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Hellenic Polytheism - Blog Posts
Devotional Moodboard: Αφροδιτη (Aphroditê)
Greek Goddess of love, beauty, pleasure and procreation.
Hellenic Epithets:
Ourania (Heavenly, Divine (Love))
Pandêmos (Common To All)
Epistrophia (She who Turns to (Love))
Nymphia (Bridal)
Hêrê (Of Hera (of Marriage))
Symmakhia (Ally (in Love))
Pontia (Of the Sea)
Kypria (Of Cyprus)
Pothon Mater (Mother of Desire)
Chrysea (Golden)
Some of her titles:
Anaduomenê - The Goddess Who Arose From The Sea
Ambologêra - The Ons Who Delays Old Age
Antheia - The Blooming One / Friend Of Flowers
Apotrophia - The Expeller ( Of Shameful and Sinful Desire)
Areia - The Warlike
Kupria/Kuprigeneia - The One Born in The Island Of Cyprus
Despoina - The Rulling Goddess/ The Mistress
Genetullis - The Protectress Of Births
Nikêphoros - Bringer Of Victory
Symbolism Of Aphrodite:
Doves
Roses
Swans
Sea Shells
Dolphins
Myrtle
Pomegranates
Offerings:
Sea shells, hand held mirrors/ beautifully ornate mirrors, makeup products, perfumes (sweet/sensual/seductive ones), skin/body care products, fruits, apples, lettuce, pomegranates, chocolates, sugar and cream, honey , wine (rosé or sweet scented), sweetened rose tea, rose quartz, pearls, jewellery, roses , flower bouquets, statues of her sacred animals, myrtle or myrrh incense, pink/gold/white candles, sea water, artwork of her, devotional poems, self care routines, ritual baths, have a rose garden that you can take care of in her name if possible, be supportive of women and the LGBTQ+ community.
!Do not make her any offerings related to pigs , it is known that she is displeased by this animal!
Subtle ways to honor Nyx 🌚🪶
- respect powerful women
- respect your mother
- go for a night walk (somewhere safe!)
- have a campfire at night
- go camping and enjoy the stars
- turn off your lights to counter light pollution
- be kind to owls and other nocturnal animals
- sleep, and find ways to do so peacefully
- listen to the crickets at dusk
- be reverent of the dead
- be kind to black cats
- bask in the moonlight
- drink a sleep inducing tea or take a sleeping medication
- respect and be kind to moths
- stay up late
- be respectful to and reverent of death
- do not mess with magick you are not ready to work with
- be cautious of malevolent spirits and entities
- respect and revere the daemons
- be cautious when encountering dark energy if you practice dark or black magic or witchcraft
- respect the other gods of the underworld, like hades, Hecate, Persephone, etc.
🌚🪶🌚🪶🌚🪶🌚🪶🌚🪶🌚🪶🌚🪶🌚🪶
Kiss of Helios
Prayer to Helios: A charm to restrain anger and for victory and for securing favor.
Instructions: Say to the Sun (Helios) seven times, and anoint your hand with oil and wipe it on your Head and Face.
"Rejoice with me, You who are set over the East Wind and the World, for whom all the Gods serve as Body-Guards at Your Good Hour and on Your Good Day, You who are the Good Daimon (God) of the World, the Crown of the Inhabited World, You who arise from the Abyss, You who Each Day rise a Young Man and set an Old Man. I beg You, Lord, do not allow me to be Over-Thrown, to be Plotted Against, to receive Dangerous Drugs, to go into Exile, to fall upon Hard Times. Rather, I ask to obtain and receive from You Life, Health, Reputation, Wealth, Influence, Strength, Success, Charm, Favor with all Men and all Women, Victory over all Men and all Women. Yes, Lord, accomplish this Matter which I want, by means of Your Power.”
[PGM XXXVI.211-30]
May Helios bless us all 💛🌻
𝐋𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚
What is Lupercalia?
Celebrated on February 13th - February 15th, Lupercalia was an ancient Roman holiday dedicated to the god Faunus, the wild horned spirit of nature, and the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. The festival is believed to have far more ancient origins than its association with these mythical figures, likely stemming from earlier fertility rites and purification ceremonies.
The name of the festival, Lupercalia, is derived from the Latin word lupus (wolf), tying it to the legend of the she-wolf who rescued and nursed Romulus and Remus in the cave known as the Lupercal. This cave, located on Palatine Hill, became the heart of the festival’s rituals, emphasizing the protective and nurturing symbolism of wolves.
At its core, Lupercalia celebrated the themes of fertility, purification, and the harmony of nature. It honored two deities: Faunus, the primordial spirit of wild nature and fertility, and Juno Februata, the aspect of Juno associated with purification and the passions of love. The name "February" itself originates from Februare (to cleanse) and Juno Februata, underscoring the month’s ties to this festival.
The festival began with sacrifices of goats, symbolizing fertility, and dogs, representing purification. These sacrifices were followed by ceremonial rituals performed by Faunus’ priests, known as the Luperci. After consuming the sacrificial meat, the Luperci smeared themselves with the blood of the animals and dressed in strips of goatskin, referred to as "Juno’s cloak." They then ran through the streets of the Palatine Hill, carrying whips made from goatskin called februa.
Women who wished to conceive strategically positioned themselves to be struck by the whips, believing this act would enhance fertility, ensure conception, and guarantee safe childbirth. This ritual also served as a broader purification rite for the community, cleansing it in preparation for the coming New Year, which in the Roman calendar began at the vernal equinox.
The nine days of Lupercalia, from February 13th to the 21st, were believed to be a liminal time when the souls of the dead wandered the earth. Offerings of food and drink were left for them, with the living honoring the spirits as part of the festival's traditions.
Over time, the festival's elements shifted and evolved, blending with other traditions. February 14th, now celebrated as Valentine’s Day, originally marked the first day of Lupercalia, dedicated to Juno Februata and Faunus, when women prayed for fertility and blessings.
Lupercalia continued to be celebrated for centuries until it was officially abolished in 495 AD by Pope Gelasius I, who replaced it with a Christian feast day. Now, in modern times, even though Lupercalia is no longer a widely celebrated festival, it is often associated with modern Valentine’s Day or even a celebration of self-love. Today, it’s all about love, fertility, and connection. You can spend the three days of Lupercalia by offering yourself love and understanding, doing things that nurture your self-appreciation, and spending special time with your loved ones.
⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁
Magic Correspondences:
Colors: red, white, pink
Crystals: rose quartz, milky quartz, selenite, moonstone, ruby, garnet, lepidolite, green aventurine, emerald
Deities: Juno, Lupercus, Faunus, Venus, Aphrodite, Pan, Hera, Dionysus, Eros, Freyja, Cernunnos (deities associated with love, fertility, and abundance)
Animals: dog, goat, wolf, dove, swan, dolphin, ladybug, lovebirds, horse
Flowers: lavender, roses, snowdrops, hyacinths, tulips, orchids
Herbs: cinnamon, basil, jasmine, vanilla
Fruits: figs, cherries, grapes, bananas, strawberries, pomegranate, raspberries, apples
Symbols: phallus, hearts, wolves, whips, goat
Magick: fertility and abundance spells, self-love magick, sex magick, purification
⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁
Activities to do:
🐺 Take a relaxing long bath, and add some rose essential oil if you like
🐺 Spend time with your dog(s)
🐺 Watch some romance movies
🐺 Treat yourself to things that make you feel good, like lotions, perfume, or new clothes
🐺 Light red, pink, or white candles
🐺 Collect flowers and put them in your altar or room
🐺 Drink goat milk
🐺 Perform love, fertility, and purification spells
🐺 Give flowers to loved ones
🐺 Spend some time in your home, simply being naked because why not?
🐺 Bake heart-shaped cakes
🐺 Support dog shelters with a donation
🐺 Spend time with your lover
🐺 Listen to your favorite music
🐺 Show appreciation for your body
🐺 Take your health medicine
🐺 Decorate your space or altar with heart-shaped objects
🐺 Spend time and meditate in nature
🐺 Eat lots of chocolate
🐺 Practice yoga
🐺 Connect with deities associated with love, fertility, and purification
🐺 Drink some red wine
🐺 Dedicate a day to self-care, doing what feels healthy and good for you
⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁
Food and Drinks:
Drink red liquids like wine, cranberry or strawberry juice, consume goat dairy, cakes, muffins, chocolate, honey, cherries, champagne, grapes, hazelnuts, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, any food with meat, apple pie, strawberries.
⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁
sources: Wicca: A Modern Guide To Witchcraft & Magick; Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World by Judika Illes
𝐈𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐜 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐉𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚 ❄🕯🌿
Blessings everyone!!🌸 I want to wish you all a blessed Imbolc full of love, light and peace☁️ As some of you already know, I love making these magic jars for every sabbat, dedicated to welcoming the energy of the season and honoring nature. I use them as a mini altar and they are great if you don't time or energy <3 For this year’s Imbolc magick jar (my first since 2021) wanted to focus more on the color purple, as it represents the whimsical energy and the revival of spring, while still honoring the winter we are in. My very first magic jar had a similar vibe, so I wanted this one to reflect that while also adding a bit of authenticity and making it resonate with the energy I feel now. I’ll be lighting it on February 1st and 2nd, and I might change the candle color at some point. ♡🍇☀️🐑
Here’s the list of elements I used for it 🌿 hope you like it! ♡
• Coins – Wealth, abundance
• Crystals – amethyst, pink quartz and ruby
• Fire elements for Goddess Brigid: a piece of wood and Carnelian (symbolizing her flame)
• Rosemary – Love, good memory
• Snail shells – Patience, good luck
• Lots of salt – Purification and protection
• Himalayan salt – Love and purification
• Dried rose petals and crocus flowers (I meant to add dried snowdrops from last year, but I forgot where I put them oops!)
• Seashell – Emotions, love, protection
• Purple candle (I wasn’t sure whether to choose this or a pink one, but I decided to keep a whimsical purple energy. You can use any candle that feels right for Imbolc.)
• Bay leaf with a sigil of Goddess Brigid ♡
🌸🐑🌸🐑🌸🐑🌸🐑🌸🐑🌸🐑🌸🐑🌸🐑🌸🐑
And here are the items that I used <3 I forgot to add some dried lavender too, but maybe tomorrow ☀️ Of course, you can use any element or item that works best for you. Wishing everyone a happy Imbolc! I hope it brings us all joy and everything we wish for. Stay safe 🍇
A Prayer to Aphrodite Areia
Dear Aphrodite Areia,
Protectress of those who fight for what they love
Of women who murder their abusers as an act of self love
Hear my prayer!
I'm praying for you to help me fight against external and internalized homophobia
I'm kindly asking you to help me and my loved ones love themselves
O Smiling Aphrodite,
Please help me get through my mental health problems, so I can smile genuinely again.
With love,
Ligea 🥀
@beautyofaphrodite , this is my submission to the 200 Followers Event.
February Magic Correspondences
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February is a month of love, abundance and purification. As winter gradually gives way to the first hints of spring, it's the perfect moment to cleanse the past and open the heart to new possibilities. This month is deeply connected to Februus, the Roman god of purification, who help us to release what no longer serves us. His influence encourages rituals and practices that help clear away negativity and create space for fresh intentions. This month brings an energetic focus on passion, fertility, and harmony. It’s a time to honor the primal forces of love and joy, whether in romantic relationships or in the bonds we share with ourselves and others. February also honors Juno Februa, goddess of love and sacred unions, and Faunus, god of fertility and nature. In this month of both purification and passion, it’s an ideal time to work with love spells, self-care rituals, and practices that help purify your mind and spirit.
⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠄⠄⠂⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁
Celebrations:
Imbolc / Candlemas (February 1-2)
Lupercalia (February 13-15)
Parentalia (February 13-21)
Juno Februa (February 14)
Valisblot (February 14)
Valentine's Day (February 14)
Planets:
Venus, Moon, Mars
Flowers:
Snowdrops, Crocus, Violet, Carnation, Primrose
Herbs/Plants:
Rosemary, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Pine, Sage, Hyssop
Tarot Cards:
The Lovers, Two of Cups, Four of Wands
Fruits:
Banana, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Blood Orange, Blackberry
Vegetables:
Cabbage, Leeks, Carrots, Potato, Cauliflower
Deities:
Februus, Faunus, Juno, Venus, Cupid, Pan, Aphrodite, Ares, Eros, Dionysus, Persephone, Brigid, Áine, Yue Lao, Lada, Bastet, Oshun, Sjöfn, Aradia
Colors:
Purple, Pink, White, Blue, Yellow, Silver
Runes:
Wunjo, Gebo, Ehwaz
Crystals:
Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Ruby, Garnet, Moonstone, Aquamarine, Pink Agate
Animals:
Otter, Sheep, Dove, Lamb, Wolf, Dog, Deer, Goat
Trees:
Rowan, Cedar, Myrtle, Laurel
Symbols:
Hearts, The Phallus, Brigid’s Cross, Snowdrops, Candles
Magical Powers:
Love, Fertility, Purification, Sex Magick, Healing, Abundance, Faerie Magick
ACTIVITIES TO DO
💌 Celebrate the season’s festivities.
💌 Clean your garden.
💌 Cleanse your home .
💌 Do love or fertility spells.
💌 Practice self-love and kindness to yourself.
💌 Work with deities connected to this month.
💌 Enjoy dairy products like milk or cheese.
💌 Light candles around your home.
💌 Connect with the fire element.
💌 Read about faerie folk.
💌 Connect with deities associated with love.
💌 Meditate in nature and leave seeds for birds.
💌 Cook and share meals with loved ones.
💌 Show love to your body.
💌 Donate to Animal shelters.
💌 Try new recipes with blackberries.
💌 Write gratitude letters to the Universe or your deities.
💌 Buy yourself something special, you deserve it♡
💌 Eat comforting foods like chocolate or pancakes (make a wish when flipping pancakes!).
💌 Try new ways of divination.
💌 Do kitchen magick and cook recipes with intentions.
💌 This month is all about purification so get rid of all toxic people that hurt you.
💌 Pick snowdrops, dry them, and use them for future spells.
💌 Read about Godess Brigid.
💌 Take care of you both mentally and physically.
💌 Start a journal.
💌 Wear rose quartz and pink agate in your pockets to attract positive love and harmony.
💌 Donate things you don’t need anymore.
Everyday Ways I Honour Aphrodite
(NSFW warning)
🌹Roses, roses, roses. Rose soap, rose lip balm, rose hand cream, rose lotion, rose perfume, rose oil on my pillow before falling asleep, rose candles, rose incense, roses in my garden, rosewater toner, rose face mist, rose shower gel, dried roses in the bath... Just roses everywhere you can fit them.
🌹Reading romantic books and poetry, watching romance films
🌹 Reading books and poetry about Aphrodite
🌹Making myself feel beautiful with pretty jewellery and makeup. Even just a swipe of tinted lip balm boosts my confidence (I use French Girl Rose Noir). I try to wear at least a little bit of makeup or jewellery daily, even if it's just a pair of studs or a subtle lipstick
🌹 Even if I'm just staying at home all day I'll spray perfume and put on jewellery and do lipstick just to feel sensual while I'm lounging around playing Animal Crossing (currently wearing a comfy embroidered nightie, small gold hoops, a pretty bracelet and a little bit of YSL Orange Perfecto lipstick as I write this)
🌹 Embracing my sensuality. Swaying my hips, feeling the softness of my body, dancing freely, engaging in self-pleasure, taking nudes, trying to unlearn the shame associated with sexuality from my upbringing. I don't watch porn often as I find most of it unhealthy and misogynistic (I only like this one random Japanese couple's channel and some vintage and Korean softcore), but I enjoy toys (my favourite is the rose), erotic literature, erotic film, audio porn (usually in other languages because I find a lot of dirty talk just makes me cringe but I still get enjoyment out of hearing little moans and silky low voices so I get that and avoid secondhand embarrassment from bad dirty talk by listening to it in languages I don't understand), and erotic fine art.
🌹 I try to get really comfortable when I'm engaged in self love. Lipstick and perfume on, hair styled, lingerie or nightie that makes me feel sexy, a candle lit or rose, ylang ylang and jasmine oil in my diffuser, soft music playing. Then I'll position myself comfortably, and stroke my thighs, tease my nipples, squeeze my breasts, lick my juices off my fingers and use it like a lipstick, painting my lips and nipples or using it to lightly lubricate my clitoris. Running my hands all over my belly, thighs and breasts, experimenting with different types of pressure and stimulation. Just luxuriating in the sensual feelings I can bring to my beautiful female body.
🌹 Wearing jewellery with seashells, pearls, emerald, ruby, bronze, copper, gold, jade, garnet and iridescent beads
🌹 Enjoying apples, honey, figs, pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, olives, lettuce, rosewater and chocolate. I like buying Guylian chocolates as they're seashell shaped, but any chocolate will do (my favourite chocolate bar to buy is white chocolate with strawberries). I also like foods that you can taste the rosewater in like rose macarons and Turkish delight.
🌹 Making foods with ingredients she likes, like honey cakes, Persian rose love spell cookies, rosewater nougat, Persian love cake, baklava, cornes de gazelle, mhencha, etc... I mostly stick to Mediterranean, North African, Arab and Persian recipes, as they commonly use ingredients like rosewater, honey, pomegranates, and figs.
🌹 Carrying rose quartz in my pocket and keeping rose quartz under my pillow
🌹 I use a rose quartz roller to massage oil into my face
🌹 I keep a mini Venus de Milo statue and a swan trinket box on my bedside table
🌹 Drinking a drink made up of honey, cinnamon, milk and hot water at night to relax
🌹 Wearing pretty lingerie under my clothes, even if it's a basic outfit
🌹 I often fall asleep to the sound of ocean waves
🌹 Gold highlighter swept on my cheeks and body shimmer on my collarbones, reflecting light like sun rays on the ocean
🌹 Doing little offerings, like spritzing her statue with perfume, or offering up a portion of food I'm eating that I think she'd like
🌹 Lighting incense in scents like myrrh, frankincense, rose, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and jasmine
🌹 Drawing myself relaxing baths with fragrant oils and salts
🌹 Reading hymns, Sappho's poetry, and listening to Athanati Afroditi
🌹 Listening to music that's romantic or sensual (this is my playlist)
🌹 Carrying a hand mirror and admiring myself as I check my makeup
🌹 Adding honey to tea
🌹 Writing letters and poetry about love and beauty
🌹Admiring women I find beautiful without jealousy or resentment, just appreciation
🌹Using these emojis: 🌹🦢🌊🪞🍎❤️💘💗💕💋🕊️🫒💄
🌹 Wearing pink, red, aqua, and seafoam green
🌹 Being consistent in self care. No matter how low my spoons are, unless I'm so dog-tired I end up falling asleep on the couch at 8pm, I force myself to do my evening skincare routine - cleansing, toning, eye cream, moisturiser, oil. And I always feel better for it even if I was exhausted before. Much smaller but I'm also consistent in oiling the ends of my hair daily and spraying perfume before bed. And I keep up with getting my hair done and brows waxed every three months without fail.
🌹 Doing exercises that make me feel sensual. I'm really lazy tbh but I push myself because I know Aphrodite would want me to take care of my body. I pick exercises that make me feel good and desirable, like yoga flow, belly dance, and exercises that target my womanly attributes.
🌹 Giving compliments!
🌹 Doing a big self care day every Friday (the day associated with her). Hot oil hair treatment, foot soak and exfoliation, removing old nail polish and buffing and filing nails, face mask, teeth whitening....
🌹 Going to the pond in winter and admiring the swans
🌹 Going to an art gallery in my city just to look at the painting Venus and Cupid (Day) by Fragonard
🌹 Sleeping on silk sheets as they feel sensual (they're also good for your hair and skin)
🌹 Making my own diffusers and cosmetics from natural, aphrodisiac products. Homemade bath salt with rose petals and pink salt, homemade lip mask with olive oil and rose oil, and adding oil of rose, jasmine, sandalwood, and cinnamon to a diffuser as I find these scents stimulating and sensual.
🌹 And of course, thanking Lady Aphrodite every day.
— Aphrodite is iridescence, like the shimmer of pearls and seashells, like glittering jewels in the sea
Lord Apollo Devotional Post
Divination
Tarot/Oracle decks
Pendulums
Rune stones
Charm casting supplies
Crystal balls
Scrying bowls
All divination tools
Cookie fortunes
Tea leaves
Art
Paint brushes/paints
Canvases
Colored pencils/markers/crayons
Collages
Journals
Art books
Art prints
Anything you made
Sculptures
Zines
Stickers
Any art supplies
Music
Music boxes
Records/CDs/Cassettes
Record players/radios/MP3 etc.
Headphones
Music posters
Band merch
Instruments/String instruments
Dance shoes
Concert tickets
CD book holders
Sun and Light
Sun imagery
Sunscreen
Aloe for sunburns
Golden objects
Matches
Candles
Sunflowers/sunflower seeds
Health and Healing
First aid kits
Medicine
Pain relievers
Band-aids
Ice/heat packs
Rice socks
Masks
Aloe
Ambulance toy cars
Adaptive aids
Archery
Darts
Bow and arrows
Arrow quiver
Dart board
Targets
Bullseye
Myth Related
Snake skins
Snake imagery (Python)
Laurels
Bay leaves (Daphne)
Palm trees (Birth myth)
Ravens/Crows
Crow feathers (Why the crow is black)
Cattle/turtles (Hermes birth myth)
Swans (Pulled His chariot)
Hyacinths (Hyacinthus)
Locks of hair
Food
Vanilla
Honey
Sunny D
Lemons/lemon juice
Oranges/orange juice
Citrus
Water
Devotional Acts
Health
Take your meds
Go to therapy
Exercise
Wear a mask (We are still in a pandemic y’all)
Get vaccinated
Get STI tested
Self care
Learn first aid/CPR
Keep a first aid kit at home/in your car
Learn about alternative medicine
Advocate for accessible healthcare
Advocate for disability rights
Volunteer at a hospital
Give blood/plasma
Volunteer at a retirement home
Learn about anatomy/biology/nutrition
Learn about health conditions/rare disorders
Eat healthy for your body
Help fund surgeries if you can
Trip sit for someone
Listen to your body
Sunlight
Sunbathe
Wear sunscreen
Start a garden
Make sun water
Open all the windows on a sunny day
Music
Go to a concert/show
Listen to music
Make a playlist for someone you love
Make a playlist for Apollo
Learn an instrument/play and instrument
Dance
Sing
Support local bands
Explore new music
Burn CDs
Divination/Prophecy
Daily tarot card/rune stones
Make an oracle deck
Give divination readings
Shadow work
Colormancy
Art
Make something
Draw/paint/craft
Write a poem/story
Color
Make a zine
Go see a play
Get a tattoo
Archery
Throw darts
Use a slingshot
Take up archery
Go to a shooting range
Working With Hekate
Goddess Of The Threshold
Other titles: Keeper of the Gates, The Triple Goddess, Bringer of Light, Night Wanderer, and many more
Colors: Black, silver, gold, red, white
Herbs: Asphodel, trillium, ebony, fly agaric, garlic, aconite, yew, datura, cypress, belladonna, saffron, foxglove, mandrake, willow, black poplar, dandelion, mugwort, henbane, mandrake, yarrow, myyrh, lavender, oak, mullien, thornapple, bittersweet, poppy, wormwood, sage, rue, fumitory, dragon's blood, rowan, black copal
Crystals: Moonstone (especially black), labradorite, mother of pearl, black tourmaline, obsidian, black/smokey quartz, lodestone, nuummite, serpentine, auralite, abalone, corundum, zicron, hematite, jet, lapis lazuli, pyrite
Element: Earth/water/darkness
Planet: The Moon, Saturn, Pluto
Zodiac: Scorpio (Aquarius)
Metal: Silver, copper, bronze
Tarot: The Moon, The High Priestess
Direction: All
Date: November 16th, the Night of Hekate
Day: Any
Animals: Goats, wolves, dogs, owls, snakes, horses, crows, bulls, sheep, skunks, lizards, dragons
Domains: Thresholds/liminal spaces/boundaries, crossroads, witchcraft and sorcery, the Moon, herbalism, the poison path, necromancy, nocturnal magick, truth, secrets, hedge-riding, shadow work and integration of shadow-self, baneful magick, protection, knot magick, foraging, divination, creatures of the night, the Underworld, the Otherworld
Offerings: Keys, hair of a black dog, any of her sacred plants, representations of any of her animals, divination tools, black mirrors, wands, athames, bolines, blades, things in sets of 3, fruit, wine, blood, rituals/magick in her honor/name, feathers, fossils, shells, bones
Symbols: Blades, fire, keys, crossroads, gateways, doors, entrances, moons, torches, wands/sceptres, whips, the number 3
Hymns created for the gods - Hekate #1
I
Under the starry sky,
I find myself at the crossroads,
The moon greets me as a friend,
With its illuminating glow,
Under that white beam I find,
An ever-blazing torch held three-fold,
With a stern gaze, soul piercing touch,
Held tight as a bright light guides the way,
Obsidian pebbles mark the path,
To where I let go and create,
And as the air fills with lavender and myrrh,
As dandelions make their way from the underworld,
As I place garlic upon the threshold,
And walk through the gates,
To which the keyholder granted me access,
Knowing I am protected.
Hail Hekate!
Hail Hekate!
Hail Hekate!
Absolutely be political in your worship.
Aphrodite isn't called Pandemos (of All People) so you can sit around and let the big names capitalise love and serve it only to those who can afford to pay past the persecution. Hermes isn't called Oeopolus (Shepherd) so you can sit around and let a bunch of power-hungry wolves lead a flock of influencable sheep. Apollo isn't called Paean (Healer) so you can sit around while wealthy corporations serve healthcare only to those who can afford not to die. Athena isn't called Ambulia (Counsellor) so you can sit around while the people are being fed propaganda against each other to divert them from the real enemy at the top. Dionysus isn't called Eleuthereus (the Liberator) so you can sit around while freedom is only granted to those whose skins have the acceptable colour while the others die in chains. Zeus isn't called Xenios (of the Foreigners) so you can sit around while the borders are closed to those who need it and only open to those who can give back the money.
The Gods stand with the oppressed, and so should you.
Lord hypnos draw, i need a nap
I have found a writing that i truly think all hellenic polytheists should be required to read.
I was so moved that I had to write a thank you email immediately after I had processed everything.
These hardships of life were a gift, Lord Zeus is not a vengeful God who hates humanity (Though i’m sure those Zeus devotees out there already knew this)
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
If you want to read my takeaways please do read below the email I sent. This piece was truly inspiring and insightful.
This is the most in-your-face sign i have ever received in my time devoting myself to the Gods. I’ve gone to school here for two years, never have i seen any birds sit on that building (i’m a big bird watcher on campus), let alone like 30 giant vultures.
I see you Ares!! Our Gods are good :)
I know I don't talk much about my practice or worship much here as this blog is mostly just mental illness venting in a prettier format, but today I feel connected to my gods and that is a wonderful thing. To be able to hear the existentialism lectures in my philosophy class and know that I no longer can buy into such a way of thinking is lovely. I sit there like "this is interesting n all but my gods are here! I am not some abandoned spec of dust in this big universe!!"
So here is a digital thank you to my gods, for many things that I will never be able to adequately explain and express.
^^ i have a story for this funnily enough
so all my life i've told my parents that i'd never be a nurse cuz syringes and large amounts of blood loss in real time trigger me
now imagine their reaction when i ask for a caduceus necklace for christmas cause, hi Lord Hermes devotee here :3, i want it for worship purposes- hell it wasn't only them, it was my whole fuckin family (i live in a big family of nurses)
all of them almost in unison just go "are you going to be a nurse after all?"
KEEP IN MIND I ALSO ASKED FOR BOOKS ON GREEK MYTHOLOGY ALONGSIDE THE NECKLACE SO IDK HOW I COULD'VE MADE MY SEMI-CLOSETED HELPOL ASS ANY CLEARER
i obviously said no and they explained to me that it was a symbol of medicine and me being a pretty well versed in the mythos just got so damn confused and proceed to explain the confusion between asclepius's staff and hermes' caduceus to them :)
+ NYC has trash cans from the department of sanitation that have the caduceus on it and it gets to me a lot even though i use those trash cans as an indicator that Lord Hermes is with me (i sometimes feel like i hear his confusion whenever i pass by them)
+ the only medical center i know that uses asclepius' staff instead of the caduceus is an urgent care/hospice place that's in front of a highschool near my home
so ye i rage daily knowing that our government uses the wrong symbol for healthcare :,)
A little fun fact I love is that the reason why many hospitals and medical things have Hermes' staff thing on them,dispite him not being a medicines God, is simply because someone at some point mixed it up with the God of medicine (not Apollo) who's staff has only one snake and no ones fixed it for some reason.
me, praying: “let your deadly arrows strike the evildoers and tormenters in this world, as you have done so valiantly before. vanquisher of evil, shine light on us mortals, and free us from oppressive forces, remind us how you got your epithets!”
Apollon: “… you’ve gotta stop asking me to kill politicians”
me: “please just one arrow you know exactly where to aim it”
Books are expensive, Hermes thinks learning about your religion should be free.
They're just the basics and only a few, but feel free to ask me to add anything and I'll try my best!
me, an individual who has never really prayed or been religious:
hellenism:
Ok, so I know it's not my usual fair, but I just got my Hestia statue for my Altar, and I'm really really happy 😁 she actually came in, I think, a little earlier than expected, which is great 👍
For reference, this is what my Altar now looks like!
So, the statue is pretty obvious, it's definitely the only statue there so far, and it's in praise of Hestia, goddess of the Hearth. Also for Hestia is the big ass painting(made by one of my absolute best friends in the world who is unfortunately not on this app but made it for my birthday 'cause she's awesome like that!!!), and then a couple of basily, minty smells for the wax melter. I also have a more official altar for Hestia that sits on the mantle piece; it's a little mini forest candleholder thing that I made a while ago with a candle that really just reminds me of Her.
The car is for Hermes, god of Messengers and Thieves. It's mainly there because He helps me a lot when I'm driving, and it felt fitting, but there's also a sticker with the number 4 on it(his sacred number) and four flowers that seemed like his vibe. There's also a strawberry because it's one of his sacred foods, but low-key I always forget that, even though I'm constantly eating strawberries 😂 He has some wax scents, but not too many, just because there weren't that many that spoke to me for him.
Right now, all I have for Apollo is a sun sticker with seven crows(both his sacred number and his sacred bird. Fun fact about that, when I was looking for stickers to decorate the altar with, there were exactly seven crows, and I think that's pretty cool), a few scents(mainly summery fresh ones, right now I have a honeysuckle scent that just really spoke to me.), and a ring I got from my grandmother that isn't shown.
I do have a few items such as the ring holder, the smaller painting (made by the same girl who did the big one), and the heart that just seemed to fit. I don't directly pray to any deities that find those items symbolic, but it couldn't hurt to keep them handy, right?
Anyways, I have a bracelet for Hermes coming in the mail that's supposed to come soon, so maybe I'll post that, too. Have a good day!
@criophorus @queen-of-hobgobblers @deadandgaysetanta
>:(
I know I don't rant on here too much, or talk on here, really, but I have to scream about this. I was scrolling through my recommended articles just now, and this popped up.
Now, while I do not pray to Ares nor do I particularly enjoy his mythology, I know that as a legitimate deity, he is truly a wonderful deity. He is a protector of women, he is a defender of rape, domestic violence, and war victims, and so much others. He has so many myths in which he helps people, and honestly, he and Aphrodite are pretty strong, too.
He, much like Hades or Thanatos, does not deserve to be vilified because of fictional media! I enjoy participating in fandom as much as anyone, and I'm a very big fan of Percy Jackson, but Ares is not a villain, and for this article to come not from a fandom site, but an at least semi academic site, is very upsetting.
I just had to get that out of my system, sorry
Hestia is the ancient Greek goddess of home and hearth🔥 and here are some simple offerings for her:
• Olive oil 🫒 A traditional ancient Greek offering for protection, peace, and nourishment.
• Honey 🍯 Represents sweetness and the warmth of the hearth.
• Bread 🍞 Freshly baked or simple loaves as a symbol of sustenance.
• Wine 🍷 A small libation of red or white wine, symbolizing celebration and hospitality.
• Candles 🕯️ To honour her as the goddess of the hearth flame.
• Flowers 💐 Fresh flowers or faux flowers for simplicity and calm.
• Cooked meals 🍲 A portion of home-cooked food, especially soups or stews, as a gesture of hospitality.
• Incense 🪔 Frankincense, myrrh, copal, or sandalwood for purification and devotion.
• Simple tea 🫖 Herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint, representing warmth and welcome.
• Homemade crafts 🧶 Knitted or sewn items, representing the domestic arts.
• Grains 🌾 Barley, oats, or rice, offered raw or as part of a meal.
• Clay or pottery 🏺Small handmade items symbolizing the home and stability.
• Clean, well-kept spaces 🧹 Tidying and maintaining a clean altar or hearth area in her honour.
• Warm drinks ☕️ Coffee or hot chocolate, especially during colder months, symbolizing warmth and comfort.
[...a son, of many shifts, blandly cunning, a robber, a cattle driver, a bringer of dreams, a watcher by night, a thief at the gates, one who was soon to show forth wonderful deeds among the deathless gods.]
O Great Father Hermes, Glorious and Splendid one
Hear my call!
I praise your wonderful name
And I sing it throughout the land
O son of Zeus and Maia
Keeper of the Flock, Great Shepherd
I pray to you, Father, if ever I have poured out libations to you
And given you sweet offerings
Guide my steps as I walk my path
Protect your sheep from harm
Lead me through this life on the way which I should go
I will fear not with you by my side
For your love and guidance will bring me through
Even in the worst of times you are there
And in the best of times still I will follow you
I call out to you, Father Hermes, Great Guide
Hear my prayer
And be with me through this time
Digital Offering to Lord Hades and Lady Persephone
Happy Spring Solstice! ^^