I am a Hellenic Polytheist

Blessed be 🫰 mild tw for SA and drugs (mention of SH and ED)

Hi, I wanna write about how I interpret my relationship with my deities while being a Helpol.

   I got really into Greek mythology in 8-9th grade. I read a lot of Ancient Greek texts about the gods and I got really into it. I discovered Hellenistic polytheism through Pinterest (which sounds dumb but the community on there is amazing) and found myself very drawn to Dionysian Hellenism. The Cult of Dionysus really stood out to me and I felt connected to Dionysus.

   I decided to start my practice around the same time I got back into spirituality and tarot. I made an altar next to my tarot and crystals. I started with using tarot to connect with Dionysus and it was very helpful. As I got more into it and my altar got bigger, I discovered other ways to devote to him. Theatre, which I am heavily involved with, can be a devotional act, so ever time before I go onstage for a performance I dedicate it to Dionysus. Also, smoking and drinking which I partake in occasionally can also be devotional, so whenever I smoke or drink I dedicate my rush/high/intoxication to Dionysus. I love to party and have fun and I dedicate fun to Dionysus, as well as sexuality (both how I present my sexuality and how I carry it out iykwim.) Dionysus is also the god of androgyny, and while I present female, I am genderqueer and experiment with my gender a lot, which I also associate with Dionysus.

   I also found myself worshipping Aphrodite soon after I became a Helpol. I struggle with anxiety, leading to skin picking and hair pulling, along with scars on my arms and hips, which are things I feel really insecure about on my body. I also struggle with an eating disorder and negative body comments at home. In 9th grade I really grew to hate my body. I began worshipping because I read that Aphrodite can help with self love. I spent 20 minutes before bed unclothed as a devotional act to Aphrodite and eventually I started really loving parts of my body. My scars and scabs and stuff don’t bother me as much, my weight issues don’t weigh on me (haha) as much as before. This practice also really helped me recover from being sexually assaulted. I won’t get into it, but devoting time to Aphrodite really helped me be able to love my body again. She helped me recover fast from a breakup because I was like “Actually, I’m too sexy to be sad” and I got over it by posting hot pics on insta. Whenever I have romantic moments with my boyfriend I like to thank Aphrodite for blessing me with love.

   I worship them both in unconventional ways, too. Swimming I dedicate to Aphrodite, eating junk food is dedicated to Dionysus, taking walks is dedicated to Dionysus and shaving is dedicated to Aphrodite. I have Spotify playlists for both of them with songs that remind me of them. I know it can sound kind of silly but I really do feel connected to my deities. I love them and they love me 💕

   Questions are so welcome and thanks for reading! Have a good day babies 😚

edit: I’m attaching my devotional playlists if anybody is interested!

Dionysus Playlist

Aphrodite Playlist