Hellenismos

[Arion]

I'm interested in researching Greek Reconstructionism, and it would really help me out if people could suggest some resources. I prefer books, because it's hard for me to read things online without getting distracted by other things, but I'll take whatever I can get. I have a few books on ancient religious practices/beleifs of the Greeks, but I'm more interested in what defines Hellenismos in modern-day, and what rules and codes that need to be followed to be considered Hellenismos. Any tips on how I could get into practicing would be helpful too, like where I can find these calendars with the festivals on them. I just basically want to know how to start practicing Hellenismos and what I need to know. I really want to pursue a Hellenic path, whether I will end up in Hellenismos as a full reconstructionist, only time will tell ;)

[Agaliha]

Here's some stuff: (looked though my older posts about this topic)

Here are some Hellenismos links:
Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenismos)
Hellenismos site (http://www.geocities.com/greekreligiongr/hellenismos.html)
what is Hellenismos? (http://paganwiccan.about.com/library/weekly/uc031303hellenismos.htm)
Another Hellenismos site (http://kyrene.4t.com/recon_types.html)
Another What is Hellenismos site (http://www.wargoddess.net/greek/rel/hellenismos1.php)
A Hellenismos FAQ (http://www.ecauldron.com/dc-faq.php)-- covers all the aspects
Sannion's Sanctuary - Hellenic Polytheism (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geupemTpZExa4An_RXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2aXBvZDkwBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMwRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANERlg1X zMw/SIG=12fvl4q08/EXP=1150787622/**http%3a//www.winterscapes.com/sannion/hellenic_polytheism.htm)
Greek/Hellenic Reconstructionist Paganism (The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum) (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geupemTpZExa4ArvRXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2anNnbmViBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDNgRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANERlg1X zMw/SIG=11rfm91s7/EXP=1150787622/**http%3a//www.ecauldron.com/recongreek.php)
Temenos Theon - Hellenismos' Cults, Traditions, and Practices (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geutztTpZE_fsAHD5XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE3cDI4dnFqBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMTkEc2VjA3NyBHZ0aWQDREZYN V8zMA--/SIG=11p0secup/EXP=1150787693/**http%3a//kyrene.4t.com/recon_types.html)
Temenos Theon - About Hellenismos and reconstruction (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geurI7GlBFFKMAt1JXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE3aW9mNDJyBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDNwRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANFMjYyX zEwMA--/SIG=11j6kdqai/EXP=1162963899/**http%3a//kyrene.4t.com/intro.html)
HELLENISMOS: for the dissemination of modern greek culture (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geurI7GlBFFKMAn1JXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE3YzV0bDVzBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANFMjYyX zEwMA--/SIG=11f6iq6no/EXP=1162963899/**http%3a//www.hellenismos.com/)
NEOKOROI - Hellenismos (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geurI7GlBFFKMAw1JXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE4bWJ2ZHZwBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMTAEc2VjA3NyBHZ0aWQDRTI2M l8xMDA-/SIG=11ra4otck/EXP=1162963899/**http%3a//www.neokoroi.org/hellenismos.htm)
Hellenismos-L : Hellenic reconstructionist emailing list (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geuoODGlBFkegAXCdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE4cnY2NDJ1BGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMTQEc2VjA3NyBHZ0aWQDRTI2M l8xMDA-/SIG=120fbgb26/EXP=1162963971/**http%3a//groups.yahoo.com/group/Hellenismos-L/)
Hands-On Hellenism (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geuo2lGlBFDwgAMBVXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTFkY2Fycmc1BGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMQRxdANkcQRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZ ANFMjYyXzEwMA--/SIG=11am2thk0/EXP=1162964005/**http%3a//www.sponde.com/)
Hellenismos and Religio Romana--Beliefnet.com (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geurnkGlBFQ_EAP2JXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE4aWRtbTRxBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMjEEc2VjA3NyBHZ0aWQDRTI2M l8xMDA-/SIG=13aaq4qf8/EXP=1162964068/**http%3a//www.beliefnet.com/boards/message_list.asp%3fboardID=13978%26discussionID=516070)
Links for Greek/Hellenic Reconstructionist Paganism (http://www.ecauldron.com/recongreek.php)
A site for Hellenic polythiests (http://www.hellenion.org/)
Prayer in Hellenismos (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geurnkGlBFQ_EAU2JXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE4bXRkYWZtBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMjYEc2VjA3NyBHZ0aWQDRTI2M l8xMDA-/SIG=11udl007u/EXP=1162964068/**http%3a//persephones.250free.com/prayer.html) and Several Essays on Hellenismos (http://persephones.250free.com/essays.html)
Hellenismos/Greek Recon at Alternative Religion (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geuo2nG1BFugoALTlXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE3YXBmcHAzBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDOQRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANFMjYyX zEwMA--/SIG=120eadm6e/EXP=1162964263/**http%3a//altreligion.about.com/od/hellenismos/)
Hellenic Reconstruction (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geupPQG1BFtNsA3mNXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE4bXRkYWZtBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMjYEc2VjA3NyBHZ0aWQDRTI2M l8xMDA-/SIG=11u2vloeq/EXP=1162964304/**http%3a//www.tcnj.edu/~adler/Hellenism.htm)


For Hellenic (neo)-Paganism: (just in case you're curious)
FAQ for Hellenic NeoPaganism (http://www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/OM/GRNP-FAQ.html)
A Hellenic Paganism site (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/6670/?200521)
Summary of Hellenic Paganism (http://www.meta-religion.com/Esoterism/Magick/hellenic_neo-paganism.htm)
Wikipedia: Hellenic polytheism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell%C3%AAnismos)

[SilentDreams]

Here is a great one I was recently given:

Sannion's Sanctuary (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/hellenic_polytheism.htm)

[Theres]

Burkert; 'Greek Religion' and 'Structure and History in Greek Mythology and Ritual', also 'Ancient Mystery Cults'

Nilsson; 'A History of Greek Religion'

Harris; 'Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion' (i'm just reading this one now).

Mikalson; 'Ancient Greek Religion'

Farnell; 'The Cults of the Greek States'

gotta go to work now, but i'll post more later if you like.

[Arion]

Thanks for the links Agaliha :)
Here is a great one I was recently given:

Sannion's Sanctuary (http://www.winterscapes.com/sannion/hellenic_polytheism.htm)
Yeah, I've been there before. It's a great site!
Burkert; 'Greek Religion' and 'Structure and History in Greek Mythology and Ritual', also 'Ancient Mystery Cults'

Nilsson; 'A History of Greek Religion'

Harris; 'Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion' (i'm just reading this one now).

Mikalson; 'Ancient Greek Religion'

Farnell; 'The Cults of the Greek States'

gotta go to work now, but i'll post more later if you like.

Thanks, I actually have one or two of those. Do you know of any that are specifically written to describe how to worship the gods in the present day in a traditiononal way? I mean, I know a lot about ancient Greek religion, but I'm curious about which parts modern Hellenism incorporates specifically, and how to practice in the modern day. I don't know if there is such a book, but I thought I'd ask 8O

[Fiamma]

Thanks for the links Agaliha :)

Yeah, I've been there before. It's a great site!


Thanks, I actually have one or two of those. Do you know of any that are specifically written to describe how to worship the gods in the present day in a traditiononal way? I mean, I know a lot about ancient Greek religion, but I'm curious about which parts modern Hellenism incorporates specifically, and how to practice in the modern day. I don't know if there is such a book, but I thought I'd ask 8O

I don't know of any book on contemporary Hellenic worship.

Most of teh Hellenists that I know take what they learn from the older texts and adapt them to modern times. For advice on that, I'd suggest checking out the list of links that Agaliha posted.

[Theres]

i believe that Professor S.I Johnston ('Hekate Soteira', 'Restless Dead') is working on a book about modern Hellenismos and the recon movement. i don't expect this will be available for another year or two, but her work is superlative and i'm gonna grab this one as soon as it is out.

[Athena-Nadine]

Old Stones, New Temples, by Andrew Campbell if you can find it.

[Arion]

i believe that Professor S.I Johnston ('Hekate Soteira', 'Restless Dead') is working on a book about modern Hellenismos and the recon movement. i don't expect this will be available for another year or two, but her work is superlative and i'm gonna grab this one as soon as it is out.
Ooh, sounds good. I'll have to keep an eye out for that one when it comes out too.
Old Stones, New Temples, by Andrew Campbell if you can find it.
I've heard of that one. Is it hard to find?


Has anyone read "Kharis: Hellenic Polytheism Explored" by Sarah Kate Istra Winter? It looks interesting, but I think it's only available online. Here's a link-http://www.cafepress.com/kharis.14846616

[David19]

Has anyone read "Kharis: Hellenic Polytheism Explored" by Sarah Kate Istra Winter? It looks interesting, but I think it's only available online. Here's a link-http://www.cafepress.com/kharis.14846616

I haven't read it, but i've read the contents page on another site (i can't remember it right now, though, i'll post it later), and some other stuff by the author (online articles), and it seems very cool, even though i'm not an Hellenic recon, i'd like to get it one day.

Maybe someone else knows a bit more about it.

Also, that book that Theres mentioned, the one that isn't out yet sounds cool too :).

[Arion]

I have a question about the festivals of the gods... well, a few questions actually. How do I know when to celebrate them, and where can I find out how to celebrate them properly? Also, do the festivals fall on any solstices, eqinoxes, or certain moon phases?

[Theres]

that's a tough one, as the various city-states had their own calendars and festivals. how they all ended up at the same festival at Olympia every four years is amazing!

i use the Athenian calendar (as well as i am able), which you can explore here...

http://www.numachi.com/~ccount/hmepa/Notes.html

many of the months were named after the major festival that fell during that time.
and yes, there were (and are) regular monthly observances too.

as to HOW the were observed, some of the books i listed above will give you that information.

ETA; this link might be easier to use...

http://www.antonineimperium.org/athenian_calendar.htm

[Arion]

that's a tough one, as the various city-states had their own calendars and festivals. how they all ended up at the same festival at Olympia every four years is amazing!

i use the Athenian calendar (as well as i am able), which you can explore here...

http://www.numachi.com/~ccount/hmepa/Notes.html

many of the months were named after the major festival that fell during that time.
and yes, there were (and are) regular monthly observances too.

as to HOW the were observed, some of the books i listed above will give you that information.

ETA; this link might be easier to use...

http://www.antonineimperium.org/athenian_calendar.htm

Thanks Theres, and you were right, the second link was easier to use. lol

Now I have a rather silly question, but you know how the Romans had the Saturnalia festival in December? I wonder if the Greeks had anything similar? This time of year seems to be saturated with holidays, like x-mas, Yule, Channukah, and whatnot, and I wondered if the Greeks had a similar kind of winter festival, out of curiousity.

[Fiamma]

Thanks Theres, and you were right, the second link was easier to use. lol

Now I have a rather silly question, but you know how the Romans had the Saturnalia festival in December? I wonder if the Greeks had anything similar? This time of year seems to be saturated with holidays, like x-mas, Yule, Channukah, and whatnot, and I wondered if the Greeks had a similar kind of winter festival, out of curiousity.


Well...the Greeks didn't have "December". They had a lunar based calendar which followed the new moon. Around the time that we know as December is when the Rural Dionysia would be celebrated, but as to exactly when...it varies because the lunar calendar is not consisten with the solar calendar.