Present day magic with the Greek gods Magic has always been a source of fascination for humankind, and throughout history, different cultures have developed their own unique forms of magic. One of the most enduring and captivating mythologies is that of the ancient Greeks, and their gods and goddesses continue to inspire and captivate people around the world to this day. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in ancient Greek mythology and a desire to bring the magic of these gods and goddesses into the present day. A growing number of people are seeking to incorporate the energy and power of these deities into their daily lives through rituals, spells, and ceremonies. One of the most prominent figures in modern Greek mythology magic is Hecate, the goddess of magic, witchcraft, and crossroads. She represents the liminal spaces between realms and is associated with the moon.
The authors see mythology not as providing a complete allegory of the deities, but rather as a starting point, as the deities are constantly evolving, exercising their influences on an ever-changing world:
I will refrain from commenting on the quality of the book s magick good or bad since I am not a witch and not qualified to critique the authors on that front. Outside of a few divine or semi-divine figures such as Medea, Circe and the very shadowy Dactyls, we scarcely hear of anyone who can even provisionally be called a magician in Greek myth Why are manteis and their activities central to myth in a way that healers and magic-workers are not.
She represents the liminal spaces between realms and is associated with the moon. Followers of Hecate often perform rituals on the night of the full moon, harnessing its energy to create spells and manifest their desires. Another popular deity is Hermes, the god of communication, travel, and trade.
Review of Modern Witchcraft with the Greek Gods by Jason Mankey and Astrea Taylor
Modern Witchcraft with the Greek Gods: History, Insights & Magickal Practice is a book on working with the Greek deities written by witches, for witches. Author Jason Mankey is “a third-degree Gardnerian High Priest who runs a traditional coven and an eclectic Wiccan coven with his wife, Ari.” Coauthor Astrea Taylor is “an intuitive Witch and eclectic Pagan who leads moon circle rituals and assists a few other non-traditional groups.” They also provide personal experiences from their friends who have worked extensively with Greek deities, so as to “provide a variety of perspectives.”
Given the huge diversity within contemporary Witchcraft and Wicca, having contributions from numerous practitioners maximizes the reach of this book.
It’s only in the last few decades that a number of scholars have finally acknowledged that the ancient Greeks actually did practice magick, as did every other nationality. Many Hellenic Reconstructionists still refuse to dabble in magick, and this is their right. But to insist that nobody else should be practicing magick, as it violates their understanding of what the ancients did, is just controlling. The authors address this issue:
“However, some people (including some Hellenic Reconstructionists) believe there’s no place for magick or Witchcraft with the Greek gods. They say it’s excessively prideful to take matters into one’s own hands, and magick is an act of defiance against the gods.”
Writing about ancient Greek culture the authors touch on just how widespread the practice of magick was:
“Their community rituals were full of revelry, dancing, music, and feasts. The mysteries gave people spiritual depth. Personal magick was common to most people. Art and design developed into meaningful works that fostered a greater love of the gods.”
The authors acknowledge the great debt owed to ancient Greeks by contemporary practitioners of magick:
“These days, a multitude of our current magickal practices come from ancient Greek magick, or they’re very similar to it. This includes the use of spells, rituals, cleansing, incense, music, an altered state of mind, magick circles, and incantations. There are records of the ancient Greeks working with celestial energies, herbs and correspondences, cardinal directions, elements, wands, and chalices. They venerated their ancestors and their mighty dead, and some worked with spirits of the deceased in their magick, as well as daimons, intermediaries between people and the gods. They practiced divination so well that a prophecy often informed entire armies about the best courses of action. The Greeks practiced magick for love, health, blessings, protection, and healing. However, just as common were curses, bindings, and what we would call hexes. Ancient Greek practitioners made potions, amulets, weavings, and human figurines. With so many similarities to today’s magickal practices, it’s possible the Greek gods may already be present, whether we call upon them or not.”
The authors go to a great deal of trouble to show how prevalent magick and Witchcraft were in ancient Greece and that they remain viable methods of experiencing the deities. It is precisely here where this book shines. There are many people interesting in the Greek deities who don’t resonate with a reconstructionist path. This book targets those with an interest in the Greek deities who either already are practicing Witchcraft, or intend to take it up.
The authors answer the question of why a modern Witch would want to work with the ancient Greek deities:
“Perhaps the greatest reason is that they’re still here. They show up when we call upon them in rituals and spells. They want to interact with us, lend their power, and live on through our modern practices. With all the support and power they have to offer, the better question might be: why wouldn’t someone want to work with them?”
The authors point out that in the last few centuries, the Greek deities have been pigeonholed and constrained for popular consumption:
“When most of us think about the Greek gods, we think of mythology, especially the stories of the gods and their earthly offspring, as told in anthologies such as Bulfinch’s Mythology. Thomas Bulfinch (1796–1867) and the storytellers who came after him make the attributes of the Greek gods appear clear and unambiguous. Aphrodite was just the goddess of love and beauty, for instance, with no mention of her waving a spear on the back of Ares’s chariot or appearing with battle armor on the ring of Julius Caesar. In reality, the Greek gods were complicated, and their attributes often varied from place to place.”
The authors introduce their readers to the idea of epithets which were used to target aspects of deities:
“The idea that Zeus’s power made him unknowable was not one held by the Greeks. Certain epithets for Zeus describe a god who is downright friendly. (All the gods have numerous epithets, which emphasize a particular function or specific location of the deity.) Zeus Philios guarantees the bonds of friendship and, in the case of the Greeks, the bonds that often united quarreling city-states in times of crisis. As Zeus Xenios, the king of Olympus is the god of charity, and to honor Zeus is to help feed and clothe a stranger. Zeus also watches over those who arrive at a place in need of assistance as Zeus Hikesios.”
The ancient Greeks, however, in the example above would have treated Zeus Philios, Zeus Xenios, and Zeus Hikesios as separate gods. The inclusion of a small number of epithets for various deities affords readers the opportunity to experience some of the complexities of Greek religion, rather than sweeping them under the carpet as previous generations have done.
Each chapter follows a formula approach. A deity is studied chosen from the Olympians, some non-Olympians and a few non-Greek ones. Each chapter features “the general myth and history of each deity, and some entries have a modern reflection [personal experience] and/or a ritual as well.“
The end result is that readers experience a solid introduction to the Greek deities from a standpoint of practical contemporary Witchcraft or Wicca.
The authors see mythology not as providing a complete allegory of the deities, but rather as a starting point, as the deities are constantly evolving, exercising their influences on an ever-changing world:
“Mythology books make it appear that the story of the gods has ended, but nothing could be further from the truth. The gods have always changed and adapted, and they will continue to do so. As long as they inspire art, poetry, and devotion, their stories will be ongoing. The gods are not beings preserved in amber—they are continually evolving forces, and they are capable of change. It’s important to understand the past, but it’s equally important to embrace the present moment and the future.”
Towards the end of the book, there is an exhortation to work with the Greek deities:
“If you feel the call of the gods, we hope this book will assist you on your journey, but perhaps even more importantly, we hope it leads to doing magick or devotion with them. While many of the gods profiled in this book live on mighty Olympus, the gods also live on our altars and in our ritual spaces. Invoke them when you celebrate a sabbat. Call upon them when you craft a spell. And perhaps most importantly, talk to them when the circumstances call for such things.”
Just as the ancient Greeks didn’t have one way of venerating their deities, we shouldn’t either. Witches and Wiccans who feel called by the Greek deities but want remain on familiar magickal ground will really enjoy this book.
This is the end of part 1 of my review.
In modern magic, Hermes is often called upon for assistance with matters of communication, whether it be improving relationships or enhancing public speaking skills. Some practitioners even create altars or shrines dedicated to Hermes in their homes or workplaces to invoke his powers. The goddess Athena, known for her wisdom, is also highly revered in modern Greek mythology magic. People seek her guidance and protection in matters of intellectual pursuits, problem-solving, and strategic planning. They may call upon her through meditation or by creating an altar with symbols associated with Athena, such as an owl or an olive tree. Additionally, the god Apollo, known for his music, healing, and prophecy, is often invoked in modern magical practices. Many musicians and artists turn to Apollo for inspiration and guidance in their creative endeavors. Others seek his healing powers through rituals and spells aimed at improving physical or emotional well-being. While ancient Greek mythology may seem distant and disconnected from modern life, the magic of the Greek gods continues to weave its spell over those who seek to incorporate it into their daily practices. Whether it be through invoking the goddess Hecate, seeking guidance from Athena, or turning to Apollo for inspiration, the power and energy of these deities offer a connection to our collective past and a source of inspiration in the present day..
Reviews for "Ancient Beings, Modern Practice: Working with the Greek Gods in the 21st Century"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I really wanted to like "Present day magic with the Greek gods" because I'm a fan of Greek mythology, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. The plot also seemed predictable and unoriginal, following the same tropes and clichés I've seen in numerous other fantasy novels. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to fellow mythology enthusiasts.
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - While "Present day magic with the Greek gods" had an interesting premise, I found the execution to be lacking. The writing style was inconsistent, with awkward dialogue and overused descriptions. The pacing was also off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Additionally, I felt that the incorporation of Greek gods into modern-day settings was forced and did not blend well with the overall story. Overall, it had potential but didn't fully deliver.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - I had high expectations for "Present day magic with the Greek gods" as I am a big fan of both mythology and the fantasy genre. However, I found the writing to be overly simplistic, lacking the depth and complexity I usually look for in a book. The plot seemed rushed and underdeveloped, with many loose ends left unresolved. The characters also felt underdeveloped and their motivations weren't convincing. Ultimately, I was left disappointed and felt that the book didn't live up to its potential.