Community Shrine

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Following is information about how the Community Shrine is ideally honored:

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This shrine is both a local shrine and a Greek shrine. You can use it to invoke Hestia (the H is silent), the Greek Goddess of the Hearth. Or you can simply use it as the Community shrine, making a prayer or thought for the well-being of all who gather at Laurelin. Small tokens of major life events are sometimes left here.

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GREEK RITUAL

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All of the Greek shrines have a common format for honoring them, asking a boon of them, etc. The format goes:

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1) Say “Khaire (Car-ay) O [their name]. Hail [their name]!”

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2) If you know any of their historical/ literary epithets, add a few and tell them why you are calling on them. For example, for Hestia you might say “Verdant queen of the council, rich in blessings, thank you for your presence, wisdom, insight, and assistance in my ritual.”

 

3) Say this:

 

“Eleibometha (Elay bomb etha) soi (soy). We have poured a libation to you. (Pour them a little wine)

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Leipsometha (Layp somm etha) soi (soy). We do pour a libation to you.(Pour them a little more wine) 

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Leibometha (Lay bomb etha) soi (soy). We will pour a libation to you. (Pour them a little more wine and finish the rest yourself)

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Kharin (Car-een) ekhomen (ek-omen) soi (soy). Khaire (Car-ay)! We give you thanks. Hail!”

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If you plan to honor each of the Greek shrines, we recommend you start and end here. Hestia is traditionally the first and last deity to be given offerings.

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AREAS OF INFLUENCE AND EPITHETS

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Hestia is the Goddess of Hearth and Home, but also so much more. You may use any of these epithets and others to address Her and specify your intentions:

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•Hestia Chloömorphus (“verdant” or "green")

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•Hestia Polyolbus (“rich in blessings”)

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•Hestia Bulaea (“of the council”) —  associated with harmonious community and common worship.

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•Hestia Potheinotate (“beloved”)

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•Hestia Basileia (“queen”)​

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There are eight official shrines at Laurelin.

 

Four of the Shrines are to Greek gods and goddesses:

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-Hermes

-Aphrodite

-Pan

-Nymphs

 

 

Four shrines are dedicated to local features:

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-Community (which can also be a Greek shrine for Hertha)

​-Water

​-Wild Ancestors

​-Stone Circle

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You are welcome to visit any of them as long as you treat them with respect.