There are actually at least 5 levels of Greek theology and worship, those being God, Spirit, Hero, Ancestor and Deified Mortal. But in this example, we look to the three highest dimensions, which are God, Spirit and Hero.
For this, the practitioner has a Patron God, a Patron Spirit and a Patron Hero to adorn their shrine or altar. For instance, if one's Patron God is Poseidon, then the central statue of Him can be joined on the right by His son Theseus (Hero of Athens and Slayer of the Minotaur), and on the other side, a representation of a Spirit of the Sea, such as Tritones (which are the Spirits of Poseidon's retinue).
However, the three also do not have to be inherently related. One could have, for example, a central statue of Apollon, a statue of Bellerophon (Hero of Korinth and Slayer of the Chimera), and a representation of Eusebeia (the Spirit of Piety). One might even include a Nymph in place of the Spirit, as they are often servants of the Gods. For example, Artemis in the center, Her Heroine Atalanta, and the Nymphs of Artemis (The Pleiades).
In daily practice, these three levels connect you to a whole of Greek spirituality, beginning with prayer and offering to each one in the order of God, Spirit and Hero, invoking them in their most relevant realms. Below is an example prayer,
Blessed Goddess Athena, Aegis- Bearing daughter of the King of all Gods, Nike, blessed Spirit of Victory, Achilles, Hero of the Achaeans, humbly do I pray that you lift me into the presence of Divinity, of heaven, of piety, of goodness and of virtue, all throughout the Hours of Hemera.
In the Goodness of the Gods,
Priest Christopher.
