Lord Hades - Tumblr Posts
I was absolutely blessed by the spirits this day! I wanted to do something special for the full moon, so I meditated and opened myself up to the spirits and gods for a while. Long story short, during this meditation Lord Hades and Lady Persephone made their presences known and identified themselves as my guardians.
I’ve never felt such power as I did in that moment, and I am truly humbled by their presence and interest in my life. I’ve always felt pulled to these two more than any other gods, and was super interested in them as a very young child. It’s an incredible feeling to realize now that all this time, they were signs of the God’s and goddess’s presence
I am thrilled for my practice to take a turn for the devotional, and to see what the journeys lay ahead with My Lord and Lady
August 20, 2024
I have some ideas for some bigger concepts I’d like to write about, but for today I’ll stick with my perception of Lord Hades and Lady Persephone at this moment in my life.
Lady Persephone has intrigued me for as long as I could remember. I was taught Greek mythology at a young age in school, and I remember being instantly drawn to this figure who was only mentioned in passing at the time. All my teachers taught me was that she was abducted and ate the fruit of the underworld, so she has to go back every year, and thus we get the seasons. Even at a young age I could tell there was more to the story than that, for both Hades and Persephone. As I grew older, I did more research and have always held certain preconceived notions about them, some of which have changed since my spiritual encounters with them:
My first encounter was with Persephone, and I immediately got the sense that her age changes with the seasons. As it is the start of fall now, she appeared to me as a young woman with light brown, braided hair in her late teens/early twenties. Such joy radiates from her, you can feel her smile moreso than see it on her physical form. But this is not all there is to her. I have found that if I begin to think of her too much as a young, innocent figure, she sends me warnings, such as sending a bird to fly into my car. She is an incredibly gifted and powerful force, and her strength increases even more when she and her husband both seek something or desire to send a message. She’s a figure of duality-the all powerful queen of death and the joyful spirit of life.
What has intrigued me the most with Hades is how he has appeared to me during meditations (where I have most of my direct spiritual encounters). Unlike Persephone, the aspect of Hades I have been working (and will continue to work) with has appeared to me as a figure made entirely of shadow. I can’t make anything out about his physical appearance - as opposed to Persephone who has a distinct physical form - but I get the distinct feeling that he is male. My intuition tells me that he does have a physical form he can take, but is waiting for me to give more to him before showing me. This is perfectly fair and reasonable in my opinion, as I have been doing much more work on connecting to Persephone than to him. Mostly that was out of me being intimidated by him, but now that I know they are both present in my life, I must work to honor both of them equally, as they reign.
August 21, 2024
One of the biggest things that has struck me so far is how little we have remaining from history when it comes to how Hades and Persephone were worshipped. I understand that worshipping Him was a bit taboo, but I’m surprised that I’ve struggled to find evidence of Her being worshiped in isolation from other gods. She’s usually with Demeter.
It seems to me that, other than in a few regions outside of Greece proper, Persephone was mainly worshipped in relation to her Spring aspect, not her role as Queen of the Underworld. I hope I can serve both aspects of her so she’s not limited in any capacity
I feel an urge to give them more of what they have historically been overlooked for: recognition and veneration. Of course there are some stereotypical elements that are associated with them, such as the pomegranate, but I’d like to find ways of acknowledging and praising them that are a bit more individual, tuned to my personal relationship with each of them, as those relationships develop. I think I’m getting stuck in my head and overthinking my struggle to come up with ideas of what to put on their altars, and am overthinking it.
With not as much historical evidence of practices and rituals as other gods may have, I’m going to rely a lot on my intuition and what I gleam from my interactions with them to guide me in what ways are best to venerate Them. I’d love to hear any suggestions you all have or any practices you’ve had experience with that are related! What actions/offerings do you think are appropriate here? I do have a background in history (not much Greek, though), so I do hope in my continued research I’ll find a practice or offering with historical precedence that I can adapt to todays world!
Another thing that’s been on my mind a lot today is that it’s important to me that Lord Hades and Lady Persephone know that I’m seeking to cultivate connections with both of them individually, and not just viewing them as a unit. This is probably just my anxieties flaring up a little in my mind. I’m just in awe that two beings with such power have connected with me, and I want to make sure I do everything “right,” but that’s not really how a practice like this works. There aren’t a set of rules already established for me, especially none set for the 21st century. I need to listen to my gut in my craft, and my gut tells me to focus a lot right now on each of Them as individual gods. Perhaps this means a break from reading about the two of them together and more time meditating on one of them at a time.
August 22, 2024
For today’s reflection, I’d like to look inward a bit and begin to unpack a common theme that has been coming up a lot in my tarot readings lately: doing what I can to make the world a more compassionate place
This is something that has motivated me for my whole life, so it doesn’t initially surprise me that I’m drawn to those cards often. However, what has been unexpected is the fact that Hades has frequently been the one identifying Himself with these messages.
Now I know not everyone is going to agree with my beliefs and that’s ok! I love that faith brings everyone to their own individual interpretations, I think that’s beautiful! And I am aware that my personal beliefs deviate quite a bit from traditional Greek practices, but I’m not trying to recreate those practices exactly. So that’s just a little disclaimer that I’m not looking to argue with anyone about philosophy, this blog is more of a personal journal through my faith journey, just made public in case it helps anyone else!
What my gut tells me about this is that, contrary to popular belief, Hades does really care about what goes on in the land of the living. I mean, what happens in life has a huge impact on who we are when we die, so it makes sense that the events of life would have repercussions on what the afterlife looks like. If there’s overwhelming negativity, divisiveness, and hate in our world, maybe those elements are popping up more and more in the Underworld, leading to more and more conflicts that Hades has to manage. If we can bring joy to this life, we can bring it to the next. Obviously that’s all much easier said than done, but right now I’m just focusing on doing more positive acts of kindness intentionally throughout the day and being more selfless.
Honestly part of me is hesitant to share this thought, but Hades has encouraged me to share my knowledge to the world in addition to kindness through my divination with Him, and I want to honor that.
I know most people picture Hades in his very serious, king of the underworld aspect, but he has shown me a ton of his hidden sense of humor.
Like the other day I ordered a little statue of him for my altar. I get the package today and guess what? The package contained 16 of the same statue! I went back and checked my receipt-I was only charged for one but they must have somehow went me a whole pack of them by accident!
It honestly had me cracking up so much like he’s so not subtle and has his unserious moments and that’s what I love so much about working with him
Are there any other Hades and Persephone worshippers/people who work with them out there who’d like to chat? I’d love to make some friends with a similar interest in the spiritual!
August 26, 2024
I’m really thankful and grateful to Lord Hades and Lady Persephone for their supporting presence with me over the past few days. I’ve been really drained with a lot going on at work and in my personal life, and today when I sat down to do my morning tarot with them a message came through loud and clear: take care of yourself.
It’s really wonderful to get the affirmation that I’m not imagining it, that they do really care about me and want me to focus on my wellbeing, even if that means spending less time creating more elaborate rituals to celebrate them.
When reading historic texts about the ancient worship of the gods, sometimes it can feel a bit impersonal. But I believe the gods give us what we need, if we ask and work for it. And Hades and Persephone knew I needed some support and permission to relax.
The gods know us all as individuals and care for us as our unique needs call for it, and I just think that’s so beautiful
August 28, 2024
One of the biggest things I’m struggling with right now is getting the courage to do the hard things that need to be done. I have a really unhealthy friendship that I know I need to let go of, especially in the spirit of the waning moon. Messages have been coming through in my divination sessions (mainly tarot at the moment) from the spirits that encourage me to do what’s healthiest for myself and cut ties with this person; during my meditations Lord Hades and Lady Persephone have echoed these same messages.
I know it’s something I need to do, for my sake and the other person’s, and it’ll be the best in the long run. But this other person is in a position of power and authority in my life, and I’m scared of her getting angry and retaliating.
I know that I have the support I need from others to catch me if I fall, but I need to make that first step and cut ties with him on my own.
Today, I pray for the courage to take steps towards slowly distancing myself from her and other negative forces in my life, and protection over any emotional harm they may send my way. I pray for patience from the spirits on my part, and hope they are understanding if it takes me a long time to grow in the way I need to
🏛Hellenic cheat sheets🏛
In construction
Here are some cheat sheets with general information about the Greek Gods which you might find useful in worship but not only!
There is plenty of information I did not include. These are just simple cheat sheets. I could not fit everything in there but this might come in handy if you’re just starting out or want to get to know the Hellenic Gods.
For more information about them, I highly recommend you check out the websites or books I listed in sources!
PSA: Some of the things listed in offerings and associations section are more modern, thus could be regarded as UPGs/SPGs
⚡ The Olympians ⚡
Zeus
Hera
Poseidon
Demeter
Athena
Apollo
Artemis
Ares
Hephaestus
Aphrodite
Hermes
Hestia
Dionysus
Mount Olympus - Home of the Gods
Hyperborea
🦴The Underworld🦴
Hades
Persephone
Hekate
Hypnos
Thanatos
Erinyes
House of Hades & the Afterlife
🌱 Minor deities & daimones 💫
Nemesis
Eris
Phobos & Deimos - bonus info
Eros
Nike
Asklepios
Pan
Iris
Hebe
Priapus
Amphitrite
Aristaios
Thetis
Tyche
Mousai [Muses]
Moirai [Fates]
Charites [Graces]
Anemoi [The Winds]
🌾 Titan & Primordial Gods 🌌
Helios
Selene
Hekate
Eos
Leto
Themis
Rhea
Cronus
Nyx
Gaia
👑 Heroes & deified mortals ⚔
Achilles
Heracles
Asklepios
Ganymede
Dioskouroi
Adonis
Hyacinthus
If you like my content consider supporting me on: https://ko-fi.com/screeching0wlet
The Worship of Hades in Ancient Greece
In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Hades was the god of the underworld - the realm of the dead. As the ruler of this grim domain, Hades was an important but often feared deity in the Greek pantheon.
Despite his formidable role, Hades did not receive the same level of widespread public worship as some of the other Olympian gods like Zeus or Poseidon. Hades was seen as a remote and somber figure, best left undisturbed in his realm beneath the earth.
However, Hades did have some specific rituals and practices associated with his cult:
Sacrifices and offerings: Worshippers would make offerings of black animals, such as black sheep or bulls, to honor Hades. These were often buried or burned as a way to communicate with the underworld.
Funerary rites: Hades presided over funeral and burial practices. Ancient Greeks would make offerings to Hades during the burial of the dead to ensure safe passage to the afterlife.
Chthonic rituals: Some mystery cults and oracles, such as the Oracle of the Dead at Ephyra, conducted secretive rites and rituals intended to communicate with Hades and the underworld. These were seen as dark and dangerous practices.
Oaths and curses: Hades was sometimes invoked when swearing solemn oaths, as the god who would punish any breaches of such vows. His name was also called upon in curses and maledictions.
While not as prominent as some of the more beloved Olympian gods, Hades maintained an important place in the religious life and imagination of the ancient Greeks through these specialized rituals and beliefs surrounding the world of the dead.
The significance of the Eleusinian Mysteries related to Hades
The Eleusinian Mysteries were one of the most important religious rituals in ancient Greece, and they were closely tied to the worship of Hades and the underworld.
The Eleusinian Mysteries were a series of annual initiation ceremonies held at Eleusis, a small town just outside of Athens. The mysteries centered around the myth of Persephone, the daughter of the goddess Demeter, who was abducted by Hades and taken to the underworld to become his queen.
The ceremonies aimed to teach initiates about the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, and to provide them with a promise of a favorable afterlife in the realm of Hades. The specific rituals and teachings of the mysteries were kept strictly secret, known only to those who had been initiated.
However, we do know that the ceremonies involved a procession from Athens to Eleusis, where participants would enact the myth of Persephone's descent and return. This likely included symbolic representations of the underworld and the meeting between Persephone, Demeter, and Hades.
The Eleusinian Mysteries were seen as a way for initiates to gain the favor and protection of Hades, ensuring they would be welcomed into the underworld after death. Participating in the mysteries was highly valued, as it was believed to bring blessings, good fortune, and a meaningful afterlife.
The central role of Hades and the underworld in these important religious rites highlights the complex and multi-faceted nature of his worship in ancient Greece. The Mysteries demonstrate how he was revered not just as a remote, fearsome figure, but also as a powerful deity who could grant favor and a blessed afterlife to his devoted worshippers.
worshipping the chthonic gods
first, a note on cthonic vs ouranic: the line between these gods is one that is not really as stark as it can be portrayed. many gods have both ouranic and chthonic aspects, and neither make them any more "good" or "bad" than the other. chthonic gods are not evil gods, at least no more than any ouranic god. all deities have the capability of doing good and evil, but are largely ambivalent in nature. the advice listed below is not set in stone, simply provided as gentle guidance. if you have suggestions, feel free to add them in the comments/reblogs! :)
LIBATIONS/OFFERINGS
In Ancient Greece it was very common for offerings to the chthonic gods to be given in the form of libation--a drink (or any liquid) poured into the ground. Physical offerings, like food, were often burned in their entirety to ash or left to rot, instead of being partially shared by the offeror. Incense was not as commonly used since the smoke travels upwards, towards the heavens.
I suggest disposing of/keeping ashes and rotted food outside or burying them, seeing as chthonic sometimes refers to "-of the earth." This would be similar to how curse tablets were treated in Ancient Greece, as Hermes, messenger of the gods, would deliver them unto their underworld-ly receiver from there.
If you can't do that, consider pouring your libations down the sink or flushing them down the toilet (ONLY do this with water-based liquids, oil and honey will clog up your sink in no time flat). It's not ideal, but it gets the job done.
Common libations include: coffee, blood (animal or your own, we'll get to that at the end), honey (instead of wine), milk
Common offerings include: meat, barley/grain, oil, cheese
In many cases, prayers to ouranic deities are directed upwards, into the sky or delivered unto the wind by voice, song, or some sort of poem. In the case of the chthonic gods, we should be directing them downwards, towards the underworld where they reside. This may include extending your hands with palms facing down, putting your head down, or just imagining your prayers being sent below. The only exceptions to this may be Persephone, who resides in the heavens for half of the year, and Hermes, who can be considered both ouranic and chthonic.
PRAYER
Other recommendations I can make are: light a candle, even if you're not going to use it for pyromancy; light some incense (I do this for focus and cleansing, not so much for the deity); and perform it at night. It's not mandatory, of course, to perform your prayers at night, it's just that in antiquity ouranic activities (festivals, prayer, etc.) were done during the day and often directly enshrouded in sunlight. We can assume, therefore, that a chthonic prayer or festival should occur during the night, especially if being directed towards Hekate or Nyx.
ALTARS/SHRINES
In Ancient Greece, temples to the ouranic gods were constructed so that their doorways would directly face the sun, thus illuminating the inside (and often the main statue(s), too). We can assume, then, that our chthonic altars/shrines should be located somewhere out of the direct sunlight. This can be in a dark spot, like a closet or isolated room--or it can just simply be in a corner furthest from the sun's rays.
Again, there may be some exceptions to this: Hermes, under his ouranic epithet(s), Persephone, for her time in the heavens, and Hekate, for her association with the moon.
DIVINATION
For the most part divination with the chthonic gods is conducted in much the same way as with the ouranic. Of course, when calling upon these deities you'll want to face towards the ground, and perhaps even conduct these sessions in partial darkness. Again, maybe you could light a candle or even pour a libation before a really big reading.
I mostly use pendulums and tarot, but I've been experimenting with meditation and have had some luck. What works for ouranic deities should work just as good for chthonic, you just might have to shift your approach a little.
Some good tarot spreads for working with chthonic deities:
"Fork in the Road" spread-- for Hermes or Hekate
"The Tower" spread-- for Hermes or Hades
"The Self Exploration" spread-- for any
"The Bat" spread-- for Hades or Persephone
EXTRAS
--Consider offering blood if you're able! Animal blood that is sourced from ethical farms is neither morally reprehensible or illegal and can be sourced from a variety of places. Offering your own blood is also a possibility, but for this I would not recommend more than a pinprick. There are limits to how much pain you should be incurring on yourself for your deities. If you have to check your blood sugar often, maybe you can soak up excess blood with some cotton and bury it outside. Make sure to always clean your wounds properly and do not engage in this behavior for the purpose of self-mutilation. That, I can assure you, your deities would not appreciate. Don't be stupid.
--Snakes are commonly associated with almost all chthonic deities, or just the Underworld in general. We see this the most with Hermes, who is pictured with two snakes wrapped around his caduceus. The god Asclepius is also pictured with a staff with a snake on it, but only has one. Asclepius is the god of medicine, and (before being deified) was killed by Zeus for making people practically immortal.
--Chthonic deities are the best places to turn to for spirit work, protective, and baneful magic. You're looking to contact a spirit? Turn to Hades. You're looking for protection against spirits/demons? Turn to Hekate or Hermes. You're looking to cast a curse? Turn to Persephone or Hekate.
💀 Subtle Haides Worship 🐕🦺
If you have a dog (or any pet), play with them
Volunteer at an animal shelter
Donate dog supplies to animal shelters and places who help families in need
Feed neighborhood dogs, cats, or birds
Start a coin collection with the intention of souls who need payment at the Underworld's gates can use those coins
Keep a picture of him in your wallet
Have a candle that reminds you of him (no altars needed)
Wear jewelry that reminds you of him
Have a stuffed animal owl, dog, or black ram
Have imagery of a bident, Cerberus, or ancient Greek helmets around
Drink coffee or a soothing tea to start your day
Honor your ancestors/souls that have passed; learn about your family history
Hold onto any family heirlooms; keep items from people who have passed in your life
Eat pomegranate seeds; drink pomegranate juice
Support suicide prevention or funeral funding organizations
Visit cemeteries; if allowed (get permission first please), leave flowers at graves; visit loved ones' or family members' graves
Collect animal bones (please thank the animal's spirit after doing so; I just think it's respectful to do so)
Learn about death; acquaint yourself with the idea of death; figure out what you believe happens after death
Take care of yourself physically and emotionally
Work on learning to let go of the past; forgive yourself for past mistakes, and release past regrets
Start a garden or tend to plants
Save your money, if able; work on spending it wisely
Practice patience, understanding, and gratitude
Be a good host to all who enter your space; Haides is the ultimate host, the Ruler of All
Take a walk during a new moon (if it is safe to do so in your area)
Bury a time capsule
Honor old family traditions; dig into your heritage and find pride in it
Learn to find simple joys in life; make a list of things that bring you joy in your day to day
Meditate in nature; ground yourself often; practice mindfulness
Visit/explore caves (please do so safely!!!)
Visit ancient ruins, ghost towns, and any place where people used to be but are no longer
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Hope this helps someone! I may add more later on. For now, this is my list of discreet ways to worship Haides. Take care, everyone! 🩵
Link to Subtle Worship Master list
Things have been very difficult lately. In the spirit of the new moon, I cut off an unhealthy relationship in my life. Even though it’s for the best for all parties involved, I’m having to deal with a lot of anger and resentment from the other person involved.
This has also been trying because, despite how unhealthy our relationship was, this person was my closest and really only friend. Even though I’ve spent most of my life alone, it terrifies me, and I doubt every little step that I take. I also am terrified of them trying to hurt me for leaving the relationship when they didn’t want to let me go.
I thank Persephone for her guidance and support that led me to this decision, and I humbly ask that Hades give me the strength and wisdom to live independently and solitarily
On today’s episode of Hades being unintentionally funny with his signs:
It’s been a bad day and I’ve been reaching out to him a lot for strength, which is something I do with him relatively frequently (he’s been helping me become stronger and stick to my values more).
Then, my coworker starts absolutely blasting some terrible early 2000s music (she never plays music) and honestly? That nostalgia made me really feel better. I like to think that he had a hand in providing me this small comfort and happiness, but it’s funny to picture him actively choosing an old Taylor Swift song to play lmao
I know most people picture Hades in his very serious, king of the underworld aspect, but he has shown me a ton of his hidden sense of humor.
Like the other day I ordered a little statue of him for my altar. I get the package today and guess what? The package contained 16 of the same statue! I went back and checked my receipt-I was only charged for one but they must have somehow went me a whole pack of them by accident!
It honestly had me cracking up so much like he’s so not subtle and has his unserious moments and that’s what I love so much about working with him
TW: vague mention of suicide
I got really drunk tonight and slipped up and made a tasteless joke about offing myself (I used to be really bad about making these kinds of jokes, but I’ve been working on not saying them, especially since I’ve started working with Hades and Persephone). My hair suddenly got caught on my chair and it was lightly pulled, something that has never happened in the months and months I’ve had this chair. My gut tells me that was one of them warning me not to make those jokes anymore, which is perfectly understandable! I deeply regret my actions and, once I’m sober, will meditate and convey my apologies to Them.
I love creating elaborate, personal rituals for the gods but there’s also something so divine and beautiful about making magick out of the mundane.
Washing away stale energy in the shower
Brushing my teeth with mint toothpaste for Hades while praying to Him and asking for guidance in speaking the truth
Wearing pomegranate lip balm for Persephone and asking Her to keep the words I say just and fair
Stirring a sigil into my morning coffee for focus and energy
It’s just such an incredible reminder that the gods are everywhere in our lives, that everything is touched by them. And that makes every little mundane part of life so much more meaningful to me
some mentions of Hades in historical works
HESIOD'S THEOGONY:
" In front of that stand the echoing halls Of mighty Hades and dread Persephone, Underworld gods, and a frightful, pitiless Hound stands guard, and he has a mean trick: When someone comes in, he fawns upon him, Wagging his tail and dropping his ears, But he will not allow anyone to leave— He runs down and eats anyone he catches Leaving Persephone’s and Hades’ gates. "
THE ORPHIC HYMNS
" You dwell below the earth, O' strong-spirited one, a meadow in Tartarus, thick-shaded and dark. Sceptered Chthonic Zeus, please accept this sacrifice, O' Plouton, holder of the keys to the whole earth. To mankind you give the wealth of the year’s fruits, yours is the third portion, earth, queen of all, seat of the gods, mighty lap of mortals. Your throne rests on a dark realm, the realm of distant, of untiring, of windless, and of impassive Hades; it does rest on gloomy Acheron, the river who girds the roots of the earth. All-receiver, master of death, master of mortals, host of many, Euboulos, you once took as your bride pure Demeter’s daughter: you tore her away from the meadow, and through the sea you carried her to an Attic cave upon your steeds— it was the district of Eleusis, where the gates to Hades are. You alone were born to judge deeds obscure and conspicuous. Holiest and illustrious ruler of all, frenzied god, you delight in the respect and in the reverence of your worshippers. I summon you, come with favor, come with joy to the initiates. "
THE HOMERIC HYMNS
PLATO'S GORGIAS
How wild is it that, when I went grocery shopping for a big feast I’m making to celebrate the autumn equinox, there was only ONE pomegranate in the whole store. It was definitely meant for me!
I was a little frustrated with myself yesterday, because I was worried my ritual for the autumn equinox wasn’t elaborate enough (which is ridiculous-rituals don’t have to be big and fancy in order to be fulfilling!). I did a ton yesterday, and was just already pretty tired by the time it came to do my ritual. When I was meditating towards the end of it (something that I usually spend a long time doing), I felt Persephone reaching out very quickly and suddenly. I felt that she was telling me not to worry-that she was pleased with the ritual and wanted me to get the rest I needed. So I wrapped things up a bit earlier than usual.
It’s so wonderful to work with gods who are so understanding and caring-I could really feel her concern for me and my gut was just so sure about this message that I didn’t feel guilty about wrapping it up early. Even on a day that celebrates her, Persephone just wants me to take care of and better myself. And knowing that she and Hades care for me makes me want to take better care of myself in their names!