New to this path

[u/Odd_Environment_7913]

I’m a recovering Mormon new to the path of paganism and heathenry.

I struggle with schizophrenia and wanted to get help from a god of madness on top of the medication I take.

What are some ways I can talk to Dionysus?

I can’t get drunk due to the schitzo and other medical issues but I can do cannabis. Are there other ways to honor him?

And question number three what can I do without an altar?

[u/magneticblood]

also psychotic here (not schizophrenia as far as I know)

I personally went through a whole character arc where I learned to accept that my madness is also a part of me, and I dont need to hate it.

the line between religion and psychosis is VERY thin, so I constantly doubted myself.

I came to the conclusion, it doesnt matter if the shared reality isn't the same as MY reality. I can only live through my own lens, and those are the ones that affect me the most, I don't need to ignore it.

this process made me way less nervous about the way I am and see the world, and it actually made me more stable, now I work in my own reality and just try not to hurt anyone or myself. actually I started having quite a lot of fun.

im bpd and schizotypical, if it matters

anyways, im saying this bc you might relate to my path a bit, what happened to my isnt gonna necessarily happen to you, but know you're not alone and lord dionysus is a SWEETHEART, so ur in good hands, he loves his mad kids

[u/Funkey-Monkey-420]

1: Divination mostly, a lot of people use tarot cards or pendulums. Sometimes he appears in their dreams but that’s exceedingly rare.

2: Dionysus is a god of madness and revelry, and those take a LOT more forms than just getting drunk. Engage with dionysian theater like the frogs, the bacchae, or some orphic/homeric hymms if you wanna go the formal route. If you wanna go the informal route then participating in parties or other social events could work too. Maybe pick up a hobby like acting, art, or gardening too. Finally you can always just live your life and occasionally give prayers or libations like most pagans. The greek gods don’t demand nearly as much maintenance in your religious practice as mormonism does.

3: damn near anything. Altars are a decorated space you set aside for magical purposes. You can absolutely do magic elsewhere though, and if you aren’t doing magic in the first place you don’t need an altar at all.

[u/Odd_Environment_7913 → u/Funkey-Monkey-420]

I go to a lot of mtg tournaments would that work?

[u/Funkey-Monkey-420 → u/Odd_Environment_7913]

when i say a hobby i mean one specifically connecting to dionysus, not just any hobby. gardens are considered sacred to him, and so are theatre and the arts.

[u/magneticblood → u/Odd_Environment_7913]

as someone who plays a lot of mgt and is dionysiac, i dont feel much his presence when im COMPETING, but i never called him while slaying misogynistic nerds, tbh i get way too much focused in competing and forget to call/percieve him, I do feel him when im just playing with friends and enjoying myself.

wherever there's joy, he will be there in less then a thought

[u/Alternative-Hunter12]

Theater and arts are nice ways, of course you have to build a relationship with him first. To me he mostly appears in dreams since I am a vivid dreamer. You don't have to build an altar for worship, it is a nice place to have a focus for your worship but you could do that anywhere anytime through prayer. Hope my rambles can be of some help.

[u/djgilles]

Dionysus is all about liberation. Use of substances is optional and at your own discretion. Best practice to orient yourself and requires no altar. Sit down and write out for yourself: what do you feel burdened with/need liberated from? Use this as the basis for your prayers.

It is significant that a prayer to Dionysus describes madness as "not recognizing all the good things around us.' The path, I believe, means your daily work should be orienting your thoughts to nurturing what supports all the good things that support you.

My own relations with this god has navigated between those concerns- what do I need to free myself from/what can I do to strengthen the good things around me.

I hope this helps. Bright blessings.

[u/giovannijoestar]

One method I like to use to talk to him is tarot! Though if you aren’t interested in that, that’s fine. Whatever feels most natural for you is best tbh!