At first glance, approaching modern Hellenic polytheism can seem a bit overwhelming, particularly for someone raised to believe in a religious system dictated by others. Hellenism tends to allow for a great deal of religious and philosophical liberty, with plenty of freedom to think and act as in accordance with individual conscience and reason.

Without a religious official handing over doctrine and practices one must follow to the letter, the aspiring Hellenic polytheist may feel unsure about what to do or say that will be fitting in the eyes of the gods and of others in the community.

So, while restating that your own conscience before the gods will generally be your best guide, here are some suggestions for making some early devotions to the gods. Feel free to adapt them to your own circumstances or do something else entirely.

Temporary Personal Shrine

Unless circumstance allows you the luxury of a permanent shrine and offering space (and perhaps even if it does), a good first step is to create a temporary personal shrine. This can be as simple as a special candle lit only during personal devotions, a small metal box into which spare change is placed in offerings to the gods (to be donated to charity at an appropriate time), or a dish into which you can pour a little water or wine for libations. These are just a few ideas to get you started.

Your early experiments with temporary shrines will help you later on in deciding what sort of more permanent fixtures will be right for you. If you try something simple and temporary and it feels uncomfortable, it will be easier to try something else than if you had gone immediately to building a permanent shrine. And smaller shrines can be less intimidating to create.

Prayer and Offering

From time to time, set up your shrine and read a prayer to one of the deities toward whom you would like to show some hospitality. Accompany the prayer by lighting your candle, placing some change in the box, pouring a libation, or making an offering appropriate for the kind of shrine you have set up.

After you have made a number of devotions, you will likely feel more comfortable later on when you feel the need to come asking for assistance. Your prayers of need will then build on a foundation you have already set in place by showing hospitality early on.

You may find some prayers for devotional use elsewhere on the sponde.com site.

Example Devotion

Here is one way you may choose to perform a simple personal devotion:

• Place your temporary shrine item where you can see it, but will not have to bow, kneel, or stretch to get to it. If you wish, place an image of the deity to whom you are about to pray next to the shrine item. If you are using a printed hymn or prayer, decide whether you will hold the paper in your hand(s), tack it up next to the shrine, etc.
• Extend your arms toward the shrine item and/or image. Holding a printed hymn will, of course, use up at least one hand.
• Whether using a prepared hymn or impromptu prayer, speak words of hospitality to the deity.
• Present a devotional offering, whether it be the lighting of a candle, offering of change, pouring of a libation, etc.

Remember, this is your own personal expression of hospitality to one or more deities. If you feel more comfortable making the offering before or during the prayer, that will do just fine. And if you come up with an entirely better idea than those suggested here, follow your inspiration and the leading of the gods!