worship (n.) Old English worðscip, wurðscip (Anglian), weorðscipe (West Saxon) “condition of being worthy, dignity, glory, distinction, honor, renown,” from weorð “worthy” (see worth) + -scipe (see -ship). Sense of “reverence paid to a supernatural or divine being” is first recorded c. 1300. The original sense is preserved in the title worshipful “honorable” (c. 1300). (1)
Worship (n.) 1. The practice of showing deep respect for and praying to God or a god or goddess. 2. Religious rites and ceremonies. 3. Great admiration and respect for someone. 4. (His/Your Worship). Esp. in Britain: a title of respect for a magistrate or mayor. 5. v. (worships, worshipping, worshipped; U.S. also worships, worshiping, worshiped). 1. Offer praise and prayers to God or a god or goddess. 2. Feel great admiration and respect for. (2)
As previously posted, Samhain is an important holy day in modern Druidry, Wicca, and some other witchcraft traditions. While a Gaelic festival, some modern witches have incorporated the meaning of this night with the worship of the Goddess Hekate. I say “worship” rather than “work with.” (emphasis mine). I hate the latter phrasing, making it seem as though the Gods and spirits are toys to be trifled with. One minute they are useful, and the next to be put away in some neat package of your mind until They are useful later on again. I consider that disrespectful.
Christian theology teaches that Christ is the “King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.” (Revelation 19:16). It’s a genitive phrase. “Genitive” is rooted in the Latin word gignere, meaning “to beget.” It’s a phrase of ownership, a possessive statement. “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” means that Jesus owns you when you profess salvation in His Name. He is your High King, deserving (note that word) of your praise. In fact Jesus states that God, who is known by the Hebrews as the “King of Glory” (Psalm 24: 7 – 10), can only be honored if Jesus is accorded that same exact honor (John 5:23). It is His due. He demands homage and humility from His followers, and blind obeisance. To disobey him is likened unto the sin of witchcraft, the penalty of which was death. (1 Samuel 15:23, Exodus 22:18). Another thing to note here is that Christian theology demands that Christians treat themselves as slaves to Christ and God (Ephesians 6:6, 1 Peter 2:16). In fact Christians as slaves is the best way to describe their relationship with their God. The word appears 130 times in the New Testament alone. He is their Master. Groveling and begging are demanded of their time. No questions asked. This insight hopefully will help you to understand the fundamental difference between Christian worship and pre-Christian forms of worship. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
When it comes to Hellenism, we aren’t going towards theology so much as philosophy and practice. Works, not Faith, is the foundation here. In remote times it seems that there were no public temples: just private sanctuaries and hearths in the oikos. Their greater temples were done in ancient groves or near rivers, lakes, crossroads, or pits. Over time the Athenians and their colonies built greater temples on high places, hoping to be near to their Gods (unless it was the Underworld Deities). In Sparta, however, religious areas were not so grandiose because the Laws of Lykourgos demanded that service to the Theoi were done with as little outlay as possible. (3). Worship here became synonymous with Themis: “Divine Law.” Themis is the Goddess of Divine Law and Cosmic Order.
Little is known about the actual worship practices of the ancient Celtic tribes. What little we do have seems to focus on hymns and prayers, similar to those which are in the Carmina Gadelica. (5). The most extant documents on their customs and ways we have are from the writings of the ancient Greeks, ancient Romans, archaeological finds, and medieval Irish documents.
I’ve tried to cover the main areas of Neopagan and modern polytheist interest. As a Hellenic polytheist, that is main area of strength and so I will understand the nature and ways of worship much more readily. However, as someone interested in Druidry and Celtic Reconstructionism I cannot ignore the ways of the ancient Celtic polytheists.
The Cave of Oracle 
An excellent comparison between the Christian belief of God and the Hellenic Polytheism beliefs of their Deities. I wish that those who are Christian would read this article.
The difference is like being slapped in the face. Wake up!
This is very well researched and lucidly written, to be read and reread because it’s given me a lot to contemplate!
It’s great to see someone sticking up for worship!
I love prostration. Feeling an asymmetry of status is integral to the formula for me, personally. It is ecstasy.
As for humiliation… generally for people I’d say obviously you don’t need that in your life. No way!
However…
I do incorporate certain sensations of specific kinds of humiliation into shadow work. I’ve always owned my delicious masochism and found liberation in this headspace of smarting vulnerability, and I now use this as a spiritual discipline through which I’m aware of increasingly deepening insight. It actually feels as though She is accepting my Innana-esque ritualized debasement though, as a result of Her compassion. It’s clearly me that needs that interaction more than She does, and if I genuinely thought I was some kind of ‘loser’ then I doubt She’d have much use for me anyway!
I’ve only just discovered this blog and it’s fascinating, I will be revisiting.