, which is derived from the term Daimon (Ancient Greek: δαίμων ("god", "godlike", "power", "fate")), is a generic term for minor god, spirit or entity.  They were not considered good or evil as a whole, but rather, they had the same moral capacity as humans to be either good, evil, or morally ambiguous. Sometimes daimons are minor-gods or spirits, other times the term daimon can be used to describe a person that bears a personification or embodiment of a minor, major, or primordial deity. Daimons often acted as servants to the Theoi.

Daemons are split into seven broad categories such as:

Emotions and States of Mind(eg. Love, Hate, Sexual-desire, Affection, Anger and Laughter)

Human Conditions (eg. Birth, Death, Sleep, Fate, Disease and Poverty)

Qualities (eg. Strength, Beauty, Grace, Wisdom, Insolence)

Morality (eg. Valour, Modesty, Moderation, Oaths, Respect)

Voice (eg. Eloquence, Persuasion, Lies, Prayer, Counsel, Curse, Laments)

Actions (eg. Force, Rivalry, Violence, Labour, Contest, Murder)

State of Society (eg. Peace, War, Law, Justice, In-justice)

Many of these divinities were never attributed to mythology but instead were pure personifications up to personal interpretations. Only a handful recieved full characterisation such as Eris and Hypnus, and even fewer had cult status with minor altars, these consist of Eros, Nike and Nemesis.

Written by @everything-about-the-ancients

Vocab list

Afterlife

Agos

Amplakia

Asebeia

Attic

Chthonic

Daemons

Dreams

Dyssebeia

Einalic, Oceanic

Enages

Epithets

Eudaimonia

Euphemia

Eusebeia

Festivals

Funerals and Mourning

Gates

Gnosis

Hagneia

Hagnos

Hamartia

Hearth

Hero

Hesiodic

Hierai Bibloi

Hieroi Logoi

Hieros Homeric

Hosios

Hubris

Hyperborea

Katharmos

Katharos

Kharis

Libation

Life Cycle Rituals

Lyma

Lyssa

Magic

Mantikē,

Manteis

Miaino

Miaros

Miasma

Moria

Mysaros

Mysos

Mystery Cults

Mythology

Nesoi

Nympholepsy, Nympholepts

Nymphs

Oaths

Olympus

Oracles

Orphic

Ouranic

Ourea

Palace

Panhellenism

Phasma

Phren,Phrenes

Potamoi

Prayer

Priests

Protection

Protogenoi

Reconstructionsim

Regionality

Restless Dead

Revivalism

Ritual

Rustic

Sacred Sacrifice and offerings sanctuaries,

Sophrosyne

SPG

Supplicants

Temples

Theoi

Titans

Underworld

UPG

Vows

VPG

Working

Worship

Xenia

[pyrphoros-library]

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing

Socrates

[pyrphoros-library]

Team applications V.3

Welcome followers new and old! We are once again opening team applications as we are growing and more projects are becoming apparent.  So, what positions are available (Some positions overlap)?  Instagram - Posting Creator Note we are looking for 1 member for this team

Podcast - Script writer  - Researcher  Note we are looking for 2 members for this team

Research - Religious researcher  - Witchcraft researcher  - General Researcher  Note we are looking for 2+ members on this team. You will be asked to spend up to 4 hours a week on your topic.

TikTok - Host (Face of videos posted) - BTS (Host stand in and Video planner) Note we are looking for 2 members for this team. 

Tumblr - Post creator  - Post planner  - Researcher  Note we are looking or 1 member for this team.  Website - Researcher/Fact checker Note we are looking for 1 member for this team. More information can be provided upon request. Apply HERE!

[pyrphoros-library]

Vocab post: Cthonic

The word cthonic comes from the word “kthon” meaning earth or soil. Cthonic is a descriptive word for things relating to the underworld and is used mainly in context of Cthonic deities, cthonic rituals, cthonic cults, etc. It is often used as the antithesis of Ouranic but that is not entirely true.

Cthonic and Ouranic are not two sides of the same coins and do not cleanly differentiate types of deities and forms of worship but instead demonstrate a cultic spectrum. Cthonic not only refers to the underworld but that related to the earth and agriculture, deities such as: Persephone, Demeter, Hermes and even Zeus has got cthonic epithets.

Cthonic cult differs majorly from Ouranic cults from their sacrifices, rituals and prayer format. Cthonic sacrifices was defined as black or dark-skinned animals, and worshippers didn’t consume their sacrifices but instead offered in whole and burnt it and destroyed the offering. Sacrifices were performed in a pit in the ground or on a low altar in the direction to which cthonic deities reside. Incense was not used in cthonic worship due to the smoke rising to the sky rather than sticking to the ground. Honey was also preferable to wine in cthonic worship.

Historians argue as to if cthonic is a historically accurate term with some historians, like van Straten, arguing that there is no historical evidence for the term cthonic. Others say that the term is no longer useful as modern definitions have strayed from historical definitions.

Written by @sapphicsarrisae

Vocab list

Afterlife

Agos

Amplakia

Asebeia

Attic

Chthonic

Cosmogony

Cosmology

Cult

Daemons

Dreams

Dyssebeia

Einalic, Oceanic

Enages

Epithets

Eudaimonia

Euphemia

Eusebeia

Festivals

Funerals and Mourning

Gates

Gnosis

Hagneia

Hagnos

Hamartia

Hearth

Hero

Hesiodic

Hierai Bibloi

Hieroi Logoi

Hieros Homeric

Hosios

Hubris

Hyperborea

Katharmos

Katharos

Kharis

Libation

Life Cycle Rituals

Lyma

Lyssa

Magic

Mantikē,

Manteis

Miaino

Miaros

Miasma

Moria

Mysaros

Mysos

Mystery Cults

Mythology

Nesoi

Nympholepsy, Nympholepts

Nymphs

Oaths

Olympus

Oracles

Orphic

Ouranic

Ourea

Palace

Panhellenism

Phasma

Phren,Phrenes

Potamoi

Prayer

Priests

Protection

Protogenoi

Reconstructionsim

Regionality

Restless Dead

Revivalism

Ritual

Rustic

Sacred Sacrifice and offerings sanctuaries,

Sophrosyne

SPG

Supplicants

Temples

Theoi

Titans

Underworld

UPG

Vows

VPG

Working

Worship

Xenia

[pyrphoros-library]

Vocab Post: Asebeia

Asebeia (ἀσέβεια) was a criminal charge in ancient Greece for the "desecration and mockery of divine objects", for "irreverence towards the state gods" and disrespect towards parents and dead ancestors.

In Athens you could be tried for asebeia and it could be brought to the Archon Basileus (King Magistrate). Trials would be held publicly at the Heliaia were were split into two steps: Voting by the audience as to if the accused was guilty; if they were found guilty the audience would decide on a fair punishment. Known punishments varied from fines, exile, disfranchisement, and the most common outcome death.

There are few people we know who got tried for asebeia, those being:

Aeschylus (aquitted)

Anaxagoras (aquitted or exiled)

Aspasia (most likely aquitted)

Alcibiades (sentenced to death but fled)

Socrates (sentenced to death and excecuted in 399 BCE.)

Diagoras of Melos (fled death)

Aristotle (fled before trial)

Theophrastus

Phyrne (aquitted)

Diopeithes

Ninos

Demades (fined)

These individuals were accused of asebeia in later sources though and a lack of historical evidence ponders the question as to if these accounts were fabricated by later historians and writers.

Written by @sapphicsarrisae

Vocab list

Afterlife 

Agos 

Amplakia 

Asebeia 

Attic 

Chthonic 

Cosmogony 

Cosmology 

Cult

Daemons 

Dreams

Dyssebeia 

Einalic, Oceanic 

Enages 

Epithets 

Eudaimonia

Euphemia 

Eusebeia 

Festivals 

Funerals and Mourning 

Gates 

Gnosis 

Hagneia 

Hagnos 

Hamartia 

Hearth 

Hero 

Hesiodic 

Hierai Bibloi 

Hieroi Logoi 

Hieros Homeric 

Hosios 

Hubris 

Hyperborea 

Katharmos 

Katharos 

Kharis 

Libation 

Life Cycle Rituals 

Lyma 

Lyssa 

Magic 

Mantikē, 

Manteis 

Miaino 

Miaros 

Miasma 

Moria 

Mysaros 

Mysos 

Mystery Cults 

Mythology 

Nesoi 

Nympholepsy, Nympholepts

Nymphs 

Oaths 

Olympus 

Oracles 

Orphic 

Ouranic 

Ourea 

Palace 

Panhellenism 

Phasma 

Phren,Phrenes 

Potamoi 

Prayer 

Priests 

Protection 

Protogenoi

Reconstructionsim 

Regionality 

Restless Dead 

Revivalism 

Ritual 

Rustic 

Sacred Sacrifice and offerings sanctuaries, 

Sophrosyne

SPG 

Supplicants 

Temples 

Theoi 

Titans 

Underworld

UPG 

Vows 

VPG 

Working 

Worship 

Xenia

[pyrphoros-library]

Vocab Post: Amplaika

The definition of Amplaikia from “Inner Purity and Pollution” is ‘transgression’; ‘intentional error of the self ’

Amplaika is known as the mental capacity of a crime and the intention behind a crime, today in law this is known as the mens rea of a crime. Amplaika is the polluting mental element of a crime. Amplaikia was commonly associated with murder in ancient greece as well as divine retribution, so again we can view this as being the punishment for intending to commit a crime and the divine punishment that follows

written by @sapphicsarrisae

Vocab List

Afterlife

Agos

Amplakia

Anagnos

Asebeia

Ate

Attic

Chthonic

Cosmogony

Cosmology

Cult

Daemons

Dreams

Dyssebeia

Einalic, Oceanic

Enages

Epithets

Eudaimonia

Euphemia

Eusebeia

Festivals

Funerals and Mourning

Gates

Gnosis

Hagneia

Hagnos

hamartia

Hearth

Hero

Hesiodic

Hierai Bibloi

Hieroi Logoi

Hieros

Homeric

Hosios

Hosiotes

Hubris

Hyperborea

Katharmos

Katharos

Kharis

Libation

Life Cycle Rituals

Lyma

Lyssa

Magic

Mantikē, Manteis

Miaino Miaros

Miasma

Moria

Mysaros

Mysos

Mystery Cults

Mythology

Nesoi

Nympholepsy, Nympholepts

Nymphs

Oaths

Olympus

Oracles

Orphic

Ouranic

Ourea

Palace

Panhellenism

Phasma

Phren,Phrenes

Potamoi

Prayer

Priests

Protection

Protogenoi

Reconstructionsim

Regionality

Restless

Dead

Revivalism

Ritual

Rustic

Sacred Sacrifice and offerings sanctuaries,

Sophrosyne

SPG

Supplicants

Temples

Theoi

Titans

Underworld

UPG

Vows

VPG

Working

Worship

Xenia

[pyrphoros-library]

Vocab Post: Agos

Agos (ἄγος) is divine retribution following a crime. Agos is the divine guilt which remains after a crime has been committed. The guilt associated with Miasma. Over time the concept of Agos became the modern concept of sin. Agos is the concept of is used acts which can cause disgrace to a person or state. Agos always requires subsequent purification by a priest. Similar to Miasma, Agos is believed. Agos was and still is used to instil fear of dishonourable acts into people (modernly the concept of agos is perpetuated through the modern concept of sin, mainly in Christianity). Agos naturally the companion of Hubris and Aigos, both also linked to Ancient Greek Morals, and later, it was linked with Aristotles ideals of Metro (moderation).

Written by @sapphicsarrisae

Vocab list

Afterlife

Agos

Amplakia

Anagnos

Asebeia

Ate

Attic

Chthonic

Cosmogony

Cosmology

Cult

Daemons

Dreams

Dyssebeia 

Einalic, Oceanic 

Enages

Epithets

Eudaimonia

Euphemia

Eusebeia

Festivals

Funerals and Mourning

Gates

Gnosis

Hagneia

Hagnos

hamartia

Hearth

Hero

Hesiodic

Hierai Bibloi

Hieroi Logoi

Hieros

Homeric

Hosios

Hosiotes

Hubris

Hyperborea

Katharmos

Katharos

Kharis

Libation

Life Cycle Rituals

Lyma

Lyssa

Magic

Mantikē, Manteis

Miaino Miaros

Miasma

Moria

Mysaros

Mysos

Mystery Cults

Mythology

Nesoi

Nympholepsy, Nympholepts

Nymphs

Oaths

Olympus

Oracles

Orphic

Ouranic

Ourea

Palace

Panhellenism

Phasma

Phren,Phrenes

Potamoi

Prayer

Priests

Protection

Protogenoi

Reconstructionsim

Regionality

Restless

Dead

Revivalism

Ritual

Rustic

Sacred Sacrifice and offerings sanctuaries,

Sophrosyne

SPG

Supplicants

Temples

Theoi

Titans

Underworld

UPG

Vows

VPG

Working

Worship

Xenia

[pyrphoros-library]

Types of worship

There are 3 main types of worship styles when it comes to Paganism as a whole: Reconstruction, Revivalism, and NeoPaganism.  Reconstruction is pretty simple to explain and it is one of the more popular paths within HelPol. It is basically the worship of the gods from a historical standpoint, where the practioner tries to replicate Ancient Greek Religion as closely as possible.  This method is typically research heavy, a skill that is useful no matter the religion or practice, and relies on academia. This turns away those who are unable to dedicate the time to research for the coveted accuracy or are unable to access closely guarded research papers within academia. If research in general isn't your thing or you don't have the time/access then perhaps reconstructionism isn’t the way to go for you.  Revivalism in HelPol, not to be confused with the Christian revival practice,  brings back ancient practices and rituals in some way, shape, or form in a modern way. This is a practice that is based loosely around research (which is used to gain the necessary cultural understanding to the religion as well as base knowledge). Research in this method is much lighter although still an integral part of the practice. This method also brings in concepts which do not have historical basis and were formed in the modern day, such as the use of Khernips in rituals.  NeoPaganism, as I understand it, is a blend of both with a twist of heavy UPG [Unverified Personal Gnosis: personal experience and beliefs not backed by evidence that is not shared by other people. A later post will go into more detail!]. While research is important, so is personal experiences with the gods (not saying its unimportant in the other methods, its just emphasized more in neopaganism). Neopaganism due to it being classed as a Pagan religion also puts a focus on the earth and nature in its practice and most “pagan” religions have a form of NeoPaganism included.  No matter what path you choose to go down, don't be discouraged if it changes. We started as a reconstructionist and slowly moved more towards NeoPaganism as our mental health tanked. No matter what happens though, I can promise you the gods will understand. So... welcome to the community, lets walk on together. Citations Below!

https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/104577

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Paganism

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_religion

Walter Burkert, Greek Religion (1985)

Blogs for Reconstructionism:

Hellenic-Reconstructionism- Tumblr

The definitions that are given here are a general consensus seen within the community. If you have any corrections or sources to provide we will gladly accept them and add them to this post in the future! Also as a note: Wikipedia while a great resource for generalized information should be used as a jumping off point and not necessarily as a primary resource in practice. -Rose

[pyrphoros-library]

Vocab Post: Afterlife

The dictionary definition for Afterlife is: “Life after death”, it is a very broad and vague term that differs majorly between every religion and even each person. An afterlife is a place where the essential part of conscious of a person continues to live after the physical bodies death. There are two models of an afterlife: Reincarnation, and a Physical realm or realms.

In Ancient Greece, the underworld was called Hades (Ἅιδης) after its king, is ruled by Persephone, Goddess of spring and Hades, God of riches. Much from what we know about the underworld is from the Homer’s “Odyssey” or Vergilius’ “Aeneid” The Underworld is described to be cold and sunless, it was the place where the ancient Greeks believed that all souls regardless of what you did in your earthly life, will end up in the same place after death. The Underworld wasn’t a pleasant place, it was often described as joyless and a place where the dead fade into nothingness. The underworld is split into 5 sections: Elysium, Asphodel Fields, Fields of Mourning, Tartarus and the Isle of the Blessed.

Elysium

Usually those who had proximity to the gods were considered to reside in Elysium. most accepted to Elysium were Demigods or Heroes such as Achilles or Peleus but normal people who lived righteous and virtuous lives could also gain entrance such as Socrates. Cronus was said to rule over Elysium with Rhadamanthus.

The Isle of the Blessed

The Isle of Blessed was a subsection of Elysium, this was reserved for the most heroic and virtuous could get into here. To get here you must reincarnate 3 times, have lived an exceptionally virtuous life and achieve a place in Elysium each time. On your third reincarnation in which your life was exceptionally each time you gain access to the Isle of the Blessed. In Ancient Greek Religion through Elysium was the only place where you would be able to reincarnate back to earth again.

Asophodel Meadows/Fields

This is the place for ordinary mortals. Those who did not encounter many heroic feats to achieve Elysium, and those who did not amount masses of Miasma over their lifetime. It was where souls who belonged no where else where sent. Most people end up here.

Fields of Mourning

In the “Aeneid” the fields of the mourning are reserved for the souls of those “Whom ruthless love did waste away” They “Wander in paths unseen or in the gloom of dark myrtle grove: not even death have forgot their griefs of long ago” most of the mentioned inhabitants were women: Phaedra, Procris, Pasiphae, Evadne Laodamia and Dido.

Tartarus

Tartarus is “As far beneath Hades as heaven is above the earth” and “Is the deepest gulf beneath the earth, the gates whereof are of iron and the threshold of bronze”. Originally Tartarus was the holding cell for the Cyclopes’ and the Hecatoncheires. Eventually Tartarus began to torture humans such as Tantalus, Sisyphus and Tityos. To get here you must rebel against the divine order and amount masses of Miasma, so it is very unlikely you will end up in Tartarus. You will not end up her because you missed a day of offerings.

The Journey of the Soul

Upon death, you will be greeted by Hermes, as the only deity who can enter and leave the Underworld as he pleases. He will guide you to the edge of the Underworld, where Charon will be waiting with a ferry.  The ferry was rowed by Charon. His task is to bring souls to the underworld but only those who are able to pay for the ride were granted passage, the coins were places on their eyes or under the tongue when buried, if not being able to pay the soul would be stuck between the two worlds. After the boat ride, the souls entered the gates of the underworld which was guarded by the three headed dog Cerberus who allowed people to enter but not to leave. The souls later face three judges, Rhadamanthus, Minos and Aeacus who passed the sentence based on their previous life though most souls ended up in Asphodel meadows but some were singled out for special treatment.

Written by: @sapphicsarrisae

Vocab list

Afterlife 

Agos 

Amplakia 

Anagnos

Asebeia 

Ate 

Attic 

Chthonic 

Cosmogony 

Cosmology 

Cult 

Daemons 

Dreams 

Dyssebeia 

Einalic, Oceanic 

Enages 

Epithets 

Eudaimonia 

Euphemia 

Eusebeia 

Festivals 

Funerals and Mourning 

Gates 

Gnosis 

Hagneia 

Hagnos 

hamartia 

Hearth 

Hero 

Hesiodic 

Hierai Bibloi 

Hieroi Logoi 

Hieros 

Homeric 

Hosios 

Hosiotes 

Hubris 

Hyperborea 

Katharmos 

Katharos 

Kharis 

Libation 

Life Cycle Rituals 

Lyma 

Lyssa 

Magic 

Mantikē, Manteis 

Miaino Miaros 

Miasma 

Moria 

Mysaros 

Mysos 

Mystery Cults 

Mythology 

Nesoi 

Nympholepsy, Nympholepts 

Nymphs 

Oaths 

Olympus 

Oracles 

Orphic 

Ouranic 

Ourea 

Palace 

Panhellenism 

Phasma 

Phren,Phrenes 

Potamoi 

Prayer 

Priests 

Protection 

Protogenoi

Reconstructionsim 

Regionality 

Restless 

Dead 

Revivalism 

Ritual 

Rustic 

Sacred Sacrifice and offerings sanctuaries, 

Sophrosyne

SPG 

Supplicants 

Temples 

Theoi 

Titans 

Underworld 

UPG 

Vows 

VPG 

Working 

Worship 

Xenia

[pyrphoros-library]

This is such a great idea! If you don’t want to use mason jars you can use another type of air-tight container which is especially useful if you need a stackable solution instead of bulky jars taking up space!  -Rose

Fruit will last 3 weeks longer….

Why You Should Keep Fruit In Mason Jars Instead Of The Containers They Come In…….

When you get your fruit home from the grocery store, the first thing you should do is remove it from the plastic containers they’ve come in and recycle them. Next, clean out your sink and fill it with water (you could also use a large bowl). Then, toss in a few tablespoons of distilled vinegar. You’ll then want to submerge your fruit in the water and let it soak for about 10 to 15 minutes. The purpose of this is to get rid of any mold or bacteria on the fruit which is what causes them to go rotten more quickly.

Once the fruit has had a nice soak, remove it from the vinegar water, transfer to a strainer, and rinse with cool water. Leave the fruit out to dry on a tea towel or paper towel. Once dry, transfer the fruit to mason jars and seal up those lids. This is the best way to make your fruit last, particularly berries, which tend to be very prone to mold and bacteria buildup.

And that’s it! Incorporating these few extra steps into preparing and storing fruit can help you eliminate food waste, save money, and keep your fridge stocked with fresh produce for much longer.

[pyrphoros-library]

Research Research Research

It’s time to start researching a practice you want to delve into. But, you don’t know where to start. I find the problem usually starts at the base. Not know how to research to begin with. Here’s my personal guide to researching with paganism and witchcraft. 

You want to start with one deity - if you’re going the paganism route - make things simple for yourself.  1. Look up the basic myths of the deity. This can be done with a simple mythology book from the local library or bookstore. Sometimes myths can be readily available online, however, no matter what source you use the authors are likely to rewrite some portion of them to make the book or article unique. The accuracy of said source will most likely never be 100% so to save yourself the grey hairs and don’t stress about getting there.  That being said, myths will vary region to region as well as cross time periods. There is most likely more than one version of your myth. And any new version myth written about the gods after the practice is considered ‘dead’ or ‘ancient’ by historians is  NOT ACCURATE from an academic standpoint and instead is just a work of fiction. 

2. Look at the culture around that deity. Some deities like Hestia have a focus within more private aspects of life so they’re less likely to have many myths. This does not mean, however, that they were comparatively unimportant in the religion. It does mean that they were just more likely to be worshiped privately in which case you should look up family dynamics, layouts of homes that we know of, and other things that are similar to get an understanding of the spaces where private worship would occur. 

And with all research no matter what you do you want to CHECK WHAT YOU READ. As well as READ CRITICALLY. Now, why would you do this if you’re reading academic articles that have already been peer reviewed for you? Well, sometimes the material can be outdated, depending on when it was written, or it could contain some facts that are then speculated upon (meaning they’re guess is up for debate).  Because of that its always good to check what you read, look for patterns across authors. And try to vary the authors you read. 

Speaking of authors you should also be critical about who you read. For instance I had came across an article written by a sports coach with no educational or professional background about Lady Hestia. While the information was good the author was not. I kept the source because the information was correct. There is a time however, when you should throw out a work because of an authors background and that is if they are one of the following: 

1. Any person working within a closed practice without the connections being obvious that they have permission or was taught within said practice.  2. Any person but someone of the closed practice’s culture teaching about said closed practice.  I have personal red flags with authors and publishers across witchcraft books but within the Hellenic community I suggest you look at @hellenic-reconstructionism‘s posts about who to avoid as well as dog whistles.  There is also one more thing you should keep in mind when reading any source... Does it conflate Wicca (religion) with Witchcraft (practice)?  If so is the author Wiccan or are they not? If they are not that is a red flag as they are not one in the same. If they are Wiccan then its not a red flag because its common within the community to use them as the same. All this said, if you can’t tell or can’t be bothered to look, I say just read critically. Once again these are my personal opinions! If you have things to add on we would love to hear them! 

Keep an eye out for a follow-up post on how to vet resource! -Written by Rose -Edited by Sam