With talk of growing distrust of institutions, media, and the political class and the advent of strains of authoritarianism in the popular culture and in segments of the populace, it seems that fear of authoritarianism is on a lot of people’s minds in the Anglosphere. When Trump became president, a lot of people on the American left feared he would end democracy and become a dictator. On the other side of the political spectrum, after the events of January 6th, many conservatives and populists feared that the US government would begin a new War on Terror aimed at domestic opponents and Trump voters. With times getting bad and new anti-free speech movements growing, it’s not too far-fetched to believe that human rights and freedom are more at risk than they’ve been in recent memory. While most historical events are beyond the ability of mere individuals to influence, there are things that people can do to help preserve bedrock values of the West. For example, many American Christians do daily prayers for America’s success and prosperity, and this has a positive influence on the United States at many levels. For Christians and members of other religions, as well as occultists, neo-pagans, polytheists, and others working with ancient Western religious traditions, doing a daily practice that invokes the abstract forces of justice and freedom and calls upon them to be upheld could have a beneficial effect on the mundane world. Since this blog deals with ancient spiritual practices, the suggested practice will focus on the ancient Greek religion’s view of two abstract personifications, Dike and Eleutheria, or justice and freedom. I will share a daily practice for the mundane realm that asks the archetypal forces of justice and freedom to continue to take their role and rightful place in human society, especially in countries that have a long tradition of following them.
There are a few things to consider before starting the practice. First, one should decide if it’s worth the time. A person who doesn’t do any spiritual practice might focus on a normal practice instead of taking on this mundane-focused practice. It might be best to avoid and work on a holistic practice or religion in that case. Next, one has to think carefully about what one says in their prayers. Since all prayer is a form of magic, anyone who does this ritual should think a little about the scope of what one wants to achieve before engaging in it. It’s possible that any energy, thoughts, bad mojo, and so forth can be returned to the person sending it, especially when it relates to external things like other human beings, society, and so forth. It is often recommended to “build up” the target of change rather than wish for harm to befall others in magical operations. One can wish for justice and freedom to prevail, and to support America, England, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand’s success in being more free and just rather than to wish that parasitic and harmful forces opposed to these values are expunged and punished. The script provided below can be modified, especially the parts that talk about punishment for tyrannical forces. Last, the practice is best done once a day, but it can be done on other timelines as well. It is completely up to the individual to plan out their schedule and how many days to do the practice.
There are two steps to the daily practice, a traditional style ritual and the chanting of the name of the abstract principle in ancient Greek. The ritual begins with a short prayer and then a traditional hymn. A final prayer is added. This part can be modified substantially, especially if one wants to include a visualization exercise and further requests. One can visualize justice and what it looks like to you. After the basic ritual, sit with prayer beads or another means to count. Chant the name of Dike or Eleutheria in ancient Greek. I suggest chanting 108 times because I use prayer beads, but you can come at your own number using numerological and esoteric knowledge if you want. Also, if you prefer the Latin words more, you can use Justitia or Libertas instead. You can modify the ritual to a traditional Roman style ritual. Obviously, a general ritual is provided in this article but the act of calling upon Dike and Eleutheria is highly adaptable to personal circumstances, needs, and practices.
Dike or Justice
First Movement
Stand facing the altar space. Face the east. Read the following words aloud.
“O theoi genoisthe apotrofoi kakon.”
The sentence translates as: “Oh gods, turn away evils.”
Say the sentence 3 times as you sprinkle khernips on the altar space.
Put the khernips down. Say the following after picking up a lighter to light a candle.
“I light this sacred flame of which Hephaistios is father and Hestia is mother.”
Light the candle or oil lamp. Light the incense.
“I will call upon Dike on this day of March 18th, 2022.”
Bring a cup of spring water or mixed wine over to a bowl on the altar. Pour a small amount of the liquid out.
“Spondee to Hestia who is first and last of all. Give your blessings.”
Put the glass down.
“O Dike,
Stay visible in my own life, in the society I live in, and the environment I am a part of.
Punish unfair treatment, slander, and harm that befalls people.
Make note of every act that is unjust.
Remember that to each person should receive his or her due.
Do not let other beings transgress the laws of my ancestors.
Do not let any person take what is not rightfully his or hers.
Do not let one party be abused by another without mediation.“
Orphic Hymn 62 to Dike (trans. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. to 2nd A.D.) :
“To Dike (Justice), Fumigation from Frankincense. The piercing eye of Dike (Justice) bright I sing, placed by the sacred throne of Zeus the king, perceiving thence, with vision unconfined, the life and conduct of the human kind. To thee revenge the punishment belong, chastising every deed unjust and wrong. Whose power alone dissimilars can join, and from the equality of truth combine: for all the ill persuasion can inspire, when urging bad designs with counsel dire, ’tis thine alone to punish; with the race of lawless passions, and incentives base; for thou art ever to the good inclined, and hostile to the men of evil mind. Come, all-propitious, and thy suppliant hear, till fates’ predestined fatal hour draws near.”
Pour most of the liquid.
“Spondee to Dike, bring justice to the human realm.”
Pour out the rest of the liquid.
“Spondee to Hestia who is last of all. Give me your blessings.
Put the glass down, and stand back. Make any final requests, along with reading this:
“Dike, bring justice to my own life, to the society I live in, and to the environment I am a part of. Bring justice to the English-speaking world.”
Second Movement
Sit with the prayer beads or other means of counting. Close your eyes. Chant the word “Dike” 108 times. As you do it, focus on the sounds and the concept of justice. Dike is written as Δικη in the Greek alphabet. This guide can be referred to for the correct pronunciation.1 Finish the ritual by announcing that you will end it, get up to leave the space and move out of the room. Then return and clean up the space.
Eleutheria or Liberty
First Movement
Stand facing the altar space. Face the east. Read the following words aloud.
“O theoi genoisthe apotrofoi kakon.”
It translates as: “Oh gods, turn away evils.”
Say the sentence 3 times as you sprinkle khernips on the altar space.
Put the khernips down. Say the following after picking up a lighter to light a candle.
“I light this sacred flame of which Hephaistios is father and Hestia is mother.”
Light the candle or oil lamp. Light the incense.
“I will call upon Eleutheria on this day of March 18th, 2022.”
Bring a cup of spring water or mixed wine over to a bowl on the altar. Pour a small amount of the liquid out.
“Spondee to Hestia who is first and last of all. Give your blessings.”
Put the glass down.
“O Eleutheria,
Be ascendant in my life, in the society I live in, and the environment I am a part of.
Continue to allow people in the West to engage in their God-given rights.
Mighty Freedom, In any crisis that pits tyranny against individual liberties, let individual liberties prevail.
Uphold rule of law and human rights.
Protect each individual’s liberty.
Allow each person to make their own choices, unimpeded by financial damage, physical harm, reputational loss, social ostracism, and unjust punishment.
Let freedom in the human realm reflect the freedom of the gods in the higher realms.
O agent of mighty Zeus, punish those who seek to impose tyranny on the human race.
Give them retribution in their human forms for daring to go against cosmic principles and to for trying to impose their own wills on other sovereign beings.”
Pour most of the liquid.
“Spondee to Eleutheria, bring freedom to the human realm.”
Pour out the rest of the liquid.
“Spondee to Hestia who is last of all. Give me your blessings.”
Put the glass down, and stand back. Make any final requests, in addition to the following lines if desired.
“Powerful Eleutheria, bring freedom to my own life, to the society I live in, and to the environment I am a part of. Bring freedom to the English-speaking world.”
Second Movement
Sit with the prayer beads or other means of counting. Close your eyes. Chant the word “Eleutheria” 108 times. As you do it, focus on the sounds and the concept of justice. Eleutheria is written as ἐλευθερία in the Greek alphabet. This guide can be referred to for the correct pronunciation. Finish the ritual by announcing that you will end it, get up to leave the space and move out of the room. Then return and clean up the space.
Dike References in Ancient Literature from Theoi.com
- Pindar, Olympian Ode 13. 6 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) :
“Eunomia (Good Order) and that unsullied fountain Dike (Justice), her sister, sure support of cities; and Eirene (Irene, Peace) of the same kin, who are the stewards of wealth for mankind–three glorious daughters of wise-counselled Themis (Divine Law).”
- Aeschylus, Suppliant Women 707 ff :
“Reverence for parents stands written third among the statutes of Dike (Justice), to whom honor supreme is due.”
- Aeschylus, Fragment 148 Ransom of Hector (from Stobaeus, Anthology 4. 57. 6) :
“[Hermes commands Akhilleus (Achilles) return the body of Hektor :] And it unto the dead thou art fain to do good, or if thou wouldst work them ill–‘tis all one, since they feel not or joy or grief. Nevertheless Nemesis (our righteous resentment) is mightier than they, and Dike (Justice) executeth the dead man’s wrath.”
- Aeschylus, Doubtul Fragment 253 (from Stobaeus, Anthology 1. 3. 98) :
“Dike (Justice), voiceless, unseen, seeth thee when thou sleepest and when thou goest forth and when thou liest down. Continually doth she attend thee, now aslant thy course, now at a later time.”
Notes
- “A Brief Guide to Ancient Greek Pronunciation,” Biblioteca Arcana, Opsopaus.com, last accessed March 19, 2022.<http://opsopaus.com/OM/BA/pronunciation.html>
Photo Credits
- Statue of the personification of justice. Photo by Michael Manas.
- Coin of Tranquilina, from Myra, Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tranquillina_-_bronze_from_Myra.jpg>
David has studied traditional astrology since 2014. The Bay Area native completed Chris Brennan’s Introduction to Hellenistic Astrology course, and attended courses taught by Austin Coppock, Nina Gryphon, and Ryhan Butler. He is interested in exploring the less well known aspects of astrology, divination, and spirituality.