I’m not going to rage and rant about Hellenismos. I don’t really see much point in it, at least today. 
I think what I will talk about is my love for the gods, and how it all started for me…my spiritual story, if you will. Please feel free to stop reading at this point, because here I go:
When I was a kid, probably 10 or 11, I was an avid reader. I would devour a book at the rate of one thick paperback a day. I found a book in the library on Greek Mythology. I started reading…I was entranced. I was caught up in the world of the Gods and Ancient Greece. I loved it. I kept reading more books, more myths….then moved on to the Iliad and the Odyssey. My parents would take me to museums, I would see the artwork…and start rattling off the myths to my parents. I knew the Roman Gods, but the Greek Gods had my heart.
For my 16th Birthday I received more books on Greek Mythology and Culture. I was a happy girl. I remember thinking that it was sad that no one worshipped the Gods anymore. And besides, I was Catholic. LOL
By the time I was 18 I had started the journey into Paganism, and fell on my face. For many, many years I “tried on” different religions, none of them fit. I went back to Catholocism, but I knew that I wasn’t a Christian.
Then…I visited a Pagan website, Mind-n-Magick….and I discovered Hellenismos. I was so excited and relieved to find the religion of the Ancient Greeks alive! It was like coming home. I have been a devoted Hellenic Reconstructionist ever since. I realized that the Gods had been with me and calling to me since I was 10. Personal gnosis revealed to me that Hermes had never left me…I just didn’t see it. I cannot tell you how much this religion means to me. It is my life. It’s how I live my life. It is everything that I am…not just how I worship. I am passionate about it, and passionate about the Gods.
I have noticed that many have been called to the Gods. I make no claim to be an intellectual or a scholar. I would say that I am well read….I think you have to be…but academia is not the totality of the religion for me. Spirituality, piety, the Gods….this is what it is about for me as well. So many are afraid to practice….they want to worship in a pious and traditional way, but are afraid they are not “smart enough”.
I point to me. I’m an average person who practices this religion in the correct cultural and historical context….and I love the Gods.
That’s really all you need to get started in Hellenismos…a desire to learn, a desire to worship, and a love for the Gods.
I believe that that message is just as important as being able to quote Plato at the drop of a hat. Just saying.
Timothy Alexander
on Dec 29th, 2007
@ 2:42 am:
I love this post. I can really feel your passion for the Gods.
feli_valkyria
on Jan 3rd, 2008
@ 12:21 am:
You’re a neat person. I loved reading your history of how you got into Hellenismos.
I was really young, myself, when I got introduced to classical mythology. My mother seems to think I’ve been obsessed with Ancient Greece since I was in Grade 2, though I don’t believe it was that far back, lol. Anyways, I will be writing in my blog, hopefully in the next couple of days, about my exposure to Hellenismos.
I really would like to achieve some personal gnosis someday… maybe I already have but either the Atheist explains them away or the Hellenic Reconstructionist has not tuned in to the ‘signs’ just yet. I am curious as to how people come to say statements such as “Hermes has called me”, and how one forms relationships with their gods.
Twinkle
on Jan 3rd, 2008
@ 7:04 pm:
From my personal experience, I saw his symbolism everywhere in my life.
I never really formed a relationship with Hermes until I started worshipping, but I always loved him, without even really knowing him. It wasn’t until I developed a reciprocal relationship, that I truly forged something extremely special to me.