#libations

[thathellenicpolytheist]

i don’t always get to do bigger acts of worship like this because of my disability but the days i can always feel especially joyful to me

[hyakinthou-naos]

HelPol Discourse & Ableism

A more nuanced addition to this post - which I made on a low spoons day (if you're just interested in the ableism part then scroll to the bottom).

The Dunning-Kruger Effect

“The Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people with limited competence in a particular domain overestimate their abilities”

- Wikipedia

The Duning-Kruger Effect was first pointed out to me by another pagan practitioner - and in that context it was used to describe those who claim to know what is “right” or “wrong” for all practitioners within a given tradition.

This fellow practitioner (I can’t remember their name - this was at least 2 years ago) pointed out that those who are incredibly knowledgeable about a given tradition don’t tend to go around policing others practices.

Why?

Because being knowledgeable about any religious or spiritual tradition means recognizing how incredibly human made traditions are. They are loose - flexible - ever changing and ever evolving within both individual and community practice.

Now - that doesn’t mean “anything goes” within a tradition or religion, quite the opposite.

It instead means that the best way to create a cohesive tradition (or revive a cohesive tradition) is through working together as a community to discuss what is and isn’t valid praxis.

One individual (or a small group of individuals) speaking on behalf of an entire community is very rarely a good idea.

Bold “unpopular opinion” posts - telling others what is and isn’t valid praxis - is not only incredibly hubristic, but is also only going to lead to anger and infighting.

It is through conversation that we can get to the root of an issue and try to find consensus as a community.

As an example: I could make a post explaining my interpretation of, and feelings around, people worshipping Medusa. I could explain that I have negative feelings because this type of worship was not seen in antiquity. But then I could also make it clear that this is just my opinion - and that I’d be interested in hearing others points of view*

*some of those caught up in this controversy have done this, and have wrongly been demonized for it - while others have done the exact opposite, stating their opinion as law.

If someone makes a post similar to the example and you’re still going to be antagonistic or cruel - then just block that person. You’re going to save both them and yourself a lot of needless stress.

If someone makes a post that is actively inflammatory - you can do one of two things:

1. If you have the energy and bandwidth, you can engage with them in a discussion or civil debate.

2. If you don’t have the energy or bandwidth, or if OP is unwillingly to engage you in such talks, then just block them. Again - it will save you a lot of needless stress.

Lastly - we as Hellenic Polytheists need to be better about our ableism.

If there is something in our faith that is ableist (example: you must always stand with arms outstretched during ritual) then it shouldn’t be part of our faith.

Just because some people do not have any limitations on their physical mobility or mental energy - does not mean that the able-bodied way of doing things gets to be the default or “correct” way of practicing our faith.

I want to make a longer post on the ableism that is rampant in both the HelPol and wider Pagan communities - but for now I think that will suffice.

Askbox is open, as are DMs - The Temple is always open to community building, community discussion, and (civil) community debate.

Eirene - peace and farewell,

- Temple Hyacinthus

[athenaeum-of-the-herald]

Libations

As a Hellenic polytheist, one of our most important duties to our gods would be to give libations. Libations are liquid offerings to our gods, not only in recognition of them and their importance but as an invitation into our lives for them.

When it comes to giving libations, it can be difficult for those of us practicing and worshipping in secret. So in this post I'll go over typical libations and how they're given, and then some methods I believe would be helpful for those that can't give openly! Please keep in mind that the suggested methods (for those practicing in secret) come from someone who is still navigating and learning her own religion. As always, do your own research where needed and do methods that make you most comfortable in your practices.

Typical Libations

Wine (typically red)

Symbolic of the divine ether, and Zeus's influence on the soul. Additionally, dark red wine represents the blood of Dionysus/Zagreus. We drink his blood as reflectance for his sacrifice by the titans and the eating of his flesh. It represents his metamorphosis, and in turn, our own cycle of birth.

Milk

Representative of Hera and Ira, whose breast milk formed the galaxies and cosmos. Milk also represents the earth.

Honey

Honey is golden which is incredibly symbolic of the gods, particularly their ichor (the blood of the gods). Honey is also a powerful preservative representing the immortality of the gods.

Fine oil (typically olive)

Oil historically symbolizes life, prosperity, and the divine spirit.

Milk and honey together are also a considerable libations but is particularly good for death related gods and the honoring of the dead. Milk and honey libations for them should NOT be consumed.

Giving Libations

To give libations, you would first pick up the offering bowl full of whatever you are giving with your right hand, then hold it with both and recite a dedication. The dedication itself is up to you but the example I saw is as follows:

"We dedicate this libation to khrismôdós Apóllôn and aithǽrios Diónysos and to all the happy, deathless Gods!"

Libations can be made to a singular god or multiple at once. Just ensure you have enough for them equally. Dedications can also be to a singular god or you can name the ones you are dedicating to.

Once you've made your dedication, you'll transfer the bowl to your left hand and pour your offering on the ground or into whatever reservoir you have dedicated to it on your altar. This is your libation, and the offering now belongs to them. Once you've made your libations, you may sip from the remaining contents of the bowl as communion. Before doing so, you may recite a prayer. Here is an example:

"We drink the blood of Diónysos! May the Aithír of Zefs intoxicate our souls and transform us!"

Please be aware that you should NOT drink libations to the dead or to death gods.

When sipping from the remainder of your libations, do NOT sip from the part where you poured. You should drink from the opposite end of the bowl.

Libations in Secret

When you're practicing in secret, this method of libations can be incredibly difficult. So with that, here are a few ways that I think could be helpful!

Can't access or drink wine/milk/honey? Substitute them for water or better yet, flavored juices!

Pomegranate juice can make a good libation for Underworld gods and goddesses, apple juice would be good for Zeus, etc. Research your deity's associations and try working with them. Water is also life-giving and integral to life.

Can't pour your libations outside or in a dedicated offering bowl? Use cups!

Pour your libations directly from the bottle to a cup and sit it on a shelf or desk or wherever you've dedicated to your god. You can recite your prayers and dedications in your head as well.

Worried about wasting drinks? Offer a smaller amount!

Typically what you give should be more than you keep, but your gods understand your struggles and would be understanding of your intentions. Offer a small amount of your drink, honey, etc and inform them of your reasonings and intentions. Your gods love you, they'll be happy with your efforts regardless.

Can't do your libations during the day? Do them at night!

Give your libations while everyone is asleep. You can even hide it under your bed or behind something to keep it for the time you want. (Please be careful of doing this with honey and be mindful of possible insects, pets, pests, spills, etc)

A minor? Do your libations at school!

You can do your libations while at school by making them during a PE class, during lunch, or any period of time where you can take a moment to do so! (I'm not condoning using your bathroom breaks to sneak off and do them, I'm just saying you definitely could do that)

Regardless of how you do your libations and with what, your practice is your own as is your relationship with your god(s). Do what feels right for you ♡

[meadowtwins]

Libations Info sheet:

A libation is pouring out a liquid as offerings to the gods. Typically poured into soil or cracks on the ground. Mainly Chthonic Gods get libations as offerings. Chthonic gods are gods associated with the underworld, fertility and earth. Even an Olympic god, which would be the opposite of a Chthonic god, can be classified as one. An example of this would be Dionysus, as he's connected with fertility. The pouring liquid into the earth is symbolic as pouring liquid "directly to the gods", therefore only Chthonic gods.

The liquid can be wine, water, oil, milk or honeyed milk. A god might have a more specific connection to one of those liquid and therefore prefers one. The liquid would usually be served in a chalice (out of any Material) or if not anything else available, just a cup or glass will do. Additionally to any libations would a simple offering prayer be said.

In ancient greece tradition was for libations to happen 2-5 times a day. In the morning, at night and to each meal. These were shared offerings between deity and worshipper. Half of it would be poured into earth while the other would be consumed by the worshipper.

All of these traditions aren't necessary of course as these are modern times. The gods won't be dissapointed or angry with you for not following eon old traditions. But it is a nice sentiment.

Hopefully this post clears the questions someone might have about this act, if anything is unclear, again, just ask.

Happy witching! 🍇🌾

[toyastales]

Cranberry Cobbler Punch - warming bourbon, orange liquor, bitters, fresh citrus, and bubbly champagne. All your guests will love this punch!

[boymanmaletheshequel]

I’m a hellenist, of course I offer a slice of my Olive Garden breadsticks to each of my gods as libation! 🥖

[hellenic-cowboy]

This may be UPG, but I feel like when we do libations, especially especially if you’re not able to do them properly (i.e. in a religious household, don’t have the right beverages) then using your favorite drink works just as well.

And now here’s why I’m saying this: I drink a LOT of cherry pepsi okay, like a LOT. And to me, the effort of offering up your favorite something has just as much meaning as say a fresh cup of coffee for Hermes or Thanatos, or a glass of wine for Lord Dionysos. It’s, in my eyes, saying, “hey, this is my favorite, and I want to share it with you”

[hestiashearthfire]

Morning devotions.

[four41north]

[alatismeni-theitsa]

I was resreachimg abt sacrifices in ancient greece (not because im a hellenic polytheist, I just think its interesting to read abt) and I saw Hestia recieves the first and last sacrifices. I tried to research more about the specifics of it (like when you perform a libation, do you just say that ur libating to Hestia, then pray to the god you were supposed to pray to, then Hestia again?) I do have a friend who is a polytheist tho, and they are interested in knowing more about how to do this. I even saw that this apparently caused the saying “to begin from Hestia” which is cool :P

Hestia is an OP because our house (our oikos) is where everything starts, and the basis of our society. It's not a well-known fact among Greeks (we don't need it anymore xD) but it's one of the cool things to learn about what our ancients appreciated!

[lailoken]

A very spicy libation for a very spicy spirit.

[thathellenicpolytheist]

what are some of your favourite ways to do offerings?

• simply making libations with water!

• olive oil!

• olives themselves!

• homemade bread!

• honeyed milk!

• when i have the money to do so wine libations!

• homemade honey cakes!

• apples with honey is another one i love!

• homemade oat cakes

• poems i wrote!

• art i have made

• crafts

• INCENSE!!!! INCENSE IS GOATED!!!! historically nice smells were a huge part of offerings. for this same reason i do incorporate simmer pots into my practice sometimes when i am low on incense for my burner because boiling the fruits and spices in water lets of nice smells and the steam and smell from it can then act in a similar vain to essential oils or burning incense.

these are just a few that i personally like in my practice!

[aaronofithaca05]

AND WHAT IF I'M THE MONSTER?

Lurking deep belowww....

This was me yesterday singing from the top of my lungs!!!! hahaha

I´M SO EXCITED!!!!!!

APRIL 26TH, LET´S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO(⊙_⊙;)

UNDERWORLD SAGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wisdom-devotee]

how do you give libations? is it okay if its only water cause i cant give wine etc. also how long does it have to stay on the altar after you put it there? can you like pur it in a glass and then just drink it but dedicating it to a deity? also how do you dedicate a libation to a deity do u say it out loud orrr

It’s okay if it’s just water — water, milk, wine, and honey I believe were all historical libations. You can use any liquid really

It can stay on your altar as long as you like just don’t let it spoil. And yes, you can drink it yourself if the deity is ouranic (Not of the underworld). I only ever drink libations because leaving out liquids and food makes me feel icky

And yes you say it out loud!

[nosyphythia]

Sacrifice, libation and procession

A brief explanation of animal sacrifices, libations and processions.

Neleus' city. There, on the sea shore, the men sacrificed black bulls to the bluish-curled PoseidonNine were the number of benches, five hundred sat on each; each of these gave nine bulls. They now tasted all the entrails, and burnt the loins of the god. Homer, Odyssey, 3rd canto

Before I continue with the text, I would like to ask you not to sacrifice any living creatures!

In one of my courses at university we discussed the subject of animal sacrifice and the exact procedure. I would like to explain this and other rituals to you in this short article.

First, I would like to explain the procession (pompé). It consists of several people (priests, musicians, citizens) who go to the altar of the temple where they want to make the sacrifice. This could take place within a town or between towns. Intermediate stops are planned at several places of worship, such as forests, springs or cult areas. They take place annually or after major festivals (e.g. olympic games, victorious wars, etc.). They can also take place more frequently in smaller versions.

First of all, a suitable animal must be chosen for the deity to be worshipped. Examples of which animals can be sacrificed to which gods can be found in sacrificial calendars. Traditionally, male animals are sacrificed to gods and female animals to goddesses, often especially white ones. Once the perfect animal has been found, it is decorated with flowers or golden chains and horns. It is then led in procession to the altar in front of the temple. The priest performing the sacrifice washes his hands before throwing the barley and cutting off a lock of the animal's hair. Prayers are then said. The animal is then killed and butchered. Again, the order is important. First the legs are cut out, wrapped in double-folded lard and the raw meat (legs and tail) is placed on top. This is then burned on the altar and sprinkled with wine. The rest of the meat is skewered and eaten by those present.

Preparation (praying, finding the sacrificial animal) & purification (pre-kill)

Killing, slaughtering, sacrificial skewers (grilling) & burning of the sacrificial hair/fur (kill)

Libation, feast, drinking party & consecration/consecration gift (post-kill)

There is also a special variant of animal sacrifice; the slaughter sacrifice (sphagia). Here the sacrificial animal is not burned and the blood of the animal plays the most important role.

Another type of sacrifice is the libation. After the procession to the altar and purification, the deity is sacrificed by pouring out liquids. The liquids used were wine, honey (often mixed with milk or water), water, milk and (olive) oil. At the end, prayers are said. However, a distinction must be made between Choen-Libations and Sponde-Libations in this ritual. Choen describes the libation in its function as an offering for the dead. Sponde is a sacrifice to please the gods or to ward off epidemics, performed before symposia and journeys.

According to the religious explanation, the tradition of the sacrifice originates from the sacrificial betrayal of Prometheus. The reason for the sacrifice was an agreement between man and the gods. Prometheus wanted to sacrifice an ox for the gods, but with the ulterior motive of deceiving them. He divided the sacrifice into meat and fatty entrails, which he hid in the animal's skin. The other part consisted of beautifully carved animal bones, which he covered with the animal's fat. He then gave Zeus the choice as to which part of the sacrifice should be reserved for the gods. Zeus, however, saw through the ruse and removed the fat from the bones. But it was too late to choose the other part. Since then, people have been expected to sacrifice bones to the gods on their altars. Zeus then punishes mankind by taking away their fire, which Prometheus steals back, but in return he is bound to the Caucasus, where an eagle eats the liver out of his body every day, until Heracles finally frees him.

(I am still working on my Overview of the ancient greek religion, it is maybe getting a little long)

[mint-in-the-moonlight]

I used to think about offerings as making a sacrifice for the gods, i.e., giving something up for them. However, after doing more research and contemplating the topic, I came to the conclusion that it makes more sense to me, and it is seemingly closer to historical Roman practices, to think of it as sharing something with the gods.

I think this shift helped me in many ways but most importantly, I don’t feel like I need to "suffer" to please the gods. Instead I can share stuff with the gods.

With this framing, I feel like you can get a little creative with your offerings as long as you keep the core in mind and follow some general traditions, like offering part of a meal or drink first before you consume it, saying some sort of prayer with it, etc. If we count in the need for solitary practice and the general unavailability of open fire, many traditional Roman ways of giving offerings are just not really doable anymore. As a revivalist, I feel we can substitute and get a little creative as long as we keep the underlying standards.

So, for example, while I mostly do libations of water or alcohol, sometimes I offer part of some other drink I'm drinking. If I'm outside or somewhere with a sink, I pour out some (if that is safe), or offer the first sip I drink. This doesn't necessarily need to be one of the standard liquids that are offered, I just like sharing my little fruity drink with the gods and thanking them for their blessings.

On the topic of electronic offerings, I find myself unhappy with the "offering" part of the term. Making an electronic "offering", I'm thinking mainly of the moodboard/Pinterest board kind, is more of a contemplative activity, a sort of meditation. For the ones I've done, in the form of "moodboards", I felt compelled to think deeply about the imagery and symbolism that I associate with a certain deity and how to incorporate elements particular to my request. So I think they're perfectly okay to do as long as we understand that they're not really "offerings" per se, and they're more done for our sake. They should be supplemented with at least a prayer, and ideally a physical offering or libation.

In conclusion, as long as we keep the general structure, remember what the purpose of giving offerings is, we can somewhat adapt giving offerings to our situations and lifestyles. But offerings should always come with some amount of effort, a moment of prayer or silent contemplation. Offerings have a purpose, and while we don't always need to be extremely formal and structured with them if we don't feel the need to, they are meant to honour the gods. And nothing honours the gods less than carelessness.

With that being said, I also didn't address other kinds of offerings in this post (I just focused on libations and electronic offerings for uhhh... reasons), so keep in mind that there are more ways to give offerings than what I've outlined here.