A lot of folks have said that they've found their way to Dionysos because of me and I think that's the highest compliment anyone could offer, but on the other hand I find it deeply humbling and a huge responsibility. You've really got to keep ego in check because there's no room for pride and arrogance in this kind of work. That'll get in the way faster than anything else. It's the god who is special, the god who is working wonders in people's lives, not you. You're just a vessel into which his wine is poured and any old cup will suffice. But there is certainly a deep satisfaction in being the best cup you can be, you know?
I know you cover this in depth in your book, but I'm going to ask you anyway for the benefit of those who haven't yet read it: What advice would you give someone seeking to develop a devotional relationship to Him?
Just do it! I know that may sound a little trite but it's really the only thing that works with him. Don't let your fear and insecurities get the better of you. Don't wait around until the time feels right, until you've figured everything out, until you've memorized all of the prayers and hymns, mastered the ceremonial procedures, accumulated all of the pretty tools and built up the perfect shrine for him. Because you know what? That's never going to happen! Perfection is an ideal we should aim for knowing full well that we can never truly attain it. And if you wait around until then to start you're going to miss out on a lot of wonderful things and precious opportunities along the way. Besides which you'll deprive yourself of the valuable lessons that can only be learned by monumentally screwing things up.
So my advice to people is this: make mistakes—and lots of them! Pay attention while you're doing it, figure out why certain things don't work in certain situations, and try to determine why that is and what you can do to improve on that next time around. And make sure there is a next time, even if you totally screwed the pooch or you're not feeling it or getting anything out of it. Fake it till you make it. Experiment with different spiritual techniques and worship styles to see what works best for you and gets the strongest response from Dionysos. He's not going to smite you for flubbing a line or missing a step, but he will be disappointed if you never get around to trying. There are definitely some things that don't work—and he'll be sure to let you know!—but unless you persist in doing these even after he's made his preferences clear, you're not likely to incur his wrath for doing some bad ritual.
Fake it till you make it. I've said the same thing about ancestor work. Just do it and keep doing it even when it feels awkward in its newness.
Some additional pointers I'd offer those starting out in Dionysos worship: don't limit what you do to only what can be done in front of your home shrine. Dionysos is best worshiped outdoors in the wild places of nature, even if that means just pouring out a libation on a mountaintop or whispering a prayer to him as you stroll through a wooded park. Also leave plenty of room for spontaneous, free-flowing, emotional encounters with him. Don't spend all of your time reading off a script. Sincere, heartfelt words of praise are a thousand times better than even the most beautiful verses of Homer or Orpheus. If you can't think of anything then just string together a bunch of his standard epithets or create some of your own, commemorating past experiences with him or utilizing imagery that is meaningful for you.
And above all else, you must worship the god with your whole body. Gesture, dance, sacred movement, even running around and yelling his name at the top of your lungs—this kind of physical "prayer" is what he likes best. Don't worry about being skilled and graceful or avoiding looking foolish—just throw yourself into it completely and let his spirit carry you away. Also, there should always be music in his worship. Prerecorded stuff played during ritual is fine but it's much better to have music that you make yourself. Drums, rattles, pipes, a bull-roarer or even clapping your hands and stomping your feet will suffice. Where music is he is, so make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
What possible cautions? And are there any offerings that should be specifically avoided?
Dionysos is a dangerous god, there's just no getting around that. He's not only the bringer of madness, but a god who is himself mad. And if that doesn't fill you with terror on some level then you're not paying enough attention! Most people don't really experience this side of him however, especially when they're just starting off. They get only the fun-loving, joyful party god come to liberate them from their cares. And that's great! We all need to let down our hair and blow off a little steam now and again. But when you start to get closer to him you'll likely discover what true liberation entails: stripping away the false layers, everything that holds you back and keeps you enslaved, all your fears and doubts and inhibitions, all the social conditioning meant to turn you into a mindless, emotionally repressed robot.
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