r/Hellenism 2d ago

Weekly Newcomer Post

11 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Are you newer to this religion and have questions? This thread is specifically for you! Feel free to ask away, and get answers from our community members.

You can also search the Community Wiki here, and our Community Guide here for some helpful tips for newcomers.

Please remember that not everyone believes the same way and the answers you get may range in quality and content, same as if you had created a post yourself!

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Is X god mad at me?

Typically, no. The gods are slow to anger and quick to forgive. Only the very worst actions (patricide, human sacrifice, cannibalism, etc.) consistently draw divine wrath. If you are concerned, you should ask for forgiveness and try to lead your life in a way that reflects the virtues that the gods stand for moving forward.

Do I need an altar or shrine?

No. Most practitioners do eventually make one, but they are not necessary. In ancient Greece altars were typically large stone tables where sacrifices could be made. These were generally public spaces but smaller household altars and shrines became more common in late antiquity. If you wish to make an offering or prayer to a god without an altar, this can be done in a place that feels sacred to that particular god.

How do I make an altar?

Your altar is the place where you make your connection to the gods. This space should ideally have the capacity to have a lit flame, to burn incense, and some vessel to make libations. Statues or images of the gods are nice, but not a necessity. If you do not have the capacity to have open flames or burn incense, many instead use electric lights and perfume or oil diffusers. If you do use open flames, please use caution. Keep away from drapes and curtains and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Make sure you have a plan for if a fire starts unexpectedly.

How do I make an offering?

The most typical offering is a libation. Libations in antiquity were typically wine or water but in modern times more varied drinks are often used. Libations can be poured onto the ground, into a fire, or disposed of down your drain if neither of the former are available options. Food, likewise, can be offered by burning, burying, or being left on your altar and disposed of later. Incense is often given as an offering, and is burnt. The Orphic Hymns are a good resource to find an incense for a particular god. Animals were sacrificed to the gods in antiquity by killing them, butchering them, consuming their meat, and burning their bones wrapped in their fat on fires. This practice is not common in modern times, for reasons of practicality, and was not universal to Hellenic Polytheism in antiquity. Offerings to chthonic deities are generally speaking not to be eaten.

How do I dispose of perishable offerings?

You don't have to burn your offerings, and most burnt offerings in Antiquity were the bones and fat from sacrifices during public festivals. It's fine to dispose of perishable offerings in any number of ways, whether it be binning, burying,, or eating it yourself if it's still edible. Please be mindful of local wildlife if offerings are left outside.

Do I need to pray everyday?

No. Many people take long leaves from worship. We all go through troubled times and worship may not be your focus for some time. This is normal and something the gods understand.

Can I participate in non-Hellenic practices?

Yes. Many of us have to participate in modern religious practices to maintain appearances to our friends and family if we are not religiously out of the closet. Even beyond this, many in antiquity and in the modern day practice syncretically and adopt practices and deities from outside the Hellenic Pantheon into their religious practice.

What is miasma and how do you cleanse it?

Miasma was an explanation to diseases before the existence of germ theory. Miasma was believed to accumulate on one's body through the performance of unclean acts such as sex, the butchering of animals, or the shedding of human blood. Miasma was believed to interfere with worship as when Hector says in the Iliad: “and with hands unwashed I would take shame to pour the glittering wine to Zeus; there is no means for a man to pray to the dark-misted son of Kronos, with blood and muck all splattered upon him”. The cleansing of miasma was performed by washing oneself with clean water and the application of perfumes.

How do I communicate with the gods?

In ancient times few people attempted to communicate with the gods, or if they did, they did so through trained experts who used techniques such as astrology, the interpretation of entrails from sacrificed animals, or the interpretation of the actions of sacred animals. Techniques such as candle, pendulum, and keyboard divination are modern inventions and should be approached with skepticism and caution if you wish to incorporate them into your practice.

I received a message from the gods via divination or think I may have witnessed a sign. What does it mean?

This is a question that you alone can answer. Many people do not receive signs in all of their practice and one should not expect to find them. If you do receive a sign it should be obvious to you that it was a sign.

Can I worship multiple gods? / Can gods share an altar?

Yes. Hellenic Polytheism is a polytheist religion which necessarily means that there are multiple gods to worship. These gods can cohabitate a space even if they are seen to be in conflict in mythology. The nature of polytheism is that there are forces and deities which conflict with each other but that does not necessarily mean that one is right and the other is wrong or that they cannot cohabitate.

Do I need to be chosen by a god before I can worship them?

No. The gods are always accepting and hospitable to those who come to worship them.

How do I decide which gods to worship?

This is a question that you must decide for yourself. There is no wrong place to start and people typically find new gods through the ones they already worship. There is no right number of gods to worship. They exist beyond naming or counting so you cannot worship them all and many will choose to worship only one.

Can I dismantle my altar/shrine?

Yes, it is often necessary to dismantle an altar or shrine because it needs to be moved or hidden. The gods will understand your circumstance.


r/Hellenism Aug 01 '25

Mod post Monthly Self-promotion Post

9 Upvotes

Hey folks! Do you create content related to Hellenism? Maybe you have an Etsy shop selling statues or other religious items? Or you mod a sub related to Hellenism? Or you have a podcast, website, blog, or anything else adjacent to practicing this religion?

Share it all here and enrich our community. We'd love to see your creativity!


r/Hellenism 6h ago

Media, video, art Some more art of how I see the gods + extras

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41 Upvotes

Once again, I like keeping the gods' names alive through art, even if its not in the most traditional sense. Here's some more of my depictions of them and some other mythological characters!

In order : Poseidon Thetis Hermathena, dual god Hestia Hades Hermes and Artmis Ganyemde ans Zeus as an eagle Heracles Eros Hepheastus Asclepius Thanatos Psyche Achilles Zeus and Hera Zeus Zeus and Artemis Dionysus Apollo and Helios Zeus and Hera 2


r/Hellenism 3h ago

Offerings, altars, and devotional acts My altar for Hera

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20 Upvotes

r/Hellenism 17h ago

Media, video, art How i personally see the gods

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275 Upvotes

Just to be very clear this is my art, I drew all of it, and these could be perceived as modern or fictional versions, anything you'd like. But this is how I draw them, remembering them and keeping their names alive through art!! Could you guess who?


r/Hellenism 2h ago

Discussion What got you into Hellenism?

9 Upvotes

I'm curious to learn what got each of you into Hellenism. Was it reading? Hearing about them? Games related to the gods? Or just chance?

For me it was about Cerberus, then I read about Hades, and then it was just down the rabbit hole and I've focused myself on learning and understanding more of Hellenism in my attempts to be faithful to the gods. It's also helped me through rough times.

I've now got a motto in life: "If I believe in my faith to the gods above and below, things will turn out okay!"

Not sure if this has already been asked, if it has, can someone let me know?


r/Hellenism 15h ago

Offerings, altars, and devotional acts Altars of Lady Aphrodite, Lady Artemis, and Lady Athena

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66 Upvotes

I’m in the middle of painting and doing other stuff, but I’m planning on expanding their altars, also I gave Lady Aphrodite a libation of my (clean) bath water that has a jasmine bathbomb and some aromatherapy salts. Idk if that’s ok tho, if someone could say if it is that would be much appreciated!


r/Hellenism 3h ago

Mythos and fables discussion I am working on something for us.

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7 Upvotes

I feel like we live in an age where creating literature describing historical events with intervention from the divine realm has become seen as unnecessary, even laughable, for most people. One thing that has taken us in this direction is the invention of photography and videography. After all, why go with a mythologized version of events if you can just go look at the video or pictures of it and see it as it actually happened? However, myths can hold some potential value for people struggling with spirituality, even if they aren't compelled to take the stories told as accurate retellings of historical events.

I don't plan on making each story super long but I would like around 12 of them. The first story I'm writing (might now show up first) is the invention of firearms being a gift from the gods. What events from history would you all like to see a mythologized version of?


r/Hellenism 6h ago

Offerings, altars, and devotional acts Finally cleaned/rearranged my altars!

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6 Upvotes

Fuck you depression and fuck you toxic ex I finally feel free

Also don't ask why I put a Cinnamoroll figurine, I don't know myself, it felt right


r/Hellenism 13h ago

Discussion Would you describe yourself as a reconstructionist, a revivalist, or eclectic?

24 Upvotes

I wanted to get a better idea of the breakdown of people posting in this sub! No judgement here with what path you have chosen or feel is best for you. I would say I lean revivalist.

If you don’t mind expanding on your practice/beliefs or why you’ve chosen the path you’ve chosen, I’d love to hear it! But no worries if you’d just rather answer how you identify rather than explain!


r/Hellenism 10h ago

I'm new! Help! I got started on an altar

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13 Upvotes

How am I doing? I don't have much yet ☹️.


r/Hellenism 3h ago

Discussion Question, would it be okay to do a catholic thing while im practicing?

3 Upvotes

I'm still in the closet and my grandparents have been tryring to get me to get my confirmation done soon. I was wondering if it would be disrespectful to my gods to go through with it?


r/Hellenism 18h ago

Discussion Is it ok to offer song if you can’t sing for shit

47 Upvotes

I literally cannot sing for the life of me I don’t know if Aphrodite will appreciate the effort of me singing her Orphic hymn or if she will smite me for piercing her ears


r/Hellenism 4h ago

Prayers and hymns Should I pray at a cemetery for those I don't know?

3 Upvotes

I just visited the grave of my mother earlier today, and poured out a drink for Hades as an offering, before offering a prayer to him to safeguard my mother's soul. Had a conversation with my mother talking about what's happened in real life, and decided to check the others in the vicinity to see who else was buried and resting here. I was thinking about praying for them also to rest but I don't know them or their family. Would this be disrespectful to them? Praying for complete strangers?

I'm unsure if that would be something that would go against some aspects of Hellenism or if praying to Hades, asking for all souls in the cemetery to be safe, would be a bit excessive.


r/Hellenism 1d ago

Media, video, art Who is she??

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93 Upvotes

Is she any goddess in particular? I asked the person working there but she didnt know.


r/Hellenism 3h ago

Sharing personal experiences I think apollo send me something in dream on what trickster looks like? I had been curious lately.

2 Upvotes

Well i had dream lol the sun was shining literally from the heavens, but still, I could look at it and not get blinded or hurt my eyes. The light was soft and calm, almost like it was protecting me, and thats when I thought that maybe it was none other than Lord Apollo himself.

Another character came into the scene to my mind. Initially, he looked like a man in white with beautiful and expensive gold jewelry. He said that he was Helios, but I still felt that something was off. What I think of as Helios has always been that of a grandfather personality, not someone who would ask me out. Once I had told him that I was a lesbian, the figure turned into a woman and started trying to lure me into a relationship.

I was overwhelmed with guilt and confusion when I tried to deny it as I knew this was actually the truth in my heart. In our shared apparition, we even had drawings, but I tried to escape by ripping them to pieces. At the moment of the escape, the sky was full of tranquil clouds, although the sun was half-occluded it was still shining through. Pineapples represented freedom were everywhere.

Later, I actually went back, looked at that person and said: "Who are you?" His response was, “I am nameless, I am dead.”

That was the moment I saw it this was not Helios, not Apollo, not any true god. It was a nameless trickster spirit. And I think that Apollo let me see this in my dream so that I would learn how to recognize what is real and what is false.


r/Hellenism 33m ago

Offerings, altars, and devotional acts My Altar for Hermes

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Upvotes

The blanket is just to keep the dust off of the shelf


r/Hellenism 16h ago

Discussion Does anyone think Apollo could help with singing talent?

16 Upvotes

I cannot sing for shit, but it's very special to me. I'm working on building my relationship with Apollon, and I was wondering if anyone thinks he could help with my singing talent.


r/Hellenism 6h ago

Offerings, altars, and devotional acts Can I eat any food offerings i give to the gods after?

3 Upvotes

It's just that simple question hahaha. Is there anything better to do or does it really matter?

Thanks!


r/Hellenism 19h ago

Media, video, art Fiz um desenho de Afrodite

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36 Upvotes

Ainda não cultuo ela, mas admiro muito a Afrodite💖


r/Hellenism 53m ago

I'm new! Help! Is EVERYTHING I put on an altar an offering???

Upvotes

Like if I put some kinda libation cup or whatever on an altar would that count as an offering or can I just place it on without having to say anything(srry if this doesn't make sense)


r/Hellenism 13h ago

Media, video, art I drew/sketched medusa

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9 Upvotes

I drew medusa and I tried finding sigils for her and many came up so I only did two❤️‍🩹 if anything is incorrect feel free to correct me. (Yes ik a hand is missing, its behind her😔✋🏻)


r/Hellenism 22h ago

Other Would it be inappropriate to pray to virgin goddesses for help overcoming hypersexuality?

44 Upvotes

I'm just wondering if it would be inappropriate to pray to them for that, since they've never had sex and they kinda reject that kind of thing, or if it's better suited for someone like Aphrodite or Eros. I'm hypersexual to the point where I put myself in danger and I would like to pray to someone for help overcoming this, but I don't want to be disrespectful or overstep boundaries. Any insight is appreciated.


r/Hellenism 10h ago

Asking for/ recommending resources Anyone who knows more about possible (pan)Hellenic religious activity in the cave under the acropolis just like it was with Athens acropolis? Can’t find anything

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6 Upvotes

r/Hellenism 1d ago

Offerings, altars, and devotional acts Happy Demokratia

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198 Upvotes

Temporary altar to Zeus Agoraios, Athena Agoraia and Themis. Khaire!!!


r/Hellenism 16h ago

Media, video, art js making devotional bracelets on my kitchen floor :D

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13 Upvotes

So far i have 'hellenism' 'hermes' and 'Dionysus'