Today I began my celebration of Anthesteria by writing a short poem/hymn in honor of Dionysos, followed by meditations on his nature, and imbibing of much liquor.

When in darkness I called you
You came
And in the light of your presence, I saw
The darkness was only your absence
My blindness only my unwillingness to see

When in the light I feared you
You are frightening
And in my fear I was emboldened
The fear was only my ignorance
My ignorance only my unwillingness to hear

When in rapture I felt you
You silenced me
And in the silence I was engulfed
The silence but moment of utter ecstasy
My ecstasy a sign of my acceptance

I made a mistake in how I calculated the date of the Anthesteria, so this has put me into a pickle as I am not prepared, but with what I have and a trip to Sterling Studios today, I will be ready to offer up my offerings and celebrate the Anthesteria come Friday.

I found some fantastic incense at Incense Guru and purchased it. I think the Gods will be pleased. I am also going down to Sterling Studios in the Oregon District in Dayton, Ohio to find a piece I can buy as an offering to the blessed Dionysos. I have had much luck finding nice pieces there, as well as fabrics, beads, and a variety of incense burners for a variety of uses.

I should have more than a good Anthesteria if things continue to go well...

Found some stuff yesterday, some nice wine which I have blessed and asked the God to keep until Anthesteria by placing it in a special chest, and I also found a lovely piece of artificial vines with grape clusters, that was a bit pricey, but astonishingly life like. I will decorate the special altar with it as well as a few other items, and after Anthesteria has passed, it will form as decoration for the Altar of The Gods in my bedroom where I honor the Gods (meaning the male Gods)

I also saw a nice wooden pole and dowel that I can make a Thyrsos from.