A Beginner's Guide to Hellenismos (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A Beginners Guide to Hellenismos provides an overview of Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionism. Hellenismos is an emerging religious movement attempting to reconstruct the ancient Greek religion. This book supplies the beginner with a guide for practicing Hellenismos. Contrary to the popular misconception, Reconstructionist religions are in no way rigid or dogmatic. In A Beginners Guide to Hellenismos, Timothy Jay Alexander explains how liberating, innovative, and adaptive the modern Hellenic religion is. This book provides the reader with an easy to use and understand guide to begin their worship. It explains in detail modern Hellenic practices and the reasons behind them, and serves as a common sense guide about this fast growing modern religion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Lulu Press, Inc.; 1st edition (June 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1430324562
• ISBN-13: 978-1430324560
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #742,915 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an Inspiring Book!, June 24, 2007

By	Twinkle "Twinkle" (Texas) - See all my reviews

After reading Mr. Alexander's first book, Hellenismos Today, and being very impressed, I was very happy to see a second book out so soon. I eagerly snatched it up, as this book was marketed as an intro to actual worship.

As an experienced practitioner of Hellenismos, I was interested to see what the author felt was essential for worship. I admit I was scared. I was worried for nothing, because Mr. Alexander came through again....refusing to whitewash our practices to make it more palatable for the masses.

The beginning of the book is a reinforcement of some of the information provided in Hellenismos Today, and I can understand why...it's not assumed that the first book was read, and some of the information is key to understanding the practice and worship of Hellenismos.

However; I was very impressed with the concise information provided on how to get started on worship.

I was glad to see Mr. Alexander stress orthopraxy and syncretism in the Theology chapter of the book. He makes it clear that while there is room for personal innovation, that there is still a correct way to practice, and a way to create theories using a correct method of thinking.

The Cosmology chapter is expanded in this book, and there are very good sections regarding the Soul, the Afterlife and Reincarnation, and an excellent discussion of "good and "evil".

Mr. Alexander has broken down the Worship of Hellensimos into three dimensions: Public, Personal and Cult...and goes into great detail explaining the differences between each one. The Prayers and Hymns Chapter goes into great detail as well and gives examples of both formal and informal prayers, and also an example of a Hymn. I especially like that he encourages the reader to write their own forms of devotion.

For a novice to Hellensimos, the Chapters on Offerings, Sacrifices and Libations, and Votives is key (in addtion to the basis - prayer). There is often confusion between an offering and a sacrifice, and this book makes it so clear as to what each one is. The differences between a vow and an oath are also clearly defined. Correct disposal of sacrifices and offerings is also included...which is something I wish I had had more information on when I was just starting out.

I think a reader will be inspired to start practicing if they have been afraid to thus far. Some of the misconceptions with Hellenismos is that you have to be a scholar to practice, and Mr. Alexander makes it clear that what the novice needs to do is start practicing. With this book, a reader will have the encouragement and support needed to start worship. Piety, Reciprocity and Moderation are stressed...and even as an experienced practitioner of Hellenismos, I felt a swell of excitement and passion. If that feeling can be expressed to one that has practiced for awhile, I cannot imagine what this book can do for someone new to Hellenismos. This book sends out a spiritual message...and that is crucial to understanding Hellenismos.

The Rites and Rituals Chapter is also very good, explains clearly, Rites of Passage, Rites of Worship and so on. The Festival and Festival Calendar is also included, and Mr. Alexander has a wonderful section on ideas to recreate festivals and secular holidays using a little imagination and personal innovation.

Then the most controversial part of the book comes up: Magick. Once again, Mr. Alexander stresses the differences between Magick and Mysticism, Divination and Shamanic practices. I personally agree with his assessment of magick (spellwork) as impious...others may not. I encourage readers to read this section carefully, and form their own opinion.

For me, personally....the Chapter on Temples, Shrines, Statues and Images was the most inspiring part of the book. The author's enthusiasm for bringing our wonderful religion public again is evident, he writes with passion and eloquence on this subject.


Mr. Alexander leaves us with his final words...and these words are the essence of Hellenic Reconstructionism:

"Hellenismos is not rocket science, it is religion"

This is a very well written book. I highly recommend it for beginning practioners of Hellensimos, and more experienced Hellenic Reconstructionists as well. Check out the Appendix....wonderful information is included. My favorite is Emperor Julian's Oration to the Mother of the Gods. There's also a guide of useful Greek words and an extensive list of epithets of the gods.

This book inspires, sends a spiritual message, and is a practical guide...all at the same time.

Congratulations, Mr. Alexander. You are a fresh new voice for Hellenismos, and I will continue to read anything you put out.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but tries to focus on the "right way", June 25, 2008

By	C-diddy "C" (California) - See all my reviews

If you are not part of the Greek culture or accept it then you can not honor the Gods. (According to this book) If you are looking at alternate religions then you will of course change it to meet your needs. As long as you keep idea that your worship is to honor the Gods then why worry. I am not Greek but am very interested in Greek culture. Very short read with a some good info on the Gods.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of a Beginner's Guide to Hellenismos, July 27, 2007

By	Astalon (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

As a person who is interested in the cultural and religious belief of the people in Hellenistic Greece and also its place in the post-modern world, I was very impressed by Mr. Alexander's first book Hellenismos Today. In that book he provided us an introduction to the modern Hellenistic Polytheist.

In his second book, a Beginner's Guide to Hellenismos he concisely and practically shows (1) the revelance of the religion in the modern world and how it can be applied to daily life (2) how to worship in the modern world based upon the orthopraxy of the ancient Greeks (3) how to integrate worship and religion into daily life in the modern world.

I was particularly impressed by his chapter on personal worship and especially personal worship in the modern world.

Overall this is a 5/5 book for information with regards to Hellenismos and more importantly how to practice it and integrate it into modern life. This is certainly a book who I would recommend to anyone who is interested in honoring the Gods of Greece.