Life of a Hellenic Polytheist

Being a  devotee of Ares  I have come to acknowledge and connect with him as my "Spiritual Father". Recently I had written a Opening Shrine Ritual in honour of Ares for the upcoming devotional Dauntless by Biblioteca Alexandria, and I wanted to share it with you, in the hopes that you as a Hellenic Polytheist can understand that Ares is not as "horrible and scary" as some might have you to think. So by doing this Ritual if you are so inclined to do so,  will undoubtedly help you gain a better connection and understanding with him as a God in his own right ; and who knows.. maybe he may even introduce to his lovers such as Aphrodite and Enyo (bet you didn't know he had another lover eh?....).   When setting up the ritual Space you will need a space to place your Shrine, which can be a shelf or any flat surface providing its clean:  * A depiction of Ares God of War ( can be a statue or Google photo),  * Altar cloth (if desired preferably crimson red...

Awake Awake My Lord , Awake in Fire, Awake in Rage , For the Horn of Battle sounds, It calls us like a sailor hypnotised by a mermaids song. Hear the thunder of hooves against the ground, our enemies approach The strench of blood upon the ground and in teh air The thud of your heart as you rush into battle The shouts of Victory across the plains The shouts of victory bearing your name. Hurry m' lord, with thine sword and thy shield to smite the enemy down.  For this Day we shall be victorious and there is glory to be had!  Hail Ares 

When worshipping Ares, I have come across a new Goddess of War who is almost the same as Ares himself , if not more deadly so! Beware that when communing with this Goddess she will be very intimidating to approach , if not more so than her brother and Lover (yes that's right "Lover" ) . This Goddess was brought to my attention though another Hellenic Polytheist friend of mine on facebook who devotes himself to her and so  thought I would do some more research into her through the website Theoi.com. Alas not much information is given about her, other than she was a Daughter of Zeus and Hera and that she had a son by Ares called Enyalios. The following below passage was what i found amongst some other Quotations later on: "E′NYO (Enuô), the goddess of war, who delights in bloodshed and the destruction of towns, and accompanies Mars in battles. (Hom.  Il.  v. 333, 592; Eustath. p. 140.) At Thebes and Orchomenos, a festival called Homolôïa was celebrated in honour of...

Hail and Welcome I set up a Shrine to Athena Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. I consider her as being my Spiritual Mother and I thought I would show you this Shrine unto her which I have set up on my mantle piece.  I know that the mantle piece should only be a place for Hestia, but as I recently had to de-clutter my house I was unable to place her in my usual Altar spot whereby I usually do my daily prayers. So here is the Shrine I built for her and I recited this quick prayer to go along with it making offerings of water and insence . Enjoy and May Athena Bless you All . O' Mighty and Beautiful Athena Wisest of the Gods,  Good counsel and favourite daughter of Zeus  Hear me as I now dedicate this shrine in your honour I shall live this day remembering who I am and know that your spirit lies within me  noble Lady of the Grey eyes the one whom I call my Spiritual Mother I ask that you protect us and this house with your shield and spear.   ...

O'Skillful Artemis of the silver bow hear my prayer unto you.  Let me pass through your forests of which you love so deeply .  Grant me safe passage along these unsteady rocky paths, Lest I stumble and fall, Let my feet be as swift and steady as yours, as I hunt down my prey. Illuminate my path with your arrows when it's dark so that I may find my way home safely. Thank you Hail Artemis  (c) Natasha Handy

Bless my sword O' Ares as I fight my enemy this day.  Let the sweat from my brow and the tears of my blood be my sacrifice to you on these sacred sands and my honour be forever remembered as a warrior, As a gladiator worthy of note.  For if I should fall in the Arena,  L et it not be forgot that my life was gladly given in your honour, As a Gladiator,  As a True Warrior, As a God of the Arena.  Hail Ares (c) Natasha Handy

Theoi (Gods) Thy are my Parents, my Family I turn to Thee mostly at times of Need & Suffering When that has passed I almost forget Thee Sometimes when I feel caught between Skylla & the Kharybdis I mock Thee, asking Thee why ..? But I suffer because of my own doing O’ Theoi (Gods) Thou have given me life Thou comfort me, Thou never leaves me alone Thou are always there for me In sickness, in pain, in heartache Thou have guided me & gave me strength I am sorry for all the wrongs I’ve made I may not be able to give you offerings, sacrifices nor can I give you libations Sorry if I can’t thank Thee properly I know this prayer is not suitable for Thee O’ Theoi (Gods) in Heaven But I promise Thee, I will always believe… I will always, always believe in Hellenismos Khaire ! Hail & Praise to Thee O’ Theoi (Gods) on High Olympos ! Eternal Honor & Glory to Thee Ancient Gods & Goddesses of Hellas !!!! Khaire to the Gods & Goddesses !! E...

Since founding my new Facebook Group in honour of Hephaestus , I found this on Google whilst searching for photo/pictures of our Lord Hephaestus and this is what I found . I don't know who the author of this prayer but I love it and thought I would share it with those of you who are Devotees of this very strong and hardworking God .  Hail Hephaestus

So I was at my computer and I felt like my mind had been "possesed" into doing a prayer for Lady Artemis. I don't know if its coz I haven't been doing my daily prayers of late to her *Gasp* (yes, I have been naughty) but hopefully having written this praise with her in mind, she will forgive me. I sing in praise of Lady Artemis, Great virgin huntress of the wild forests of Gaia and Protectoress of Young maidens and animals alike.  Swiftly do you travel through the forest as the light of Selene illuminates your way.  Great huntress of the silver bow, grant us your strength and agility in all things that may elude us and let us never falter in our quests however hard they may be.  Beloved virgin daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin sister to Lord Phoebus Apollo.  Teach us to be independent as you are. Teach us to be Strong as you are.  Teach us to be self sufficient as you are and let us never bow to the will of men.  Let us be the...

Now I know some of you may think that having a morning routine when worshipping the Gods is not necessary, but I say that if you going to devote yourself to the Gods, then you have to make the effort in gaining their favour. You can't expect the Gods to help you if you are not willing to help yourself by doing some running ie to pass an exam you have to study for it. The Gods will not do the work for you , but they will help you in some sort of way if you give them reverence and honour. So here is my routine: 1) Wash hands and face (to clean off any negative energy-* miasma.  Never pray to the gods with unclean hands. If you have time for a shower, then its even better. 2) Stand before the altar, light insence and candle to Hestia. Then recite Homeric Hymn #24 "Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the Lord Apollo the far shooter at goodly  Pytho with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house, come, having one mind with Zeus the all wise, ...

Hail to you Mother Demeter great goddess of the Harvest We praise you and your might, to you the seasons obey, for you are the honoured harvest bringer. Oh graceful and careing Demeter when your daughter was took from your arms, all life mourned for your loss and mortals could hold no banquet, Yet now that the winter season is coming to an end we give thee reverance and honour  as only you can give us hope and with it the new seasons harvest with the coming Spring and Summer when life will thrive once again and your daughter returns to the world above. So bless us now harvest mother, great daughter of Kronus and Rhea and sister to Mighty Zeus  so that we may be as fruitful, abundant and fertile in our lives as the harvest itself. As a thank you and token of our appreciation we ask that you please accept these offerings of insence, water, bread and fruit May you always watchover us, protect us and give us your blessings , strength and nourishment w...

Hail to you all Mighty Zeus King of all Olympus I praise you and your might. To you the heavens obey your every gesture whether they open freely with your tears of joy, sorrow or  with your rageing anger .  For you are the wielder of the mighty thunderbolt and ruler of the skies I look to the heavens and know that you watch over us this day giving us your blessings in the form of rain as you pour your favour and grace upon this land upon which we stand. Great and powerful Mighty Zeus, son of Kronus and Rhea, When the Titans mounted a strike on Mount Olympus your rage was known throughout the land when your loyal brothers, sisters, daughters and sons joined you into battle only to crush those who would userp your throne and slay all mankind. Yet we thank you this day, for your mercy is what has given us life and for that we give you our gratitude and thanks. Hail to you mighty Thundering Zeus, Ruler of Mount Olympus and  Father to us all.

I call to bright - haired Helios, son of Titans, brother of the shining moon, driver of horseswift and bold, flame -maned steeds of such might and spirit, only teh hand of a god can hold them to their course. On far - flung Rhodes your image stood, wondrous tall,  gazing oaver teh sea, a constrcut of devotion; in Conrinth too were you well known , honoured by all in the hear of that great and worthy city. Helios, golden one, bringer of precious daylight, you gladden teh hearts of mortal men and woman. your presence marks each day that passes us by, yor travels mark the seasons of our earthly live The sparkof life resides in you, the fire and soul that drives us forth,  we draw form you, Great Helios. Helios all-seeing lord of the bright sky I call to you. Hail to you Mighty Helios  By Underflow

Some time ago a Pagan friend of mine sent a message and made an event in  to send out a healing and protection prayer to Poseidon to warn him of the dangers that his Sea children were suffering and  So this what the even was in aid of : " Date : World wide Full Moon January 27th 2013 on a  Event :  Full Moon Healing and Protection  Purpose :    All creatures are equal in nature, this includes humans. Love all creatures in nature, this is how it should be. It breaks my heart to see the ocean's Wales and Dolphins being slaughtered in the hundreds and thousands everyday. These creatures are not dumb creatures with no feelings, they are very smart very beautiful creatures that have come to the rescue of drawing humans hundreds of times, and this is how we repay them, by killing them by the hundreds. I am going to do a Healing/Protecting ritual for these beautiful creatures on the coming full moon 26 of this month and I would like you all to join m...

Prayer to Aeolus   O' descend Your cool breath upon us, noble Aeolus, and let it fill our bodies with Your pure and holy presence. We hail to the Master of the wind, Who guides Boreas from the North, Eurus from the East, Notus from the South and Zephyrus from the West, and They all pay You homage and hail to you as Their King. May You come this day and gently whirl around us, blessing us with Your wisdom and caressing our faces with Your gentle breeze. Accept the incense which we now burn to You, and as it fills the air around us, may also Your love and guidance surround. by Chris Aldridge Feb 7th 2013  

Hail to you O'beautiful and noble Lady Artemis, skilfull huntress and guardian of the wood, Protector of our children and animals of the world. We praise you and your might this day. O'skillful huntress of the ever shining Moon grant us thy favour, protection and strength we give thee reverance and honour. Great blessed daughter of the Mighty Zeus and Leto and twin sister to our blessed Lord Phoebus Apollo, I bring thee offerings of Pine insence and water. May you grant me the strength and courage to fight for independence. Hail to you O'skillful markswoman of the far shooting silver bow and arrows, You who with your loyal hunting hounds are in ever pursuit of the stag. Keeper and guardian of the forests and nature We praise and honour you this day For you are the one voice amongst many Hail to you O'blessed Lady Artemis 

Glorious and Eternal immortal rulers of all that is, You who sit on the thrones of Olympus, Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Demeter, Artemis, Apollo, Athena, Hephaestus, Ares, Hermes, and Dionysus. I do not pray for myself this day , but for all the world. We need the wisdom and blessings of you all. I ask for  Zeus’ great leadership,  Heras Protection to all women,  Aphodites love and nature to spread to all on Earth,  PoseidonsTrident to defend the Oceans of Gaia that are under attack from pollution ,  Demeters peace to fill our hearts and the blessings of the land and crops to feed the hungry , To Artemis to give power women oppressed and protect the wilderness and the creatures within and to watch over and protect the infants and children of mankind. To Apollo for his healing touch to be placed upon all the sick and ill, To Hephaestus creativity to be the fire in our hearts,  To Ares to destroy all the dangers to humanity and Ga...

As a Hellenist, I believe that perseverance and daily devotional prayers to the Gods are an essential part of my religion, as an avid follower of the Gods and Goddesses of Greece. I mainly dedicate myself to the great 12 Olympians including Hestia, which makes it 13 in all, but hey who is counting? I know that many Hellenists have different techniques and styles when it comes to praying to the Gods to which some may even include meditation which is of course great for Focusing on your deities etc. I myself am in the process of trying out meditation due to the fact that I recently had inspiration from Apollo into which I needed more focus in my life on what I wanted out of life as well as focusing more on the gods themselves. My daily devotions are best done in the morning because the day has just begun and if the Sun is shining all the better. Its amazing how the sun can lift one spirits up. In the the morning I wash my face and hands as it cleans away any negativity (miasma)...

Hail to you all Mighty Hephaestus of the thundering hammer. We praise you and your might,  Skillfull crafter of metalwork, maker of marvels and inventions are your greatest gifts to us all. Oh mighty skillfull and hardworking  Hephaestus, Grant us thy favour, determination, protection and strength. We give thee reverance and honour. Great son of the Mighty Zeus and  Queen Hera whom by Heras hand  was made lame, I bring thee offerings of sandlewood insence, and cold water to quench your thirst of the ever hard work you that you always strive yourself in doing.  hail to you Oh skillfull and mighty Hephaestus,  Lord of inventions, Patron of metalcraftsmen and jewellers alike  We thank, priase and honour  you this day  For you are the voice amongst many  HAIL HEPHAESTUS  

Wild-running Artemis, daughter of thundering Zeus, fleet-footed huntress, bright-hearted girl whose joy it is to roam the wood and flowered field, you hold the mountains as your own. Artemis, fair maid of the forest, I call out to you. In all things, O goddess, are you sovereign; in all ways do you uphold your own might. Artemis, friend of the maiden, friend of all who are sufficient to themselves, grant to me the joy of independence, the solace of self-reliance. May I treasure my solitude, O Artemis; may I sing with my own voice. by Hearthstone