Theverytwitchywitch-blog - Thesarcasticwitch - Tumblr Blog

Spoopy Season Safety

♛ ✦ ʜᴇʀᴀ • 𝙌ᴜᴇᴇɴ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴏᴅs, ɢᴏᴅᴅᴇss ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ sᴋʏ, ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ, ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ, ᴄʜɪʟᴅʙɪʀᴛʜ, ᴍᴏᴛʜᴇʀʜᴏᴏᴅ, ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ, & ʀᴜʟᴇʀs/ʟᴇᴀᴅᴇʀs ✦ ♛

THIS IS EVERYTHING!! hail ares! RAAAH! 🦅🔥

☽☾God of War & Courage☽☾

The premiere of ✨Phoebe's WIPs✨ who dis ? /lh

I thought that it'd be fitting if the first one I show you all is of Lord Ares !

As you can obviously tell, it's not nearly finished :') but I still think it's nice enough to share! Hope you like it <3 further down, I wrote down some notes on my design choices in case anyone is interested !!

NOW , my design notes :

I based the armor on ancient greek hoplites (though i obviously took some creative liberties ) , the floral imagery is supposed to be violets , since I associate them with him ( he doesn't have any sacred plants so this is upg ) . His main color is various shades of purple since I never really liked it when people solely put him in red :') plus it's a really nice color and I think it compliments the darker , more dull tones really nicely . My main inspirations come from his sacred birds , vultures & owls . I specifically associate Bearded Vultures with him ( e.g, the dark markings under his eyes and overall his eye color come from them ) . The hair strands that kinda look like ears on top of his head are a nod to the feather tufts of eagle owls , and I specifically ( tried to ) make him look younger since ancient Greek warriors were usually pretty young too . His helmet is horned as a way for him to match with his parents , who both have the horns of a cow / bull . The scales around his eyes and hands , as well as the claws, are referencing snakes & dragons who are sacred to him , as are the spikes on his greaves and the lower arm protection . The feathered " collar" is referencing Himalayan vultures, and the rest of the cape would have the patterns of an eagle owl mixed with a bearded vulture ^^ the cape maybe has the ability to turn into wings should he need them methinks ^^ also , i draw every Olympian with the golden laurel wreath behind them , as a way to show their status :3

( Also I MIGHT edit this post to include the finished drawing once I get it done )

( divider made by me <3 )

needed to hear this today. pass it on! 💕

Let the Gods anchor you in times of crisis, be your pillar to explore the world in a safe way.

They want nothing more than to watch you grow and keep you safe, no matter how 'close' your relationship is. You are enough.

Failing is apart of learning, they won't abandon you for being human.

Ares Resource List

Informational

Britannica

Homeric Hymn to Ares

Holy Theurgy

Eclectic Witchcraft

Mythology Source

Orphic Hymn to Ares

Theoi

Wikipedia

World History

Tumblr Posts

Ares Deep Dive 

Ares Worship 101

Devotional Acts and Offerings

Devotional Act Ideas

Low Energy Devotional Acts

Neat Post

Subtle Worship

Podcasts

The Ancients - Ares

Tea With the Gods - Not Your God of War

Playlists

Ares

Ares (2)

Ares Devotional Playlist

Ares, God of War

Greek Gods: Ares

Videos

Ares: Violence Personified

A Case for Community SPG: Ares and Mental Health

Deity Work - Ares

Full Ritual and Offering to Ares

Messed Up Origins

I don't know who needs to hear this today but;

Your gods don't hate you.

Top Recommendations for Norse Pagans that aren’t Problematic.

There is a lot of books by people who are racist and part of far right side of Heathenry and I’m going to try my best and list the books I have that helped me on my path that isn’t problematic and have questionable intentions. Books and YouTube channels.

Anglo Saxon Socerery and Magic by Alaric Albertson. He is very knowledgeable in his work and path especially on runes which includes the rune poem to make your own interpretation and witchcraft side of things. He even talks about the Elves which I appreciate because not a lot of Norse authors talk about them. It’s more Germanic than Norse but I can’t see any problem adopting certain aspects since they are very similar. I will say he does take himself a bit serious at times but his information is so good and worthwhile. I have not read his first book on Travels through middle earth but it focus on more the pagan side.

Poetic Edda and Prose Edda: it’s what every Norse pagan needs. It’s the foundation of Norse paganism not bibles but myths and tales that can help along our journey. There is tons of translations, but my favorites are Dr. Jackson Crawford Poetic Edda and Anthony Fawkes Prose Edda. But look into other sagas as well like Volsung which Dr Jackson Crawford also wrote about.

Beowulf. More of a Germanic tale but again includes it has roots of Germanic sorcery, traditions, religion like the concept of Wyrd (Fate), the runes, and values within his society like loyalty and mythical creatures. Again there is many translations even Jrr Tolkien did a incompleted version of Beowulf but I think Tom Shippey finished that version I could be wrong. Nonetheless explore more than one, the oneI have is by Seamus Heaney.

Grimm Fairy Tales this mostly German Folklore but it’s still quite important to learn about in German folk magic, creatures and entities in German folklore tends to be very real to the practitioner in their spellwork.

The Way of Fire and Ice by Ryan Smith a very progressive outlook in Norse paganism, he talks about creating communities in Norse paganism and calling out and denouncing Nazis in the community how Norse Paganism is inclusive and how to be open to all types of people. But he has a beginner approach to the deities, beliefs, values within Norse paganism.

Look into a lot of academic sources that’s where you will find a lot of information on Norse paganism and religions.

Tacitus Germania - A Roman historian talking about the Germanic tribes their culture and customs.

Saxo Grammaticus history of the Danes

The Viking Way by Neil Price it goes good in depths about magic in Scandinavia like Seidh

Dictionary of Norse Mythology a quick guide to northern myths, if you are trying to find a specific god and you don’t have time to look up in a book it’s in there with great information to each one.

Children of Ask and Elm: History of Vikings by Neil Price on Scandinavian culture during the Viking age

Some YouTube Channels

The Norse Witch: Bente lives in Germany and their channel encompasses all of Norse paganism more around magic. They do interviews with other Norse witches of folk magic like Icelandic and Danish. Even gives good book recommendations and advice on general spellwork as well!

Freyja Norling: Freyja actually lives in Norway and is a Volva, she focus on so many things within Norse paganism like Trolls, the runes, the gods, knot magic, etc. I love her channel because she actually lives in Norway and very experienced in her work.

Dr Jackson Crawford he is an author but he also has a YouTube channel. He is a professor in Georgia on Norse culture, mythology, and language. He did a series of videos on the runes which are more historically accurate. Discusses the myths and the language and what do they mean. Jackson Crawford isn’t a Norse pagan nor he doesn’t care if you are one but just letting you know he isn’t coming from a pagan perspective.

The Welsh Viking also like Jackson Crawford but still has really great knowledge on Viking culture

Arith Häger he is a channel that comes from a pagan and historical perspective especially on magical side of Norse paganism like Grandir and Seidh.

Please feel free to add on any recommendations that are helpful and useful to the Norse pagan Community!

Fruit Correspondences

Apple: spirit work, offerings, love, healing, beauty, wisdom, harvest

Apricot: love, self love

Avocado: beauty, love, lust, fertility, spell work

Banana: wealth, luck, spirituality, religion, masculinity

Blueberry: protection, banishment, curses

Blackberry: protection, fertility, femininity, funerals, afterlife, moving on

Cantaloupe: spell work, protection, grounding, energy work

Cherry: lust, love, fertility

Clementine: childhood, dreams

Coconut: protection, cleansing, femininity

Cranberry: holidays, blood magic, spirit work

Date: fertility, luck, money

Dragon fruit: lust, passion, spell work

Durian: curses, cleansing, protection

Fig: happiness, divination, love

Grapefruit: cleansing

Grape: money, spell work, fertility, offerings

Guava: love, self love, lust

Honeydew: cleansing, energy, love

Jackfruit: divination, spell work, happiness

Kiwifruit: health, love, lust, happiness

Kumquat: luck, health, money

Lemon: cleansing, purification, protection, curse breaking

Lime: cleansing, protection, love

Lychee: love, self love, femininity, beauty

Mango: love, lust, fertility

Nectarine: love, self love, spell work

Orange: cleansing, protection, divination

Papaya: curse breaking, banishing, spirit work, love

Passion fruit: lust, love, passion

Peach: fertility, love, happiness, spirit work

Pear: offerings, happiness, luck, money, confidence

Persimmon: healing, love, luck, protection

Pineapple: protection, health, offerings, money, luck

Plantain: fertility, masculinity, lust, passion

Plum: love, healing, offerings

Pomegranate: offerings, blood magic, fertility, divination, spell work

Prune: cleansing, protection

Raspberry: love, dreams, health

Strawberry: love, wishes, dreams, happiness

Starfruit: lunar/solar magic, spell work, cleansing

Tangerine: solar magic, strength, energy work

Tomato: protection, cleansing, love, passion

Watermelon: healing, femininity, lust, love, spirit work, cleansing

Tip Jar

May the Gods make you feel safe, loved and protected. They love you, and just another day of existing is beautiful to them.

Times that feel hard won't last forever 💕

i think something so lovely about love/beauty deities is that they don’t actually force you to change into anything specific. they always encourage you in ways to accentuate you as you are.

like working with freyja, i didnt get a nose job. she just made me love my nose and how it has a bump in it just like my mama does.

freyja didn’t make me start frying my hair to make it appear a certain way. she nudged me to buy products to accentuate their natural texture.

freyja didn’t make me start wearing more makeup. i just started liking what i looked like in the mirror—acne, dark circles and all.

and if i did wear makeup, she was right there making sure it came out perfect for my face, not for anyone else’s.

freyja didn’t “magic” away my current body shape. she made me not worry if im bloated some days or about the light marks on my hips.

there was nothing “imperfect” in her eyes. she wanted me to see that.

beauty and love deities have been misrepresented as deities of conventional beauty when in reality, they are mirrors to show how beautiful you’ve been all along.

Hermes Eriounes

granter of good luck 🍀

The fact that the second I say I'm sorry for not paying more attention to Freyja that my acne clears up and I look generally better and prettier is so funny to me. She said "girl you can spend $120 on skincare but if you literally just said hi we could fix like 90% of that."

I mean, speaking of-- I always feel so much better about myself the second I acknowledge my goddesses more. I get so caught up in my life and stress as is that the second I have a moment of reprieve that I spend with them it's like ages of pain being lifted off my back and shoulders.

Praise be to Freyja!!!

Lord Hermes Basic Info

Greek name: Ἑρμης

God of: Heards and flocks, travellers and hospitality, roads and trade, thievery and cunning, heralds and diplomacy, language and writing, athletic contests and gymnasiums, astronomy and astrology

Epithets: Epimelius (keeper of the flocks), Criophorus (ram-bearer), Agoraeus (of the marketplace), Dolius (of crafts, of wiles), Enagonius (of the games), Promachus (champion), Hermeneutes (interpreter, translator), Tricephalus (three-headed, of road intersections), Cyllenius (of Mount Cyllene), Acacesius (of Acacesium), Aepytus (of Aepytus), Propylaeus (of the gateway), Pronaus (of the fore-temple), Polygius (unknown), Paramnon (unknown), Argeiphontes (slayer of Argos), Maiados Huios (son if Maia), Diactorus (guide, messenger), Athanatus Diactorus (immortal guide), Angelus Athanaton (messenger of the gods), Angelus Macaron (messenger of the blessed), Chrysorrhapis (of the golden wand), Clepsiphron (deciever, dissembler), Mechaniotes (trickster, contriver), Pheletes (thief, robber, rustler), Archus Pheleteon (leader of robbers, thieves), Poecilometes (full of various wiles), Polytropus (wily, many-turning), Poneomenus (busy one), Buphonus (slayer of oxen), Oeopolus (sheep-tending, shepherd), Daïs Hetaerus (comrade of the feast), Charidotes (giver of joy), Charmophron (glad-hearted, heart-delighting), Dotor Eaon (giver of good things), Acaceta (guileless, gracious), Euscopus (keen-sighted, watchful), Eriounes (luck-bringing, ready-helper), Cydimus (glorious), Ericydes (famous, glorious, splendid), Aglaus (splendid, bright, glorious), Cratus/Craterus (strong, mighty), Masterius (of searchers), Pompaeus (the guide)

Job: Messenger of Zeus, guide to the Underworld

Depictions: Young, beardless, handsome, athletic; older, bearded

Symbols: Winged traveller's cap, winged boots, heralds wand, short sword, pouch, hermea (stone road-marker, wayside shrine),

Sacred animals: Hare, turtle, sheep, cow, ram, hawk, horses, mules, goats

Sacred plants: Crocus, strawberry tree (not to be confused with the strawberry bush)

Day of the week: Wednesday

Number: 4

Planet: Mercury

Celebrations: Hermea

Parents: Zeus and Maia

Partners: Aphrodite, Apemosyne, Brimo, Carmentis, Chione, Circe, Crocus, Daeira, Herse, Iphthime, The Oreads, Peitho, Penelope, Persephone, Polymele, Tanagra

God Equivalents: Odin, Mercury, Thoth

A few weeks ago Lord Hermes very clearly and repeatedly told me my career was going to be slightly shifting soon. and because I was so incredibly anxious about the prospect of that, I tried denying it. Oops much have picked the wrong tarot card 5 times in a row. Oops sorry Hermes you’re cutting out oof bad signal sorry. What was that? Career change? Idk what you’re talking about. Let’s not fuck with my finances pls ☺️

Well :/ It’s happening now. And it’s not as a deal as I’ve made myself worry it would be. Just a slight lifestyle change, a bit more effort, a couple more things to do in a day. I got the news from my work yesterday, and last night Hermes visited me to “I told you so” and idk why but in that dream I was very sour about it. and he said something along the lines of

“a few months ago you were begging me for new opportunities because you were so eager to do something new. I told you to slow your role because new things are coming and now that they’re here you want to go back to your comfy corner and do nothing.”

and I was like yeah, I know. I need a hard kick in the ass and some new motivations, a new chapter, new projects. I just get anxious at having to get used to new changes. What if I fall short? What if I mess up because I try TOO hard? What if it’s difficult and overwhelming? What if I lose motivation and get stuck again?

And Hermes was kind of like “you know how Im ✨super fast✨ and cool, and you’re like… really slow?”

😒

“Well that’s actually just a trick of the eye. Every time I roam the skies, I have to get to my destination in a timely manner. Very important business. But Im not actually focused on going all that fast. In fact, I take my time to enjoy the journey. Every boundary I cross, I do so leisurely, because there’s nothing to be gained from rushing and worrying all the time. I’m always in the space between spaces, I’m very comfortable with the discomfort that comes with it. I got so damn good at it that I got faster and faster every time I tried. Now I go so fast, people don’t even realize how slow I’m going.

Basically, I never told you you had to adjust to everything right away, or that you’re going to seamlessly blend into every new chapter. Appreciate your surroundings for once. Appreciate the act of being unsure and take your time until you’re ready to pick up the speed. You can float on the water or fight against it, regardless, the waves are still going to come. And regardless of whether or not you want to sink like a rock, the tide will still move you. You’ve already won, so stop worrying so much about losing, cause my devotees aren’t losers”

So… anyways… I asked Hermes to help me start a small business with my friends selling art and clothes. The new hours will give me some extra cash to buy supplies finally. The added exercise will also help my mobility so I can slowly build up my strength and not be tired all the time- which will give me the motivation to make art and stuff. My disability is worsened by over exhaustion but it is also worsened by stagnation, so maybe a better balance of moving + resting will actually be better in the long term. Plus I’ll have a better opportunity to source supplies after work on my way home. Lord Ra has really been begging me to get outside more while the summer sun still lasts, maybe this is the catalyst I needed. Maybe I’ll do a spell for abundance and courage later.

Thanks, Hermes.

Hermes Devotional Post!

Not a complete list of course, so feel free to add on!

Travel

Dedicated travel playlist for Hermes

Mindful packing for trips

Road-trips/camping

Trying new modes of travel

Let Him pick the music

Travel by boat/kayak/canoe

Learn to roller skate, skateboard, or longboard

Learn to surf

Go for a bike ride

Find ways to save on gas (like rewards cards)

Misc.

Draw sigils on shoes

Leave coin offerings at the location you start your travels

Travel size portable altar

Give people in need bus fare 

Go for a run 

Picking up coins you find/leaving coins for others

Donating to homeless shelters

Car

Keep up on car maintenance (especially in the wintertime)

Courteous driving (Letting people out, stopping for pedestrians, using your blinker)

Clean snow off other drivers’ cars

Keep your car clean

Giving rides to others

Stopping for those that need help on the side of the road

Invite Him to ride in the passenger seat

Let Him pick the music

International

Get a passport!

Keeping up on foreign affairs

Decorate your passport

See the world!

Make a travel board/destination list

Learn about places you wanna go

Try foreign foods

Nature

Take a nature walk! (Or just a walk around the block)

Dedicate your hiking boots/running shoes to him

Find a spot in nature to talk to Him

Learn about birds in your area and where they come from and go.

Learn how animals communicate (great alongside Artemis)

Communication

Write letters to friends

Send postcards/greeting cards

Call a friend or relative

Reread messages/emails before sending 

Communicate your thoughts and feelings in your relationships

Practice keyboarding

Establish and enforce your boundaries 

Can and string telephones

Keep secrets entrusted to you

Support your local post office

Collect stamps/postcards

Dedicate your phone/laptop to Him

Have a penpal

Language

Keep a journal 

Learn a new language/Revisit the language you started learning and then neglected 

Learn ASL

Learn about the evolution of language and how it is always changing

Be mindful of the language you use in daily life and consider how it affects you and those around you 

Change your self-talk! Keep it positive!

Voice training (Particularly for trans worshippers)

Thinking before you speak

Learn about older forms of communication (like Morse Code)

Learn braille 

Go to the library and practice reading books in a foreign language (Great to do alongside Athena)

Practice writing (great to do alongside Apollo) 

Learn about the elements of writing, like allegory and metaphors (alongside Apollo)

Trickery and luck

Play pranks (remember: good pranks cause confusion, not harm)

Learn magic tricks 

Buy scratch offs/play the lottery

Understand how gambling addictions affect people

Dice and card games

Learn about good luck charms/Make your own

Night at the casino 

Learn about superstitions

Games like billiards or darts

Arcade/video games/carnival games

Make small/friendly bets

Poker nights!

Game of horseshoes

Learn parlor games

Miscellaneous 

Smoke a bowl with Him! (If your relationship is like that)

Offer him coffee and energy drinks

Trail mix, candy, road-trip snacks, 

Learn a good joke

Write/perform stand up comedy 

Related Jobs

Mail carriers and sorters

 Retail workers (Hermes of Merchants & Commerce)

 Canvassers 

Editors, journalists, and writers

Newspaper routes

Bank tellers

Carnies 

Casino workers

Gas station attendants

 Mechanics 

Where I Acknowledge Him

Gas stations

Mail carriers/trucks

Worn-looking travelers (thinking of the eye-patched man lounging on the sidewalk smoking a cigarette. Hope to be that content one day)

Gumball machines give me his vibe

Arcade games, pinball machines, and air hockey 

Flea markets/garage sales

Simple Acts to Devote to Him

Checking your mail

Checking email/voicemail

Buying stamps

Flipping a coin

Dice divination

Charm casting

Collections

Rocks

Coins/money 

Good luck charms

Pens/writing utensils

Playing cards

Dice (Looking at you D&D players)

Offerings

Orange peels

Trail mix/peanuts

Road-trip snacks

Rocks & pebbles, coins, cool things you find outside

Travel souvenirs 

Good luck charms

Energy drinks

Coffee (bonus points for gas station coffee)

Letters/postcards/stamps

Apples/bananas/grapes

Foreign foods

Κανόνες Ναού!

{Temple Rules - Greek; Credits to @The-Aesthetics-Shop for the Dividers <33}

Χαίρετε! This Post is dedicated to the Temple Rules, What I Can Expect From You All, And What You Can Expect From Me!

--

The Temple Rules

Always Encourage & Invoke Xenia. Xenia is an Ancient Greek concept of Hospitality between the Host and the Guest, or two friends. This can mean a Guest brings with them gifts--physical or mental, in our case--while a Host provides them shelter from their journeys. To us, and this Temple, it means keeping to the line of peace, friendship, and provoking knowledge among our peers and respecting what we expect from you and keeping me, Neptune, to my duties as your host.

Take A Second To Calm Down & Step Back When Disagreements Start & Explaining Your Side Does Not Seem To Be Working. Look, I get it. I truly and utterly get feeling justified in your stance and wanting to explain to others your stance on something, but there's always that one point where trying to explain it further is just going to get everyone confused. When it gets to the point where it feels like you keep talking and talking and yet you're still not being heard, take a step back and encourage the others to take a recess for a little bit and then either return if needed or let it be. Everyone will be happier this way <33.

Please Do Not Bring Up Modern Political Events. It is not welcome here at our temple unless it is a warning of some sort of something dangerous happening that you need to spread awareness for. Do not bring any of it up because of your political views or for the sake of an argument--just present facts of danger and let the people that need to handle it, handle it. Otherwise, modern politics and events have no place here when "here" is meant to be a respite where you put up your coat and leave your mental burdens behind for just one space.

Explicitly Mention When Information You Are About To Give/Present May Be Faulty Or Is Not Fact-Checked. I do not mind in discussions when information is spread without specifically being fact-checked because it might be minor or you might be feeling lazy, but let us know that what you're saying might not be right so we don't spread it further or so we can fact-check it ourselves. This is one of my biggest things, again I do not mind it at all but please let us know so we can act accordingly. There's already enough misinformation/miscommunication on the internet out there, we don't need it in-house either <33.

--

What I Can Expect From You

A Friendly And Open Mind. There are many versions, rhetorics, origins, and interpretations of the Greek/Ancient Myths and so when others start speaking of a version differently from you, please respect that and perhaps even ask them how they knew this information and the sources they got it from. You don't have to change your own views/interpretations but it will at least tell you more information about The Myths and perhaps you can even judge the sources to see how credible you think that version is--perhaps it might even be enough to change how you see things.

Do Not Clutter Up This Space. "Clutter" can mean many things and the meaning absolutely changes between the person, but within this space, it means to not bring or maintain any negative energy, to keep your visit and stay here aligned with what you want to bring, and just to be respectful of the fact that this is a religious space and should be treated akin to the others', no matter how informal we may seem. [By "keeping your visit and staying aligned with what you want to bring," I basically mean to remember why you are here, among this space, and keep to that Honor and Respect you deem you should give it :)) {Feel free to ask more about this policy though :))]

To Interact As You Want To/Can. Again, I am merely a host for this Temple--I am solely here to participate among this Temple and to maintain its space like a cleaner--so this is a group effort to populate this Temple and fill it within the Honor and Sacredity it deserves. Please feel free to public celebrate Events, let us know important Calendar Dates, and just... participate! This is a public space, so use it as such! Celebrate as such!!!

--

What You Can Expect From Me

I Will Always Do My Best To Maintain This Space. I will try to post my asks in timely manners; I will make sure to delete harmful posts/comments so it does not "clutter" up out space; I will reach out to others and trusted sources to make sure that I am being the best Host of this Temple I can be. I will be open to others about my long-term absences so you do not worry about me or this Temple's absence. I will reblog everything you guys ask of me to--such as tagging--and I will forever apologize for any mistakes I make.

When Approached With Difficult Situations Such As Banning Others Or Taking This Darkly Or Not-So-Nicely, I Will Always Approach Others For A Second Opinion. No ban, block, or backlash will ever go without asking others if I am reading the situation wrong. I will approach it diplomatically and I will ask openly because I know that I make mistakes, especially in tone. This also applies toward Discord, where I have the other Temple Hosts and/or Priestesses/Priests to talk to about situations :).

I Will Always Present Source Material/Facts When Asked. This is a personal point of pride for me--I love knowledge and presenting it to others and so being able to present facts from reputable sources will always make me happy. Knowledge makes me happy. And so, if you ask about the knowledge I have and where I got it--especially for the Myths and I what I talk about within Mythology--I will gladly present my sources to you. All you gotta do is ask :))

Similarly, I Will Always Ask For Clarification/Sources When Faced With Something I Do Not Know/Immediately Agree With Via My Own Knowledge. Again, I love learning and being able to learn more via others and what they know, but I also have a personal and "professional" duty to this Temple to know what type of information is being spread--if it is credible, incorrect, or nuanced. From there, I can interpret it either as exciting to add to my own knowledge, perhaps misinterpreted, or something to talk about among The People. But never once will I ever judge you for getting something wrong/reading it wrong/or anything else, I am merely asking for clarification so we're all on the same page. This request is also for the transparency of everyone else so they can figure out what they want to do with this new knowledge. It's never personal, just informative :).

I Will Forever Take Accountability Of Myself. I commonly use the phrase "feel free to kick or kill me if I'm overstepping," and I mean it. It's apart of my own morals to be able to take whatever backlash my actions deserve. Of course, I'm not aiming to have any backlash, but inevitable it will happen and if I can't take that, then that's on me, so feel free to shout at me or "kick or kill me" if there's something going on that you don't feel is right over here. I am willing and ready to learn. That is what this Temple's all about!

*As always, feel free to reach out for clarification or to ask if things seem unfair or you want me to add something! Πρέπει να φύγω! [Goodbye/Gotta Run!]

Your offering is good enough.

Your prayer is perfect the way it is

Your altar does not have to be extravagant or expensive. Simple ones are just as powerful.

You are good enough. The gods love you and want the best for you. They are here to lift us up, so don’t beat yourself down.

Ares Devotions and Offerings

Devotional Acts

Workout/Exercise

Boxing, wrestling, martial arts, etc.

Attend a protest

Self-defense training

Learn about wars

Go to a shooting range

Identify and cope with your anger

Go to a rage room

Play war video games

Play war card/board games

Start a fire

Watch war movies/documentaries

Learn about your countries military and understand why people join and what they do when they serve

Visit war sites/memorials

Learn about society’s reactions to different wars

Scream! Yell! Shout! (productively)

Get out of your comfort zone

Get adrenaline pumping 

Address/work through your fears

Chain his statue

Learn wound care

Take home security measures

Play contact sports

Talk to veterans/people who served about their experience

Learn about PTSD

Practice divination, particularly ornithomancy 

Support people who are currently living through wars

Listen to peoples’ stories who have lived/are living through war

Learn how your state/town reacted/participated in times of war

Offerings

Swords/daggers/knives

Spears

Guns/weapons

Soldier imagery (like toys)

Tanks/cannon imagery

Dog tags

Shields

Helmets

Armor

Boxing gloves

Workout gear (dumbbells, lifting gloves, running shoes, etc.)

Sports equipment

Dragons

Skulls

Bones

Depictions of death

Depictions of war

Preserved animals

Ashes

Chains

Urns

Vultures

Trophies/ribbons/awards

Military memorabilia

War books/movies/games

Matches

Roosters

First aid kits/wound care

Snakes

Bird imagery

Feathers

Teeth

Metals

Claws

Blood depictions

you can put yourself before the gods.

you can prioritise yourself before the gods.

you can put your health before the gods.

you can put your wellbeing before the gods.

you can put your mental state before the gods.

you can put your comfort before the gods.

you can put your safety before the gods.

it is not self-centered to do so. it is not betraying them to do so. it does not make a statement of them being less important than what they are. they can still be important to you and you can still take care of yourself.

and if you need that incentive, of using worship as a means to take care of yourself, you do that. you matter, too.

Everyday ways to praise Hermes:

Thank a mail carrier for their service.

Messengers have always been important members of their communities, and present-day is no exception. Without them, civilization would grind to a standstill—no matter how automated things are.

Mail carriers are modern-day messengers, and they deserve more credit than they get.

They face dangerous weather, difficult driving conditions and physical exhaustion every single day. Last year around Rural Dionysia, I thanked a mail carrier for her service, and she got the BIGGEST smile on her face as she excitedly told me that this was her third day on the job and that I was the first person to thank her for her service so far.

Especially this time of year—thank your local mail carrier, and consider a holiday gift, whether it’s a tip or something else.

*Please* go on about Zeus. Im working at reframing my knowledge on him from what media puts him as and that would be so actually helpful?

Okay so this all personal speculation mixed with info I have gathered over the past few years so take it with a grain of salt.

I think the main thing people miss when it comes to analyzing Zeus is that the myths are not meant to be taken literally. Also, the myths are a product of their time quite literally and the gods are meant to be seen as flawed (imo). Zeus was written the way he was because that is what the 'peek' of masculinity was back in Ancient Greece (well partially. not entirely it's more complex than that) but he was written to give explanation to other God's births, complex historical events and more. It's really hard for humans to accept that tragedy, death and heartache are a part of every day life and I don't blame them. I think it's important to remember that, no matter the time period, we're all just confused people trying to explain the unexplainable through art and story telling. It's also easier to share stories with characters that people already know like Zeus. In addition, being King of the Gods gives him a coinvent motive/explanation for a lot of the things that happen in the mythos. The Greeks also interacted with a crap ton of different civilizations and their religion reflected this with the stories that have slowly made their way into the religion (many have Egyptian roots). SO IN SUMMARY, don't take the myths literally. They weren't created to be read that way but rather to attempt to explain huge life events.

I think the best way to reframe your knowledge and view of Zeus is just to start worshiping him if you're Hellenic Pagan. You get comfortable really quickly and experiencing his energy also helps with adjusting. I also felt weird about Zeus when I was first researching and beginning to practice the religion. I feel like it's kind of a universal experience at this point haha.

also, sorry this took me so long to write up and respond. Life has been weird lately and I just have not been on Tumblr. I hope this was a little helpful :) take care

reblogging, because everyone should see this amazing postal stamp!!

Καλο μεσημερι, I have a question for you. Is there a post office around here? It's my first time sending a letter.

first postal stamp of Greece, 1861.  "large Hermes head"

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermes_(Greek_stamp)

We need to stop using white sage. As in, full stop, the end.

I'm serious. It's endangered. The indigenous people who need it for ritual, ceremonial, and medicinal purposes are starting to have a hard time with it.

There are so many alternatives. There are types of sage that aren't white sage.

I think we, collectively, as non native Americans, need to just stop getting white sage, period.