Bacchus/Dionysus

[KissMeImIrish!]

Has anyone here worked with Bacchus/Dionysus? I've been studying up on classical religion, and oddly enough I've been drawn to him. Any info on him, preferably personal encounters, etc., would be appreciated. I've studied his myths, but am curious to know of what use does a god of his reputation have to the modern pagan?
Thank you all, and excuse my ignorance ;)
KMII

[halfwaynowhere]

I'm curious about him as well.... I haven't worked with him at all, but I'm very interested in him... he seems like an interesting fellow...

[TYRRHENUS]

So I'm looking at the KMII at the bottom of your post and wondering what happened on the Kalends of March in the year 2... I know, I need help.
Here (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=31814)'s an invocation I posted w/macrons for the Latin students. Also check out Liber, which is what he was called before hellenization. For a while he was called upon by both names.
Bonam fortunam.

[KissMeImIrish!]

:rollingla
Thanks for the chant-I've always been fascinated with latin, and I may take it when i get to university. Everyone says it's a dead language, but so many of the words we use today have latin roots! I think it would be fascinating. Plus, I would actually be able to read whats written on the ruins next time i go to Rome! :D

[cartweel]

I often feel a connection with Iarilo, a Slavic deity who is often compared to Dionysos. Go here (http://www.winterscapes.com/dionysus/otherdio.htm) for information on other deities that are also compared to him -- I've learned that Dionysos is sometimes better understood as an archtype, not a single god, so learning about that group was useful for me and might be for you as well.

That being said, I would caution you against thinking about Dionysos and Bacchus as the same god; while even the site I pointed you to refers to Bacchus as "basically the Roman Dionysos," they are still very separate and can be experienced in different ways as well as together. As I said, try experiencing Dionysos as an archtype and you may come into an understanding of how these two gods (as well as others like Iarilo) are both alike and yet individual.

I feel Dionysos, Iarilo, and many of their 'counterparts' are very physical in nature. Be prepared for (and enjoy!) the physical sensations and intensified feelings that may accompany working with them. I remember feeling a great pull toward harvest-time and outdoor work. Things like planting seeds and cultivating their fruit became fascinating, emotional and sensory experiences. Good Luck!