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.