Hearthfire Handworks

The Altar of Eleos

by Hearthfire Handworks
There were a number of deities within the Greek pantheon who are often regarded by modern scholars as mere personifications–deities bearing the names of concepts, such as Nike (Victory) or Tyche (Fortune). […]
Posted in Eleos, Greek Gods 101, Greek Paganism, hellenic gods, Hellenic Polytheism

An Introduction to Hermes

by Hearthfire Handworks
Hermes is the god of tradesmen and travellers, as well as thieves. As a god of communication he helps with the transmission of messages. He also acts as a psychopomp–one who conducts […]
Posted in god hermes, Greek Gods, Greek Gods 101, hellenic gods, Hermes

An Introduction to Epithets

by Hearthfire Handworks
Culturally, we probably know the Greek gods better than any other pantheon. We can attribute this in part to artists and poets–Byron and his crew loved our gods and loved to write […]
Posted in epithets, Greek Gods 101, Greek Pagan Basics, hellenic gods, hellenic paganism

An Introduction to Hephaistos (Hephaestus)

by Hearthfire Handworks
Hephaistos is god of smiths, craftsmen and inventors, particularly metalworkers. Myths and Stories Hephaistos’ first myth is that of his birth to Hera; he may or may not be the son of […]
Posted in Greek Gods, Greek Gods 101, hellenic gods, hephaestus, Hephaistos

An Introduction to Hekate

by Hearthfire Handworks
Hekate, goddess of pathways and crossroads, is also associated with magic, witchcraft, and ghosts. She is as well a protective goddess, particularly of women, and many houses had a small shrine to […]
Posted in Greek Gods, Greek Gods 101, hecate, Hekate, hellenic gods

An Introduction to Asklepios (Asclepius)

by Hearthfire Handworks
Asklepios, son of Apollo, is a god of healing and medicine. Born a mortal, he died, but somehow eventually attained a unique status between god and hero. In addition to being the […]
Posted in asclepius, Asklepios, god of healing, Greek Gods, Greek Gods 101, hellenic gods

An Introduction to Dionysos

by Hearthfire Handworks
Dionysos is god of wine, theater, and ecstasy. He was particularly loved and worshipped by women. Myths and Stories The story of Dionysos’ birth is a dramatic one. His mother, Semele, was […]
Posted in bacchus, Dionysos, dionysus, dionysys, Greek Gods, Greek Gods 101, hellenic gods

An Introduction to Apollo

by Hearthfire Handworks
Apollo is the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin brother of Artemis; some of his special interests are archery, music (particularly the lyre) and art, prophecy, and health and healing, […]
Posted in Apollo, apollon, Greek Gods, Greek Gods 101, hellenic gods, phoebus apollo

An Introduction to Athena

by Hearthfire Handworks
As patron goddess of Athens, Athena was a very popular deity with many myths attributed to her and a number of festivals in her honor. Her areas of interest were quite diverseÑshe […]
Posted in Athena, Greek Gods, Greek Gods 101, hellenic gods, hellenic paganism

An Introduction to Persephone

by Hearthfire Handworks
Persephone is known in myth (and to some extent in her worship) primarily for her relationships with other gods–as the daughter of Demeter, and as the wife and consort of Hades. She […]
Posted in Greek Gods, Greek Gods 101, hellenic gods, kore, Persephone, queen of the dead

An Introduction to Ares

by Hearthfire Handworks
Ares is the son of Zeus and Hera. He is one of the Greek pantheon’s two primary war gods; the other is Athena, who is, perhaps, more a god of generals while […]
Posted in Ares, god of war, Greek Gods, Greek Gods 101, hellenic gods, hellenic paganism

An Introduction to Demeter

by Hearthfire Handworks
Demeter was known as a goddess of grain–of fertility, of successful harvests–and therefore a very important deity for an agrarian people. As the devoted mother of Persephone, she is among the most […]
Posted in Demeter, Greek Gods, Greek Gods 101, hellenic gods