…sacrifice to the deathless gods purely and cleanly, and burn rich meats also, and at other times propitiate them with libations and incense, both when you go to bed and when the holy light has come back, that they may be gracious to you in heart and spirit…” ~ Hesiod, Works and Days

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For some additional commentary, please read my first post on this subject: Repent of Sin: Sin and Salvation in Hellenismos.

Many Hellenic Polytheists fervently wish to draw a distinction between the word ‘sin’ and Hellenic ethics because it is a term generally associated with Christian belief systems. They argue the concept of ‘sin’ is separate from issues of “right or wrong,” and will unfailingly avoid using the word “sinful” to refer to actions that violate Hellenic ethics, preferring terms such as “missing the mark” or “mistake,” which do not carry a Christian connotation. There are also Hellenic Polytheists who insist moral codes derive from societal mores or human laws, rather than Divinity. This line of thinking seems contrary to the Greek. There are human laws and social norms, all over the globe, that are indelibly linked to oppression, brutality, and prejudice.

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I would have never thought my short little ditty Hellenic Kindergarten would have created controversy, but it has. The storm stems from the phrase “repent of sins” being used and this caused a little uproar. First, some offence seems to have been taken because of the Christian connotation of the word. Second, the Greeks had no word that easily translates specifically to sin. I am amazed with all the people claiming to have read my books this debate did not surfaced sooner. I go into great detail about the Hellenic concept of “sin and salvation” within The Gods of Reason. In any event, let us address the issue more publicly, as I am sure there are those who may not be bold enough to ask.

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All the way from the Oracle at the home office in Delphi Greece, here are your Top 10 Lessons Every Hellenic Needs to Learn:

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In one of my many conversations regarding Hellenismos, an individual told me he did not believe there was any good “basic” information regarding the ritual practices from the many sources online. The accusation seems to be that most new to Hellenismos should independently sift through volumes of texts, extracting the basics of practice, and as a result, most conversations were over the newbie’s head. Doing a quick search, I was actually surprised how sparse and scattered the most basic information was, and while I have addressed these more basic topics in The Beginner’s Guide to Hellenismos, I wanted to create a Quick Guide for those who are new. A Quick Guide is a document that is not intended to be all-inclusive, but provides the bare-bones essentials to start. No one can look at this work as all that is needed, but it does provide basic information for a person to create a working practice while continuing to learn.

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One of the words we often hear or read in discussions regarding Hellenismos is “virtue.” The modern use of the word means moral excellence and the living of one’s life by a set of moral and ethical principles. Greek ethics is not so much the condemnation of individual personal behavior, but is more in line with a set of guidelines of what one should do rather than should not. Virtue ethics emphasizes character, rather than specific rules, as the key element of ethical thinking, and the Greek concept of virtue is very closely linked to the idea of excellence and ideals. This is in a way that goes beyond what many would consider moral or ethical issues. Virtue is not a complicated concept, but it is one that every practitioner of Hellenismos must strive to understand.

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The performing of ritual sacrifice seems to be the most worrisome religious act for many who are new to Hellenismos. There is some fear involved in burning items as offerings to the Gods. Some misconceptions exist that the process is complicated or difficult. Among others, there is even an idea that the act of sacrifice is an out dated, antiquated method of worship that has no place in modern society or religions. In this post, I want to address the different forms of sacrifice, the different types, a proper method for performing them, and (in the process) dispel a few myths on the subject. While there is some crossover with the acts of libation and votive offerings, I am going to leave them as a separate issue, and discuss those at another time.

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