In Modern Minoan Paganism, there is a holy day called the Feast of Grapes and it takes place on August 31st. It is a day to celebrate the Grape Harvest and honor the sacrifice of the Minoan God, Dionysus. Every year, during August and September, Dionysus is sacrificed with the grape harvest.
If you're not a Minoan Pagan, and still want to do something similar, you can use this day as inspiration for your own celebrations. There's nothing wrong with creating your own days if there's nothing that fits your path. If it holds no special meaning to you, then what's the point?
Inspired by Feast of the Grapes, I have the Sacrifice of Dionysus, August 13-September 13th. In the past, I've watched/attended drum circles, drum and trance, given offerings and sexual energy, and drank wine for Dionysus. There's also a short story in a book called 'Written in Wine' that is about Dionysus and the Spider Goddess Arachne–Her spiders protect His flesh and blood from pests until it's time for the sacred harvest. For me, this is also a time to honor Arachne and Her Children.
Why a month-long festival, from one 13th to the next? Honestly just time and energy--why cram everything into one day or a week, especially during Back 2 School? And why the 13th? 13 is sometimes seen as one of His sacred numbers/days.
Maybe you honor Dionysus or similar entities? Love grapes? Wine? Or are you a wine/cider/juice maker yourself? This can be a secular holiday, too--one without the Gods or Spirits--just merriment and harvest, and showing gratitude for farmers, truckers, retailers, and crafters.
Ideas for Celebrating:
Dionysus is often considered to be a "party god"--a God of "Drugs, Sex, and Rock n Roll". From experience He is so much more than those things. For me, Dionysus is a God of moderation and mental health, a God of self-love and healing. A God of freedom and trust. A God of the Authentic Self.
If you're not a Minoan Pagan, and still want to do something similar, you can use this day as inspiration for your own celebrations. There's nothing wrong with creating your own days if there's nothing that fits your path. If it holds no special meaning to you, then what's the point?
Inspired by Feast of the Grapes, I have the Sacrifice of Dionysus, August 13-September 13th. In the past, I've watched/attended drum circles, drum and trance, given offerings and sexual energy, and drank wine for Dionysus. There's also a short story in a book called 'Written in Wine' that is about Dionysus and the Spider Goddess Arachne–Her spiders protect His flesh and blood from pests until it's time for the sacred harvest. For me, this is also a time to honor Arachne and Her Children.
Why a month-long festival, from one 13th to the next? Honestly just time and energy--why cram everything into one day or a week, especially during Back 2 School? And why the 13th? 13 is sometimes seen as one of His sacred numbers/days.
Maybe you honor Dionysus or similar entities? Love grapes? Wine? Or are you a wine/cider/juice maker yourself? This can be a secular holiday, too--one without the Gods or Spirits--just merriment and harvest, and showing gratitude for farmers, truckers, retailers, and crafters.
Ideas for Celebrating:
- Eat Grapes
- Harvest Grapes
- Grape stomping for juices and wine, or just the experience
- Visit a Winery
- Pouring libations (offerings) of wine or juice
- Drum Circles and Dance
- Drumming
- Ecstatic/Posture Trance
- Party
- Gratitude for the Agricultural Gods, Spirits, and/or People.
- Give some lovin to the Ancestors, too.
Dionysus is often considered to be a "party god"--a God of "Drugs, Sex, and Rock n Roll". From experience He is so much more than those things. For me, Dionysus is a God of moderation and mental health, a God of self-love and healing. A God of freedom and trust. A God of the Authentic Self.
"A big part of what Dionysus helps people do is break down boundaries - the boundaries between the ordinary and the numinous, the walls we build up to hide parts of us from ourselves and others, the barriers we erect to keep ourselves from attaining whatever we think we're not worthy of. If you ask him, he'll help you release these limits, but be careful what you ask for - you're likely to get it!" - Laura Perry, "Let's Celebrate the Feast of Grapes" on Witches & Pagans.
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