Offerings

[RedHawk]

What kind of offerings do you offer the gods?

[Caroline]

What kind of offerings do you offer the gods?

Depends on the deity, but incense and wine are important, followed by fat, milk, bread & fruit.

[OfThespiae]

Depends on the deity, but incense and wine are important, followed by fat, milk, bread & fruit.

 
Pretty much this.

Also, considering the Orphic connection witb eggs, and the time of the year HMEPA places the Feast of Eros, I've re-appropriated Greek red "Easter eggs" as an offering to Eros. I have an instinct / UPG that tells me these were originally related to the feast, but I lack anything else to back me up besides the coincidence of symbol and time of year.

So yeah, aside from the traditional offerings, it depends on the deity in question.

[RedHawk]

Pretty much this.

Also, considering the Orphic connection witb eggs, and the time of the year HMEPA places the Feast of Eros, I've re-appropriated Greek red "Easter eggs" as an offering to Eros. I have an instinct / UPG that tells me these were originally related to the feast, but I lack anything else to back me up besides the coincidence of symbol and time of year.

So yeah, aside from the traditional offerings, it depends on the deity in question.

 
What about Ares or Hades? Do any Hellenists worship them?

[Caroline]

What about Ares or Hades? Do any Hellenists worship them?

 
All of the gods deserve their due (traditionally libations and animal sacrifice), and you will certainly find modern folk who follow/worship them, but traditionally/historically there was far more cultus for Ares than Hades, who had few sanctuaries/temples.

http://www.theoi.com is a great resource for classical sources.

[RedHawk]

All of the gods deserve their due (traditionally libations and animal sacrifice), and you will certainly find modern folk who follow/worship them, but traditionally/historically there was far more cultus for Ares than Hades, who had few sanctuaries/temples.

http://www.theoi.com is a great resource for classical sources.

 
What about the theory that people were scared of Hades because of what he was?

[Valentine]

What about the theory that people were scared of Hades because of what he was?

 
What about it?  We know people mostly used epithets and euphemisms to refer to Him, and that He had his own particular observances, and very little public veneration.  Death is a mixed bag, Hellenically, and there are good deaths and bad deaths, but there was certainly apprehension about it.  What kind of scared do you mean?  What thing that the Hidden One is?

[Caroline]

What about the theory that people were scared of Hades because of what he was?

 
I don't think it necessarily explains the practices (or lack thereof); I would say that Ares, for instance, was more feared. Some believe that as, in the end, all things go to Hades (one of his epithets is 'receiver of many guests' or 'hosts of many'), no offerings or sacrifices to Hades are necessary.

[Chausette]

What kind of offerings do you offer the gods?

 
Mostly candles. I remember in my Ancient Greek & Roman Mythology class my professor said something about the ancient greeks believing deities got their energy from the smoke of a sacrifice, so candles are definitely a big thing for me. I also sometimes offer my writing or poetry.

I would say the offerings themselves don't really matter as much as pouring your heart into it.

[RedHawk]

What about it?  We know people mostly used epithets and euphemisms to refer to Him, and that He had his own particular observances, and very little public veneration.  Death is a mixed bag, Hellenically, and there are good deaths and bad deaths, but there was certainly apprehension about it.  What kind of scared do you mean?  What thing that the Hidden One is?

 
Death.

[RedHawk]

I don't think it necessarily explains the practices (or lack thereof); I would say that Ares, for instance, was more feared. Some believe that as, in the end, all things go to Hades (one of his epithets is 'receiver of many guests' or 'hosts of many'), no offerings or sacrifices to Hades are necessary.

 
I heard that he was but I think, and correct me if I'm wrong, that his temple was outside the city. I have no problem with Hades or Ares and I pour libation to both.