for this piece, I wanted to portray Paris' judgement, it is not done yet but when it's complete y'all can have it as a wallpaper for free :3

thank you

(English isn't my first language)

Hi, im a Lord Ares devotee, and in no way im ready to become a priestess, but im still very curious on how one becomes a priest/priestess in modern times. Is there any sources/books where it's explained clearly? Thanks.

So i’ve been worshipping mainly Lord Apollo for a while now, and i felt really drawn to share some cool experiences i’ve had with him/ relating to him since i started worshipping!

i am genderfluid, which made me want to choose a new name for myself! this was before i started worshipping, and i chose the name Cynthus. a while later i had converted and was reading about Lord Apollo’s birth place, and i found out that he was born at the foot of mount Cynthus!

another time i was praying before a wedding, and it was supposed to be cloudy all day. I prayed to him for sun throughout the day, and even though it was supposed to be cloudy all day, the sun came out and lasted all day!

I’ve also been feeling much happier and more inspired in my art and music lately, and found myself writing poetry, even though i’ve never been interested in writing poetry or even good at it! I wanted to share a short one i wrote, and you can all use it however you want!

o’ lord, o’ lord, who shines bright and pure

o’ lord, o’ lord, i see your beauty here

for your sun is undeniable, it warms my face and tears

o’ lord, ‘o lord, i’m so glad my god is here

that’s all! Do ya’ll have any experiences like this as well?

so i did a libation to helios earlier and now i feel so so happy 😭 ive been super depressed for the past weeks but literally once i finished and went back inside (because i did the libation in the sun) i felt so giddy. does anyone else feel happy after libations or just strong feelings in general? this is my first time feeling such STRONG emotions so quickly after one.

Why do bad things happen in this universe couldn't the gods just stop it all?

Hi, im a Lord Ares and Lord Apollon devotee, and a practicing witch. I've got a sister very much younger then me, I want her to grow up with Hellenistic polytheist culture around her, but I don't want to force her in anyway, I just want her to know it's very much an option. Is there anyway I could include her? The last thing I'd wanna do is force my believes on her.

I frequently make offerings of grains and herbs to the gods. However, as time passes, I naturally need to remove these old offerings to—well—make room for new ones. I have a temporary container for these herbs (most of which have already been burned and turned to ash) and grains, just waiting for a place where they can be disposed of respectfully. The question is: where?

btw: if I write my posts in Portuguese (my native language), will Reddit translate them? Will my post get banned or something like that?

There seems to be a pervasive sense (especially from newbies) that the gods are merely aspects of the Christian God, as if the monotheistic God who demands confession, prayer, and contrition for your sins was split into many different gods.

This is not only incorrect, it is psychological and religious trauma being projected onto an ancient tradition. The gods are not the arbiters or judges of morality and ethics. I understand this is difficult for newcomers to Hellenism and paganism in general. Of course we are called to be moral and ethical people, but it comes from a different place in polytheism than it does in monotheistic or even monist traditions.

There is no such thing as the Christian concept of sin in this religion. There is miasma, it is an entirely different concept. There is also superstition as there is in every tradition where the unseen is hard to understand sometimes. Superstition is a manifestation of fear and was far more common in the past because people didn't understand our physical reality in the way we do now. Fear is what leads you to believe you have transgressed a god by stealing a pack of gum (disclaimer: don't steal). Depending on the deity, they might find it amusing, your method ingenious, your action dishonorable, or whatever else depending on who we're talking about. Even then, you can make amends through your actions.

Obviously some stuff is more serious. But these are things that will haunt YOU because it transgresses what is good and right in the universe, or good or right to your fellow person. What is good and right in the universe is, to put it glibly, beyond the gods' pay grade. Think of the gods as middle management if you're still struggling here. They are intermediaries. The gods carry things out, see to it that contracts and agreements are honored or rectified, and manage some aspect of physical reality or culture or whatever else and act as channeled conduits from what Platonists called the One or the All. The only caveat to all this is of you make a promise and break it. Even then you're looking at a way to rectify a shortcoming, not throw yourself at your altar or shrine saying 20 Hail Marys and shaking in mortal torment.

The gods, like anyone, answer to the Fates and a mysterious undercurrent that Plato and other philosophers sought to understand. This is why it's important as a Hellenist to understand that your current religious and spiritual framework for morality and ethics are falling under the wrong umbrella if you are posting questions like "Do I need [insert deity here]'s forgiveness?" or "I think [deity] is angry at me."

These are cosmic beings. They have the capacity to see and understand beyond space-time. And to imagine that even they may not encompass All That Is! We are the tiniest of tiny little microcosms of the universe who scarcely understand our place in it. We are often cosmic toddlers and children. Most of us have no idea what we're doing and figuring out as we go.

Do you get frustrated with a child for doing something they know better than to do? Of course. But if you've grown up, you understand that they are a CHILD. It is in their nature, and with love, support, and fair correction or discipline they will learn and get better. In the same vein, children have some of the greatest capacity to inspire us and move the world in a better direction, or tap into some truth completely devoid of pretension or cynicism that is deeply refreshing. So it goes with the human in the grand scheme of things.

Be kind to yourselves. The gods are beings worthy of honoring and they are resources. If you have done wrong, make it right. If you have transgressed so badly it cannot be made right, ensure you educate and help others to not mess up like you did. Be a good person as much as possible, love unconditionally, embrace whimsy, meditate on the meaning of life, and go do beautiful things that make the world a better place. That's all anyone asks of you.

So, alot of people have mixed opinions about what it means to connect with the gods. Atleast thats how I feel as a newcomer.

Kharis is about cultivating an ongoing relationship with the gods through devotion, prayer, and offerings. some people argue that building a relationship with the gods isn't important, and that talking to them at your altar serves little purpose, or that expecting a relationship can even be considered hubristic.

Others focus on connecting with the gods by talking to them, sharing your experiences, and making offerings, which is the approach that appeals to me.

So, in Hellenism, should we actively seek to build a personal relationship with the gods through conversation, devotion, and offerings, or should worship focus primarily on prayer and offerings without expecting a deeper connection? Is it wrong to talk to the gods at your altar or seek a closer relationship with them? I really like talking to the gods about my life at my altar.

Please note that I am new and still learning, so sorry of i seem unclear on alot of aspects

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When I offer water or honey water for example, is it necessary to sprinkle khernips on the surface of said offering or just purify the vessel in which the offering is in? ( from an orthopraxic recon perspective)

I, alongside a handful of other students, cheated on an algebra test today, for I completely omitted a part of the material when I studied, and while I don't necessarily feel guilty about being caught or my teacher saying she is disappointed but won't alter our grades, I feel guilt before the Gods, especially since I've always been an Apollo devotee. I cannot help but feel like I've let Him down. How do I make it up to Him? What can I do apart from studying the lesson I didn't understand? Can my mistake be fixed?

Hi! I really like Plotinus and Edward Butler, though Plotinus isn't modern so that's beside the point. What are your favorite modern theologians? What works should I check out?

I’ve been researching about helpol lately and found it really interesting. I’d like to try some offerings and get to know the different deities but if they aren’t their myths how do I get information about them other than their names and titles? What distinguishes their actual origin from fanfiction?

I swim several times a week. Now that the cold dark half of the year is upon us in the N Hemisphere, which deities could I look to inspire me to drag my warm lazy a** off the couch and get to the pool.

Hello! I’m not a 100% a Hellenist, I have a bit of a wider interpretation of cultures and divinities, but I still see so much value the Hellenist Pantheon.

I find myself very drawn to Artemis, I feel like I require a lot of her help because I deal with a lot of insecurity, health issues and the like, but also have a big devotion to nature despite living in a huge city.

However, I think I am by nature closest to Persephone, I work a lot with death and rebirth in my career and fields of study.

I know you don’t have to pick one god to worship and stick with them forever, but I feel a need to devote myself to one above others as a way to seek guidance.

Is it better to look to one I feel I need or one I feel would understand me?

Edit: I feel like people are understanding I want to only worship one goddess ever, I was more asking which I should look like for guidance first or more

Hello, everyone. A very dear member of my family is a full-time firefighter, and I would like to know to whom I should petition if I want to ask for his continued safety in the line of duty. However, as best I can tell, “firefighter” as a profession didn’t technically exist until the Roman Vigiles in 6 CE.

My pragmatic half says to direct prayer to Hephaestus, as a god of fire, and stop overthinking it. But my liberal-arts-educated half keeps insisting something about it doesn’t fit. So I come here as a newbie looking for advice 🙇

I have been thinking about worshipping Apollo regularly. I think it would make a lot of sense with my life. I just listened to a podcast on Apollo and I am a bit turned off, though. I don't know if it's just the way the stories were presented and this podcasters opinion. She did say Apollo is her least favorite deity. He just sounded kind of stuck up?

I think it makes sense for me to worship Apollo because

1) I like writing poetry and want to do that more

2) I like music- I have been getting more and more into playing ukulele and also love listening to music. Music has been a core part of my identity for a while

3) I am chronically ill and could always use help with my health

4) I struggle with mental illness and have been told I can pray to him for help with the dark thoughts since he is the god of light

What do you think? Any Apollo worshipers that can weigh in on what he is really like?

Also, I am very unsure how to feel about divination. I don't know much about it, so I wouldn't feel super connected to that aspect of him.

recently i've been thinking about converting since it feels like the correct path for me, i don't want to rush it since i still need to read and research a lot and dealing with a neurodivergent brain is a challenge.

the thing is, first, my first language is spanish, but ever since i learnt english on my own i mostly post/read/study whatever in english. i wonder if i should or shouldn't do that...? like if i should stick to my mother tongue to properly worship the gods.

my second question is more like me looking for some tips regarding setting up an altar when i have two very curious and active kitties that might destroy it.

Hey so I have recently been getting back into my practice but often find myself scared of the gods. Not in the halloween horror way but in the respected to the point of fear way. I first started feeling this way with Lord Apollo after seeing a video of someone saying that Lord Apollo felt disrespected. I know that seems so fake and I get it likely is but I feel like I'm doing things wrong. I used to talk to the gods respectfully but also comfortably. Now I don't talk to them at all because im scared. Any advice? Also is it okay to talk to them about daily things in life and not really about them directly?

Vocês acreditam que os deuses podem abençoar um objeto em específico para podermos usar no dia a dia/durante rituais??