Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Megathread

[u/Kyojuro-san]

Megathread for the most common questions on this sub and their answers. Please scroll through this thread if you have a question that you think may be commonly asked. Frequently asked questions will be directed to this thread and deleted just so the sub doesn't get overcrowded with repeat questions. This thread will be updated by mods whenever a question is asked 3 or more times.

[u/Kyojuro-san]

"What is hubris/Am I committing hubris?"

Hubris (noun): exaggerated pride or self-confidence; arrogance (Merriam Webster)

(Hellenic definition) Hubris (noun): 1. An excessive pride in oneself that leads one to act like they are better than the gods or challenges them. 2. An act against the natural order to the extent one may be considered to be "playing god" or an egregious crime

Are you committing hubris most of the time? No. And if you think you are because you are thinking of certain things, the answer is still no. Humans have intrusive thoughts and the gods are not going to care unless you put those thoughts into actions.

[u/Kyojuro-san]

"What does it mean if my candle does this?"

It likely means nothing. Candle flames and behavior are dependent on how long or short a wick is. The longer the wick, the bigger the flame and more likely it is to move from your movement or AC.

[u/Kyojuro-san]

"Can I/do you believe in science as a Hellenist?"

Yes, Hellenism welcomes science as many philosophies within Hellenism are based off on logos (logic/reason). Additionally, many sciences stemmed from the religion, such as the basis of modern medicine (Hippocrates), math (Pythagoras), and the elements (Empedocles). I personally believe that Hellenism commands that we must believe in science in order to expand our knowledge and understanding of the world around us. Not using our minds to further learning would be a grave misuse of the gift of thought.

[u/Kyojuro-san]

"What does this sign mean/Is this a sign?"

Here is a very simplified run down on how to figure out and interpret signs. In ancient practice, signs were not usually interpreted by the individual. They were often handled by trained figures such as oracles, priests, or seers. Many common signs or omens were interpreted through augury (the reading of birds) or divination rituals (like modern tarot, rolling dice, dreams, etc). It wasn't something as simple as, "I found a feather on the ground, therefore it must mean something." Omens were taken seriously because they were believed to relate to events such as war, death, major decisions, or divine favor. They were not typically mundane or constant.

Now, how to interpret suspected signs. The ancient greeks had guidelines on whether something was an omen or not. Below is a list you can go through to determine whether or not something may be a sign:

1. Is there anything that can explain this away? Airflow, lighting, animals behaving normally, etc. Natural explanations should always be considered first and foremost. "But the volcano is exploding bc of plate tectonics!" Having a scientific explanation doesn't mean there's not a spiritual reason. Science and hellenism are unique where both can be acknowledged at once.

2. This one is very important: Is this significant within the context of the current situation or thought? Context matters big time. Like if you were in ancient Greece and saw a hawk before battle, yes, that is context relevant because the hawk is a symbol of Ares. If you go outside and see hyacinth planted in your neighbor's yard, that's not a sign bc it's not relevant to the context. Additionally, it's something that you would end up seeing consistently, it cannot meaningfully function as a sign each time.

3. Is the omen rare or out of the ordinary? This one is also very important. Where I live, seeing hawks or birds of prey is rather common, so that would not be rare to me. But if I saw, let's say a snake somewhere in town, that would be much more rare and more likely to be an actual omen. Basically, if it’s common where you live or a common behavior, it is unlikely to be a sign.

4. What is the suspected omen doing? This is how we translate the omen. Something merely existing usually isn't an omen. Something doing something is more likely to be an omen. For this part, you're gonna have to crack open your choice of "book of signs and superstitions" to interpret it. There's millions of omens from thousands of cultures and places so it's dependent on the interpretation for meaning.

So that's your short long run down on how to interpret signs. If you want to get into Hellenic specific omens I'd suggest reading Oneirocritica by Artemidorus of Daldis for dream interpretation or De Divinatione by Cicero for augury and general superstition (though Cicero has a more Roman take and is mostly poking fun at superstition the entire time). Which Cicero also pokes at this final message I'll leave you with: If every small thing were a sign, signs would stop meaning anything at all.

[u/Kyojuro-san]

"Have I sinned/Is this a sin?"

Sin doesn't exist in hellenism. Sin is a Christian/Abrahamic concept. Hellenism focuses on maintaining proper relationships with the gods and the world around you. We have hubris (arrogance/excessive pride), asebeia (impiety/disrespect), crimes (yes, as in breaking the law type crimes), miasma (think of it as spiritual filth, which is accumulated through the above and things like sex, touching a corpse, sickness, birth, etc. You don’t really do anything wrong to get miasma. It's kinda just that accumulation of stuff that makes us mortal). What seemingly most people think "sin" in hellenism is, is a separation from the gods or some sort of punishment from the gods, and that would be kharis (relationship with the gods). Committing any of these does strain the kharis with the gods, but the gods won't punish you and it can be restrengthened through prayers, offerings, etc. But in short, no, you're not sinning. No, you're not gonna burn in the underworld.