Purification & Cleanliness | HELLENISM 101

[@kittimcconnell2633]

RE: 18th century cleanliness: they didn't have chlorinated tap water on demand, nor did they have washing machines or detergent. So yes they kept clean, by their own standards using the means available. Thanks for removing the anxiety from this topic! I appreciate this a lot.

[@kittimcconnell2633]

I never thought about dyed clothes being less clean, but most dyes (before the modern age) used urine or other ooky ingredients.

[@FeltheBlithe]

That's actually not entirely true about dyes! While some certainly DID use urine (and many still do actually), variants of salts have been more common mordants for millenia.

[@FeltheBlithe]

I more meant that for many cultures undyed clothing was extremely hard to keep clean and so thus represented a "pure" state if they makes sense

[@puppywaffles3842]

Yeah, the whole Khernips thing was rough for me in the beginning. I'm sure many beginners like myself felt "unworthy" in a sense to approach the gods if we didnt make it everytime we prayed💀. I remember it crippling my devotion in a way. Now I just wash my hands and slap on a scarf from walmart .

[@FeltheBlithe]

I felt very much the same way! But when I actually started looking it I was like 🤔🤔🤔

[@kennedyrose2668]

I’m so glad I found this bc I was panicking and freaking out and missing opportunities to give offerings bc I was scared I wasn’t pure enough 🥲

[@kv8441]

Uh heyyo! Ik this is like a whole year late, but was wondering if u could help me answer this question. So this Thanksgiving, i performed my first offering ritual to Zeus. And well…yea I attempted to create khernips too 😅. I took a leaf, burnt it a little, i put it in my bowl of tap water & finally washed my face & hands b4 praying w/ the water. Now with that said and after watching this video…im starting to wonder if I embarrassed myself in front of Zeus? Like im sure its nothing, just an honest misreading of rituals on my part. But the last thing i want is Zeus thinking “oh this foolish boy did something unnecessary 😒⚡️“ yk?

[@puppywaffles3842]

@@kv8441 I’m sure King Zeus appreciates the gesture. It’s just to not feel pressured to do it perfectly all the time. Remember, the gods seek your intention behind things.

[@kv8441]

@@puppywaffles3842 Ahh ok, tysm for the advice & reassurance! And since pagans everywhere seem to be in a festive mood today, Io Saturnalia! 😁✌🏾

[@jae4520]

Fel: Music, the way Pythagorus invented it, is inherently divine, and that’s the same musical system we use today. Me: *plays Squidward Nose for Aphrodite*

[@WITCHCATFT]

😂😂😂

[@gntletulip]

thank you for bringing up the topic of christian sin . i was getting a little uneasy with this topic over all because it reminded me too much of “ sin “ but that clarification helped !

[@FeltheBlithe]

happy that clarification helped! it's definitely a bit confusing

[@ambina2]

If I attended a ritual of verbal defilement, my go-to phrase would be calling people "bean eaters."

[@FeltheBlithe]

Pythagoras approves

[@chago5624]

there are mexica rituals of defilement, theres a whole goddess: Tlazoltéotl the deity of filth so interesting to see the commonalities

[@FeltheBlithe]

Ooooo that's fascinating! I find ritual defilement as concept to be super interesting so it's cool to hear about similarities from other cultures

[@creacrea281]

Another culture that sometimes practices ritual defilement is a specific branch of tantra (though this is NOT reflective of most tantricas). They practice in graveyards and consume toxic substances to come close to "death" so that the return to life is even greater than it was before. I think it is so interesting how different cultures can still have similar practices.

[@creacrea281]

Another great video! I love how accessible you make the information and that you list sources, especially primary sources.

[@FeltheBlithe]

Thank you! I'm glad the info feels accessible! And yes, I think sourcing is important, that way people can decide for themselves 🙏 (and also it helps remind me where I got a piece of info 😂)

[@faeotoole5051]

Could you make a video on ancestor worship in Hellenism/in the Ancient Greek world? Ty for making these videos, I really like them a lot :)

[@FeltheBlithe]

I'll add it to my list! 😊 Glad you enjoy it

[@charlessmith5465]

7:14 reminds me of the quote attributed to Heraclitus: "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." 12:48 "festivals of verbal defilement" like a "roast"? 🤔

[@FeltheBlithe]

Oh that quote is so interesting! Thank you for sharing 😊 and that's definitely a good modern comparison to roasts haha

[@billiel9546]

So in most cases, I have to wash my hands or bathe before praying or giving offerings? This makes it so much less overwhelming!

[@BullhornedSatyr]

Love your video and content. I also heard another polytheist say that using cinnamon on your hands, can be used to clean and purify yourself. The practitioner stated that the scent of cinnamon was pleasing to the gods.

[@FeltheBlithe]

interesting! definitely gotta be careful not to touch your face especially your eyes though 😅

[@nyxosborne_edits]

I am new to this...but apparently I have been cleansing myself for years and never knew....

[@testtubesandcauldrons6701]

Editing QUEEN! This is a great video, always love how much you reference good sources.

[@morgotha42]

I've been doing some of this for years with out knowing about it. lol when I struggle to get out of a funk and I cant bring myself to do anything sometimes I can light a candle (fire) and then I build on that. some times I play music and then build on that. so next I would light incense. and get some smoke cleansing going. and eventually I would be doing all these things and it would end in a ritual bath and I will begin to feel better

[@Doucechaumiere]

I am a culprit of the khernips thing without knowing where it came from. But it kind of evolved with time. I am lucky enough to live in a area where tap water is very very clean, but I also know how it is treated and such to make it drinkable. Sooooo... I infused it with rosemary to keep it pure and put some sea salt too. I don't really put a burning thing in it. I just like doing that way? Like I wash my hands normally too, but putting khernips on my hands and face makes me go in a ritual state like putting my veil on (when I think about it hahaha). It's just annoying in winter when your hands are dry and sea salt on it ouch.

[@FeltheBlithe]

Yeah, I mostly just use tap water and occasionally will burn this in there? I like to keep it simple for daily things

[@marmar340]

same!! I'm still just a beginner in HelPolism and on one of my first days I came across a "khernips recipe" so I put a BUNCH of salt in water and washed my hands it was so salty it irritated my skin terribly🙂 the "tutorial" also said to wash my face with it thank gods I wasn't dumb enough to do that😅

[@makingthematrix]

I can definitely start making my morning coffee as an offering to Athena :)

[@andrewchilders1804]

Thank you for these vedios you were the first channel I found on this and I’m so glad that it was one of yours

[@t.k5616]

Love the video (and your brows) much respect from Greece✌

[@feralgoober]

12:26 *looks to The Song of Achilles in my bookcase*

[@FeltheBlithe]

Pour one out

[@jdw7656]

Thanks so much for providing this information! I've really been enjoying your videos, I've learned so much.

[@thebreadpilledwitch7508]

I love your vail

[@nicholaswhitman4620]

23:27 they can also kill your pets! Most essential oils are highly toxic to cats if ingested, skin contact is made OR IF THEY INHALE IT THROUGH VAPOR I thankfully didn't learn this the hard way but it scared me to death.

[@LotosAnalysisCorner]

Hey, loved the video! Your videos are always awesome and informative. Could you give me some sources on men veiling in ancient Greece?

[@FeltheBlithe]

So! After doing some digging back into my sources, it seems that the veiling for men occurred primarily during 1) certain mystery rites and 2) funerals. Men regularly veiling appears to actually be a Roman or later thing!

[@LotosAnalysisCorner]

@@FeltheBlithe Thank you so much for the information, your videos are pure gold

[@blossom654]

When you offer trinkets, what do you do with it? Over time that would pile up😅 so if you offer jewelry, can you later take it off the altar and wear it, or put it in a drawer? Thank you for your informative and entertaining videos!

[@FeltheBlithe]

that's a good question! Traditionally they would pile up (hence why we have so much archaeological evidence for them). You can certainly wear or take off the jewellry! it's kind of up to you and whomever you are making the offering to.

[@soundlife412]

Great video thanks you !

[@orionjcarter]

Hey, thanks for sharing all of this great information. It's been really helpful for my research in Hellenism. I have a question though, do you have to do a ritual every time you want to thank one of the gods? Do you have to do a ritual and give an offering everyday? Thanks!

[@FeltheBlithe]

Nope! An offering can be as simple as praying over tea or as elaborate as a two hour ritual, it's up to you and how you want to go about it. You also don't have to do a ritual or give an offering every day! If you want to go ahead but if you're more casual that's fine too

[@razorwire9735]

Do you need to do a deeper form of purification if your parents and other ancestors committed violent crimes?

[@TheOracleOfApollo]

With the sulfur I feel if you want to use that energy just light a match it will be it’s equal

[@FeltheBlithe]

This is a good point! I have done this for that cleansing "sulfur" aspect. It's why I like using sulfur.

[@blockreubush128]

Hi, I'm wondering if it's okay to just give an offering like wood -shavings as a sense of nature but replace it daily/weekly as I do not have the privilege to burn offerings.

[@FeltheBlithe]

Sure! I think anything offered with intention is a suitable offering

[@lorenhiggins2898]

Would a ball cap count as some sort of veil? I wear one every day to work (in which I go all over town) and it would be nice to have a physical reminder of my religion and also know I'm a little more shielded at the same time.

[@FeltheBlithe]

Sure!

[@pleasedontknowmeirl]

Yess this is great!

[@Gh0stO3O]

my only question is whats the deal with chewing garlic???? why do you need to puritfy after that? lol!

[@FeltheBlithe]

I think it's cause garlic was associated with Hekate and her train of dead ? Though tbh I'm not entirely sure

[@Gh0stO3O]

@@FeltheBlithe haha i was so confused cause i am really close with hekate and will give her garlic all the time! And always saw garlic as protective! (I love your channel btw its really helped me get my footing in hellenic practises!)

[@aileena23gg95]

Hi! Thanks for making this video, it was really helpful. If braiding your hair can also be a way of protection, does it need to be all the hair that is braided? I'd like to protect myself from pollution at certain places, but my hair is not long enough to braid it completely... would it work if I make two braids in my hair? Thank you.

[@FeltheBlithe]

I could see that working! You could always try it out and see how you feel

[@aileena23gg95]

@@FeltheBlithe Thanks!

[@blossom654]

Ahaaa💡, so Jesus took on the responsibility of a scapegoat !

[@FeltheBlithe]

yes, exactly!

[@caseysavestheday]

I love that youre a polutheist. Im a gay guy in seattle. I sacrifice white edition red bulls (cans) to Juppiter Optimus Maximus. Lets be best friends. Your videos are great.

[@384384384384]

Why are the people of Hellas referred to as "Greeks," when there is no such thing? The people of that part of the world are known as Helliness, the country is officially known as Hellas, legally, embassies are Hellenic, passports denote as Hellas and in the United Nations as Hellas and the people acknowledge each other Hellinass/Hellinida; so why the deliberate persistence of the use of Greeks and Greece? Does this have something to do with the “Greek Orthodox Churches' deliberate attempt to suppress this identity with the ancient religion of Hellenism (Ἑλληνισμός)? Following this, if the Parthenon, the temple of Poseidon and most of the world-renowned heritages in Hellas, are in fact, temples of worship for the indigenous religion of Hellenism, are people permitted to officially worship there and hold religious ceremonies; if not, why not? “Those who fear life worship imaginary God(s) of others; those who love life, imagine?

[@alicev5496]

greeks are known as greeks in english cause that's what the romans called the region. It's just other languages' word for the region, nothing more