Sam

Just a man praying to the gods

[prayerofthepup]

Hello and Welcome!

My name is Sam! I'm a 19 yo Hellenic Polytheist witch. This blog serves as my online grimoire and devotion/prayer log.

I mostly work with and worship Lady Athena, Lady Aphrodite, and Lady Hestia. However, I do occasionally make offerings to the other Gods as necessary.

Anyway, If you have any questions or just wanna talk my asks are open. Ya'll have a lovely day!!!

[sleepnowmychild]

Hypnos of the chronically fatigued, unable to walk for long

Hypnos of the chronic pain sufferers, stuck in bed for days

Hypnos of the recovering, having to rest for long periods

Hypnos of the comatose, protecting them in their fragile state

Hypnos of those with endometriosis, unable to get out of bed from the cramping pain

Hypnos of the narcoleptic, unable to control their sleep-wake cycle

Hypnos of the hypersomniacs, unable to stay awake very long

Hypnos of the insomniacs, unable to fall asleep at all

Hypnos of the sleep walkers, keeping them from running into something in their sleep

Hypnos of the sleep paralysis, fighting the visions off when you can’t move

Hypnos of those who faint and black out, making sure they don’t hit the ground too hard

Hypnos of the dizzy and lightheaded, who have to lie down more often

Hypnos of the sick, disabled and chronically tired.

[sleepnowmychild]

Hypnos of the chronically fatigued, unable to walk for long

Hypnos of the chronic pain sufferers, stuck in bed for days

Hypnos of the recovering, having to rest for long periods

Hypnos of the comatose, protecting them in their fragile state

Hypnos of those with endometriosis, unable to get out of bed from the cramping pain

Hypnos of the narcoleptic, unable to control their sleep-wake cycle

Hypnos of the hypersomniacs, unable to stay awake very long

Hypnos of the insomniacs, unable to fall asleep at all

Hypnos of the sleep walkers, keeping them from running into something in their sleep

Hypnos of the sleep paralysis, fighting the visions off when you can’t move

Hypnos of those who faint and black out, making sure they don’t hit the ground too hard

Hypnos of the dizzy and lightheaded, who have to lie down more often

Hypnos of the sick, disabled and chronically tired.

[fruitjuucy]

“There is no cure for madness when the cure itself is mad” | Illustration for Euripides’ The Bacchae

linktree

[sleepnowmychild]

I am so normal about Hypnos and Thantatos.

I am so normal about them being intrinsically linked not just by being twins but by their roles in the universe. Sleep is the closest one can get to death within actually dying, and death is just an eternal slumber.

I am so normal about them being two sides of the same coin, not just connected by their DNA and their jobs. Needing each other to operate, needing the mortal dying of old age to be put to sleep before their soul can be reaped.

I am so normal about Hypnos having multiple lovers and children while Thanatos stays alone, content with being uncle death to his twins kids.

I am so normal about them needing each other to work efficiently. Helping each other carry bodies off the battlefield, lulling the dying to rest before they take their last breath, back winged Thanatos holding up his twin whoes head wings aren't as big and don't hold as much weight.

I am so normal about them being the light twin and the dark twin, then gentle twin and the 'scary' twin, the loved twin and the feared twin. No one truly understands them like they do each other.

I am so normal about godling death knowing he'll get the best rest possible if he just climbs into bed next to his sleepy twin and the two resting together with no stress.

I am so normal about the cthonic twins I promise.

[rosary-enthusiast]

I feel great comfort in the idea of the Gods feeling no need to label sexuality, as done by the Greeks. Unfortunately, Ancient Greece was not as openly gay as commonly believed, much of the homoeroticism expressed, especially in Athens, was explicitly an exclusively masculine, wealthy, expression of power. A social status symbol for an older man sexualizing a younger boy, understood today to be abusive. Much of the time a more equal relationship between men was seen as inappropriate & indulgent.

However, queer people more comparable to modern day relationships did in fact exist, & I don’t doubt the Gods do not discriminate in their love.

I often use Saint Sebastian as a representation of Apollo, because he’s associated with arrows, athletes, & beautiful young men. Saint Sebastian is unofficially often referred to as the patron of gay men, & it isn’t lost on me that Apollo can be interpreted as a similar homoerotic figure. He is perfect in body, & he is supposed to be the masculine ideal, often praised in Greece especially. I choose to interpret his relationship with Hyacinthus as a representation of this aspect of him.

Artemis was never married, & never had children. She clearly prefers the company of women, at least mythologically, & her relationship with the nymphs can be interpreted as sapphic in nature. What could be more sacred to the protector of women, then two women loving each other?

Dionysus is the god of the outcasts, & the downtrodden. His worshippers were those mistreated by society, & he subverts gender many times. According to some he was raised as a girl, & the image of him we are more familiar with is very much effeminate. He has an epithet referring to his wide sexual preference, both as the giver & the receiver, which at the time would have been a subversive act, as well as something that challenges the expectations of a masculine person. He is also associated with theater & performers, which is a big part of queer culture.

Sappho prayed to Aphrodite concerning her love for another woman, not to mention Aphrodite was born from the testicles of a man, which could be seen as a transition of genders.

Basically, the gods love you. Although the Greeks were a very different society to ours, & we should view things within a historical context, it’s not wrong to want to reclaim some of that history for yourself. If you see yourself in the gods, in figures of mythology, that is not only ok, but it is what people have been doing for all of time. Stories change meaning, & evolve.

[static-suns]

No fr tho I’ve been taking so many naps the moment I get home and the way this has been happening almost every single day for like 2 years now.

[virgo-vestalis]

house hunting prayer to Hestia

O Hestia πολύολβος, I seek your aid in finding a new home

As you tend the sacred hearth of Olympus may the smoke of heaven guide me to the home meant to be mine

May you guide me to a home where you can be worshipped in your full splendor and glory, where great offerings will be made for you daily in praise and gratitude

May you guide me to a home where my family can live in joy and abundance, and may you protect us from struggle and grief

You are ever eternal, rich in blessings, most beloved Queen of the home and hearth. May your divine fire roar, keeping the universe in motion. And with it, may you help me find a home worthy of your glory.

[athenaeum-of-the-herald-deactiv]

If I think too hard about ancient Greece I'll cry because what do you mean I'll never get to worship at my gods' temples in their full glory? Imagine how close they must have felt. The wind through the temple halls must have felt like their breath. Standing in those temples must have felt like standing before that god themself. Giving them tiny offerings as they tower over you. Approving.

My chest feels tight with the knowing that I'll never be able to bow with my face to the cold floor in those sacred spaces.

UGH!

[aphrogeneia-deactivated20260404]

Altars in Ancient Greece

A disclaimer before we get into it: this is a brief explanation of how altars functioned in ancient Greece. I am not telling you how you should set up your own personal altar(s). Rather, I hope this can serve as foundational knowledge for you to consider while figuring out what works best for you and your practice.

Pentelic marble altar from the ancient agora of Athens. Dedicated by the Athenian Boule to Aphrodite and the Graces. c. 194-193 BCE.

The purpose of the altar is to receive offerings for the deity. It is the sacred place where worshipers pour their libations of wine, deposit their gifts of fruit, honey, or cakes, and burn a portion of the sacrificial animal. Offerings in ancient Greece were a key component of religious life; it is how mortals express their honor and build χάρις (kharis, favor). The altar is a highly important point of contact with the divine, and is an essential physical element for any cult to be established.

In fact, we can determine whether or not a deity was worshiped in ancient Greece based on if there were any altars dedicated to them. A god or daimon with no altars was very likely only part of the mythological or literary tradition and did not receive any sacrifices or worship. Altars were generally dedicated to one god or a group of related deities. In rarer cases, they may be dedicated to the whole pantheon (example: the Altar of the Twelve Gods in the Athenian Agora).

An altar for a heavenly (ouranic) god would be a raised surface or pedestal, and it would be oriented towards the East. The typical Greek altar consisted of bricks which were white-washed with lime, or it was carved from stone such as marble or limestone. They could be plain, or they could be decorated with volutes and narrative scenes. They often had the name of the deity inscribed into them. Altars could also come in a variety of shapes, the only real requirement being that the surface on top was flat so it could hold the offerings.

More prominent cult sanctuaries may feature a large, elevated altar with steps leading up to it. There were also natural rock altars, or in very rustic sanctuaries, a collection of stones was grouped to form an altar. If one was worshiping a khthonic god who dwells on or within the earth, they would provide sacrifices at a low-lying altar such as an eschara, or a simple open pit called a bothros.

Indoor altars were very uncommon. At sanctuaries, the altar would be outside of the gods temple, often in front of the entrance. Though a sanctuary could contain several altars and sacrificial sites. Households would have had one in their courtyard for private worship. Other altars were located outside of public buildings or in community gathering places like an agora.

The reason for being outdoors was so that the gods who reside in the sky could observe the sacrifices being made and enjoy the rising smoke of the incense. Meanwhile, a libation poured directly onto the bare earth would seep down below to the khthonic gods. Every altar was ceremonially sanctified when its first sacrifice was performed; from then on, it was considered part of the property of the deity.

Below are my sources. I'll likely make a part two of this post where I go over some ideas for how we can construct our modern altars. Thank you for reading!

Ancient Greek Religion, Jon D. Mikalson

Greek Religion, Walter Burkert

Ancient Greek Cults, Jennifer Larson

[simoondraws]

Okay, okay, so many of you wanted more stuff with Helios

Take him 🧑‍🍳✨

[templehyacinthus]

(Be advised that this is UPG/opinion/interpretation)

This comic, for me, beautifully illustrates the relation between Olympian* Gods and Titans/Primordial Deities.

Helios is immensely powerful in a way that dwarfs even Apollo, because Helios is the Sun. He is the cosmic celestial body around which all planets in our solar system orbit. Whereas Apollo is sunlight - he is the Sun on Earth, the warmth and visibility provided to its inhabitants.

Similar to how Selene is the Moon, but Diana is the Moon’s effects and interpretation through the eyes of humanity.

Gaia and Demeter.

Ouranos and Zeus.

Oceanus and Poseidon.

I just think it’s so beautiful - the depth and complexity to be found within our pantheon 🕯️

- Aön

*I know the title of “Olympian” is not always accurate and that a lot of practitioners have opinions about the label. I am open to other labels if anyone has suggestions - Olympian was just the best one I could think of at this time.

[m0urning-ang3l]

Star’s Aphrodite beginners guide to worship 🐚💕

Who is Aphrodite?

Aphrodite is the goddess of love, sex, beauty, seduction, and war. She is most commonly known for her immense beauty and her many associations with sex.

What are some things she is associated with?

Doves

Flowers like roses

The colors pink, red, blue, green, white, and gold

Crystals like rose quartz, clear quartz, pearls, diamonds, sapphires, amethyst, rubies, moonstones, and aquamarines

Incense that smells of rose, cinnamon, myrrh, frankincense, vanilla, and jasmine

Her tarot cards, The Lovers, The Empress, and The Star

What can I give to her as offerings?

Shells or shell imagery

Ocean imagery

Swan and dove imagery

Heart imagery

Valentine's day gifts like chocolates

Imagery/paintings that depict her

Roses or rose imagery

Doing skincare for her

Perfumes or colognes

Hairbrushes

Mirrors

Doing your makeup

Moonwater

Strawberries, apples,and raspberries

Devotional acts or things you can do in her honor

Giving compliments to people

Collecting things you find pretty

Wearing jewelry you've offered or devoted to her

Watch or read romantic material

Self-love

Masturbation (if comfortable in doing so)

Sex (if comfortable in doing so)

Wear perfume dedicated to her

Spend time with loved ones

Create a digital altar (these can be done on Pinterest)

Write poetry about her

Write a letter to her

Create or listen to a playlist dedicated to her

Talk to her (tarot cards, dice, pendulum, and other forms of divination work just fine)

What is it like working with her?

When it comes to Aphrodite, in myth, she was often known as a wrathful and jealous goddess. However, since the myths are just stories and are known to exaggerate some details, this isn’t usually the case.

However, when people mention to others that they are interested in working with Aphrodite, they usually say that you absolutely should not. That she is needy, requires a lot of attention and offerings, that if you don’t do what she says, she will take your beauty away.

This is also not the case.

In my experience as an Aphrodite worshipper, she is very loving, along with being insanely passionate. Also being very vocal about her needs and wants.

Often getting signs from her isn’t at all uncommon. I remember the first few weeks I started working with her, I got an image on my feed that had these two eels intertwined together in a heart shape.

You will often feel connected to sea life, the sea in general, wanting to do things for yourself like dressing nicer and wanting to take care of yourself more.

Here are some things I’ve experienced in my time in working with her.

When I first started praying to her, I stuttered and fumbled over my words. A lot. I was oddly nervous about it? I’m not the type to stutter and fumble often. But beginning to feel nervous and even embarrassed in the presence of the goddess of love? Very normal.

She often enjoys getting milk and dark chocolate, along with roses or any kind of flower, real or not. I gave her chocolates, a fake rose, and a real flower for valentines day and she was insanely happy with it. So much so that her candle rested in a heart shape for a short while.

I often saw butterflies, a symbol of Aphrodite.

I often feel inclined to go to the beach, collect seashells, and do things that make me feel good.

I feel more comfortable expressing love. Before, I was never the type to use pet names for people, especially for friends. But i’ve noticed that I now call people sweet and endearing names. Honeybun, sweet pea, boo, sweetie/sweetness, and babes are things i’ve been saying lately.

She is very honest, often not sugarcoating things. I asked her when my ex first asked me out if we’d last. She said no and gave me explicit reasons as to why. Though I still went out and dated them anyway, and it pretty much ended in the way she said.

She very much enjoys art work of her. I’ve drawn her a few times, asking her to guide my hand in doing so.

Whenever I feel unattractive or hate something about my appearance, she usually makes someone compliment me that day or that week. I was having an off day with my hair, and in that same hour, a girl walked up to me and said that she loved my hair and the style it was in.

That is it for my beginners Aphrodite worship guide! I will be doing these for the other two deities I work with, Apollo and Freyja.

I do hope these were helpful. If you have any questions or need assistance with anything, my ask box and my dms are always open. So be sure to shoot me a message!

Much love to you. <3

[royal-wren]

A little appreciation for the domains of a deity that don't get much attention/recognition. I'm making this because I do think it would be lovely if the aspects mentioned below got more attention, and additions not mentioned are welcome so long as it's an obscure part of them. This was going to be just a few and then I got carried away and did the main Twelve Olympians

A little love for:

Apollon as the God of Foreigners (the Arcadian friendship's harmony with Hermes being the god of travelers/way-god couldn't be any louder)

Aphrodite as a Goddess of the Arts (anything love-themed falls to her by default)

Ares of Civil Order, Defender, and Of Courage

Artemis as the Goddess of Dancing and equal Leader of the Mousai

Athene as the Goddess of Carpentry, Metalwork, and Sculpting

Demeter as Friend of Peace and Law-Giver

Hephaistos as the one with a delicate touch that creates beautiful works of art (It isn't so much unknown but honestly the thing I love most and not the first thing one thinks of with his talents/image)

Hera as the Skillful Bender of Language, Bender of Oaths and Promises

Hermes, God of Peace/Diplomacy, Divine Protector of All, as well as a God of Poetry and Knowledge (rightfully the other half to Athene)

Hestia of the Earth, Earth Dwelling and Delighting in the Works of Man, The One That Made Buildings

Poseidon of Fertility, the Plant Nurturer, and Holder of the Earth

Zeus of the People, Gracious and Merciful, Of Refuge, Counsellor

[divine-adoration]

Hellenic Wheel of the Year

Disclaimer - While I do not personally agree with using someone else’s specific holiday to worship  different gods (Lughnasadh is for the gaelic god Lugh and *to me* it would be rude to take a lugh festival verbatim, with actions specifically for him and just replacing the god honored etc) However, there are very similar festivals, with similar actions and aligning them to the wheel might be handy (maybe the only other pagan friend you have irl celebrates the wheel and you want to be able to do things together) Or maybe melding the two different traditions is just how you roll. You do you, I’m not here to judge. This is a question i see brought up frequently but seldom answered, how to adapt the wheel of the year to the worship of hellenic gods. So we’re going to be looking at the time points and the concepts that are imbibed in the wheel of the year and try to match their concepts with the appropriate gods OR, align them with similar fesitvals that were held around the same time. Ok, that said, lets go… Wheel Holiday - Imbolc. Feburary 1-2 This is one of the four quater gaelic holidays, typically the goddess Brigid is revered on imbolc. Associations - rebrith, renewal, The promise of coming spring, divinations Hellenic holiday - Lenaia or Anthesteria Lenaia was a Dionysian festival celebrating the aspect of his rebirth after being torn apart by titans. This was held in the month of gamelion which was roughly January/February so you could certainly celebrate this on Feb 1st if you so choose. Historically it was celebrated with theatrical contests. Movie marathon or improv parties would be a great idea here. Anthesteria was also a Dionysian festival (Seeing the theme here?)  It celebrated the beginning of spring, particularly the maturing of the wine stored at the previous vintage. Social order was cast aside for feasts and revelry as wine casks were opened. Everyone joined in the feasts and libations were given to the dead ancestors. There was a solomn aspect to this festival in that regard where after the reverly, respects would be paid to the dead and to Hermes as the guider of souls. offerings of fruit were popular. Hellenic gods -  Dionysus, Hermes  Wheel Holiday - Ostara/ The spring equinox - March 20th Typically associated with the germanic goddess Eostre. Associations - fertiity, new growth, balance, the first of spring Hellenic holiday - Anthesphoria Anthesphoria is a celebration of spring, a festival of flowers. it marked Persephone returning to the land of the living, being returned to her mother Demeter. Flowers are gathered and woven into crowns. Aphrodite and Hera were also honored. It was a celebration of the beauty of spring.  Hellenic gods - Persephone, Demeter, Aphrodite, Hera Wheel Holiday - Beltane/May day - May 1st Another gaelic quarter day, a celebration of the aos sidhe and the sun god Bel Associations - Fertility, the first of summer, fruitfulness, sexuality Hellenic holiday - Thargelia Thargelia was typically celebrated on may 6th or 7th. It was a celebration of  the birth of Apollo and Artemis, largely an agricultural festival. The first fruits of the season were offered to Artemis and Apollo for a bountiful and mild summer. Offerings were given to Demeter as well as the seeds were sew. olive branches, wrapped in wool were hung over doors for prosperity and to ward off evil. Festivals and singing were held to honor the gods. historically sacrifices were made on thargelia. In modern times I feel this would be a good time to cast the darkest part of you (symboloically) into a fire, pick something about yourself you want to change or cast away, write it out and cast it to the fire to cleanse yourself of it.  Bonfires are a Beltane staple so honoring Hestia and Hephaestus would also be appropriate. A fertility day, dancing and fruit could also be offered to Pan, dionysus and the nymphs of the land.  Considering the fertility aspect of may day along with it being close to the northern american celebration of Mothers day, I would argue that Leto would also be good to honor. Hellenic gods - Artemis, Apollo, Demeter, Hestia, Hephaestus, Pan, Dionysus, Leto nymphs and spirits of the land.

 Wheel Holiday - Midsummer - June 20th (summer solstice) The time when the day is longest, the sun reigns, sometimes called Litha. Night time is also used to celebrate the fae and those of the otherworld Associations - abundance, virility, sun celebration, strength, mystery, the fae Hellenic holiday - Lampteria,  Klidonas (Not usually in june but may due to regional differences in seasons) Klidonas is the greek celebration of summer. Typically bonfires are lit which are jumped over. Maidens also perform divinations to see who they will marry. The olive branch charms and may wreaths that were made before are cast into the fires. From a divination aspect, Apollo could be honored here  From a hellenic pagan standpoint this day can be used to celebrate gods associated with the wild, virilty, sun and sexuality, like eros, aphrodite, helios, pan, dionysus, as well as the nymphs and spirits of the land. I would even say Zeus and Poseidon since this is also rather close to fathers day which is when I give honor to Zeus and the ocean is heavily associated with summer in modern times. Summer vacation is also a time for travel, so Hermes as well, its all down to who you feel closest to Lampteria does not have a fixed date, but pomegranteanddivy said that she places it around this time and has a beautiful post on how she associate and celebrate it. This would be great for midsummer night, honoring the darker aspects of the otherworld. Hellenic gods honored - Apollo, Eros, Aphrodite, Helios, Zeus, Poseidon, pan, Dionysus, Hermes, Nymphs and spirits of the earth. Wheel Holiday - Lammas, Lughnasadh, first harvest - August 1st The festival itself is named after the god Lugh. It involved great gatherings that included religious ceremonies, ritual athletic contests, feasting, matchmaking and trading. Associations - feasts, contest, marriage, trade, the first of the harvest. Hellenic holiday -  Hermaea,  Aphrodisia Hermaea was the festival of Hermes. Traditionally this was a time for athletic competition, much like the celebrations at Lughnasadh. Some areas celebrated it with a upturn of social order. Games that require wit or strategy. Feast and gifts of food or necessities for the homeless would be a wonderful way to celebrate.   Aphrodisia was a celebration of Aphrodite. In Cyprus, participants who were initiated into the Mysteries of Aphrodite were offered salt, a representation of Aphrodite’s connection to the sea, and bread baked in the shape of a phallus. This is similar to the modern wiccan practice of making an offering of men shaped bread for lammas. Considered a fortuitous time for marriage, it would be appropriate to honor Hera, as well as Aphrodite. In the modern times, this usually marks the start of school back and students prepare for the next year. a combination of this, plus the abundance of contest in hermaea would also make Athena appropriate to honor. Hellenic gods honored - Hermes, Aphrodite, Hera, Athena Wheel Holiday - Autumn Equinox, Mabon - September 23rd The name Mabon is derived from the welsh god of the same name Associations -  Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance Hellenic holiday -  Koris Katagogi Koris Katagogi  was a festival specifically to celebrate Persephone’s descent, where other festivals tended to focus on her ascent more than anything else. Demeters daughter departs from the world and descends to the underworld to join her husband Hades and take back up her Iron crown. Some tales say its Hermes that guides her on these journies.  This is also around the time of wine harvest so libations to Dionysus would be appropriate too. Hellenic gods - Demeter, Persephone, Hermes, Dionysus. Wheel Holiday -   Samhain (eve)/Halloween - October 31st - November 1st last Gaelic quater day. considered a liminal time where the spirits of the dead and the fae roam and must be placated.  Associations -  The dead, the underworld, ghosts, fae, offerings Hellenic holiday -  None on that day but in october-  Pyanopsia,  Thesmophoria and stenia. Pyanopsia was a festival for Apollo as a ripener of fruits and protector. Stews were made and branches were wrapped in purple and white wool as tokens to gaurd against evil, along with offerings of honey, pastries and wine. In this regard it shares some tradition with the old traditions of halloween and samhain as far as creating wards against evil and honey was often offered to placate the fae and dead. I dont think it would be too much of a stretch to do these during the day of halloween before night fell. Thesmorphoria and stenia are rather complex and illusive festival, nearly six days in total honoring Demeter and her daughter persephone. When it comes to celebrating Halloween and Samhain though, I like to use that time to honor the dead, Hades, Persphone and their retinue. Usually with a mute meal and offerings as the sun falls. Once the sun sets and night sets, it becomes, for me a festival of Hekate, both as mistress of ghosts, necromancy and witches, but also, as a protector of children as all the young ones go out trick or treating. Hellenic gods - Hades, Persephone, Apollo, Demeter, Hekate and her retinue.  Wheel Holiday - Midwinter, Yule - December 21st The longest night of the year, many similarities with christmas Associations -  darkness, coming light, gift giving, joy, cold, introspection, feast Hellenic holiday -  Rural Dionysia rural Dionysian is a wine fesitval of Dionysus. Processions were made with girls carrying bread, wine, water and other offerings. After that there were contests of dancing and singing, following by performance of choruses (not unlike caroling) also theatrical performances held (christmas movie marathon heyo). Dionsysus also had a miracle birth after his mother died, myth says that Zeus took her womb and stitched it into his own thigh to carry Dionysus until he was born so this can also be used to celebrate his birth.  Offerings can be made during this time to Helios and apollo, for prosperity in the coming year and the quick return of the sun. Artemis may be offered thanks for the game meat you may eat during this time, also since this is in the middle of hunting season. As this is also the longest night of the year, some may want to use this time to pay their respects to Nyx Hellenic gods - Dionysus, Helios, Nyx, Zeus, Apollo, Artemis. There, whew! If anyone has an additions, feel free to reblog and add. I tried my best to stick to things that fell around the same time or has similar connotations. I realize a lot of recon’s hate the idea of incorporating the wheel of the year (a neopagan concept) into hellenismos but since I see so many people asking about it, I thought I’d at least give it a shot. I’m not here to tell anyone else how to worship

[artwitchpath]

Really great breakdown, helpful information for anyone who feels more closely connected to the Greek Pantheon. I personally honor Eos quite frequently in the spring season and particularly on Beltane at dawn.

[itshybridqueen]

Aphroditos, the Trans Aphrodite worshipped widely in Amathus and Athens.

This particular pose, where a feminine deity lifts up their skirt or dress to reveal a phallus, is called the Anasyrma or Anasyromenos and was widely regarded as an apotropaic gesture, averting evil influences and bringing forth good fortune.

"There's also a statue of Venus on Cyprus, that's bearded, shaped and dressed like a woman, with scepter and male genitals, and they conceive her as both male and female. Aristophanes calls her Aphroditus, and Laevius says: Worshiping, then, the nurturing god Venus, whether she is male or female, just as the Moon is a nurturing goddess. In his Atthis Philochorus, too, states that she is the Moon and that men sacrifice to her in women's dress, women in men's, because she is held to be both male and female."

-Macrobius, Saturnalia (C. 431 CE)

This combination of masculinity and femininity in the same Deity and their assocition with the moon, both of which were considered to have fertilizing powers, was regarded as having an influence over the entire animal and vegetable creation.

They were often identified with Ermaphroditos (Hermaphroditus), the intersex child of Aphrodite and Hermes

Sources:

Koloski-Ostrow, Ann Olga; Lyons, Claire L. (2000), Naked truths: women, sexuality, and gender in classical art and archaeology, Routledge; pp. 230-231.

^ Freese, John Henry (1911). "Aphrodite" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. 2 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 166.

Macrobius; Kaster, Robert A. (2011), Saturnalia, Volume 2, Harvard University Press; p. 58

[stormsvoice]

Does anyone have any tip or advice in writing prayers? I wanted to start writing my own prayers, I feel more comfortable with an already structured text than just talking

[starlight-sage]

I actually have my own guide for this, it’s really Upg, I based it off how I perceive the structures of pre-written ones. Anyways, my guide to writing FORMAL prayers below the cut:

for a prayer asking for help:

Invocation of the Deity: Start by addressing the god or goddess you are praying to. Use their proper name and titles & describe their attributes or domain.

Praise and Acknowledgment: Express reverence and admiration for the god/godess. Highlight their qualities, achievements, or their role in the cosmos.

Request or Petition: Clearly state what you are seeking. Be specific about your needs or desires, and explain why you are asking for their intervention.

Offerings and Promises: Mention any offerings/promises you plan to make in return

Conclusion: End with a formal closing that reaffirms your reverence, and a farewell/phrase of goodwill. (This can literally just be “thank you, goodbye”)

𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓 𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆

1. Invocation of the Deity: Begin by addressing the god/godess

2. Expression of Reverence: Praise their qualities and attributes. (I.e Aphrodite’s beauty or Athena’s wisdom)

3. Celebration of Divine Actions: Acknowledge and celebrate notable deeds or roles.

4. Reflection on Influence: Reflect on the impact of their presence on the world and in your daily life

5. Affirmation of Devotion: Reaffirm your respect and devotion to the deity.

6. Closing Expression of Gratitude: End with a final expression of thanks or reverence.

[beautyofaphrodite]

Αφροδίτη Πάνδημος

Aphrodite, Goddess of All

(All Images found on Pinterest)

This one probably needs a bit more context:

Aphrodite Pandemos was commonly depicted riding a ram. She was responsible for creating unity in certain cities. Aphrodite Pandemos was said to be a more sensual aspect of Her. Also, as Pandemos means common to all, I took that to also represent queer love.