— SACRED TIME —

Anthesteria

approximate window: February 11 – February 13 · Hellenism (Greece) · Paganism of antiquity

Historical window

Esoteric and historical meaning

Three Dionysian days of opening the jars, drinking contests, and the return of the dead (Chytroi). The new wine opens both joy and the gateway for spirits.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Pithoigia: opening of the jars and first libation to Dionysus.
·Choes: drinking in silence, each from their own jug.
·Chytroi: pot of cooked seeds offered to chthonic Hermes, then dismissal of the dead.

Traditional foods

·New wine
·Panspermia: pot of mixed seeds and grains

Offerings

·Pot of seeds left outside the door
·First cup poured onto the ground

Taboos to respect

·Do not touch the seed offering
·Doors smeared with pitch and buckthorn to keep souls out

Associated symbols

Choes jug · Jar · Mask of Dionysus