Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship is a fantastic book for anyone interested in authentic Hellenic revivalism, whether you’re just starting out or have been practicing for years. The text is produced by LABRYS ( http://www.labrys.gr/en/index.html ), one of the primary polytheist communities in Greece, and presents a vision of modern Hellenic paganism that is both deeply rooted in tradition and cognizant of the practical concerns of modern life.
As the title implies, the book is not so much concerned with presenting a historical or philosophical overview of Hellenic religion, but rather to provide a practical guide for rituals to be carried out in the home. In this respect, the book is quite comprehensive: including rituals for everyday practice, appealing to the gods on specific issues, and important life events such as births, funerals and marriages. Each ritual is detailed, including full hymns and step-by-step instructions. It also includes directions on how to create an altar, a list of major Gods with associated symbols and suggested offerings, and a calendar of Holy Days with instructions on how to observe each. The book also details the appropriate mental attitude to have when approaching the Divine and how the main household deities were traditionally understood.
One thing I really like about the book is that the authors are understanding toward the potential difficulties of traditional worship in the modern world. There are suggestions for alternatives if certain parts of rituals are difficult to carry out. The authors remind reader to start small if everything seems too daunting and that “the ultimate measure [of worship] should be the results yielded, i.e. the success in attaining and maintaining a relationship with the higher beings.” I have been a practicing polytheist for several years, but for various reasons (such as living in a small apartment with roommates), my approach to formal ritual has always been very minimalist, so I appreciate the book condoning some flexibility in terms of worship.
If there’s one criticism I have for the book, it’s the length. The book is only 160 pages and a number of pages have only pictures. However, apart from that, I can’t think of anything to complain about.
I highly recommend Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship for anyone interested in the religion, especially those just getting started. It’s a great addition to any bookshelf, and one I’m sure I’ll consult many times in the future.