Another Wonderful Experience With Apollon

A few days ago as I was in my temple standing before the Shrine of Apollon that you can see in the picture on the right, I had a profound experience that I think was to teach me a few things I desperately needed to realize in my personal life.

Well the reason I decided to go before the shrine was to ask for Apollon's counsel in divination. But to begin with, standing before His statue suddenly filled me with an immense peace that I had been lacking almost all year, which caused me to lose my way, and I came to realize that it wasn't because of the Gods, it was because of my own developed mentality.

The peace and love I felt before the Shrine of Apollon was coupled with the reading He gave me from the Olympus Tarot. Basically Apollon told me that I need to look inward and live my true self, that this is the path to my own happiness. Apollon was setting me free from my past chains that I had allowed myself to be put into by letting other people tell me what to believe and how to live. 

The lesson I was taught this year, after going through horrid anxiety, mental breakdown, and physical sickness, was that I am to never let other people tell me what I am supposed to be, or what I am. The Gods gave each person a mind, soul and a personal response entirely unique to them for good reason, because the Gods do not do that which is needless or unethical. They want a diverse world, and each one of us is here to add to that reality. On a side note, not to speak against oracles or other diviners, but I have always found that when I invoke the Gods and do a reading for myself, it always comes out different than when I allow someone else to do it for me. Sometimes this has happened a lot more than others, but I think the lesson here is that an outside source is guidance, the most powerful source is found with your own connection, however. 

This month, I have learned many new things about the Gods, even as someone who has been a Hellenist for the better part of 20 years, and it has brought me what I believe is the final chapter of peace in my life. I turned 41 this month, which according to statistics, means I have reached the midway point in my lifespan. The rest is for me to enjoy and delight in with my own truth in the Gods.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Hermes Had Something Better In Mind

A few weeks ago, I received a wonderful blessing from Hermes that I would like to share with my readers.

Back in December of 2024, I left my job at the time and came to regret it, because I realized how much I liked it, and the potential it could have had for me. It was the old feeling of not knowing what you have until you don't have it anymore. I spent the next year trying off and on to get it back, even though I knew the chances were slim because I quit without notice, a really bad mistake. But I think I also had a legitimate reason, my mental illness at the time was starting to reach its peak before I had the breakdown and recovery.

I managed to land a very small job over the spring and summer working one day a week because that was all my mind and body could handle at that point, and all that the company was willing to give me at that time. I thought that if I could get my old job back, I would be happy. Last month, I walked out to our family's altar in the outside sanctuary, made a large offering to Hermes, and asked Him to help me get my old job back, as Hermes is the God of business and commerce. 

I did not get it back, but instead, the good Hermes gave me something far better. I was given a full time position at my current job doing something that I actually really enjoy. The position came up out of the blue one day, and was offered to me, even though my performance over the year had been mostly below par because of my illness. Nevertheless, it came to me. Even though I had previously thought that my old job was my way back to happiness in terms of career, Hermes showed me that I could be even happier in something new, that I did not need to look back. 

Over all this year, the Gods brought me back with a vengeance. Midsummer, I was in bed all day, mentally and physically sick, thinking I was going to die, no real job, no money, no hope in me. Today, I am healthy again, strong, have a great job that I actually like, and excelling in my Master's degree program. The Gods can bring anyone back from anything, for they are good and always do good. I have basically started a new life, just like I wanted, but in a way that the Gods knew would be better for me. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

The Gods Love The Least Among Us Too - Poseidon's Wrath

As a historian, I have always said that no culture has a clean slate. We have all done things in the past we are not proud of, but then again, we are humans, we make mistakes. This is normal. The important thing is the recognition and correction of those errors. For those who may not know, the City of Sparta had a significant slave population at one point called the Helots, from a neighboring village in the south called Helos, that Sparta had conquered. When Sparta lost to the Thebans of Greece in 371 BCE, the Thebans ended slavery in the City, which resulted in a notable decline for Sparta at that point.

But in 464 BCE, another strike against the slave system took place, this time from a God. Some of the Helots sought refuge in the Temple of Poseidon Asphaleius (Poseidon of Safety) in Tainaron, which rested in the South Peloponnese, but the sanctuary itself predates the enslavement era. When the Spartans found the refugee Helots, they took them out of the temple and killed them. I'd say this was a huge violation of Xenia, since the slaves were suppliants in the presence of the God. Shortly after this, a great earthquake (Poseidon is the Earth Shaker), struck Sparta and destroyed it. This event was interpreted at the time to be punishment from Him. The Gods were believed to protect the Sacred Law of Xenia, and would deal out punishment for violating it. Still to this day, we Hellenists uphold that Law. Not to mention the obvious transgression of interrupting the worship of Poseidon and killing His worshipers.

To me, it shows not only that the Gods protect Sacred Law, but that they care for everyone who comes to them, even if they are at the lowest level of society. The slave can be loved by the Gods the same as the master, the poor the same as the rich, etc. I think that if wealth or status mattered, Poseidon would have reacted less harshly at the violation, but it was one of the most devastating natural disasters to happen to Sparta.

The moral of this post is, whenever you feel like you are a disappointment or someone the Gods don't care about, think again. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Links To Information:

Temple Of Poseidon Tainaron, Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, 2025, accessed on November 8th, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Poseidon_(Tainaron).

Sparta, Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, 2025, accessed on November 8th, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparta.

Sparta Earthquake, Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, 2025, accessed on November 8th, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/464_BC_Sparta_earthquake.

Xenia, Hellenic Faith, accessed on November 8th, 2025, https://hellenicfaith.com/xenia/.

How Do I Know If I Am In The Gods' Favor?

You made an offering and a request for something you didn't get, your job or relationship didn't work out, you failed a test, whatever it may be, you might wonder if the Gods are actually in your favor or not, or at least, not against you. When things don't work out or we face disappointment in life, we can get discouraged and depressed over the fact. And depression, which is a liar, can end up telling you horrible things about yourself, and the more you listen, the more your mind will start to believe it.

The first thing to remember is that some of our wants and desires may not be granted for various reasons. As much as we may think otherwise, it might not be the best route for us at that time. You might think you would really and truly be happy and better off, but the Gods know more than we do. You are where you are because of your choices, but also because of your Fate. All lives have beauty, but you'll never see that if you don't allow your eyes to see beyond distractions. As I have said in the past, there's beauty in everything if you have the right eyes. Those eyes come from the Gods. They will show you the beauty, wonder and peace in your life if you allow them. Everything has its reason, even if it might not make that much sense to you at present.

Finally, at least to my mind, a sure way to see that I am favored by the Gods is that I am still alive, healthy and doing well. We strive for the various materials of life so much that we don't realize how precious life itself is. We don't realize that we are not entitled to life in that there was no guarantee that we would be born, that we would be the ones chosen to live. Life is a gift that the Gods were good enough to grant us. And the fact that I have life, health, a good home, a loving family, and plenty of food, tells me that the Gods are not gathering to be against me at all. If the Gods were against me, I wouldn't have a leg to stand on. If the Gods didn't love me, I wouldn't be there. And if they didn't favor me, my life would be far harder than it is.

Your beautiful and continuous life itself is the proof that you are favored by the Gods. You may not be Fated to conquer the world, or even your own City. But you are thriving in the sense of life itself. That's enough to be grateful for. Even if you are sick or down on your luck, that still does not mean you are disfavored. Life always has its challenges, but that doesn't mean the Gods don't like you. The Gods are good and they always do good. And always remember, Hellenism is not about "will the Gods give me this or that," it's about living in harmony with the Gods and the Universe.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Are You Living Your Purpose?

If Fate is real, which I believe it is, how can we believe that we are expected to be anything other than what we are fated to be? During my life, I've basically been told by others to conquer everything around me, but how can I do that if I am not meant to? How can someone who is poor buy a yacht? Even people who work hard every day of their lives, will never see that kind of wealth. You have to have a certain level of good fortune in order to achieve it. But the mere act of trying your hardest is not a guarantee, and in fact, still keeps your chances very low. Wouldn't your life be better if you focused your strengths and talents on things that you could achieve? Wouldn't it be better if instead of trying to be something you're not, or that life hasn't prepared for you, you became the best that you yourself could be?

I no longer believe that I can "do anything." It's a very nice, comforting and inspirational idea, but the fact of the matter is that no one can do everything. If that were the case, there would be no diversity in the world, and no real need for the Gods to give us diverse talents and desires in life. They, I believe, want to see the most beautiful and happiest expression of yourself in the world. To build to the best of your ability. And I have grown increasingly convinced of that after my year long contact with my spiritual counselor at the Temple of Rhodes in Greece. Nowhere in ancient Greece did everyone do the same things. Some were great, others were moderate, and some were basic. But they all contributed to the glory that was the civilization. For crying out loud, Socrates was called the wisest of all men and he didn't even have a job at the time. He sat and walked around the City each day and philosophized with people. That's what we remember, not his paycheck. 

I think your Fate, in a very large measures, is grounded in what you feel called to do, and what you love to do, which is often the same thing. Now I'm not saying you should run out and quit your job and try to become a professional TV wrestler. What I'm saying is that everyone has the right to pursue their own happiness, their own bliss, and their own talents. When you're doing what you're meant to do, there is ultimate enjoyment. Time has no meaning. It flies by without notice. You also have no fear or anxiety, just peace, love and happiness. For me, my bliss is being a priest and a religious writer. I believe I am here to be a Hellenist and teach people about Hellenism if they want to know. I pray you find your purpose too, and have the courage to live it.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

The Gods Show Their Goodness

One thing I have found is that when I let worry take over my mind, that anxiety can cut me off from the Gods in an instant, because it's basically mental miasma, which is just as bad, may be even worse, than physical miasma. Without the mind in good working order, I might be impaired from moving forward, and my mind might even tell me things that are not true. And the worst part is that if the mind worries about something long enough, the mind will start to believe it's true. So what might have started out as an irrational fear, could end up not seeming so later on down the road. Excessive worry can also cause a pessimistic outlook on life, and this is bad because optimistic people generally live longer. Science has shown all of this.

So how do I develop and keep an optimistic outlook on life? How can I condition my brain to be positive, happy and helpful, and thus, more receptive to the Gods? Religious and philosophical leaders from ancient times to modern, stress the importance of the idea that the Gods are good and always do good. Realizing that eternal and unending goodness that comes from heaven.

I won't lie. I beat myself up a lot for my past mistakes. I am normally very hard on myself for even small things. Although I am trying harder every day to turn that course, to treat myself better and with more understanding and forgiveness, to love myself essentially. And the problem is that you can't do that by simply saying you're going to. One thing it takes is to realize that you are deserving of love, both from the Gods and yourself. They chose me in place of millions and millions of others who could have been born instead. They saw great potential in me. It's never going to produce a good life to be self-hating.

Not everyone may agree with my perspective that the Gods are all love, and that's fine. But to my mind, how else could they be our bliss? The physical and spiritual feeling and uplift that fills us when we pray and offer to the Gods, has to be based on some form of universal love, friendship, compassion, and delight that comes from above. Even after we have committed offenses and move to atone through a Propitiatory Sacrifice, the Gods are still willing to hear those prayers and accept those atonements. What could do that but love, compassion and understanding? At the very least, it's a willingness to welcome us back. Opening my mind up to all of those universally positive things, enables me to move forward, to live in peace, and be kind to my fellowman. 

So when the mind tries to descend into that deep dark hole, as it is called, I remind myself of the truth. The Gods are good and they always do good. I am worthy of love. I am not my past. This is a new day. I have wonderful potential. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.  

My Visit To A Hindu Temple

Yesterday, I fulfilled a plan with my wife and son that I had been talking about for a week or so, and that was to visit a local Hindu temple. The reason I wanted such an experience was because I have always been curious about Hinduism since it's the largest polytheistic religion in the world today. I also wanted my family to have an interfaith experience, and so we traveled to Aurora, Illinois, about an hour away, to visit the Sri Venkateswara Swami Balaji Temple. 

It was, to date, one of the largest polytheistic temples I have ever been to. Beautifully white with crafted towers that are tipped in gold. The outside entrance has a beautiful fountain and a garden dedicated to Ganesha, the Hindu God of wisdom, intellect and new beginnings, with several different statues of the God encircling it. The front entrance is flanked with four statues of other Hindu Gods, but I do not know their names. When we went inside, I got the impression that photography, especially on the top level where worship took place, was not liked, and so I decided to not take any pictures of the interior, but I will describe the interesting experience that we had.

Everyone has to have their legs covered, unless they're a child like my son. I went in wearing shorts, so in order to go up to the top level, I had to borrow one of their spare garments that was available at the entrance to tie around my waist, and everyone had to take their shoes off. One thing I noticed upon entering was the relentless chanting and praying coming from the top level. You walk up a red carpeted staircase to reach that level. There is a central shrine and sitting area where the Hindus gather, and encircling the room are countless shrines to their various Gods and Goddesses. People will come there, if nothing else, to just stand before the shrines and pray, meditate or dedicate themselves. Some people even lie completely on their stomachs in order to lay their entire bodies out in devotion. Regular offerings are also given to the Gods in their shrines.

Like Hellenists, the Hindus adorn their statues with garments and valuables, and like was done in the days of ancient Greece, they keep a flame lit inside the holy places where the Gods are represented and housed. The shrines varied in size, but they were all beautifully crafted with statuary, gold, and sculptures. One thing that really stood out to me was the fact that the shrines, or at least some of them, had names of sponsors. People, groups or organizations sponsor the construction, care and funding of a particular shrine, and I wish Hellenists would also do something like that around the world. It was one practice that stood out to me.

But the Hindus themselves chant and pray endlessly, presumably all day long. They never stopped the entire time we were there. The temple was filled with their voices and music. Their devotion is remarkable. They dedicate their lives to spiritual connection and ascension. Inside the temple, I felt as if there was very little interest in the outside mundane world, as it were. And the Hindu community in the area seems very strong, as there were hundreds if not thousands of people passing through and they were all clearly of Indian blood. I think my family and I were the only white people there. But we were still welcomed and not treated any differently than anyone else.

As someone who loves spiritual devotion in his own religious life, what I admired most about the Hindus was how strong and endless their own was. It has caused me to develop a great deal of respect for them. And one belief I really like about Hinduism is called Samsara, which is a spiritual goal of eventually breaking free of the cycle of birth and death, where there is no longer any reincarnation, just total spiritual ascension and liberation, where you are forever free from the physical and material world. 

Before we left, I felt we should show a basic level of respect to the temple, so my wife and I turned and bowed at the entrance. Hellenists, as our religious ancestors did, have respect for other cultures. We do not think that ours should be the only one. Hinduism itself is continuing to grow across the world. In the previous decade, their numbers rose by 100 million. I hope we learned a lot about another people. 

In the Goodness of the Gods, 

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road, 

Chris Aldridge.

Like Being Back From The Dead

I've told my friends and readers over the summer that I suffered from a severe mental breakdown. It was so bad I could not get out of bed, and it even resulted in physical pain in my stomach for a long time, because as you may know, the brain function can impact gut health. I could barely stand. Quite honestly, the feeling of death was all over me, and I thought it might be the end. But fortunately, it wasn't. I progressively got better, the pain eventually went away, and I was able to resume basic life after a couple of months. But what I want to talk about here today is what I think may have happened to me on a spiritual level.

I have seriously entertained the thought that the Gods knocked me down to teach me some valuable lessons. While I've been extremely devout, I haven't always been a humble person, nor one who is thankful for what he has in life. Sometimes I would even criticize people for not living the same kind of life I was at the time. As Hesiod said, Zeus withers the proud. And not being grateful for the things you have is, I think, also another form of arrogance. No matter what I had, it was never good enough for me. I complained so much.

When the breakdown and extreme fatigue first set in, I went to two sets of doctors. They did blood tests, a urinalysis, and an EKG. There was nothing physically wrong with me. It was my mind, without which the body cannot function. All I knew to do at the time was go home and lie down, wondering if it was ever going to end or if I was mentally disabled from this day forward. I could barely even eat, resulting in noticable weight loss.

It was the worst illness of my life. Everything in my life suffered, and I felt so lost and alone. I even explored other religions for a short time, because of how hopeless I felt, but the Gods were showing me that I am nothing without them, that I might even be able to find help in another deity, but it still won't be enough; I need the Greek Gods. And equally important, that I am no better than anyone else. 

I also think I put too much mental pressure on myself over this year, which led to the ultimate breakdown in the summer. I was trying to take on more than I could handle, trying to be more than human perhaps, which is something I cannot be. In so many ways, I needed to learn my place.

I learned well, and yesterday, I felt like the lesson was over. I was up out of bed, smiling, praising the Gods, loving everyone, and thinking of only good things to come. I felt like I had my life back. One of my friends on social media even commented to me, "Welcome back to the land of the living."

In the Goodness of the Gods,

Chris Aldridge.

Passing Through This Place

I turned 40 last year, and as time has passed, I found myself growing increasingly aware of the fact that I'm getting older, and to be frank, it has scared me greatly. It was incredibly interesting because, for years, I struggled with thoughts of suicide. But after reaching 40, I realized how badly I want to live and how much I cherish life. But in so realizing, fear grows as well, because you start to struggle with the concept of your own mortality, that each day is one step closer to the inevitable. When you get older, you start to think about what it will be like when you never wake up again.

I began to remember all the people I have lost throughout my life, such as my grandparents, my dad, and really good friends who died too young. It's hard to lessen the pain. In fact, you might even blame yourself for not being there for them more.

Last week, I took a trip back home to North Carolina to see what remains of my family and friends, in hopes it would better my mood. My grandmother Joyce did give me a bright light of hope when she told me something that I had never thought of before but that was obvious. People in my family tend to live a long time unless they do something to shorten it, such as drinking and smoking and bad eating. But even then, some of my family members lived into their 70s. I imagine they'd still be alive if they had lived healthier.

But even so, no one can live in this current body forever. Everything in this life seems so fragile and temporary. Because it is. So how do we cope with it? Do we just accept it and enjoy life while we have it, not letting it bother us because it's useless to worry about anyway? Perhaps.

I find myself crying for everyone who has passed on these days, because their lives mattered, and they all made some kind of impact on others or the world around them. The people in our lives are one of a kind. The relationships we form will never again exist except in this lifetime. And so, we must love and nurture those relationships and the experiences we have in the world.

Remembering my beliefs also made me realize something else. I have said that I want to live forever, and I have come to realize that that is possible, just not with this body. This old body eventually has to go. So perhaps soon I won't be worried about it anymore. I know the Gods are with my soul.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Blessings In Your Everyday Life

Throughout our daily lives, we tend to overlook the small, yet influential and meaningful blessings that the Gods, Spirits and Heroes may give us. And thus, we don't notice them in our busy and sometimes stressful lives. But they are important to take note of, because they give us peace, purpose and even enlightenment, and make us realize that even in our worst times, perhaps life isn't so bad. It goes all the way back to the writings of Homer in The Odyssey when we're basically taught to recognize a good omen when we see it.

I'll give you an example from my own life recently. During one of my outings on a regular day, I decided to stop by the local Exxon Mobil and cash in some of my old lottery scratch off tickets, worth about $6. I bought a couple of new ones with it and hit $50. Certainly not a shopping spree, but it was enough for me to enjoy the rest of the day to myself, some time away from home and work. And so, recognizing it as a small blessing of leisure that could only do me good at that point in my life, I took it and enjoyed myself.

To a lot of people, such an event might not seem significant at all, but not if you know how to see everyday blessings. But it's not just immediate things like that. Consider your life, your health, your family, the nice weather, the fact that you have a job, a spouse, children, food, a home and a comfy bed. There are so many everyday blessings that you never take note of, but should.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Why, Christofors, Do You Worship The Greek Gods? Well, Friend, I Shall Elaborate

First and foremost, the Gods are everything. If we are to believe, as the Orphic Hymns suggest, that they are in everything, even in the air we venerate (Hymn to Hera), then we live and breathe the Gods. Each day, they give us what we need for our survival, success and also enjoyment of life. I worship them in gratitude for all that they give and do for humanity, the world and universe. It's about their due honor. Rarely do I worship the Gods because I want something in return. It's about respecting what is and being grateful for what I have as a human being.

Second, simply the pleasure of it. Praying and offering to the Gods on a daily basis brings bliss into my life. It's not uncommon at all for a Hellenist to feel extremely wonderful each time they pray, pour a libation or perform a ritual, and that's because the presence of the Gods is simply wondrous. It releases of all pain, fear and worry, and lifts you into a higher state. Simply put, I do it because of the bliss. 

Third, I have dedicated my life to the Gods. Not only because I am a priest, but because they have done so much for me and my family during my lifetime, more than I may be worthy of in life, I don't know. But for the blessings they have given thus far, it's the splendor that a man can ask for, and thus, I am grateful. 

If nothing else, I would do it simply because of how amazing the Gods are. Their history, religion, myths, mysteries, temples, all of the things that make them intriguing and wonderful. There is a common human need to have something higher than ourselves. We are born looking for the Gods. It gives us purpose beyond the mundane, if you want to call it that. When we know there's more to this life than just the basics, we tend to become happier and more enlightened.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Body and Blood of a God - To Drive Out Depression

There is a Hellenic ritual that I believe so very strongly in because it has worked for me countless times over. I call it The Dionysian Rite, and it does, in fact, have ancient Greek origins.

The belief in wine being the blood of the vine is very ancient, and the concept of ingesting the body and blood of a God is not unique to the Christian religion. It, also, is very ancient. Christianity is also not the first religion to have a Savior God. That, too, is ancient, and while more than one Greek God carried the Epithet of Savior, Dionysos is known as the God of life who returned from death.

This rite was probably done in a Cult setting with specific instructions, but we can also adopt cultic practices in modern Hellenism. Dionysos had worshipers who would attack, kill and eat a bull (the sacred animal of Dionysos), and in so doing, considered themselves to be eating the God's body and drinking His blood. I adopted this concept for my own temple, using chocolate (an ecstatic food) along with wine or grape juice to be the body and blood of Dionysos, since Dionysos is also the God of ecstasy and wine and grapes. Now, if you can find pieces of chocolate shaped like a bull, that would be of the most ideal, but if not, a typical piece will do. The richer the better, and the more pure and fresh the wine or grape juice, the better.

While this is a practice I have adopted for my temple's general activity, it also has many benefits for the personal human body. It's important to remember that while this ritual mirrors others in modern time, it's not about salvation from our humanity, because our humanity is not damned, it's blessed. There is no "cross to bear." Dionysos reminds us that it's alright to live.

Whenever I am feeling depressed or anxious, I have found that the ritual does wonders for freeing me from it and returning me to the lively world. Depression and anxiety is a form of death for the human system, and thus when life is fused back into you, it pushes the death out. I don't even have to do it in a formal setting. I just hold the chocolate in my hand, and before eating it, I say, "Body or Spirit of Dionysos." And if I drink wine or grape juice, "Blood of Dionysos." The depression, and any other ailment of the mind and spirit I may be feeling, is then dissolved. Of course, it may be beneficial beforehand to ask Dionysos to bless the food and drink as His blessings upon the "food of joy and the drink of the vine."

I'm not saying that someone should give up medical treatment for their depression or other mental illnesses. I'm simply saying that adding spirituality to it, might be the completion to the cure you need. Again, I believe so strongly in the power of this rite that I encourage fellow Hellenists and Pagans to give it a try.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Burkert, Walter, Greek Religion, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1985.

The Wine of Bacchos-Dionysus, Hellenic Gods, 2010, accessed Nov. 10th,

2025, https://www.hellenicgods.org/the-wine-of-bacchus-dionysus.

Hekataios, Oracle, Dionysus and The Sacred Bull, The Cave of Oracle, 2010, accessed Nov. 10th, 2025, https://oraclehekataios.com/2014/02/10/dionysus-and-the-sacred-bull/.

Hellenic Ideas: Low Cost Shrines

The more I practice my daily rites at my personal shrine and altar, the more I realize that you don't need massive temples or worship space to be a good practicing Hellenist. The large temples of course have their immense value, but you don't have to have one. 

In the picture on the left, I have put together a prayer space that I don't think has been shown before in modern Hellenism, at least not on my site. But I came up with the idea this past Saturday after visiting a new Pagan supplier in Freeport, Illinois.

This style of shrine combines some of Minoan, ancient Doric Greece, and some modern Spiritualism. The Minoan comes from the tree sanctuary, where a single pillar was set up in the precinct of the tree and surrounded by a wall. The column is from the Doric era of ancient Greece. And at the bottom are precious spiritual stones. One is Pink Mangano Calcite (which aids in a connection to Divine love) and Opalite (which helps improve spiritual communication).

And just to verify, the stones do work very well. Just by holding them, I felt immense peace and love flowing through me. In fact, it may encourage me to do more stone work in a Hellenic format in the future. There was most certainly such a thing as sacred stones in ancient Greek culture, religion and mythology, such as the Baetylus, which was a sacred stone pillar that was used as a specific cultic symbol of a God. Or my personal favorite, the Navel of the Earth stone at Delphi.

At this point, all one needs in addition is incense and an incense burner as a way to do daily offerings, and they can offer and pray here to any of the Greek Gods they so desire or need to; that's the first best part about it. The second best part is that it costs very little to construct. This column is held up by a wall niche, and is only a foot or a little over tall, and can be painted any color(s), and the stones were 90 cents a piece, which means you could probably buy as many or as diverse of a collection as you want, depending on your spiritual needs and focus.

Finally, it takes up very little room. I set this up next to my bedside for the photo, in the far corner of the room. It does not impose on anything at all. Literally, anyone can build a consecrate one.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

All The Reasons To Give Offerings and Sacrifices to The Gods

Many of us give offerings to the Gods on a daily basis, but have we ever really stopped to examine why we do so, beyond the simple fact that it's in our religious customs? Some people may not even see the need for such expressions and actions, but they are very important. 

I want to begin by saying that I do not worship and offer to the Gods merely because I want them to give me something. I do it because I love them and enjoy their presence. They make life more blissful. 

1, We give offerings to the Gods because it is their due honor. After all, they are the Gods. As the rulers of all the universe, they deserve reverence.

2, To show gratitude for what has been given, and what may be given in the future - reciprocity. It's basic decency that when someone gives you something, you give them something in return.

3, To ensure continued relationship. The more we connect with the Gods in good and positive ways, showing the first two realities listed above, the more we ensure their favor in our lives. 

4, Finally, to simply show how much you love the Gods. When it comes to those you love, like your family and friends, you show them expressions of that love. The Gods are no different. Through all that we do, from simple prayers to complex hymns, offerings, sacrifices, dances, and other religious services, we show the Gods how much we love and adore them. For me personally, I think people would notice that I am normally always doing something for the Gods. Even if it's just restoring and painting a statue, writing a new prayer, building a new sanctuary, or upkeeping the older ones. I am always trying to think of something new I can do today, and if you are in the same boat, here's a list of things you can do for the Gods on a daily basis,

• Paint/restore a statue.
• Paint a statue.
• Write a new prayer or hymn.
• Build a sanctuary.
• Build a new shrine.
• Learn something new about the Gods or ancient Greece.
• Care for places sacred to the Gods.
• Journal your experiences with the Gods or Heroes.
• Start a temple or an online group dedicated to the Gods in some way.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Will You Go To The Asphodel Meadows?

The ancient Greek Underworld is a fascinating place. In fact, the entire afterlife of ancient Greece is profound and capitavating because there are so many possibilities. A lot of Hellenists believe in reincarnation because it's talked about in Plato. But I'm more traditional; I believe in the Underworld and the many roads that proceed from it. I do not deny the possibility of reincarnation, but I do believe that most of us will go to some place that the Underworld leads us to. There are three main realms, two of them being extremes. Elysium/Isle of the Blessed is where the most virtuous souls go, and Tartaros is where exceptionally wicked people are sent to be punished. Tartaros is our version of Hell, except one could argue that it's not an eternal sentence. Once the price has been paid, the soul can leave. 

Then there's the Asphodel Meadows. This is where "ordinary" people go, those who are neither good nor evil. It's considered the destination of most souls. The name, Asphodel, means flowery and fertile. The flowers that cover it are ghostly looking in color, and the atmosphere is like overcast. Which, I must confess, I initially do not find pleasant because I love sunshine, but then again, we don't know everything about the afterlife until we have actually ventured there. Asphodel flowers actually do the best in sunlight, so who knows? There may indeed be sun there.

Do you consider yourself "ordinary?" Do you think you are more likely to go to Asphodel? I asked my wife this question, and she said she does plenty of extraordinary things that common people are either unable or unwilling to do, especially for poor and homeless people. I think I am more than ordinary as well, because I've started a lot of people on their path to Hellenism with my works. I have helped to rebuild ancient Greek religion in the modern world, even though it's a small contribution. So I cannot say where I will go. But we will all go to one of these 3 places. Unless you become a Hero, then you will ascend.

But there is one thing that I am indeed certain of. Unless you live an evil life, there is nothing to fear.

Picture Attribution: By SuperJew - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56861127

You're Worthy of Happiness and Love from Above

A lot of people feel sad, depressed, and like the worst of life is meant for them, because they don't believe they are deserving of love and kindness. The worst part is that we don't even realize we feel that way because it's ingrained in our subconscious, normally because of our experiences growing up through childhood and young adulthood, and I'll start by giving you some examples from my own life.

I grew up in a fairly rough environment. Not only was I poor, but I didn't really know what familial love was, mainly because I could never remember having gotten any. The people around me, even my parents, were standoffish at best and physically, mentally and emotionally abusive at worst. As I grew older and I began to experience the opposite sex, everyone broke my heart except for the woman who would become my wife. So as you might be able to imagine, I never felt I was worthy of love, or thought that I deserved any happiness.

My issues with severe depression and severe anxiety disorder did not help with the problem either in my later years leading up to my life at present. But one thing that started to turn this mentality around was my belief in the Greek Gods and becoming a more dedicated Hellenist as my life progressed. The Gods love you more than you'll ever know, and affirming this, I realized, gave me a much better mental state. In short, knowing that I am deserving of that love.

There was a time in my life, I can remember, when I knew this confidently, but I suppose I allowed my past trauma and mental anguishes to darken my spirit and pollute my mind. So finally, I decided to dedicate myself to that realization of that love and trust. I would no longer let my mind or feelings convince me otherwise. You and I were sculpted in the images of the greatest and most powerful Gods in all the universe, and that factor alone will give you the confidence you need to succeed in life. They want us to become the greatest that we can, and they do not put up unnecessary barriers to that path. Human life might, but the Gods do not.

We are all worthy of that love and light. It doesn't matter if other humans don't love you, the Gods do, and always will. They think you're amazing, and they'll always be there for you. The Gods never leave you. You can leave them, but they won't leave you. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

More Offerings, Better Afterlife

On my temple's Facebook page, I recently posted a poll about a connection between this life and the next in Greek religion, and I asked: Do you think that giving regular offerings and sacrifices will help get you a good afterlife? The results were interesting. 

44% said yes, 44% said no, and 12% were unsure.

Among those who said yes, I myself was included, and I'd like to explain why I think so. Of course, this is my own personal belief. There's nothing that says everyone else has to agree with me, but here is my reasoning. 

The Hellenist gives offerings on a daily basis, or at least they should. I give at least burned incense each morning when I get up and each night before I go to bed. Of course, part of the idea behind offerings is reciprocity, but we must also remember that the more we engage in our spirituality, and the more we interact with Deity, the more we reach our higher selves, leaving more and more of the lower self behind. Therefore, the more the higher self takes over, the better chance we have of a higher existence in the next life. Or, in laymen's terms, a good afterlife. 

The more we give offerings and sacrifices, the more we also gain the attention of the Gods through some of our best-expressed devotion. If one stopped doing offerings and sacrifices, they would likely feel a lack in their spiritual side. But there is one thing that is universally true. Regular offerings and sacrifices keep the Gods in your favor. Thus, the Gods and those who work for them, such as the Judges of the Underworld, may hold you in good regard as well.

Your religion and spirituality is not something you ever finish, as I say. It's always a progress, something you work on every day of your life. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Confidence In Your Beliefs

A lot of people may not think about how important this factor is to their mental and emotional health, but when it comes to one's own personal beliefs, it is vastly important to find confidence in those beliefs. I have talked about it before in spiritual counseling sessions with clients. If you're always worrying about, "what if I am wrong?" it will worry you to death or drive you insane. Constantly questioning yourself will make you increasingly unstable until you finally lose yourself.

I do not mean that you should never question anything. I mean that what you believe about the Gods, about life, and about yourself, is valid. You will never find peace until you find peace with this part of yourself.

And even if you one day find that a belief of yours turned out to be indeed inaccurate, it doesn't matter, because for one, the Gods are not affected by it, and two, you held the belief in good faith. A strong temple is one that you build inside yourself. From it, you will draw immense strength.

Your beliefs form the core of who you are. All that we are, how we think, how we act, and why, is all centered around this core. If it's always shaking, then so shall you. Write it down, talk to yourself, make the official Book of "your name here." Establish it and make it stick. Even if you encounter someone who believes differently, or at least doesn't accept your beliefs, that's fine too. They don't have to, and their refusal or difference also changes nothing. 

Far too many people find their cores shaking, mainly due to insecurity. Not only realize that there is no need for that, but also that you are strong at your core. You will see improvements in your mental and emotional health and physical performance in life.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

When Artemis Graced My Dreams

In one of the Hellenic groups on Facebook that I am a member of, someone recently posted about their encounters with Greek Gods in their dreams. I commented that I had seen Artemis in a dream before, and someone asked me to talk about it. I decided it would make an excellent blog post. I've mentioned it briefly in a past article, but didn't go into all the details, to my memory.

I do not recall the exact date, but let us say sometime before 2019, and I will also discuss how I verified this experience. 

I was in a beautifully wooded area, but standing in a clearing of brown soil. There were other Beings around in the distance that I can only describe as other Gods, but only one came close to me in this particular encounter. She walked alongside me and held my hand. She was dressed in white with a bow, long black hair, and a beautifully pleasant face and smile. Finally, she looked at me and said, "I love you." How did I know She was Artemis? Simply put, I just did. A God visited to tell me that they loved and were with me. Then the dream came to an end.

In 2019, I was talking with a friend of mine in Freeport, Illinois, named John, about experiences with Gods. He told me of his own sighting of Artemis, and without me telling him about mine, we both described the same physical features of the Goddess. We were two separate witnesses who described the same experience. That was one reason that we both knew our encounters were real.

Although my dream was short, brief, and has never happened since, I have to say that it was one of the most blissful I have ever had. When the Gods visit, you know it, and nothing else matters nor filters in. Nothing exists in the presence of a God except what they want to exist. 

As for the reason for the visit in my dreams, I still cannot say beyond the surface. I think that human life can have its hard roads, and sometimes the Gods just want us to know that they still care and haven't forgotten us.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Find The Love Of The Gods In This Room

See everything before you as an opportunity to experience the wonder of the Gods, is something I have always said, but it can be far harder than one might imagine, especially if we don't like the situation we are in. But in said situation, the Gods may teach us more than we could have conceived.

Most of the jobs I've had in my life, I have considered at least beneath me, if not outright hated. Even if I tried to find the good in them, it seemed impossible ultimately. Once I had a job at a local McDonald's just so that I could pay my debts, in the face of my hold job that I had held for 5 years, but that had basically stopped paying its workers. The feeling of being betrayed doesn't even begin to describe it, spending years on the false hope they promoted that you could make it as an independent contractor. It ended with my vehicle destroyed and bank account emptied, so it would have been ridiculous to expect me to feel good about nabbing the first job I could find as a security net.

Then one day, something said to me, "Find the love of the Gods in this kitchen you're working in." In this job I hated, something Higher wanted me to seek to find Divine love. I wondered how in the world I would accomplish such a task. Nevertheless, I sought to obey, of course. I was clearly trying to be taught something. But although I tried and tried, I could never find it. 

Soon I went to my next job across the street at the travel center, or gas station in laymen's terms. More pay, and apparently, less stress, appealed to me greatly (although the less stress part was a foolish thing to assume). But as a customer, I had indeed enjoyed the atmosphere of the place. As I would soon find, experiencing it as an employee is a world different, and I did not like it. However, the mission given to me was still in my head, to find the love of the Gods in this place I couldn't stand.

For months, I once again went on this journey in failure. Then I talked to my wife, who is a Hellenic Oracle. I did not go to her with this question or mission in mind, but we talked frequently about how much I hated my job. She one day said to me that I help keep the world moving, that without gas stations, everything would literally stop. The world that the Gods love, I help keep moving forward, as far as humanity is concerned, and therefore, I am working for the good of my Polis (City).

That's when I found the love of the Gods even in an undesirable job. I still didn't love my job, but it still changed my attitude about my future jobs and endeavors, whatever they may be in the future. To find wisdom, purpose and achievement is the point in all your journeys.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.