Collection: Ancient Traditions

These ancient religions were polytheistic, and their followers honoured many gods. Greek worshippers venerated deities such as Zeus, Athena and Apollo. Worship centred on an exchange of offerings and prayer for the gods' blessings. Norse and Germanic believers honoured gods such as Odin, Thor and Frigg, seen as forces of nature that directly influenced human lives. In Egypt, Ma'at stands for truth, justice and balance, and is also the goddess who embodies them. Some modern Egyptian-tradition followers hold that the gods are manifestations of one supreme being, Netjer. Others do not.

Today these traditions are revived or reconstructed, mostly since the twentieth century. Modern Hellenism is usually practised alone or in small communities, often without institutional support. Ásatrú, a form of Heathenry, is officially recognised in Iceland. Heathen groups differ on ancestry and politics. Kemetic groups range from eclectic to reconstructionist. One of them, Kemetic Orthodoxy, was founded in 1988. Many practitioners live in Europe and North America, and many meet online.

Images are often central. In ancient Athens, a procession brought a new robe to the statue of Athena. In Egypt's Opet festival, priests washed and dressed the statue of Amun, then carried it through Thebes. Greek festivals also included the Anthesteria for Dionysus. Egypt marked the new year with Wepet-Renpet. Today, Kemetic followers build altars and shrines and give food offerings. Heathen rites include blót (offering) and symbel (toasting), honouring deities, spirits and ancestors.

Sources: ReligionFacts: Hellenic Reconstructionism · EBSCO Research Starters: Heathenry (new religious movement) · Wikipedia: Kemetic Orthodoxy · Britannica: Greek religion · World History Encyclopedia: Festivals in Ancient Egypt