I think your interest is telling you to try it out. You don’t need money to worship deities; ur friend is not an expert. Nobody is!
Read the wiki in h to this subreddit to get started
I genuinely, truly love the gods. Worshipping and praying to them is different. I truly love them. From the moment I started learning about them, I found them to be extremely fascinating. And over the years, my fascination turned to love.
I use to worship and pray in my religion of birth but I began to question why deity(es) claiming to be omnipotent would allow such misery and suffering and poverty for their worshippers. And also I wasn't very religious. Just doing what others were doing. And I was a child. It's quite easy to indoctrinate a child to a set of beliefs.
For me atleast, it's also about the core values of Hellenism and what values we give importance to.
Hello!
First, you don't need money to worship. You don't need to buy all these elaborate things to worship the Gods. You can truly start with just praying to whichever God/dess you are drawn too. I know you see pictures of our altars and it's easy to feel like you aren't doing enough. Truthfully, you don't need an altar. Mine is very simple because I am also on limited money rn. At first I just went through my things and picked out what I thought my Gods would like. So you could try doing that if you feel set on making an altar. If you feel like you want to make offerings, you can just offer them water and it's perfectly fine. It's truly about the good intent behind the offering that matters most. May I ask which God/dess you are drawn too?
Second, I think you should try it out if you are feeling drawn to it. The Gods will not be upset if you learn it's not for you. For me, I felt drawn to the Gods, mainly Hypnos and Apollo. When I reached out to Apollo and Hypnos, it felt like coming home.
Hello. I'm glad to know money isn't something that'll hold me back since that was a big worry for me. Right now I feel drawn to Hermes, Hephaestus and Athena. I'm going to definitely start to have a look into this more
Here are some cheat sheets to help you get started, they include a prayer and a hymn you can use (but really you can say whatever you'd like to the gods, just thought I'd include that incase you didn't know what to say) and some general info. [Hermes](https://screeching-0wl.tumblr.com/post/666777167733178368/a-guide-to-worship-of-hermes-cheat-sheets), [Hephaistos](https://screeching-0wl.tumblr.com/post/668138020858429440/a-guide-to-worship-of-hephaistos-cheat-sheets), and [Athena](https://screeching-0wl.tumblr.com/post/668562937331548160/a-guide-to-worship-of-athena-cheat-sheets). These also include devotional acts you can do to honor the Gods. Like you could start learning a language in honor of Hermes or you could read your favorite books for Athena. There are a ton of free things you can do to honor the Gods. [Theoi](https://www.theoi.com/) is also a good place to get some more information on the Gods. [This is also a great starting thread.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Hellenism/comments/w4v9yh/how_to_begin_worship_mega_thread/) Hope these resources help you on your journey and I hope you find what suits you best.
I’m fairly new to hellenism myself. For most of my life i was an atheist. And like you, i started thinking about it because of mythology. I had no idea if it was going to be right for me when i started, but i tried it out and started my practice. My best advice is to try it out and see! There’s never any harm in it, and if you decide it’s not right for you, you can easy step away from it.
As for the money aspect of it, i don’t think you need to worry about that. You don’t need to leave grand gestures in order to worship a deity. And if you really are set on making an altar- hand made things are just as special! To worship any deity, all you truly need is your mind and your devotion. Anything else is just extra steps, though it can be helpful.
I wish you the best of luck on your journey of discovery, and i hope you find a path that’s right for you! :)
I feel like most concepts I associate with religion and used to talk about as a catholic finally make sense, it’s like I knew them before but I believe and get them now, the sense of divinity in nature, the sense of being heard and being worth something, what certain things mean and how amazing certain experiences can be, I know it’s vague but like I said it’s not about it making sense rationally, I had that before, it’s about truly making sense emotionally and spiritually, I don’t just get it, I actually feel it’s true in a way I didn’t even know I didn’t before, you can’t teach belief and I don’t think that’s something I understood until I truly believed in something not just on a superficial level but in depth
My suggestions is to worship the deities by being the best version of yourself you can be. That's what Hellenism is about. I know some of the people here do the worship thing with altars and stuff but I honestly don't think thats important. Practicing high end virtues (aretes) in your daily life is what Hellenism is about.
As far as being concerned about money, often (since I don’t have much money to spare) I like to leave an offering of water out for Dionysos, and I made a nice little alter with some stuff I already have. The only thing I bought was a new wax melt scent
I was actually called to it when I was younger/found it early on but I wasn’t allowed practice/told it wasn’t a real religion. Had “spiritual awakening” “reconnected” or whatever you call it, remembered it and started from there
I do believe we were made in gods image, but it’s not the Christian gods it’s def the Greek ones. They were just like us. Their myths have the ring of truth. I never felt that reading the Bible or other holy books or even movies. And yet they are called myths and the other books are called truth. There is a bit of trickery that you have to disypher and prove for yourself. I love learning and reading about the gods. Every one of them has aspects that we can all relate to. It took me a while to figure out where I belonged spiritually and Hellenism makes the most sense to me mind body and spirit.
You dont *need* anything just get something that reminds you of them (could literally be a picture) research and kinda start off from there and how to *know* hellenism is for you? just a feeling do you connect with the gods? do you feel happy when you worship them?
Seems like a simple question but it is a very complex one in my opinion.
I will try to put into words:
To me, it just feels right. I feel connected to Hekate and Pan, I have evidence - within my beliefs - that this is for me. It just resonates well with me. They have appeared numerous ways and made themselves present when I needed the most.
But, behind the curtains, I don't think that automatically I am now bound to the whole Ancient Creek pantheon/Mythos. Or that I should also "fear Zeus wrath".
What I mean is, I see Hekate and Pan as emanations from the Uno/The Source/Great Spirit/Universe that represent a set of values with a particular egregore/energy, in a form/shape that I can understand enought to connect with. So this is how I knew: I felt this connection/resonance/embrace. It took a lot of studying and experimenting, trying it out, etc.
Give it a shot, see what happens, how it makes you feel, and trust your intuition/guts.
And like everyone said here: worshipping/praying is FREE!
You don't need to buy anything. Even studying or practicing/working with them is already a great offering. It is your time and energy you are offering. Whenever you feel the need to offer something physical, I bet they value more something you made yourself with the resources you have than buying it from Etsy.
At first, my doubts were similar to yours. Let's say that pagan rituals mixed with Wicca, or views more akin to magic, are not precisely of my interest. However, a thought kept lingering in my mind. This is the religion that arose from one of the most brilliant civilizations in humanity, and as such, it was not the same type of belief or faith we have today.
I researched theology, Plato, Aristotle, and finally discovered that theology and epistemology are related sciences. Both study knowledge, with the only difference being that one does so considering belief, faith, suggestion, etc.
Soon, I delved into metaphysical studies and ideas such as Kant's Noumenon. I understood that the gods, at least in my personal interpretation, are the primordial natural force of what they dominate or represent. For example, Aphrodite represents beauty and desire because she is, in fact, pure beauty, desire itself. Clearly, you and I have experienced love and desire, but that is only an individual vision, a glimpse of something utterly immense, far beyond us. Even though our visions of love may differ greatly, we can both agree that there is something we call love, beauty, power, will, etc. However, we will never fully know any of it, because its completeness is overwhelming. Whether the gods are those 'things in themselves' or whether they are merely a manifestation of their presence is something I do not know and cannot answer, but observing that metaphysical world, a world we can only intuit through feelings and reason, a world that touches us so deeply despite everything, in my view, is wonderful.
It is my choice to be amazed by the beauty of life and how enriching it can be to give a divine place to all those unknown yet familiar forces. Marvel at the hidden beauty in simplicity, let love and joy take hold of you, honor life with your life. In other words, honor the gods, because through Eudaimonia, we will be truly free and happy. Blessed are the eternal Olympian gods, and blessed are their gifts to us. I wish that the gods guide you not towards a belief in which you do not feel comfortable, but towards your own light and your personal path. This is the little I can offer to help you on your journey.
There's a purpose to your interest. If you look more closely at the reasons for your interest, you may discover that you are more informed and completely engrossed in the subject than you ever could have anticipated, in terms of the financial part of it. Offerings will eventually come into your life, and your intuition will inform you that they are intended for your deity. Hecate, for instance, is my goddess, and I gave her one of my son's black dog figurines he didn’t play with much and honestly, I can’t even tell you where it came from I noticed it on the rug in my living room one day randomly, knew she would adore it. She most certainly has.
Study the values of Hellenic culture. Do they resonate with you? Can you find ways that you can incorporate and express them in your life? Do you have an interest in the things the gods are patrons of? Can you find ways that involve your life with those things? This is an entirely valid method of worship and costs nothing other than your own effort and presence. Bright blessings.
I just do. It feels natural and right for me. What else is there to explain? I come from an Italian family, so culturally, Italy and Greece are extremely similar. Plus, America as a nation was founded on the ideals of Classical Greece and Republican Rome. You see this in Neoclassical art and architecture all over American cities. So for me personally, as an American, being a Hellenist just adds to that sense of cultural and political continuity with Athenian democracy and Roman law.
Altars dedicated to the Gods definitely takes YEARS to build. Don’t worry too much about it if you cannot afford it right now. Just pray and leave a libation of water if water is all you can afford. If you have access to candles, incense that’s great too but not needed. You can even dedicate research to them as an offering. Learn about the religion, that’s genuinely the most important thing for you now to do.
Firstly, you financial situation will never be a problem. Religion/spirituality doesn't have a "paywall", especially ancient religions. If someone tells you so, they're being ignorant.
Secondly, the only way to know if it's right is if it feels right. I know that's a vague statement, but there really isn't any other way to know. Religion/spirituality is a deeply personal thing, tied to your own beliefs, values and instinct. You can't expect to find a clear answer anywhere else but within yourself.
You don’t need to buy anything!
All you need is the right intentions. Devotional acts are a great way to worship the gods. Apollo for example, I sit in the sun for an hour or so every day and thank him for the warmth and light. If you believe Hellenism is right for you, you don’t need money
You’re a brand new account with only one comment to berate someone’s beliefs in a subreddit dedicated to those beliefs? That’s “kind of far fetched is it not?”
This content breaks Rule 5. r/Hellenism is a religious community. We believe the gods are real, as part of our spiritual practice. We appreciate members and guests who respect that notion. Please avoid attempts to convert members of r/Hellenism away from Hellenism, or language that denies the gods' divinity.
This content breaks Rule 5. r/Hellenism is a religious community. We believe the gods are real, as part of our spiritual practice. We appreciate members and guests who respect that notion. Please avoid attempts to convert members of r/Hellenism away from Hellenism, or language that denies the gods' divinity.
This content breaks Rule 5. r/Hellenism is a religious community. We believe the gods are real, as part of our spiritual practice. We appreciate members and guests who respect that notion. Please avoid attempts to convert members of r/Hellenism away from Hellenism, or language that denies the gods' divinity.
I think your interest is telling you to try it out. You don’t need money to worship deities; ur friend is not an expert. Nobody is! Read the wiki in h to this subreddit to get started
I genuinely, truly love the gods. Worshipping and praying to them is different. I truly love them. From the moment I started learning about them, I found them to be extremely fascinating. And over the years, my fascination turned to love. I use to worship and pray in my religion of birth but I began to question why deity(es) claiming to be omnipotent would allow such misery and suffering and poverty for their worshippers. And also I wasn't very religious. Just doing what others were doing. And I was a child. It's quite easy to indoctrinate a child to a set of beliefs. For me atleast, it's also about the core values of Hellenism and what values we give importance to.
Hey! Me too!
Oh the euphoria of being in the company of those of similar thinking.
Lovely sentiment. I couldn't agree more.
Hello! First, you don't need money to worship. You don't need to buy all these elaborate things to worship the Gods. You can truly start with just praying to whichever God/dess you are drawn too. I know you see pictures of our altars and it's easy to feel like you aren't doing enough. Truthfully, you don't need an altar. Mine is very simple because I am also on limited money rn. At first I just went through my things and picked out what I thought my Gods would like. So you could try doing that if you feel set on making an altar. If you feel like you want to make offerings, you can just offer them water and it's perfectly fine. It's truly about the good intent behind the offering that matters most. May I ask which God/dess you are drawn too? Second, I think you should try it out if you are feeling drawn to it. The Gods will not be upset if you learn it's not for you. For me, I felt drawn to the Gods, mainly Hypnos and Apollo. When I reached out to Apollo and Hypnos, it felt like coming home.
Hello. I'm glad to know money isn't something that'll hold me back since that was a big worry for me. Right now I feel drawn to Hermes, Hephaestus and Athena. I'm going to definitely start to have a look into this more
Here are some cheat sheets to help you get started, they include a prayer and a hymn you can use (but really you can say whatever you'd like to the gods, just thought I'd include that incase you didn't know what to say) and some general info. [Hermes](https://screeching-0wl.tumblr.com/post/666777167733178368/a-guide-to-worship-of-hermes-cheat-sheets), [Hephaistos](https://screeching-0wl.tumblr.com/post/668138020858429440/a-guide-to-worship-of-hephaistos-cheat-sheets), and [Athena](https://screeching-0wl.tumblr.com/post/668562937331548160/a-guide-to-worship-of-athena-cheat-sheets). These also include devotional acts you can do to honor the Gods. Like you could start learning a language in honor of Hermes or you could read your favorite books for Athena. There are a ton of free things you can do to honor the Gods. [Theoi](https://www.theoi.com/) is also a good place to get some more information on the Gods. [This is also a great starting thread.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Hellenism/comments/w4v9yh/how_to_begin_worship_mega_thread/) Hope these resources help you on your journey and I hope you find what suits you best.
Thank you for this information, I really appreciate it. I'll make sure to look through all of this
I’m fairly new to hellenism myself. For most of my life i was an atheist. And like you, i started thinking about it because of mythology. I had no idea if it was going to be right for me when i started, but i tried it out and started my practice. My best advice is to try it out and see! There’s never any harm in it, and if you decide it’s not right for you, you can easy step away from it. As for the money aspect of it, i don’t think you need to worry about that. You don’t need to leave grand gestures in order to worship a deity. And if you really are set on making an altar- hand made things are just as special! To worship any deity, all you truly need is your mind and your devotion. Anything else is just extra steps, though it can be helpful. I wish you the best of luck on your journey of discovery, and i hope you find a path that’s right for you! :)
I feel like most concepts I associate with religion and used to talk about as a catholic finally make sense, it’s like I knew them before but I believe and get them now, the sense of divinity in nature, the sense of being heard and being worth something, what certain things mean and how amazing certain experiences can be, I know it’s vague but like I said it’s not about it making sense rationally, I had that before, it’s about truly making sense emotionally and spiritually, I don’t just get it, I actually feel it’s true in a way I didn’t even know I didn’t before, you can’t teach belief and I don’t think that’s something I understood until I truly believed in something not just on a superficial level but in depth
My suggestions is to worship the deities by being the best version of yourself you can be. That's what Hellenism is about. I know some of the people here do the worship thing with altars and stuff but I honestly don't think thats important. Practicing high end virtues (aretes) in your daily life is what Hellenism is about.
As far as being concerned about money, often (since I don’t have much money to spare) I like to leave an offering of water out for Dionysos, and I made a nice little alter with some stuff I already have. The only thing I bought was a new wax melt scent
I was actually called to it when I was younger/found it early on but I wasn’t allowed practice/told it wasn’t a real religion. Had “spiritual awakening” “reconnected” or whatever you call it, remembered it and started from there
I do believe we were made in gods image, but it’s not the Christian gods it’s def the Greek ones. They were just like us. Their myths have the ring of truth. I never felt that reading the Bible or other holy books or even movies. And yet they are called myths and the other books are called truth. There is a bit of trickery that you have to disypher and prove for yourself. I love learning and reading about the gods. Every one of them has aspects that we can all relate to. It took me a while to figure out where I belonged spiritually and Hellenism makes the most sense to me mind body and spirit.
Try it and if you don't like it, stop.
You dont *need* anything just get something that reminds you of them (could literally be a picture) research and kinda start off from there and how to *know* hellenism is for you? just a feeling do you connect with the gods? do you feel happy when you worship them?
Seems like a simple question but it is a very complex one in my opinion. I will try to put into words: To me, it just feels right. I feel connected to Hekate and Pan, I have evidence - within my beliefs - that this is for me. It just resonates well with me. They have appeared numerous ways and made themselves present when I needed the most. But, behind the curtains, I don't think that automatically I am now bound to the whole Ancient Creek pantheon/Mythos. Or that I should also "fear Zeus wrath". What I mean is, I see Hekate and Pan as emanations from the Uno/The Source/Great Spirit/Universe that represent a set of values with a particular egregore/energy, in a form/shape that I can understand enought to connect with. So this is how I knew: I felt this connection/resonance/embrace. It took a lot of studying and experimenting, trying it out, etc. Give it a shot, see what happens, how it makes you feel, and trust your intuition/guts. And like everyone said here: worshipping/praying is FREE! You don't need to buy anything. Even studying or practicing/working with them is already a great offering. It is your time and energy you are offering. Whenever you feel the need to offer something physical, I bet they value more something you made yourself with the resources you have than buying it from Etsy.
At first, my doubts were similar to yours. Let's say that pagan rituals mixed with Wicca, or views more akin to magic, are not precisely of my interest. However, a thought kept lingering in my mind. This is the religion that arose from one of the most brilliant civilizations in humanity, and as such, it was not the same type of belief or faith we have today. I researched theology, Plato, Aristotle, and finally discovered that theology and epistemology are related sciences. Both study knowledge, with the only difference being that one does so considering belief, faith, suggestion, etc. Soon, I delved into metaphysical studies and ideas such as Kant's Noumenon. I understood that the gods, at least in my personal interpretation, are the primordial natural force of what they dominate or represent. For example, Aphrodite represents beauty and desire because she is, in fact, pure beauty, desire itself. Clearly, you and I have experienced love and desire, but that is only an individual vision, a glimpse of something utterly immense, far beyond us. Even though our visions of love may differ greatly, we can both agree that there is something we call love, beauty, power, will, etc. However, we will never fully know any of it, because its completeness is overwhelming. Whether the gods are those 'things in themselves' or whether they are merely a manifestation of their presence is something I do not know and cannot answer, but observing that metaphysical world, a world we can only intuit through feelings and reason, a world that touches us so deeply despite everything, in my view, is wonderful. It is my choice to be amazed by the beauty of life and how enriching it can be to give a divine place to all those unknown yet familiar forces. Marvel at the hidden beauty in simplicity, let love and joy take hold of you, honor life with your life. In other words, honor the gods, because through Eudaimonia, we will be truly free and happy. Blessed are the eternal Olympian gods, and blessed are their gifts to us. I wish that the gods guide you not towards a belief in which you do not feel comfortable, but towards your own light and your personal path. This is the little I can offer to help you on your journey.
There's a purpose to your interest. If you look more closely at the reasons for your interest, you may discover that you are more informed and completely engrossed in the subject than you ever could have anticipated, in terms of the financial part of it. Offerings will eventually come into your life, and your intuition will inform you that they are intended for your deity. Hecate, for instance, is my goddess, and I gave her one of my son's black dog figurines he didn’t play with much and honestly, I can’t even tell you where it came from I noticed it on the rug in my living room one day randomly, knew she would adore it. She most certainly has.
Study the values of Hellenic culture. Do they resonate with you? Can you find ways that you can incorporate and express them in your life? Do you have an interest in the things the gods are patrons of? Can you find ways that involve your life with those things? This is an entirely valid method of worship and costs nothing other than your own effort and presence. Bright blessings.
I just do. It feels natural and right for me. What else is there to explain? I come from an Italian family, so culturally, Italy and Greece are extremely similar. Plus, America as a nation was founded on the ideals of Classical Greece and Republican Rome. You see this in Neoclassical art and architecture all over American cities. So for me personally, as an American, being a Hellenist just adds to that sense of cultural and political continuity with Athenian democracy and Roman law.
Altars dedicated to the Gods definitely takes YEARS to build. Don’t worry too much about it if you cannot afford it right now. Just pray and leave a libation of water if water is all you can afford. If you have access to candles, incense that’s great too but not needed. You can even dedicate research to them as an offering. Learn about the religion, that’s genuinely the most important thing for you now to do.
Firstly, you financial situation will never be a problem. Religion/spirituality doesn't have a "paywall", especially ancient religions. If someone tells you so, they're being ignorant. Secondly, the only way to know if it's right is if it feels right. I know that's a vague statement, but there really isn't any other way to know. Religion/spirituality is a deeply personal thing, tied to your own beliefs, values and instinct. You can't expect to find a clear answer anywhere else but within yourself.
You don’t need to buy anything! All you need is the right intentions. Devotional acts are a great way to worship the gods. Apollo for example, I sit in the sun for an hour or so every day and thank him for the warmth and light. If you believe Hellenism is right for you, you don’t need money
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You’re a brand new account with only one comment to berate someone’s beliefs in a subreddit dedicated to those beliefs? That’s “kind of far fetched is it not?”
[удалено]
This content breaks Rule 5. r/Hellenism is a religious community. We believe the gods are real, as part of our spiritual practice. We appreciate members and guests who respect that notion. Please avoid attempts to convert members of r/Hellenism away from Hellenism, or language that denies the gods' divinity.
[удалено]
This content breaks Rule 5. r/Hellenism is a religious community. We believe the gods are real, as part of our spiritual practice. We appreciate members and guests who respect that notion. Please avoid attempts to convert members of r/Hellenism away from Hellenism, or language that denies the gods' divinity.
This content breaks Rule 5. r/Hellenism is a religious community. We believe the gods are real, as part of our spiritual practice. We appreciate members and guests who respect that notion. Please avoid attempts to convert members of r/Hellenism away from Hellenism, or language that denies the gods' divinity.