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The Gods love you.

Even when you spend days without lighting up their candles.

Even if you don't have an Altar.

Even if you don't feel their presence yet.

Even if you're not good at tarot.

Or doesn't have prophetic dreams.

They still love you. And you know why?

Because you're you. And that's enough for them, your presence, your devotion, your well-being, is what truly matters for them.

So don't you feel pressured or sad, lovebug 💜💜

Queerness in the Hellenic Pantheon

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!

#hellenism #hellenic polytheism #aphrodite #aphrodite devotion #dionysus #dionysus devotee #dionysus devotion #apollo #apollo deity #queer #queer pagan #queer community #Sappho #lgbtq community #artemis #artemis devotee #athena deity #athena devotee #pride month

Zeus and Hera devotees who feel intimidated by them

Poseidon devotees who live far from the sea

Demeter devotees who live in the city

Hades and Persephone devotees who fear death

Dionysus devotees who are perplexed by madness

Aphrodite devotees who struggle to love themselves

Apollo devotees who struggle with inspiration

Artemis devotees who are saddened by animal death

Ares devotees who are too tired to keep fighting

Athena devotees who are easily manipulated

Hestia devotees with unstable home lives

Hermes devotees who get anxious over new things

Every one of you is so valid and so loved by your gods. They love you, and they want you to know it.

#paganblr #helpol #paganism #hellenic pagan #pagan #hellenic polytheism #zeus devotee #hera devotee #poseidon devotee #hades devotee #persephone devotee #hestia devotee #aphrodite devotee #apollo devotee #hermes devotee #ares devotee #dionysus devotee #athena devotee #artemis devotee

- @academic-vampire

Prayer of Praise to Athene 🦉🗡️📋 ✧˖°.

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Lady Athene,

Dearest daughter of Ever-Intelligent Metis and Thundering Zeus,

She, whose graceful hands both guide me across the clay and stolidly draw the bloodstained spear.

You shout the most deafening of war cries yet utter the most delicate of counsel.

Goddess, who leads her followers whilst also standing beside each, I praise you.

For I am shielded by your aegis in my hardships, assisted by the strike of your sword in my words, and comforted by your presence in my worship.

I thank you, Gracious Athene, for my adoration and gratitude to you knows no bounds. Oh glorious goddess, as always and for forever, I praise and honor you.

Praise be Most-Knowledgeable Athene!

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