Thanks for writing this.

Feel free to email it to whoever you wish. I'll eventually post it to Mos Maiorum, along with the post on moderation.

It's a shame, I think, that modern Western Pagans have no access to living polytheism. It might be less frightening to them.

I envy you that

It is so detailed and complete, that I have nothing to add at all. Everything important to polytheistic reconstructionism has been investigated and noted!! Great job!

I agree with all you've said, including Porphyry's – and I would add Aristotle's too – idea of a single god. This single god was very dissimilar to the monotheistic god as we know him.

Just three things which I'd like to add:

1) Theatre was also a very important part of ancient Mediterranean worship, apart from music, dancing, sacrifice and libations.

2) Another common aspect between traditional religions was the act of cremation. From the Norse to the Egyptians and from the Greco-Romans to the Indians, cremation was the common way of disposing off the dead.

and

3) In Hellenism, the Oracular priestess made the pronouncements from the gods.

You are right with all your points about Wicca. You needn't feel apologetic for what you've said. I remember this discussion we were having at Agis' club many years ago, and Agis had told an Australian Wiccan member there, that Wicca is acceptable alright, but that it is without a sound philosophical basis. He further emphasized that many aspects of ancient, traditional polytheistic worship, was missing from Wiccan practice.

In my maternal family home back in my native state of West Bengal, there are blood sacrifices held during the 10 day festival of the homecoming of the mother goddess (about which I posted yesterday). A goat is sacrificed to the goddess simultaneously along with the chanting of mantras, and then it is cooked and served.

And purification is also something central to traditional religions. I learnt in depth about it, and the reasons for it, through Pan Marinis. In Hinduism, you will find a tap on the premises of a temple, where devotees wash their hands and feet, before entering the temple for worship. It is also very important for us to take a bath and wear washed attire, before commencing any religious ceremony. It was the same in the Greco-Roman world.

Lastly, I was looking at the list of your followers before reading the post, and I sighted an Indian face, so I clicked on the photo and went through his information. I am delighted to find a fellow Hindu, among your followers!! Congratulations! It is something special for me, because this is the first time I have come across an Indian taking interest in a blog dedicated to the resurrection of western paganism!!!