For the past three days, I have been pondering a few lines from Aristonoos' paian to Apollon, written in a Delphic context, as translated by Furley and Bremer in Greek Hymns: Volume 1 – The Texts in Translation. (I put it in the Thargelia ritual.) The translators say that "Delphi awarded Aristonoos and his descendants … Continue reading Contemplating Aristonoos’ Compositions for Apollon and Hestia
Tag: polytheism
Piety, Faith, Unmooring
Today, someone asked me a very hard question about what we do when people we respect say and do things that are awful — how to reconcile someone's piety with bad behavior that leaves our faith shaken without sinking into spiritual disquietude and extreme sorrow. I am going to tackle this question because these things … Continue reading Piety, Faith, Unmooring
Linking Out to a Few Blog Posts I read, With Some Added Comments
While I rarely ever post link roundups, there are a few posts floating around the blogosphere this week that I think are worthwhile shares (especially now that I'm making an effort to be quieter). First, John Beckett wrote "What to Do When You Make a Mistake in Ritual." It is a useful post because we … Continue reading Linking Out to a Few Blog Posts I read, With Some Added Comments
🦠 Viral Life 🦠
On Thursday, I attended a virtual boot camp for librarians. This year, the faculty presentations were focused on reviews of basic virology and immunology. The virology presentation was very fascinating, and I'd like to discuss it in brief here because I love trees. In Proclus' commentary essays on the Republic, plant life came up, specifically … Continue reading 🦠 Viral Life 🦠
Yes, Let’s Do Post-Recon.
Recently, I read a post on Of Axe and Plough about what happens after reconstructionism (in the "post-recon" environment). The concepts of renovātiō (renewal), resitutiō (restitution), and reparātiō (restoration), which the author applied to considering modern revived polytheism, are a good start and an excellent seed for discussion. From the post: We must then collectively … Continue reading Yes, Let’s Do Post-Recon.
Acceptance and Resistance
Today was a blustery, sunny day. My girlfriend and I went out. I waited in the car rereading passages from Hermias and did a 15-minute Headspace meditation on acceptance while she navigated the line at a store to buy office supplies. People entered and exited every few minutes with balloons. She said that the interior … Continue reading Acceptance and Resistance
Eumenideia 699.3
The Eumenideia starts at sundown on 20 February this year (27 Anthesterion). Before I get meandering, here are the basics: Make some cakes. They can have many humps; they can be smooth on top. It depends on whether you are working with something that holds its shape. I steam soft rice cakes and drizzle honey … Continue reading Eumenideia 699.3
Drying Rosemary for Purification Water
Back when I wrote some basic guidance on how to do no-frills worship (and a follow-up one on doing quick worship), I said that one could easily buy rosemary to make purification water. I had occasion to buy a lot of fresh rosemary, and these are 6-8" sticks. Fresh rosemary leaves — some in bloom … Continue reading Drying Rosemary for Purification Water
Reflections as the World Falls Apart
all below lustrousan Apamean sun hotdew on fine statuessublimating quickMuses’ faces deep wellspringsa hum a song ruptured sharpTime limself dancesthose ruins half-rememberedcrumbling cornerstonessand whirls in harsh windsall that remains is eclipseda promise a curse rendingwe buried our heartslike Dionysos’ remainsas the temples burnedas we burned with themthey march now on Earth herselfstill the fire roars … Continue reading Reflections as the World Falls Apart
KALLISTI 