— rotting in the sun, we're inside the jaws of life.
I'm Amir, a wizard and worshipper. I primarily worship Father Apollon, and Lord Dionysos. However I am getting into/researching demonolatry.
I like and follow from @detunedradi0.
Tags for this blog.
. songs of a raven . . ☀ -- devotional poems, stories, etc︎
. souls account . . ☀ -- experiences, prayers︎
. long for wisdom . . ☀ -- informational posts︎
. rays of life . . ☀ -- sun, solar magic, etc.
notes.
. Aside from the fact that I am a student, I am also in a religious Islamic household. I can't practice openly, and everything I do is private. I wont have time to post much.
. I have anger issues. Very bad anger issues and I am very emotional. I am doing my best to be kind and bold.
. Shun me out or disregard my practice or my identity as a brown man and you're blocked. I offer zero apologies.
. Under the authority of Apollon Alexicacus, all forms of hate/harassment is forbidden on this blog. I will not entertain such campaigns. This is a safe space for Islamic polytheists (or even just Muslims), Hindus, Christopagans, queers, godspousers and the like.
would you guys be mad if i just remade this account into a normal blog and occasionally posted about religion?
i don't know really. of course i'll make separate tags for religion, i just want to know. i'm a kid, and with the state of helpolblr, you can get the picture.
Akhilles and Patroklus, two heroes who's names have been sung for centuries, and for a good reason too. Their devoted bond that was unbreakable, even in death, and their fierceness in battle is not something to be missed.
This post will discuss the two heroes, their legend and ways you can weave them into your life.
NOTE: As much as I love debates, this is not a debate to whether or not they are lovers. I am not a historian- pun intended. How you interpret them is up to you. I will, however, use terms such as 'comrade' and 'companion' to avoid discourse.
This is also not a post regarding the Song Of Achilles. Please return to your respective corners of the internet. This is a post about hero worship in Hellenic Polytheism.
Also, this will have errors! Keep in mind that as of writing this (16/12/25) I am a minor, and have not studied classics on a scholarly level. I will be mentioning parts of the Iliad from my interpretation.
In order to keep the heroes separate from pop culture, I will be using the Greek names of the heroes. Achilles is Akhilles, and Patroclus is Patroklus.
Akhilles was the son of sea-born Thetys and Peleus. He was the prince of the Myrmidons of Phthia. According to later tradition, he was dipped into the River Styx, but his ankle was left vulnerable. He was recognized as one of the best fighters of the Achaeans next to Diomediz and was known as the Aristos Achaion – Best of the Achaeans.
Patroklus was the son of Menoetios and Philomela – though sources vary on who his mother was. He was the prince of Opus, but exiled and taken under Peleus' wing after killing a fellow prince over a game of dice. He was a suitor of Helena and was bound to the oath of Tyndareos. He was Akhilles' closest companion, whether it was brotherly or romantic is up to you. He fought with the Myrmidons during the Trojan war, before being killed by Hektor of Troy in Book 16.
The two spent their boyhood with Kheiron, the centaur and son of Kronus. They were educated and trained on Mount Pelion together. Although this seems to be a later tradition, seeing as it is only mentioned by the Roman poet Statius in the Achilleid.
After the death of Patroklus, Achilles asks for his own ashes to be mixed with his comrade's, so they could be inseparable even in death.
Hero cult and Historical Worship.
According to J. T. Hooker, the cult of Akhilles seems to have been widespread, from Aeolis to the shores of the Black Sea. While the two were buried together, the cult is commonly referred to as the 'Cult of Achilles'. This seems to have been a cult of the dead.
But at this point Hommel inserts into the argument some literary allusions, which tend (in his opinion) to prove that Achilles was regarded as the lord of Leuce, the original centre of the cult. From this fact Hommel draws the further conclusion that, long before Achilles was incorporated into heroic saga, he received divine honours as the lord of the dead souls beyond the sea; and, according to Hommel, Achilles' status as lord of the dead is reflected in the Odyssey.
— THE CULTS OF ACHILLES by J. T. Hooker, page 2.
Unfortunately, most of the details of this cult are obscure. We do know such a cult existed thanks to accounts of Alexander the Great's visit and him paying respect to them.
Modern worship.
Taking source from user hero-shrine (please do look at their blog! I couldn't see their post on Patroklus sadly.)
Akhilles seems to be commonly associated with feelings of rage and bloodlust, but some associate him with homosexuality. Patroklus seems to be associated with war and glory, but has associations with medicine (UPG!), companionship and loyalty.
Symbols of Akhilles are commonly the lion, the spear, the shield, and the lyre. Patroklos has similar to same symbols, but with the addition of hounds.
Epithets of Akhilles are: Son Of Peleus/Peleides, Aristo Achaion (Best of the Achaeans), Lion-hearted.
Epithets of Patroklus are: Son of Menoetios/Menoetides, Gentle-hearted, Kind-hearted, Of Heavenly Birth*.
*NOTE: as Reddit user u/LucySofer pointed out, Patroklus seems to be 'unworthy' of this epithet as he is not descended from a god. User u/elsharra has suggested this could be a compliment in the same sense of 'like a Saint'.
Offerings to them can be the usual offerings you'd give gods and spirits. Honey, wine, bread, flowers, incense or anything that smells nice. Poems, artwork, and a playlist also suffice.
If you will make an altar for either of the two or together, please do not put them next to a deity they have bad blood with! Learn their myths before you do.
Devotional acts to Akhilles can be: learning the lyre or learning an instrument, picking trash from the beach or sea, telling your loved ones that you love them, giving your loved ones gifts, ethically collecting seashells, learning a sport, reading about his myths, read the Iliad.
Devotional acts to Patroklus can be: learning medicine, herbology, or the medical properties of plants, taking care of dogs, standing up to your loved ones, giving your loved ones gifts, learning a sport, reading his myths, read the Iliad.
Sing, dance, play games, attend or participate in a parade or comedic theater of some sorts. Create phallic-shaped cakes for consumption and sacrifice. Read The Archanians by Aristophanies, which provides a glimpse of the festival. Display images and symbols of the God. Recite Orphic Hymns 30 and 45, Homeric Hymns I, VII and XXVI (all to Dionysos), or even hymns of your own creation.
Undoubtedly, this was the year of the white rabbit. So many losses, heartbreaks, anger, etcetera. But it was also filled with joy and laughter. Perhaps it wasn't the best, but we survived. I learnt a lot, maybe you did, too.
I am writing this on the first day of R. Dionysia, this will be posted on the second day. Blessed Dionysia, and happy New Year.
Am I the only one who loves calling worshippers of specific deities something? Like Hermias' Tricksters, Artamis' Hunters, Here's Birds, Afrodite's doves, Asclepios' students, Ares' warriors etc? Thanatos' butterflies, Zefs' children, Pan's satyrs, all that.
Apollon does not fully leave during the winters. Such a claim is false.
No doubt his energy is lesser, if it is in your practice, He does go north to Hyperborea. He does leave to go play music with the Muses. I worship almost every face of his, so He does leave for me.
But He's not dead. Stop acting like He is.
Think of it like this: your best friend is gone for a bit. Does this mean he wont read or respond to your texts? No! He'll still read your messages, he wont be 100% gone.
Your devotional acts, your hymns and offerings wont go to waste. He still listens. He still loves you the same.
The Gods are multi-faceted beings that never truly disappear. Like Persephone becomes Kore in the warmer months, Apollon's sunlight element merely lessens. I like to think of them as a web of string connected at multiple, uncountable points and, sometimes, one of those points is loosened or unnotched for a certain period of time, before it's tied again.
You mean that he was a god of light and the planet Venus? You mean to tell me he was celebrated in Rome? You mean to tell me that this God, who was depicted as a child, who was loved throughout Rome, who was Aurora's son, was demonized because some scholars thought "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" which was referring to a king's pride? Because Venus, aka the Dawn Star, aka Morning Star, hangs a bit low on the horizon?
How I love you, torch to the night.
Blood moon on your palm so bright.
Do you hear me, Oh Father? How I love you,
consume my soul, destroy me anew.
Seventh's wings will fly for the last,
I look at how much time has passed.
How the gold caressed my face when I cried,
how much of me has rot and died.
The tender words were all I had asked,
how you broadened my visions, so wide and vast.
Do you hear my cries, the way you did before?
Do you see the way my love for you is pure?
Let me bleed, and it shall dry,
and let the flowers grow oh so high.
Seventh's wings will fly for the last,
his eyes gold and his flight fast.
It wont get easier, that is what you say,
but I'd rather have it be your way.
Foolish dreamer, that's what you said,
falling again in your head,
barely hanging on by a thread,
keep this up, and you're dead.
How I love you, torch to the night.
You have me, your devoted knight,
poet, artist, and playwright.
Phoebus Apollon of the daylight,
blood moon on your palm so bright.
I found this absolutely adorable statue of Lord Hypnos, I have to share it here, lest I explode.
Statue in question has no name, but it as made around the 2nd century, a Roman copy. It's current location is in the National Archaeological Museum of Spain in Madrid.
I'm well aware that it's less of a sun color, more commonly worn by worshippers of the night. But black absorbs the sunlight, as it does with any other wavelengths of visible light.
While colors like red, yellow, white and brown are great, black can absorb the Sun's energy.
Also, if you don't want to buy a shit ton of clothes for the Sun, wear whatever color you like. The Sun is all colors mixed together, afterall.
('the Sun' can be representative of any Sun-related deity, such as Ra, Helios, Apollo, Sol, Vivasvan, etc. 'Worshipper' can refer to their worshippers, devotees, or simply Sun witches.)
