Eden

She | 20 | Sci-Fi Writer | Majoring in Classics

[rose-by-the-sea]

Aphrodite isn't just love and sex and frilly pink bows,

She's passion, the raging fire that burns between the hearts of two friends or lovers when one is under duress,

She's the unbreakable bond of family (found or bio), everlasting, infinite, no matter how close or far they are,

She's the pain of a broken heart, manifest in anger and vindication, the one standing behind you as you confront an abusive partner/friend/family member,

She's salvation for everyone who has ever been or is being hurt,

She is self love for everyone with self esteem issues, looking you in the eye as you stare into the mirror and saying 'You are wonderful just as you are',

She's the comfort when you're in your darkest times, Her hands cradling you as you cry into Her shoulder,

She's the swelling of your heart when you experience new love or when you pick up a child,

She is justice for every queer person of the world just trying to exist peacefully-- transgender/sexual, intersex, aromantic, asexual, non-straight,

And She is the feeling of your smile slowly fading when you didn't realize you were smiling at all.

[battelcry]

I just love the fact that regardless of how bad, insufficient and inconsiderate we feel in matters of devotion and worshipping, the gods still show up and aid us in times where we need it the most. Today I was almost late for my Epic Poetry exam and unspeakably terrified about it (Since it takes a bit too much for me to go to school for living in a rather rural neighbourhood, It would be all in vain). I was very unfortunate for having missed the train and had to wait for another 15 minutes for the other one to arrive when I barely had 40 minutes left for the exam! While trembling in fear and desperation I prayed to Hermes for not being late for the exam. At that moment it was showing 8 minutes as the estimated arrival time of the train but may Hermes himself kick me with his sandals If I'm lying but with the blink of an eye it became 6 minutes and within half a minute, 4! The train came pretty quickly and it takes AT LEAST half an hour for me to get to my school from there. But this time it took 25 minutes only.. And somehow I got told our professor was going to be late too! I safely arrived at school, took my exam, it was pretty good. All thanks to him, our beloved guide and luck-bringer.. Today was full of blessings, I thank to Hermes again. He surely deserves an epithet like 'Maker of Ways, Way-maker' because there's simply no conflict he can't bring an end to, no problem he can't fix and no hardships he can't bring ease. He clears maybe not the way itself but he surely clears the eyes that is too blurry to see the clarity of the roads we are too afraid to take a step. Praise be him.

[battelcry]

Prayer to Hermes for students and writers,

Hermes, Diaktoros, messenger to many, guide to those who seek, dearest of all; Skilled craftsman and rhetorician, inventor of lyre and the mightiness of language for those who use it in your name and honor. Now as i sit on my desk and commence my studies or writing; my heart beats while each pulse recites your name, my eyes see and my consciousness think with the mightiness you bestow, my hands write like a pilgrim exploring sacred lands—depths of my consciousness, bringing fruition to my studies. All in your honor and your name, Dotor eaon, Silver-tongued darling of the Gods. I ask you for the brightness of your wisdom and your skill in writing and language enlighten my path of education and my career i seek as a writer. I thank you for all the blessings you gave me. Please, let me stand by your side and be my eternal guide and mentor, most beloved of all teachers. Khaire.

[lovino-tomato]

Okay let me rant for a moment. You know who deserves a proper father epithet? Ares. Mans is always shoehorned into being the god if war and revenge and all that shit and yeah, those are important fucking aspects to him. But he’s not just that and deserves more damn respect and acknowledgment to his father and protector of victim roles. ESPECIALLY the father role. Eros and Harmonia and his other children don’t exist for nothing. Give my mans more respect to his fatherly aspects and roles he plays and show it more in your offerings and acts of worship. Donate toys to needy children. Help those who don’t even yet have the teeth or nails grown in to defend themselves. Men and women need protection as victims, yes. But what about those babies? The children who don’t physically have the capability to protect themselves? Who do you think protects them then? Ares. So put some toys on your altars for him to honor the role he plays as a father figure too.

[fairycosmos]

lord take all of my pain and sufferig and give it to elon musk

[the-purvashadha]

Ares Devotion Tip

Choose Violence

[battelcry]

YES! Don't listen to those who tell you not to indulge and lost yourself within rage in a 'humanly sin' sense. My rage has protected me from so much, taught me so much and had the most prominent impact on my personal growth.

My rage is present and will stay the way it is and will be carried like a badge of honor of my innermost, core being. No one can take it from me. For it was bestowed upon me by Father Ares.

[battelcry]

Pirating all the 32 books & 3 articles for my Archaic Greek Poetry class for the next semester as a devotional act for Hermes rn

[soporific-desires]

⸸┆ SHOW ME THE WAY . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ 'o father of wars big and small, show me the way to stand as tall as you, show me the way to bear a shield in hand like you.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ⸸ ⋆⁺₊⋆

'o father of the strong and fearless, show me the way to not be afraid in the moment that matters most, show me the way to not fold under the demand of others.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ⸸ ⋆⁺₊⋆

O' father of anger and the great spear, show me the way to strike someone when needed, show me the way to protect those who can't do it themselves.

[athenaeum-of-the-herald-deactiv]

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!

[entity56]

petition to start calling the bible christian mythology anytime someone starts talking about hellenism like its an ancient dead religion and none exist anymore

[teawiththegods]

I’ve been seeing a lot of posts around social media talking about people hearing the call of Hekate, The Morrigan, and Lilith.

I’m not here to dissuade any of that, just want to remind my fellow pagans and witches that there are a plethora of other deities you can work with in regards to what we’re all currently going through and anticipated to go through.

As a Hellenic Polytheist here are some of my suggestions:

Aphrodite (especially her war side, yes Aphrodite has a war side)

Ares (THE feminist of the pantheon, I will die on that hill)

Artemis (protector of women and children, killer of dickheads, a witch, and a primal goddess. Don’t sleep on her!)

Athena (THE strategist. She’s going to lead you to the path of victory)

Dionysus (THE revolutionist. Dionysus is the destroyer of empires and harbinger of change. Especially in regard to women. Their maenads are lethal to men who try to oppress and suppress them)

Eris (MY GIRL! I mean this bitch started the Trojan War with an Apple. Do I need to say more??)

Demeter (Also a witch and single handedly brought two of the 3 kings to their knees and almost destroyed the entire world because she went against the patriarchy. This is the goddess you want to fight alongside of in this battle! Stop sleeping on her!)

Hera (Arguably the most terrifying deity in the entire pantheon. Even Zeus is terrified of her. She lead the Greeks to victory in the Trojan War using her rage, spite, and power. And she can do the same for us!)

There are of course other deities especially in other pantheons. And you can absolutely and should lean on the deities you already have relationships with. This is just a suggestion in case you would like to connect with a new deity for the collective work we are preparing to do.

As always, if you have any questions about the deities I listed don’t hesitate to ask! 💖

Happy hexing and dismantling oppressive systems, my darlings! 😘

[khaire-traveler]

I feel called to also mention Persephone! I know she's a very powerful female figure for a lot of people, and honestly, I admire her a lot and her personal resilience of going back and forth between two worlds every six months. Not to mention, she's also the literal Queen of the Underworld, and that's pretty cool. Plus, her mother is Demeter; you KNOW she's got some of that same awesome defiance. 😎

[witchyligea]

About the Greek Gods doing shitty things in myths

First of all I have to say that I see the gods as representations of something bigger that we cannot comprehend otherwise. I believe they shape themselves in a way that we need.

Hera is the Goddess of marriage. Of course women who were cheated on would tell their stories through her. Ancient Greece was patriarchal. Of course the stories portrayed her as overly jealous, punishing other women instead of her husband. Zeus is a high male authority figure. Of course he is going to sleep with lots of women and boys in myths. Getting away with rape? Cheating on his wife? Doesn't sound that surprising to me.

The abduction of Persephone is about the changing of the seasons and how mothers feel when they are separated from their mothers through marriage. How common was it to get the girl's consent when she's getting married? Probably just an arrangement between fathers. Hell, how old were the girls?

The myths are reflections of the Greeks, not the gods. Gods are the characters of the stories. I do believe that the Greeks communicated with them through divination. I do believe that their religions were real. But we shouldn't forget that written texts can be messed with for political or social reasons. These are not holy books. We need to consider them carefully.

[travelingthief]

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

[battelcry]

Rage, from it carved me my Father And bestowed me a life with a battlecry. So let rage be I, do not blame me for who I am made to be. And if one day no water shall be enough to wash the sins of my my bloodied, battle-torn knuckles And my bloodlust existence; Put my flesh on his altar. For my sins are a devotion in the name of Him And the blood spilling down my hands are a libation in his name. A somewhat mediocre poem i wrote in 10 minutes when i was unfathomably enraged, in the name of Ares. I'm experiencing my Mars return and I'm thankful that he guides me through this time.

[battelcry]

Today in my Greek Mythology class the teacher was giving a lecture specifically on Zeus. In around 20 minutes we started having gigantic thunderstorms and heavy rain after 3 weeks with no rain at all. I love the way of our gods showing themselves in a moment of learning and enthusiasm. Whether it be in a club or in a lecture hall. Praise be Father Zeus.

[battelcry]

Studying classics feels so religious if you suffer right

[battelcry]

(Tw for suicide again)

One thing i really love about Father Ares being my patron deity is how he's always there when I'm studying for my especially Greek and Latin exams and drives me even more to be better in terms of work ethic, productivity and discipline.

I mean... I'm sure for many of you He's definitely not the first go-to deity to seek help for academic matters but when you pray and let him guide you he's just amazing (like in everything) like teachers you had when you were little who were somewhat despotic and annoying in the eyes of little students but as the end of the year approaches you just realise how endearing and full of love he is. He is legitimately that when you're studying with him and his guidance.

I've heard a lot of times that many other Ares worshippers or devotees experienced his love as tough, which wasn't the case for me—Until i studied... I shouldn't have any shame to admit that I'm sometimes like a sloth and unfortunately very perfectionistic so i end up being extremely overwhelmed about my studies and my future anytime i fail doing the littlest thing and spend weeks in academia-induced existential dread where i can make space for studying more instead of worrying. That is for sure something I'm practicing in order for consistency and proper discipline in every aspect of life.

Thankfully, my dear father holds my hand there too. It wasn't even until a month ago i started my major in Classics and i was totally estranged and scared of everything even if it was my interest—and in some way a religious practice, Isn't it? I was contemplating ending it all honestly, again but when he's right there i just know that he won't let me, not even by a single chance.

You can't defeat the army of your unwanted self who serves you not by deserting. In the battle with the self deserting will only bring the army with you. No victors nor winners, then you will ask yourself what was all the fighting for if at the end both are obliterated. Dostoevsky wrote in Crime and Punishment 'And your worst sin is that you have destroyed and betrayed yourself for nothing.' What victory will it bring deserting if not only the excruciating betrayal to oneself? Will it ever worth?

Father made me ask these questions to myself in my times of distress and crisis. His warning was rather tough this time, but crucial for sure. Slowly I'm breaking my patterns of perfectionism stemmed actlessness. My harsh process of regulating my fear towards the future as well. It's tough but I'm learning discipline and consistency in my work and I'm so thankful that he holds my hand and leads the way.

He is like a father holding his little baby by their arms and making them take little steps until they are walking on their own even if they will evidentally fall within seconds. The baby will cry and scream with pain but their father will ease the wounds and hold their arms for more steps.

The baby is you. He will make you cry, he will let you feel your worst. But only for the things you will learn at the end, he will keep teaching you regardless.

May this be an offering in the name of him. I'm again, so lucky and thankful for having his support no matter how stubborn and insufferable I can be sometimes. Praise be Father Ares. My love for him is just unexplainable with the words of human vernacular.