In Neos Alexandria, today is the Anelisseia, which is described as follows:
“Unrolling of the Scrolls” A festival in honor of Hermes Logios and Thoth, the inventors of writing and scribes of the gods. Take a trip to a bookstore – if there are any books you want, buy them, regardless of how expensive or frivolous it may seem. Hold a symposium in honor of Hermes and Thoth; share wine, food and intellectual conversation among friends. Mark out passages from your favorite books and read and talk about them. Discuss wisdom, the power of speech, and the importance of philosophy. Perform divination, especially bibliomancy. If you aren’t already, start keeping a journal on this date of all the important spiritual events in your life. Each year go back and read through it on this date.
Personally, I’d add Seshat to that mix as well, since she’s most certainly a writing deity…and, any others you might wish, I’d suggest!
But, this has always felt like a foolproof festival to me, in many respects–including in the manner of entirely excluding any imbeciles from the proceedings, who I’d define as people who don’t like or can’t be bothered to read! (There are many fools who read all the time, which is something different entirely…!?!)
So, in honor of this festival, if you don’t already have an ample pile of things to read, why not look at some of the following and make a few purchases, supporting your local pagan/polytheist/occultist publishers and content producers?
Many of the above will be vending at the Esoteric Book Conference this weekend, so if you’re in Seattle and have some free time, you can come and enjoy the book fair at that event for free! (Which is good, because then that leaves more money to BUY BOOKS!) And, I’ll be presenting there, too…!
A Most Joyous Anelisseia to you all!
Reblogged this on Jack-a-Dreams and commented:
I was not previously aware of this holiday, not being involved with Neos Alexandria, but I am absolutely in favor of a holiday celebrating books and the joy of the written word.
I don’t often work with Hermes and I haven’t had the pleasure of working with Thoth, but I will happily say Hail Hermes! Hail Thoth!
And a bit more relevant to my own practice, I’m inclined to say Hail, Odin, who sacrificed himself to obtain the runes.
On that note, I’m aiming to spend my evening writing in celebration of the great gift of letters given us by the gods.
By: Jack on September 12, 2012
at 7:03 pm
Excellent! Thanks for reading and commenting!
By: aediculaantinoi on September 13, 2012
at 2:24 am
Funnily enough, I spent most of the afternoon and evening reading, finishing up a book for my queer youth book club on Friday. It was even about writing, as a form of self-expression, of finding yourself and sharing it with others. Very synchronous! Hail Hermes and Thoth, and all of their gifts this day!
By: Jay on September 13, 2012
at 12:21 am
Indeed!
I got my own book-related surprise in the mail today: someone (a certain Anomalous Thracian) sent me Sannion’s latest book, Strange Spirits! That was totally unexpected and exciting, and thus a very happy and appropriate thing for the day…and a total coincidence! (If such things existed, which they don’t!)
By: aediculaantinoi on September 13, 2012
at 2:25 am
Thank you for following the calendar and the holidays, it makes me smile.
By: Divine Twin Diversions on September 20, 2012
at 7:17 pm