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ravenandmoon · 13 days ago

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If you don't know where to start, start with Hearth

This is what I said in one of my recent post, while realizing quite quickly that it might be a little bit confusing or like, "well everyone says that but what if I don't want to start with Hearth ?". If that is your thought, do not worry, I understand, but it's a great place to start because Hearth and ""Household"" reunite many deities that you can start with in order to get into a practice.

When I talk about "Hearth deities" or "Household deities", I roughly consider :

Hestia

Zeus (Ktêsios ; Herkeios ; Xenios)

Hera

Apollon (Agyeus)

Hekate (Propylaia ; Kleidoukhos)

Hermes

Haides (Ploutôn ; Polyxenos)

But also :

Hephaïstos

Aphrodite

Asklepios

Demeter

...

Keep in mind that the epithets are here for your information but, also, I'd argue that being specific with aspects of the deities you worship or honor at the moment can help you grow your connection with them. At least this was my case with Apollon, when I've started saying I was devoted to Him, I got really specific to which aspect I wanted to devote myself (same goes with Hekate and Aphrodite).

As I said in an another post earlier, deities are a network, when you build your practice, you can always focus on one deity, but the more you understand them as related to each other, the more your practice will grow. Household deities are great to start because you could just have one spot for the offerings (which is called an altar) and the offerings will be for all of them, at once, as a whole. And only then, when you need to be specific, you can do separate or specific invocation at the same spot. For example, if you need a new job, Haides Ploutôn, Hermes and Hekate could help, and they are right there.

My point here is that Hearth and ""Household"" are great to start because it's an important part of hellenic polytheism which not only means it's well studied but also means that you can focus on a whole group of deities and then be very specific or even devoted to only one of them, if you want. And you can always add even more deities to your Hearth.

In conclusion, I feel I need to make clear that if you are in difficult living or housing situation, you still have a Hearth. It will not be the same as someone who lives in a house with healthy and supportive surrounding and peers, but you have a Hearth too. You can worship household deities as they aren't "of the house". Apollon Agyeus is the protector of the streets, Haides Ploutôn is "of Wealth" and can be at your side for money matters, just as Hermes can be. You can find guidance and protection with Hekate...It's not easy and the mundane will always be put before anything else, but I felt like I need to say that everyone as a Hearth, it's juste more or less subtle and more or less easy to build, and sadly most of the researches were made on very wealthy places and famillies, but this doesn't mean that others peoples didn't worship their gods, it just mean that we don't really know how they adjust.

#helpol #deity worship #hellenic polytheism #hellenic worship #hellenic polytheist #hearth practice

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gracesvespers · 6 months ago

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THANATOS: AN INFODUMP

Thanatos (Θανατος) known to the romans as Mors is the god or daimon (personified spirit) of non-violent death. He is a chthonic deity residing in the underworld.

This post covers his family, symbols, notable myths, epithets, orphic hymn, and my favourite passages about him.

PARENTAGE AND SIBLINGS

His parentage and family can be understood through Hesiod’s Theogony (A Greek epic written in the 8th or 7th B.C)

And Nyx (Night) bare hateful Moros (Doom) and black Ker (Violent Death) and Thanatos (Death), and she bare Hypnos (Sleep) and the tribe of Oneiroi (Dreams). And again the goddess murky Nyx, though she lay with none, bare Momos (Blame) and painful Oizys (Misery), and the Hesperides . . . Also she bare the Moirai (Moirae, Fates) and the ruthless avenging Keres (Death-Fates) . . . Also deadly Nyx bare Nemesis (Envy) to afflict mortal men, and after her, Apate (Deceit) and Philotes (Friendship) and hateful Geras (Old Age) and hard-hearted Eris (Strife).

— Parents: Nyx with no father (Roman versions of his birth name Erebus the father)

— Siblings:

Apate (deceit)

Eris (strife)

Geras (old age)

Hesperides (nymphs of the evening)

Hypnos (sleep) Ker (violent death)

Keres (death-fates)

Moirai (fates)

Momos (blame)

Moros (doom)

Nemesis (retribution)

Oizys (misery)

Oneiroi (dreams)

Philotes (friendship)

SYMBOLS AND APPEARANCE

SYMBOLS

— inverted torch → represents a life being extinguished

— butterfly → symbolises the soul

— sword → indicates his authority to sever the thread of life

— poppies → as a symbol of eternal sleep

— wreath → suggesting eternity, or the cyclical nature of life and death

APPEARANCE

Greek vase paintings depicted him as a winged, older man with a beard and rarely as a young, beardless youth.

Roman sculptures portrayed him as a youth holding an inverted torch and a wreath or butterfly

NOTABLE MYTHS

— THANATOS AND THE BODY OF SARPEDON

As seen in the Iliad, Thanatos and Hypnos are tasked to carry the body of Sarpedon away from the battlefield to Lycia so his brothers and countrymen can give him a respectful burial.

Homer, Iliad 16. 453 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) : "[Hera speaks to Zeus about the approaching death of his son Sarpedon :] ‘But after the soul and the years of his life have left him [Sarpedon], then send Thanatos (Death) to carry him away, and Hypnos (Sleep), who is painless, until they come with him to the countryside of broad Lykia (Lycia) where his brothers and countrymen shall give him due burial with tomb and gravestone.’"

Homer, Iliad 16. 681 ff : "Then [Apollon] gave him [Sarpedon] into the charge of swift messengers to carry him, of Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death), who are twin brothers, and these two presently laid him down within the rich countryside of broad Lykia (Lycia)."

— THE CAPTURE OF THANATOS BY SISYPHUS

Sisyphus was the (possibly) founder and king of Corinth and was known as ‘the craftiest on men’ in texts by Homer. In the myth, Thanatos was sent to carry Sisyphus into the underworld. Upon Thanatos’ arrival, Sisyphus who was hiding chained him and in doing do, suspended death across the entire world. Thanatos was later freed by Ares who had noticed an absence of death from the battlefield

Alcaeus, Fragment 38a (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric I) (Greek lyric C6th B.C.) : "King Sisyphos (Sisyphus), son of Aiolos (Aeolus), wisest of men, supposed that he was master of Thanatos (Death); but despite his cunning he crossed eddying Akheron (Acheron) twice at at fate's command."

Aeschylus, Sisyphus the Runaway (lost play) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) : Weir Smyth (L.C.L.) quotes from Pherecydes, a C5th B.C. mythographer, in his discussion of the plot of this lost play: "The drama was satyric; its theme, the escape from Haides of the crafty Korinthian king. According to the fabulous story told by Pherekydes (Frag. 78 in Müller,Fragmenta Historicum Graecorum) Sisyphos made known to Asopos that it was Zeus who had carried off his daughter Aigina; in punishment for which offence the god sent Thanatos (Death) against the babbler; but Sisyphos bound Thanatos (Death) fast, so that men ceased to die, until Ares came to the rescue, released Thanatos, and gave Sisyphos into his power."

— THANATOS WRESTLED BY HERACLES

In the Euripides, a Greek tragedy written in the 5th C B.C. Thanatos is wrestled by Heracles to save the life of Alkestis. Heracles does this to repay Admetos, Alklestis’

Euripides, Alcestis 839 ff : "Herakles : I must save this woman who has died so lately, bring Alkestis back to live in this house and pay Admetos all the kindness that I owe. I must go there [to the funeral at the graveside] and watch for Thanatos (Death) of the black robes (melampeplos), master of dead men (anax nekrôn), and I think I shall find him drinking the blood of slaughtered beasts beside the grave. Then, if I can break suddenly from my hiding place, catch him, and hold him in the circle of these arms, there is no way he will be able to break my hold on his bruised ribs, until he gives the woman up to me. But if I miss my quarry, if he does not come to the clotted offering, I must go down, I must ask Kore (Core, the Maiden) [Persephone] and the Master (Anax) [Haides] in the sunless homes of those below (domos anêlios)."

EPITHETS

Greek

- Paean -> the healing (delivers men from the pains and sorrows of life)

- Melampeplos -> of the black robes

- Anax Nekron -> master of dead men

English (these are ones I've derived from text so partial upg)

- insatiable

- dreadful/dreaded one

- awful god

- with a heart of iron

- without mercy

Latin

- Acherontis - inflicter of Acheron (woe)

ORPHIC HYMN

The Fumigation from Manna. Hear me, O Death [Thanatos], whose empire unconfined, extends to mortal tribes of every kind. On thee, the portion of our time depends, whose absence lengthens life, whose presence ends. Thy sleep perpetual bursts the vivid folds, by which the soul, attracting body holds: Common to all of every sex and age, for nought escapes thy all-destructive rage; Not youth itself thy clemency can gain, vigorous and strong, by thee untimely slain. In thee, the end of nature's works is known, in thee, all judgment is absolved alone: No suppliant arts thy dreadful rage control, no vows revoke the purpose of thy soul; O blessed power regard my ardent prayer, and human life to age abundant spare.

MY FAVOURITE MISC. COLLECTION OF TEXTS

Hesiod, Theogony 758 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) : . . . These are Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death), dread divinities. Never upon them does Helios, the shining sun, cast the light of his eye-beams, neither when he goes up the sky nor comes down from it. One of these [Hypnos], across the earth and the wide sea-ridges, goes his way quietly back and forth, and is kind to mortals, but the heart of the other one [Thanatos] is iron, and brazen feelings without pity are inside his breast."

Aeschylus, Fragment 82 Niobe (from Stobaeus, Anthology 4. 51. 1) (trans. Weir Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) : "For, alone of gods, Thanatos (Death) loves not gifts; no, not by sacrifice, nor by libation, canst thou aught avail with him; he hath no altar nor hath he hymn of praise; from him, alone of gods, Peitho (Persuasion) stands aloof."

Aeschylus, Fragment 141 Philoctetes (from Stobaeus, Anthology 4. 52. 32) : "[The wounded Philoktetes (Philoctetes) laments :] ‘O Death (thanatos), the healer (paian), reject me not, but come! For thou alone art the mediciner of ills incurable, and no pain layeth hold on the dead.’"

#solaris writes ɞ #hellenic polytheism #thanatos deity #thanatos worship #helpol #theoi chthonoi ɞ #resources ɞ #lord thanatos ɞ

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the-nerdy-libra · 3 months ago

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Ἀπόλλων Φοῖβος, Θεὸς τοῦ Ἡλίου

Apollon, Bright One, God of the Sun

He is associated with Sunlight and the Sun, Music and Poetry, Prophecy and Oracles, Healing and Medicine, Plague and Disease, Archery, Knowledge and Wisdom, Purification and Cleansing, Order and Civilization, Protection of Herds and Flocks, Seafarers, Masculine Beauty, Music Theory and Harmony, Time and Seasons.

His symbols are the Lyre, Bows and Arrows, the Laurel Wreath, Ravens, Serpents, the Sun/Chariot of the Sun, Palm Trees, Bay/Laurel Trees, Wolves, Cypress Trees, Tripod, Lyric Poetry Scrolls, Golden Hair and Swans.

Major Sanctuaries and Temples

Delphi was the most famous sanctuary of Apollon, home to the Oracle of Delphi and the Pythian Games.

Delos was Apollon’s birthplace and celebrated Him with grand festivals like the Delia.

Didyma was known for its oracle and the Temple of Apollon, featuring massive columns.

Claros was another major oracle site, with its temple and priesthood.

Thermopylae was sacred to Apollon during the Amphictyonic League meetings.

Bassae was home to the Temple of Apollon Epikourios, renowned for its architectural innovation.

Aegina featured a Doric temple dedicated to Apollon.

Patara was an ancient Lycian city with ties to Apollon and prophecy.

Miletus’ citizens worshipped Apollon as their protector.

Rhodes revered Apollon as part of the island’s patron deities.

Athens worshipped Apollon in several roles, including Apollo Patroos (Protector of Families).

Sparta honoured Apollon as a god of order and harmony.

In Rome, Imperātor Gāius Iūlius Caesar Augustus constructed the Temple of Apollo Palatinus, aligning Apollo with imperial propaganda.

Mt. Parnassus, near Delphi, was regarded as sacred to Apollon and the Muses.

The island of Crete celebrated Apollon in various cities, such as Gortyna and Dreros.

General Epithets

Apollon (Bright, Radiant), associated with His solar and light-bearing qualities.

Delphinios (Of Delphi), linked to His sanctuary and oracle at Delphi.

Mousagetēs (Leader of Muses), celebrating His patronage of the arts and inspiration.

Loxias (Oblique, Mysterious), reflecting His cryptic oracular messages.

Pythios (Of Pythia), commemorating His victory over Python at Delphi.

Alexikakos (Averter of Evil), worshipped as a protector from harm and calamity.

Medicus (Healer), honouring His medical and healing powers, especially in Roman worship.

Catharsius (Purifier), invoked in cleansing rituals.

Smintheus (Mouse God), protector from plague and agricultural pests.

Lykeios (Wolf God), linked to His protective and wild nature.

Nomios (Pastoral), celebrating His guardianship over herds and flocks.

Karneios (Of Flocks), worshipped in rural Spartan traditions as a regional variation of Nomios.

Helios (Sun God), representing His solar connections in later traditions.

Agyieus (Of the Streets), protector of pathways and travelers.

Delios (Of Delos), celebrating His birthplace.

Didymaeus (Of Didyma), connected to His oracle in Ionia.

Festivals

The Pythian Games were held every four years at Delphi, including musical and athletic competitions in Apollon's honour.

Thargelia was an Athenian festival honoring Apollon and Artemis, featuring purification rituals and offerings of first fruits.

Delia, on Delos, was a festival that included musical contests, dances, and sacrifices sacred to Apollon.

Worship Practices

Sacrifices were often of animals such as bulls and goats, symbolic of his divine strength.

Prophecy played a central role in his worship, with priestesses and the Oracle at Delphi channeling his divine wisdom.

Apollon was invoked in rituals of cleansing and renewal, often symbolized by water.

Roman Veneration

Apollo Medicus was venerated as a god of healing during plagues.

Imperātor Gāius Iūlius Caesar Augustus claimed Apollo as his divine patron, constructing the Temple of Apollo on the Palatine Hill of Rome.

Altars and Sacred Spaces

Altars dedicated to Apollon are typically adorned with symbols like the lyre, laurel leaves, sun motifs and representations of His sacred animals (e.g., swans, wolves, or ravens), often altars placed in sunlit areas to honor His solar aspects.

Altars are frequently decorated with golden or yellow fabrics, sun-shaped decorations, and natural materials like wood or stone are common.

Offerings

Traditional Offerings are laurel leaves, honey, olives, figs, and wine.

Music, poetry, and other creative expressions are also considered as offerings due to Apollon's role as a patron of the arts.

Frankincense and bay laurel oil are burned, while crystals like sunstone and pyrite are used to symbolize His solar and abundant aspects.

Rituals and Practices

Devotees skilled in the arts often recite prayers or compose hymns in His honor, often inspired by ancient texts, while others prefer to stay with the ancient texts themselves. Both choices are equally valid.

Practices like meditating on Apollon's attributes or using divination tools to seek His guidance are common.

The creation of or recitation of music and poetry are also acts of worship. From humming a tune to singing along to your favourite songs, it counts as an offering and is just as valid.

Apollon's teachings on balance and enlightenment inspire personal growth and artistic pursuits, often being blended with the pursuit of philosophical and sometimes even spiritual enlightenment.

Rituals for spiritual or physical healing often invoke Apollon's aid, emphasizing His role as a healer.

Devotees seek His guidance in intellectual and intuitive endeavors, reflecting His association with wisdom and oracles.

Seasonal Celebrations:

Some practitioners observe festivals inspired by ancient traditions, such as the Thargelia or Delia, adapting them to modern contexts. I have yet to find a universally agreed upon date, but April 6th or the Spring Equinox are common due to Apollon's purifying and cleansing epithets, as well as His light and solar epithets.

Personal Notes

Apollon is a deity who only very recently called to me, which is amusing to me since I would have been under His protection. It speaks to me of His integrity that rather than reach out to me then, He has waited nearly seventeen years to do so. I think that perhaps is to do with two things which actually blend hand in hand; the first being that I have a strong suspicion that when He reached out to me, it was not as His Greek self nor even His Roman self; rather, it was as Paean (𐀞𐀊𐀺𐀚, Pajawone) that He reached out.

While I try to keep the history out of the religion in these posts, I feel it is best to explain fully in the case of Hellenic deities whose Mycenaean forms call to me most (of which there is a surprising number). Apollon, as Paean, is chiefly a god of medicine and healing. However, in Troy he was a god of hunting and protection, defending the early Trojans from the beasts of the forest. It is this Trojan Apollon, whom they called Paeiōn (𐀞𐀊𐀩𐀍, Pajerone) that called to me and is still known to this day as Apollon Lykeios. For those wondering why the names changed so much, the evolution from Pajerone to Apollon is due to the language changing and evolving during the Greek Dark Ages; the earliest known midway point is Apeljōn, so the linguistic evolution would be Pajerone -> Apeljōn -> Apollon.

With the mini history lesson out of the way, apologies for boring any of you, now to explain the significance of Pajerone/Apollon Lykeios as main epithet I worship. The Wolf God, Apollon Lykeios, is very different from the other representations of Apollon and is quite, shall we say, wild by comparison. He is still a healer, still knowledgeable in philosophy and music, but He is much more akin to His Sister Artemis and Her preference of the forest and the hunt. He is the Wolf, the hunter who struck down the Python and gained prophetic insight, the friend of Hyperborea whose bow can bring any prey low. To me, as Lykeios, he is still a God of Light, but his light is not simply the gold of the sun. It is the green of the field, the red and pink of blood on his skin. It is the purple of his robe and the blue of his eyes, dancing in the sky as the Aurora Borealis. He is the light that dances with the moon and stars, the Hunter who no prey escapes, the Wanderer who heals all with his herbs.

While far from the first Hellenic deity to call to me, He is perhaps the most important one for bridging the gap between the two main pantheons I worship, an ancient link between the northern hunters and the cradle of the West. It is through this link, through His wandering path from Hellas and Hyperborea all the way to Middungeard and beyond, that I can best reconcile worshipping two pantheons without Syncretism. He is a bridge between worlds, a fierce protector and a noble friend to all.

Orphic Hymn to Apollon

Blest Pæan, come, propitious to my pray'r,

illustrious pow'r, whom Memphian tribes revere,

Slayer of Tityus, and the God of health,

Lycorian Phœbus, fruitful source of wealth.

Spermatic, golden-lyr'd, the field from thee

receives it's constant, rich fertility.

Titanic, Grunian, Smynthian, thee I sing,

Python-destroying, hallow'd,

Delphian king:

Rural, light-bearer, and the Muse's head,

noble and lovely, arm'd with arrows dread:

Far-darting, Bacchian, two-fold, and divine,

pow'r far diffused, and course oblique is thine.

O, Delian king, whose light-producing eye views all within,

and all beneath the sky:

Whose locks are gold, whose oracles are sure,

who, omens good reveal'st, and precepts pure:

Hear me entreating for the human kind, hear,

and be present with benignant mind;

For thou survey'st this boundless æther all,

and ev'ry part of this terrestrial ball

Abundant, blessed; and thy piercing sight,

extends beneath the gloomy, silent night;

Beyond the darkness, starry-ey'd, profound,

the stable roots, deep fix'd by thee are found.

The world's wide bounds, all-flourishing are thine,

thyself all the source and end divine:

'Tis thine all Nature's music to inspire, with various-sounding, harmonising lyre;

Now the last string thou tun'ft to sweet accord,

divinely warbling now the highest chord;

Th' immortal golden lyre, now touch'd by thee,

responsive yields a Dorian melody.

All Nature's tribes to thee their diff'rence owe,

and changing seasons from thy music flow

Hence, mix'd by thee in equal parts, advance

Summer and Winter in alternate dance;

This claims the highest, that the lowest string,

the Dorian measure tunes the lovely spring.

Hence by mankind, Pan-royal, two-horn'd nam'd,

emitting whistling winds thro' Syrinx fam'd;

Since to thy care, the figur'd seal's consign'd,

which stamps the world with forms of ev'ry kind.

Hear me, blest pow'r, and in these rites rejoice,

and save thy mystics with a suppliant voice.

#hellenic deities #hellenic pagan #hellenism #hellenic polytheism #hellenic worship #hellenic gods #helpol #hellenic polythiest #greek gods #greek mythology #apollo

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starochre · 2 months ago

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Tips for Closeted Pagans

I made a post similar to this on my old account.

I'm in the same boat, lad. It's never easy, it's never fun. I'm in an Islamic household, so here are some tips I've learnt along the way.

-> Though most people do it, I don't recommend making an altar, at least one that isn't visible. Make them in shoeboxes! Altoids tins! Icebreaker Mint containers! I even saw someone make a jar an altar, do that!

-> Use symbols and symbolic imagery for your deities. Hell, use what reminds you of your deity. I use a freaking sheep figure for Lord Apollon.

-> Incorporate their colors into your outfits or jewelry! For example, I like to wear warm colors for Lord Apollon, maybe sometimes I'd wear purples and blues for Lord Dionysus!

-> I know this is unpopular, but get into Greek mythology media. EPIC: The Musical, Percy Jackson, Blood of Zeus, or Greek mythology. Anything to cover up why you have so much Hellenic pagan stuff. But remember that the gods are not their myths, nor are their retellings.

-> Be vague in your answers when asked. Say you just really like mythologies and stories.

Now, here are tips for those in Muslim households!!

-> Namaz/Prayer. I also hate doing it, but here's the trick. Do all acts of Namaz while mouthing hymns and epithets for the Theoi, during Dua, pray to the Theoi.

-> Roza/Fasting. Yes, you can fast! It's a good way to get rid of Maisma and other spiritual filth.

-> Hijab/scarf. Continue to do it! Veiling is a symbol of modesty, devotion, and protection.

Remember - if you can't pray 24/7, feel drained, and feel depressed, the Gods understand, and they love you all the same.

If I remember any more, I'll edit this post and add it!

Khaire and blessed be <3

#hellenic polytheism #hellenic pagan #helpol #hellenic deities #hellenic worship #hellenic paganism #paganblr #paganism #closet pagan #closet pagansim

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will-b1te · 5 months ago

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Devotional Acts to Apollon 𓏢☀️

➳ Donate to medical charities

➳ Learn more about his epithets

➳ Support up-and-coming/indie artists and musicians

➳ Sing to Him

➳ Play musical instruments for Him

➳ Hold dance parties

➳ Make a playlist for Him and listen to it

➳ Read poetry to Him

➳ Take care of your mental health and remember to take your medicine, if you have any

➳ Try archery

➳ Try different types of divination

➳ Go for a walk and feel the warmth from the sun

➳ Let more sunlight into your home/room

➳ Learn a musical instrument or how to sing

➳ Learn simple medical care, like CPR

➳ Learn about His history, His mother’s history, and His sister’s history

➳ Learn about His lovers

➳ Attend pride (if you are able to, don’t put yourself in danger if you can’t)

➳ Support LGBT+

➳ Wear yellow or orange clothing

➳ Honor Leto and Artemis

➳ Pray to Him and speak to Him often, things to consider praying for are guidance, healing/good health, inspiration, a prophecy or truth

#hellenic pagan #hellenic polytheism #hellenic polythiest #hellenism #hellenistic #paganism #greek pantheon #greek paganism #hellenic deities #apollo worship #apollo devotee #informative

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apollons-song · 12 days ago

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Apollon's Epithets

Hecaergus - he who works from afar

Hecatebeletes - Shooting a hundred / hitting the mark at will

Hecebolus - he who attains his aim

Eleleus - he who utters a war cry

Embasius - he who blesses those who embark on journeys

Erasmius - lovely, beloved

Aglaotimus - he who is splendidly honored

Agreus - hunter

Agrius - wild

Aegletes - the radiant one

Acesius - healing

Alexicacus - he who diverts calamity and plague

Apotropaeus - averting evil

Arotrius - he who blesses those who farm and pasture

Aguieus - guardian of streets and roadways

Ecatebeletes - far-darting

Iartos - healer / physician

Lyceius - born of light

Lycoctonus - the slayer of wolves

Melioukos Tyranne - he who rules with sweetness

Nomius - of pastures and flocks

Olbiodotes - he who fills our souls with bliss

Orthos logos - he who never lies

Patir - father

Phanaeus - giving light

Phoebus - bright

Genetor - ancestor

Manticus - prophetic

#hellenic deities #hellenic polytheism #hellenic worship #hellenism #helpol #apollo #apollo deity #apollon #apollo worship #greek gods

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royal-wren · 1 year ago

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In honor of Pride, I'm going to list a few Hellenic deities to think of more actively during this time

Aphrodite: Historically known to be intersex and trans, especially under the name Aphroditos. Not to mention as a goddess of love, that means all kinds of love and expressions of it. Everyone in the LGBT+ umbrella can turn to her without worry.

Apollon: He is known for epithets like the Unshorn, and for literally wearing feminine clothing for the time.

Artemis: Known for embracing masculinity and more masculine traits like her interests, mannerisms, and appearance (attire). Also known to be aro/ace spec.

Athene: Most know her to lean more toward masculinity, but she's more an equal mix of both masculine and feminine (nonbinary by human terms). Also known to be aro/ace spec and wlw as well.

Dionysos: Like Apollon, is known for wearing feminine clothing for the time and occasionally a feminine appearance to match. Embracing the unconventional and what lies outside of society's standards and mentalities is his thing, and it shows with epithets like Androgynos.

Hekate: A goddess of the liminal (everything in between), boundaries, and transitions, of paths and crossroads (which are more than physical ones).

Hera: As a goddess of women, that includes every kind of woman no matter what, there is no room to try and exclude anyone from that. She's also a goddess of marriage and one to lean on for rights on that matter.

Hermes: A god of the liminal, the god of transitions, boundaries, paths, and roads, and a god of romantic unions, the god of fire - the literal and figurative sparks that ensue as a god of friction, a weigher of love like Aphrodite. Before the late Classical and Hellenistic periods was also known to be aro/ace spec as outside of cultic unions, a majority of his immortal (and deity) children are goddesses as well, and he has two nonbinary (one intersex) children, Palaistra and Hermaphroditos, and occasionally the father of Eros either by Aphrodite or Artemis (and no this is real, you're just not ready for this conversation on this information).

Leto: In worship, she has the cult epithet Phystiê (the Grafter) that relates to a myth of her helping Leukippe transition at the wishes of his mother to avoid death. With the grafter epithet, she has a festival in her honor, Ekdysia (Stripping (Festival)). One of her sacred animals is the Ichneumon (Egyptian Mongoose), which was known to be both male and female in an individual member of the species.

Palaistra: The goddess of wrestling and daughter of Hermes is nonbinary, being both genders at once and neither at the same time

The Erotes: It kind of goes without saying that they should be here for a month of love, identity, and acceptance.

The Kharites: As goddesses of joy, merriment, and festivity/celebration, it feels as essential to have them here as the Erotes are. During Pride, they will lift your spirits and cause you to cheer.

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alexandroslocaldevotee · 14 days ago

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E-Offering for Apollon Aegletes

(Agletes; Epithet meaning 'light of the sun')

#hellenic polythiest #hellenic worship #e offering #apollo deity #apollo devotee #hellenic gods #digital offering

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travelingthief · 3 months ago

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Apollo as an Oracular Deity

Epithets

Loxias: Interpreter of Zeus’s will

Delphinius: Derived from Delphi, where Apollo has his Oracle

Eutresites: Derived from Eutresis, where Apollo had an Oracle

Patareus: Derived from Patara, where Apollo had an Oracle and where he was said to vacation for six months during the winter

Puthios: The Pythian, in reference to the python slayed at Delphi and established his Oracle

Thearius: Of the Oracle

Proupsius: Foreseeing

Clerius: Distributing by lot

Cledones: Omen in words and sounds

Apollo, as a god of prophecy, was seen as delivering the Word of Zeus to mortals through his Oracles. Most famously, Apollo reigned over the Oracle of Delphi which was said to be gifted to him by his grandmother, the titaness Phoebe. However, there is archeological evidence that the site was initially sacred to Gaia, perhaps until priests from Delos arrived. The Pythia is the name for Apollo’s priestess at Delphi who served as the Oracle. Little is known about how the Pythia was chosen and how she operated, but it is believed she would inhale psychoactive gases from the caverns of Delphi and enter into a trance, uttering words that could only be translated by the priest. She could only be consulted once a month and only during warm months since Apollo was believed to have abandoned his temple during the winter.

Ways to connect with Apollo’s Prophecy aspect:

Learn about different divination techniques

Try different forms of divination

Don’t overdo it with divination, i.e. divination in moderation

Design your own tarot/oracle cards

Create your own divination tools

Sources:

Pythia - Wikipedia

APOLLO (Apollon) - Greek God of Music, Prophecy & Healing

Delphi - Wikipedia

#apollo #delphi #helpol #hellenic polytheism #paganism #witchblr

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bodhi-devotee · 2 months ago

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my altar to Helios, Apollon and His son Asklepios

there are so many little details i have been dying to dive into and you guys seem interested in a tour— i’m flattered, thank you!

🪽- first off, this triple angel figurine reminded me of the muses! each angel/muse is holding a lyre, a book, and a horn respectively. they’re so gorgeous, for sure one of my favorite pieces on my altar 💞💞

📦- the box in the middle, towards the back, contains my tarot cards. i was into tarot long before i was a buddhist or a pagan, so me and these cards go way back. it’s a trick box, so i’m able to lock it without any visible keyholes! pretty cool

🌻- the sunflower is for Helius. it represents the myth of clytie standing in one spot, turning her face up to adore Helius with such dedication she turned into a beautiful flower!

🐺- the wolf figure is for Apollon’s Lyceius epithet, and represents Him being both wolf-like and the wolf slayer. i named myself wolfe before i started worshipping Him, which i find cool

🐸- the singing frogs are also for Apollon! plain and simple, they make a pretty noise that i figured He would enjoy. singing is in the name!

🧘- the meditating buddha reminds me of many of Apollon’s delphic maxims, along with the natural balance the Theoi bring. the buddha will always be at the center of my practice and on all my altars

💰- all spare change i collect goes into my money bowl, which i will use only to buy offerings for Helius or Apollon! … i don’t get a lot of change, sorry guys

🎲- i haven’t used dice for divination yet, and i’m unsure if i will. but i have these dice here, so that they’re connected to my boys if i eventually end up using them! i figured it’s charging them, in a way?

🥀- i let petals of previous offerings dry out off of the altar, then scatter them back on once they’ve dried. i just get sentimental about throwing flowers away, and the look of it is gorgeous

☸️- my cloth has an eight part wheel on it, representing the eight fold path/the middle way. i do my best to practice hellenic polytheism in a way that encourages me to walk down the eight-fold path.

thank you for reading all the way through!!! i just love love love love my gods!!!! i know there’s nothing here specifically for Asklepios, but i do pray to Him here and leave Him offerings!

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