PBP: Q - Questing

Q is a terrible letter and I've already used Queen so this was the only thing I could think of that would be remotely interesting. I've already mentioned a lot about my 'quest' so far in my first post but perhaps this will be more of an update.

Looking more into Hellenismos and its rituals and structure has been a nice introduction into Reconstructionism, even if I don't fully agree with all of its points. After reading A Beginner's Guide to Hellenismos I've tried to put more of a foundation on my beliefs. I re-decorated my altar, which had become more of a shelf for knick knacks over the last year or so more than anything else.

I have my hearth light for Hestia (an electric candle in the glass holder.) The round candle next to it holds a real flame for during offerings and prayers. The oil burner is a safe place to burn cone incense as an offering, the wooden disk holds joss sticks. The candle stick on the left belonged to my great grandmother and the egg cup holds some of my grandmother's rings and this is my small section in honour of my ancestors. The small dragon ring which you probably can't see represents the serpent of the Agathos Daimon.

Also on the right, I have a small representation of a Greek urn I bought while on my trip to Greece. It's a small touristy thing but I think it connects me to the homeland of Hellenismos as a whole. The keys represent Hekate, the citrine stone represents Apollon (with his connection to the sun and enlightenment) and the feathers represent Hermes in their household epithets.

So it's small and simple and I would really like some proper statues on there but it's something I make do for now. I also have a metal bowl I use for my khernips but that lives under the bed instead.

I'm following a lot of others who lean towards Hellenismos and there's a considerable amount of newbie feeling all over again but we all have to start somewhere and they are excellent people to learn from, even if I'm just reading their blogs. There is that backbone to the core practise however, the ancient texts that can be used as a solid basis, though this doesn't necessarily discount UPG.

As far as contact with the gods goes, I haven't had anything in depth occur but just the general worship of them all is grounding.

PBP: N - Noumenia

Little late on the Pagan Blog Project but I'll just start from July.
More on Hekate's Deipnon at a later date.


A lot of pagan paths put emphasis on the full moon instead of new, especially in Wicca and though I know that the new moon is used to sweep out the old and welcome the new I've never thought in depth about its importance and here as the start of the month, it becomes the centre of monthly ritual. With the next new months upcoming this week, this will be my first Noumenia ritual, and I will probably blog about how it goes.


Hesiod (Works and Days 770) designated the Noumenia as the holiest of days, and it appears to have been among the oldest and most widespread of the Hellenic religious observances. Its antiquity is attested by the fact that Homer mentions it in the Odyssey(21.258) – a significant fact when we consider that he names only one other religious festival in his epics.


Generally, it was seen as a day to stay at home and celebrate with the family. Sacrifices were made to Apollon (protector), Selene (Moon), Hekate (roads and the unseen), Hermes (who protects the borders/thresholds), Hestia (hearth flame), Zeus Ktesios (food stores) and the household gods. The domestic shrines were cleaned and then wreathed with flower-garlands, and then incense, wine, and cakes were offered anew to the gods.

Νουμηνια

The Rite of the New Moon

Each Hellenic Month begins with the new moon. This particular date is known as the Noumenia, and there are a variety of traditions which have been reconstructed and added to the festivities upon this date.
The Noumenia honors all of the Gods, as well as specifically the Gods Selene (Goddess of the Moon), Apollon Noumenios (of the Noumenia), the Ancestors and the Agathos Daimon (Good Demon/Guardian Spirit). In ancient times the Ancestors were honored on the night before the Noumenia along with Hekate. The Agathos Daimon was honored on the second day of the month. These practices are still continued by modern Hellenes although some choose to also include the Ancestors and Agathos Daimon on the date of the Noumenia, as the new moon represents the end and beginnings of things.

The altar is set with images of Selene, Apollon, the Ancestors and the Agathos Daimon. Candles are placed in front of each of these images, or the candles can act as the images themselves. Altar cloths are usually black, although other colors can be used if a worshipper feels they are appropriate. Typically there are white, silver, gold or black candles, which are not lit until the sacrifice section, as the candles serve as offerings in and of themselves.

The traditional offering upon this date are three cakes. One cake is offered to Apollon, one is offered to all of the Gods, and the third is offered to the Ancestors and the Agathos Daimon. Wine is always a traditional offering and can go very well with the cakes. Honey and milk are also appropriate libations. The following is a ritual which could be performed to celebrate the Noumenia.

Oh Holy Gods,

Olympioi and Chthonioi alike,

I/We come before You bringing

Offerings and honorable sacrifices.

Holy Selene, I/We honor You,

As it is You who lights our way at night,

You who keeps us in tune with the cycle of the year,

You who, like Your brother Helios,

Watches us and helps us keep our Oaths.

Holy Apollon, I/We honor You,

As to You this day is sacred as well.

May Your prophesies and wisdom guide us

Through the coming months.

I/We honor the Olympians,

Numbered at twelve, but are not bound.

I/We honor the Great Gods of Earth,

The creators and keepers of our bodies.

I/We honor the Chthonioi,

Who care for our souls when we

Transcend to the beyond.

And I/We honor those that came before us,

My/Our ancestors and their keeper:

The Agathos Daimon;

The protectors of all things.

Holy Ones, Accept and Delight in our offerings!

Example from here.

Also, if a Kathiskos is in use Noumenia is the perfect time to refill it with new offerings to Zeus Ktesios.