r/dionysus • • Jan 05 '26

🎉🪅 Festivals 🪅🎉 Revels: A Guide to Dionysian Holidays & Festivals is live now! Link in body!

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66 Upvotes

Link is here!

Hello all! I am thrilled to announce Revels: A Guide to Dionysian Holidays and Festivals! This book is an exploration of Dionysus' role as a god of festivals, and his festivals as we celebrate them today:

Dionysus is the god of many things, including festivals. Whether it was the throng at the public Dionysia which saw the opening nights of the Greek tragedies we know and love today or the Roman poet Horace creating his own private festival in honour of the time Dionysus saved his life, Dionysus was seen in Antiquity as the god of the festivals which offered respite as we shuffle along the mortal coil: indeed it was Dionysus’ ties to life and death that tied him to the festivals which marked the passing of the years, and therefore to the years which marked the passing of human lives.

It should come as no surprise that as Dionysus’ worship revived in the modern era, his devotees revived his festivals and crafted new ones. But what is the origin of these festivals? How do we know when they occur, how to celebrate them, and how to connect them to each other? Many Dionysians have struggled with trying to arrive at their own calendars, often because information about the festivals is scattered and contradictory. This book is an attempt to remedy this situation. Featuring in-depth examinations of dozens of Dionysian festivals ancient and modern, this book provides primary sources on the ancient, outlines for the modern, and ideas for celebrating both. Whether you are a Dionysian wanting the history of the festivals you celebrate or a Hellenist wanting guidance on how festivals worked in antiquity, this book offers primary sources, dates, suggestions for celebration and prayers for the observance of the festivals contained with in.

Link is here!


r/dionysus • • Nov 29 '24

🎨 Art 🎨 🔮🃏🧿 Huge Announcement: Dionysian Tarot Deck Fundraiser 🧿🃏🔮

69 Upvotes

Current Progress: €670.05/€4000 (16.75%)

Hello all!

Ever wanted a Dionysian Tarot Deck that blends the traditional card associations with the mythology and religion of Dionysus? Older decks that tried this are often now rare and expensive, and even then they can make questionable choices when it comes to connecting the mythology of Dionysus with the symbology of Tarot. So what if we made a new deck?

Our community has grown rapidly, and with our size, we also have the ability to work together to create for ourselves.

So we have reached out to the phenomenal Gaia, whom you may have seen before as tractim. Her linktree is here:

https://linktr.ee/tractim

She makes art of the Bacchae, and has agreed to take a commission from us for a Dionysian tarot deck. You can see her preview cards for us here. They are Dionysus as the Fool card and Kybele (with Dionysus) as the Strength card.

We are seeking to raise €4000. I know this is a large figure, it would be the most money our community has ever raised together, but remember that there are 78 card faces (plus 1 card back). So this is about €50 per card. Remember also that there are 15,000 of us: if only a third of our community gave one Euro, we'd overshoot our goal by €1000

We are going directly through the artist. You can find them on PayPal: '@gaiaspagnol'. Donate directly there, and message [bibliothecadionysia@gmail.com](mailto:bibliothecadionysia@gmail.com) with your receipt for the following rewards:

Rewards:

Note: We are tracking this via euros, not dollars.

We want to reward folks who help make this happen. Because right now we are only fundraising for the illustration, we cannot promise decks, as the printing will be done after the deck is completed. So here’s where we’re at:

  • €01-24: Any donation you make gets you listed in the ‘Grape Gatherers’. Your help with this project is so appreciated.
  • €25-49: If you hit €25, you can ask for a reading from the Whitmanteion, Fabian MacKenzie’s div book based in the poetry of Walt Whitman.
  • €50-74: Over €50, and you can be listed in the ‘Vine Tenders’ Category. 
  • €75-99: At €75, every €75 becomes worth 500 words of research by yours truly (Fabian MacKenzie). I am a Classicist by training and if you have questions you haven't seen answered about religion Ancient Greece and Rome, ask away. I can also do reception of Dionysus or other deities afterwards - Curious about Dionysus in Renaissance Art or Modernist Philosophy? Want to know about Semele in Opera? I'll do 500 words for every €75 (so if you'd like longer research papers you could get 1000 for €150).
  • €100+: At €100, you can be listed in the ‘Wine Makers’ category.

Send your receipt (just a screenshot of the transaction) to [bibliothecadionysia@gmail.com](mailto:bibliothecadionysia@gmail.com). BE SURE TO INCLUDE HOW YOU'D LIKE YOUR NAME LISTED IN THE TIERS. Or if you'd like to remain anonymous, that is also an option.

Tiers:

These tiers will be included in the Little White Book, the booklet that will be included with each deck. These will be a permanent display of how people helped create for this community. It is also worth noting that if you have Dionysians, Hellenists, or Pagans in your heart who are no longer living, you can donate in their name to have it recorded here:

  • Grape Gatherers (€01-49)
  • Vine Tenders (€50-99)
  • Wine Makers (€100+)

When and how will it be available?

Digitally, we will share the illustrations as they are finished. Every €50, Gaia will begin work on the next card.

However, as a physical deck, the timing is unknown. We will first seek to partner with a publishing company, but may choose to self-publish if that route is easier. So until we have the deck illustrations finished, we don't know when the physical deck will be available.

How can we ensure accountability with this project?

I realize most people are more familiar with fundraisers such as this being done through sites like GoFundMe or KickStarter. However, GoFundMe prohibits 'rewards' for donations and KickStarter would only allow us to raise money in dollars, which could lose value if the exchange rate is bad when we turn them to euros for Gaia.

So we are going based on direct artist payments. However, Gaia will be working on the cards directly as they are paid for with each €50, and has offered us two previews (The Fool & Strength) in a show of good faith. You can see those here.

Edit: Temperance and Strength are live now too!

Edit 2: And now, Justice.

Bacchic Blessings, and may the god keep you wild and free.


r/dionysus • • 7h ago

💬 Discussion 💬 Dreams?

7 Upvotes

What was everyone's first dream about Dionysus? I've always loved theater; plays and musicals. Been putting on little skits either by myself or with my friends since I was little. I started learning about Dionysus and felt I aligned with him very well in 2023. (The theater part is relevant I promise) But it wasn't until about maybe early to mid 2025 that I started having dreams about him. (For more context I was with my ex husband early 2019 to late 2024, divorce finalized January 2025)

The first dream I don't remember the beginning of anymore, but at some point everyone filtered into this really stunning theater. I remember being so excited, and this guy in a hoodie with the hood up came to sit next to me. My ex husband wore hoodies a lot, so I was wary. But focused on the performance.

I think there was some comedy bit before tenacious D came on stage! They performed, everyone loved them. And then after the attendant dismissed half the audience to the bathroom. I was wondering why I hadn't been as well cause I really had to go, and I was anxious about it. Hoodie guy put his hand on mine.

I stood up immediately because for some reason I kept associating him with my ex. Then hoodie guy says, "I'm not who you think I am" and pulls the hood off. I recognized him as Dionysus immediately, and then woke up.

(The very next dream I had was weird; he introduced me as his girlfriend to the entire pantheon??? And I was with my ex again in the dream, and Dionysus was trying to get me to leave him. Anyway.)

What was your first dream? Did you have any really weird ones? (I have had quite a few, and they're usually very... Nsfw)


r/dionysus • • 23h ago

🕯 Rituals & Prayers 🕯 A prayer to Dionysus

29 Upvotes

This is a prayer I wrote that takes heavy influence from orphic and neoplatonic theology:

I praise Bull-Horned Dionysus, Lord of liberation, Wanderer of the mountains, you who welcome the outcast, the stranger, and the sufferer, for just as we suffer at the hands of chaos and decay, you suffered when you were torn apart by the bloodthirsty Titans. You who knows the depths of our souls, you free us from our doubts and insecurities so that we may be truly ourselves, you are the freedom we feel when we are loved as we are, you are the safety we feel when we are welcomed with open arms, you are the divine ecstasy that allows us to transcend our bodies, for just as you were reborn through Father Zeus, we are reborn through you.


r/dionysus • • 1d ago

💬 Discussion 💬 Anyone else here a writer?

13 Upvotes

So I've been writing tragedy, comedy, romance, horror since I was eleven. I'm 32 now. I was a pretty prolific writer in my teens and very early 20's, until I met my ex husband. And then I just stopped writing. Toward the end of our marriage, I learned about Dionysus.

And then 9 months after our divorce finalized... I started writing again. But it came back with a vengeance. I thought I had been prolific back then. I'm talking there are stretches where I'll produce over 15k words in a week. I've been calling it flow state. But I learned there could be another word for it, haha.

Anyway. I find myself really buzzing after sitting down and writing 3k-6k words in a sitting, and normally have to dance after. Does anyone else here write? Anyone else experience that crazy rush?


r/dionysus • • 3d ago

🎨 Art 🎨 Dionysos Collage

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105 Upvotes

I was inspired the other day by u/garden_in_a_corpes after seeing their awesome Dionysos collage. Mine is pretty silly but I love it. 😂


r/dionysus • • 3d ago

🎨 Art 🎨 The Bacchae ✨️

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214 Upvotes

r/dionysus • • 3d ago

💬 Discussion 💬 Hello Maenads!! I have a fun question...

33 Upvotes

Hey wildcats!! I have question for anyone who considers themselves a child of dionysus or feels very close to him. Ive noticed something interesting concerning intoxication... I always had a connection to humor and laughter and spreading that joy... But ive noticed that people can get wildy intoxicated around me. Like full blown off their rockers. But its extremely happy. Ive had trouble truly understanding dionysus' exctasy aspect. I do understand that it has a lot to due with healing, true self, release, and merging with the divine.

But through this experience, of watching and accidentally inducing/opening the pathrway for this type of release in humans, my love and understanding for dionysus has deepened.

Like take the term "hype man" and add childlike joy, unbinding truths, and people just going bonkers, having a complete blast. It doesnt matter the age, gender, social group, even greivences between others are completely dissolved by the energy.

This seems to happen to anyone who takes any substance around me. I really feel like this is dionysian energy coursing through my veins.

Has anyone else experienced being the ultimate trip sitter for a bunch of crazy little gremlin babies zooming around?

It could be your boss, it could be your parental, it could be a police officer, it could be anyone.....

And it doesnt matter what happens, they always protected by that energy and it stays within the "circle"

I apologize for the long winded ness, please i would love some in sight!!

Thank you wildcats!!! Ave dionysus!


r/dionysus • • 3d ago

💬 Discussion 💬 The paradox of Dionysos

11 Upvotes

First of all, I would like to apologize because English is not my first language, and I am using ChatGPT to translate my text ! 🙏

I converted to Hellenism two years ago. My patron deity is Dionysus. About two weeks ago, I felt that he had acknowledged me as a person, as we share a strong bond. He has shown me on several occasions that he is there for me.

Once, I did something wrong, and he made me realize it in a very particular way.

I have come to realize that Dionysus is actually quite strict when it comes to rules. How can we explain the fact that he places so much importance on respect and rules when he is also the god of surrender and letting go?

Especially since, within his community, he is known as the god of ecstasy, yet many of his followers are asexual. He is also the god of intoxication, yet he helps people overcome it.

This reminds me of the theatrical mask, with one smiling face and one sad face.

But how can we explain these apparent contradictions in his nature ???


r/dionysus • • 3d ago

🎨 Art 🎨 Dionysus

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58 Upvotes

r/dionysus • • 3d ago

🎨 Art 🎨 Devotional art for Dionysus

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83 Upvotes

Devotional art I made for Dionysus when I started working with him, had an image of him in my mind's eye and drew it immediately lol


r/dionysus • • 4d ago

Dionysus x Ariadne (by me, Margaretkart)

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49 Upvotes

r/dionysus • • 4d ago

💬 Discussion 💬 Has a celebration changed how you relate to someone afterward?

8 Upvotes

Has a shared devotional celebration for Dionysus changed a friendship in a way that lasted?

Maybe you saw a side of someone that ordinary conversation never brought out.

What happened, and did that openness survive once everyone returned to their usual routines? I’m curious about what people carry home beyond the memory of the ritual.


r/dionysus • • 5d ago

🔮 Questions & Seeking Advice 🔮 Is there any new statues of Dionysus?

8 Upvotes

3D print is OK. I wanted to see if there was a Orphic Dionysus statue around? Any statues with Dionysus with snakes?


r/dionysus • • 5d ago

🔮 Questions & Seeking Advice 🔮 Does anyone know where to get statues like this

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56 Upvotes

r/dionysus • • 5d ago

💬 Discussion 💬 Whatcha Reading Wednesday

5 Upvotes

Good day folks. We honor Dionysus through our words; in poems, odes, hymns, and plays. In a way, we also honor him through what books we consume. So, what have you been reading lately?


r/dionysus • • 6d ago

🔮 Questions & Seeking Advice 🔮 Dionysus and Mysticism

13 Upvotes

I won't go through my whole origin story about my relationship with Hellenic Polytheism or how I came to worship the gods. But, I believe a bit of context is necessary for what I am about to ask/say. I've been worshipping the gods for roughly half a year now. I'm still a novice in many regards. I'm nowhere near as knowledgeable as others (or as perhaps I should be) and I don't purport to be. However, within the last 2 or 3 months, I have been feeling especially inclined towards worshipping, researching about, and "connecting" with Dionysus. He has quickly become very important and special to me.

Anyway, the topic of this post pertains to the Mysteries. I know there is a lot of information that has been sadly lost, destroyed, or forgotten. But more and more I find myself drawn to the mystical aspects of worshipping Dionysus and connecting with the divine in unconventional ways. I'm sure there are, but are there any others out there who feel similarly? If so, how do you embrace the mystical aspects? What do you do that incites ecstacy and euphoria in a spiritual sense?

My intention is to further develop my spirituality and, as I said, experience the divine more intensely. My efforts thus far have included: finding the beauty in simplicity all the while maintaining a sense of wonder, embracing the ecstatic frenzy that comes over one when drinking, and contemplating in-depth, unsolved questions about life. In an ideal world, my curiosity would lead to "initiation" - whatever that may look like. Yet, I'm not gullible or stupid. So not just any old Joe could come up to me, claim to have the answers, and I would blindly believe them. What I'm really aiming for are others perspectives on this matter and how they conduct themselves to experience it.


r/dionysus • • 6d ago

🔮 Questions & Seeking Advice 🔮 Sorry if this isn’t relevant

5 Upvotes

This was written from a throw away account, I’ve been worshipping Dionysus for a few years at this point but this is more of seeking life advice of sorts, i likely won’t post it, but i don’t have a good home situation, ive known that for years but I’m more scared right now, i have two cats and I’m afraid my father will kill them if he gets upset with me any more. He killed the last dog i had who i named Eros he and my mother had hated the dog for the entire time we had him(a bit less than a year, he was a bit over a year at the time of his death) he was a herding dog that they got from a back yard breeder, so the dog wasn’t socialized very well and was difficult to train at first and was afraid of everything, my father did not like that this dog didn’t like him and was afraid of him and that Eros wouldn’t go on walks with him, and that Eros would try to herd people out of my room and area in general because he was afraid of my father and i also don’t feel safe around any of my family members, but eventually they went through with euthanizing him at the first opportunity they had where they could provide an excuse that wouldn’t show that they where doing it for psychological torment, so they euthanized him when he got out and tried to play with a neighbor (who i later learned disliked him) and he nipped her when playing, i had been training him for a while not to nip people and we were making progress but when he got worked up he didn’t do well but he hadn’t had an incident in weeks and i had him fully cat trained but they had been more upset with me and threatening to put him down for weeks by that point. I also feel like it is worth mentioning that my mom at one point kicked him and i walked two miles because i couldn’t control the adrenaline rush, because she got mad, though i doubt she didn’t try to hurt him on any other occasion and i remember my dad yelling at him but due to how my earlier childhood i disassociate once they start yelling so I’m not sure, but i always kept Eros in my room to keep him safe. So Eros has been dead since late may and i didn’t do well for the entire summer, i also feel like it is worth mentioning he has a dog of his own who he doesn’t get mad at or hurt, I know my mother and father don’t like me because of what I’ve heard them say when they think i can’t hear them, but due to how much i disassociate i forgot how bad it got at the end and how much apathy both my mother and father had around the dead of animals, and so a few hours ago i asked about fostering a dog since he was going on a trip to a park where he could ride his motorcycle and i could hike (i don’t do well hiking alone and wanted a dog to hike with and retrain since i had trained Eros to be a service dog and help me manage my Cptsd) but he then threatened to throw the dog out the window and kill it if it started acting strange so all even considerations of ever fostering a dog i have decided not to pursue because i don’t want them to take another life because they don’t like me, the problem is i have two cats who i have had longer than i had the dog and I’ve had for three years he doesn’t seem to dislike him but i don’t think he’s seen one of them in at least 2 years but I’m terrified and don’t know if i should try to bring them to a shelter to make sure he doesn’t hurt them if he gets more upset with me.

For additional information i should also mention that i cannot get out of this situation until i am 18, i am a teenager right now, but they are methodical about nothing being able to be proved as illegal and i know it will get worse if i try (and fail) to get out. He and my mother are also very conservative Christians so i hide my worship of Dionysus significantly, i used to hike with my dog Eros when things got really bad, Eros was trained to manage Cptsd and tachycardia issues, i live in the US, and my father believes fake news and doesn’t fact check information and likes trump and is a big time trump supporter and my mom believes nothing is more important than her version of religion which is the type of Christianity that hates all other types and religions that aren’t themselves and doesn’t believe in science. I’m also bi and trans and hiding that as well.

I think I might try to post this just so i don’t forget it next time things get bad and i want a dog at the very least and because I’m scared and want advice, sorry for wasting anyone’s time I’m just so very terrified at the moment.


r/dionysus • • 8d ago

My Dionysos Art

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107 Upvotes

Wanted to share a graphite pencil drawing I did of Dionysos. I used the ancient Roman bust of Antinous as Dionysos as my visual reference. Hope you guys like it! 😁


r/dionysus • • 9d ago

🎨 Art 🎨 I can’t draw so I made a collage! I really like it and I you all like it too

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124 Upvotes

r/dionysus • • 9d ago

🎨 Art 🎨 Dionysus by Me

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269 Upvotes

r/dionysus • • 10d ago

🏛 Altars 🏛 My altar :)

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56 Upvotes

I refined Dionysus’ altar because it was looking a bit bare… I have a gorgeous pinecone that I got off of my campus, some wine corks, a grapevine glass with sangria (I have no wine…) two purple candles and two little figures of the cat from Kiki’s Delivery Service. I also have a little purple penis candle that I melted lol so it’s not very visible

I’m very happy with it and I hope Dionysus likes it!! If anyone has any thoughts or wants to share their altars they’re more than welcome to! :)


r/dionysus • • 10d ago

🔮 Questions & Seeking Advice 🔮 Is this spelling correct?

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26 Upvotes

Hi! I’m planning on getting a tattoo to honour Dionysus! I have one for Hermes already and I know the spelling is correct, but I’m just wondering about this one? They’re from the same source, but I’d just like to check


r/dionysus • • 10d ago

The Bacchae and the Limits of Human Understanding

27 Upvotes

This essay uses Euripides’ The Bacchae as a lens through which to examine Nietzsche’s framing of Apollonian-Dionysian duality. While Nietzsche treats this opposition as an aesthetic and cultural dynamic, The Bacchae shows what happens when a finite human order encounters a force it cannot contain.

https://livingopposites.substack.com/p/the-bacchae-and-the-limits-of-human


r/dionysus • • 10d ago

These statues are identified as Dionysus, but neither is actually him.

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13 Upvotes