About Lykeia

The following is some general information about me, the author of this blog.

1. The name Lykeia is a name that is my spiritual-religious name. It is more a part of my spiritual identity than my birth name and so I use it for almost all purposes excepting legal and work related purposes. Lykeia is my name that was given to me when I was in Hellas in 2008 during a small naming ritual conducted at Eleusis. As it is adapted from Apollon’s ancient epithet, Lykeios, it was chosen for me as it corresponds to my great love for Apollon, and alternatively refers to wolves and light. Lykeios is the first form of Apollon that I loved and worshiped all those years ago. It was in this form that I created my first artistic depiction of the god as well. This brings great meaning to this name given to me.

2. I am a Hellenic polytheist, with a strong Orphic leaning/education. I really haven’t experienced much outside of the Hellenic gods in the general pagan community as I was called to their worship when I was 14 years old. Brief experienced with Religio Romana and Stregheria in an attempt to connect with my Italian heritage did nothing but reinforce my love for Hellenismos.

3. Despite identifying as a Hellenic, I have no Hellenic bloodlines in my ancestrial heritage. The closest it gets is Tuscan via my great grandfather who immigrated from that part of Italy. Strangely I even though I have a great abundance of German heritage, and a German family name, I felt no calling from the Germanic gods. Even stranger when you consider that in growing up in Alaska (where I currently reside now) during the formation of my religious attraction, that I wouldn’t be attracted to northern deities that are linked to similar cold northern environments. I also have Irish ancestors, Black Foot Native American, Welsh, English, Scottish, and Prussian. As much as I honor this heritage, the bonds with Hellenic spirituality has put just as deep roots. I am also getting involved in Hinduism, and worship syncretically with my Hellenic gods. As an Alaska it brings some challenges considering that the environment here is very different than Hellas and India.

4. I hold a degree in history, mostly put to use by researching my religion, especially the worship of Apollon, for writing essays and my current project of writing booklets for the modern worshiper about Apollon. This part of my devotional service, and so even though my degree didn’t bring me a practical job out in the world, I have found that it allows me to do this meaningful activity and provide the information in a manner easily accessible for fellow worshipers and those who are interested.

5. I am a godspouse to Apollon. I belong to Apollon, and adore him beyond any mortal measure. I began establishing a relationship with Apollon in 2004 when he made a firm appearance in my life through my devotion to his twin, Artemis. It was only in retrospect years later that I recognized his touch throughout my life in subtle ways even as my youth was shaped by Artemis. He is the bringer of inspiration for my poems and my art. Inspiration comes like a fire that won’t be sated until it is fulfilled. I have visited his holy temple in Delphi, making the trek up to it twice and finding something new, beautiful and completely wondrous in each occasion. My devotional poetry can be found here.

6. Just because I am a godspouse doesn’t mean I am a seer. I do some of these things for myself but my calling to his service is through poetry (though Socrates was said to have related to close similarity between poets and seers when it comes to divine inspiration) and through art, for which I produce statues and paintings for worshipers. For quotes on something particular please feel free to drop me a note!

7. Other prominent gods of my oikos (household) are Artemis, Hermes, Hera, Zeus, Dionysos, Poseidon, Ares and Aphrodite. Much of this prominence has to due with the strong presence of these gods in the environment here in Alaska. Boreas has also gained some importance as I feel that Alaska lies within his spacial domain. Generally speaking I do offer worship to the 12 Olympians at the oikos altar, I also plan on making outdoor shrines in the yard for the nymphs in the flower garden, and one to Pan in the back garden where I will be planting herbs. I also honor Athena on the shrine she shares with Aphrodite and Hera, and though I give her worship on her auspicious days I can’t say she is prominent like the other two goddesses.

8. On a more mundane level, I am a bibliophile, a mom of a teenager, and the keeper of a housecat that thinks she is a jungle cat. I am into gardening, herbology, aromatherapy, yoga and other activities involved with spiritual development, health and well-being. I am still debating on whether or not Reiki will be worth getting into. I also love bellydancing, and am currently learning American Tribal Bellydancing. Music is also an important part of my mundane and spiritual life. I have several instruments I use in worship from a wooden flute, to a lyre, zils, and drums. I would love to get a violin again though because that was one of my favorite devotional activities and the music was soothing.