Hearthfire Handworks
Festivals: Democratia
The goddess Democratia (Democracy) was honored in Athens on 12 Boedromion (Mikalson “Heorte” 213) beginning in the 4th century BCE; the goddess received sacrifices, was honored with feasts and processions, was served […]
Festivals: Some Elements of Hellenic Ritual
I’m going to be sharing some of my own rituals that I’ve prepared to celebrate festivals honoring the Greek gods; some will be modern versions of festivals known in the ancient world, […]
Festivals and Devotions: The Noumenia and other monthly devotions
While most of the ancient Greek festivals, rituals and devotional practices we hear about tend to be those held annually (or, sometimes, once ever few years), there are also traditional forms of […]
Some Hellenic Pagan Resources
I occasionally get questions from folks about various aspects of religious practice, and while I’m happy to answer (it’s one of my favorite topics of discussion!) I thought it might be helpful […]
The Ages of Greek Religion
As a semi-reconstructionist polytheistic pagan, I draw upon a variety of sources–historical, literary, archaeological–to inform my religious practice. Such sources do not define my practice but they do provide a base on […]
An Introduction to Epithets
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 […]
An Introduction to Athena
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 […]
An Introduction to Ares
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 […]
An Introduction to Hades
Hades is lord of the dead, ruler of the underworld to whom all the earth’s subterranean treasures belong. His wife and the queen of his realm is Persephone, daughter of Demeter. Myths […]
An Introduction to Hera
Hera, wife of Zeus and queen of the gods, is one of those deities whose surviving mythology does not really do her justice. She is primarily known as a goddess of marriage, […]
An Introduction to Zeus
While Zeus is perhaps best known for casting the thunderbolt, causing thunder and lightning and bringing storms to the earth. However, he is also very much concerned with issues of law and […]
Introduction to Hestia
Hestia, goddess of the hearth, holds a central place in Greek religion. Her interest is primarily in the realm of home and family, alhough she is also concerned with civic matters and […]