Kheimonia 2013

Khairete!

Today's Festival

Today we celebrated the Kheimonia at HTAZP, a modern festival that combines many festivals that were traditionally held at this time of year. We honored Helios and Selene on the shortest day of the year as the nights begin to grow shorter and the days longer. We honored Zeus for the Pompaia, Pan for the Dendraia, Demeter for the Haloa, Dionysos for the Rural Dionysia, and Poseidon for the Poseidea. 

The Dion Kodion was processed through the temple space and each of the Gods honored in turn. Feast offerings included heart warmer sandwiches (chicken, bacon, and cheese baked into marble rye) and berry pie, with libations of sparkling blueberry-grape juice and root beer.

Due to scheduling issues, the Haloa/Rural Dionysia portion of the festival will be continued next week.

Coming Up

Date	Festival
3 Gamelion/5 January 2014	Diogennia
17 Gamelion/19 January 2014	Gamelia/Theogamia
2 Diasion/2 February 2014	Anthesteria (observed)
16 Diasion/16 February 2014	Aphrodisia

Until next time, may the blessings of the Gods be with you. Peace,
Diane

Dendraia 2013

Khairete!

Today's Festival

Today we celebrated the Dendraia, the festival of Pan's pine tree.

As you can see, many of the ornaments from past years are on the tree again, and several new ones were added, as is our tradition. 

We began with a meditation on Pan, Pitys, and Selene. This meditation focused on the physicality of climbing a pine tree and then experiencing Selene's light once the top was reached, evoking both Pan's longing for Pitys and the fulfillment of His love for Selene.

Our minds well fixed on the purpose of the festival, we processed in and began the ritual. Feast offerings included a stir-fry kielbasa dish and a carrot & parsnip dish with a muscato wine for libation.

The altar, as you can see, was in Pan's colors as it has been since Panaia. The main image of Pan was a statue of Him playing the pipes, a candle lit above Him, with Selene's image beside him and boughs of pine surrounding Them.

Coming Up

Date	Festival
19 Kheimonion/December 22	Kheimonia
3 Gamelion/5 January 2014	Diogennia
17 Gamelion/19 January 2014	Gamelia/Theogamia
2 Diasion/2 February 2014	Anthesteria (observed)
16 Diasion/16 February 2014	Aphrodisia

Until next time, may the blessings of the Gods be with you,
Diane