Diasia

Diasia 2007

The Diasia is derived from an ancient Athenian festival for Zeus Meilikhios (the Kindly One). Zeus Meilikhios, who is a Khthonic form of Zeus, appears as a snake, a bull, or as a seated Zeus holding a cornucopia. It is said that when warriors returned from battles, they would make offerings to Zeus Meilikhios in order to cleanse themselves of their miasma. He is also a tutelary God to children, like other Gods in Their Khthonic forms.

The Diasia festival celebrates approach of Spring and the end of Winter and is the second half of a ritual which takes place before winter begins called the Pompaia. On the Diasia, the Attic deme of Erchaia sent to Athens a ram to be sacrificed to Zeus, and it is possible that the fleece from this ram provided the Dion Kodion used in the Pompaia festival. This tradition can also be continued if a worshiper uses a woolen blanket for the Pompaia as the blanket can be started or consecrated on this festival. Also, if a blanket is already made, it can be purified at this festival for the next Pompaia.

The modern festival still marks the time when Spring is approaching and worshipers ask for the winter to come soon to a close. One odd thing that's been noted about the ancient rite is that unlike offerings with to other Khthonic Gods, the meat of the sacrifice was shared, and the most common offerings were actually not animals at all, but cakes in animal form. This mixed ritual makes sense for Zeus as even though He is in Khthonic form, He is still Zeus and therefore aspects of His Olympian cult are still present. Therefore, it would be appropriate to make bloodless offerings at the ritual rather than meat offerings, although either or both can be made.

Preparations:

The shrine to Zeus is decorated with images of Zeus Meilikhios. Colors such as brown, black, white or even a dark green are appropriate. Images of snakes and bulls may also be present. The raised altar is set up for thusia if not already present. Offerings for this festival include animal crackers (a modern version of animal shaped cakes), sheep or goat meat (lamb can also be appropriate), images of snakes or bulls as votive offerings. Because of the nature of Khthonic Zeus, a richer, earthier incense might be appropriate, such as myrrh or patchoulli.

Thusia

Procession

• Each person gathers the offerings they brought to the ritual and walks to the sanctuary. Among the offerings are also a candle from which the sacred fire will be lit, incense, and if desired/practical, the khernips and barley may also be carried.

• The procession is usually accompanied by music of some type. For this, the participants may sing or chant a song to the God being honored during the ritual, or a recording of any appropriate music is played.

Marking the Sacred Space

• The khernips, incense, barley, and offerings are carried in a circle around the altar and participants, creating a barrier between the sacred and non-sacred.

Archesthai

• The worshiper(s) wash their hands and sprinkle the offerings with khernips.

Prayer

• Each person takes a handful of barley from the barley basket/bowl.

• The priest or worshiper speaks the following or similar prayer:

  • Holy Zeus, Meilikhios,
    God Who gives abundance and fertility to the earth,
    I/we have come before You to give sacrifice on the Diasia,
    Asking that You bring a swift end to the winter season.
    May we soon see the last snow of the year,
    And may warmth and fertility return to the earth.
    May You accept and delight in my/our offerings
    And grant me/us blessings and Your divine presence upon this day!

• Other participants (if any) offer up their own prayers

• Each person throws their barley upon the altar/into the sacrificial bowl.

Sacrifice

• A moment is taken to give thanks to the animal which is about to be consumed. Then portions of the food are offered to Zeus Meilikhios. The rest of the food is shared among the participants in a feast.

Offerings to Children

It was customary in the ancient times to offer gifts to children at this festival. This practice can be continued in a number of ways:

• If the worshipers are a family unit, the presents can be set in front of Zeus' shrine and then children can collect them and open them (similar to Christmas customs in the US, with Zeus taking on a role similar to Santa Clause)

• Teddy bears (or other stuffed animals) may be placed in front of Zeus' shrine and dedicated to Him. These are then donated to a children's hospital, orphanage, or day-care center.

Consecration of the Dion Kodion

This ritual can be done if a blanket or sheep-skin is obtained to be used as the Dion Kodion in the Pompaia. If a group is present, they can each bring something to use in their personal purification rites at the Pompaia. These items are placed in front of the shrine to Zeus and blessed by the priest or one of the worshipers (usually a worshiper or priest/priestess who is dedicated to Zeus). This blessing can be done by sprinkling with khernips, a formal request that Zeus consecrate the items, and then wafting them through the incense offered to Him during the thusia.

NOTE: The two preceding rituals can be done in any order.  

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