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From the survey I did you chose Veiling as the next post! So this post will be about that, I'll explain veiling in ancient Greece. This is done for helping begginers or who wants to start veiling! Enjoy💛

Understanding Veiling in Hellenism, Why Some of Us Choose To?

If you've been exploring modern Hellenism, especially through devotional or reconstructed practice, you may have come across people mentioning veiling: covering their heads during ritual, prayer, or in the presence of the gods.

Veiling in Ancient Greece, Was it a thing?

In modern Hellenic polytheism, veiling is often seen as a personal devotional choice. But in ancient Greece, it was a culturally embedded ritual norm, especially for women (and in some cases for men) with very specific symbolic meanings attached to public and sacred life.

In ancient Greece (particularly in Classical Athens), women's clothing often included long, draped garments like the peplos or chiton, often paired with a himation: a large rectangular shawl that could be pulled over the head as a veil.

While women did not necessarily wear a veil at all times, covering the head in public and in sacred spaces was seen as a sign of modesty, self-respect, and honor, especially for married women or those of high status.

In religious rituals, veiling was extremely common particularly when:

Approaching a deity, especially in temples

Making sacrifices or offerings

Participating in processions or festivals

Entering sanctuaries or sacred precincts

Observing mourning rites or funerals

Engaging in cults: Like Eleusinian Mysteries

Veiling in these moments meant:

• Purity and piety

• Distinction between sacred and mundane

• Submission to the divine order

• Reverence in the face of divine power

For instance, women who served as priestesses of goddesses often veiled during sacred rituals.

Curiosities :)

Greek vase art from the 6th-4th centuries BCE often depicts women with himation veils drawn over their heads during:

Weddings

Funerary scenes

Religious rituals or processions

Scenes involving deities

But there were also in literature! Such as:

•Euripides and Sophocles both describe female characters covering their heads in grief or when entering temples.

Plutarch, in Moralia, comments on veiling as a gesture of reverence and humility before the gods.

In Homer's Odyssey, Penelope draws her veil across her face when appearing before guests - a sign of modesty and status.

Veiling for Chthonic and Ouranic deities

The type of deity being honored could influence the practice:

When honoring Ouranic (sky) deities like Zeus or Apollon: veiling was a sign of respect and presence, like preparing yourself to be in a temple.

When honoring Chthonic (underworld) deities like Hades or Hekate: veiling could signal spiritual protection, humility, and ritual separation from the everyday world. This is especially true for funeral rites, where veiling helped draw a visible line between the living and the dead.

Veiling for Men, was it a thing?

When people think of veiling in ancient Greece, they usually imagine women with their himation drawn over their head during ritual or mourning.

But men also practiced veiling, though in more limited and context-specific ways! So if you're a man you can still veil if you want!

One of the most common contexts in which Greek men veiled was during mourning and funerary rituals.

Covering the head was a visible sign of grief, ritual mourning, and respect for the dead.

It also acted as a form of ritual purification and separation (the veil helped symbolically distance the mourner from death-miasma and the chthonic forces associated with it)

In funerary vases and reliefs, male figures are sometimes shown with cloaks drawn over their heads, especially during the prothesis (the laying out of the body) and funeral procession.

Just like with women, this veiling was not about modesty, but about marking a threshold moment.

Men also veiled during certain chthonic (underworld-related) and mystery cult rituals. These included:

Chthonic Offerings: When making offerings to underworld gods (such as Hades, Persephone, Hekate, or the Erinyes) veiling was sometimes practiced as a gesture of humility, protection, and reverence.

The act of covering one's head before a chthonic deity helped emphasize ritual seriousness and separation from the profane.

It was an acknowledgment that the practitioner was stepping into the realm of death, shadow, and hidden power, and thus needed to show restraint and respect.

In these rites, veiling might also help shield the self spiritually from unseen forces.

"Mystery Cults" (Eleusinian Mysteries): Although exact details of mystery initiations are intentionally secret and thus partially lost to us, evidence suggests that veiling was a part of initiation ceremonies (and this applied to both men and women).

But what about today? How can we veil?

I will now say only some of the ways to veil. There are a lot of methods, some are still used today some not. I'll say both. I'll explain these methods: himation, kekryphalos, kredemnos, and hair-related styles like the krobylos and korymbos. There are more styles as I said, like Sakkos, Mitra, Stephane, Ampyx, Calyptra, Calantica, Peplos (when used as a veil), Diadema (sometimes included as part of sacred headwear)

Himation (luátiov)

-What was it? A large rectangular cloak worn over the shoulders, usually by both men and women. It could be draped over the head as a veil.

-For what it was used? Drawing the himation over the head was a primary form of veiling in ritual contexts, especially for prayer, libations, funerals, and temple entry.

-What is the modern use? The himation-style veil is the most commonly reconstructed type today. Modern Hellenic polytheists and pagans use scarves, shawls, or wraps in a similar fashion: draped over the hair and shoulders during prayer or rituals.

Kekryphalos (кекрфалос)

-What was it? A hair net or snood, made of fine fabric, silk, or mesh, often worn close to the scalp to confine the hair.

-For what it was used? Worn primarily by women, especially married women, in both daily life and formal appearances. It was used to cover and contain the hair (symbolizing modesty, respectability, and control).

Types: Ornamental (made with gold or purple silk) or hidden under an himation or kredemnos.

-What is the modern use? Some Hellenists who veil regularly may use kekryphalos-inspired coverings (like headwraps or hair nets) for discreet veiling, especially in public or when combining daily modesty with ritual preparation.

Kredemnos (knõeuvos)

-What was it? A wide, band-like head covering, often embroidered or decorated, worn across the forehead and sometimes over the hair.

-For what it was used? Frequently depicted in statues and vase paintings of godly or noble women. It was associated with status, modesty, and sacred femininity.

-What is the modern use? Rare today in literal reconstruction but aesthetically inspiring for ritual attire. Headbands or ornate wraps may evoke the kredemnos style in festivals or devotional events.

While these are all considered veiling, the next ones (Krobylos and Korymbos) are considered hairstiles. I did these two because they are more simple to do even in our times.

Krobylos (kpúßulos)

-What was it? A specific hairstyle: the hair was twisted into a low chignon or bun, often at the nape of the neck, sometimes enclosed in a net or covered by a scarf.

-For what is was used? Common for married or respectable women. The hair was kept tidy and controlled (symbolic of ritual order, especially for priestesses and women in public sacred roles.) It may be worn under other coverings like the kekryphalos.

-What is the modern use? Still relevant today (many women and femme-presenting practitioners choose neat buns, braids, or low chignons as part of their ritual preparation, especially when veiling). The idea is to treat the hair as sacred (not hidden, but honored! This very important!)

Korymbos (kópupßos)

-What was it? A high bun or topknot, often worn by priestesses or women in sacred roles. Hair drawn up and possibly covered with a small veil or band.

-For what it was used? Associated with goddesses and priestly purity.

-What is the modern use? Rarely used by name now, but the concept survives in how modern practitioners prepare for ritual with neatly arranged or tied hair, often beneath a head covering.

I hope this post helped you understand what was veiling and how important it was for ancient Greeks!Of course, I need to be specific, veiling is NOT a must or necessary for Hellenism. Dont force yourself if you dont want to do it!

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My dog is, like, REALLY eager to please. And he really shows interest in whatever we do, like watching a show we have on the TV or intently watching us as we do our daily activities.

Well, I was crunching on a veggie tray when my dog came up and sat in front of me. I kindly broke off a piece of celery and gave it to him. He happily took it into his mouth and paused. A crunch. He freezes.

Obviously he doesn’t like it, which is fine. I’d much rather he just spit it out and leave it on the floor, but he is determined. He slowly, deliberately, chews it up and eats it. He so desperately hates every second that the piece of celery is in his mouth, but he maintained eye contact with me and ate the thing.

All of this to say, my baby boy is a people-pleaser, and he got a bit of whipped cream as a treat for being so adorable.

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Making tea in honor of Lady Hestia. It’s sweet tea, but the point still stands. Blessed be Lady Hestia, guardian of my hearth and home.

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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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Anxiety around “cleanliness” is something I really need to unpack as a pagan. I’m safe, there’s nothing inherently dirty about me, I don’t need to pray for forgiveness, I don’t need to cleanse every second of every day.

I feel like it is half born from my day-to-day contamination anxiety “What if someone dumped paint in my coffee? Guess it’s poison now and you have to throw it out” and half born from being brought up in Christianity, where you are told that from birth you are unworthy and dirty.

All of this to say that I still unpack my baggage every single day, and I will never be “done” progressing spiritually. I hope someone else can also take something from this.

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Seasonal Affective Depression is so funny. When I see the Sun less, I want to kill myself. Truly Paleolithic disease. Oh? What’s next? Dark, enclosed space brings you comfort? Grow up (silly)

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You know how hair holds onto memories and trauma, and a lot of people will cut all their hair off after escaping a terrible situation?

I love my hair. I love how long my hair is, and I keep it long and healthy for religious reasons. Is there a way to spiritually cleanse hair without cutting it?

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a quick offering to Apollo as i’m stuck at my night auditing job

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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As part of my spiritual training, I’ve decided to do some community service. Writing letters to those in nursing homes and prisons would be a good place to start, I think. If anyone has any community building/service ideas, please let me know!

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Succinct, informed, and well-worded with examples!! I thoroughly enjoyed this response, and am reblogging to spread the word!!

What is this bow-looking hairstyle on the Apollo Belvedere? Is there some sort of historical context or did they just think “this fucks” and move on?

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Just testing something. Fellow Apollon devotees: do you often get told that you look much younger than you are? I, for one, have heard “You’re 21??? I thought you were 12!!” too many times.

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This is part of why I’m gathering resources on how to become the most knowledgeable devotee I can be, so I can purchase a building that we may be able to worship in (at least in the Southern US). Right now I have the money, but not the social support or knowledge. I’m working on it!

One of the things that I find the most sad about helpol is how we don't have any physical spaces. Other bigger religions have such beautiful places to meet each other and pray irl, but most of our temples haven't really seen any modern day use.

It's a real shame that we can't all meet in a communal place of worship - I'd love to meet all the lovely people on here one day! It's a good start having the beautiful new temple built in Arcadia, and I really hope that it marks the start of our revival in physical spaces.

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What is this bow-looking hairstyle on the Apollo Belvedere? Is there some sort of historical context or did they just think “this fucks” and move on?

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Maybe in another life…

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quick sketch :3

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Everyone saying “money” is wrong, funny enough. I do have the funds to do a big project like this. What is holding me back is fear of my family and the community turning on me. I would love to become a priestess and have a physical place of worship, but I live in rural Texas.

Theoretically, what is stopping me from buying an old church, converting it to a temple for Apollo, devoting myself to intense research, becoming a priestess, and wearing cool robes and funky jewelry while I help the community? Asking for a friend.

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Theoretically, what is stopping me from buying an old church, converting it to a temple for Apollo, devoting myself to intense research, becoming a priestess, and wearing cool robes and funky jewelry while I help the community? Asking for a friend.