On Myth and the Gods

The Greek Gods are loved and adored even in the modern era.  However, the way that we approach the Gods, and each other have never been more different.  Is there a right way to engage? No, not really.  A wrong way? Definitely.  It all boils down to respect.  Respect of culture, history, spirituality, and most importantly, each other.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Intersectionality.
   The online community of people who love the Greek Gods and Greek myth come from very disparate worldviews. Even within these groups, the perspectives can vary greatly. You have Hellenistic Polytheists who worship the Greek Gods (some who are very casual and those who are faithful reconstructionists who follow ancient tradition as closely as possible) as well as generic neopagans and witches who view the gods very differently. To add to that, you also have people who love the Greek Gods because of mythology, archaeology, or art history and have no spiritual connection to them at all.
2. Each god has two sides: the Mythic and the Divine.
   …and people may be talking about one versus the other. For example, there is Zeus the character and Zeus the deity. Mythology comes from oral traditions, poets, and plays and are like the Disney (or often Hallmark) movies of the ancient world. The myths are fables and often seek to teach a lesson about morality or are warnings of cultural adherence in the ancient world and more often than not were written for entertainment purposes…who doesn’t love a salacious tale of love, betrayal, and war?
   
   Most laypeople know the gods from their myths, and many people love the gods solely for their stories, and this is the perspective they come from. When someone says that they don’t like x deity because of their misdeeds, they’re (usually) talking about the character and not the god. For those who aren’t pagans, there is not an understanding of the difference between myth and worship and the innumerable cults and ways gods are portrayed in worshipped in tradition.
3. Be respectful!
   Be respectful of each other and their beliefs. In times like these we should unify around our love of the Greek gods, even if our perspectives are different. Whether you’re a witch, a Hellenic Polytheist, or simply a nerd — I feel as though we’re all under attack at any given time. Our appreciation should unify us….but that being said you should always be respectful of someone else’s belief. Don’t come down on someone and call them a lunatic because they worship the Greek Gods. Likewise, don’t harp on someone for disliking a god because they have a literary perspective of Greek mythology. I think healthy, enlightening conversation can happen when there is empathy and understanding.
4. Cultural Context Matters.
   When we talk about Greek myth and religion, we’re referencing a civilization that existed thousands of years ago with vastly different values, language, and customs. Concepts like hubris, fate, and divine justice carried meanings that don’t always translate neatly into our modern worldview. Understanding the historical and cultural setting can completely change how we interpret a myth or a god’s actions. What seems cruel or strange to us may have been symbolic, satirical, political or social commentary relevant to a specific point in time within its original context.
5. The Myths Are Living Stories.
   Greek mythology isn’t static and has evolved through centuries of retelling and colonization and conquest. Every poet, playwright, and artist has used the gods as characters to reflect their own values and agendas. The same is true today as new versions of the myths of Medusa and Persephone are molded and shaped by our modern ethics and values.
6. No “Right” Way.
   There isn’t a single “correct” way to love or engage with the Greek Gods as long as it comes from a place of respect and adoration. Mythology, academic study, worship, and art are all valid doorways to enter the world of the Gods. What matters most is sincerity and that your approach comes from genuine respect rather than outright mockery or dismissal…though if someone is evaluating myth purely from a literary perspective, there may be a bit of judgement and controversial takes.  However, literary analysis should be interpreted as any other media criticism of something like Emily in Paris, rather than a direct attack on the divine.
7. Myth and Modern Media.
   It’s also worth remembering that most people today first meet the Greek gods through modern adaptations…heck, some people ONLY know the Gods from Percy Jackson. These versions are often rewritten to suit a plot or reworked for the modern audience…but that’s no different than how they’ve been used throughout time.  These modern retellings can serve as an introduction that sparks curiosity. It’s okay to have first fallen in love with the gods through Percy Jackson, Lore Olympus, or Hades, but what matters is the connection that forms afterward and the willingness to learn.

As the owner of Aphrodite's Apothecary, I am never coming from a place of disrespect toward anyone or their beliefs in the work I do. I often speak candidly about the Greek myths, while still holding love for the deities. I do view the characters of myth as entirely separate from the deities themselves, and that nuance is not something that comes across easily in a reel or TikTok.

The Greek gods are something I’ve held close to my heart my entire life since first watching the Odyssey miniseries as a child (where I first fell in love with Athena and Aphrodite) and playing Zeus and Poseidon PC games growing up. As I grew up I became a pagan and studied archaeology and my love for the gods only grew.

Everything I make, I make with love, attention, and appreciation for the gods. Yes, I sell them, there is a commodification aspect, but I do this to share my love and my creations with others who love and appreciate them as much as I do.