GATHERING

After bathing and dressing in clean clothes, all of the people gather at the hearth of Hestia at the center of town. In modern times, this may be at the town square within walking distance of the building or park where the ritual will be performed.

PROCESSION (POMPE)

Everyone proceeds in procession to the sanctuary (temenos) where the ritual is to be performed. Common participants include the priest (hiereus) and/or priestess (hiereia), libation bearers (spondophoroi), basket bearers (kanephoros), water bearers (hydrophoros), bearers of the holy secrets (arrephoros), musicians (auletes), sacrificers (mageiros), torchbearers (dadoukhos) and heralds (hierokeryx). Other participants are specific to the particular festival.

PURIFICATION OF PEOPLE (CHERNIPS)

At the entrance of the temenos, the hydrophoroi pours sea water, spring water mixed with sea salt or spring water from a specific source into a stone vessel (perirranteria). While saying "They washed off in the sea the sweat that covered them" each person washes their hands as they enter the temenos. Any sacrifice that won't be damaged by the water, should be lightly sprinkled then jerked out of the way (this is a simulation of the sacrifice nodding it's acceptance to be sacrificed).

Experience has shown that a lid for the perirranteria is very useful. It keeps out impurities before and after the chernips. During the chernips, it provides a place to lay the things that are carried, while washing hands.

PURIFICATION OF AREA

Everyone circles the altar, alternating to left and right, until they meet on the far side. The hierokeryx declares "I have passed with eager feet to the circle desired" which everyone repeats. The Hiereus / Hiereia circles the people sprinkling natron (a combination of one part sodium carbonate and one part sodium bicarbonate) to purify the area.

LIGHTING THE FIRE

The dadoukhos lights the sacrificial fire while saying "I conjure you sacred fire who's mother is Hestia and father is Hephaistos". This fire may be laid out beforehand but must be started using fire that was carried in the procession (torch, candle, lantern, etc.). Also, the chosen dadoukhos must be knowledgeable in fire safety.

PURIFICATION OF ALTAR

The kanephoros takes some of the grain from the basket (traditionally barley but can be rice, wheat or any other grain that is a dietary staple) and throws it on the altar fire while saying "Hekas! Hekas! Esti bebeloi!" (meaning "Far off! Far off! Even to the profane!" or, more simply, "begone profane ones!"). This is meant to consecrate the altar and to prevent any evil kers (spirits) from entering from the fire.

MIXING THE LIBATION

The spondophoroi mixes the libation in a krater (a jar with two handles). Usually the libation is a mixture of half wine and half spring water. For those who don't drink wine, grape juice or rosehip tea may be substituted but this must be a group decision as everyone drinks the same libation. For each libation, the spondophoroi ladles out the same portion into each person's phaile (small handless drinking bowl).

FIRST LIBATION

The hierokeryx announces the first libation with "Libation to Hestia, always the first and the last.", pours some of the liquid on the side of the altar (or carefully poured onto the fire) and slowly drinks the rest. Everyone else repeats the process. Each libation is followed by a speaking period or presentation while the libation is consumed. The spondophoroi controls how much each person drinks and ensures each gets the same amount (usually a half-pint per libation).

FIRST PRESENTATION

While everyone finishes their libation, the auletes sing a song honoring the featured deity. If this is to be a general celebration, the song can be about the Olympians as a group. If a proper song cannot be found (or created), an epic poem or story can be substituted. In either case, the auletes should memorize the material or improvise it rather than referring to written material.

SECOND AND THIRD LIBATION

The spondophoroi ladles out a second portion of the libation into everyone's phaile. The hierokeryx announces the second libation to honor the featured deity (or the Olympians in general) and libation is made as before. If the Olympians were not mentioned in the second libation, a third libation is poured, from the same portion as the second, to honor the Olympians as a group. This third libation is required so that none of the deities feel left out.

SECOND PRESENTATION

While the libation is being consumed, the arrephores present the sacred items and explain their significance. Next the mageiros presents the sacrifice and explains any symbolism involved. Finally, the hiereus / hiereia explain the purpose of the ritual and the activities that follow.

PRESENTATION AND SACRIFICE

Each sacrifice is brought to the mageiros, who touches the sacrifice with the sacrificial knife. If done carefully, meat or loaves of bread can be stabbed with the knife. As each sacrifice is touched (or stabbed), the participants raise a cheer or undulating cry to cover the sound of the dieing sacrifice. It is very acceptable to feel a little guilty about the act that the group is symbolizing. Part of the function of a Hellenic ritual is the building of community and shared guilt is one way of doing this.

ACTIVITIES

While the mageiros prepares the feast from the sacrificed food, everyone else participates in the activities (games, theatrics, music, dancing, etc.) to honor the deity of the season. During this time and the feast that follows, the hiereus / hiereia should watch for signs or omens from the deities and, later, interpret them to the group.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEAST

When the activities are over and the feast is prepared, the hierokeryx announces the feast by reciting: "When mirth reigns throughout the town and feasters about the house, sitting in order, listen to a minstrel; when the tables beside them are laden with bread and meat and a wine bearer draws sweet drink from the mixing bowl and fills cups; this I think in my heart to be the most delightsome."

FEAST

During the feast, each person gets only as much food as they can consume with a small portion to be sacrificed in the fire. This should be carefully planned as nothing of the sacrifice is to be taken away. The sacrifices for each person consists of a small portion of the food thrown on the fire for Hestia, the unused portions (bones, skin, fat, etc.) thrown on the fire for the honored deity and a small libation poured on the ground or floor for the agathodaimon (the guardian daemon of the house). If wine spilt on the floor or carpet is a concern, the spondophoroi can accept each libation into a bowl to be poured on the ground or carefully poured on the fire at a later time.

LIBATION

A libation is performed to thank the deities for their attendance. While finishing this libation, participants should discuss what further activities they plan for the purpose of the ritual (such as the dispensing of the nonfood sacrifices to the poor) and plans for future rituals or meetings.

FINAL LIBATION

The final libation is for Hestia and, afterwards, everyone should help with the cleanup to leave the temenos in the same or better condition as when the ritual started.