Katallageia and Hermaia

Before I post pictures of last night's Noumênia rites, let me share two modern Greek festivals that are happening tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

Quoting the calendar of Neos Alexandria:

Hermaia EriouniaThis modern Greek festival occurs on 4 Audenaios (the Makedonian equivalent of Maimakteriôn). 

Festival of Hermes as Luck-bringer - games, role-reversal, gambling. Sacrifices for good luck for the coming year.

Katallageia ("Reconciliation")This modern Greek festival occurs on 5-6 Audenaios. 

This festival celebrates the resolution of the antagonism between Hephaistos and his mother Hera. On the first day Hephaistos is banished from Olympos. His image is concealed and all fires are extinguished and technology avoided, since this is what the world would be like without the god. No lights are permitted to be lit, whether lamps or electric ones. All food consumed on this day must be eaten raw, without the benefit of fire. Avoid television, radio, internet, or other electrical devices unless your job depends on these and if possible walk to work. Spend the day in gloomy meditation, thinking about all the ways that the Smith god impacts our lives, and how horrible it would be without him. Then around midnight bring the image of Hephaistos out of hiding: present him before the image of Hera and pour out bowls of wine since Dionysos is the one who facilitated their reconciliation. Turn on all the lights in your home and celebrate the joyous return of Hephaistos with offerings to him, Dionysos, and Hera.