Sugestions on Hellenic Paganism

[Silverfangs]

After weeks of thinking and rethinking I came to the conclusion that my path is common with the hellenic paganism. After doubting what I really felt and trying to go other ways, I just keep dreaming about greek dieties and receiving all kind of "signs" that just pull me to this culture.

Since from the Greeks I only know the Mythology and most of their story, I would like to ask to all who follow the Hellenic path, or anyone who just worships the Hellenic dieties, how do you practice your path? What do the hellenic gods like as offerings and devotions? What is the best way to start? I'm reading the suggested websites on the Recon Forum, yet I don't know if I want to begin a reconstrucionist path or follow a more eclecthic one, yet I do want to be the closest possible to the Hellenic Culture.

If you want, share a little about your experience. Any sugestions are welcomed.

Peace to all!:fpeace:

[David19]

I too am interested in the Hellenic religion (and the Sumerian one, I'm still deciding), so I can't really help you with personal experience, but I can recommend reading the articles on Sannion's Sanctuary (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/), specifically this section (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/hellenic_polytheism.htm).

All the articles are good, IMO, but these might help you out:

A Compendium of the Gods (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/compendium.htm)

After the Smoke Clears (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/smoke_clears.htm)

Sannion's Guide to Ritual Etiquette (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/etiquette.htm)

Sannion's Guide to Getting Started in in Hellenismos (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/getting_started.htm)

Communicating with the Gods (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/communicating.htm)

I hope this helps, and I'm sure there will be a lot of knowledgable Hellenic recons who can help you more, and other Pagans who worship the Greek gods (if you don't get many replies, maybe make another post or ask a mod to move this one in the Gods and Goddesses forum or the Recon forum.

[Fiamma]

I am Hellenic and in my personal home practice, I am loosely recon. We know a LOT more about th big festivals and community rituals and practice than we do about individual practice, so I go with what seems right for me, I offer incense to my deities daily and usually read at least one of the Homeric, Orphic or Callimachus's hymns each day as a devotional activity.

A common Hellenic ritual is the pouring of a libation (liquid offering) This can be as simple as pouring some water on the ground and offering a prayer to the deity/ies of your choice, or it can be much more formal and ceremonial.

another website to check out is http://sponde.com whih is a very good introductory site for Hellenic Reconstruction.



After weeks of thinking and rethinking I came to the conclusion that my path is common with the hellenic paganism. After doubting what I really felt and trying to go other ways, I just keep dreaming about greek dieties and receiving all kind of "signs" that just pull me to this culture.

Since from the Greeks I only know the Mythology and most of their story, I would like to ask to all who follow the Hellenic path, or anyone who just worships the Hellenic dieties, how do you practice your path? What do the hellenic gods like as offerings and devotions? What is the best way to start? I'm reading the suggested websites on the Recon Forum, yet I don't know if I want to begin a reconstrucionist path or follow a more eclecthic one, yet I do want to be the closest possible to the Hellenic Culture.

If you want, share a little about your experience. Any sugestions are welcomed.

Peace to all!:fpeace:

[Simply Puzzled]

yet I do want to be the closest possible to the Hellenic Culture.


This implies there was a Hellenic culture. Imagine the United States, which has existed a pretty short amount of time. Think of the difference in culture between the deep south circa 1820 and present-day San Francisco. The two have similarities, but they hardly represent a unified culture. So when you say Hellenic Culture, do you simply want to freeze-frame 5th century b.c.e. Athens like a lot of recons want to do?

In my mind, one of the great things that Hellenism has to offer is the diversity of thought. Take the gods alone: you can be polytheist, monotheist, pantheist, atheist, panentheist, and probably a few I'm leaving out, and still be Hellenic. You can even worship non-Greek gods like the ancient Greeks did (Isis, Thoth, etc.) as long as they are consistent with your framework, or not, they really weren't that picky, except when they were, and then they were. Don't get stuck into thinking there is a "correct" Hellenic way to do something. There isn't.

[Silverfangs]

This implies there was a Hellenic culture. Imagine the United States, which has existed a pretty short amount of time. Think of the difference in culture between the deep south circa 1820 and present-day San Francisco. The two have similarities, but they hardly represent a unified culture. So when you say Hellenic Culture, do you simply want to freeze-frame 5th century b.c.e. Athens like a lot of recons want to do?

In my mind, one of the great things that Hellenism has to offer is the diversity of thought. Take the gods alone: you can be polytheist, monotheist, pantheist, atheist, panentheist, and probably a few I'm leaving out, and still be Hellenic. You can even worship non-Greek gods like the ancient Greeks did (Isis, Thoth, etc.) as long as they are consistent with your framework, or not, they really weren't that picky, except when they were, and then they were. Don't get stuck into thinking there is a "correct" Hellenic way to do something. There isn't.

A very interesting point you framed out. That really makes me thinking about the meaning of "Hellenic Culture", since there was such a diversity in Time and Space. Another point I do agree with you, and matches what I'm reading, is the cult to foreign deities like the egipcian ones.
Many thanks for your interesting reply :)


I too am interested in the Hellenic religion (and the Sumerian one, I'm still deciding), so I can't really help you with personal experience, but I can recommend reading the articles on Sannion's Sanctuary (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/), specifically this section (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/hellenic_polytheism.htm).

All the articles are good, IMO, but these might help you out:

A Compendium of the Gods (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/compendium.htm)

After the Smoke Clears (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/smoke_clears.htm)

Sannion's Guide to Ritual Etiquette (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/etiquette.htm)

Sannion's Guide to Getting Started in in Hellenismos (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/getting_started.htm)

Communicating with the Gods (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/communicating.htm)

I hope this helps, and I'm sure there will be a lot of knowledgable Hellenic recons who can help you more, and other Pagans who worship the Greek gods (if you don't get many replies, maybe make another post or ask a mod to move this one in the Gods and Goddesses forum or the Recon forum.

Thanks David for your advices. I've been reading "Sannion's Sanctuary" for a while, but I think I need to pay special attention to the links you gave. ;)


I am Hellenic and in my personal home practice, I am loosely recon. We know a LOT more about th big festivals and community rituals and practice than we do about individual practice, so I go with what seems right for me, I offer incense to my deities daily and usually read at least one of the Homeric, Orphic or Callimachus's hymns each day as a devotional activity.

A common Hellenic ritual is the pouring of a libation (liquid offering) This can be as simple as pouring some water on the ground and offering a prayer to the deity/ies of your choice, or it can be much more formal and ceremonial.

another website to check out is http://sponde.com (http://sponde.com/) whih is a very good introductory site for Hellenic Reconstruction.

Sponde is really good as an introduction to the Hellenic Reconstructionism. I've checked some of the sections and found very interesting information about the daily practices. One thing I need to try is the reading of classical hymns and poems. I think it is a great way to remember the ancient tales and get in touch with the hellenic deities.




I guess I have a lot of reading to do, but more than that, a lot of practice to be done. Thank you all for your answers and advices. I am always open to new sugestions and ideas.


Peace! :)

[David19]

Happy to help :).

[Simply Puzzled]

Happy to help :).

Likewise.

[Twinkle]

As a Hellenic Recon I would say that while there is a lot of "wiggle" room, Reconstructionism is based on orthopraxy, so while there is a lot of personal innovation, there is still a Reconstructionist methodology.

If you are interested in Hellenic Paganism, you should truly understand what that means...There are Hellenic Pagans, Hellenic Wiccans, Hellenic Reconstructionists, and Hellenic Traditionalists. It would probably be helpful for you to figure out where you and your personal beliefs fit.

I highly Recommend two books, both written by Timothy J. Alexander,

A Beginners Guide to Hellenismos

and

Hellenismos Today.


Both can be found on Amazon.:cheers:

[ModernKnight]

I'm not a recon, but I highly recommend the Greek Magical Papyri (http://www.amazon.com/Greek-Magical-Papyri-Translation-Including/dp/0226044475)

[Twinkle]

I'd also like to say that you really can't "be anything you want" and still be Hellenic. What that would make you is a Hellenic Neopagan. Which is fine....it just means that you worship the Greek pantheon. To be truly Hellenic, there must be a syncretic approach, not an electic one. That means you must make sure that any ideas you pull and put into your practice do not conflict with existing Hellenic belief.

That means no monotheistic worship, no pantheistic worship, etc. You cannot do whatever you want and still claim to be Hellenic.

There is a methodology.

[Theres]

I'm not a recon, but I highly recommend the Greek Magical Papyri (http://www.amazon.com/Greek-Magical-Papyri-Translation-Including/dp/0226044475)
the PGM are a good read but really have little to do with Hellenic religion.
they are mostly scattered remnants of magical formulas (curses, etc) from the late Hellenistic and into the common era, and not all of them are even Greek.

but like i said they are an interesting study, especially for understanding witchcraft practices from that time (and some of them are truly despicable!).

[David19]

I'd also like to say that you really can't "be anything you want" and still be Hellenic. What that would make you is a Hellenic Neopagan. Which is fine....it just means that you worship the Greek pantheon. To be truly Hellenic, there must be a syncretic approach, not an electic one. That means you must make sure that any ideas you pull and put into your practice do not conflict with existing Hellenic belief.

That means no monotheistic worship, no pantheistic worship, etc. You cannot do whatever you want and still claim to be Hellenic.

There is a methodology.

I think you've given some good advice, but I've heard that there are some Hellenic recons who are also pantheists (I think I read an article by Sannion on his site where he states that he is, although I can't remember which article).

BTW, I have a question for Hellenic recons, is it possible to be an animist (i.e. believe that spirits exist everywhere) and also a Hellenic recon (I ask, 'cause I would call myself an animist, although I'm still trying to find the right religion for me).

Thanks for any help :).

[David19]

the PGM are a good read but really have little to do with Hellenic religion.
they are mostly scattered remnants of magical formulas (curses, etc) from the late Hellenistic and into the common era, and not all of them are even Greek.

but like i said they are an interesting study, especially for understanding witchcraft practices from that time (and some of them are truly despicable!).

I've been reading some stuff about the PGM and I'd like to get them one day (I've also become interested in the Greco-Egyptian period including the religion after reading various articles, like this one (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/graeco-egyptian.htm)and corresponding with Sannion).

[Twinkle]

I think you've given some good advice, but I've heard that there are some Hellenic recons who are also pantheists (I think I read an article by Sannion on his site where he states that he is, although I can't remember which article).

BTW, I have a question for Hellenic recons, is it possible to be an animist (i.e. believe that spirits exist everywhere) and also a Hellenic recon (I ask, 'cause I would call myself an animist, although I'm still trying to find the right religion for me).

Thanks for any help :).


In terms of cosmology....emanationists believe that we emanate from and are reflective of a single Divine Source. It's a someone pantheistic approach, but in essence we are hard polytheists. We believe the gods to be separate and distinct. These gods also emanate from the Source...but are separate and distinct.

Like a tree emanates from earth, is reflective of it but yet still distinct from it....so too are the gods.

[Twinkle]

Animism simply means belief in the soul. In this context, then yes, definitely...one can be an Animist and a Hellenic Reconstructionist.

[Theres]

Like a tree emanates from earth, is reflective of it but yet still distinct from it....so too are the gods.
oooh, good simile!