While a God "wanting you" might be a concept for various witchcraft traditions (or neo-pagan traditions I don't know about) when it comes specifically to Hellenic Polytheism you do not need to find a God who "wants to work with you." I recognize that you might still want divination for the matter and that's perfectly fine. But I want to stress how this is not the case within the religion of Hellenic Polytheism hence this long post.
Think about all the God you like, throw all their names into a hat, pull one out. Ta dah you've picked a God— I'm going to give much more thoughtful ideas but it is literally that simple.
In this religion you can pick any of the Theoi and begin worshipping period end of story. No divination, no signs, no feelings, just sincere worship. That is all that is needed.
The Gods are worthy of worship and will appreciate that worship from any sincere person. There are zero historical precedents to say that Gods wanted worship from these individuals but not these individuals. There is zero historical precedent that every individual person needed divinations or signs to figure out which God to worship.
Ancient people's lives were permeated by the Gods both in the home, community, and government. Thus they worshipped which ever Gods played major roles in the traditions of their area and region.
Where To Start:
- Clear up a space big or small. Make sure it is clean.
- Choose an item for the God such as a picture of them, a statue, or some other object. Place it in that space.
- Add anything you might like: candle, incense, flowers, cloth to cover surface, decorations, etc. This is a space for the Gods in your home and life.
- Many Hellenic Polytheists will also keep Khernips (by @/forthegloryofthetheoi) aka purified water on their altar/shrine
- If you'd like you can keep a cup and bowl for libations at this space
- You can keep a prayer book or religious journal here also
Basic Act of Worshiping— I'm using Zeus as an example:
- Wash hands.
- Prepare a glass of water or other liquid
- Go to the altar if you have one
- Wipe hands with Khernips (unless you made an entire bowl to wash hands in the sacred water which I don't)
- Sprinkle Khernips lightly on the altar space
- Light the candle or incense if you use either
- "O Mighty Zeus, King of the Gods, you are strong and powerful. I have come to honor you"
- Hold up the glass of water
- "Zeus, Lord of lightning, I offer you this water out of gratitude and love. I have given to you before and I will give to you again"
- Pour the water slowly either into a separate bowl, onto the ground, into a fire, or down a clean sink.
- "Zeus, strong and powerful, I ask that you help me get through today's conference call. I thank you and say farewell."
- Wash hands
- Take glass of water and hold it up
- "Zeus you are mighty and powerful, I seek your help for this meeting, this water I have brought is to show my desire to honor you"
- Pour water out into bowl, ground, fire, or clean sink.
- "Thank you, Zeus, King of the Gods"
The above is important because it builds reciprocity (Kharis) between Gods and mortals. But other worship activities include:
- Say a prayer when lighting incense to state that it as an offering
- Meditate at the altar. Let the idea of your gods help calm your soul
- Dance or sing for the Gods at your altar or play them music
- Read the myths aloud to the Gods at your altar
- Say longer prayers and supplication if you desire. Guide by @/olivewreathed and Guide by @/sisterofiris
- Give food, which is similar to the libation formula. Hellenic Polytheists disagree on what to do with the food afterwards which is why I always suggest a libation at the beginning.
- Make sure to tend to the space you've created and keep it clean
- Create a Kathiskos. Guide from Hellenion. Video Guide by @baringtheaegis who is very recon centered.
- Continue to learn but do not let the idea of learning hinder your worship
- Not so much worship but practicing, Arete ("excellence" being your best self), Xenia (Hospitality and I also take this to mean treating other's well), Eusebia (piety towards the Gods), and Sophia (pursuit of knowledge). These are important aspects of Hellenic Polytheism beyond prayer and the altar.
Some Ideas for Choosing a Theos to begin with:
You can pick literally any (or none) of these I'm not trying to overwhelm anyone I'm just trying to give a whole dump of ideas for people. I suggest Theoi.com for easy access info on the Theoi.
🔹You could start with Hestia because she is Goddess of the home and thus an excellent place to start in my opinion.
🔹Zeus and Hera the King and Queen of The Theoi
🔹A Theos or Daimon related to your work/studies. Examples.
- Apollo or Asklepios for the health care field
- Hermes for communication or information technology fields
- Gaia for environmental fields
- Themis, Dike, Zeus for legal fields
- Athena, Metis, or Sophia for general studies
- Hephestios for engineering fields
- Rhea, Artemis, Apollo, Hera, or Zeus for parenthood
- Nyx if you work the "graveyard shift"
🔹A Theos or Daimon related to something you want to improve in your life. Example
- Aphrodite or the Khairtes for self-love or if you struggle with body image issues
- Hermes or Iris for communication abilities or interpersonal conflict
- Hygeia for struggles with hygiene or disorganization
- The Nymphai for building environmental sustainable life habits
- Sophrosyne or Dionysos for substance abuse (You cannot convince me that his realm of drinking excludes moderation or elimination if it is a problem for a worshipper)
- Demeter, Hestia, Hephaistos, Pan, Artemis for any problems surrounding food
- Hypnos for sleep hygiene or sleep disorders
- Soteria for easing fears
- Hermaphroditos, Aphrodite, Dionysos, for LGBT+ identity and issues (Ace inclusive)
🔹A Theos or Daimon related to things you want to do. Example:
- Athena for weaving or other handcrafts
- The Mousai for learning an instrument
- Themis or Dike for activism work
- Nike for sports
- Apollo or Phoibe for divination
- Poseidon for ocean or water activities
- Xenia (or any of the Gods with that epithet) for charity work
- Hermes for writing
There are many more bullets that could be added and Gods that could be added to each of the existing bullet points. Especially when epithets come into play.
Some Practice Ideas...
...I've considered (most of which I haven't done) that could be useful brainstorming:
🔹Which ever of the Gods you chose simply give them a libation once a day with the short prayer. You can pick a time or better yet an activity to make it consistent. For example, do it directly after you finish getting dressed. Do it right before you eat breakfast or dinner. Do it before you get ready for bed. Etc, that way it stays consistent and you always have a reminder.
🔹Surrounding the passage of the day/time. The prayers can be very short letting you do them by simply pausing for a minute or two. You can offer a simple libation in the morning and/or night with the prayer.
- Prayer to Hemera or Helios in the morning
Prayer Example: "Beautiful Hemera, I thank you for this day, I seek your favor and honor you with my actions. Good morning."
- Prayer to Nyx or Selene at night
- Prayer to Helios at noon if you don't pray to him in the morning. (I do solar noon but you can just do noon)
Prayer Example: "Shining Helios, as you reach your peak this day, I remember you, I thank you for your life giving light."
- Incorporation of 12-Horai such as Mesembria at noon, Dysis at sundown, not sure if Auge would be dawn and Anatole sunrise—but you get the idea.
- Prayer to one of the 4-Horai each day of the season we are in— so right now in Northern Hemisphere Kheimon (Winter) tacked on at morning or night
🔹Surrounding daily activities. And I do mean like 3 sentence prayers.
- Prayer to Hemera or Auge upon waking
- Prayer to Hygeia before showering or brushing teeth
Prayer Example: "Gentle laughing Hygeia, I enter this shower so I may cleanse myself. I remember your beauty and wish to honor you with my actions, so you may look favorably upon me"
- Prayer to Apollo or other health Theoi when you take your medication (if you have it)
- Prayer to Hestia at mealtime or before cooking
Prayer Example: "Hestia, first and last among the Olympians, home maker, I cook this food through your strength and thank you for this flame. May my body be replenished"
- Prayer to Hermes, Hekate, or Apollo Argyieus, or Soteria when leaving house
- Prayer to a Theos related to work/education as you arrive at work or school.
- Prayer to a Theos related to a hobby or leisure activity when you start it
- Prayer to Hypnos when you go to bed
You can make any combination that would follow the path of your daily activities; it could be any number too this is just an example. And perhaps one libation in the morning or night
🔹Focus on the "Household Gods" which I linked info above
- Hestia
- Zeus Ktesios
- Zeus Herkeios
- Apollo Argyieus
- Hermes
- Hekate
- (Modern) Hera Oikos
🔹Follow a calendar like schedule to give a libation & prayer, as outlined above, to specific deities on certain days:
2 week period based on the order the Olympians were born in (or rather the order the internet told me)
- 1st Hestia
- 2nd Hera
- 3rd Demeter
- 4th Hades
- 5th Posideon
- 6th Zeus
- 7th Athena
- 8th Aphrodite
- 9th Ares
- 10th Artemis
- 11th Apollo
- 12th Hephestios
- 13th Dionysos
- 14th Whomever you wish
- 1st Hestia, Zeus & Hera
- 2nd Apollo & Artemis
- 3rd Hades with Persephone during Fall & Winter
- 4th Aphrodite & Ares
- 5th Demeter with Persephone during Spring & Summer
- 6th Athena & Hephestios
- 7th Poseidon & Dionysos
I took this and simplified it. Its based on historical stuff like Heisods Work and Days some days have no Gods listed:
- 1st Selene, Apollo [Noumenios], Zeus Herkios and Ktesios, Hestia, and the other Theoi of the Household
- 2nd Agathos Daimon
- 3rd Athena
- 4th Aphrodite, Eros, Herakles, and Hermes, as well as perhaps Poseidon, Apollo, and Hermaphrodite
- 5th The Erinyes, Eris, and Horkos
- 6th Artemis
- 7th Apollo
- 8th Poseidon, Asklepios and Theseus
- 9th The Mousai, Helios, Rhea
- 11th The Moirae (Klotho, Lakhesis, and Atropos)
- 13th Athena
- 15th The Erinyes, Eris, and Horkos
- 16th Artemis
- 21st Apollo, [Demeter]
- 23rd Athena
- 25th The Erinyes, Eris, and Horkos
- 30th Hekate
I'd love to make my own 30 day thing (as well as the 2 weeks or 7 days not focused solely on the 13 Olympians) because the above just doesn't click, but that's a project for another day. Also do not worry about calendars or festivals this is just an idea.
I think that covers the ideas in my head, thanks for reading if you got this far
