The Secret History of Carnival Talk by Sarah Kate Istra Winter

All the significant elements of Hellenic festivals are discussed in detail with suggestions for how each can be included today. The lunar calendar is explained, along with other approaches to timing and selecting dates. Special attention is given to crafting a localized and individualized practice that both fulfills religious obligations and results in personal enjoyment and spiritual connection. Komos first explains the nature of ancient Greek festivals and the reasons they were observed, before moving forward to offer ways in which the same ideas and motivations can be expressed through modern celebrations. And yet our desire to honor the gods, explore themes such as purification, fertility and renewal, and mark the sacred progression of the year, remains as strong as ever. Many of us are doing this alone or with only a few other people, unable to achieve the lavish processions, competitions or revels of times past.

We struggle to maintain an authentic connection to tradition while creating relevant practices which reflect our own relationships to the gods and spirits, as well as to the lands where we live now. To learn more about how and for what purposes Amazon uses personal information (such as Amazon Store order history), please visit our Privacy Notice.Festivals were one of the most important aspects of ancient Greek religion, and yet celebrating them - whether adaptations of historical rites or entirely new ones - can be difficult for contemporary Hellenic polytheists. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie Preferences, as described in the Cookie Notice. Click ‘Customise Cookies’ to decline these cookies, make more detailed choices, or learn more.

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The Secret History of Carnival Talk by Sarah Kate Istra Winter