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/.