Kay Alexandria
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kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Kay Alexandria
@kay-alexandria.bsky.social
54 followers 24 following 100 posts
31 they/them
Queer artist, writer, and hellenic polytheist with a minor research addiction. I post about random hellenist things, books, and updates on my projects.

Check out my project: www.paian.org
Check out my linktree: https://linktr.ee/KayAlexandria
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kay-alexandria.bsky.social
I made a little reference infographic with canva on the most common historical offerings made to the gods in Ancient Greece to help out beginners. Please feel free to copy and share, just don't claim it as your own.

#hellenicpolytheism #helpolsky #hellenismos
May 8, 2025 at 5:33 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Happy Thargelion!
The Noumenia will be April 28/29 depending on your timezone. I have versions for both West and East coast now! The theme for this month is cleaning and purging to make way for future blessings.

What do you want to release right now?
#hellenicpolytheism #helpolsky #hellenismos
May 4-5: Thargelia (6-7 Thargelion). A purifying & supplication festival for Apollo & Demeter Kloe (of the green shoots; referring to the first of the grain harvest). Day 1: "Out with the bad" - scapegoats absorb the city's miasma and are expelled, taking the miasma with them. Kids go door-to-door asking for first-fruits offerings to hang on the olive boughs carried to the temple. Day 2: "In with the good" - First-fruits of beans and grains were boiled or baked into stew or bread and carried in procession to the temple. Many choir contests were held in honor of the god. May 17: Bendideia (19 Thargelion). An imported festival for the Thracian hunting goddess, Bendis (Artemis to the Athenians), with a combo horse-riding and torch race. Thracian women offered wheat to the goddess. May 23-24: Plynteria / Washing Rites (25-26 Thargelion). Athena's temple is closed for the duration of her two festivals, and the key to her temple given to the local tribe in charge of her rites. Day 1: The peplos from Athena's icon was taken to the sea and washed it (it was the size of a ship's sail). Day 2: The icon would be veiled and escorted to the sea by the military for washing in grand procession with figs and sweetmeats. The icon would stay at a local shrine overnight. May 26: Kallynteria / Adorning Rites (28 Thargelion). After a full day at the temple by the sea, the icon would be escorted home at sundown by torchlight and a big celebration held outside her temple all night upon arrival. In the morning the temple was cleaned, the sacred lamp relit, and the Athena's icon restored with her freshly laundered peplos. May 2-3: Thargelia (6-7 Thargelion). A purifying & supplication festival for Apollo & Demeter Kloe (of the green shoots; referring to the first of the grain harvest). Day 1: "Out with the bad" - scapegoats absorb the city's miasma and are expelled, taking the miasma with them. Kids go door-to-door asking for first-fruits offerings to hang on the olive boughs carried to the temple. Day 2: "In with the good" - First-fruits of beans and grains were boiled or baked into stew or bread and carried in procession to the temple. Many choir contests were held in honor of the god. May 16: Bendideia (19 Thargelion). An imported festival for the Thracian hunting goddess, Bendis (Artemis to the Athenians), with a combo horse-riding and torch race. Thracian women offered wheat to the goddess. May 22-23: Plynteria / Washing Rites (25-26 Thargelion). Athena's temple is closed for the duration of her two festivals, and the key to her temple given to the local tribe in charge of her rites. Day 1: The peplos from Athena's icon was taken to the sea and washed it (it was the size of a ship's sail). Day 2: The icon would be veiled and escorted to the sea by the military for washing in grand procession with figs and sweetmeats. The icon would stay at a local shrine overnight. May 25: Kallynteria / Adorning Rites (28 Thargelion). After a full day at the temple by the sea, the icon would be escorted home at sundown by torchlight and a big celebration held outside her temple all night upon arrival. In the morning the temple was cleaned, the sacred lamp relit, and the Athena's icon restored with her freshly laundered peplos.
April 28, 2025 at 7:43 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
In lieu of an actual Garden for Adonis I'm gearing up for gardening season. He can't have these though, I need them to grow 🤭
#helpolsky
Transplants and seedlings beside a window awaiting warmer weather: Serrano, tomatillo, roma tomatoes, and celery.
April 4, 2025 at 5:48 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Happy Noumenia and an Io Mounichion!
Once again there are four main festivals for this month honoring Aphrodite, Artemis, and Zeus. Read below 🧵to learn more or visit my project at www.paian.org

#hellenicpolytheism #hellenismos #helpolsky #helpol #pagansky
The Adonia festival is on April 3, a women's festival to mourn Adonis, Aphrodite's lost lover, but was also a placeholder for mourning all lost youths. "Gardens of Adonis" were made of lettuce with Adonis dolls and then buried by sea. The Delphinia on April 5th is a rite where the maidens at the Delphinion shrine carried boughs of olive wrapped in wool as supplication to Artemis and Apollo. On April 15th is the Mounichia, a festival for Artemis Queen of Beasts where she recieved "shining-all-round" cakes in the fashion of birthday cakes in apology for the Athenians killing the sacred bear that entered her temple. On April 18th is the Olympieia, a stream of athletic and horse-riding competitions (unrelated to the Olympics).
March 31, 2025 at 7:33 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Doing some myth writing today so I've got the references out.

##greekmythology
Books stacked: Mythos by Stephen Fry, Gods and Mortals by Sarah Illes Johnston, Bulfinch's Mythology, and Classical Mythology A to Z by Giesecke
March 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Euoi Dionysia!
(Mar. 9-15 or Mar. 10-16 2025, timezone dependent)

The City Dionysia was a grand city-wide festival for Dionysos Eleutherios with a parade, a procession of comedic and tragic plays, and a choir contest.

How are you celebrating? 🧵

#hellenicpolytheism #helpolsky #helpol #pagansky
Dionyus, Carravagio Dionysos surrounded by vines and vegetation holding a glass of wine
March 9, 2025 at 3:46 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
🦌 Io Elaphebolia!

On Elaphebolia 6 (today 3/5/25 or tomorrow 3/6/25, depending on your timezone) is the stag festival for Artemis the Deer Shooter. Read below to learn more & discuss -🧵

#hellenicpolytheism #helpolsky #helpol #pagansky #elaphebolia #artemis
A statue of Artemis in a half-step stance pulling an arrow from her quiver, a jumping stag clutched by the horns in her other hand. Titled: Diana de Versailles, Louvre Museum
March 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Happy Elaphebolion to my Hellenists!
The Noumenia will be Feb 28/ Mar 1, 2025 depending on your timezone. There are four main festivals this month! Visit my calendar project to learn more at www.paian.org.

#hellenicpolytheism #hellenismos #helpolsky #helpol #pagansky
This lunar calendar is adjusted for the united states and most of north america. If you are not in that area, roll-back all days to the day before. March 6th is the Elaphebolia festival on Elaphebolion 6th. It's a small household festival where stag-shaped cakes were offered to Artemis Elaphebolos, the Deer-Shooter, in commemoration of the Athenian victory over the Persians. March 8th is the Asklepieia on Elaphebolion 8. A sacrifice and feast for Asklepios. March 10-16th is the City Dionysia on Elaphebolion 10-16. A six-day theater festival for Dionysos Eleutherios celebrating his arrival in Athens. It began with a giant parade welcoming the god, followed by theater and dithyrambic contests for the duration of the festival. March 20th is the Galaxia festival which falls on the spring equinox. It is a feast in honor of the mother of the gods, Kybele, identified as Rhea, Gaia, or Demeter in Athens. The goddess was offered galaxia, a porridge of barley, flax, and corriander. Learn more about the ancient athenian calendar at paian.org
February 28, 2025 at 8:16 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Now is the time to celebrate the Lesser Mysteries for Persephone & Herakles, a purification & education festival for Persephone's myths. The 3-day festival takes place sometime between now & 2/25/25.

Have you read the Homeric Hymn to Demeter? 📚

#hellenicpolytheism #helpol #helpolsky
Persephone by Rossetti
February 20, 2025 at 12:08 AM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
I was enjoying flipping through Van Gogh's paintings this morning with my coffee when I realized...
A mug with van goghs painting of the irises on top of a book with van goghs painting of the irises
February 7, 2025 at 7:52 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Happy Anthesterion!
The Noumenia will be January 30/31 depending on your time zone. Here are the main festivals for this month. You can check out my calendar project at www.paian.org to learn more. Feel free to copy & share.

#hellenicpolytheism #hellenism #hellenismos #helpolsky #helpol #pagansky
On Feb 10-12 we have a 3-day festival for Dionysos to celebrate flowers, opening the new wines, the marriage of Dionysos & Ariadne, & a rite of passage for children who have reached 3 years old. The last day was a khthonic day for the dead. Sacrifices were made to Dionysos, Hermes Khthonios, likely Ariadne, & the heroes Ikarios, his daughter Erigone, & their dog Maira. On Feb 19-25* is the Festival for Persephone said to be founded by Herakles & preliminary initiation for the Greater Mysteries later in the year. Focused on purification, education, & Persephone’s myths. On February 22 we have the Festival for khthonic snake-formed Zeus Melichios, a purifier & bringer of wealth. Families picknicked outside the city solemnly while kids played & got toys from the many vendors. Sacrifices made for Apollon Lykaios, Demeter, & Zeus and Athena of the City. Detailed version of this month's calendar found on www.paian.org Attic Festival Calendar 2024-2025, Olympiad 700.4
January 29, 2025 at 8:13 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Io Gamelia! Today or tomorrow (timezone dependent) is Hera's Athenian festival celebrating her marriage with Zeus. The entire month was the ideal time to get married bc of the symbolism of Spring & new growth, and the day was an excuse for quality time w/ the spouse!

#hellenicpolytheism #hera
Zeus & Hera on the Pallas Athena fountain in Vienna
January 28, 2025 at 12:39 AM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
A little obsessed with the new library setup. Should I count how many books I have? 🤭
#booksky
A brightly colored home library with books on display
January 27, 2025 at 7:29 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Good Morning Bluesky! Getting settled into the new place. My altar isn't set up yet, but as long as I have my mountains I think I'll be okay.

Hail to The Mountain Mother, Rhea/Kybele!
#hellenicpolytheism
January 25, 2025 at 2:02 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
In the middle of moving and had to pack up my altar. I miss them already 😭
#helpol #helpolsky #pagansky
Statue of Hermes, Aphrodite, and Hekate on an altar with incense and an Aphrodite shaped candle burning.
January 19, 2025 at 7:25 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Loved Miller's short story 'Galatea', a retelling of the myth where Pygmalion falls in love with his sculpture which comes to life & becomes his wife, but in this version plays with Galatea's lack of agency & her controlling incel husband.

Myth is meant to be fluid & evolve. 💙

#booksky #helpolsky
January 17, 2025 at 7:26 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Grabbed some greek myth retellings yesterday. I'm excited for all of them!

#helpolsky #greekmythology #booksky
A stack of books: Stone Blind by Natalie Hayes, The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, and Galatea by Madeline Miller
January 16, 2025 at 2:54 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
I re-read the Illiad every year in a new translation. I think I'll give Emily Wilson's a go this year.

#helpolsky #hellenism #pagansky #greekmythology
January 3, 2025 at 5:06 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Io Noumenia Gamelion! Hera's sacred month of weddings! The two major festivals this month are the Lenaia, a 4-day theater festival for #Dionysus, and the Gamelia/Theogamia celebrating the sacred marriage of #Zeus & #Hera and the love in your life.🎥💍

#hellenicpolytheism #helpol #helpolsky #pagansky
On January 7th / Gamelion 7th is the sacrifice to Apollo Delphinios, Apollo, Lykeios, and Kourotrophos. On January 8th / Gamelion 8th is the sacrifice to the nymphs, Apollo Nymphegetes & Apollo Apotropaios. On January 9th / Gamelion 9th is the sacrifice to Athena. On January 12-19th / Gamelion 12-19th is the Lenaia festival for Dionysus, a 4-day theater festival with nightly dancing and a sacrifice to chthonic Zeus & Gaia. On January 27th / Gamelion 27th is the Gamelia/Theogamia festival for Zeus & Hera's marriage and a day for couples to spend together. Overview of the calendar for the month of Gamelion. January 1st is the Noumenia. January 2nd is the Agathosdaimon. January 3rd is the sacred day for Athena and the Charities. January 4th is the sacred day for Hermes, Herakles, Aphrodite, Eros & Hermaphroditos. January 6th is the sacred day for Artemis. January 7th is the sacred day for Apollo and the sacrifice to Apollo Delphinios, Apollo Lykeios, and the Kourotrophos. January 8th is the sacred day for Poseidon & Theseus and the sacrifice for Apollo Apotropaios, Apollo Nymphegetes, and the Nymphs. January 9th is the sacrifice to Athena. January 12-19 is the Lenaia festival, a 4 day theater festival filled with nightly dancing. January 27th is the Gamelia festival celebrating the sacred marriage of Zeus & Hera and a day for couples to spend together. January 30th is the last day of the month, and the optional Deipnon dinner.
January 1, 2025 at 9:17 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Happy Haloa! Today the women of Eleusis performed the Haloa rite where they erected phalloi in the corn field, and tossed grain on them to encourage fertility and growth. They'd then feast, drink, and joke well into the night in honor of #Demeter & #Dionysus.
#helpolsky #pagansky
A women's festival in Eleusis for Demeter & Dionysos to encourage growth after winter and stay in good spirits. In the hopes of bringing better days, the women performed the Haloa Rite where they set up clay phalloi on leaves of fresh corn in the fields and threw grain on them for prosperous growth. They then retired to a night of feasting on first-fruits and penis-cakes, drank, and joked obscenities in the spirit of Iambe, the servant who made a mourning Demeter laugh by wagging her genitals at the goddess. On the Haloa, the priestesses would even play along and try to convince the wives to take lovers.
December 28, 2024 at 3:07 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Demeter has mourned in her black cave all winter and we've watched everything die back to nothing. Our stores run low. Now we call to the goddess to rejoice in her daughter's return, mourn no longer,and return her watchful eye to our crops.
#Demeter #helpolsky #pagansky ##hellenicpolytheism
The Return of Persephone by Leighton, 1891. A painting of Demeter holding her arms outstretched to a desperate Persephone, guided out of the underworld by Hermes.
December 27, 2024 at 9:42 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
New to Hellenic Polytheism and looking for a reading list? Well do I have some suggestions for you!

www.paian.org/resources/re...

#hellenicpolytheism #helpol #helpolsky #pagansky #greekmythology
Stack of books from the list of recommended reading in the link
December 20, 2024 at 7:46 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
"A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit."
- Ancient Greek Proverb

#hellenicpolytheism #helpol #helpolsky #pagansky
An image of Van Gogh's olive trees in swirls of blue and green.
December 19, 2024 at 5:53 PM
kay-alexandria.bsky.social
Hi Bluesky, I'm working on a Beginner's Guide to Hellenic Polytheism! Check out my research on the festival year!
www.paian.org

#hellenicpolytheism

#helpolsky
2024-2025 Attic Festival Calendar, the 4th year of the 700th Olympiad, by Paian
December 18, 2024 at 8:04 AM