Aidonian's blog

“…propitiate the gods with libations and sacrifices, when you go to bed and at the coming of holy day, that toward you they might have a propitious heart and mind” – Hesiod, Works and Days

When i do daily devotions, i mainly use the Orphic hymns as they ar emore varied and in my personal opinion, beter suited than the Homeric ones. I had specific days mapped out for specific Gods like Zeus & Plouton on tuesday, Dionysos on thursday, Aphrodite on friday, Kronos on saterday, Apollon on sunday, etc… You get the gist.

Appearently this devotional day and monthly devotional acts came from two sources: Hesiod’s sacred months as mentions in “Works and days” and the Orphic hymns. The following comes from the Hellenion site

Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning

• Wash hands and face
• Light lamp or candle
• Hymn to Hestia (#84)
• Light incense
• Hymn to Eos (#78)
• Hymn to Helios (#8)
• Hymn(s) to special god/dess(es) of the day (see chart)
• Additional hymns as desired (see chart)
• Pour libation
• Make personal supplications and thanksgivings
• “Orpheus to Mousaios” (pp. 2-5)
• Extinguish lamp or candle

Evening

• Wash hands and face
• Light lamp or candle
• Hymn to Hestia (#84)
• Light incense
• Hymn to Nyx (#3)
• Hymn to Selene (#9)
• Hymn to the Stars (#7)
• Hymn(s) to patron/matron god/desses
• Hymn to Sleep (#85)
• Hymn to Dream (#86)
• Pour libation
• Make personal supplications and thanksgivings
• Hymn to Zeus (#15)
• Extinguish lamp or candle

Honestly, i never did those elaborate rituals. I started with making sure i was washed before appearing for the Gods. i lighted candles, light icnense and asked Hestia to bless the house and ritual that i was about the perform, including blessing of the libations that i was about the perform as well. If you are going to call upon the various Gods in one morning or evening ritual, it means adressing Them properly by their various names and titles. Sometimes you don’t have the time for that. That is why I did shortened versions. One can also do a hymn to Orpheus to Mousaios as a shortened version.

Its important to do daily devotions one way or another. Even if its a simple greeting to the Gods when you wake up or go to sleep, is also an act of devotion to them. I do admit that this last month i had trouble keeping up with the daily prayers and devotions but I do them.

Short devotional prayer

I found recently a shortened version of devotional prayer. Which to be honest, i a cool thing to know and have at your disposal. Blessed Hestia, center of the home, I praise you.

Awesome Zeus, ruler of Olympos, I praise you.

Great Hera, patroness of marriage, I praise you.

Poseidon, sea-king of awesome might, I praise you.

Revered Demeter, bountiful one, I praise you.

Hades, lord of wealth, lord of the dead, I praise you.

Wise Athena, warrior maiden, I praise you.

Bright Apollo, archer unerring, I praise you.

Artemis, mistress of animals, I praise you.

Clever Hermes, O swift-footed one, I praise you.

Golden Aphrodite, glorious one, I praise you.

Peerless Ares, ally of soldiers, I praise you.

Crafty Hephaistos, inventive one, I praise you.

Intoxicating Dionysos, I praise you.

Mighty Hekate, torch-bearing maiden, I praise you.

Fair Persephone, Hades’ young queen, I praise you.

Artful Pan, roamer of wild places, I praise you.

Eros, swift impulse and raw power, I praise you.

Ancient Gaia, mother of us all, I praise you.

Asklepios, greatest of healers, I praise you.

Gracious Tyche, fortune is your gift, I praise you.

Honored Nike, granter of victory, I praise you.

And to all the gods and goddesses-I praise you.

It comes from the book: Devotion: Prayers to the Gods of the Greeks.’ by Hester Butler-Ehle. I found on this blog. Since this person posted it, it would be rude to not aknowledge it. Do check the blog out if you. Its pretty interesting reading of any polytheist.