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Originally Posted by SASKORACLE
I'm dedicating my Altar to Zeus, Athena, Dionysus, Demeter, and apollo(with a Hera theme with Zeus)... something interesting. So, how do Altars work? I can't find a single resource on building Altars for the Greek, or even on how to build an altar for Greeks in any sense really. I've only been with the Greek since they came to me a few months ago. Never was religious. More of a Jesus PTSD thing that turned atheist once in a while.
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You can NOT dedicate a single altar to be shared by so many gods. Not in any religion or form of worship and especially not with the Greek gods since all of the Greek gods are very arrogant and jealous gods in competition with each other and each desires to be the center of attention and will not share attention or worship with any other god(s). You can choose as many gods as you want for yourself but if you wish to build altars for them you will need to provide each god with a personal altar of their own that is not shared with any other gods. Also you will need to provide each individual god with your undivided and undistracted attention devoted strictly to just that one god when you're doing your prayers at their altar. Don't let your mind wander from one to the other.
If you try to change the rules about altar sharing you will be bringing BIG trouble down on yourself and will be rejected and possibly punished by all of them. The Greek gods are not forgiving softies if you fail to do your homework and pay strictest attention to their rules.
First you need to research to find out what are the things of nature that are symbolic representatives of each of the deities that you can choose to place on each altar. These would be things such as hair or feathers representative of the gods' spirit animals, stones and crystals, living plants in pots, dried flowers, seeds, grains, carved wooden beads, scented candles or incenses representative of the scents related to the gods, tools, blades, weapons, musical instruments, silver, copper or gold receptacles, non-synthetic fabrics of many colours, foods and beverages, mirrors, bowls of fresh water, specific tarot cards from the major arcana, pictures or little carved statues, amulets and pieces of jewelry can be appropriate. Take your time doing the research, make sure you understand WHY each item is important to each god, and choose your god(s) well. For each deity choose only a few of their symbolic items to place on their altar.
Greek altars are typically made from naturally flat pieces of stone, wood, shells that will stand up to time and will provide shelter to the items that are placed on the altar. Do NOT use any kind of bone or animal antlers/horns. The finished altar should be attractive to look at and should feel like a cozy, protective little house that could provide shelter to tiny nature spirits who are servants and messengers of the gods.
Go do your research about each of the gods first to gain real understanding of each of them before you leap in and start dedicating any altars to any of them. As you are researching you will be inspired to include certain items at each altar.
I'd suggest that you start with the gentlest gods, develop a relationship one by one and work your way up to getting to know the most war-like for the last. It's okay to change your mind and only choose one or two gods to start with. Don't bite off more than you can chew without full understanding of them and how they can effect your life, whether you like it or ask for it or not.
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