Samhain — or Halloween — is not a Hellenic holiday. It is a Wiccan/Celtic-themed one. However, it is a day that we can use to honor the Gods who are psychopomps. Hecate and Hermes are two of the notable ones that come to my mind today. Hecate is spoken of in the Orphic Hymns as…

Today I got into a discussion on one of the FaceBook groups that I am a part of and had a comment made about semantics becoming divisive. And yes, semantics are by their nature divisive. They cut through the layers of false equivalence. I have written before about how Pagan does not necessarily equal Celtic…

In another four days it will be November. This begins the second part of the “holiday” season in the American mindset. I say that it is the season when we should be mindful of what is going on for others in our communities. In the United States, it is autumn — or early winter —…

The other day when I posted about an “unusual” offering to Asclepios and Apollo, I failed to clarify my feelings on what is and is not an acceptable offering. As Hellenic Polytheists we are called upon by our faith to be part of our civic/secular communities as well. It was pointed out by another person…

Great Esculapius [Asklepios], skill’d to heal mankind,  all-ruling Pæan, and physician kind; Whose arts medic’nal, can alone assuage  diseases dire, and stop their dreadful rage: Strong lenient God, regard my suppliant pray’r,  bring gentle Health, adorn’d with lovely hair; Convey the means of mitigating pain,  and raging, deadly pestilence restrain. O pow’r all-flourishing, abundant, bright, …

As you can probably tell by the title of the post — all is quiet on the festival front for the next couple of months. In point of fact, the next major festival (on the ancient Athenian calendar) that we know about is not until almost three months from now. This gives us time to…

About seven years ago, I was involved in an online exchange with another Hellenic Polytheist where I said that philoxenia was demanded by our religion. When I was challenged to provide source material for that statement, I was fortunately able to bring not only one but two quotes from the Odyssey to the table. I…

The other day my husband went and did grocery shopping while I kept our daughter entertained. Although he knows that the Thesmophoria is this week he got me a pomegranate (something not appropriate from Demeter’s point of view). He said he was thinking of things from the point of view of Hades wanting to get…

The Stenia festival is a lot less known than the Thesmophoria festival that follows it a few days later. And, as the page linked to states, there is actually little known about the festival in question. What is known about it does suggest, however, that this was a rather baudy festival. This is something that would be…

Although I was not able to attend Denver’s Pagan Pride day this year because of my child being ill, (I am first and foremost a mommy) I did hear several reports from friends that disturbed me greatly. And the most important ones were centered around two things — the venue chosen and the main sponsor.…