Hi! I’m just getting interested in Hellenic religion and the gods. I’m wondering if you have any advice or words of caution? :) Thank you

pomegranateandivy:

In no particular order:

• Read, all that you can. It doesn’t have to be scholarly texts, and you don’t have to memorize anything, but read. 
• If you find something and it sounds off, or this is the only source telling you X….look for verification. 
• Don’t be shy about reading the philosophers too. You may decide their work holds no baring on your practice, but decide that after you’ve looked at some of their stuff. 
• You don’t need to worship each deity individually. They were originally worshiper together, there’s no reason we can’t do so again today.
• it doesn’t matter what you’re offering, just that you are giving in offering.
• Yes, this means water is a perfectly good offering if that’s what you can give
• There is no holy text, so be aware that just because One person does a thing doesn’t mean you have to do the thing as well, and just because one person uses a set of writing as rules doesn’t mean you have to as well.
• Watch out for people claiming to speak for the gods. Consult with your own divination or a trusted diviner before taking advice (especially unsolicited) from someone who says they speak for any deity
• Watch our for racists, homophobes, transphobes, and sexists. If you look at our myths there are people of all genders, intersex folks, trans people, lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, people of different races, people with physical disabilities, and more all in our myths and worshiping the Theoi. 
• You do not need to be like the gods in order to worship them. You don’t have to be a woman to worship Artemis, you don’t need to be married to worship Hera, you can worship Dionysos and never touch alcohol.
• Don’t rush into making an oath. I know it feels like everyone has made oaths and you should too in order to prove you’re serious, but trust me when I say “wait.” The gods will still be here in a year if you decide this is the right path for you.
• Don’t believe everything you read about interactions with the gods. Most of us never get signs or literally hear them speak. There’s nothing unusual if you don’t either.
• Prayer can be as formal or as casual as you like, it’s important that you’re comfortable with it though.
• Festivals are fun, but unnecessary. 
• You don’t need individual altars for all the gods you worship. Don’t worry about putting Zeus and Hephaistos on the same space as Artemis.
• Statues are nice, but unnecessary.
• Ancient Greece spanned thousands of years and thousands of miles, there are more options than just what was done in Classical Athens, so if Athens doesn’t float your boat, look around at other stuff.
• Yes, you can blend practices. Greco-pretty-much-everything has sources. Greco-Egyptian? Oh yeah, we got you. Greco-Roman, that’s just Tuesday. Greco-Bhuddist? They’ve got amazing art from this branch of worship. Want Greco-Gaelic? I’ve seen one (1) academic paper on this before but it was all Greek to me!
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions!