Elaphebolia: Honoring Artemis Deer-Slayer

Join us for the Elaphebolia, an ancient Greek spring festival in honor of Artemis. At the Elaphebolia, people offered Artemis venison if they were able to hunt and small sesame cakes shaped like deer if meat was unavailable to them. Our modern celebration will honor Artemis Deer-Slayer as a goddess of the sacrifice needed to sustain community and life.
We encourage you to bring a deer-themed offering for Artemis (keychain, plushie, ornament, cookie, drawing, etc), but we’ll be happy to see you with or without an offering! There will be gluten-free, deer-shaped sugar cookies for participants to place on an altar.
If you’re going through a life event of any kind (new gender identity, coming-of-age, marriage, new job, divorce, etc), you’re invited to place a lock of your hair on the altar to seek Artemis’ protection during your time of transition. Please schedule your haircut in advance as we will not be cutting hair during the ritual. A potluck will follow the celebration.
The Potomac Valley Palladium is a local chapter of Hellenion, an Inclusive Hellenic Pagan organization. This ritual will be run by Rose Eleusis (she/her), their clergy student. Email her at rose.eleusis(at)gmail(dot)com with any questions.
Donations are appreciated, but never required. Your presence is what truly matters!
We suggest a donation of $5 if you would like to contribute financially. Please bring cash or donate online at https://tinyurl.com/FCUUPS. Write in your donation amount, select “once”, and add the note “FCUUPS”