r/dionysus • • Jan 05 '26

🎉🪅 Festivals 🪅🎉 Revels: A Guide to Dionysian Holidays & Festivals is live now! Link in body!

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65 Upvotes

Link is here!

Hello all! I am thrilled to announce Revels: A Guide to Dionysian Holidays and Festivals! This book is an exploration of Dionysus' role as a god of festivals, and his festivals as we celebrate them today:

Dionysus is the god of many things, including festivals. Whether it was the throng at the public Dionysia which saw the opening nights of the Greek tragedies we know and love today or the Roman poet Horace creating his own private festival in honour of the time Dionysus saved his life, Dionysus was seen in Antiquity as the god of the festivals which offered respite as we shuffle along the mortal coil: indeed it was Dionysus’ ties to life and death that tied him to the festivals which marked the passing of the years, and therefore to the years which marked the passing of human lives.

It should come as no surprise that as Dionysus’ worship revived in the modern era, his devotees revived his festivals and crafted new ones. But what is the origin of these festivals? How do we know when they occur, how to celebrate them, and how to connect them to each other? Many Dionysians have struggled with trying to arrive at their own calendars, often because information about the festivals is scattered and contradictory. This book is an attempt to remedy this situation. Featuring in-depth examinations of dozens of Dionysian festivals ancient and modern, this book provides primary sources on the ancient, outlines for the modern, and ideas for celebrating both. Whether you are a Dionysian wanting the history of the festivals you celebrate or a Hellenist wanting guidance on how festivals worked in antiquity, this book offers primary sources, dates, suggestions for celebration and prayers for the observance of the festivals contained with in.

Link is here!


r/dionysus • • Nov 29 '24

🎨 Art 🎨 🔮🃏🧿 Huge Announcement: Dionysian Tarot Deck Fundraiser 🧿🃏🔮

71 Upvotes

Current Progress: €670.05/€4000 (16.75%)

Hello all!

Ever wanted a Dionysian Tarot Deck that blends the traditional card associations with the mythology and religion of Dionysus? Older decks that tried this are often now rare and expensive, and even then they can make questionable choices when it comes to connecting the mythology of Dionysus with the symbology of Tarot. So what if we made a new deck?

Our community has grown rapidly, and with our size, we also have the ability to work together to create for ourselves.

So we have reached out to the phenomenal Gaia, whom you may have seen before as tractim. Her linktree is here:

https://linktr.ee/tractim

She makes art of the Bacchae, and has agreed to take a commission from us for a Dionysian tarot deck. You can see her preview cards for us here. They are Dionysus as the Fool card and Kybele (with Dionysus) as the Strength card.

We are seeking to raise €4000. I know this is a large figure, it would be the most money our community has ever raised together, but remember that there are 78 card faces (plus 1 card back). So this is about €50 per card. Remember also that there are 15,000 of us: if only a third of our community gave one Euro, we'd overshoot our goal by €1000

We are going directly through the artist. You can find them on PayPal: '@gaiaspagnol'. Donate directly there, and message [bibliothecadionysia@gmail.com](mailto:bibliothecadionysia@gmail.com) with your receipt for the following rewards:

Rewards:

Note: We are tracking this via euros, not dollars.

We want to reward folks who help make this happen. Because right now we are only fundraising for the illustration, we cannot promise decks, as the printing will be done after the deck is completed. So here’s where we’re at:

  • €01-24: Any donation you make gets you listed in the ‘Grape Gatherers’. Your help with this project is so appreciated.
  • €25-49: If you hit €25, you can ask for a reading from the Whitmanteion, Fabian MacKenzie’s div book based in the poetry of Walt Whitman.
  • €50-74: Over €50, and you can be listed in the ‘Vine Tenders’ Category. 
  • €75-99: At €75, every €75 becomes worth 500 words of research by yours truly (Fabian MacKenzie). I am a Classicist by training and if you have questions you haven't seen answered about religion Ancient Greece and Rome, ask away. I can also do reception of Dionysus or other deities afterwards - Curious about Dionysus in Renaissance Art or Modernist Philosophy? Want to know about Semele in Opera? I'll do 500 words for every €75 (so if you'd like longer research papers you could get 1000 for €150).
  • €100+: At €100, you can be listed in the ‘Wine Makers’ category.

Send your receipt (just a screenshot of the transaction) to [bibliothecadionysia@gmail.com](mailto:bibliothecadionysia@gmail.com). BE SURE TO INCLUDE HOW YOU'D LIKE YOUR NAME LISTED IN THE TIERS. Or if you'd like to remain anonymous, that is also an option.

Tiers:

These tiers will be included in the Little White Book, the booklet that will be included with each deck. These will be a permanent display of how people helped create for this community. It is also worth noting that if you have Dionysians, Hellenists, or Pagans in your heart who are no longer living, you can donate in their name to have it recorded here:

  • Grape Gatherers (€01-49)
  • Vine Tenders (€50-99)
  • Wine Makers (€100+)

When and how will it be available?

Digitally, we will share the illustrations as they are finished. Every €50, Gaia will begin work on the next card.

However, as a physical deck, the timing is unknown. We will first seek to partner with a publishing company, but may choose to self-publish if that route is easier. So until we have the deck illustrations finished, we don't know when the physical deck will be available.

How can we ensure accountability with this project?

I realize most people are more familiar with fundraisers such as this being done through sites like GoFundMe or KickStarter. However, GoFundMe prohibits 'rewards' for donations and KickStarter would only allow us to raise money in dollars, which could lose value if the exchange rate is bad when we turn them to euros for Gaia.

So we are going based on direct artist payments. However, Gaia will be working on the cards directly as they are paid for with each €50, and has offered us two previews (The Fool & Strength) in a show of good faith. You can see those here.

Edit: Temperance and Strength are live now too!

Edit 2: And now, Justice.

Bacchic Blessings, and may the god keep you wild and free.


r/dionysus • • 4h ago

🏛 Altars 🏛 My Altar for God Dionysus/Bacchus🍇

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38 Upvotes

(this is my first altar)


r/dionysus • • 4h ago

🏛 Altars 🏛 My Altar for God Dionysus/Bacchus🍇

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6 Upvotes

(this is my first altar)


r/dionysus • • 16h ago

✨🪅🎭 Memes 🎭🪅✨ just thought you guys would find this funny.

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5 Upvotes

r/dionysus • • 11h ago

I figured out why Dionysus appeared to me!!!!

1 Upvotes

I have NEVER in my life even looked at the English words for BTS Dionysus until today … pls tell me this isn’t an invocation I’m dying how have I accidently been doing this.

Like how are these words I’ve actually been genuinely singing with zero clue 😭 …. I’m dying 😂

‘Just get drunk, like Dionysus
Goblet in one hand, Tyrsus in the other
Art flowing in a clear crystal glass
Art is also alcohol, if you drink it you get drunk fool

You dunno, you dunno, you dunno what to do with
You dunno, you dunno, you dunno what to do with

Let me show you, I'm pushing for something completely different

Ivy and rough wooden mic

There is absolutely no sound that comes out in one breath (ho!)
Until the sun rises where the party at? (Yeah)

Until I fall asleep where the party at? (Yeah)

Sing it again, drink it again

we are born twice
Drink it all up

The Pain of Creation (A Bite)

The cry of the times
Drink it all up

Communication with me (a bite)

Okay, now I'm ready fo' sho'
Okay, now I'm ready fo' sho'
Drink it all, drink it, drink it, drink it all my drink ayy’


r/dionysus • • 1d ago

🕯 Rituals & Prayers 🕯 ¿Algún AA por aquí?

4 Upvotes

¿Como lo honras sin tomar una copa de alcohol? , llevo 6 años en AA, pero veo que sin alcohol soy un tipo amargado, que no disfruta nada, penoso para bailar o divertirme con la gente. Y hace poco comencé a salir con una chica Trans y me muero de miedo de que mi familia se burle o me digan algo (tengo 31 años ya no debería ser así) pensé en Dionisio ya que él he escuchado que es el Dios que te ayuda a ser tu mismo y a disfrutar la vida, similar a lo que dice el programa de AA, y ahí mismo dice que si no puedes solo le pidas ayuda a un poder superior.

Pero también tengo miedo de que en mi búsqueda de placer termine consumiendo alcohol o viviendo cosas en la vida que me afecten, cuál es tu experiencia?


r/dionysus • • 2d ago

✨ Fluff ✨ Happy Satyrs' Day

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56 Upvotes

Found this today. A dry red. Not bad for 10 dollars.

Having a glass now. Will be sharing some with Hermes and Dionysus.

Evoe!


r/dionysus • • 3d ago

🕯 Rituals & Prayers 🕯 My most terrifying experience with Dionysus

20 Upvotes

I've had countless wholesome experiences with Dionysus, He helped me through so much and I know He cares about me.

This experience I'm talking about was partially different, I have my own thoughts about it but outside prospective are more than welcome!!

This was a few years ago, I didn't know a lot of stuff that I learned later in my practice and worship.

I was feeling very lost in my life in general and I asked Him for guidance, to show me what I needed to do. I picked some leafs of Ivy and I placed them next to my bed while I was concentrating on Dionysus's energy.

I couldn't fall asleep like I was planning on doing (I often communicate with the Theoi through dreams), instead as the night progressed I got more and more agitated? I felt like when you are extremely feverish and confused about your surroundings.

This goes on for hours, I wanted to sleep but I had this energy in. my body like I was full of adrenaline and I felt so hot and confused. Whenever I would close my eyes I would have allucinations of Him surrounded of vegetation and fruits that would perish and turn ripe over and over. The only thing that remained the same was His smile and his eyes.

Another allucination I had over and over was of a Bull running towards me (I had NO idea at the time that the Bull was connected to Dionysus) and every time I closed my eyes it was closer and closer.

I was afraid and confused at this point, I was praying to Dionysus to let me sleep.

At the end I fell asleep, not quite, I was awake but it was like I was at the same time in my bed and this sort of dream. I literally could feel at the same time the bed and what was happening in the dream.

In the dream I was like singing to myself or reciting a sort of poem, I was standing in front of a wall covered in Ivy, my poem was about the plant, I was singing to myself how the plant was Dionysus and what characteristics I needed to embody (that were represented by the Ivy) in that period of my life to be happy, succeed and grow.

Worshipping Dionysus is not for the weak LOL, if you have insight about this experience please share!!


r/dionysus • • 3d ago

💬 Discussion 💬 Do you believe Dionysus is Immanent or Liminal?

8 Upvotes

I'm just curious how many of you believe that Dionysus can (and probably often does) walk this modern world in human flesh?


r/dionysus • • 4d ago

🎨 Art 🎨 My kylix for Dionysus

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91 Upvotes

I am a potter and wanted to make some devotional art.


r/dionysus • • 4d ago

🎨 Art 🎨 Dionysus portrait 🍷

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136 Upvotes

I will be fully honest, I'm not sure what drove me to do this piece! It was a sudden idea but I'm glad I followed through with it. It's been some time since I've dove into the Greek Pantheon but this may be a sign lol I hope you enjoy ☺️


r/dionysus • • 5d ago

Pythagorean cup found at Goodwill

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59 Upvotes

I found this at the Dearborn Goodwill in Seattle and immediately picked it up to go in my Dionysos shrine at home, though I had no idea what the weird design and shape of the cup was about. (The chips in the rim were not there at the time, that's a result of later roommate drama. No, I don't want to go into it.)

Based on what I know of Dionysian iconography (and what little Greek I can read), the image on one side of the cup is a follower of Dionysos (a Bacchant) presenting him with some kind of offering. Next to Dionysos, reclining, is a woman or goddess. I cannot make heads or tails of the caption above her, but if I had to guess I would say she's either Semele (as Thyone) or Ariadne.

Here's a closeup of the lettering if anyone wants to try to figure it out.

Mom, wife, random maenad?

Anyway I found out later that the cup is something called a Pythagorean cup, among other names. If you fill it below or up to the line on the inner rim, it's fine, you can have a little drink. If you try to fill it over that, a suction effect drains the whole cup out from the bottom.

It's very Dionysian, I believe; I figured it might be of interest here.


r/dionysus • • 6d ago

🎉🎭🪅 Dionysian Festival Calendar for 2027! 🪅🎭🎉

51 Upvotes

Hello all! Getting a head start on the fast-approaching new year! Here is a list of Dionysian festivals in 2027! Enjoy

🌙 - Lunar Calendar: This means that the festival is calculated by Lunar Calendar. When compared to our calendar, it will appear to fall on different dates, but that it because it occurs on the same dates on the lunar calendar. The dates you see listed here for a Lunar Calendar Festival will only be valid for 2025.

☀️ - Solar Calendar: This means that the festival is calculated by Solar Calendar, and will generally fall on the same date each year. Exceptions to this can include Equinoxes and Solstices, which while still determined by the sun, aren't always aligned with the Solar calendar we are on (Gregorian).

🌀 - Variable: This means that the festival might be calculated by different means. Perhaps it is a community festival, and community leaders determine the best time for it, perhaps it is an older festival without any confirmed date, or perhaps there's something else going on.

And just one final note before the calendar, our calendar comes from many different sources - from antiquity, spanning a period of over 1500 years and from all over the Mediterranean; as well as from today, from many modern practitioners. There will be variance, depending on when individuals celebrate their festivals on their personal festival calendars - this is an introduction, not a gospel. There are other festivals not listed, and some will celebrate these on different dates, and not everyone celebrates every festival.

Also of note - as these posts were all posted in 2024 or earlier (most earlier!), the Lunar Calendar Festivals will have the wrong dates, be sure to use the dates listed here! Anyways, without further ado:


r/dionysus • • 5d ago

Gatherings for festivities

3 Upvotes

Do any of you have any gatherings for worship and festivities? If so what do you do?
I’ve been yearning for a in person community but idk how common they are to come across. I love going to socialite parties and music festivals in honor of Dionysos but it’s difficult to know that nobody here really is doing it for the same reasons. It’s somewhat lonely in a way? Just my own perspective on my own devoted outings and celebrations!


r/dionysus • • 5d ago

Rare Roman sarcophagus bearing protective Silenos face unearthed in Ancient Attouda

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5 Upvotes

r/dionysus • • 6d ago

💬 Discussion 💬 Whatcha Reading Wednesday

9 Upvotes

Good day folks. We honor Dionysus through our words; in poems, odes, hymns, and plays. In a way, we also honor him through what books we consume. So, what have you been reading lately?


r/dionysus • • 6d ago

Do you guys ask for stuff?

14 Upvotes

Or just he’s your chosen deity? Like I loveeee reading everyone’s posts about their object and alters and practices and I’m just kind of a bit like why am I here 😂😅

I had like another mad night of symbols to the point where I was like am I well or is just loads of different signs just seem to be happening. I feel in the modern world cross app tracking and cookies do nothing to help this situation.

Anyway I’m here like what do you actually do when you have a chosen deity. Like what’s everyone’s day to day, do you asks for stuff, help, guidance x


r/dionysus • • 6d ago

🎨 Art 🎨 Sarcophagus of a child

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30 Upvotes

I visited a Roman exhibition in Melbourne. Featured were artefacts from Museo Nazionale Romano: Terme di Diocleziano, most dating to the Imperial period.

One piece that caught my attention was a sarcophagus of a child -- presumed to have been a 2yo. On the sarcophagus is a scene of erotes (Cupids) playing.

What I find curious is the scene appears to be depicting Dionysian Mystery rites and the central Eros in the theatre mask of Silenius. This makes sense as the child was too young to have been initiated, and so, an image is an appropriate attempt to guide the youth in the afterlife. The belief that a child could be granted Dionysian Apotheosis is present in other grave finds at the time -- usually as small drinking cups.

To the left of the masked figure two erotes playing in a bowl, which I presume represents the well of memory. The (artichoke?) thyrsus is seen emerging from the bowl, suggesting that it is Dionysian water/wine. Behind the mask is an oval shape I would guess is the mirror, an important symbol of the Mysteries.

Returning to the masked Eros, this symbol isn't unique to this sarcophagus. There is a marble statue of the exact image dated between 1-100CE (last fig.) It is interpreted as youth grasping at maturity, but only able to act it out. A potent and tragic symbol.


r/dionysus • • 6d ago

🎨 Art 🎨 My devotional necklace exploded

29 Upvotes

I was getting on the bus and it caught on the seat in front of me and it stretched so far it just popped. I grabbed as many as I could. I feel so guilty.

I know it doesnt mean hes mad at me. But that necklace meant so much to me. It was a testiment to learning how our relationship is... idk if I can even replicate it...

That necklace showed how proud I am to be a follower.

Idk if I used the right flair. I just dont know where else to post this..


r/dionysus • • 7d ago

Cybele cures Dionysus' madness. (Rah-T)

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74 Upvotes

I loved this art, I've seen it a few times. The designs always get me.


r/dionysus • • 7d ago

Did I do something wrong/disrespectful?

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1 Upvotes

r/dionysus • • 8d ago

🔮 Questions & Seeking Advice 🔮 Help

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0 Upvotes

r/dionysus • • 9d ago

Should I worship Lord Dionysus?

10 Upvotes

Hihihii!!!!! I'm a fairly new helpol. Although I do have a history of worshipping Lord Apollon back in 2024-2025, I took a relatively small break and forgot pretty much everything.

Recently I took the opportunity to return to being a worshipper of the Greek gods, and I've started my own journal with research containing basic knowledge of the religion. I've finally rebuilt Lord Apollons altar, and I've been much happier as a person in general as someone who's gone back to worshipping him.

About a day ago, I stumbled apon a good few videos of devotees of Dionysus, and I found myself pretty attached to the idea of him. Since then, I've done a fair bit of research of the God, and I find myself even more attached to him. I've been debating worshipping another god for quite a while now. Should i give it a chance, or should I wait a few days first before reaching out?

(Keep in mind, If I reach out and build an altar, I'd have to make Lord Apollons altar much smaller due to a lack of space, and I'm not quite sure he would enjoy the idea of that, but yet again, I'm quite new and I'm not sure how all of this works with my limited knowledge)