● They/Them or He/Him. If you need a proper noun or a name, Cap will do.
● 33 y/o nonbinary transman (if you're under 20, I'd prefer that you not follow me; if I accidentally followed you without knowing that you're under 20, please say something so I can unfollow you ASAP).
● This is currently fairly SFW, but I make no promises to keep it that way. If you're a minor, please consider this a general content warning? I know that I can't stop you from interacting with content, but I want to stress that this blog is not curated for people under 18.
● Very new to HelPol - very much an Eclectic Pagan with Celtic leanings until October 2024, when a friend channeled Hekate and I was given a very enlightening tarot reading.
● Apollo found me before I found him, but I'm glad he was patient with my initial skepticism, pessimism, and obliviousness. I first felt him on 2/13, and I'm trying to take this slowly. I'm also slowly building relationships with my ancestors, Hekate, and Hermes...and may worship others, as time goes on.
● Chronically ill & in pain, with a side of neurodivergence. Very nonbinary transmasculine. Very bisexual. Not terribly demure, but trying to be mindful.
The connections between Zeus and Hekate are very present in ancient literature and practice, but are less explored in modern discussions of Hekate.
The first big thing is in the Theogony by Hesiod, Hekate’s first literary mention. In his hymn to Hekate, he says many things of importance. Firstly:
“And she conceived and bare Hecate whom Zeus the son of Cronos honoured above all. He gave her splendid gifts, to have a share of the earth and the unfruitful sea. She received honour also in starry heaven, and is honoured exceedingly by the deathless gods. For to this day, whenever any one of men on earth offers rich sacrifices and prays for favour according to custom, he calls upon Hecate.”
Here we see that She is the goddess Zeus “honoured above all”. This is a pretty big deal, considering Zeus is the King of the Gods and Hekate isn’t an Olympian. He honors Her so much that He gives Her a share of dominion in every realm. He continues, saying:
“The son of Cronos did her no wrong nor took anything away of all that was her portion among the former Titan gods: but she holds, as the division was at the first from the beginning, privilege both in earth, and in heaven, and in sea. Also, because she is an only child, the goddess receives not less honour, but much more still, for Zeus honours her.”
This dominion on Earth, in the Seas, and in the Heavens is given as a gift by Zeus in addition to Her duties as a Titan. It seems that this could be a gift in return for Her assistance in defeating Zeus’ father and the rest of the Titans, as She is the only Titan to retain Her powers. And he implies that Hekate receives excessive honor because Zeus honors Her. Indicating their relationship to be quite close together and that their worship might be linked.
Moving on from Hesiod, sometimes Zeus is even cited as Hekate’s father. Theoi.com’s encyclopedia entry states: “Others describe her as a daughter of Zeus and Demeter, and state that she was sent out by her father in search of Persephone (Schol. ad Theocrit. ii. 12); others again make her a daughter of Zeus either by Pheraea or by Hera (Tzetz. ad Lyc. 1175; Schol. ad Theocrit. ii. 36).” This parentage makes a significant break with earlier traditions and understandings of Hekate’s role, and Her role as a Titan, but it does indicate that Hekate and Zeus have clear connections in ancient understandings. What cannot be denied is that Zeus views Hekate as a goddess of great power and importance, and that He bestowed upon Her great power. Zeus and Hekate also both share the epithet meaning Savior, Hekate Soteira and Zeus Soter, indicating that their roles may have even had some overlap.
Hekate and Zeus also would have both been honored as protectors of the home. Hekate guarding its threshold and having a shrine there, and Zeus Ktesios within the home. Here we may have seen a lot of connection in the act of worship.
There’s also a lot more we do not know, or at least that I don’t know, especially because worship was localized and varied greatly from city to city in the ancient times. But what we can say for certain is that there are absolutely connections between Zeus and Hekate and that the ancients would have seen them as inherently entwined in some way. They were even placed together on coins (shown below). Their connection may indicate why Hekate can be prayed to for aid in so many different things, as Zeus can be prayed to for absolutely anything and it seems gave Her a share in His own power. Worshipping Hekate and Zeus together invokes Hekate’s aspects as an Ouranic goddess, as a protector and all-purpose goddess who grants favor in any endeavor within Her domains to those who honor Her. And with that I will leave you with a prayer to Zeus and Hekate for generalized favor:
“Zeus, Hekate, Heavenly Ones, hear my prayers!
Lord Zeus, King of the Gods, I offer up to you this prayer and ask for favor in all things. He who rules the world of man and the heavens, may no challenge stand in my way. May I have success in all endeavors and be gifted well-being and prosperity!
Queen Hekate, Savior of Mankind, I offer up this prayer to you and ask for favor in all things. She who has dominion in the starry heavens, the earth below it, and the vast seas as well, may I be given luck and triumph in all that I attempt to accomplish. May I recieve your gifts and be granted joy, abundance, and general welfare!”
Are the gods actually mad at you, or is that just the cop in your head that was stationed there by whoever/whatever raised you?
On that note, are YOUR gods actually mad at you, or is that just some other god trying to exert authority where their authority is not acknowledged?
Both important questions to contemplate and unpack and to ask your gods. You might find that the angry, judgmental voice in your head, the one condemning and accusing you and making you feel like dogshit about your praxis and guilty that you're not doing it right or doing enough, is almost always NOT your gods and is therefore has no real authority over you.
⠀⠀ ✧. "Priesthood" in Ancient Greece
⠀⠀ ✧. Seers in Ancient Greece
⠀⠀ ✧. Divine Inspiration: Theia Mania (Part 1)
⠀⠀ ✧. What did Hellenic Priest Do in Antiquity?
⠀⠀ ✧. do people nowadays really "hear" the gods?
⠀⠀ ✧. Oracles of the Dead & Ancient Greek Necromancy
Household Worship
⠀⠀ ✧. Household Worship - Structure & Setup
⠀⠀ ✧. Household Worship - Worship at Home
⠀⠀ ✧. Agathos Daimon and the Agathoi Daimones
⠀⠀ ✧. Ways to Honor the Theoi Daily
⠀⠀ ✧. Concept of the Okios
Asked & Answered
⠀⠀ ✧. Travel Altar for Hermes
⠀⠀ ✧. Hermes, as the Patron of Spoken Word
⠀⠀ ✧. Devoting Studies to Hermes
I have been tasked by Apollo to do some intensive work around oracular magic, but I need to do some serious research first.
I would greatly appreciate recommendations for credible resources about oracular magical practices in ancient Greece, as well as any information on attempts at revitalizing such practices today. Could be particular stories or mythology, academic texts, particular organizations or communities to reach out to, YouTube videos... Anything and everything that points to the most accurate information available. (I know our understanding of ancient cultures isn't necessarily gonna be 100% accurate, but the most recent consensus on things is what I'm going for when it comes to the historical stuff.)
Thank you in advance for the help! Please feel free to reblog this. The more people that can see this and offer suggestions, the better!
This may become a longer post than I intended, but some references:
You may be interested in some books I have in this Google Drive.
In particular, Seers in Ancient Greece by Michael Flowers is a good read. Ancient Greek Divination by Sarah Johnston is a really good starting point too. I recommend looking for anything that references Manteis, as that's pretty much the most general term.
For myths relating to Seers and oracles, there's the myth of Arexion and Tiresias - here's the Wikipedia link with more names.
If you're looking to communicate with spirits of the dead, I recently made a post about Oracles of the Dead here. The Odyssey has the first mention of communing with the dead and includes a ritual, which I have in my post as well. I have another post about different titles that Seers may have gone by too, which may interest you.
You might also want to check out the Greek Magical Papyri (PGM). It's essentially an ancient spellbook, complete with rituals and hymns. To note, the PGM was authored during Greco-Roman Egypt, and though it reflects ancient Greek motifs, a lot has been heavily "Egyptianized," so take everything with a grain of salt. For you, PGM I. 262-347, mayhaps?
That's pretty much everything off the top of my head! Hope it helps
So, without meaning to, I'm now venerating a lot more of this pantheon than I had planned - and this is not a complaint! - but this blog will likely start to reflect that. The current lineup on my altar reflects the following, in addition to my ancestors:
• Apollo
• Hekate
• Hermes
• Zeus
• Pan
• Glaucus
Is this too many? I don't know. Does Glaucus have clear magical correspondents, or an orphic/homeric hymn? No, but I wrote one (and I'm not posting it because some things can be private) and based on UPG:
• honey and alcoholic offerings are welcome
• fish are obvious symbols, but he sends me a lot of turtles
• camphor and eucalyptus incense are welcomed, but myrrh and frankincense are okay, too
• he seems to really enjoy Gordon Lightfoot and sea shanty type songs, but also likes a song by The Mountain Goats
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
Food was seen as a gift from the Gods to Man in Antiquity. This belief is the reason we worship harvest Gods, like Demetra, and hunting Gods, like Artemis. Food is also one of the foundations of life on Earth. We cannot exist without nourishment. And so it makes sense that we would offer food to the Theoi as an act of Piety. In this post, I will be exploring the foundations of food sacrifice as they were in Ancient Greece, and how they have evolved into the offerings we know of today.
∿ㆍWhat is food sacrifice?ㆍ∿
Food sacrifice is a ritual practice that is still done to this day in a variety of religions and backgrounds. In Hellenic Polytheism, it was done traditionally before a meal and offered to the Ouranic Gods. I will expand more on this later.
The concept of sacrifice was very popular in Ancient Greece and was done very commonly in daily life. Before every meal, at sunrise and sunset, during rituals, and before festivals. The most common form of food sacrifice would be the libation. The libation, as defined by LABRYS in Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship, is “a sacred act that is an integral part of Hellenic Worship. It is the ceremonial pouring of liquid offerings onto an altar, into a sacred fire, on the ground, on the roots (for trees) or into the sea, rivers, and lakes.” In modern practice, you can libate with whatever you have. Water is the most common, especially for folks who cannot legally obtain alcohol. Wine is most popular. In Antiquity, unmixed wine was often used. I personally often use honeyed milk and olive oil, just as they did in Ancient Greece. Perfumes and fruit juice were also used for libations. In most cases, the vessel was almost entirely emptied, save for a few gulps, so the individual could drink the last bit. This is only done with consumable offerings and with Ouranic Deities. Please do not drink perfume. When taking an oath, the vessel would be shattered to symbolize the permanence or importance of the spoken words.
Food was frequently thrown into the hearth or sacred fire to burn as an offering to the Gods. The act of burning it was equated with giving it to the Gods. Animal sacrifices were also burned after being drained of their blood, and the remains were typically used for divinatory purposes. I will go a bit more in-depth on how it was done in Antiquity later on in this post. In modern times, some people still burn their food sacrifices if they have the means to do so. I will also elaborate upon this later in this post.
With that being said, let's discuss Ancient Greece.
∿ㆍHow were they used in antiquity?ㆍ∿
In Ancient Greece, most offerings were burned in the Hearth. If one did not have access to the Hearth, one could do what Odysseus and his crew did and make one. Every home, or Oikos, came equipped with a hearth either in the kitchen, the courtyard, or both. Food could also be placed in baskets or offering bowls on the altar to be thrown into the hearth at a later date.
The food offered varied depending on a few different factors. Firstly, geographical location. People offered the food that was local to them. Cheese could be offered—cakes, sweets, honeycakes, barley, grain. These were all typical offerings, regardless of geographical location, though, the specifics could vary.
The second was cult practice. My favorite cult to use as an example here is the Cult of Pythagoras. The Pythagoreans were known for being vegetarians. They did not consume meat, and because of this, their offerings would have been vastly different from, say, the common person in Athens. Rather strict Pythagoreans (referred to as “The Pure”) wouldn’t let blood touch their altars at all. This practice was not very common. Blood was poured on the altar and within the tenemos all the time. They did not offer food that came from animals, simply defined in a variety of scholarly texts as “fleshy foods.” Rather, they focused on offering incense, as most did, honeycombs, and grains. Grains were, and still are, a very popular food offering.
In some rituals, it was also required to consume or abstain from food. For Thesmophoria and Skira, for example, people were expected to fast before the feast in the evening. On Skira, this was only expected of women. In other rituals, I’ve found the example of this in Dionysian Rites, it was expected that meat is consumed raw in honor of the creation of Man from Titans. Meat itself was seen as food of the highest status. It was the food of Demigods. For this reason, the God-King diet would consist of meats, bread, wine, and not much else. But that is not much to do with food offerings, and more to do with the Ancient Greek Diet.
Food was offered at the beginning of a meal in a very specific order. LABRYS defines this order as first and last to Hestia, The Olympians in order next, then followed by Soter Zeus / Zeus the Savior. The food was thrown into the hearth alongside a prayer, then enjoyed by those present for the meal.
∿ㆍHow do we use them in modern praxis?ㆍ∿
The modern application of food offerings varies from practitioner to practitioner, similar to how it varied based on cult and location. First, people offer what they have. The offering methods are different. Some folk set aside the last bite, allow the Gods to enjoy it while they eat the rest of the meal, then come back around to it. For foods that do not spoil fast, it is left on the altar and consumed at a later date. Other folks will, like the Greeks, burn their offerings in the hearth.
Some individuals choose to make cakes or bread in the shape of sacred animals for the Gods they plan on giving these offerings to. For Zeus, one could make an eagle-shaped cake. For Apollon, a snake-shaped cake. Hermes, turtle-shaped, and so on. The act of creating this votive can also be offered to the God in preparation for the bigger ritual. The burning or consumption of these pieces can be interpreted as both animal and food sacrifice.
For Chthonic Gods, the food is left outside on the ground. When doing so, the practitioner should ensure that the food is not only biodegradable but also safe for animal consumption. For this reason, it is important to be aware of your local wildlife. Chthonic food offerings should not be consumed after being offered as well – it is assumed that they have been touched by the Gods of the Underworld, and consuming them will only bring the Underworld to you. If you cannot leave it outside, throw it out. If you feel bad throwing out food (understandably so), cut off a smaller portion to throw out instead. Do not eat the cut-off portion, but you may enjoy the rest.
If you have any other methods for food offerings, please feel free to share them! I am not all knowing, and if I did not mention it above, chances are I do not know of that method.
∿ㆍNuances surrounding food offeringsㆍ∿
Some folks have issues with food offerings for a few different reasons. Some of these reasons are listed below.
∿ㆍWasting food, throwing unconsumed food out, or being unable to throw food away for any reason.
∿ㆍCost of Groceries.
∿ㆍHiding one's practice from family and/or friends.
∿ㆍInability to pray before a meal or offering (see previous point for reasoning).
∿ㆍBeing unable to leave food outside for the Chthonic Gods.
I have dealt with a few of these, and outlined below are some ways in which I have handled and dealt with these issues.
∿ㆍThe meal preparation would be offered to the Gods instead. No matter how minimal the prep was. If I were just having toast, then the act of taking the bread from the pantry and toasting it was my devotional act. Or, offering something else while preparing my food, like singing or dancing.
∿ㆍWhen I lived at home, I would offer snacks more than meals. If I had cookies wrapped in packaging, the whole package would go on the altar for a while before I disposed of it by consuming it myself. This eased the guilt of wasting groceries. I can live without junk food.
∿ㆍPlenty of folks, myself included, have offered the steam of a meal or hot drink to the Ouranic Gods. The steam rises to the Heavens where they reside, so it is perfectly reasonable to offer this to them.
∿ㆍI would pray silently to myself before a meal. If I were out at dinner, I’d pray while waiting for my food or leave to the bathroom. If I were at home, I would pray in my head while eating around my last bite. Now, while with roommates, I hum as a form of prayer instead.
Of course, there are a myriad of work arounds to some of these issues. Feel free to be as innovative and creative as possible with this. It is your practice. What works for me may not work for you.
∿ㆍCommon food offerings and replacementsㆍ∿
Some common offerings include:
∿ㆍWine. Red wine was frequently used, but any wine will do. If you don’t purchase wine, you can use any alcohol in your libations.
∿ㆍWater. Tap water is just fine.
∿ㆍMilk. Any milk is fine (whole, almond, soy, oat, etc).
∿ㆍOlive oil. Any oil is fine (Olive oil, Almond Oil, Peanut Oil, Avocado Oil, just be mindful of allergies).
∿ㆍHoney.
∿ㆍMeal cakes (honeycakes, barley cakes, corn bread, any kind of cake).
∿ㆍFruit juice. Any kind of fruit. Feel free to use any fruit relating to your God when libating.
∿ㆍBaked goods. I’ve offered cookies, brownies, and cake to the Gods. You can offer any baked goods.
You are not limited to the above offerings - you can offer whatever you please, whatever you have. I tend to use sesame seeds in place of barley in most offerings and rituals. Some rituals or holidays may outline specific food offerings. If you do not have it and cannot afford it, it is okay to use replacements. In my own rituals, I typically offer honeyed milk, olive oil, rain water and, if I have it, wine. I have offered soft drinks in the past. I find that Lord Apollon is rather partial to orange soda.
This was a bit lengthy, but I hope it was worth the read! As usual, if you have any questions or would like any elaboration, please feel free to ask me. I’ve included my sources below, should you want to do any further reading.
Xaire, Altis.
Sources -
Detienne, Marcel, and Jean-Pierre Vernant. The Cuisine of Sacrifice among the Greeks. University of Chicago Press, 1989.
The Sun
☀️ Drawing a sunrise
☀️ Taking a picture of the sun
☀️ Bask in the sun while thinking of him
☀️ Wear yellows and warm tones
☀️ Golden makeup
Music
🎼 Learn an instrument or sing
🎼 Decorate with sheet music
🎼 Support indie/small musicians
🎼 Dance
🎼 Create your own musical chant in honour of him
Healing & Medicine
💊 Donate to health charities
💊 Eat healthily
💊 Learn first aid
💊 Exercise
💊 Expand your knowledge on health care
The Arts
📝 Write poetry
📝 Draw or paint
📝 Create clay models
📝 Visit a theatre
📝 Visit an opera or classical music performance
Oracles, Prophecy & Truth
🎴 Learn divination
🎴 Perform readings for yourself and others
🎴 Dedicate a tarot deck to him
🎴 Meditate with him in mind
🎴 Speak truthfully
Beauty
💄 Wear jewellery
💄 Dedicate an item of clothing to him
💄 Offer rings
💄 Self-care routine
💄 Makeup
Misc.
💛 Learn his mythos
💛 Respect his twin sister Artemis, mother Leto, lovers, and children
💛 Visit his temples
💛 Include oranges or lemons in your drinks/food
💛 Work with the number 7 and celebrate Sundays
Just a reminder that you don't have to hear the gods to be a valid worshiper! It's okay to not hear them or to not see any noticeable signs!
The most I get from the gods is a gut feeling or bodily sensations! Even then, it's not often.
There's no right way to communicate with the gods! Heck, you don't even need to communicate with them at all if it doesn't come easy/naturally (unless you want to)!
Just remember that the gods love you and appreciate what you do for them!
Have a lovely day you all and remember to take care of yourself!
One of the many beautiful things about the Hellenic pantheon is how queer it is. In a world where Abrahamic religions have shamed, ostracized or denigrated queer people, Hellenism has a celebration and normalization of queerness integrated into it.
💜 Aphrodite’s biggest fan in Ancient Greece was arguably Sappho, a poet who dedicated an entire iconic piece to the goddess of love, “Ode to Aphrodite”. In the poem, Sappho prays to Aphrodite for help in regards to gaining the attention and affection of the woman she loves. Unlike the male writers of the time who often slandered her, Sappho depicted the goddess as the truly lovely, benevolent being she is.
Sappho was a lesbian. This is where we get the term “sapphic” from. Not only that but she was from the island of Lesbos. So, yes, this is where lesbian originated. (The name of the island is the same as the derogatory term used to refer to wlw back in the day)
💜 Almost none of the male Olympian deities are straight. Apollo, Dionysus, Zeus and Hermes are notorious for their bisexuality/pansexuality, with many male lovers, both human and divine. Even Ares and Poseidon dabbled a bit in same-sex love, though to a much lesser degree.
💜 Artemis, Athena, and Hestia, the three “virgin goddesses”, are seen as asexual and aromantic. In ancient contexts, “virgin” can simply mean “unmarried woman” or “independent of a man”. But, they actually had no interest in romantic or sexual matters. Artemis and Athena are occasionally labeled lesbian, with female lovers cited, but this is often debated. In any case, they had no interest in male companionship.
💜 Aphrodite had a male version of her named Aphroditus that was worshipped in ancient times. The deity had a combination of male and female attributes, described as voluptuous while also having a phallus and, by some accounts, a beard.
Aphroditus is often seen as an earlier version of Hermaphroditus, the intersex deity that was the offspring of both Aphrodite and Hermes.
💜 Dionysus is famously androgynous. He was often described as being “raised as a girl”, due to the nymphs dressing him in female clothing to disguise him from Hera. He was also called “man-womanish” and effeminate.
The best way to describe him would be gender-fluid. He is generally male and can have clear masculine traits. But, he strongly adopts feminine characteristics, to the point where it is a major part of his mythology, and often seems to exist in some gray area in between male and female.
💜 Both Apollo and Dionysus have famous tragic myths about the loss of their male lovers, who both die in freak accidents. Apollo’s human partner Hyancinthus was turned into the hyacinth flower upon his death while Dionysus’ lover, the satyr Ampelus, was transformed into a vine and led to the god’s creation of wine.
💜 The Erotes are a group of male divinities in Aphrodite’s retinue and often said to be her sons. They are the protectors of same-sex love. The central figure of the group is Eros and all the other gods are said to be his brothers and/or different manifestations of him.
The Erotes rule various aspects of love and sex. Eros is love and desire as a whole while Anteros, his twin, embodies requited and reciprocal love. Himeros is the god of satiated desire yet unrequited love while Pothos is a god who embodies emotional and sexual yearning.
One can see how these minor gods can guide queer people struggling with love. When Timagoras confessed his love for Meles, the man mockingly told him to prove it by jumping off a cliff. Out of despair, Timagoras did just that, killing himself. Tortured by guilt, Meles did the same. An altar was built to Anteros in Athens in honor of this, linking the god to a myth of how rejecting love out of fear or pride only hurts you; a tale familiar to repressed queer people. Anteros is said to punish those who push real love away (in truth, he more so guides than punishes).
💜 In modern times, devotees of Dionysus regard him as a patron god of queer people. Many of those who follow him are gay, bisexual, gender-fluid or trans. He provides a sense of safety, comfort, protection and freedom to his queer devotees or even just any queer person who prays to him or asks for help.
Aphrodite is also said to be a protector of queer people. As the goddess of love, she is the embodiment of “love is love”. She has also been said to be a wonderful support to trans women, as she champions feminine expression in all forms and all people.
Happy Pride to all of us in the LGBTQ+ community. The gods love you!
🏹God of music, art, healing, the Sun/light, prophecy, archery, and poetry
🏹Symbols: bow and arrow, the lyre, palm tree, laurel wreath, cypress tree
🏹Sacred Animals: python or other snakes, hawks, mice, crows, wolves, cicadas
🏹Colors: different shades of yellow and orange (especially gold)
🏹Crystals: Sunstone, citrine, carnelian, amber
🏹Most Important Myths:
-His birth, alongside his twin sister Artemis
-Slaying Python with his arrow
-Punishing Niobe for disrespecting his family
-Death of Hyancinthus
-His obsession with Daphne
-Beating those who challenge him in music (both Pan and Marsyas)
🏹”Don’t take the myths too literally” understanding
Among those who take the mythology at face value, Apollo has one of the better reputations of the gods. He was idealized as the god who represented the “civilized” picture of Ancient Greece. So, he is often not as extreme as his counterparts are depicted. Yet, he does have a few tales where he can seem particularly harsh. This is usually in regards to arrogance, rudeness or entitlement from others. His violent or vindictive responses to these offenses are symbolic of how excessive or misplaced ego has always been frowned upon in Hellenism. Apollo is, in actuality, a very gracious, level, dignified and warm being. He is really kind and serene but if he has to put you in check, he will; firmly but lovingly.
In the myth involving Daphne, where he pursues her so relentlessly that she turns herself into a tree to get away from him, the takeaway is not to see Apollo as a “creep” of some kind. My take on it is that there is a message here about how passion can override reason. Apollo is known as being very logical and civil, most of the time. But, his desire for Daphne brought another side out of him. This was the ancient writers’ way of saying that no being can escape the intense pull of love and desire (Eros, the ruler of these forces, is the one who made Apollo fall for her). Also, I think there is a tragic irony in the golden boy who seemingly wins at everything not being able to get what he wants, showing even the most gifted or fortunate souls are also let down at times.
🏹Devotional Acts: listening to music, pursuing music as a hobby or career, practicing an instrument or your vocal abilities, sunbathing (don’t forget your sunscreen) or just getting out of the house on a warm day, taking a trip to a warm destination (especially if it’s winter), learning archery, learning Tarot, doing Tarot readings, writing or reading poetry, dedicating poetry to him, drawing or painting pictures of him (he loves this more than most gods)
🏹Assistance and Support:
-Apollo is highly sought after when it comes to assistance in artistic endeavors, particularly music. If you’re a singer/songwriter/musician, he can help you in lots of ways, like coming up with song ideas or getting better at your craft. Apollo is like a diligent teacher in this way, so he will push you to live up to your full potential and will expect you to be dedicated. If you’re not willing to put in the effort, you might not get much from him. He doesn’t want you to just have “passion”. Apollo will guide you to develop discipline and consistency. His major lesson here is that raw talent and passion will go to waste if you are not putting them to good use.
He can also be a significant resource if you write poetry or are a visual artist of some kind (painter, illustrator, sculptor, etc)
-Apollo is quite the jock, as well, and I have found that he can help people in athletic endeavors. But, instead of something like football or basketball, he can assist you in sports that are a little more niche: track, tennis, martial arts, wrestling, and, of course, archery. So many of his myths hinge on his physical prowess and his victories over others. (He even beat Ares in a wrestling match, which is no small feat!)
Apollo’s athleticism is more about a quick, lithe, one-on-one sense of competition. This is why he has a certain dominion over these types of sports. Boxing is another one he is highly associated with, largely due to the myth of him beating the giant king Phorgas in a boxing match.
-If you are feeling under the weather, Apollo can help accelerate your healing process. Although praying to him can play a part in alleviating symptoms, it will still be important for you to take your medicine and, if needed, go to the doctor. He can also guide you in terms of developing healthier lifestyle habits.
-Apollo just brings good vibes. He is the embodiment of light, after all. A lot of people who work with him do so just because he makes them feel good. I have found that, outside of his more obvious functions like being a god of music, he is kind of a general mood-booster. You can call on him to brighten up your day, help you experience life more positively, or feel more self-confident and self-assured. He won’t encourage you to be blindly happy. As positive and enthusiastic as he can be, he also has a more sensible and temperate side. He is like the smart big brother who looks out for you and cheers you up but without letting you become foolish or delusional. He is not about “toxic positivity”. He guides you toward truly empowered positivity.
-Speaking of combating toxicity, Apollo is a wonderful source of Divine Masculine energy. However you identify, Apollo can help you tap into your masculine side in a healthy and even sensitive way. People who are more masculine and work with him/are connected to him typically have an ease with their feminine side while still being very masculine.
(Although he is said to be androgynous, Apollo’s half-brother Dionysus is much more gender-bending. Apollo is more like the athletic pretty boy, in my experience)
-Interestingly, Apollo is often very associated with male beauty, even though he is not an official beauty deity. Anyone who is male-presenting can ask for his assistance in feeling more attractive or charismatic, as well as help with seeing their beauty or putting more effort into their appearance without fear or shame.
Yes, Aphrodite could definitely be called on for this. But, I feel Apollo can more specifically help men feel okay with being beautiful, instead of conforming to the “ruggedly handsome” or overly masculine ideal. He is like the patron of the pretty boys.
-Apollo can obviously help when it comes to solar magic, if that is something you practice or are interested in. He also can be a major support in divination. As the god of prophecy, anything from Tarot to scrying to pendulum readings are right up his alley. He will help you develop and trust your intuition and if you possess clairvoyance or claircognizance, he can awaken/strengthen these gifts alongside you. Those who have these psychic abilities may feel an especially strong bond with Apollo.
🏹Additional Note
-I like to call Apollo a “two for one” god because he is usually either accompanied by or accompanying Artemis or Dionysus or both. They are both his siblings. Artemis is his twin and Dionysus is the yin to his yang. People who work with Apollo usually (though not always) end up developing a strong bond with one or both of these deities. The reverse can also happen. You may be very connected to Artemis or Dionysus and then realize that Apollo is showing up in your life in a major way.
