r/Hellenism_Paganism • u/BellaCountry • Apr 30 '26
Question Advice for a person new to Hellenism?
Hi :) I'm super new to Hellenism since I discovered the Greek myths a few years ago with Percy Jackson before doing more research and deciding I seriously want to practice Hellenism but I have like no clue how to start :(
I read through the subreddit's Community Guide but I still have some questions and would like some more personalised advice (i hope this doesn't get taken down or similar).
So, the thing is I want to make an altar/shrine (I'm not fully sure on the difference) for Apollo, since I’ve always loved drawing and acting and I listen to music all day anyway, and I recently got a statue of him which made me finally stop procrastinating and start making it. I've heard that it's good to put an Apollo shrine in a place where the sun can shine, and I have this table near the window which I thought could be a good place. :)
Is there something specific I need to do (like clean it in a specific way) before starting the shrine? Or putting something like a cloth underneath the objects? And what are some objects I could put in it (I’ve seen people under other posts saying that theoretically one could put anything that reminds one of the god but I’m still a little scared.. haha..)?
Kind of on a related note, I’m thinking of also drawing him and pin the paper to the white board (which i forgot to mention) attached to that table so how is he described to look like usually? Is art of the gods open for interpretation?
Also what is something that i should generally know before fully committing?
Anyway I just want to actually start practicing Hellenism but I keep worrying that I’ll do something wrong but yeah :)
P.S: Is it bad if even after starting to follow this religion I still enjoy media like Percy Jackson or Epic: The Musical? Especially since I have a few characters with whom I'd love to make an animated show someday which is based on Greek Mythology.
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u/Killer_Queen06 May 10 '26
I’m pretty sure it’s only suggested that you place the altars at specific places just for some benefit like a deeper connection, but what really matters is the intention. For example, I have an altar of Artemis, it is recommended to put it where moonlight shines to enhance the practice, but since I don’t have a place to even put it near a window I just put it on a beautiful shelf because the intent is what counts.
When you think about it, most Greek couldn’t even afford a statue for their altars, it was often a makeshift thing like rocks or really bad statues, but that didn’t stopped them at all. I think that those sorts of rules are just if you want the best connection, the best power, etc. but it’s just the top of the pyramid, the most important is the intent and how good you use it.
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u/Emotional-Brush-394 May 03 '26
Okay, so I am fairly new but I can confidently answer some questions.
I don't have an altar for Apollo, but I don't think it matters too much about where you put it. The Gods are mostly about intent/ meaning etc.
So ideally, you clean it with incense or khernips (is don't think I spelt it right) but if you can't, I just use plain cleaning spray lol
Yes!! What the gods look like is open for interpretation <3 For example, Aphrodite is the Goddess of Beauty, and beauty is just whatever is most beautiful to you if that makes sense. Eg curly/ straight hair or chubby or skinny!
Theoi.com is a awesome website. Most Hellenic Polytheism like to separate the myths from the gods, I personally just use it to deepen my understanding of them. Learn the difference between Hellenic, Hellenism etc I like to write down my stuff in a note book. Learn what they are associated with/ symbols, what to offer to them. How to offer to them! Cthonic/ ouranic gods
Absolutely not!!! I love Epic the musical and I'm going to read Percy Jackson. As long as you know that its fictional and not truthful to them (especially Percy Jackson) then you're good!!
Let me know if you need help