Vanessa

[nek0in]

When someone talks about any kind of romantic relationship or anything that even looks that way, between themselves and a deity it genuinely freaks me out… like…nuh man…-

[vanessa-apollons-version]

Is it just me or is every single Hellenic Polytheist creator becoming insane?

Went on an unfollowing spree today because there are several creators who stir up drama and it’s all they post about. A beloved creator of mine defended godspousal and said that worship and reverence of the gods “isn’t that deep”. I have half a mind to delete my blog entirely because I hate being associated with the drama and disrespect.

As always, honor the gods and each other.

[vanessa-apollons-version]

Completely guilty of paying other witches on Etsy for spells when I’m too tired or inexperienced to tackle them myself. I’m fostering community! I’m a philanthropist!

[vanessa-apollons-version]

Please please please, if you’re in a witchy Discord please send me an invite link. I NEED more community over there.

[vanessa-apollons-version]

Things that I have worked through as I try to “un-Christian” my practice, because I realize that my past experiences influence my current practice:

- The gods are not always present, and they don’t hear every prayer

- There is no evidence that the gods can read your thoughts. If you want to pray, it should be said aloud. Whisper it if you must.

- You are not a bad person for existing. You are not sinful, you are not dirty.

- The gods are not wrathful.

- The gods love you, but will not intervene most of the time. You may find comfort in them, but they won’t save you from a bad scenario all by themselves. You have to work.

I’m sure there’s more, but I can’t think of any right now. It’s been a long ride unpacking previous religious experiences as I navigate my new ones, but I enjoy it nonetheless.

[soloh]

"A man has died, even if you didn't like him, have some empathy"

Mmm... how 'bout no

[whydidisavethistomyphone]

[thisworldisawh0re]

[silvermoon424]

On one hand: the increasing level of political violence in the United States is very concerning, especially considering our gun problem. I do not want to live in a culture where assassinations are frequent, and it’s legit terrifying how much of a powder keg we’re in.

On the other hand: Charlie Kirk reaped what he sowed. It’s impossible to overstate the level of harm this man did. He acted as a propaganda arm for fascists and billionaires, advocated against the rights of women and minorities (he proudly said he would force his 10yo to give birth if she were raped and impregnated), and railed against reforming the very gun culture that killed him.

So yeah. Bye, bitch.

[daemonsrhaenyras]

My heart does go out to the families of the kids in critical condition from Evergreen High School who will be forgotten in all of this chaos.

There was a shooting at a Colorado high school at around the same time as Charlie Kirk was shot.

[fangyrling]

quick reminder that you're actually not obliged to feel any empathy for someone who would have described your death as 'necessary' if the exact same thing had happened to you

[vanessa-apollons-version]

I would like to go on record to say a few things:

- Gun violence is a serious problem in the United States

- Shootings should never happen, period

But also…

- Charlie Kirk was a bozo

- He has gone on record to say he supported gun violence

- He was a eugenicist

- He was racist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, and every other terrible thing under the sun

- Evil people dying is good, actually

- I am glad that he’s dead

- Well wishes to his children and to those who watched it happen, but I feel no remorse for him

- If you disagree, do not tell me about it. I don’t want to hear about how “we’re no better than them if we celebrate violence!” because they’re killing trans people in droves, through policy, fear mongering, and radicalization. Rot in piss Charlie boy.

[vanessa-apollons-version]

“All practices are different and every Hellenic polytheist is valid” I whisper to myself as I watch people call Apollo a twink and Aphrodite their bitch

[vanessa-apollons-version]

I tend to bake or make by hand all food offerings to the gods, save for fresh fruit, but I love love love seeing posts like “I gave Hermes a monster energy drink” from 13 year old polytheists because yeah man!!! Sometimes a monster is all you have!!! And you shared that with your deity!!! I love you btw!!!

[vanessa-apollons-version]

I love tradition, rules, and antiquity in my practice, but I’d like to take a moment to list a lot of modern comforts I love:

- E-offerings (I love seeing baby HelPols and HelPols that have been practicing for years do these!)

- The occasional junk food offering to the gods

- Pinterest boards

- The accessibility that the internet and social media have brought to this wonderful religion

I may be a hard ass and I may have harsh opinions sometimes, and I’m trying to work on it, but I love our community so much. Everyone’s worship looks a little different, but we’re all here for each other and doing the best with the information we’re given.

[vanessa-apollons-version]

“There’s no wrong way to worship the gods” is an inspiring statement, but it is disingenuous at best and harmful at worst. I find there’s quite a few practitioners who disregard respect and reverence in favor of acting like the gods are on the same level as them, or disrespecting their own bodies by eating offerings to cthonic deities even after being warned. Maybe this is too niche, but I find it concerning.

[servitum-amoris]

Hello everyone.

I think a lot of you just want to be Christian.

I'm not talking cultural Christianity or internalized beliefs. I'm talking about wanting helpol to be a pjo au Christianity.

I had to leave so many tumblr helpol communities because this formula kept happening:

1. OP believes a god (or multiple) is omnipresent

2. That said god/gods is extremely pissed off at them for something minor.

3. That there is some intricate ritual that OP can do to make the god/gods forgive them.

4. "Omg we should have temples where we spend 90 minutes to two hours worshipping the same god and we talk about the mythology."

5. "Why can't I feel the god(s) presence all the time?" (See 1)

None of the above are in helpol. All of these things will be in Christianity. If you want these things, be Christian.

I feel like the whole "You just want to be special." Take is a cop out, but I think the desire comes from wanting to be so special that a god who has been dormant for 1500 years will awaken to watch you like a hawk. Even if it's out of hate.