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 live 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.

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.

The Smallest Temples Can Make Big Impacts

When it comes to Greek temples, the gigantic and glorious are well known, but not always commonplace. Most temples were not the size of the Parthenon, for example. Those grand icons were the exception, not the rule. Small country temples were probably far more common than people imagine. 

My own beautifully adorned modern temple, which I have owned and operated for several years now, is also of the small country type. Anyone who has been to or seen it, knows that it measures only about 12 feet long and 10 feet wide. And the Temple of Athena Nike on the Akropolis of Athens, as seen in the picture here, only measures 26 feet in length and 18 feet in width. But it has an amazing, iconic history and cultural impact.

The ancient Greeks were devoted and lovingly religious people; they adored their Gods and loved being spiritual. While the Parthenon became the wonder of the world, the small shrine and Temple of Athena Nike preceded it, and although a very small temple, the builders put their hearts and souls into the design, with wrap around art depicting the Greek Gods and also the Athenian battles and victories over the Persian Empire - the glories of Heaven and Earth. While only a fraction of the size of the Parthenon, a significant part of the Greek identity and history is housed in the Temple of Athena Nike, and would be lost without it. They so desired that victory stay with their City that, even though they didn't build a huge temple to Her, they put all of their devotion into it.

I always tell people who want to build a temple, to do it. No matter how big or small it may have to be. It doesn't matter.

We tend to think that a temple is something that has to be monumentous, but that's simply not the case. A temple is simply a place for religious worship. It's the devotion that matters. I always encourage people, and even post literary content, on how to build temples and temple communities, no matter how limited their means may be, because any kind of Hellenic temple is a blessing upon the world and the community it serves.

I don't know what kind of mark my own humble temple will leave on this world when I'm gone, or if it will even remain beyond simple legacy. I don't know what will happen to the physical structure in centuries to come. But I know I have at least touched and made a difference in the lives of a few people who might not have been touched otherwise.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

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

Chris Aldridge.

Battling and Beating Intrusive Thoughts, Anxiety, Depression, and Ticks

The human mind is painstakingly complex. If you are plagued with intrusive thoughts, anxiety, depression and nervous ticks like I used to be, know two things. One, you're not alone, and two, you can beat them in totality. I struggled for years before finding just a few simple methods to knock them all out in a matter of days. And trust me, it works without failure if you do it correctly. 

Let's begin with intrusive thoughts and thought patterns. First, this is not to say that you cannot try to exercise any control over your own thoughts. You most certainly can. That's what focus means. So do not take this post as an assertion of complete helplessness when it comes to your mind.

Almost every human being alive struggles with unwanted and intrusive thoughts. You would be hard pressed to classify it as a mental disorder because it's basically normal. So you're not inherently mentally ill and you're not possessed. You're just human. Remember also that there is no pill that can stop unwanted thoughts. There is certainly medication that can lessen your anxiety, and therefore, deplete your focus on them. But there is no medication that can make you stop thinking something. So don't try that route, it's a fool's errand. 

And then of course, there is also the matter of anxiety, depression and nervous ticks, which mostly are mental disorders but not unconquerable. A nervous tick is movement of the body that you use to deal with stress. For instance, I used to push my Adam's Apple down to the bottom of my throat repeatedly, even when I didn't have to swallow. I would also flex the muscles of my arms to the point that it started to make my hands numb, and I would flick my thumb against the rest of my fingers. 

So how do we stop all of these thoughts and actions? What a lot of people don't realize is that the following methods are successful against all of it, which I will explain at the end, but we will begin with intrusive thoughts.

1. Realize that your thoughts are not you. If they were, you could completely control them. But when something comes into your mind against your will, obviously you are not the one controlling it. It's not you. Tell yourself that right now, and realize it. The Gods do not hold you responsible for something that isn't you, and neither should yourself. Trust the Gods and yourself to know the truth of things.

2. When you have an intrusive thought, realize that you are an observer. Step to the side (metaphorically speaking) and choose to not give time, attention or power to that thought. The reason you have these thoughts is because you are giving power to them by trying to fight and avoid them, or you think they govern you in some fashion. You starve your mental chaos to death when you simply choose to not give it your time and attention. Let it pass and forget it. The more you do this, the less these thoughts will occur in you, and the less you will feel like your head is about to explode.

3. In ancient times, the Gods did not punish people for intrusive thoughts. They didn't even punish people for their beliefs. People were only punished for wrongful actions that they willfully took. The Gods were more concerned with spoken words and physical action. For example, it would not be an offense to have an intrusive thought about robbing a bank. But to actually plan and carry it out, would be the offense. The Gods know that our minds are super computers for words, thoughts and emotions, and that our minds process these things often without us putting any intention or will behind it. What would matter is someone's response to these thoughts. So simply put, just reject the thought and move on. It's not you and the Gods know that.

3. Apply the first two methods to your anxiety, depression and nervous ticks. When they come, or you feel them coming, realize it's not you, step to the side, and refuse to give it any time, attention or power. 

The more you implement these practices into your daily life, the more upper hand you will gain over your mind, body and emotions. I would venture even to say that you will notice a big difference after the first day. Gods love you always and best of fortune to you in all your battles.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

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

Chris Aldridge.

Why We Should Find Comfort In Fate

Most people probably reject the idea of fate. Some might even get offended. "How dare you presume that I don't have complete control over myself!" But in reality, no one has 100% dictation over their life. Several things are always out of our control, such as how someone we fall in love with will respond, or the family and country we are born into. While much of our life is certainly within our ability to control, it's delusion to think that we are the only ones who guide it. 

We have no dictation over who we come to love, who our children will be, or even where we will go to school or live. We go to the school that accepts us, and live where we can afford or where is practical. Look back at all the decisions you have made, and all the places life has guided you, and ask yourself if those things were really decided by you alone.

In ancient Greek religion, there is belief in the Fates, three Goddesses named Clotho (Spinner), Lachesis (Allotter), and Atropos (Inevitable). When someone is born, the thread of their life is spun out, and their life ends when it is eventually cut. Along the way, that person's destiny is played out through their life. In my own belief, I do not believe that everything is spun out already, but I do believe that pivotal moments are already decided, it's simply up to us what we do with the roads that have been paved before us therein.

But there is one comfort about fate that I have grown to find peace in all of my life, even when I wasn't a Hellenist. Ancient Greeks were not the only ones who believed in a certain form of predestination, and I was thinking about this yesterday as I was driving to get my son from school. A lot had been going through my mind as of late, but the belief in the Fates kind of calmed that chaos. 

Even when I was a younger man before my life as a Hellenist, people around me believed that Deity had already determined when we would die, our ultimate end was nothing to worry about, and so we could live life without that worry of impending doom. This wasn't just a Common Era belief either. Homer Himself said the same, "Nothing can send me into Haides until it is my time, nor stop it when it comes." 

Not only as a Hellenist, but as a general person, that gives me immense comfort, and it should give you peace as well. As a child I would have been terrified of such a notion, but there is a time for all things. Wisdom is knowing this, and peace is knowing that all things happen for a reason, that we are part of something far bigger than ourselves, and that's the beauty of it all. There's no need to worry about our ultimate fates, we only need to worry about enjoying our life in the here and now, and making it the best we can.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

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

Chris Aldridge.

Can Greek Gods Speak Through Clergy?

In ancient Greek religion, clergy do not act as representatives of the Gods, or as people who speak for the Gods. In other words, we let the Gods speak for themselves. We don't presume to know what a God thinks, teaches or desires, because that would be hubris at best.

However, that's not to say that the Gods can't send messages through people, namely their clergy. After all, the Oracle of Delphi was a Priestess who spoke the words sent to her by Apollon. She did not speak for Him, but she did relay His already spoken words to other mortals.

The Gods are above our plane of existence, and thus they use a variety of channels to communicate with us, although of course, nothing stops them from coming and going to and from any realm they so please, and at their own wills. But I also think that the Gods have a vast array of duties and functions, and manifest in different ways, to different people, and for different reasons.

But absolutely, they can speak through their Priests and Priestesses. For all we know, they could be speaking through me now as I write this, so that humanity can know more about them, or about a specific topic.

Clergy spend an exceptional amount of time being devoted to the Gods, and I think most of us in the profession today would choose it as our only job if it paid enough. And people who spend the most time with the Gods, will naturally develop a channel to them, but such a channel can also be reversed. 

I think that's one reason we need clergy in Hellenism. Not to tell people what to believe or how to live, but to be a source of comfort and knowledge. I know that, as a Head Priest, there is no other clergy that outranks me, so I literally have no one to talk to for counsel. I go to my wife who's an Oracle, or the local Seer in the next City. Hellenists today don't have a lot of support to turn to.

Yes, it can absolutely happen, and perhaps more often than not, so the words of a Priest or Priestess should not be automatically discounted. You should definitely consider that you're talking to a unique person, and perhaps even someone that the Gods have put in a clergy role for a reason. In the very least, a studied member of the clergy knows what they're talking about when it comes to Hellenism.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

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

Chris Aldridge.

Managing Stress and Anxiety Through Spirituality

I would be untruthful if I said that this isn't one of my favorite topics to cover, as humans are more stressed, anxious and depressed than ever before. Today we live in a very good world compared to the past, but let's face it, it's still hard to make a living, so we're worried and stressed over finances, to say nothing of the fact that we're concerned about our marriages, relationships, education, children, and healthcare to name a few that can easily become overwhelming.  However, it's also proven that consistent religious and spiritual practice reduces your stress levels.

I know in my own life that I have experienced unique hardships that most people never will, because I have a special needs child, although I do think that being Hellenic has made him stronger than his disabilities, because he doesn't let anything slow him down, or stop him from getting up every day with excitement. That's the Spirits of the Gods in him, my friends.

As a Spiritual Counselor, there are key things that I teach people on how to conquer every day stresses and anxiety, and that's what I want to share with the readers here on this post.

1. Wake up every day with a love for life and a heart grateful to the Gods. On the surface, that might sound like an extraordinary thing to do every single morning, but think about it more deeply. You woke up this morning, and how many people didn't? How many babies that could have been born, never will be? The fact that you made it here against millions upon millions of odds and competitor sperm, is beyond the miraculous. Not only are you clearly here for a reason, but the Gods chose you to live in this beautiful world when they had no obligation to do so. 

A lot of people can find it hard to believe that they're blessed by the Gods, but really we all are in many ways. The Gods owe us nothing, and yet, we have everything in terms of being alive and conscious. I used to be excited even when I would wake up in the middle of the night. I was happy to get up and be able to do something, especially if it had purpose. In short, there's no reason that you should not be in love with life, and not be grateful to the Gods for every breath and every ray of sunshine.

2. Construct a daily prayer and offering to the Gods. It doesn't have to be an hour long. I have found that my temple's simple daily devotional prayer, which maybe takes 2 minutes, uplifts me tremendously. I light the incense offering, begin with a prayer to Hestia, then to The Dodekatheon, Zeus of the Fence and the Home's Wealth, my temple's Patron Hero and Philosopher, and end again with Hestia as First and Last. The prayers you choose should be significant and relevant to your own personal life and beliefs. Write them out until you are able to commit them to memory, and perform them along with the offering each morning after you have showered and gotten dressed.

3. Finally, create a peaceful environment that you can retreat to for peace of mind. Now we could spend all day talking about how to create a peaceful place for yourself, but the basic things I want you to do is turn off negative news and media, tame your temper, stop worrying, and finally, take at least 10 minutes a day to meditate; it can be about anything. Take more time if you can, but at least the basic timeframe given, because the more you calm your mind and connect with peace, the healthier your mind and brain processes will be. You can also burn good incense, or play calming music, during this time.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

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

Chris Aldridge.

Can Humans Agree On Beauty?

I recently came across a very intriguing question about human beauty. It basically asked if there is a definition of beauty that everyone could understand and agree on? Being someone who, of course, worships Aphrodite, that inquiry picked at my brain quite a bit.

When I was a teenager and young adult, I was far more picky about my taste in women. I think that's the case with a lot of young men. In other words, the beauty they see is, one, very distinct, and two, mainly on the surface of the human body.

But today, I look back on all the women I turned down and deeply regret it, because I realize the great beauty and quality of attractiveness that they possessed. As I grew older, my philosophy became, there is beauty in everything if you have the right eyes. But the question is, what are the "right" eyes? I think we grow up in a society that instills in us reactionary traits that tell us certain things are unattractive or degrading, when in actuality they are not, such as body fat or a deviating characteristic. But when you become older and abandon these social norms, your eyes change. 

I missed out on some wonderful beauty in my life, the beauty of personality, character, and uniqueness. But beauty isn't only about sexuality, and this is where a lot of people lose sight of the wonders of life. I normally see the beautiful in everything around me. I think, especially in the modern age, most people fail in this virtue, not because they lack the ability to achieve it, but because they haven't allowed the perception to enter their minds.

People are generally too occupied with daily stresses and so used to daily life, that the beauty of it all never crosses their minds, and this is where I think humans could agree on beauty if they only allowed themselves to see it. The beauty of nature, of life in general, of even the clothes and jewelry that people wear, the languages they use, and the arts they create. Why do most people not stop to see the inherent beauty in all of these things? We could all agree that life is beautiful. 

What's worse is that the failure to see inherent beauty makes our lives dull, and can even lead us down a road of depression and mental and emotional deterioration. The ancient Greek worldview was one that found the world an amazing place, and life one of the greatest blessings ever bestowed in the universe, especially the complexity and possibilities of being human. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

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

Chris Aldridge.

The One Day I Left Without My Hermes Talisman, I Broke Down

Part of my regular blogging is to discuss my daily life as a Hellenist, and the experiences that happen therein, whether big or small. And I felt that this one was noteworthy for a profound reason.

Being the God of roads and the Patron of travelers, I have come to realize how deeply Hermes is involved with humankind, because people are always on the move. We are not stationary beings. We are always going somewhere, whether it be down the road to the store or work, or on a long vacation or journey. So I recently got into the habit of carrying or wearing a Hermes talisman every time I left my house, seen in the picture above.

In prayer, I asked for the piece to be endowed with the holiness of the God and His protection and favor on all of my travels when it is with me, and I made it a priority to always have it, and for two or three weeks, I always did, especially when I went to work.

But yesterday, October 9th, for some reason I did not take it with me, but left it on my podium in my office. As I pulled out onto the main road that runs by my house, the car stopped. I drifted it to the middle turning lane out of the heavy traffic, but nevertheless still within its dangerous grasp, as I realized the car was out of gas. Which made no sense because the gauge said I still had 35 miles, and the gas station was only three blocks down. There should have been no reason for my current situation.

But there I was. I knew the car was out of gas because it had happened before when I either didn't notice or didn't bother to gas it up when I should have, but never with 35 miles left. There should have been more than enough to get down to the station. I was luckily able to call a friend close by, who came with her gas can and got me down to the station.

As I was talking to my wife on the phone about it, I will never forget saying, "The one day I go out without my Hermes talisman." I have thought on what Hermes may have been trying to tell me in this. I think it's two things. One, humans should always remember that they need the Gods. I myself have never thought otherwise, but it was a general reminder. And two, the Gods are always with me, because clearly bad things can happen to me when their presence is absent. Hermes may have taken the opportunity to stop that car to show me this. 

Always take the Gods with you on all your journeys. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

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

Chris Aldridge.

No, The Gods Didn't Used To Be Humans

The more I learn about Orphism, the more I distance myself from it. Of course, in ancient times, Orphism was not a major movement. No City declared it as their State religion. In fact, it was only one of the many cults out there, and there is no historical evidence to even construct a coherent Orphic religion. It was a minority movement at best, based on the teachings of Orpheus. 

Nevertheless, there are still people in modern Hellenism and Paganism who subscribe to it. Which, at the end of the day, is their own choice and right. I'm not here to tell them that their beliefs are invalid, as it were. So one should not take this post as an attack on Orphism. My only point of opposition is a disagreement, and an explanation as to why, as I enjoy discussing different beliefs and philosophies. If you believe in Orphism, that's fine! I just don't agree with this significant theology of it.

One of the most disagreeable things about Orphism is their belief in general and inherent infinite ascension. In other words, they believed that the soul starts at the most basic level, such as animals, and evolves to humans, then to levels of Divinity, even to the Olympian Gods themselves. In short, they believe the Gods used to be humans who have now completed their journeys. 

We must first look at the fact that Gods were here before humans, because Greek religion says that Gods created them. Prometheus shaped the human body and Athena breathed life into the human. Even if you don't believe the Gods directly created humans, there's no denying that the Gods preceded them. Ouranos and Gaia came first, and gave birth to Titans, who then gave birth to the Olympian Gods. There's no way the Gods, therefore, can be the reincarnation of humans because humans did not exist when they did.

Second, The Olympian Gods are the highest of all Gods, you can't go any higher. So if humans evolved into Olympians, don't you think there would be trillions of Olympians by now? Even in ancient times, wouldn't there have eventually been at least thousands? But there has always been 12 in the theology of Greek religion. And there is logically nothing beyond Olympos because it's the sum of all the universe. How could there be anything higher than the universe itself?

Some people will point to Gods like Psyche who used to be human before they became Gods, but what you have to understand is that they were granted Godhood by other Gods. They didn't become one on their own. Secondly, humans who became Gods did so after accomplishing near impossible tasks, things that made them more than the average human, before the Gods would grant them ascension. In other words, a human doesn't become a God simply by existing. It has to be extraordinarily earned. It's not inherent. And it's something that happens to the exception, not the rule. 

In my view, logically everything has its own individual course of direction. The course of Immortal Life is Immortal, while that of mortality is mortality. The Gods were, are, and always will be, and therefore they cannot be changed by humans. Gods are Gods and that is all.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

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

Chris Aldridge. 

The Time of Typhon Comes With Hurricane Helene

With the recent news of several states being slammed by the latest Hurricane Helene (which might be a fitting name for this post), it got me thinking about a wonderful topic of mythology, which I always love talking about as I am a Greek mythologist. 

Great storms from the sea have been hitting and influencing human civilization and societies since before written history, and this time, the hurricane struck not only Florida, but several others, including my home State of North Carolina. It's certainly not the first time that a hurricane has devastated American land, and it won't be the last, and my prayers are with those who have been impacted.

To my memory, when I was a child, the worst we ever faced in North Carolina was Hurricane Hugo. Even though we lived in the central part of the State, and the storm hit the coast about 4 hours away, it still left us without power for a long time. Fortunately, we didn't get flooded out, but I image the coastal regions suffered greatly.

Greek religion always gives us something intriguing and mysterious to think about, though. In the religion and mythology of the Hellenes, hurricanes are caused by Typhon (a monster whom Zeus defeated and banished into the depths of Tartaros). It's where we get the name typhoon. So, O' blessed Muses, let me tell the story with wonderful elegance.

Gaia and Tartaros bore the monstrous giant named Typhon, after the Gods of Olympos had overthrown the Titans and destroyed the Giants. He was the youngest of the children, and so chaotic and horrible he was, with one hundred snakes about him that breathed fire and shrieked noises both known and unknown. Typhon challenged Zeus for His throne, and all shook and resounded, for it was a battle of cataclysm. 

Zeus rumbled the heavens and exploded throughout the sky, and all of Earth responded, even down into the bowels of the world itself, gloomy Tartaros, where Titans and enemies of the Gods lay imprisoned, and even did they tremble as fear gripped all of the universe. The lightning of Zeus killed all the heads of the monster, and beaten and mangled as he was, Typhon was hurled down into the depths of Tartaros along with the others.

What a battle that must have been to witness! And I think, in some ways, the ancient battle between chaos and order, law and lawlessness, good and evil, still continues today across the world, whether it be among civilizations or nature itself. The good news is that the Gods always win, and good will always overcome.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

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

Chris Aldridge.

Photo of Zeus and Typhon is in the public domain because the copyright condition of the life of the author plus one hundred years has expired in its country of origin and in the United States of America.

I Like Fall Because It Was When I Met Artemis

It's no secret that summer is my favorite season. I think most people feel that way. It's when everything is alive, warm, and people can get out of the house and live life to the fullest. You hear people talk a lot about bad winters, but you never hear someone say, "it's going to be a bad summer."

But there is certainly something to say about autumn. Millions of people love the colors and cool breezes, and I do as well, but there's always been something more profound for me about the season for the past 19 years. It was the first time I experienced the spirituality of the Greek Gods, and namely at the time, one was Artemis.

I grew up in a forest in central rural North Carolina, which rested down inside of a shallow valley. In my young adult years, I continued to live there, but all throughout my time growing up, I loved to venture through the mysterious woodlands of the countryside. Sometimes, I would even find intriguing wonders, such as new creeks and abandoned farming structures and equipment. But nothing compared to the natural beauty that increased with each step I took. Each grove, field or grouping of trees was more gorgeous than the last. It was like walking farther and farther away from the old world I came from, which as I child, I mostly found no peace or support in.

Then, in 2005 and into 2006, I first began exploring Hellenism as a religious and spiritual concept. Of course, as a school student, I had learned some of Greek Myth in my literature and history classes, so it was not as if I was unfamiliar. But seeing the movie Troy revived my interest in ancient Greece like never before. Of course, such a movie is about Hollywood entertainment, not the Hellenic religion and The Iliad itself, and I understood that. But I began to feel Her (Artemis) all around me, being a lover and resident of a forest. And I wondered how I could best get into contact with Her.

During this time, autumn in North Carolina was setting in, and in a State with such lush woodlands, the colorful majesty is always indescribable. The array of colors around me brought the first time I walked into the forests and tried to connect with Artemis. The immense peace and intrigue alone that I was given during this start of my journey was one of the most wonderful gifts ever blessed upon me.

So while I'm always a bit sad to say goodbye to summer, it's also true that autumn, and as well as all other seasons, have beautiful and wonderful purpose. Not just in my own life, but that of all the universe around us. In those forests of my younger days and at the start of my newer life, Artemis showed me just how beautiful and wonderful life is, in a far greater and more enlightened way than I had ever realized. I will always be grateful and love Her dearly for those memories and upbringings. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

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

Chris Aldridge.

Then As Now, We Have Gods and Doctors

Since the annual Festival of Asklepios (Son of Apollon and God of medicine) on the Attic Calendar is tomorrow, and a family member of mine recently made miraculous strides in their battle against pancreatic cancer, I thought talking about the physical and spiritual side of ancient and modern medicine would be a great blog topic, especially since a number of people today think that medical science and religion have to be separate.

I'd first like to talk about my family member, quite close to me, who was diagnosed with one of the deadliest forms of cancer a couple months ago, pancreatic. We were all naturally very concerned, but after a couple rounds of treatment, the tumor is no longer visible, and the stage itself is treatable. So it looks like they're going to be one of the few people who pull through the disease, or who can at least not be killed by it. So it's always great news when someone close to you, or anyone for that matter, finds out that they're gaining the upper hand against such a frightening illness.

The upcoming festival I'm talking about is called Epidauria, and takes place annually on September 18th, in the Month of Boedromion. More or less, it's a Healing Festival of Asklepios that took place in Epidaurus, the believed birthplace of Asklepios, and it was here that the most important sanctuary of Him was built, located on the Northeast of the Peloponnese. During this time, and in Healing Temples in general, people would sleep in these sacred locations to gain the blessings of Asklepios for their illnesses and afflictions, or would bathe in the local natural springs or baths. But these weren't the only methods. There was also a theater, as it was believed that watching good performances benefited health.

But the larger point of this has to do with the fact that, for the ancient Greeks, their Gods were naturally involved in everything they did. They had doctors, just as we have doctors today, but the difference is that these doctors, and the people they treated, did not disregard the essential benefits of spirituality and Divinity. Most certainly, the doctors looked to the natural world to develop cures for the diseases and afflictions they treated, but it was also understood that the natural world came from the Gods, and therefore, so does medicine and healing. What they were given to heal with, were good things, and all good things come from the Gods. That's why the original, authentic Hippocratic Oath begins with an invocation to every single God of the Greek pantheon.

In our world today, people seem to live under the delusion of otherwise, and think that if they support medical science and go to doctors for cures and treatments, that they can't also thank Gods for their recoveries, but even a lot of people today would disagree with that notion. In fact, I would argue that the amazing technology and remedies we have today, have been answers to prayers for healing and disease prevention.

However, that is certainly not to say that traditional remedies, such as those invoked in the Asklepion (Sanctuary of Asklepios), are not beneficial as well. I've said before that a good dose of medicine and spirituality will make you whole again. Because for all of the medical tools we have to draw from today, there is still something inside of us that the mundane cannot heal or satisfy. 

If you go to a doctor, or specifically a psychiatrist, and tell them that your religion helps fight your mental illness, or helps you overcome your physical afflictions, they will tell you to keep doing it. In short, keep praying, keep invoking your Gods, keep being spiritual, because it's clearly just as good a medicine for you. They won't tell you to discount their own prescriptions or treatments, but they won't tell you to stop what you're doing either.

If I were to go to an Asklepion today, which I think, would be an exceptionally awesome event to see and experience, and I slept in the temple or sanctuary, the dreams sent to me by Asklepios could not only instruct me on how to heal my illness, but the good dreams themselves can fight depression and stress, improve my neuro connections all together, and strengthen my motor skills. If I bathed in the warm, natural waters of the springs or mineral baths, it could very well improve my blood circulation, which will help prevent something that can be very deadly, blood clots. The baths will also reduce my stress, reduce pain, improve skin conditions, and generally aid in rehabilitation. And if I enjoyed the wonderful performances of the theater with my dear friends or likeminded people, I could also experience a number of the benefits I just described, such as stress relief and improved memory and mood. 

As human beings, we are naturally religious and spiritual people. It's part of our genetic and evolutionary makeup. We are meant to connect with Gods and the natural world that is part of them. We need the Gods to be whole and complete. There are some things that a pill or a machine cannot cure, relieve or answer. And just because we advance in a field, doesn't mean the Gods aren't part of that. The ancient Greeks never had cars, but Hermes remains the Gods of travel still, for example. Just as Apollon and Asklepios remain the Gods of healing and medicine, and when the mortal doctors can do no more, the Gods can and will step in, just as they did with my infant son during his premature birth and recovery.

It is a wonderful world, and a wonderful universe, with many wonderful, diverse things, that the Gods have given us to experience and take part in.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

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

Chris Aldridge.