When Artemis Graced My Dreams

In one of the Hellenic groups on Facebook that I am a member of, someone recently posted about their encounters with Greek Gods in their dreams. I commented that I had seen Artemis in a dream before, and someone asked me to talk about it. I decided it would make an excellent blog post. I've mentioned it briefly in a past article, but didn't go into all the details, to my memory.

I do not recall the exact date, but let us say sometime before 2019, and I will also discuss how I verified this experience. 

I was in a beautifully wooded area, but standing in a clearing of brown soil. There were other Beings around in the distance that I can only describe as other Gods, but only one came close to me in this particular encounter. She walked alongside me and held my hand. She was dressed in white with a bow, long black hair, and a beautifully pleasant face and smile. Finally, she looked at me and said, "I love you." How did I know She was Artemis? Simply put, I just did. A God visited to tell me that they loved and were with me. Then the dream came to an end.

In 2019, I was talking with a friend of mine in Freeport, Illinois, named John, about experiences with Gods. He told me of his own sighting of Artemis, and without me telling him about mine, we both described the same physical features of the Goddess. We were two separate witnesses who described the same experience. That was one reason that we both knew our encounters were real.

Although my dream was short, brief, and has never happened since, I have to say that it was one of the most blissful I have ever had. When the Gods visit, you know it, and nothing else matters nor filters in. Nothing exists in the presence of a God except what they want to exist. 

As for the reason for the visit in my dreams, I still cannot say beyond the surface. I think that human life can have its hard roads, and sometimes the Gods just want us to know that they still care and haven't forgotten us.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Find The Love Of The Gods In This Room

See everything before you as an opportunity to experience the wonder of the Gods, is something I have always said, but it can be far harder than one might imagine, especially if we don't like the situation we are in. But in said situation, the Gods may teach us more than we could have conceived.

Most of the jobs I've had in my life, I have considered at least beneath me, if not outright hated. Even if I tried to find the good in them, it seemed impossible ultimately. Once I had a job at a local McDonald's just so that I could pay my debts, in the face of my hold job that I had held for 5 years, but that had basically stopped paying its workers. The feeling of being betrayed doesn't even begin to describe it, spending years on the false hope they promoted that you could make it as an independent contractor. It ended with my vehicle destroyed and bank account emptied, so it would have been ridiculous to expect me to feel good about nabbing the first job I could find as a security net.

Then one day, something said to me, "Find the love of the Gods in this kitchen you're working in." In this job I hated, something Higher wanted me to seek to find Divine love. I wondered how in the world I would accomplish such a task. Nevertheless, I sought to obey, of course. I was clearly trying to be taught something. But although I tried and tried, I could never find it. 

Soon I went to my next job across the street at the travel center, or gas station in laymen's terms. More pay, and apparently, less stress, appealed to me greatly (although the less stress part was a foolish thing to assume). But as a customer, I had indeed enjoyed the atmosphere of the place. As I would soon find, experiencing it as an employee is a world different, and I did not like it. However, the mission given to me was still in my head, to find the love of the Gods in this place I couldn't stand.

For months, I once again went on this journey in failure. Then I talked to my wife, who is a Hellenic Oracle. I did not go to her with this question or mission in mind, but we talked frequently about how much I hated my job. She one day said to me that I help keep the world moving, that without gas stations, everything would literally stop. The world that the Gods love, I help keep moving forward, as far as humanity is concerned, and therefore, I am working for the good of my Polis (City).

That's when I found the love of the Gods even in an undesirable job. I still didn't love my job, but it still changed my attitude about my future jobs and endeavors, whatever they may be in the future. To find wisdom, purpose and achievement is the point in all your journeys.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

The Smallest Temples Can Make Big Impacts

When it comes to Greek temples, the gigantic and glorious are well known, but not always commonplace. Most temples were not the size of the Parthenon, for example. Those grand icons were the exception, not the rule. Small country temples were probably far more common than people imagine. 

My own beautifully adorned modern temple, which I have owned and operated for several years now, is also of the small country type. Anyone who has been to or seen it, knows that it measures only about 12 feet long and 10 feet wide. And the Temple of Athena Nike on the Akropolis of Athens, as seen in the picture here, only measures 26 feet in length and 18 feet in width. But it has an amazing, iconic history and cultural impact.

The ancient Greeks were devoted and lovingly religious people; they adored their Gods and loved being spiritual. While the Parthenon became the wonder of the world, the small shrine and Temple of Athena Nike preceded it, and although a very small temple, the builders put their hearts and souls into the design, with wrap around art depicting the Greek Gods and also the Athenian battles and victories over the Persian Empire - the glories of Heaven and Earth. While only a fraction of the size of the Parthenon, a significant part of the Greek identity and history is housed in the Temple of Athena Nike, and would be lost without it. They so desired that victory stay with their City that, even though they didn't build a huge temple to Her, they put all of their devotion into it.

I always tell people who want to build a temple, to do it. No matter how big or small it may have to be. It doesn't matter.

We tend to think that a temple is something that has to be monumentous, but that's simply not the case. A temple is simply a place for religious worship. It's the devotion that matters. I always encourage people, and even post literary content, on how to build temples and temple communities, no matter how limited their means may be, because any kind of Hellenic temple is a blessing upon the world and the community it serves.

I don't know what kind of mark my own humble temple will leave on this world when I'm gone, or if it will even remain beyond simple legacy. I don't know what will happen to the physical structure in centuries to come. But I know I have at least touched and made a difference in the lives of a few people who might not have been touched otherwise.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Battling and Beating Intrusive Thoughts, Anxiety, Depression, and Ticks

The human mind is painstakingly complex. If you are plagued with intrusive thoughts, anxiety, depression and nervous ticks like I used to be, know two things. One, you're not alone, and two, you can beat them in totality. I struggled for years before finding just a few simple methods to knock them all out in a matter of days. And trust me, it works without failure if you do it correctly. 

Let's begin with intrusive thoughts and thought patterns. First, this is not to say that you cannot try to exercise any control over your own thoughts. You most certainly can. That's what focus means. So do not take this post as an assertion of complete helplessness when it comes to your mind.

Almost every human being alive struggles with unwanted and intrusive thoughts. You would be hard pressed to classify it as a mental disorder because it's basically normal. So you're not inherently mentally ill and you're not possessed. You're just human. Remember also that there is no pill that can stop unwanted thoughts. There is certainly medication that can lessen your anxiety, and therefore, deplete your focus on them. But there is no medication that can make you stop thinking something. So don't try that route, it's a fool's errand. 

And then of course, there is also the matter of anxiety, depression and nervous ticks, which mostly are mental disorders but not unconquerable. A nervous tick is movement of the body that you use to deal with stress. For instance, I used to push my Adam's Apple down to the bottom of my throat repeatedly, even when I didn't have to swallow. I would also flex the muscles of my arms to the point that it started to make my hands numb, and I would flick my thumb against the rest of my fingers. 

So how do we stop all of these thoughts and actions? What a lot of people don't realize is that the following methods are successful against all of it, which I will explain at the end, but we will begin with intrusive thoughts.

1. Realize that your thoughts are not you. If they were, you could completely control them. But when something comes into your mind against your will, obviously you are not the one controlling it. It's not you. Tell yourself that right now, and realize it. The Gods do not hold you responsible for something that isn't you, and neither should yourself. Trust the Gods and yourself to know the truth of things.

2. When you have an intrusive thought, realize that you are an observer. Step to the side (metaphorically speaking) and choose to not give time, attention or power to that thought. The reason you have these thoughts is because you are giving power to them by trying to fight and avoid them, or you think they govern you in some fashion. You starve your mental chaos to death when you simply choose to not give it your time and attention. Let it pass and forget it. The more you do this, the less these thoughts will occur in you, and the less you will feel like your head is about to explode.

3. Apply the first two methods to your anxiety, depression and nervous ticks. When they come, or you feel them coming, realize it's not you, step to the side, and refuse to give it any time, attention or power. 

The more you implement these practices into your daily life, the more upper hand you will gain over your mind, body and emotions. I would venture even to say that you will notice a big difference after the first day. Gods love you always and best of fortune to you in all your battles.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Why We Should Find Comfort In Fate

Most people probably reject the idea of fate. Some might even get offended. "How dare you presume that I don't have complete control over myself!" But in reality, no one has 100% dictation over their life. Several things are always out of our control, such as how someone we fall in love with will respond, or the family and country we are born into. While much of our life is certainly within our ability to control, it's delusion to think that we are the only ones who guide it. 

We have no dictation over who we come to love, who our children will be, or even where we will go to school or live. We go to the school that accepts us, and live where we can afford or where is practical. Look back at all the decisions you have made, and all the places life has guided you, and ask yourself if those things were really decided by you alone.

In ancient Greek religion, there is belief in the Fates, three Goddesses named Clotho (Spinner), Lachesis (Allotter), and Atropos (Inevitable). When someone is born, the thread of their life is spun out, and their life ends when it is eventually cut. Along the way, that person's destiny is played out through their life. In my own belief, I do not believe that everything is spun out already, but I do believe that pivotal moments are already decided, it's simply up to us what we do with the roads that have been paved before us therein.

But there is one comfort about fate that I have grown to find peace in all of my life, even when I wasn't a Hellenist. Ancient Greeks were not the only ones who believed in a certain form of predestination, and I was thinking about this yesterday as I was driving to get my son from school. A lot had been going through my mind as of late, but the belief in the Fates kind of calmed that chaos. 

Even when I was a younger man before my life as a Hellenist, people around me believed that Deity had already determined when we would die, our ultimate end was nothing to worry about, and so we could live life without that worry of impending doom. This wasn't just a Common Era belief either. Homer Himself said the same, "Nothing can send me into Haides until it is my time, nor stop it when it comes." 

Not only as a Hellenist, but as a general person, that gives me immense comfort, and it should give you peace as well. As a child I would have been terrified of such a notion, but there is a time for all things. Wisdom is knowing this, and peace is knowing that all things happen for a reason, that we are part of something far bigger than ourselves, and that's the beauty of it all. There's no need to worry about our ultimate fates, we only need to worry about enjoying our life in the here and now, and making it the best we can.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Self-Awareness Is Crucial To A Relationship

On November 4th, I will be 40 years old. From my own relationships with many women throughout the years, and watching the successful and failed relationships of others, along with my lifelong study of sexology, I know that self-awareness can make or break a union with someone. 

While we often hear of someone placing unrealistic expectations on their partners, we rarely think of the fact that the person could also be placing the same lack of realism upon themselves as well, and most of that unrealistic expectation comes from lying to ourselves and others about what we really want sexually and intimately, either because we feel pressured by social norms, the opinions of others, and/or we fear the reaction of our significant other because they too may be under the same ailments.

One of the top reasons for breakups and divorces is infidelity. In laymen's terms, cheating, having sex with someone other than your partner. I've said in the past that cheating is the result of polyamorous people pretending to be monogamous. Otherwise, why would someone cheat in general? The self-awareness comes in when we are honest about our sexuality and sexual desires. Love without trust is no love at all.

Far too many people proclaim themselves to only want one person because of societal pressure and expectations, or because they believe that's what their partner expects of them, even though their partner could be lying to themselves as well. Most humans do not have monogamous attraction. Throughout your life, you will be attracted to numerous people. Pretending otherwise in a relationship, and thus, trying to be something we're not, is going to set the relationship up for failure or at least ongoing issues of jealousy, bitterness and distrust. 

Far too often, we build relationships on inauthenticity. It is much better to find a partner who is also polyamorous, or who at least isn't going to blow their top over the simple fact that you find other people attractive. I know some people who consider it cheating because their partner liked someone else's Facebook picture, or watched a porn video. This level of human oppression is not only unnatural, it's insane, and it shows the level of indoctrination that institutionalized monogamy has placed upon humanity. Watching porn is no more cheating than watching a fight is domestic violence. But that's how much we have been subconsciously conditioned to hate human sexuality and ourselves.

Not only do we overcome these oppressions, jealousies, insecurities and anxieties by accepting the truth of our human nature, but by realizing that love is not finite. It is very much plural. Just because your significant other finds someone else attractive, or even loves someone else, does not lessen their love and devotion to you. You will always have multiple people and things in your life that you love, but the fact of plurality does not lessen the love you have for any single one of them.

If you're truly monogamous and that's what you want, then fine. But few people are, and when you enter into a relationship with that unrealistic expectation on both your parts, you're setting the relationship up for turmoil if not termination. Often people fear truth because they fear change. The last thing we want to do is become something different than we have been our whole lives, especially if we have been mentally and emotionally conditioned to it. But it is better to let someone go and find a genuine relationship, than to create an unhappy situation for the both of you. 

Self-awareness in this discussion is asking yourself the simple question: Do I really only have a desire for one person, and will I be happy watching everyone else pass me by?

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Can Greek Gods Speak Through Clergy?

In ancient Greek religion, clergy do not act as representatives of the Gods, or as people who speak for the Gods. In other words, we let the Gods speak for themselves. We don't presume to know what a God thinks, teaches or desires, because that would be hubris at best.

However, that's not to say that the Gods can't send messages through people, namely their clergy. After all, the Oracle of Delphi was a Priestess who spoke the words sent to her by Apollon. She did not speak for Him, but she did relay His already spoken words to other mortals.

The Gods are above our plane of existence, and thus they use a variety of channels to communicate with us, although of course, nothing stops them from coming and going to and from any realm they so please, and at their own wills. But I also think that the Gods have a vast array of duties and functions, and manifest in different ways, to different people, and for different reasons.

But absolutely, they can speak through their Priests and Priestesses. For all we know, they could be speaking through me now as I write this, so that humanity can know more about them, or about a specific topic.

Clergy spend an exceptional amount of time being devoted to the Gods, and I think most of us in the profession today would choose it as our only job if it paid enough. And people who spend the most time with the Gods, will naturally develop a channel to them, but such a channel can also be reversed. 

I think that's one reason we need clergy in Hellenism. Not to tell people what to believe or how to live, but to be a source of comfort and knowledge. I know that, as a Head Priest, there is no other clergy that outranks me, so I literally have no one to talk to for counsel. I go to my wife who's an Oracle, or the local Seer in the next City. Hellenists today don't have a lot of support to turn to.

Yes, it can absolutely happen, and perhaps more often than not, so the words of a Priest or Priestess should not be automatically discounted. You should definitely consider that you're talking to a unique person, and perhaps even someone that the Gods have put in a clergy role for a reason. In the very least, a studied member of the clergy knows what they're talking about when it comes to Hellenism.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Managing Stress and Anxiety Through Spirituality

I would be untruthful if I said that this isn't one of my favorite topics to cover, as humans are more stressed, anxious and depressed than ever before. Today we live in a very good world compared to the past, but let's face it, it's still hard to make a living, so we're worried and stressed over finances, to say nothing of the fact that we're concerned about our marriages, relationships, education, children, and healthcare to name a few that can easily become overwhelming.  However, it's also proven that consistent religious and spiritual practice reduces your stress levels.

I know in my own life that I have experienced unique hardships that most people never will, because I have a special needs child, although I do think that being Hellenic has made him stronger than his disabilities, because he doesn't let anything slow him down, or stop him from getting up every day with excitement. That's the Spirits of the Gods in him, my friends.

As a Spiritual Counselor, there are key things that I teach people on how to conquer every day stresses and anxiety, and that's what I want to share with the readers here on this post.

1. Wake up every day with a love for life and a heart grateful to the Gods. On the surface, that might sound like an extraordinary thing to do every single morning, but think about it more deeply. You woke up this morning, and how many people didn't? How many babies that could have been born, never will be? The fact that you made it here against millions upon millions of odds and competitor sperm, is beyond the miraculous. Not only are you clearly here for a reason, but the Gods chose you to live in this beautiful world when they had no obligation to do so. 

A lot of people can find it hard to believe that they're blessed by the Gods, but really we all are in many ways. The Gods owe us nothing, and yet, we have everything in terms of being alive and conscious. I used to be excited even when I would wake up in the middle of the night. I was happy to get up and be able to do something, especially if it had purpose. In short, there's no reason that you should not be in love with life, and not be grateful to the Gods for every breath and every ray of sunshine.

2. Construct a daily prayer and offering to the Gods. It doesn't have to be an hour long. I have found that my temple's simple daily devotional prayer, which maybe takes 2 minutes, uplifts me tremendously. I light the incense offering, begin with a prayer to Hestia, then to The Dodekatheon, Zeus of the Fence and the Home's Wealth, my temple's Patron Hero and Philosopher, and end again with Hestia as First and Last. The prayers you choose should be significant and relevant to your own personal life and beliefs. Write them out until you are able to commit them to memory, and perform them along with the offering each morning after you have showered and gotten dressed.

3. Finally, create a peaceful environment that you can retreat to for peace of mind. Now we could spend all day talking about how to create a peaceful place for yourself, but the basic things I want you to do is turn off negative news and media, tame your temper, stop worrying, and finally, take at least 10 minutes a day to meditate; it can be about anything. Take more time if you can, but at least the basic timeframe given, because the more you calm your mind and connect with peace, the healthier your mind and brain processes will be. You can also burn good incense, or play calming music, during this time.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Can Humans Agree On Beauty?

I recently came across a very intriguing question about human beauty. It basically asked if there is a definition of beauty that everyone could understand and agree on? Being someone who, of course, worships Aphrodite, that inquiry picked at my brain quite a bit.

When I was a teenager and young adult, I was far more picky about my taste in women. I think that's the case with a lot of young men. In other words, the beauty they see is, one, very distinct, and two, mainly on the surface of the human body.

But today, I look back on all the women I turned down and deeply regret it, because I realize the great beauty and quality of attractiveness that they possessed. As I grew older, my philosophy became, there is beauty in everything if you have the right eyes. But the question is, what are the "right" eyes? I think we grow up in a society that instills in us reactionary traits that tell us certain things are unattractive or degrading, when in actuality they are not, such as body fat or a deviating characteristic. But when you become older and abandon these social norms, your eyes change. 

I missed out on some wonderful beauty in my life, the beauty of personality, character, and uniqueness. But beauty isn't only about sexuality, and this is where a lot of people lose sight of the wonders of life. I normally see the beautiful in everything around me. I think, especially in the modern age, most people fail in this virtue, not because they lack the ability to achieve it, but because they haven't allowed the perception to enter their minds.

People are generally too occupied with daily stresses and so used to daily life, that the beauty of it all never crosses their minds, and this is where I think humans could agree on beauty if they only allowed themselves to see it. The beauty of nature, of life in general, of even the clothes and jewelry that people wear, the languages they use, and the arts they create. Why do most people not stop to see the inherent beauty in all of these things? We could all agree that life is beautiful. 

What's worse is that the failure to see inherent beauty makes our lives dull, and can even lead us down a road of depression and mental and emotional deterioration. The ancient Greek worldview was one that found the world an amazing place, and life one of the greatest blessings ever bestowed in the universe, especially the complexity and possibilities of being human. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

The One Day I Left Without My Hermes Talisman, I Broke Down

Part of my regular blogging is to discuss my daily life as a Hellenist, and the experiences that happen therein, whether big or small. And I felt that this one was noteworthy for a profound reason.

Being the God of roads and the Patron of travelers, I have come to realize how deeply Hermes is involved with humankind, because people are always on the move. We are not stationary beings. We are always going somewhere, whether it be down the road to the store or work, or on a long vacation or journey. So I recently got into the habit of carrying or wearing a Hermes talisman every time I left my house, seen in the picture above.

In prayer, I asked for the piece to be endowed with the holiness of the God and His protection and favor on all of my travels when it is with me, and I made it a priority to always have it, and for two or three weeks, I always did, especially when I went to work.

But yesterday, October 9th, for some reason I did not take it with me, but left it on my podium in my office. As I pulled out onto the main road that runs by my house, the car stopped. I drifted it to the middle turning lane out of the heavy traffic, but nevertheless still within its dangerous grasp, as I realized the car was out of gas. Which made no sense because the gauge said I still had 35 miles, and the gas station was only three blocks down. There should have been no reason for my current situation.

But there I was. I knew the car was out of gas because it had happened before when I either didn't notice or didn't bother to gas it up when I should have, but never with 35 miles left. There should have been more than enough to get down to the station. I was luckily able to call a friend close by, who came with her gas can and got me down to the station.

As I was talking to my wife on the phone about it, I will never forget saying, "The one day I go out without my Hermes talisman." I have thought on what Hermes may have been trying to tell me in this. I think it's two things. One, humans should always remember that they need the Gods. I myself have never thought otherwise, but it was a general reminder. And two, the Gods are always with me, because clearly bad things can happen to me when their presence is absent. Hermes may have taken the opportunity to stop that car to show me this. 

Always take the Gods with you on all your journeys. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

No, The Gods Didn't Used To Be Humans

The more I learn about Orphism, the more I distance myself from it. Of course, in ancient times, Orphism was not a major movement. No City declared it as their State religion. In fact, it was only one of the many cults out there, and there is no historical evidence to even construct a coherent Orphic religion. It was a minority movement at best, based on the teachings of Orpheus. 

Nevertheless, there are still people in modern Hellenism and Paganism who subscribe to it. Which, at the end of the day, is their own choice and right. I'm not here to tell them that their beliefs are invalid, as it were. So one should not take this post as an attack on Orphism. My only point of opposition is a disagreement, and an explanation as to why, as I enjoy discussing different beliefs and philosophies. If you believe in Orphism, that's fine! I just don't agree with this significant theology of it.

One of the most disagreeable things about Orphism is their belief in general and inherent infinite ascension. In other words, they believed that the soul starts at the most basic level, such as animals, and evolves to humans, then to levels of Divinity, even to the Olympian Gods themselves. In short, they believe the Gods used to be humans who have now completed their journeys. 

We must first look at the fact that Gods were here before humans, because Greek religion says that Gods created them. Prometheus shaped the human body and Athena breathed life into the human. Even if you don't believe the Gods directly created humans, there's no denying that the Gods preceded them. Ouranos and Gaia came first, and gave birth to Titans, who then gave birth to the Olympian Gods. There's no way the Gods, therefore, can be the reincarnation of humans because humans did not exist when they did.

Second, The Olympian Gods are the highest of all Gods, you can't go any higher. So if humans evolved into Olympians, don't you think there would be trillions of Olympians by now? Even in ancient times, wouldn't there have eventually been at least thousands? But there has always been 12 in the theology of Greek religion. And there is logically nothing beyond Olympos because it's the sum of all the universe. How could there be anything higher than the universe itself?

Some people will point to Gods like Psyche who used to be human before they became Gods, but what you have to understand is that they were granted Godhood by other Gods. They didn't become one on their own. Secondly, humans who became Gods did so after accomplishing near impossible tasks, things that made them more than the average human, before the Gods would grant them ascension. In other words, a human doesn't become a God simply by existing. It has to be extraordinarily earned. It's not inherent. And it's something that happens to the exception, not the rule. 

In my view, logically everything has its own individual course of direction. The course of Immortal Life is Immortal, while that of mortality is mortality. The Gods were, are, and always will be, and therefore they cannot be changed by humans. Gods are Gods and that is all.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge. 

The Time of Typhon Comes With Hurricane Helene

With the recent news of several states being slammed by the latest Hurricane Helene (which might be a fitting name for this post), it got me thinking about a wonderful topic of mythology, which I always love talking about as I am a Greek mythologist. 

Great storms from the sea have been hitting and influencing human civilization and societies since before written history, and this time, the hurricane struck not only Florida, but several others, including my home State of North Carolina. It's certainly not the first time that a hurricane has devastated American land, and it won't be the last, and my prayers are with those who have been impacted.

To my memory, when I was a child, the worst we ever faced in North Carolina was Hurricane Hugo. Even though we lived in the central part of the State, and the storm hit the coast about 4 hours away, it still left us without power for a long time. Fortunately, we didn't get flooded out, but I image the coastal regions suffered greatly.

Greek religion always gives us something intriguing and mysterious to think about, though. In the religion and mythology of the Hellenes, hurricanes are caused by Typhon (a monster whom Zeus defeated and banished into the depths of Tartaros). It's where we get the name typhoon. So, O' blessed Muses, let me tell the story with wonderful elegance.

Gaia and Tartaros bore the monstrous giant named Typhon, after the Gods of Olympos had overthrown the Titans and destroyed the Giants. He was the youngest of the children, and so chaotic and horrible he was, with one hundred snakes about him that breathed fire and shrieked noises both known and unknown. Typhon challenged Zeus for His throne, and all shook and resounded, for it was a battle of cataclysm. 

Zeus rumbled the heavens and exploded throughout the sky, and all of Earth responded, even down into the bowels of the world itself, gloomy Tartaros, where Titans and enemies of the Gods lay imprisoned, and even did they tremble as fear gripped all of the universe. The lightning of Zeus killed all the heads of the monster, and beaten and mangled as he was, Typhon was hurled down into the depths of Tartaros along with the others.

What a battle that must have been to witness! And I think, in some ways, the ancient battle between chaos and order, law and lawlessness, good and evil, still continues today across the world, whether it be among civilizations or nature itself. The good news is that the Gods always win, and good will always overcome.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Photo of Zeus and Typhon is in the public domain because the copyright condition of the life of the author plus one hundred years has expired in its country of origin and in the United States of America.

I Like Fall Because It Was When I Met Artemis

It's no secret that summer is my favorite season. I think most people feel that way. It's when everything is alive, warm, and people can get out of the house and live life to the fullest. You hear people talk a lot about bad winters, but you never hear someone say, "it's going to be a bad summer."

But there is certainly something to say about autumn. Millions of people love the colors and cool breezes, and I do as well, but there's always been something more profound for me about the season for the past 19 years. It was the first time I experienced the spirituality of the Greek Gods, and namely at the time, one was Artemis.

I grew up in a forest in central rural North Carolina, which rested down inside of a shallow valley. In my young adult years, I continued to live there, but all throughout my time growing up, I loved to venture through the mysterious woodlands of the countryside. Sometimes, I would even find intriguing wonders, such as new creeks and abandoned farming structures and equipment. But nothing compared to the natural beauty that increased with each step I took. Each grove, field or grouping of trees was more gorgeous than the last. It was like walking farther and farther away from the old world I came from, which as I child, I mostly found no peace or support in.

Then, in 2005 and into 2006, I first began exploring Hellenism as a religious and spiritual concept. Of course, as a school student, I had learned some of Greek Myth in my literature and history classes, so it was not as if I was unfamiliar. But seeing the movie Troy revived my interest in ancient Greece like never before. Of course, such a movie is about Hollywood entertainment, not the Hellenic religion and The Iliad itself, and I understood that. But I began to feel Her (Artemis) all around me, being a lover and resident of a forest. And I wondered how I could best get into contact with Her.

During this time, autumn in North Carolina was setting in, and in a State with such lush woodlands, the colorful majesty is always indescribable. The array of colors around me brought the first time I walked into the forests and tried to connect with Artemis. The immense peace and intrigue alone that I was given during this start of my journey was one of the most wonderful gifts ever blessed upon me.

So while I'm always a bit sad to say goodbye to summer, it's also true that autumn, and as well as all other seasons, have beautiful and wonderful purpose. Not just in my own life, but that of all the universe around us. In those forests of my younger days and at the start of my newer life, Artemis showed me just how beautiful and wonderful life is, in a far greater and more enlightened way than I had ever realized. I will always be grateful and love Her dearly for those memories and upbringings. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Then As Now, We Have Gods and Doctors

Since the annual Festival of Asklepios (Son of Apollon and God of medicine) on the Attic Calendar is tomorrow, and a family member of mine recently made miraculous strides in their battle against pancreatic cancer, I thought talking about the physical and spiritual side of ancient and modern medicine would be a great blog topic, especially since a number of people today think that medical science and religion have to be separate.

I'd first like to talk about my family member, quite close to me, who was diagnosed with one of the deadliest forms of cancer a couple months ago, pancreatic. We were all naturally very concerned, but after a couple rounds of treatment, the tumor is no longer visible, and the stage itself is treatable. So it looks like they're going to be one of the few people who pull through the disease, or who can at least not be killed by it. So it's always great news when someone close to you, or anyone for that matter, finds out that they're gaining the upper hand against such a frightening illness.

The upcoming festival I'm talking about is called Epidauria, and takes place annually on September 18th, in the Month of Boedromion. More or less, it's a Healing Festival of Asklepios that took place in Epidaurus, the believed birthplace of Asklepios, and it was here that the most important sanctuary of Him was built, located on the Northeast of the Peloponnese. During this time, and in Healing Temples in general, people would sleep in these sacred locations to gain the blessings of Asklepios for their illnesses and afflictions, or would bathe in the local natural springs or baths. But these weren't the only methods. There was also a theater, as it was believed that watching good performances benefited health.

But the larger point of this has to do with the fact that, for the ancient Greeks, their Gods were naturally involved in everything they did. They had doctors, just as we have doctors today, but the difference is that these doctors, and the people they treated, did not disregard the essential benefits of spirituality and Divinity. Most certainly, the doctors looked to the natural world to develop cures for the diseases and afflictions they treated, but it was also understood that the natural world came from the Gods, and therefore, so does medicine and healing. What they were given to heal with, were good things, and all good things come from the Gods. That's why the original, authentic Hippocratic Oath begins with an invocation to every single God of the Greek pantheon.

In our world today, people seem to live under the delusion of otherwise, and think that if they support medical science and go to doctors for cures and treatments, that they can't also thank Gods for their recoveries, but even a lot of people today would disagree with that notion. In fact, I would argue that the amazing technology and remedies we have today, have been answers to prayers for healing and disease prevention.

However, that is certainly not to say that traditional remedies, such as those invoked in the Asklepion (Sanctuary of Asklepios), are not beneficial as well. I've said before that a good dose of medicine and spirituality will make you whole again. Because for all of the medical tools we have to draw from today, there is still something inside of us that the mundane cannot heal or satisfy. 

If you go to a doctor, or specifically a psychiatrist, and tell them that your religion helps fight your mental illness, or helps you overcome your physical afflictions, they will tell you to keep doing it. In short, keep praying, keep invoking your Gods, keep being spiritual, because it's clearly just as good a medicine for you. They won't tell you to discount their own prescriptions or treatments, but they won't tell you to stop what you're doing either.

If I were to go to an Asklepion today, which I think, would be an exceptionally awesome event to see and experience, and I slept in the temple or sanctuary, the dreams sent to me by Asklepios could not only instruct me on how to heal my illness, but the good dreams themselves can fight depression and stress, improve my neuro connections all together, and strengthen my motor skills. If I bathed in the warm, natural waters of the springs or mineral baths, it could very well improve my blood circulation, which will help prevent something that can be very deadly, blood clots. The baths will also reduce my stress, reduce pain, improve skin conditions, and generally aid in rehabilitation. And if I enjoyed the wonderful performances of the theater with my dear friends or likeminded people, I could also experience a number of the benefits I just described, such as stress relief and improved memory and mood. 

As human beings, we are naturally religious and spiritual people. It's part of our genetic and evolutionary makeup. We are meant to connect with Gods and the natural world that is part of them. We need the Gods to be whole and complete. There are some things that a pill or a machine cannot cure, relieve or answer. And just because we advance in a field, doesn't mean the Gods aren't part of that. The ancient Greeks never had cars, but Hermes remains the Gods of travel still, for example. Just as Apollon and Asklepios remain the Gods of healing and medicine, and when the mortal doctors can do no more, the Gods can and will step in, just as they did with my infant son during his premature birth and recovery.

It is a wonderful world, and a wonderful universe, with many wonderful, diverse things, that the Gods have given us to experience and take part in.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Are You Working For What You Can Own?

In the ancient Maxims of Delphi at number 79, you will find the words, work for what you can own. On the surface, a lot of people might interpret it to mean, be self-employed, that to work for someone else is to be subjected to limited potential, and the attainment of only what that person wants you to have. Thus, you are not being the best version of yourself.

However, I think the Maxim means something far more deeply rooted in the human experience. It means to be fulfilled by your work. Your goal should be to work in a field that you enjoy, not hate. That pays you a living, not exploits you. And that you can feel a sense of purpose and even pride out of.

Self-employment can most certainly bring someone to these ends, but it is not the only road to them. It's possible to be self-employed and be miserable and unproductive. I know because I spent five years as an Independent Contractor, trying everything under the sun to make the job work, and it never did. I was overworked and financially broke when I decided that it wasn't worth it and something else had to be done if I was ever going to make any kind of living.

Since graduating high school in 2004, I have had at least 26 different jobs, and only recently did I finally obtain one that I liked, could keep, and that paid me a living wage. It was at this latter time that I truly came to understand the meaning of working for what you can own. It means to own everything about your work, like your financial stability, happiness and purpose. A slave, in any regard, is not working for what they can own.

Some people might say that having 26 different jobs throughout your life is reckless or even immature, especially if you left most of them because you quit or wanted to do something else. But it shows that, sometimes, you have to be willing to travel though roads, and not be content with unhappiness and neutrality, if you are to ever achieve the things you want out of life. You will find greater things along the way that you otherwise would not have.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

When Is A Dream From The Gods?

As far back as Homer's Iliad, Greeks and cultures in general have believed that dreams are, or at least can be, messages, signs, omens and even prophecies from the Gods, either for our benefit or not. Even sleep itself is brought by a God (Hypnos), which means that the entire state of being is in connection with Divinity. 

I will start by saying that, in my view, there is one state of dreaming that probably holds less validity than others when it comes to messages. If you have ever awakened early in the morning and then went right back to sleep, you have probably noticed that, during the second phase of your sleep, you dream erratically and randomly. In layman's terms, your dreams are crazy. This is probably the stage in which your dreams are the least meaningful. In my experience, the real dreams come during a complete and restful night's sleep.

When you find yourself in a dream, there are some common indicators that it may be a message from the Gods.

• The dream feels realistic, both in perception and feeling. For example, some have said that they still taste food from a dream upon waking up.
• Normally, they are dreams that you remember, and dreams that make sense. In short, straightforwardness. 
• Finally, they have a meaning or a message, not just randomness in the mind.

One of my own notable dreams that happened to me recently this year involved my dad, an encounter that I could only interpret as a message between me and my parent who has been deceased since 2011. In it, he told me that he was still proud of me and that I was on the right path in life. I had been feeling like a failure because of some significant setbacks that I had suffered previously, but it seems that my dad wanted me to know that I was still a good man. It meant a lot to me.

Sometimes, a dream is just that and nothing more. But they can also be doorways in which Gods, Heroes and even passed friends and family members can communicate with us from the realms beyond us. Why this is, we can only speculate. Perhaps the dream world puts us in a more limbo state in which our consciousness can transcend more. It's a mystery. In any case, we should always listen when they speak.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

we'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris and Anastasia Aldridge.

Something The Ancient Greeks Knew Would Save You

Perhaps in a bit of an experiment for myself, I went several weeks without any exercise, especially since my unfortunate incident back in May that left me at a rock bottom place in life (but I have since rebounded greatly, as the Gods were again there for me in my worst times).

During this time period, I also wasn't the healthiest eater. While I stayed at 3 meals a day, it wasn't a champion diet either. I did not consciously make this decision to avoid good diet and exercise, I largely just didn't care until it reached a critical point recently. I suppose I also thought that I could live without it and not really experience that much of a difference.

One morning, I got up feeling sick. Not with like a cold or flu, just physically ill and tired, even though I had slept all night. Sitting at my desk that evening, I can only describe my state of feeling as infected, like my body was filled with toxins, and perhaps my internal organs, like the liver which acts as a filter, needed a boost of some kind.

I didn't want to go to the gym at all, but I pushed myself. Jumping onto the elliptical (one of my favorite machines), I set myself to burn 500 calories, and worked out for around 2 hours. I do not exaggerate when I say that I felt like I had been given a new body. All of the previous weeks of feeling sluggish, tired and sick, were completely gone, and my mental health and outlook on life were positive and optimistic. The exercise worked the sickness out of me, and restored my energy, despite the fact that it was in the evening when I should have been tired naturally. I mean, it was so amazing that I decided to write a blog post about it.

Exercise will restore your health completely, and work the toxins and sickness out of your body, in addition to the filtering that your organs provide. And it does not matter where you are in fitness at the present time. If you go into the gym today and burn an extra 500 calories on the treadmill, you're going to feel better than when you went in. If you then eat reasonably and repeat the activity on a regular basis, you're going to lose weight and become the healthiest version of yourself.

The ancient Greeks were some of the most athletic people in all of history. Especially those who competed in the Games, they were fit and built like a stone tower. Even though there was no 2nd or 3rd place back then, and they knew that 99% of them were going to lose the event, they still perfected their bodies. They knew the benefits of the fitness would make them winners regardless. 

"It's a disgrace to grow old through sheer carelessness before seeing what manner of man you may become by developing your bodily strength and beauty to their highest limit." - Sokrates.

We live in a time where we presume our society to be advanced, but in many ways, it's really not. People are more depressed and sickly than ever, and in my view, it is in large thanks to the rise in physical unhealthiness. Obesity and simple laziness are more of a problem than at any time in human civilization. If we were more like the ancient Greeks, we could definitely reach a new level of advanced.

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Ancient Greek Guide to Cleansing, Banishment and Exorcism - Part 7 - Power Animals

Two Greek Sphinxes
Guard a Modern
Hellenic Shrine.

The concept of requesting the aid of Power Animals is something that has always fascinated me about polytheism and paganism. However, it's not normally in the modern ancient Greek religion. Other than the protection of a place or object, like a Sphinx guarding a temple or a lion protecting a tomb, they're not normally invoked for personal companionship. 

However, in my own life, I have entertained the thought of slightly changing that in ways that would not contradict Hellenism, no more than it would be to ask the permission of any free willed being in the proper respects.

Of course, one of the great things about Power Animals, perhaps for lack of a better term, is that they don't have to necessarily be tied to one culture or another exclusively. For example, one of my prominent ones is the turtle or tortoise. Most certainly connected with Hermes, but also found in more places than just Greece, and is great for protection, patience, and observance. They just close up in their armor and nothing can penetrate. But my strong character is also reflected in my most culturally significant animal, the Greek Gryphon.

It's worth saying that many of the most extraordinary animals in Greek culture were not friendly, which is probably why there's never been any real effort at creating relationships with them. They're beings that are not going to show up for tea parties, or have much interest, if any, in human affairs. Most animistic or hybrid creatures in Greek myth wreaked havoc on humanity and were killed by Heroes. However, there were normally some among them who were either helpful or had the ability to exist in their own individual way. For example, the Sphinx that Oedipus encountered wasn't friendly at all, but other Sphinxes guard temples and sacred areas that are valued by humans. Therefore, the goal is to find the unique ones.

Since we're on the topic, let's start with the Greek Sphinx. Notice that I call these magnificent creatures in the Greek version and context, because while they permeate other cultures, the Greek is unique and extraordinary in its own right, and usually easy to identify through appearance, posture, sharpness, functions and myths. For instance, the Greek Sphinx is not to be confused at all with the Egyptian.

This beautiful animal is composed of the wings of an eagle, the body of a lion (usually female), a serpent tail, and the head of a human. Its wings and body represent Heaven and Earth, and the human head makes it possible to communicate the wisdom of both realms to mankind. This is why they are so wise yet also challenging for humans to comprehend. While they can talk to us, humans are far from being masters of universal competency. Remember, only someone exceptional, like Oedipus, was able to solve the riddle that liberated Theban Greece.

When standing in the protection of a place or person, a Greek Sphinx is a powerful and deadly ally. The aggression alone that it can bring against a spiritual or energetic intruder is beyond measure. Its razor claws and venomous tail will bring instant death or severe injury. I highly doubt that an invader would look forward to the battle. Successfully invoke one, and whatever is against you will play hell getting through.

The thing to remember with a Sphinx, as with any being of higher power, is respect and humility. If you try to gain their favor through force, coercion or control, they'll ignore you at best. At worst, they might smack you one good time, which you don't want considering the paws they have. Even if you do successfully gain their alliance, they can still leave of their own accord. To request, kindly give a sacrifice to the Gods and ask them to send one that would consent to protecting and guarding you. Then you might also go into meditation to meet and create a relationship. But be prepared, the Sphinx may test you.

Next, let's discuss the Greek Gryphon, which has the lower body of a lion, and the head, wings and talons of an eagle. A little less ferocious than the Sphinx perhaps, but still extremely dangerous and deadly to enemies. The depiction of the Greek Gryphon goes all the way back to Minoan Crete in the palace of Knossos. Mainly, they are guardians of precious things. The Gryphon is also the sacred animal of my temple, which is why the priests and priestesses wear a metal Gryphon in the center of the laurel on their shoulder sashes. 

When I call on the Gryphon, I will normally feel its giant, majestic wings wrap around me and its magical powers and strength fill the atmosphere. Then there is no fear or danger, only power and confidence. But I also find myself in a bit of an easy spot because the Gryphon chose me instead of the other way around. It came to me at the very beginning of my studies into the old religions, before I even became a Hellenist. So they have always been there, and all I have to do is make a verbal request, "I call upon the power of the Gryphon." For other people, however, it may not be that simple.

As I said in the description, Gryphons guard that which is precious and rare. They would therefore be lovers of items that are beautiful and valuable, which makes their presence even better because Greek spiritual relationships thrive on reciprocity. So what precious things do you have in your home or possession? It doesn't only have to be gold, silver, bronze, diamonds or monies. Your entire family and home can be precious and beautiful to you.

Take some of your most beautiful and valuable inanimate objects and set aside a special place for them, like an altar, shrine or even a temple structure for the Gryphon who decides to come and claim them, and place the valuables there as gifts in return for their protection. It also doesn't have to be a one time gift, and probably shouldn't be. You can build upon it by adding more beautiful things for the Gryphon over time. Even something as simple and beautiful as a store bought charm. The more you reinforce something, the stronger it becomes.

Finally, I'd say that one of my favorite creatures of Greek religion is the majestic horse Pegasos. I would say he is a universal animal to the Greeks for assistance in animal power. He would be to the Greeks what Excalibur is to Arthur, only far cooler and exceptionally stronger.

The winged Stallion helped Hellenes like Bellerophon complete their quests into Heroism and kill vicious monsters. Pegasos, whose name means "Sprung Forth," was born from the blood of the infamous Medusa when Perseus severed her head off. The great Steed came as the horse of the Gods, and has since been a favorite of Zeus. Originally, Pegasos was completely untamed and therefore only Gods could control him. Of course, Bellerophon changed that, but even He required Divine assistance to do so. Without Pegasos, He would not have been able to defeat the Chimera.

Some say that Pegasos now holds the thunderbolt of Zeus, or that he is the horse of thunder and lighting itself directed by Zeus. Others say that Pegasos is one of the horses of Eos, Goddess of the dawn. Pegasos greatly aided in the destruction of chaos and evil, so it may not be a surprise that his image was also used by Allied Paratroopers in World War II, as they fought to defeat the Axis of Evil. Pegasos has always been harnessed by good people and those favored by the Gods for the sake of vanquishing that which is not good.

Pegasos also has personal powers of his own. He was credited for creating the Spring of Hippocrene on Mount Helicon by simply stomping his feet. He holds the power of flight, creation of life itself, and with him he brings the presence and favor of Gods.

In closing this section, I will list animals connected with The Olympian Gods, that they may send to us as protectors, defenders and helpers.

Zeus - Eagle

Hera - Peacock

Aphrodite - Dove

Poseidon - Seahorse

Demeter - Gecko

Artemis - Deer

Apollon - Lion

Athena - Owl

Hephaistos - Crane

Hermes - Tortoise

Dionysos - Leopard

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

The Ancient Greeks Had Holy Wars, but For Different Reasons

The concept of a holy or Sacred War did not begin with monotheism. The ancient Greeks had a number of them on the battlefields of Delphi, which was the center of their world.

However, they were not fought for the same reasons. Unlike Christianity and Islam, the Greeks did not demand that the whole world accept their belief system, or even that all Greeks have the same beliefs within that system. In fact, some of the Wars were fought for religious freedom itself.

The Wars not only shook and helped shape the ancient Greek world, but who we are as human beings, and our development of warfare in its beginning stages in the West. They also tell us when wars are worth fighting, and even how to avoid physical conflict with one another. And in general, the Sacred Wars are just a fascinating part of ancient Greek history. The reader will find knowledge, mystery, intrigue, and even some humor in the records.

From 595 to 585 BCE, the First Sacred War erupted the turbulent timeline that would filter through many generations of Greeks. The First was also known as the Cirraean War or probably the Kirraean War, named after the City that started it, Kirrha. 

Kirrha was a locality that operated as the harbor of Delphi itself. During this time period, the rise of the Greek City State as we know it, had not come into existence. At best, there were strong tribal regions, such as the Amphictyonic League.

The locality that formed the harbor of Delphi not only began their instigations by abusing and robbing devotees one their way to consult the Oracle of Delphi and pay tribute, but they also tried to seize control of the sacred plain of Apollon, which was never to be cultivated. The League was a confederation of tribes that came together to protect and defend Delphi in the face of this aggression and invasion, which only grew the more it was allowed to persist.

The League declared war on Kirrha, for the purpose of returning Apollon's land and liberating the Delphic Sanctuary to continue its service and work for the Greek world. For ten years, Kirrha was able to put up a stiff resistance, but what probably brought it to an official end and surrender was the first use of chemical warfare in recorded human history. Hellbore, an herb that causes severe stomach pains and diarrhea, was used to poison Kirrha's water supply. Eventually, the people probably simply could not stand anymore. The locality was then breached and destroyed, and its lands taken and given over to the service of Apollon, Leto and Artemis.

Most of the population of Kirrha was killed. The League wanted to make sure that the vanquished would never be able to pose any threat again, so they wiped them from the face of the Earth. Any inhabitants that managed to escape the town or its confiscated lands, made their way to a local mountain region called Kirphe. The final act was to establish the official Games of Delphi, aka the Pythian Games, probably to commemorate the great victory over those who tried to invade the sanctuary and its holy precincts. 

When we look at this war, which would be one of many like it, what do we learn? What is worth fighting for? We would say that the extermination of the entire enemy population was wrong, because most certainly there were noncombatants and people who did not support the acts of aggression against Delphi. The first thing we learn is to judge each person individually. Secondly, that freedom of thought, worship and travel are always worth fighting for, because we cannot be a free people without those qualities. Dictatorships never result in a free, happy or prosperous people. We must always be ready, as free people, to come together, no matter our differences, and oppose the true foe. 

In the Goodness of the Gods,

I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,

Chris Aldridge.

Source: Scott, Michael, Delphi: A History of the Center of the Ancient World, Princeton Publishing, 2014.