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So I think the concept you may be looking for for with the bird deck is generally called an "Oracle Deck" - aka a deck of cards used for reading that doesn't follow the traditional Tarot meanings and symbolism. You may wish to grab a general tarot deck you find pretty and play with them a little just to get the feel of reading cards - but ultimately it sounds like you want to tailor divination to the meaning the birds and go from there.

Developing syncretic practices in a fashion that's legitimately respectful/correct to the philosophies of both sides is honestly something that's very challenging and requires a pretty deep understanding of the paths involved - what's fair to play with/modify and what's not. Otherwise you can end up with some pretty cringe-worthy results that make practitioners of both sides uncomfortable. Personally speaking I wouldn't feel I understand the Hellenic side well enough (... and while I still feel pretty uneducated I am beyond what a lot of people would consider 'beginner'...) to really do it well without a lot of research. On the other hand IMHO tarot isn't worth being too precious about (which is an understanding that came with learning more about it) so it's firmly in the 'learn the rules then break the rules' category - so it's a good candidate for bending in this fashion. One of the big decisions I think is determining if you really want the tarot system or if you just want divination in card form.

For Greek Divination the most highly regarded source I've seen is:

• "Ancient Greek Divination" by Sarah Johnson I'd probably start with this book if you're looking at really developing/delving into the development of a system.
  
  This book also happens to give I think the best available listing of other sources and is a great launching point. I'm not quite sure with how the concept of use of a sort of constructed system like card reading fits into the more world-interpretive philosophy of most ancient Greek systems. Probably the closest in general style to card reading in the ancient world would be dice-divination, which might be worth taking a look at.
  
  ... I could go on and on and on about this. I also had written up a 'if you really want to do a tarot system here's my suggested study list' but I realize that's getting a bit off-topic for this forum.

You can most certainly think of some prayers on your own— after all the Gods do want to hear from YOU. I use a few different books to help me out with set prayers. They are these books:

1. https://www.amazon.com/Hellenic-Polytheism-Household-Worship-1/dp/1503121887/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=hellenic+polytheism+household+worship&qid=1565962177&s=gateway&sprefix=hellenic+pol&sr=8-1 (a wonderful book to help get you started. Lists prayers, how to make offerings, etc.)
   
   
2. https://www.amazon.com/Orphic-Hymns-Translation-Occult-Practitioner/dp/0738753440/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=orphic+hymns&qid=1565962224&s=gateway&sprefix=orphic+h&sr=8-1
   
   
3. https://www.amazon.com/Praise-Olympus-Prayers-Greek-Gods/dp/1105553272/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=hellenic+prayer&qid=1565962244&s=gateway&sr=8-4
   
   The last two list hymns and prayers to different Gods and they’re just wonderful. My prayer routine at night for example consists of praying some of the prayers in these books to the Gods Im closest too, then I i pray this prayer (https://pieandhotdogs.tumblr.com/post/129529920089/daily-hellenic-polytheist-prayer-evening) and then I say different prayers to the different Gods—I talk to them personally, thank them for all the blessings, ask them to protect me, any special petitions, etc. Usually I pray with a candle lit and some incense burning. Offerings can consist of different things—food, coins, wine, etc. I use sea shells and rocks for Venus since she came from the sea, plastic little dolphins for Neptune since he’s the King of the Sea, olives for Athena. Basically, things that mean something to the Gods. Doesn’t have to be too elaborate :)
   
   Your last question is a really good one and one I can’t immediately explain. Sometimes you just feel it— i always feel sooo calm when praying to Hestia and Venus. And sometimes you see manifestations of things you pray for under the realms of certain Gods. I ask Apollo for help with writing at times and when the inspiration comes I feel very connected to him. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful on that question—although it is a good one!

> I'm not in much of a position to make devotions beyond vows of gifts down the line

I assume you're talking about financial reasons - if so, be assured that the gods very much appreciate gifts of any kind, they don't have to all be expensive or flashy. One of the most common items for Hermes, for instance, was the herm - and yes, eventually those became fancier carved pillars, but originally they were simply piles of stones set up at crossroads. Anyone can do that. You could even start a small herm somewhere nearby and frequently add a stone anytime you wanted to make an offering to Him. Coins are also a very appropriate Hermes offering - I like to buy foreign coins in bulk (as a nod to His traveler aspect as well as god of commerce) and use those, and they're pretty cheap, but you could also just use pennies, or a handful of whatever change you have on hand. Libations are also always appropriate, and can be made from any type of drink, even water. I've also offered spices to Hermes, as a symbol of exotic travel. And dice, to represent luck and gambling. Just a few ideas.

So, I'd recommend starting by either setting up a small shrine in your home (by the threshold would be appropriate) and/or finding a nearby four-way crossroads you could use, and making small offerings and saying prayers. Such prayers could always include a promise of greater offerings if He can help you with your business, but initial offerings are important too. You could also do a small ritual for Him at the beginning of your workouts, maybe write a short prayer or recite a hymn, leave a coin at the entrance to the gym, etc. It's absolutely fine, btw, to worship more than one aspect of a god, I'd say usually that's the case.

While you do these things, you might want to learn more about Him too, which is always helpful, so I'd suggest reading the entirety of Theoi.com's section on the god plus maybe picking up a book or two, especially Kerenyi's.

Handfasting and Wedding Rituals has some Greek weddings, and some specifically gay Pagan weddings. Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship also contains a wedding ritual as well.

Are there deities you feel exceptionally close to? They should be a part of it. If not, Hera, Aphrodite, Eros and Hymen are certainly important, as they are deities of love, and you may also wish to call upon gods of gay love (Aphrodite again, Dionysus, Antinous).

As a gay man who also hopes to one day get married (At the theatre of Dionysus, if it works), please feel free to share your ideas!

I felt a call to work with Persephone a couple of years ago, after that I was drawn to research everything I could about the Eleusinian mysteries and different versions of the myth of Persephone.

One book that I stumbled upon during that time is The Mysteries of Demeter by Jennifer Reif ( https://www.amazon.ca/Mysteries-Demeter-Rebirth-Pagan-Way/dp/1578631416 ). While Demeter is central to the ritual work presented in the book, there's also a lot of material about Persephone, Hades, Hekate, etc.

Getting into the ancient stuff got me very interested in Neoplatonic philosophy where I found this passage from Damascius that describes the journey of the soul through seven foundational myths:

>The Soul descends into generation, after the manner of Kore (Persephone);
She is scattered by generation, after the manner of Dionysus ;
Like Prometheus and the Titans, she is bound to body.
She frees herself by exercising the strength of Heracles ;
Gathers herself together through the help of Apollo
And the Saviour Athene, by truly purifying philosophy;
And she elevates herself to the causes of her being with Demeter.

A good book that analyzes this passage is Tim Addey's The Seven Myths of the Soul ( https://www.amazon.ca/Seven-Myths-Soul-Tim-Addey/dp/1898910375 )

There's also, of course, the Orphic hymns and the Orphic version of the myth.

To me Persephone as Kore represents the soul prior to getting caught in the cycle of death and rebirth. The abduction by Hades represents the divine soul descending into embodiment in the physical and the seasonal ascent and descent is symbolic of the cycle of reincarnation. Kore becomes Persephone, the Queen of the underworld as her role becomes bringing the divine light to the world of matter.

I usually feel called to work with Persephone in the fall and spring. In the fall I sometimes sneak into a local park that has a cave and do a ritual honouring the dead and the gods of the underworld there. In the spring I'm all about celebrating the return of life and the blooming of the flowers. Working with Persephone for me is all about working with the cycles of life and nature and contemplating death and rebirth.

I hope some of this helps!

Amazon. It’s a lot smaller than I thought it’d be but it hangs on my rear view mirror along with my graduation tassel. It’s perfect IMO.

Rembrandt Charms Sterling Silver Winged Shoe Charm (18 x 9 mm) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXFB0V7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zIc6Cb6V5PS00

Welcome to Hellenism! May the Gods smile on you.

The links Kalomoira provided are great places to start! I would also recommend HellenicFaith and this book if you can afford it. If you have any questions my PMs are always open as well.

Tough one. First, understand that most Hellenists have a strict no proselytize policy so you wont see us trying to convince people at random that our world-view is valid. However, since you are clearly looking on you own, I'd be happy to recommend the following to help get you started.

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https://hellenicfaith.com/

https://www.patheos.com/pagan

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And here are a few books that helped me out in my journey:

"World Full of Gods"

https://www.amazon.com/World-Full-Gods-Inquiry-Polytheism/dp/0976568101

"Kharis: Hellenic Polytheism Explored"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/143823192X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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And very much this one as well:

"The Darkening Age"

https://www.amazon.com/Darkening-Age-Christian-Destruction-Classical/dp/0544800885/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=dark+ages+christianity&qid=1563748459&s=books&sr=1-3

ust think of the Gods and ask for their help or favor. You dont need to create massive altars or anything yet. You are just in the learning stages, but I do recommend these books.

1st. Hellenic Polytheism by LABRYS

Due to the fact that the book give you a starting point. Easy to read and very informal to give you a basics as a starting point. Scripts and photos as guides.

2nd Kharis: Hellenic Polytheism Explored by Sarah Kate Istra Winter

Still a beginner book, but with more detail on relationships with the Gods, festivals, and rituals.

This book is great for going over household worship and some traditions involved with it. I really enjoyed it.

I am a newbie also and currently reading: Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today, by Tony Mierzwicki and have found it extremely helpful.

Hellenismos

Also the very first book I read about the Greek Gods is still one of my favorites, Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire’s book of Greek Myths. It’s a children’s book, but thoroughly enjoyable for anyone at any age.

D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths

Check out Hellenic Ethnic Religion: Theology and Practice. Super short, but right to the point. You can read it very quickly. Read it and then come back with questions.

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https://www.amazon.com/Hellenic-Ethnic-Religion-Theology-Practice/dp/0692084770/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1550091092&refinements=p_27%3AHellenic+Council+YSEE+of+America&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Hellenic+Council+YSEE+of+America

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For free stuff. Check out my blog https://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/author/anasios/

That is an excellent book! Another, though historical rather than practical, is https://www.amazon.com/Household-Gods-Private-Devotion-Ancient/dp/1606064568/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=sofroniew+household+gods&qid=1556468443&s=books&sr=1-1-fkmrnull

I wouldn't be overly concerned of swearing when talking of deities, per say; especially as someone who fucking loves Zeus. The sensitivity people often have towards swearing and profanity is actually quite contemporary, beginning in the 18th century. Such language has often taken a mundane place in the ancient Hellenic world, in truth. I recommend you read the book Holy Shit: A Brief History of Swearing by Melissa Mohr, who goes over obscenities in parts of the ancient Hellenic world, such as Rome, for example.

If you wear modern clothes during ritual, a plain cotton scarf or strip of linen would work. Or consider a men's headband sometimes called a Japanese or infinity headband.

I use oracle cards, but many times with spreads designed by tarot users. I specifically use the Greek Mythology Reading Cards, but I have two other decks with different themes (Ascended Masters deck and a Soul Development deck). I use the Greek one most extensively, and I use it as a way to connect with the Gods. I used to be into Tarot a lot in high school, and I took it very seriously (still do), though I was pretty agnostic at the time.

I don't see an issue with mixing Tarot & Oracles with Hellenism. I haven't been able to connect much with tarot lately, but I think that's because of my own notions of it from my past. My readings in high school used to be extremely negative, so my anxiety sometimes get apprehensive about using them again, though logically I know it was because that period of time wasn't a good one. I want to try it again in the future.