It is my own personal religious conviction that Hephaistos deserves more worship.
Sometimes I think about a podcast episode that @thepastelpriestess put out (I think it was you who does "Tea With The Gods" right?)
Anyway, she talks about how Hephaistos' domain isn't quite so prevalent in modern society as it once was, and this contributes to his comparatively smaller following. I believe she then starts the conversation on how to... I don't want to say "modernize" Hephaistos because it implies changing him, which she is Not implying. But I guess rethinking our understanding of him and how he fits into our current world.
We already do this for other gods quite naturally. How many of us have prayed to Hermes for car troubles or public transportation woes? But the progression from horses and chariots to cars and buses is a logical step within our cultural narrative.
What is the "progression" of a blacksmith? That beautiful art certainly still exists, so instead of a progression, let's talk about expansion.
I don't recall what Jessie suggests specifically, but allow me to contribute some ideas to the conversation:
Computer programming / software engineering
Any kind of building or physical engineering from bridges to prosthetics
Architecture
Small scale building projects as well, such as home renovation, building birdhouses with your children, etc
Car repair and maintenance. (The driving of the car is Hermes, but the mechanics is surely Hephaistos)
Fixing/repairing any physical object that doesn't clearly go under another deity's domain (darning a sock might be Athena, but perhaps fixing the sock drawer or cleaning your computer keyboard would be Hephaistos)
Also, holding firm to your sense of self-worth, and refusing to allow others to take your dignity from you.
This one is pretty nebulous, so let me explain. Remember Hephaistos' origin story? Chucked off Olympos and rejected by his family? And then he came back and forced others to acknowledge his skill and worth (through the chair trick)? He was still ridiculed throughout many stories, but he never let that get to him.
In modern day, this would look like:
Holding fast to your principles and refusing to bend them under pressure. (I don't want to give examples as this is highly subjective, but you'll want to consider your core values and live a life according to them. Refusing to compromise your core values affirms to yourself that you are a valuable person.)
Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries (and respecting those of others)
Keeping your promises to yourself and to others
Building a core conception of yourself that does not rely on the opinions of others.
These are only one person's ideas that hopefully will become part of a much larger and more diverse dialogue.
If you like audio formats better than text, "Tea With The Gods" by the ever-delightful @thepastelpriestess is on Spotify, and I believe she's planning on making more episodes when she has the time and energy to do so. Might be worth a follow.
