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Libation to Ares
Members of Hellenion offer libations to certain gods in specific months. November is the month to honor Ares.
All participating will come to the ritual clean and pure from miasma. (Read about how you can prepare yourself here.) Each stops to wash their hands in the khérnips before entering the ritual area. However, there will be no further purifications for this short ritual.
Participants move about the altar in a counter-clockwise direction, and then place any offerings they have brought upon the table next to the altar. The altar is oriented toward the East, and may be decorated with images of Ares. A bowl for receiving libations will also be on the altar.
The priestess (or priest or other participant) says the following prayer to the god, while all lift their hands upward:
“Ares, exceeding in strength, chariot-rider, golden-helmed, doughty in heart, shield-bearer, Savior of cities, harnessed in bronze, strong of arm, unwearying, mighty with the spear, O defender of Olympos, father of warlike Niké, ally of Thémis, stern governor of the rebellious, leader of the righteous men, sceptered King of manliness, who whirl your fiery sphere among the planets in their sevenfold courses through the aither wherein your blazing steeds ever bear you above the third firmament of heaven; hear me, helper of men, giver of dauntless youth! Shed down a kindly ray from above upon our lives, and strength of war, that we may be able to drive away bitter cowardice from our heads and crush down the deceitful impulses of our souls. Restrain also the keen fury of our hearts which provokes us to tread the ways of blood-curdling strife. Rather, O blessed one, give us boldness to abide within the harmless laws of peace, avoiding strife and hatred and the violent fiends of death.” (Homeric Hymn 8 to Ares, with minor adaptations)
At this point participants come forth with various libations of water, milk, honey, olive oil, etc. As they pour their libation, they recite one of the following lines:
A libation in your honor, Ares Polemistés, “warrior”
A libation in your honor, Ares Miaiphónos, “bloody”
A libation in your honor, Ares Híppios, “of horses”
A libation in your honor, Ares Óbrimos, “strong”
A libation in your honor, Ares Khálkeos, “brazen”
A libation in your honor, Ares Thoúros, “raging”
A libation in your honor, Ares
Brotoloigós, “plague of man”
A libation in your honor, Ares Rhinotóros, “shield-piercing”
The Frankincense is lit and offered to Ares. The priestess reads the Orphic Hymn to Ares (#65).
“Unbreakable, strong-spirited, mighty and powerful daimon,
delighting in arms, indomitable, man-slaying, wall-battering;
lord Ares, your is the din of arms, and ever bespattered with blood
you find joy in killing and in the fray of battle, O horrid one,
whose desire is for the rude clash of swords and spears.
Stay the raging strife, relax pain's grip on my soul,
and yield to the wish of Kypris and to the revels of Lyasios,
exchanging the might of arms for the works of Deo,
yearning for peace that nurtures youths and brings wealth.”
(translation by A.
Athanassakis)
Any special requests or personal devotions are made at this time. Participants may step forward and make an offering of whatever they wish. A few words from the heart should be said out loud.
To conclude the ritual, a final libation is poured, while saying “And so farewell, Ares, armed with bronze. We shall assemble in your honor again.”
Photos are posted here.