How To Cleanse Before a Ritual in Hellenism (Miasma and Agos)

Ancient Greek ritual pollution is one of those topics that is hard to find reliable information about. From the Archaic period onwards, the definition of miasma and the definition of agos changed over time. Does miasma matter for the modern Hellenist? And if so, how do we get polluted by it? How do you get rid of miasma?

Special thanks as always to GaelicNox for their amazing channel art!

References:

Hellenic polytheism household worship. (2014). Athens, Greece: LABRYS Polytheistic Community.
Parker, R. (2010). Miasma: Pollution and purification in early Greek religion. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

[herkles]

Probably one of the most important videos for hellenists to watch IMO to better understand this concept :)

[bunnyshoes]

I personally have ocd that can often manifest as a compulsion to cleanse myself a LOT, so this video was super helpful! Shoutout to my fellow ocd people who have similar problems, you’re not alone at all :)

[Ireallywouldrathernot]

Regardless of the truth of any gods or miasmas, I find it interesting how these practices would certianly be good ways to keep infection at bay. I don't have more to say on that right now, just find it interesting.

[WorgenGrrl]

A popular herb used in making lustral water is Bayleaf. You would burn a bit of the bayleaf then drop it into the water you were purifying. Greeks living in Alexandria would worship Egyptian Gods alongside Greek ones and would use Natron to create lustral water. You can get Natron on Amazon, but most Kemetic Polytheists usually use a mixture of salt (fine sea salt works) and baking soda.

[fqcuusc]

This is really useful. The only thing I disagree with is the offering of one's own blood. This is probably because I'm also a witch but, I personally see giving your blood to a god (or any entity) as a contract that cannot be broken, something sacred. Not a miasma thing. Its cool to see what others believe :).

[ParanormalEncyclopedia]

I used to think I knew greek paganism pretty well then I found your channel. Love finding out I have so much more to learn human belief systems are so interesting.

[sorayatorchic]

Interesting. I’m a kemetic, and purity is super important to us as well. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s pretty similar. At this point in my practice I can tell when I am impure.

[CarissaNomadic]

We've been waiting to see this video for a while, good job!

[morgan_drui]

Greek mythology is so interesting and I leaned none of this stuff in 6th grade.

[karldehaut]

Thanks you A very good video. You have done a tremendous job to make it accessible. My opinion is that religious practice is (many times) to ritualize transgressions, in fact ritualistic transgressions. Sacred space is a place where chaos / transgression has to be shaped, put in order. This keeps the inevitable disorder of the profane (the word secular isn't appropriate😉) world at bay. I don't know if I express myself well.

[johnlt]

A lot of people claim you should purify yourself before any formal ritual or prayer. So why is a formal prayer needed to make the water you need to purify yourself? Do Hestia and Poseidon not mind the miasma that covers you as long as are interacting with them as a way to purify yourself?

[fennwenn]

Not only helpful, but also reassuring.

[kaydenhagg]

As always, i love the fuckin video!
Keep up the good work!
And we're all stronger together!

[bloodsweatandsteel.]

Very good video. Thank you for sharing. I am curious about something. Would one be considered un clean in the event that blood was shed while defending ones self from an attack by a criminal? Or would the defender been viewed by the gods as in battle and thus protected?

[Pingwn]

This is a great and informing video, the idea of miasma sounds very similar but not the same as the Jewish idea of Tum-a which was also not the same as sin and was associated with death and blood but also masturbation.

[practicalpen]

I just came over from Ocean Keltoi's channel because he recommended this video and I'm grateful for it. As a Heathen woman, I wondered if after receiving a gift from one of my Gods, I could continue the gifting cycle during my "woman's tide" or if I had to wait a week to resume. Thanks!

[thejemjade]

Learned something new, I usually do when I visit your channel. Not a Hellenist myself but very interesting information. Thank you so much for sharing ^_^

[ktulurob]

As usual concise and articulate, thank you.

[Ace-hhis]

Hi, I'm researching hellenism before looking into actually getting into it. Whats the greeting you use, if you don't mind my asking?

[chickadeestevenson]

Interesting. The first I heard of Maisma was from how it was replaced by germ theory.