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Libation to Dionysos
Members of Hellenion offer libations to certain gods in specific months. December is the month to honor Dionysos.
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 Dionysos, and other things associated with him. 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:
“Hear me, Dionysos Dimétor [of two mothers], Brómios [boisterous], Bákkhos [the shoot], or by whichever names you wish to be called. You have the likeness of a young man in his first youth, dark-hued and wavy, beautiful tresses, and on your strong shoulders you wear a cloak of purple. We come together today to honor you, God of the Vine. Pity us and give us good fortune-- us, who have pleased your heart.” (portions taken from the Homeric Hymn to Dionysos)
At this point participants come forth with various libations of wine, water, milk, honey, olive oil, etc. As they pour their libation, they recite one of the following lines:
A libation in your honor, Dionysos Dendrítes, “of the trees”
A libation in your honor, Dionysos Líknites, “of the winnowing fan”
A libation in your honor, Dionysos Trigonos, “thrice-born”
A libation in your honor, Dionysos Melanaigís, “of the black goatskin”
A libation in your honor, Dionysos Eleuthereus, “liberator”
A libation in your honor, Dionysos Zágreus, “the hunter”
A libation in your honor, Dionysos Gúnnis, “effeminite”
A libation in your honor, Dionysos Mústes, “the initiated”
The incense is lit and offered to Dionysos. The priestess reads the Orphic Hymn to Dionysos (#30).
“I call upon loud-roaring and reveling Dionysos,
primeval, two-natured, thrice-born, Bakkhic lord,
savage, ineffable, secretive, two-horned and two-shaped.
Ivy-covered, bull-faced, warlike, howling, pure,
you take raw flesh, you have triennial feasts, wrapt in foliage, decked with
grape clusters.
Resourceful Eubouleus, immortal god sired by Zeus
when he mated with Persephone in unspeakable union.
Hearken to my voice, O blessed one, and with your fair-girdled nurses
breathe on me in a spirit of perfect kindness.”
(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 “Hail, loud-crying Dionysos, son of fair-faced Semele. We shall assemble in your honor again.”
Photos are posted here.