O Dionysos, Bull who was slain
and born again amid the thunderous rain
of Zeus your father, friend of men and Gods
throughout the inhabited world, plentiful giver
of fertility and the blessings of every kind of madness;
we pray that you help us remember what is important,
and forget the things that we need
no longer burden our minds with.
O Dionysos, God of those who wear white,
and immerse ourselves in your tradition,
and sing the songs that sustain the world;
each day we pray to do better, and to be better people,
that you shall gain honor through our deeds and our words.
Merciful One, we acknowledge our imperfections before you,
and that no matter how much we love you, O Starry Dionysos,
we can still violate the taboos that have been laid upon us,
err in the performance of the sacred rites, neglect the times
we have set aside for study, prayer, and reflection,
forget the wise and simple tenets of your religion,
and still adore you, and dedicate our lives to your service.
Do not abandon us, Lord of Mount Nysa, for we are
frail and imperfect creatures who so often miss the mark.
Instead, kindly Dionysos, grant us the strength to forgive
those who have done us wrong, and the courage
to seek forgiveness when we ourselves have faltered.
Help us to practice love and understanding with our family,
our friends, the members of our thiasos, our clients,
as well as outsiders who don’t know your principles,
and the way of life which Orpheus, Pythagoras, and Euripides
have taught us to live so that we may be pleasing to you,
and successfully make the journey through the underworld
to join the other souls who revel in your train,
the women and men counted worthy to bear your name
and dance your secret mystic dances for all time.
O Dionysos, Bull whose blood intoxicates
and cleanses us so that we may lead a pious life,
proudly bearing the crown of ivy,
and shaking our thyrsos in joy,
hear our prayers and look generously upon us.
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The House of Vines 
A question – if there is an answer. How did Hermes and Dionysus get on in lore?
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They are the closest of brothers and best of friends. (And not just because Hermes saved him from destruction multiple times when Dionysos was an infant.) Their personalities are very similar, minus the whole insanity condition, and they often go on adventures together. Currently Hermes serves Zeus as his consigliere, but when the time comes he will switch allegiance to Dionysos.
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Interdasting. Feel free to tell me more. I feel indebted to Hermes as it is to Hermes I prayed to after a very dark spell, which saw (disturbingly) immediate results the like of which I never detected in prayer before. So, I find myself curious and curiouser.
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That’s Hermes, alright. He is one of the kindest of Gods, and swiftest to answer prayers. Plus I just love his personality. If Dionysos hadn’t already claimed me in my late adolescence/early teens, I suspect Hermes would have become my primary deity. Even so I have a pretty close relationship with him. Despite his immense generosity, Hermes requests so little in return.
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Fair. Always interesting how these things play out. Like how an English Chauvinist (how Frenchies have described me) who wanted to be a Norse pagan ends up a Hermeticist in an Orthodox Church full of disgruntled Yankees who can’t even anymore.
But alas, I will return to your comment on my turf later. The Temple of Iron is calling, since Dionysus has *not* seen fit to make me a fat ptolomeian. Long may he reign, etc.
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We like to think these boundaries are iron-clad, but Gods like Dionysos, Hermes, Óðinn, etc. show just how permeable they can be. (And there’s value to distinctions, rules, etc. Don’t get me wrong. But what are they compared to a God, and a vagabond God at that?)
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How do you mean? In reference to experience or gym?
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