#Greek alphabet oracle

[continuous-train-of-thought]

thinking of making a greek alphabet oracle (like norse rune divination but with greek letters for anyone unfamiliar) out of salt dough tbh. i think ill dedicate it to apollon as well idk i’ll see

[khthonicdove]

i got a bunch of fake bones from the dollar tree (54 for $3.75!!!) and turned them into a psephoi set specifically for my Khthonic altar! i’m very happy with them and i’ll be working on adding some of the usual interpretations into my BoS and i’m very excited to start getting my own reactions and interpretations once i use these regularly

[abwatt]

Bagging alphabets

I am not much of a researcher. My training and most of my career was spent as a middle school teacher, not a high-level academic. Not for me, the quiet of a rare book library; but the hustle bustle of a room full of 13 or 14 year-olds. And it must be admitted that, for that age group, it is far more important that we entertain and develop curiosity in our students, then that we wait to provide…

[biblebeltfolkwitch]

I broke one of the first sets of Greek Alphabet Oracle I made a few months back, and tried to make an oven bake clay version, but they never cured or dried right? They're sticky and tacky...so...I have been harvesting shells from the shoreline of the lake on my morning walks and I think I'll be using those to try a 3rd set.

[piristephes]

I use it quite a lot, it's been helpful.

Dedicated mine to Apollon back in the day.

Psephoi (Greek Alphabet) Divination

AKA Grammatomancy

What is it?

So there were many forms of divination in classical Greece, and one was the drawing of lots - having a collection of some kind of tokens (sticks, stones, beans, etc.) with a certain symbol on them that one would draw by chance, and each symbol would have a certain meaning. This is a type of kleromancy.

The Greek Alphabet Oracle is such a method, whereby you draw a token that has a letter of the classical Greek alphabet. Each letter corresponds to an oracular phrase (chresmoi) that, in Greek, starts with that letter. It is also known as the Psephoi Oracle because psephoi is the word for a pebble that was used for both divination and voting purposes.

Although it seems that the right phrase was initially obtained by throwing knuckle bones (astalagoi) and adding indicated numbers for a numerical value that was associated with a letter, most people today just use pebbles/stones/etc. with the letter itself on them, much like Norse runes. This sort of divination was under the domain of Hermes and Apollo.

Where does it come from?

The stone inscriptions that are the source of this method of divination were found in public spaces across several places, most notably in Lycia. The inscriptions were rediscovered and written about by German archaeologist Johannes Nollé. Many of the different sets of inscriptions were the same or similar. One in Olympos, Lycia, had different versions of some phrases and I've included them as alternatives here.

Resources:

Omens and Oracles: Divination in Ancient Greece by Matthe Dillon, pages 272-273

The Oracles of Apollo by John Opsopaus

How Do I Make A Set?

You will need:

The psephoi (Those glass pebbles for aquariums or small stones or pebbles or lil wood discs or whatever you want to make it out of)

A marker of some sort

A container to keep them in

They're very easy to make, just write a letter of the classical Greek alphabet on each psephoi you're using. Some may look similar when rotated so make a note of those and make sure you can tell which is which. I put a small dot at the bottom like you might find on polyhedral dice.

How Do I Use The Set?

Easy!

Method 1: Put the psephoi in a container, mix them up as you ask your question and pull one out without looking. Repeat if desired.

Method 2: Put the psephoi in a container, ask your question, shake them around until one or more jump out of the container.

The Alphabet and Interpretations

*In the spirit of keeping the first letter of the phrase the same as the letter you draw, John Opsopaus in his book includes his own version of the phrase. I will include these also as Alt, and when I have altered them myself they or the word will be in italics.

**Some have alternative versions that come from the Olympos site in Lycia. They are included with a [O].

***Some of the interpretations are from Opsopaus' book, some are others' that I found, and others are my own interpretations.

Α - Alpha

"The god [Apollon] says you will do everything successfully"

Alt: All things you will achieve with good fortune

Interpretations: You'll do great! You will succeed. Projects will go well. Everything is fine. Don't doubt yourself. Complete success. Good luck. Favorable Outcome. Best outcome you can ask for.

B - Beta

"Wait a little; it is not opportune for you"

Alt: Briefly wait, the time is not right for you

Interpretations: Try another time. Now is not the right time. Wait a little and you will receive a better outcome. Be patient. With a delay, the time will be right. Timing is everything. There is a time for everything and everything has its season. It would be to your advantage to wait for the opportune moment. Wait for the perfect moment. Don't act with haste. Slow down.

[O] "You will have Tyche [Fortune] and the Pythian [Apollon] as a helper."

Alt: Both Apollon and Fortune will bring you aid

Interpretations: You will receive help, particularly prophetic help. Call on Apollon for help, he will assist you. The theoi will help you if you ask. Ask for help. You are at a critical point, but if you are fortunate, Apollo the Far-shooter will help you if you call on Him. Even with luck, the God will only assist; ultimate responsibility is yours. With proper acts and choices - and a bit of luck - you’ll be successful. You will get help as long as you put in the work. Rely on and call on the help of the gods, however it may come. Help will come from unexpected, distant or indirect sources when you need it most.

Γ - Gamma

“Gaia will give you the ripe fruit from your labors”

Alt: Gaia gives you the results of your efforts

Interpretations: You will get the results that you have worked hard for. You'll get what you have earned. You reap what you sow. Your efforts will be rewarded. You’ll get what you deserve. Anything done previously will now return a result back to you, whether good or bad. Everything that happens is a direct result of everything that was already done. Past events and actions determine future ones. Usually a good omen of success.

Δ - Delta

"Desist from dreadful deeds, so that you avoid harm."

Alt: Dodge the dreadful deeds, avoiding harm.

Interpretations: Avoid matters that are terrible, fearful, or uncanny. Beware of the excessively wonderful, skillful, or clever. Don’t commit terrible deeds. Stay away from strange circumstances and affairs. Don’t make bad choices for the sake of expediency. In these ways you may escape harm.

[O] "In customs, inopportune strength is weak"

Alt: Drive ill-timed is weak before the rules

Interpretations: Ill-timed force will be ineffective; act with precision; timing is everything. Knowing where and when to strike is more important than strength. Blind conformity to customs is spineless; overly strict adherence to rules is self-defeating. Unreasonable or undue force will defeat itself; a tyrant must fall. In all things, follow the process and protocol. Slow down, form a strategy, and work with the system. Don’t force matters. Work smarter, not harder. Be responsible, not reckless, with the power you have. Knowing where and when to strike is more important than strength.

Ε - Epsilon

"You desire to see offspring from proper marriages."

Alt: Eager art thou for right unions' fruits.

*Desire here being "Eraô" which could also be 'love' or 'are in love with'

Interpretations: You think you know what’s right. You think you know and want the results of a union or action. Reflect on what you’re hoping for. What do you think you want? How do you think you will get that? You think you know the right/best way to do things. What you think is right and successful isn’t what is actually right/fitting. We want to see the results from acceptable convergence of actions. We can only act within the boundaries of what is proper. Worry about yourself, stay in your lane and don’t meddle in the affairs of others.

Ζ - Zeta

"Flee the great storm lest you somehow be harmed"

Alt: Zealously avoid the harmful storm!

*Harmed here can also mean hindered

Interpretations: There’s a storm coming, get out of the way. Difficult and dangerous situations are coming, stay out if at all possible! Sometimes the storms just happen, but other times, we cause them. You will only be harmed or hurt by getting involved in what comes. Prepare to be hit by the storm. Avoid raging storms of any kind; save your energy for when it can be effective. Escape from the chaos or controversy. Sometimes flight is wiser than fight. Go with the flow. Don’t get involved in conflicts.

Η - Eta

"Bright Helios [Sun], who watches everything, watches you."

Alt: Helios, all-seer, watches you.

Interpretations: You can’t hide. You’ve got the spotlight on you. Act nobly and openly, and you will have spiritual blessing and protection. This is not a time to be secretive or hidden in your works. Anything in the dark will be thrust into the light. Anything secret will be revealed. Anything made in oath or promise will be enforced. Keep your promises and be genuine, and you will be cared for.

Θ - Theta

"You have the gods as assistants and defenders."

Alt: Thou hast gods as comrades and as aides.

Interpretations: You have divine assistance at hand. The theoi will aid and defend you. Call on the gods for help, and they will be there for you. Have confidence! Your deities have your back and are guiding you. You are on the right path.

[O] "You have the gods as assistants of this path."

Alt: Thou hast gods as helpers on this path.

Interpretations: You’re on the right path, under divine care. You’re on the right path, so stick to it and stay on it. This is what you are meant to be doing. Commit yourself to the inquired matter and approach, and you will have success and protection, insofar as it is possible to do so. You still have to do the work though. The gods will bless those who honor them, and help those who help themselves. Heading out on your path, remember to be grateful, appreciative and respectful.

Ι - Iota

"There is sweat, it excels more than everything."

Alt: It is through sweat that you will succeed.

Interpretations: Although you are working hard, you will accomplish everything. Hard work is the surest means of success. The oracle recommends elbow grease. Toil, work, and labor is required in order to succeed. Keep working, and success will result, no matter the cost. Just focus on the work, don’t worry about the outcome. Giving up is not an option.

Κ - Kappa

"To fight with the waves is difficult; endure, friend."

Alt: Contests with the waves are hard; endure

*'Endure' can also mean 'delay'

Interpretations: The problems of life will come and go, but will never fully go away. Either wait for the currents to be favorable, or find a way to ride them. You might be caught in a tough situation with no clear way forward. Don’t fight it; endure.  Wait when possible, persevere with care. Work with the sea rather than against it. Don’t give up; sink or swim. If you’re going through Hell, keep going.

Λ - Lambda

"Make an end of grief; hereafter expect joy."

Alt: Leave off grief, and then await delight.

Interpretations: You have grieved long enough. Although you have been sad, you will be happy soon. Stop worrying, and prepare to be pleased. Turn your attention from your pain to the things that give you joy. Pain will yield to happiness. You have been through dark times, but the sun will rise again.

[O] "The one passing on the left bodes well for everything."

Alt: Luck comes from unexpected places.

*The left is traditionally the sinister side. The left is also associated with the unconscious, lunar mind.

Interpretations: A promising sign comes from an unpromising quarter. Whatever looks bad at the start will turn out well in the end. A blessing in disguise. Or, at least, whatever ill omens there are are not intended for you. Pay attention to your intuition, dreams and expressions of your subconscious.

Μ - Mu

"You press on in vain; don’t hurry; it’s not useful."

Alt: Make no haste; in vain you press ahead.

Interpretations: Don’t keep busy at what you are doing, it’s pointless. Haste makes waste. You are rushing around and working hard, but randomly and thoughtlessly. You are putting a lot of energy into wasting time. Pressing on now will be futile; wait for a better time.

[O] "It is necessary to be weary with toil, but the change will be admirable."

Alt: Mandatory toil: the change is good.

Interpretations: Through toil and distress a change will be made for the better. Hard work will result in a good return. It is your fate to be weary with labor, but there will be a beautiful or noble transformation. You are obliged to work hard, but the change will be good. Circumstances will cause distress, but there will be a good change or exchange. Pain will force an admirable change. You will need to work hard.

Ν - Nu

"Now the fitting opportunity for everything arises"

Alt: Now springs forth the fitting time for all.

Interpretations:

Now is the suitable time for anything; the right time begins now. You are entering into a harmonious season, a time when everything is well ordered and bears fruit. An appropriate opportunity or profit is at hand; it is developing. Orderly profits are growing. The most suitable situation is now. Seize the moment; you can accomplish anything! You are entering a synchronistic period when anything is possible.

[O] "A victory-bearing gift enwreathes the oracle"

Alt: Nike’s gift enwreathes the oracle

Interpretations: Something will be given (to you, by you, or from one to another) that brings victory with it and will crown this oracle. The import seems to be that this gift will be the answer to the question asked of the oracle. So, for example, if the querent asked when something will happen, the gift is the sign that it’s immanent.

Ξ - Xi

"The seasonable fruit of Deo the golden awaits you"

Alt: Xanthic Dêô’s ripened fruit awaits.

Interpretations: The fruit that is due now is available for you. The ripe grain is yours for the cutting. The gifts of the goddess are yours for the taking. She has brought you the profits, results, or returns that are due. The goddess Dêô (a name for Demeter, the Grain Mother) has brought you some benefit, so perhaps you should accept the gift.

[O] "There is no fruit to take from a dry shoot."

Alt: Expect no fruit from withered shoots.

Interpretations: Don’t wait too long to harvest or to take your profit. You can’t get blood from a turnip; you can’t get water from a stone. Don’t polish a turd. You won't get something from nothing. Being bitter and angry is not the way to go about things. Don’t keep trying to pull water out of a well that is empty, and know when to let go. Do not expect more from something than it can give. You’re on a dead-end path. Things have failed before they’ve even begun. Better to start over from scratch or look elsewhere entirely. Stop asking questions you already know the answer to: You already have an answer. The gods may be unwilling to talk at this point, so stop bothering them.

Ο - Omicron

"There are no crops to be reaped that were not sown."

Alt: Out of sight are crops that are not sown.

Interpretations: You reap what you sow. You will get nothing because you have given nothing. If you do not work now, there will be no reward later. If you want apples, plant apple seeds. What we spread about comes back to us. What goes around comes around. You must plan ahead in order to achieve anything. There will be no return if you do not invest. What has not been created cannot be destroyed. What has not been born cannot die. Warning against laziness, procrastination, and sloth. That which was inquired about will not happen because of what was not done. A warning that you need to work and prepare for the future in order to have success.

Π - Pi

"Completing many contests, you will seize the crown"

Alt: Passing many tests, you’ll win the crown.

Interpretations: If you persist in your struggles, after many trials you will succeed. Perseverance through adversity. Keep striving and victory will come. After much competition, you will emerge the winner. Don't give up, face adversity! Persistence will give you your rewards, and do not be afraid to use your talents. Whatever rewards, station, acclaim, or prize you want, it will eventually be yours, but you have to keep fighting for it. Success may not be immediate, but a gradual process of refinement instead that leads to fulfillment of desires

Ρ - Rho

"You will go on more easily if you wait a short time"

Alt: Rest awhile; you’ll go more easily.

Interpretations: If you will hold your ground for only a short time, you will be able to proceed (more easily or with greater cooperation). You’ll live more easily if you take a break. You will go faster by waiting than by going now; on the other hand, delaying too long may provoke reckless action. By standing fast you live recklessly. By remaining where you are, you live life thoughtlessly.

Σ - Sigma

"Phoibos [Apollo] speaks plainly, 'Stay, friend.'"

Alt: “Stay, friend,” Apollo plainly says.

Interpretations: Neither advance nor retreat; wait or hold your ground, as appropriate; the best action is inaction. Don’t travel. Stay firm; don’t let yourself be swayed. The gods want to inform you to wait for more information before you make any decisions. In this time, relax, and let the signs come to you. Things will resolve on their own or get to a point where it is better to act than now. Respond only when it is appropriate to do so, which is not now.

Τ - Tau

"You will have release from the present circumstances."

Alt: Take release from present circumstance.

Interpretations: Your misfortune will come to an end. You will be given a way out of present circumstances. You are between a rock and a hard place, but you will get out. All your mishaps will come to an end. Leave present events behind. If you have been having good luck, that too may be departing.

[O?] "You will have a parting from the companions now around you."

Alt: There will be a departure from the companions now around you.

Interpretations: You will be separated from some of the people in your life. This may be an unwelcome parting from friends or a welcome release from enemies; in either case they are now around you. This may also mean a growing apart or forced separation of a person from his or her family, peers or fellow travelers on the path. Soon, people in your life might not stay the way they are. You might grow apart or distance or travel might force you away. Be wary of this, and act accordingly. Consider that 'companions' could also be interpreted as personifications (e.g. in the way Love and Strife are personified) so it could mean a change of circumstances. The people, resources, and situations you’re with now are not what you’ll always be with.

Y - Upsilon

"This wedding is not yours; do not labor in vain"

Alt: Useless toil: this wedding isn’t yours!

Interpretations: The person whom you are trying to woo will not be yours. This romance or relationship will not be permanent. Give it up. Be sensible. You have not made a good choice of someone to pursue. Do not pretend that you are interested in marriage. Don’t pursue the partnership (of any kind); you are wasting your time. The Oracle advises you to abandon some alliance or union that you have been pursuing.

[O] "The affair holds a noble undertaking."

Alt: Undertaking fine is held by deed

Interpretations: There is some issue to be resolved, or some action is under consideration; it involves high-mindedness, either in commitment, deed, or professional pursuit. The oracle may tell us that the affair is admirable due to this noble element, or that the situation may guide us to seek the appropriate noble undertaking or profession. The hero’s quest. On the other hand, the oracle may mean that the situation hinders this fine undertaking. Thus you should try to understand the situation: does it demand an excellent undertaking or impede it? Take the high road.

Φ - Phi

"Plant! For Deo will nourish everything beautifully."

Alt: Forthwith plant! For Deo fosters well.

Interpretations: Plant your crops or vegetable garden, and Demeter will make them grow well. Start your project, for the goddess will bring it to fruition. She will care for it, and it will come out very well. Plant your seeds (of any sort), and the goddess will help you to cultivate them productively.

[O] "Having done something carelessly, you will thereafter blame the gods."

Alt: Faultily you act, and blame the gods.

Interpretations: Take responsibility for your actions (or inactions); don’t blame the gods (or the universe, or fate, or society, or nature) for your own failings, for your thoughtless or careless actions. Something is going wrong, and you may be trying to blame other things than the cause of the problem. Don’t resort to pointing fingers. The Gods will help you if you do not take out your anger on them or others needlessly.

Χ - Khi

"Rejoicing, press on!’ Zeus himself says this."

Alt: "Happily press on!" says Zeus himself

Interpretations: Charge ahead! Keep working with joy in your heart. Zeus urges you forward, even commands you! Act with the confidence that you will fare well and be safe. With joy, hasten the matter or yourself forward. Lean hard on it, but stay happy.

[O] "Succeeding, wanderer, you will fulfill this golden oracle."

Alt: Happy end fulfills this golden word.

Interpretations: “Golden” may be a metaphor for rich, noble, excellent, etc. This admirable oracle will be fulfilled by you attaining your ends, or a mere chance meeting could constitute the golden event. Rejoice, you will succeed! Luck is on your side, and by mere chance, things might fall into place. The answer is positive, and you might be pleasantly surprised at all the riches that the world gives you in addition to your solution. A favorable result is indicated - but even more subtle success is at hand.

Ψ - Psi

"You have this righteous judgment from the gods."

Alt: Proper is this judgment from the gods.

Interpretations: This oracle refers to collective judgment rather than individual judgment. This implies that the majority of the gods concur in this judgment, and that this judgment is appropriate, fair, and righteous, though there is no implication that the result is that desired by the querent. Accept it and move on. Truth will be brought forwards, so be careful in your actions. The Gods are watching, and they will be fair, honest, and unforgiving to those who deserve it. This includes those who might be harming you, as well.

Ω - Omega

"If you take unripe fruit, it won’t be useful."

Alt: Otiose the fruit that’s plucked unripe.

Interpretations: If you pick your fruit too soon, you will have a bad harvest. More abstractly, too early grasping of the fruits of your labor (whether the taking is voluntary or necessary) will yield a poor return; the rewards will not be suitable for their purpose. Don’t be impatient, or the results will be inferior. Don't act rashly or hastily. Don't jump the gun. The time is not yet right to take advantage of the matter. Taking action now will lead to uselessness, worthlessness, and difficulty. At best, this letter indicated to just stay on the course and wait for the matter to develop further before inquiring again.

We're at the end now! (Phew!) I might make a google doc with the alphabet - maybe even make it so you can suggest your own interpretations or even alternative phrases for some of the more difficult ones. In the meantime I hope this has been helpful!

[lunarforager]

Who is Apollo?

Hello again, and welcome to another installment of "Introduction to the Hellenic Gods"! Today's deity is *drum roll* Apollo! He was the next alphabetically but Apollo is also another deity I have worked with myself and have a strong connection to.

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Apollo is the name given to the ancient Greek god of oracles, healing, archery, music and the arts, and light. The Roman equivalent of Apollo is also named Apollo (makes things easy).

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Apollo, unlike Aphrodite who we spoke of before, has one main birth myth.

The story actually begins with a Titaness named Asteria. Asteria, in an attempt to escape the god Zeus' advances, threw herself into the ocean. Where she entered the sea, a piece of disconnected land was created.

Later, when the goddess Leto was impregnated by Zeus, she was cursed by Zeus' scornful wife, Hera, to not be able to give birth on any piece of land or island. While searching for a place to give birth, Leto discovered this piece of disconnected land and gave birth to her two twins, Apollo and Artemis. This piece of land was then connected to the earth by Apollo himself and was named Delos. (For anyone wondering, yes I will be covering Artemis in this series very soon!)

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Apollo was also known by many different epithets throughout Greece and Rome. By far, the most common and most used of the epithets is Phoebus Apollo, translated roughly as Bright Apollo. This is most likely why Apollo is so heavily connected to and is seen as the god of light.

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Some interesting facts about Apollo you might not have known:

Apollo is also sometimes represented as the god of disease, and when praying to him, people would not pray for healing but instead would pray to be protected from the disease he was sending their way. This is actually seen in the first book of Homer's Iliad, where Apollo sends down a plague of arrows on the Achaeans for kidnapping the daughter of a priest of his.

Apollo wasn't always the god of the sun. This title actually belonged to Helios but over time the two were combined into one deity and/or Apollo was seen as the sun god while Helios was instead seen as the sun personified.

Apollo is a prime example of LGBTQ+ identities being present far before the start of the modern era as there are many myths and legends about the god being attracted to and being in relationships with people of the same sex such as his relationship with Hyacinthus or his relationship with Cyparissus.

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My favourite pieces of art and literature that depict Apollo!:

Apollo Belvedere by Leochares --> This statue depicts Apollo and is a copy of the original bronze statue. It is currently held in the Vatican

The Iliad by Homer --> In Book 1 of this epic, the god Apollo sends down a plague on the Achaean soldiers for kidnapping the daughter of a priest of his

Kylix of Apollo --> This piece of traditional Greek pottery depicts the god Apollo sitting on a chair pouring out wine and holding the instrument most connected with him, the lyre

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Thank you all so much for the support so far on this blog! I apologize for such a late update but I was super busy today hanging out with some friends I haven't seen in such a long time and spending much needed time with my partner! I thank Aphrodite for giving me such a lovely partner who is willing to spend hundreds of dollars on Florence + the Machine posters for me lol!

[ailithnight]

If the rest of the League thinks B and X are already together, what're they gonna think when they catch Constantine flirting with X? Scold John for hitting on a taken man? Or congratulate B on his new... interesting... throuple?

#7 dcxdp

Danny is a theif that stells cursed objects and has broken into the Drake's Manor when he thought they were in Rome instead he finds there son all alone well its the Drake's fault for leaving there son all alone

[grey-sorcery]

[Title: Cleromancy: Bone & Dice Divination]

Related Reading

Divination: An Introduction Correspondences Finding Balance: Spirituality & Critical Thought Bias & Witchcraft Spirit Work: First Steps Spellcasting Basics

Grey-Sorcery's Masterpost

Introduction

Cleromancy, the practice of divination through the casting of lots or objects, has ancient roots that span across various cultures and epochs. This esoteric art form operates on the principle that chance events can yield meaningful insights into personal queries or broader existential questions. Throughout history, cleromancy has served diverse purposes, from guiding decision-making to uncovering hidden truths about the self and the universe. The tools used in this practice—ranging from bones and sticks to stones and seeds—each carry unique significance, shaping the divinatory process.

Historical Contexts of Cleromancy

Ancient Practices

Mesopotamian and Babylonian societies were among the earliest to document ritualistic practices linked to divination and spirituality. In these ancient civilizations, practitioners, often referred to as “baru” (diviners), would interpret the will of the gods through various means, such as hepatoscopy (reading the liver of a sacrificed animal) and extispicy (examining the entrails of sacrificed animals). The Babylonian Enuma Anu Enlil texts, a series of clay tablets, detail these divinatory practices, emphasizing their importance in both personal and state matters. This integration of ritual and divination laid the groundwork for later spiritual practices in the region. This use of Divination laid the groundwork for future divinatory practices.

Yi Jing (westernized as "I-Ching") (c. 1600–1046 BCE)

The Yi Jing’s earliest form can be found in oracle bone inscriptions from the Shang dynasty , where diviners would inscribe questions on bones or turtle shells and apply heat until they cracked. The patterns of these cracks were interpreted to provide guidance or foretell outcomes. Over time, these divinatory practices were codified into a text.

By the time of the Western Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–771 BCE), the I Ching had taken on its more recognizable form, consisting of hexagrams (six-line figures) that represent different states and conditions. The text consists of 64 hexagrams, each accompanied by commentary, which reflects philosophical concepts such as yin and yang, the interplay of opposites, and the cyclical nature of life.

Ancient Greece (c. 800 BCE - 200 CE)

In ancient Greece, divination was integral to religion, politics, and daily life, with cleromancy appearing in multiple forms. One of the earliest Greek forms of cleromancy was astragalomancy, or the casting of knucklebones (often from sheep or goats), to discern future events. The bones were thrown, and their positions were interpreted based on specific symbolic meanings assigned to each side or face. Astragalomancy evolved into the use of dice, where each roll was understood as divinely influenced.

Additionally, the Greek practice of sortition, which involved drawing lots from a container to determine divine will, was widespread. Sortition was used not only in religious contexts but also for political purposes, such as in the selection of officials. In some cases, olive leaves, stones, or pieces of pottery would be inscribed with names or symbols and drawn randomly. This method underscored the belief that even randomness could reflect the will of the gods.

Medieval and Renaissance Practices

Early Germanic Use of Runes (ca. 150-500 CE)

The oldest known runic inscriptions date back to around 150 CE. The Elder Futhark, the earliest runic alphabet used by Germanic tribes, consists of 24 characters and is found on various objects such as weapons, amulets, and stones. These inscriptions often had a ritual or magical purpose, suggesting that from early on, the runes held spiritual significance beyond their use as a writing system.

It is believed that the Germanic tribes, particularly the Goths, used runes in divinatory practices during the early centuries of the Common Era. The Roman historian Tacitus, writing around 98 CE in Germania, describes how the Germanic tribes would cast lots made from carved wooden slips (possibly inscribed with runes), interpreting the way they landed as messages from the gods. According to Tacitus:

"For divination and casting lots they have the highest regard. Their procedure is simple. They cut off a branch from a fruit-bearing tree and slice it into strips. These they distinguish by certain marks and throw them, completely at random, on to a white cloth. Then the priest of the state, if the question is a public one, or the father of the family, if it is private, prays to the gods and, gazing at the sky, picks up three of the strips, one at a time, and reads their meaning from the marks previously scored on them."

Tacitus’ description aligns with what we know about early cleromantic practices among Germanic tribes, though runic divination likely evolved into a more specialized form in later centuries.

Ifá in West Africa (ca. 8th Century CE)

The roots of Ifá divination can be traced back to the Yoruba people of present-day Nigeria and Benin, likely emerging as early as the 8th century CE. The practice is centered on communication with the orishas, or spiritual entities, and the diviner (called a babalawo or "father of mysteries") plays a critical role in interpreting divine will through the casting of sacred objects, usually palm nuts or cowrie shells.

Ifá divination involves the casting of 16 palm nuts or cowrie shells, which generate specific patterns that correspond to verses in the Odu Ifá, the sacred text of the Ifá religion. The Odu Ifá contains a vast collection of oral literature, including myths, proverbs, and prayers, which the babalawo uses to interpret the client’s query. Each configuration of the palm nuts or shells is associated with one of the 256 odu (divinatory figures), which hold specific meanings and are linked to different aspects of life, such as health, relationships, and spiritual guidance.

The Ifá system became the foundation for many other African divinatory systems, influencing the divinatory practices of neighboring ethnic groups, such as the Fon people of Benin, who practice Fa divination, a similar form of cleromancy.

Geomancy (ca. 7th Century)

Geomancy, a highly structured form of cleromancy, is believed to have originated in the deserts of North Africa or the Arabian Peninsula, likely among Berber or Bedouin peoples. The word “geomancy” comes from the Greek geo (earth) and manteia (divination), meaning "divination by the earth." However, its original Arabic name, ilm al-raml (the science of the sand), suggests its origins as a method of casting and interpreting patterns made in the sand.

Islamic Geomancy (8th-13th centuries)

During the Islamic Golden Age, geomancy was refined and systematized into a detailed form of divination. Islamic scholars integrated numerology, astrology, and the philosophical traditions of Greek thought into their practices. Using dots or lines drawn in the sand, geomancers would generate a series of 16 figures, which were interpreted based on a complex set of rules involving astrology and cosmic correspondences.

Geomancy was highly respected in the Islamic world, where it was considered a legitimate science. Islamic geomancers like Al-Kindi and Al-Farabi wrote extensively on the subject, codifying its principles and ensuring its spread throughout the Mediterranean, including into Europe. These writings formed the basis for later geomantic traditions in Europe, where the practice became popular during the Middle Ages.

European Geomancy (12th-13th Century)

Geomancy made its way into Europe during the Middle Ages, likely through Spain and Sicily, regions where Islamic and Christian cultures mingled. Latin translations of Arabic texts on geomancy became widely available, and European scholars like Hugh of Santalla and Gerard of Cremona further refined the art. By the 12th century, geomancy was well-established in Europe, where it became known as the "art of the earth."

Unlike other forms of divination, geomancy did not require complicated tools or astronomical calculations, making it accessible to a wide audience. It was often practiced by both learned scholars and laypeople. During the Renaissance, geomancy was considered one of the seven forbidden arts, alongside astrology and necromancy, though it continued to be practiced by those seeking insight into political, personal, and spiritual matters. Renaissance occultists, including Cornelius Agrippa, wrote about geomancy in their works, further embedding it into the Western esoteric tradition.

Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Spread of Ifá (16th-19th Centuries)

With the transatlantic slave trade from the 16th to the 19th centuries, African religious traditions, including Ifá divination, were brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans. In Brazil, where a significant number of Yoruba people were forcibly relocated, Ifá was preserved and incorporated into the emerging Afro-Brazilian religion of Candomblé.

Ifá in Brazil and Candomblé (18th-19th Centuries)

In Brazil, Ifá divination became an essential aspect of Candomblé, which blends Yoruba beliefs with elements of Catholicism and indigenous Brazilian spirituality. The divinatory practice was maintained by Afro-Brazilian priests, known as babalorixás (male priests) and ialorixás (female priests), who performed Ifá-style readings using cowrie shells, a technique known as merindilogun.

The use of cowrie shells in Afro-Brazilian divination systems is closely related to Ifá, though certain adaptations occurred due to the blending of different African spiritual traditions in Brazil. The cowrie shells are cast in a way that generates patterns, which are interpreted by the priest in connection with the Odu Ifá or related Candomblé spiritual texts.

Candomblé grew throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in the state of Bahia, where Afro-Brazilian religious practices were preserved despite colonial efforts to suppress them. By the 19th century, the religion and its divinatory practices had become an integral part of Afro-Brazilian culture, and today, they continue to be practiced by millions of people in Brazil.

Santería and Afro-Cuban Divination (18th-19th Centuries)

A parallel development occurred in Cuba, where the Yoruba-based religion of Santería (or Regla de Ocha) developed, incorporating Ifá divination and the use of cowrie shells. Santería emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries as enslaved Africans in Cuba blended their spiritual practices with Catholicism. In Santería, diviners known as babalawos or santerosuse a system similar to Ifá to communicate with the orishas, seeking guidance on health, personal relationships, and spiritual matters.

Types of Objects Used

Bones and Sticks

Bones and sticks represent one of the oldest and most accessible forms of divination tools, deeply tied to their ubiquity in the natural environment. These items are often chosen for their varied shapes and textures, which allow for an array of interpretative possibilities. Bones, particularly those of small animals, may be selected for their durability and the unique characteristics they acquire through natural weathering or through specific preparation methods such as cleaning or carving. Sticks, on the other hand, may come from different species of trees, with variations in bark, length, and curvature serving as subtle signifiers within the practice.

The utility of bones and sticks lies in their simplicity and versatility. Their physical properties—whether straight, twisted, or fractured—can provide direct visual and tactile cues during a casting. For example, a bone with a sharp angle or curvature may prompt the practitioner to consider directional forces, while the texture of a stick might suggest either stability or the presence of external disturbances. Through these physical characteristics, a broad spectrum of meanings can be derived without relying on any specific cultural overlays.

Stones

In contemporary divinatory practices, stones serve as another widely used object due to their availability and the multitude of shapes and sizes they come in. The appeal of stones is often found in their permanence, as well as in their surface characteristics—whether rough or smooth, irregular or polished. The variety in color, density, and opacity found in different types of stones allows for a richer scope of interpretation, with attention often given to their weight and the sound they make when cast.

When stones are employed, the manner in which they land and interact with each other during casting becomes central to interpretation. Some practitioners might choose stones based on the aesthetic or tactile resonance they feel with a specific stone, but the focus remains primarily on their physical interaction in the casting process. This could involve examining patterns created by how the stones cluster or spread across the chosen casting surface. The distance between stones and their orientation may hold significance, depending on the diviner’s system of interpretation.

Seeds and Nuts

Seeds and nuts offer a unique category of divinatory objects due to their association with growth and potential. Their lightness and ability to roll or bounce during casting creates a dynamic method of reading that introduces an element of movement not found with heavier objects like bones or stones. Seeds can be chosen from a variety of plants, with the specific type of seed or nut often lending additional layers of interpretation. 

The trajectory, bounce, and eventual resting place of these objects can form the basis of interpretation. Practitioners might focus on the directionality of their motion, or how groups of seeds or nuts form patterns as they settle. These items are particularly useful for those seeking to incorporate a more kinetic dimension into their practice, as they often move further and in less predictable ways than heavier or more static objects. Additionally, their association with cycles of growth and change can serve as an interpretative axis, allowing for insights into processes of transformation and potentiality.

Other Types of Objects

Beyond the more commonly used materials, diviners might also incorporate a wide array of other objects into their practices. Small, everyday items such as buttons, shells, or pieces of glass can also be used, each contributing their own symbolic resonance. Buttons, for example, might suggest themes of connection or closure, while shells may speak to protection or the hidden depths beneath a surface. The eclectic nature of these objects means that their meanings are often determined by the individual diviner’s relationship with the object itself, rather than any intrinsic property of the material.

Casting Techniques

Simple Toss Method

The simplest and perhaps most intuitive casting method is the toss, wherein the objects are held in the hand or gathered in a container and thrown onto a surface. This method relies on the randomness of the toss to generate patterns that the practitioner can interpret. The diviner’s focus is on how the objects land—whether they cluster together, remain isolated, or overlap—and what these configurations might suggest in terms of the query or situation at hand.

Using Casting Tools

For those who prefer a more controlled approach, various tools can be employed to assist with the casting process. Cups, tubes, or even dice towers can be used to direct the fall of objects, ensuring a more regulated distribution during the casting. These tools provide a level of precision that the simple toss does not, allowing the diviner to control the dispersion of the objects while still allowing for chance to play its role. Some may feel that using such tools introduces a necessary balance between randomness and structure, enhancing the interpretative process by providing a consistent starting point for each reading.

Complex Pattern Casting

In more advanced forms of divination, the position and interaction of the cast objects become critical. Complex pattern casting looks at factors such as whether objects make contact with one another, overlap, or land in specific orientations. For example, two stones touching might suggest convergence or unity, while a seed landing upright could indicate stability or resilience. The diviner must then interpret these spatial relationships, often finding nuanced meaning in the way the objects interact on the casting surface. This method requires a deeper understanding of symbolism and is favored by more experienced practitioners who seek a more layered reading.

This technique is particularly useful for diviners who seek a balance between spontaneity and structure, as it allows for a degree of unpredictability while still maintaining a framework for interpretation. The position of the objects within the designated areas becomes a focal point for analysis, offering more detailed insights based on their relative placement.

Use of Casting Surfaces

The surface upon which objects are cast plays a significant role in shaping the reading. Diviners may use cloths, boards, or other surfaces marked with symbols or grids that correspond to different areas of life or elements of the self. For example, a board marked with a four-quadrant system might designate different domains—emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual—and the location of objects within these quadrants helps guide the reading.

Symbolism and Interpretation

Common Symbols and Their Meanings

Common symbols emerge organically from the objects used. For instance, a broken bone might symbolize disruption or fragmentation, while a smooth stone could suggest continuity or stability. These interpretations depend largely on the diviner’s system of symbolism, which can be personal or based on broader associations. Disclaimer: The following list of common correspondences is intended for inspiration purposes only. Correspondences may vary based on cultural context, personal experiences, and the specific cleromancy systems employed. Practitioners are encouraged to explore and adapt these meanings according to their individual beliefs and interpretations.

Bone: Transition, connection to ancestry, strength ; fragmentation, loss, decay   

Stick: Directionality, stability, grounding ; rigidity, inflexibility, barriers   

Stone: Endurance, reliability, permanence ; coldness, stagnation, obstinacy   

Seed: Potential, growth, renewal ; vulnerability, uncertainty, chaos   

Nut: Fertility, protection, sustenance ; hardness, concealment, difficulty in access   

Shell: Shelter, emotional depth, intuition ; isolation, fragility, superficiality   

Button: Connection, unity, completion ; closure, restriction, limitation   

Leaf: Transformation, life cycles, rejuvenation ; impermanence, fragility, loss   

Feather: Freedom, lightness, spirituality ; detachment, lack of grounding, impermanence   

Coin: Prosperity, material wealth, luck ; greed, loss, superficiality   

Glass: Clarity, insight, reflection ; fragility, distortion, breakability   

String: Connection, continuity, binding ; entanglement, restriction, tension   

Key: Access, opportunity, solutions ; secrets, barriers, confinement   

Mirror: Self-reflection, truth, clarity ; illusion, deception, superficiality   

Flower: Beauty, growth, love ; ephemerality, impermanence, superficiality   

Wood: Stability, grounding, nourishment ; decay, rot, obstruction   

Stone Sphere: Wholeness, unity, completion ; confinement, lack of growth, stagnation   

Candle: Light, guidance, hope ; danger, destruction, fragility   

Wool: Warmth, comfort, protection ; heaviness, limitation, entrapment   

Pine Cone: Potential, renewal, resilience ; rigidity, closed-off nature, unresponsiveness   

Chalice: Abundance, emotional fulfillment, nurturing ; excess, waste, emotional overwhelm   

Bowl: Containment, safety, balance ; emptiness, lack, deprivation   

Rock Crystal: Clarity, purity, heightened perception ; coldness, detachment, aloofness   

Dice: Chance, uncertainty, opportunity ; randomness, chaos, unpredictability   

Anchor: Stability, grounding, safety ; heaviness, being weighed down, stagnation   

Variations in Interpretation

Interpretation varies significantly between practitioners. One person might interpret the same object differently based on personal experience or the context of the reading. This fluidity of meaning is a key aspect of contemporary practice, where individual intuition plays a large role in shaping interpretations. The dynamic interplay between object, context, and personal resonance ensures that each reading is uniquely tailored to the practitioner. 

Role of the Diviner in Interpretation

The diviner serves as the intermediary between the cast objects and the querent, weaving together the symbols into a coherent narrative. Their ability to read the patterns, variations, and nuances of each cast is central to providing meaningful insights. While each system provides a framework of meanings and correspondences, diviners often bring their unique perspectives, experiences, and intuitions into the practice. This individuality allows for an array of interpretations, as personal insights may resonate more deeply than strict adherence to predefined rules. A diviner might find significance in symbols that diverge from traditional meanings, fostering a more personalized and resonant reading. 

Cleromancy Mat Design Examples

This mat is best used for tools for generalized readings. The mat itself doesn't command control of interpretation, rather it works with pieces and the diviner to generate unique interpretations for each throw.

This mat is best for diviners who want to do a lot of personal interpretations, since it doesn't provide much in the way of meaning. There are only 8 quadrants that can have assigned correspondences. With this mat, interpretation is derived mostly from the pieces, how they interact, and the discretion of the diviner.

This mat contains a lot of information. The pieces used on this mat should be more limited in terms of the complexity of their correspondences. This mat will assign more meaning to each interaction than the prior two mats. 

Creating your own method

When creating your own cleromancy system, the first critical step involves establishing a solid foundation. This foundation should be rooted in a conceptual framework that aligns with your overarching worldview or philosophical beliefs. Begin by determining the central theme or principle that will guide your practice. Whether the aim is self-reflection, decision-making, spell-verification, or something more abstract, having a clear focus will provide structure and coherence to your system. Defining this framework allows you to cultivate a personal connection with the tool and ensures that each step, symbol, and material used is deliberate and meaningful.

Once the conceptual framework is in place, you can move forward with selecting symbols and materials that resonate with you. The items you choose—whether stones, tokens, or other objects—should evoke a particular significance or meaning. The materials may carry personal associations, cultural relevance, or simply evoke a sense of utility for the task at hand. This personal resonance strengthens your connection to the practice and deepens the interpretive potential of the cleromancy system.

The next step is to design a coherent divination method, beginning with the assignment of symbols or values to your chosen items. This process involves either creating new symbols or adapting existing ones from other systems. Each symbol should hold a distinct meaning, and it is important to establish a clear framework for interpreting them. Whether this involves numerical values, positions relative to each other, or some other organizing principle, having an established interpretive guide will enhance the accuracy and clarity of your readings. The method should be fluid enough to allow growth but structured enough to provide consistency.

Casting techniques form the backbone of any cleromancy practice. The way in which materials are cast or arranged can significantly influence the interpretation of the results. Various casting techniques can be explored, from throwing or scattering the materials to laying them out methodically or randomizing their arrangement. Each technique carries its own nuances, and it is important to consider how the method of casting affects the overall energy or tone of the reading. This choice should complement the nature of the symbols and the guiding concept of your system.

After designing the method, the next phase involves developing guidelines for interpreting the outcomes. The structure for interpretation can be fixed, fluid, or context-dependent, depending on your system’s needs. If your system involves interaction between symbols—such as when certain items land near each other or align in specific ways—these interactions may offer additional layers of meaning. It is essential to create a clear process for evaluating these outcomes, one that is both logical and intuitive, allowing for deeper insight as you gain experience.

Lastly, maintaining a record-keeping system is invaluable. Documentation allows you to track patterns and outcomes, providing the opportunity to analyze how interpretations evolve over time. This, in turn, helps refine the system. By systematically recording results, you can observe recurring themes or symbols and adjust your framework accordingly, ensuring that your cleromancy practice remains dynamic and adaptive.

Through continual testing and refinement, your cleromancy system will grow into a robust tool for exploration and insight. Conduct multiple readings to test its efficacy, and make adjustments based on your observations. Over time, with regular integration into your personal practice, you will gain greater clarity, leading to deeper understanding and a more nuanced approach to the art of cleromancy.

Scientific and Mathematical Correlations to Bear in Mind in Order to Avoid Statistical Bias in Tool Design

Probability and Randomness: Statistics, Chaos Theory, Complexity Science, and Determinism

Randomness, as it pertains to divinatory tools such as cleromancy, is a nuanced concept grounded in mathematical theories of probability and chaos. When one casts dice, bones, or any similar objects in cleromancy practice, the assumption is that the results are left to chance or fate. However, from a mathematical perspective, "randomness" is a much more rigorous concept.

In the framework of probability theory, randomness refers to the outcome of events that cannot be predicted with certainty, even if all preceding conditions are known. In cleromancy practices, the user often interprets each cast as holding significance. This belief system interacts with randomness in complex ways, with each cast seen as uniquely meaningful. Despite this, mathematical understanding shows that, given enough trials, patterns in randomness tend to adhere to statistical laws.

Chaos theory, which explores systems highly sensitive to initial conditions, provides another layer of understanding for cleromancy tools. Even a minuscule difference in the force applied to a set of dice or the exact angle at which lots are thrown can result in radically different outcomes. Thus, while cleromancy acts may appear chaotic on the surface, they are mathematically deterministic—each outcome is a function of initial conditions and forces applied to the system.

Mathematical Models of Casting Outcomes

Mathematical models allow us to create a structured approach to understanding the casting of lots or dice. In probability theory, each possible outcome of a dice roll or lot casting can be assigned a numerical probability based on the total number of possible outcomes. For example, when casting a single six-sided die, each face has a 1/6 probability of appearing. These models are useful not only for understanding how frequently certain results occur but also for recognizing when certain patterns or clusters of outcomes deviate from what we would expect in a random distribution.

Complexity science, a field that studies how small interactions among components can result in emergent behaviors, provides another lens through which to view casting outcomes. Cleromancy operates within a complex system of inputs—ritualistic actions, environmental conditions, and the physical properties of the objects being cast—that lead to a seemingly infinite number of possible interactions. These interactions may produce clusters of outcomes that appear to follow discernible patterns, which, upon closer examination, may be random artifacts of a complex system rather than evidence of supernatural influence.

Understanding the mathematical properties of these tools is essential in minimizing confirmation bias and ensuring that tools are designed in ways that do not inadvertently favor particular outcomes over others.

Psychological Perspectives

While mathematical tools offer a way to predict outcomes probabilistically, cognitive biases significantly shape how individuals perceive and interpret the results of cleromancy or divinatory practices. One of the most prevalent biases in such practices is the "confirmation bias," where individuals unconsciously prioritize information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs or expectations. In a divinatory context, a practitioner might focus on outcomes that seem relevant to their question or life situation while disregarding those that do not fit the narrative they seek to construct.

The "gambler's fallacy" is another psychological pitfall worth considering in these contexts. This bias leads people to believe that past outcomes will influence future random events, such as assuming that if a certain result has not occurred in several rolls, it is "due" to appear in the next cast. In reality, each casting of dice or lots is independent, with the probability of each outcome remaining constant regardless of previous events. Failure to account for this fallacy can lead to misinterpretation of divinatory outcomes, imbuing them with a false sense of significance.

To mitigate the effects of these cognitive biases, it is vital to approach the design and interpretation of divinatory tools with an understanding of psychological tendencies. A mathematically balanced system of casting outcomes can help minimize the tendency to read too much into any particular result. Additionally, consistent training or critical self-reflection can help practitioners recognize when their judgments may be clouded by bias.

Statistical Analysis with Dice as an Example

Analyzing Patterns and Frequencies within Mathematical Dimensions

Statistical analysis can provide insight into the distribution of casting outcomes, especially in dice-based divination. When conducting repeated trials of dice rolls, the results can be plotted to visualize the distribution of outcomes. In an ideal random system, each outcome would occur with roughly the same frequency over time. For instance, in a six-sided die, each number should appear approximately 1/6th of the time across a large number of rolls.

By analyzing the frequency of different outcomes, one can determine whether the tool is generating results consistent with random distributions or whether there are biases in the casting method. If certain outcomes appear significantly more or less often than expected, this may indicate a problem with the tool's design, such as uneven weight distribution in dice or flaws in the casting process. Such analysis is essential to avoid statistical bias and ensure fairness in the interpretation of results.

Comparing Outcomes with “Random” Distributions

Once patterns have been analyzed, comparing the actual outcomes of dice rolls or lot castings with theoretical random distributions can reveal important insights. For instance, a statistical technique such as the chi-square test can be employed to compare observed frequencies with expected frequencies. If there is a significant difference, it may suggest that the tool is not functioning in a truly random way.

This comparison helps ensure that the tool adheres to mathematical principles of probability, thus providing a baseline of fairness and accuracy in its use. Additionally, it guards against the possibility of subconscious manipulation of outcomes, where practitioners may—unintentionally or not—alter the casting process in ways that favor certain results. In conclusion, a strong grounding in statistical principles is essential for the design and use of divinatory tools, ensuring that they operate in ways that avoid unintentional biases and misinterpretations.

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This post was reviewed and edited for easier reading by ChatGPT.

[outsideheadvjd]

As a recent member of the community, I see that, like me, there are many beginners who don't know where to start regarding the myths and birth etc. of the gods, and that's why I decided to make this post. The book above is The Greek Myths: The Complete and Definitive Edition (English Edition), by Robert Graves and it covers basically everything!: From the creation of the world to Odysseus' journey home. It talks about the births of the gods, their deeds and some heroes. I bought the Portuguese version because I'm Brazilian and it has helped me a lot, so maybe it will help you too. If you are interested, here is the summary of the entire contents of the book (I hope you find something interesting or that you were looking for information :>):

1. THE PELASGIAN CREATION MYTH

2. THE HOMERIC AND ORPHIC CREATION MYTHS

3. THE OLYMPIAN CREATION MYTH

4. TWO PHILOSOPHICAL CREATION MYTHS

5. THE FIVE AGES OF MAN

6. THE CASTRATION OF URANUS

7. THE DETHRONEMENT OF CRONUS

8. THE BIRTH OF ATHENE

9. ZEUS AND METIS

10. THE FATES

11. THE BIRTH OF APHRODITE

12. HERA AND HER CHILDREN

13. ZEUS AND HERA

14. BIRTHS OF HERMES, APOLLO, ARTEMIS, AND DIONYSUS

15. THE BIRTH OF EROS

16. POSEIDON’S NATURE AND DEEDS

17. HERMES’S NATURE AND DEEDS

18. APHRODITE’S NATURE AND DEEDS

19. ARES’S NATURE AND DEEDS

20. HESTIA’S NATURE AND DEEDS

21. APOLLO’S NATURE AND DEEDS

22. ARTEMIS’S NATURE AND DEEDS

23. HEPHAESTUS’S NATURE AND DEEDS

24. DEMETER’S NATURE AND DEEDS

25. ATHENE’S NATURE AND DEEDS

26. PAN’S NATURE AND DEEDS

27. DIONYSUS’S NATURE AND DEEDS

28. ORPHEUS

29. GANYMEDES

30. ZAGREUS

31. THE GODS OF THE UNDERWORLD

32. TYCHE AND NEMESIS

33. THE CHILDREN OF THE SEA

34. THE CHILDREN OF ECHIDNE

35. THE GIANTS’ REVOLT

36. TYPHON

37. THE ALOEIDS

38. DEUCALION’S FLOOD

39. ATLAS AND PROMETHEUS

40. EOS

41. ORION

42. HELIUS

43. THE SONS OF HELLEN

44. ION

45. ALCYONE AND CEYX

46. TEREUS

47. ERECHTHEUS AND EUMOLPUS

48. BOREAS

49. ALOPE

50. ASCLEPIUS

51. THE ORACLES

52. THE ALPHABET

53. THE DACTYLS

54. THE TELCHINES

55. THE EMPUSAE

56. IO

57. PHORONEUS

58. EUROPE AND CADMUS

59. CADMUS AND HARMONIA

60. BELUS AND THE DANAIDS

61. LAMIA

62. LEDA

63. IXION

64. ENDYMION

65. PYGMALION AND GALATEA

66. AEACUS

67. SISYPHUS

68. SALMONEUS AND TYRO

69. ALCESTIS

70. ATHAMAS

71. THE MARES OF GLAUCUS

72. MELAMPUS

73. PERSEUS

74. THE RIVAL TWINS

75. BELLEROPHON

76. ANTIOPE

77. NIOBE

78. CAENIS AND CAENEUS

79. ERIGONE

80. THE CALYDONIAN BOAR

81. TELAMON AND PELEUS

82. ARISTAEUS

83. MIDAS

84. CLEOBIS AND BITON

85. NARCISSUS

86. PHYLLIS AND CARYA

87. ARION

88. MINOS AND HIS BROTHERS

89. THE LOVES OF MINOS

90. THE CHILDREN OF PASIPHAË

91. SCYLLA AND NISUS

92. DAEDALUS AND TALOS

93. CATREUS AND ALTHAEMENES

94. THE SONS OF PANDION

95. THE BIRTH OF THESEUS

96. THE LABOURS OF THESEUS

97. THESEUS AND MEDEA

98. THESEUS IN CRETE

99. THE FEDERALIZATION OF ATTICA

100. THESEUS AND THE AMAZONS

101. PHAEDRA AND HIPPOLYTUS

102. LAPITHS AND CENTAURS

103. THESEUS IN TARTARUS

104. THE DEATH OF THESEUS

105. OEDIPUS

106. THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES

107. THE EPIGONI

108. TANTALUS

109. PELOPS AND OENOMAUS

110. THE CHILDREN OF PELOPS

111. ATREUS AND THYESTES

112. AGAMEMNON AND CLYTAEMNESTRA

113. THE VENGEANCE OF ORESTES

114. THE TRIAL OF ORESTES

115. THE PACIFICATION OF THE ERINNYES

116. IPHIGENEIA AMONG THE TAURIANS

117. THE REIGN OF ORESTES

118. THE BIRTH OF HERACLES

119. THE YOUTH OF HERACLES

120. THE DAUGHTERS OF THESPIUS

121. ERGINUS

122. THE MADNESS OF HERACLES

123. THE FIRST LABOUR: THE NEMEAN LION

124. THE SECOND LABOUR: THE LERNAEAN HYDRA

125. THE THIRD LABOUR: THE CERYNEIAN HIND

126. THE FOURTH LABOUR: THE ERYMANTHIAN BOAR

127. THE FIFTH LABOUR: THE STABLES OF AUGEIAS

128. THE SIXTH LABOUR: THE STYMPHALIAN BIRDS

129. THE SEVENTH LABOUR: THE CRETAN BULL

130. THE EIGHTH LABOUR: THE MARES OF DIOMEDES

131. THE NINTH LABOUR: HIPPOLYTE’S GIRDLE

132. THE TENTH LABOUR: THE CATTLE OF GERYON

133. THE ELEVENTH LABOUR: THE APPLES OF THE HESPERIDES

134. THE TWELFTH LABOUR: THE CAPTURE OF CERBERUS

135. THE MURDER OF IPHITUS

136. OMPHALE

137. HESIONE

138. THE CONQUEST OF ELIS

139. THE CAPTURE OF PYLUS

140. THE SONS OF HIPPOCOÖN

141. AUGE

142. DEIANEIRA

143. HERACLES IN TRACHIS

144. IOLE

145. THE APOTHEOSIS OF HERACLES

146. THE CHILDREN OF HERACLES

147. LINUS

148. THE ARGONAUTS ASSEMBLE

149. THE LEMNIAN WOMEN AND KING CYZICUS

150. HYLAS, AMYCUS AND PHINEUS

151. FROM THE SYMPLEGADES TO COLCHIS

152. THE SEIZURE OF THE FLEECE

153. THE MURDER OF APSYRTUS

154. THE ARGO RETURNS TO GREECE

155. THE DEATH OF PELIAS

156. MEDEA AT EPHYRA

157. MEDEA IN EXILE

158. THE FOUNDATION OF TROY

159. PARIS AND HELEN

160. THE FIRST GATHERING AT AULIS

161. THE SECOND GATHERING AT AULIS

162. NINE YEARS OF WAR

163. THE WRATH OF ACHILLES

164. THE DEATH OF ACHILLES

165. THE MADNESS OF AJAX

166. THE ORACLES OF TROY

167. THE WOODEN HORSE

168. THE SACK OF TROY

169. THE RETURNS

170. ODYSSEUS’S WANDERINGS

171. ODYSSEUS’S HOMECOMING

Remembering that this book is not ritualistic and is not necessarily religious, so you will not find much this type of information.

[fightingchancestudio]

Want to tell your fortune? The Greek alphabet oracle is a great way to do a quick vibe check sort of augury 😄

[multi-bookworm]

Why does nobody in this universe want to learn Greek like me :( making me sad, and bored, so I've made a list of all THE BENEFITS TO LEARNING GREEK:

1. The writing is really sexy. For example, even saying "you are a fish with a large forehead" looks beautiful

είσαι ένα ψάρι με μεγάλο μέτωπο

(even insulting someone is now gorgeous)

2. You could read Homer's odyssey or iliad with much less confusion since it will make more sense in the original language. Also you seem smarter reading the iliad or odyssey.

3. You seem really cool, this honestly comes with learning any new language, but Greek is connected to English, making it easier to learn, often, despite its complexity.

3. Understanding English itself will be easier since a large amount of the english language stems from Greek, as well as Latin, but Latin writing isn't quite as sexy (my own personal opinion, this is probably just because it is so similar to English, which is boring to me)

4. It is still spoken, as opposed to learning Latin, a dead language, making it easier to learn since you are more likely to have a conversation in it with somebody else.

5. The alphabet is interesting, as all foreign languages are, but the use of certain letters, how there are two different s's, three different i's and two different o's.

6. Interesting etymological origins from words. Some words came from myths, such as the man Narcissus, and particularly my favourite is when something is καλλίπυγος (Callipygious) which originated from an association with Aphrodite calling her Aphrodite Kallipygos, as well as roman reference of callipygian Venus. Callipygian means "one with/of beautiful buttocks," which I find to be quite hilariously accurate in addition to the common reference to Aphrodite in this manner.

7. If none of this enticed anybody and you dont think youll even go to greece so why bother, here are many things in Greece worth seeing:

A) THE MUSEUM IN ATHENS: multiple museums in Athens houses more history than the British Museum (that's saying a lot) with 11,000 artefacts in just the Natural Archaeological Museum in Athens alone (the British Museum has only 2,000 artefacts). Unlike many societies, they docked down much of what they did very early on so we have so much unscripted and crazy history from the Greeks alone in writing, and even moreso in their abundance of beautiful, detailed art. Even if you hate the Greeks (every country has done some bad things) it's still worth checking out the museums there just for historical knowledge and context, it will teach you a lot, i promise you that.

B) THE COASTAL WATERS: just look at the Mediterranean water, does that NOT make you want to jump in??

C) there are cats everywhere, particularly in Crete.

D) there are thousands of sites related to greek myths such as: the cave and temple of the Oracle of Delphi, which actually existed, and are still sometimes praised to Apollo today; Mount Olympus, the largest mountain in greece and worth a climb; the site where the Spartan Society thrived (my favourite society of all time, whom you should seriously check out here if you do not know already, if you do know... you should check it out also bc Weird History in yt really explains it accurately and in such a cool way).

E) greek culture. An ancient custom is to be kind to travellers, which was a belief that the traveller could be a God in disguise, so one always must treat them like a king and invite them into their home. (Again, this was an ancient custom, I'm not sure how prominent it would still be but it is a nice thought and the general public say that Greeks, particularly rural, are the loveliest people you will meet, for they have the strongest connection to this culture.) If you see blue roofs in greece this was a cultural belief as well, thought that rhat particular shade of blue would ward off evil spirits and protect the home from disease and impurity. Greece's long history of celebrated gods which are now well known worldwide through the many tales told about them and worship in their names.

If you still aren't enticed, that's okay, I am not offended, I'm just passionate I hope I didn't hurt anybody's feelings, and pls tell me if i have offended anyone who is greek themselves, because I am not greek, just heavily in love with your culture, so pls do correct me. Have a lovely day everybody :>

[tempusedax-rerum]

All references in TiBiBiBaP

Under the cut you'll find all the little references and allusions made in Then it Becomes, it Becomes, it Becomes a Problem because I kept track of them and hey, why not, right?

It's going to include some stuff that probably seems painfully obvious. And did I miss some? Most likely, yes.

Obviously this contains MAJOR SPOILERS lol

Chapter 1:

Bill-proof suit -> The Book of Bill (TBoB from here on out)

Post-it notes -> TBoB

Shave-and-a-haircut -> classic call-and-response

“Have you come to steal my eyes?” -> S02E12, a Tale of Two Stans

Venus de Milo -> ancient Greek marble statue

Chapter 2:

“…grisly warzone that had once been their favourite taco place.” -> TBoB burrito paradox incident

“hourglass-shaped container” -> inspired by the ‘Cosmic Sand’ from S02E08 Blendin's Game and also the oracle page in Journal 3

“Vigilantes vel somniantes vel ambo…” -> this is actually a direct reference to a poem I wrote

“…you never needed the feather, Dumbo!” -> this scene in Dumbo

“The first line of the pyramid is also a theorem; it follows directly from axiom two.” -> Gödel, Escher, Bach: an eternal golden braid by Hofstadter, Douglas R., page 224. All of Amorphous Shape's dialogue comes from GEB because I'm saying that all of reality is consciousness-based (specifically Axolotl-based). What is Amy? A mystery, at her core. Some kind of expression of the fractal structure of the multiverse.

"in the backroom" -> did I spell back room incorrectly?? No. I did this on purpose.

Chapter 3:

My take on the mindscape is loosely based on Plato’s theory of Forms with some scaffolded fractal panpsychism thrown in for good measure

“…grains of sand on every beach…” -> reference to Carl Sagan's book Cosmos

5D Chess with Multiverse Time Travel -> reference to the actual game

Chapter 4:

“It would be insane for a serial killer to press and stamp their own fake pain killers…” -> allusion to the Tylenol murders

Photocopier -> S01E07, Double Dipper

“Route 14” -> Journal 3

Chapter 5:

“…a large gourd with an unnervingly friendly face.” -> Journal 3

“ten distinct varieties of spectra” -> Journal 3

“a huge chess pawn” -> seen in the background of various Gravity Falls episodes (in the attic)

“Teen and Up” -> reference to AO3's rating system

“chamomile, cardamom, and dandelion root” -> chosen for their occult and medical properties: chamomile is associated with calm, cardamom is associated with love, dandelion root is associated with change. Basically a little spell to keep Ford thinking good thoughts about Bill.

Chapter 6:

“Chumbo’s hungry” -> TBoB

“singing the alphabet backwards and chanting Z-O-Z-O-Z-O” -> these are two common ouija board events that are attributed to demons

“Bring spiders! Sixer liked those.” -> TBoB

“The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180 degrees only in Euclidean geometry; it is greater in elliptic geometry, less in hyperbolic.” -> Gödel, Escher, Bach: an eternal golden braid by Hofstadter, Douglas R., page 100

“party like it’s 1346!” -> this is the year the bubonic plague started

Chapter 7:

“There are these cows” -> Journal 3

“The Collector” -> a real Marvel villain

“eaten by Steve” -> Journal 3

“A mop and a bucket.” -> allusion to the various Handyman Bill AUs

“STARVING BLACK HOLES HAVE EATEN ALL LIGHT” -> that's entropy, babyyyy. Specifically, I was thinking about this video: time lapse of the future

“He wants his mother to cut the crusts off his sandwiches.” -> TBoB (burrito paradox 911 call script)

Chapter 8:

“the Purple Man” -> also a Marvel villain

“nice birthday present” -> TBoB

“I don’t want to be a fish!” -> the theory that hiccups are an old fish reflex

“Or Plato?” -> allusion to the allegory of the cave which is linked to Plato's Forms

Chapter 9:

“…has caused me harm in the following ways” -> common script for intervention letters

“A potato-shaped creature with a jelly-like consistency and four eyes” -> Journal 3

“Et tu, Brute?” -> Julius Caesar of course

“this space was originally my biospec lab” -> and that’s what it is in the show according to S02E15, The Last Mablecorn. I tried to stay true to this layout but I did make a few changes.

“He gave me rats for my birthday.” -> TBoB

Chapter 10:

“For here it is true that si paullum a summo discessit, vergit ad imum. I turned back when I saw that no man can reach the bottom of this night.” -> Gödel, Escher, Bach: an eternal golden braid by Hofstadter, Douglas R., page 92

“We cannot make the loop any tighter, but we can open it wider, by choosing to insert any number of intermediate levels, such as ‘picture frame’, ‘arcade’, and ‘building…’” -> Gödel, Escher, Bach: an eternal golden braid by Hofstadter, Douglas R., page 716

“Nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.” -> direct quote from the Twilight Zone, S01E28

“The architect of my own destiny.” -> paraphrase of Jean-Paul Sartre

“Self-made man” -> paraphrase of Frederick Douglass

“portable portal device” -> allusion to the portal gun Rick and Morty... bordering on reference the further into the story we go... lol

Chapter 11:

Tachyon Queso’s Time-Loop Pizza Palazzo —> this is obviously just Chuck E. Cheez which, apparently, used to be called "Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre"

Chapter 12:

“Mens, corpus, in aethere separatum, spiritu unitum” –> I swear this is a reference to Supernatural but I can't remember which incantation I was thinking of

Chapter 13:

Multibear → S01E06, Dipper Vs. Manliness

"Just a couple tweaks" -> reference to Let's Get Weird by Longest Solo Ever

Chapter 14:

“If you wanted to go back and replace axiom one by its negation, you could not just do that by itself; you would have to delete all theorems which had involved axiom one in their derivations.” → Gödel, Escher, Bach: an eternal golden braid by Hofstadter, Douglas R., page ?? (forgot to record the page number, so sorry lol. When I reread I'll fix this)

“Querying the system about some particular idea sets up a goal in the form of a string to be derived.” → Gödel, Escher, Bach: an eternal golden braid by Hofstadter, Douglas R., page ?? (same issue as above)

“hyperdrive from crash site Omega” → Journal 3

“concentrated dark matter” → reference to Rick and Morty, S01E04, M. Night Shaym-Aliens!

“shadow realm” → reference to Yu-Gi-Oh!

“Magrathea” → planet in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Sikaris → planet in Star Trek (Voyager, S01E10, Prime Factors)

Naboo → planet in Star Wars

Arrakis → planet in Dune

Golden fiddle → reference to The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Chapter 15:

“Swayze-style” & “You had me at ‘ditto!’” → references to Ghost (1990)

Chapter 16:

Nothing here except a bunch of over-simplified neuroanatomy.

Chapter 17:

“Krombo-whoever-the-fuck” → allusion to Krombopulous Michael from Rick and Morty, S02E02, Mortynight Run

“she’d figured out how to set water on fire” → that one chemical that can do that. I forget. I think it's lithium? It also burns pink, so I think this was Alex's intention for Pyronica

Jheselbraum → Journal 3

Chapter 18:

“he had Jennifer Aniston beat in that regard” → reference to the Jennifer Aniston neuron

“what was his name… George? Henry?” → allusion to a series of comments where people kept getting Gary's name wrong. It really cracked me up. Like, yes, exactly! Gary is barely a person. Hilarious.

“‘Subsystem’ is just another name for an overgrown symbol, one which has gotten so complicated that it has–” → Gödel, Escher, Bach: an eternal golden braid by Hofstadter, Douglas R., page 384

“spiritui esto subiecto voluntati meae" -> and then Snooki appears! Reference to Supernatural, S9E16, Blade Runners

“Greek superstition” → parsley is associated with the dead in Greek mythology

“Yarrow? Frankincense?” & “absinthe?” → chosen for their occult properties. Yarrow is associated with removing blockages, frankincense with ritual amplification and consecration of ritual spaces, and absinthe is associated with spirit communication

Chapter 19:

“Anima, corpori fuerit corpus totem resurgent.” → reference to Supernatural, S8E1, We Need to Talk About Kevin. Fun fact: Amina (Anima backwards) just so happens to stand in for "amen" in Arabic in certain circumstances. Neat how that worked out.

And lots more oversimplified neuroanatomy. I like brain science. :3

Also thank you to my university's physics department and to some very helpful people on discord who checked my math on those three problems.

Chapter 20:

"Dammit, Janet" -> a song from Rocky Horror Picture Show

“fucking Nosferatu” → Nosferatu :) obviously :)

Chapter 21:

“Obtuse Society” → From this panel about the pitch document for TBoB (here's the actual document)

Chapter 22:

“cells, interlinked” → Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabakov

“Dr. Jacobi” → Laura Palmer's therapist in Twin Peaks

“Did the lambs get too loud for you, Clarice?” → Silence of the Lambs

“salt on Ford’s windowsills” → allusion to Supernatural. Just salt everywhere.

Chapter 23:

“stupid… calcium” → lack of calcium re-uptake is one of the causes of rigor mortis

Chapter 23:

I am purposefully drawing parallels between Bill's trauma-based dissociative experiences and my own experiences with dissociative disorders. This is also a nod to Disco Elysium!

"jelly doughnut" -> reference to the autopsy snack time trope

Chapter 24:

Nothing here

Chapter 25:

This chess game is just The Immortal Zugzwang

Chapter 26:

"a tattoo guy" -> it could be any of the embarrassing tattoos tbh (but it's definitely the "if lost return to Bill Cipher" one from TBoB, the "my muse and me" page)

Moloko plus → disgusting milk-based beverage in A Clockwork Orange

That ol’ Janx Spirit → alcoholic component of the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Chapter 27:

The spot in the Atlantic ocean that Ford is referencing is meant to be the Bermuda triangle

“Eyepatch?” → allusion to Theseus' Guide to Ruining a Perfectly Good Boat by @stump-not-found

The cake in this scene is an internal reference to the moment that Bill saw in chapter 7 which he was using to anchor his behaviour in subsequent chapters. In case.... anyone missed that. It was a very small moment.

"Just rebrand it as an adhesive exfoliating strip. The rash means it’s working." -> Stan's bandaid brand, "The Rip-Off," that won't give you rashes from S02E12, A Tale of Two Stans

The final scene with Bill is a reference to the one therapy session we see on thisisnotawebsitedotcom.com when you type in "even his lies are lies"

Spiders Georg -> we all know this guy, I hope

[lavendermoonlove]

Divination methods I use - pt. 1

Hey lovelies! Today I wanted to touch on the different forms of divination I use in my practice. These are ordered from most to least used. This way you can also gain insight into my experience with them. I will divide this post up in three parts, because while I was writing this post I realised it's way too much to put into one post. So this post will contain Tarot cards, Oracle cards and the Pendulum. The next one will be about the Greek Alphabet Oracle, scrying and tasseomancy. The last one will be about dream divination and music divination (Canticumancy). I hope you enjoy 💜 Tarot I think that this is everyone’s most used divination method and often plays a central role to many people’s practice. Tarot decks are based on a system, most tarot decks are based on the Rider-Wait-Smith (RWS) system. However, there are decks that are based on other systems, like Toth or Lenormand. I am only familiar with the RWS system, as this is the system my deck is based on. At the beginning of my practice I used to do a 3-spread tarot reading every single day, now that has died down a little. I however would love to use tarot more, but often when I want to practice my skills I find that I can’t think of a question I want to ask haha. I have a dedicated tarot journal, in which I record every reading I do. I write down the date, the moon phase and the sign the moon is currently in. This is then followed by my question. Afterwards I grab my cards and meditate on the question while holding the cards. I try to visualise the question as best as I can, making it as clear as possible in my head. Afterwards I say the question out loud if it’s a reading with a deity or spirit. Else I bring the tarot deck close to my mouth and whisper the question to it. I then shuffle till either a card jumps out or I sense that I should stop and pull the top card. I often do 3-card spreads for quick readings, as I find that 3 resonates with me. If want a long reading on a bigger topic, this will often be a 7-card reading, as 7 is a significant number for me. I then write down the following:

each card that I pulled

what stood out to me the most

my first impression of the whole spread

my interpretation of each card

my interpretation of all the cards together

any clarification from the guide book if I need it

any numerology if it seems significant to me

If I need more answers or clarification I will ask another question and also write this down. If it’s a spread I haven’t quite figured out yet, I leave some space for notes, so I can come back to it later.

Oracle cards Clearly cartomancy is my most used form of divination, as I placed tarot and oracle cards high on this list. Oracle cards differ to tarot cards in that they don’t have a set system. Often the author and designer of a deck have their own set system, therefore every oracle deck is different. Some contain 45 cards, some 20 and some 120 and every card in every deck has a different meaning. Therefore it’s harder to learn to read oracles. Beginners to cartomancy and divination are therefore advised to start off with tarot, particularly the RWS system. However, once you get the hang of reading tarot, oracles can be a beautiful addition to your tarot readings to add clarification or meaning to a reading, or as a stand alone reading. I often find oracle cards to be more straightforward than tarot cards, but I also find that the amount of straightforwardness depends on the deck. The Solitary Witch oracle, the first oracle I had ever bought, is way less straightforward and often let’s me interpret things a lot from the picture and title of the card. In contrast, I find the Season of the Witch oracle series (particularly the Samhain one) to be more straightforward with their meanings and symbolism. I currently own 4 oracle decks:

The solitary witch oracle: This one I often use for my sabbat altar or for spell work, not so much for readings as I find it’s hard to shuffle due to the coating on the cards.

The Season of the Witch Samhain oracle: This one I do daily readings with during October & November. If my tarot readings are more darker in nature I will reach for this deck for additional clarification or if I fancy myself a spooky reading I will use this deck.

The Season of the Witch Yule oracle: I use this deck for daily readings during December & January. I honestly don’t use it that much outside of the Yule season because I find it’s very festive and christmassy that it doesn’t suit my readings on other times of the year. I however love the Season of the Witch series as I find the decks really matching my energy and often being accurate.

The Witch Casket exclusive oracle: This one I got from the Witch Casket subscription box. This one I barely reach for, however it is quite useful as a vocal point in spell work, ritual or meditation. It’s very straight to the point with little art work, making it good for adding an additional layer of intention to spell work. However, I don’t do readings with this deck. I find the deck hard to shuffle due to the awkward shape of the cards (they’re in a casket shape).

Pendulum I absolutely love using my pendulum. I find that every pendulum feels different and has it’s own little personality. It’s my preferred method for quick communication with my deities or with spirits. I also tend to use it along tarot if I need clarification in the form of yes/no. I often reach for my pendulum over my cards if the question is a closed question. I find a pendulum easier and more straightforward for this then tarot, which often leaves much up for interpretation in these cases. A pendulum might not be for everyone and there are diverging believes regarding the validity of a pendulum. It can also be quite a journey to find a pendulum that resonates with you and your energy. I therefore recommend people to shop for pendulums in metaphysical shops rather than online. In real life you can sense the energy of the pendulum and see how it reacts to you and give it a test ride. However, I do realise that shopping in real life isn’t a possibility for everyone. This can be resolved by making a pendulum yourself and often is better than buying a new one. All you need is a chain (from a necklace for example) and an object that weighs more than the chain and isn’t skewed on one side (like a ring for example). By making the pendulum yourself (especially with significant objects) you will for sure have a pendulum that works well with your energy. Now a pendulum can be used for many other things outside of divination. In the future I would love to make a post about it, as pendulums can be extremely versatile. If you have any questions, please let me know! I'd be happy to answer :). Have a lovely witchy day💜

[the-mortuary-witch]

DEITY MASTERLIST (PART ONE)

THIS IS A VERY LONG POST, AND EVERYTHING IS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

🌊 Ægir

God of: personification of the ocean, brewing, the sea.

Culture: Norse

Symbols: aegishjalmur and laguz rune

Plants: oak, polybody, and rose.

Animals: dolphins, whales and other sea creatures

Colours: blue, green, turquoise and other sea-like shades

Tarot: King of Cups

Offerings: singing sea shanties, seashells and pearls, cleaning up shores and the oceans, bread, sea glass, a bowl of salt water with food dropped into it, Anything related to the sea. Do not offer most beers as he does not like the modern chemical-filled ales, homebrew or local brew beer is better. 

💕 Aengus Og

God of: youth, love, poetic inspiration, summer, and healing

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: Venus, copper, and golden harp

Plants: basil, cinnamon, rose, jasmine, sandalwood, strawberries, mistletoe, violet, birch, cherries, elder, and sycamore

Animals: swans, cats, doves, and sparrows

Colours: green, pink, and red

Tarot: The Lovers, Justice, and The World

Offerings: red roses, strawberries, cake, chocolate, honey, wine, cherries, music, and art.

🧚 Aine

Goddess of: summer, wealth, sovereignty, love, fertility, protection, wealth, agriculture, the sun and moon, and Queen of the faeries

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: silver and white Items, meadowsweet, the moon, and midsummer

Plants: angelica, blackberry, cowslip, elder, orchid, fennel, flax, garlic, mugwort, nettle, oak, hawthorn, mistletoe, alfalfa, ash, agrimony, birch, broom, holly, lavender, meadow-sweet, and gorse.

Animals: red mare, horse, rabbit, swan, cattle, and bees

Colours: red, gold, green, blue, and yan

Tarot: The Sun, Suit of Wands, and Queen of Pentacles

Offerings: milk, bread, home-grown produce, cream, fire and candles, sunflowers, yellow glowers, honey, summer fruits, oranges, and bee-related Items.

⛅ Amaterasu

Goddess of: the sun and the universe

Culture: Japanese

Symbols: mirror, jewel, sword, and bow and arrow

Plants: chrysanthemum, cryptomeria, carnation, chamomile, juniper, marigold, rosemary, and sunflower

Animals: dragon-fox, horse, rooster, and wolf

Colours: yellow, gold, red, and orange

Tarot: The Sun and The World

Offerings: rice crackers, cooked rice, origami figures, rice candy, brightly-coloured Japanese food, and silk and other fabrics.

💃 Ame-no-uzume

Goddess of: dawn, mirth, meditation, revelry, dance, fertility, and the arts

Culture: Japanese

Symbols: antique Items and fans

Plants: moss and sakaki 

Animals: fox

Colours: pink, red, white, and yellow

Tarot: Three of Cups and Suit of Cups

Offerings: dancing, bells, silk ribbons, rice cakes, and dake.

⚰️ Anubis

God of: the dead, mummification, embalming, the afterlife, and tombs

Culture: Egyptian

Symbols: crook and flail, and mummy gauze

Plants: star anise, benzoin, cloves, cardamom, frankincense, myrrh, rosemary, cypress, and cedarwood

Animals: jackal

Colours: black, green, red, and gold

Tarot: Death

Offerings: cool water, strong liquor like rum, spicy foods, dark and bitter chocolate, strong incense, cypress oil, locks and keys, honour the dead and your ancestors, leave flowers on graves, support orphans and the homeless, and act as a guide for someone.

💘 Aphrodite

Goddess of: love, beauty, and fertility

Culture: Greek

Symbols: rose, pearl, mirror, girdle, anemone, lettuce, narcissus seashells, scallop shells, Venus, golden apples, the number 5, and mirrors

Plants: apple, linden tree, myrtle, pomegranate, myrrh, poppies, lettuce, rose, quince, ash, poplar, anemone, and artichokes

Animals: swans, dolphins, doves, sparrows, bees, and goats

Colours: red, pink, violet, silver, aqua, sea foam, and light blue

Tarot: The Empress, The Lovers, The Star, and The Suit of Cups

Offerings: roses, chocolate, apples, jewelry, beauty products, seashells, olive oil, honey, wine, cinnamon, art and music, mirrors, and rose quartz.

☀️ Apollo

God of: the Sun, prophecy, oracles, light, music, the arts, song, poetry, healing, medicine, plague, disease, protection of the youth, knowledge, and herds

Culture: Greek

Symbols: lyre, laurel wreath, silver bow and arrows, tripod, the Sun, and Sunday

Plants: laurel, larkspur, cypress, apple trees, palm trees, and hyacinthus

Animals: swan, raven, tortoise, serpent, wolf, dolphin, and mouse

Colours: gold, yellow, orange, silver, blue, and white

Tarot: The Sun, The Chariot, Strength, and Temperance

Offerings: red wine, olive oil, sun water, citrus fruits, honey, golden objects, feathers, lamb or goat meat, cheese, bread, sunflowers, laurel wreaths, and aloe vera.

🐕 Arawn 

God of: Ruler of Annwn the Celtic Otherworld, leader of the wild hunt, death, the Underworld, and justice

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: the Hounds of Arawn, cauldron, and samhain

Plants: reeds, cedar, cypress, ivy, honeysuckle, and sage

Animals: hounds and pigs

Colours: red, black, white, brown, green, gold, and grey

Tarot: Suit of Pentacles and King of Pentacles

Offerings: game birds such as duck or turkey, bread, honey, milk, mead, and ale.

⚔️ Ares

God of: war, courage, and battle

Culture: Greek

Symbols: sword, shield, spear, helmet, and iron

Plants: thorns, peppers, chilli, and garlic

Animals: serpents, vultures, woodpeckers, horses, and dogs

Colours: red, purple, and black

Tarot: The Emperor, The Chariot, The Tower, Suit of Wands, and King of Wands

Offerings: dark wine, whiskey, spicy foods, coffee, water, olive oil, red meats, frankincense, weapons, and learn self defence.

🌌 Arianrhod

Goddess of: fertility, fate, reincarnation, beauty, and difficulties

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: silver wheel, full moon, weaving tools, the zodiac, and Corona Borealis

Plants: ivy, lavender, rosemary, cedar, and pine

Animals: spiders, owls, and wolves

Colours: silver, white, green, blue, and purple

Tarot: The Star, The Moon, and Wheel of Fortune

Offerings: silver coins, white candles, wheat, fruits, home-cooked meals, salads, wine, water, hot teas, smoothies, and study the constellations and the zodiac.

🏹 Artemis

Goddess of: the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, girls, chastity, archery, disease, and plague

Culture: Greek

Symbols: bow and arrow, quiver, hunting spears, animal pelts, lyre, torches, and the moon

Plants: cypress, walnut, amaranth, almond, daisy, willow, wormwood, fir, pine, thistle, honeysuckle, bay laurel, artemisia, fig, and oak

Animals: stag, deer, dog, bear, boar, quail, guineafowls, bee, and all wild animals

Colours: white, silver, gold, yellow, green, and blue

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Hanged Man, Temperance, The Moon, Queen of Pentacles, Knight of Cups, and Page of Wands

Offerings: red wine, olive oil, honey, water, almonds, walnuts, honeycakes, fruit, artemisia plants, arrows, dance, cypress, pine cones and branches, cider, game meat, protect nature and wildlife, always help animals and women in need, go hiking, research native plants and animals, and follow the moon phases and work with them.

❤️‍🔥 Astarte

Goddess of: love, sexuality, war, hunting, and power

Culture: Canaanite 

Symbols: chariot and Venus

Plants: lilies and coriander

Animals: lion, horse, dove, and sphinx

Colours: red and white

Tarot: The Empress and The Chariot

Offerings: lilies, roses, sweet cakes, honey, henna tattoos, and clothing stained with menstrual blood.

⚖️ Athena

Goddess of: wisdom, handicraft, and strategic warfare

Culture: Greek

Symbols: aegis, Gorgoneion, spear, and helmet

Plants: olive tree, ivy, cypress, and cornel tree

Animals: owl, snake, rooster, crow, and spider

Colours: blue, grey, white, yellow, and silver

Tarot: Justice, The High Priestess, and The Emperor

Offerings: olive oil, honey, wine, bread, olives, pears, olive tree leaves or branches, your handicrafts, owl feathers, snake skins, and weapons.

🛖 Baba Yaga

Goddess of: death and rebirth, fertility, and nature 

Culture: Slavic

Symbols: knife, oven, mortar and pestle, and the Sun

Plants: poppy, black sunflower, medicinal herbs, and rye

Animals: horse, hedgehog, snake, dragon, and cat

Colours: red, black, and white

Tarot: The Devil

Offerings: lavish home-cooked meals with russian delicacies and a beautifully-set table, caravan tea, and vodka.

💡 Balder

God of: light, joy, purity, and summer

Culture: Norse

Symbols: the Sun and Sunday

Plants: mistletoe, chamomile, daisies, white flowers, ash, marigold, and St John’s wort

Animals: songbirds

Colours: yellow, gold, and white

Tarot: The Sun, The Fool, Death, and The World

Offerings: kindness to others, chamomile tea, apple juice, mead, and lit candles.

🌺 Bastet

Goddess of: home, domesticity, women’s secrets, cats, fertility, childbirth, marriage, music, magic, sex, prosperity, joy, dance, healing, and pleasure

Culture: Egyptian

Symbols: basket, Ankh, the Sun and Moon, and perfume jar

Plants: catnip, vervain, cinnamon, and cannabis 

Animals: cat and lion

Colours: green and gold

Tarot: The Chariot, Strength, and The Sun

Offerings: perfume, salves and body scrubs, milk, meat, honey, gold items, chocolate, pastries, onions and garlic, bread, beer, tea, and taking care of cats.

🐉 Benzaiten / Benten

Goddess of: water, literature, music, wealth, femininity, fertility, dance, and love

Culture: Japanese

Symbols: Biwa, dragon, pearl, conch shell, iron, and gold

Plants: lotus, water lilies, and yellow flowers

Animals: snakes, dragons, and white snakes are her messengers

Colours: blue, silver, white, and yellow

Tarot: The Empress and The Suit of Cups

Offerings: money, water, rice, sake, gemstones, music and other creative arts, raw eggs, yellow flowers, blessed water, bath rituals, and seashells.

🧶 Berchta

Goddess of: psychopomp, spinning and weaving, abundance, and protector of women and children

Culture: Germanic

Symbols: keys, distaff, Yule, and falx

Plants: mayflowers, holly, evergreens, birch, and wild berries

Animals: goose, swan, goat, cricket, owl, and fox

Colours: blue, white, red, and gold

Tarot: Death

Offerings: herring, dumplings, alcoholic beverages like schnapps.

📓 Bragi

God of: poetry and eloquence

Culture: Norse

Symbols: harp and book

Plants: beech, fern, and lily of the valley

Animals: chickadee

Colours: orange and gold

Tarot: The Magician and The Hermit

Offerings: mead, poetry, and beautiful writing.

🍀 Brigid

Goddess of: spring, fertility, family, the hearth, childbirth, fire, blacksmiths, scholars, physicians, prophets, healing, poetry, occult knowledge, and justice

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: Brigid’s Cross, candles, triquetra, faeries, four leaf clovers, cauldron, chalice, corn dolly, anvil, hammer, poetry, forges, hearths, and wells and rock formations

Plants: cinnamon, chamomile, blackberry, hawthorn, basil, mugwort, apple, heather, dandelion, snowdrop, willow, oak, shamrock, crocus, trillium, corn, lavender, and sage

Animals: snakes, sheep, cows, bees, owls, and hibernating animals

Colours: green, red, white, gold, and blue

Tarot: The Hierophant, The Lovers, Strength, The Hermit, The Sun, and Suit of Wands

Offerings: blackberries, milk, bread, herbal teas, heather, Brigid’s Cross, beer, apple cider, honey, baked goods, corn dollies, sheep’s wool products, jewelry or metal items, eggs, and cakes left on the windowsill at Imbolc.

❄️ Cailleach

Goddess of: winter, wind, the cold, creation, and transformation

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: hammers, hills, mountains, skulls, snow, wands, and waning moons

Plants: clove, lavender, apple, hazelnut, turnip, mugwort, pansy, patchouli, poppy, rose, rue, tansy, St John's wort, Witch hazel, woodruff, yarrow, elder trees, elm, pine, yew, gorse, holly, and snapdragon 

Animals: bat, cattle, deer, fish, goat, mouse, owl, raven, reindeer, sheep, spider, pig, and wolf

Colours: black, blue, brown, grey, silver, white, and yellow

Tarot: Death, The Moon, and The Hermit

Offerings: pebbles, hag stones, shells, feathers, and boiled sweets.

🌲 Cernunnos

God of: forests, wild animals, finances, the Underworld, death, hunting, balance, grounding and healing, transitioning into the afterlife, and fertility

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: horns, a torc, gold coins, and serpents

Plants: ash, bayberry, chamomile, cedar, cinnamon, heliotrope, holly, ivy, lavender, juniper, myrrh, nettle, oak, patchouli, pine, sandalwood, sunflower, vine, and yarrow

Animals: stags, elk, goats, deer, bulls, horses, ram horned snakes, snakes, boars, owls, hawks, and ravens

Colours: yellow, gold, forest greens, silver, and black

Tarot: The Lovers, The World, and King of Pentacles

Offerings: dancing, venison, cooked meats (ethically sourced), roses, sunflowers, lavender, wildflowers, juniper bark and berries, oak wood carvings, green or gold candles, cinnamon, cloves, pine scents, pelts (ethically sourced), feathers, bones, forest moss, antlers, horns, pine cones, gold coins, daggers, poetry art, and Celtic music.

🌑 Cerridwen

Goddess of: the Moon, luck, poetry, change, rebirth, transformation, the Underworld, death, fertility, inspiration, magic, and knowledge

Culture: Welsh

Symbols: cauldron, dark Moon, lunar cycles, and caves

Plants: corn, grain, vervain, acorns, apple, oak, and hazel

Animals: white pig, greyhound, crow, hen, hare, otter, and hawk

Colours: silver, purple, black, grey, and green

Tarot: The Moon, Death, The Magician, and Suit of Cups

Offerings: pork, bread, milk, water, wheat, white and green candles, barley, rice, peanuts, poppy or sunflower seeds, vervain, and grain-based products.

✨ Circe

Goddess of: sorcery 

Culture: Greek

Symbols: cup, loon, wand, and masks

Plants: hallucinogenic herbs and fungi, wheat, moly, and magical herbs 

Animals: pig, lion, wolf, hawk, and beasts in general

Colours: gold, purple, silver, and red

Tarot: Queen of Cups and The Magician

Offerings: barley, wine, honey, meat, bread, weaving, and divination.

🌎 Danu

Goddess of: Earth-mother, fertility, wisdom, wind, and water

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: crowns, keys, wells, cauldron full of water, rivers, Celtic Tree of Life, and mother aspect of the triple Goddess

Plants: oak and water lily

Animals: fish, horses, seagulls, salmon, and snakes 

Colours: blue, white, silver, and green

Tarot: The Empress and Strength

Offerings: wine, mead, ale, freshwater, and watering plants.

🔥 Dazbog 

God of: the Sun, fortune, wealth, light, fertility, fire, destiny, and justice

Culture: Slavic

Symbols: kolovrat

Plants: sunflowers, marigold, calendula, chamomile, angelica, and St John’s wort 

Animals: wolf, horse, goose, duck, and swan

Colours: white, gold, and red

Tarot: The Sun, Suit of Wands, and King of Wands

Offerings: bread, salt, eggs, pancakes, and bonfire.

🌾 Demeter

Goddess of: agriculture, harvest, fertility, and motherhood

Culture: Greek

Symbols: wheat, torches, and cornucopia

Plants: wheat, barley, mint, and poppy

Animals: snake, pig, gecko, dove, crane, screech owl, and grasshopper

 

Colours: gold, green, and brown

Tarot: The High Priestess and The World

Offerings: olive oil, water, fruit, honey, milk, grains, bread, freshly harvested goods, and water.

🍷 Dionysus

God of: wine, drunkenness, parties, wilderness, vegetation, fertility, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, theatre, and LGBT+ Community 

Culture: Greek

Symbols: thyrsos, ivy crown, and Grapevine 

Plants: grape, ivy, cinnamon, silver fir, bindweed, and figs

Animals leopard, goat, donkey, lion, snake, bull, and panther

Colours: red, purple, green, burgundy, and gold

Tarot: The Hanged Man, The Hierophant, The Devil, The Fool, and The Lovers

Offerings: wine, olive oil, fruit, water, honey, meats, wheat, barley, pinecone, ivy leaves, goblets, masks, and alcoholic beverages.

⚕️ Eir

Goddess of: healing and medicine

Culture: Norse

Symbols: copper, mortar and pestle, and sauna 

Plants: medicinal herbs

Colours: red

Tarot: The Hanged Man

Offerings: healing spells, learning first aid, medicinal herbs, and first aid items.

🎣 Enki

God of: freshwater, wisdom, knowledge, magic, crafts, healing, fertility, creation, and the arts

Culture: Mesopotamian

Symbols: goatfish

Plants: thyme, chamomile, reeds, and cattails

Animals: goat, fish, chimera, robin, and cow

Colours: gold, blue, white, and silver

Tarot: The Hanged Man, The Hierophant, The Devil, The Fool, and The Lovers

Offerings: beer, eggs, fruit, vegetarian foods, myrrh, thyme, chamomile, wildflowers, fish, water, wine, silver or copper jewelry, and feathers.

💐 Eostre 

Goddess of: spring and dawn

Culture: Germanic

Symbols: painted eggs

Plants: crocus, daffodil, primrose, and violet

Animals: rabbit, serpent, and dragon

Colours: green, yellow, and purple

Tarot: Queen of Pentacles

Offerings: decorating eggs, flowers, hot cross buns, pastries, and mead.

💀 Ereshkigal

Goddess of: death and the Underworld

Culture: Mesopotamian

Symbols: wood, rivers, boats, and lapis lazuli

Plants: pomegranate, grains, reeds, hemp, cedar, cypress, lotus, and monkshood

Animals: lion, owl, serpent, scorpion, owl, and sheep

Colours: silver, gold, red, and purple

Tarot: Death and The High Priestess

Offerings: fasting, bread, water, pomegranate juice, blackberries, blueberries, lamb or goat meat, lobster and mussels, nutmeg, garlic, poppy seeds, animal bones, gold or silver jewelry, black crystals, and Ornate scepters with wood and animal bones.

🧵 Frau Holda

Goddess of: fibre arts, winter, protector of children and women, leader of the wild hunt, and Witchcraft

Culture: Germanic

Symbols: the Winter Solstice, pools, and Wells

Plants: holly, elder, juniper, mugwort, flax, and sorcerer’s violet 

Animals: wolf and rabbit

Colours: blue and white

Tarot: The Empress, The High Priestess, and Death

Offerings: juniper berries, wine, cider, mead, cakes, music, dancing, and knot magick.

🐈 Freyja

Goddess of: love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, battle, gold, and sorcery

Culture: Norse

Symbols: her chariot pulled by cats, Brisíngamen necklace, the boar Hildisvíni, and cloak of Feathers

Plants: daisy, linden, snowdrops, lily of the valley, cowslip, columbine, pimpernel, and strawberries

Animals: horse, cat, falcon, hawk, rabbit, ladybug, oxen, swallow, and boar

Colours: gold, yellow, white, green, red, pink, and light blue

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Empress, The Lovers, The Chariot, Death, and Suit of Swords

Offerings: ale, apples, barley, honey, mead, pork, lavish jewelry and perfume, feeding stray cats, chocolate, amber, roses, cinnamon, and sweet liquors.

🐗 Freyr

God of: peace, fertility, rain, sunshine, prosperity, and agriculture

Culture: Norse

Symbols: boar, the Sun, magical swords, phallus, and Friday

Plants: ash, lavender, catnip, nuts and cones, yew, holly, and ivy

Animals: boar, bee, and stag

Colours: gold, green, red, blue, pink, orange, and yellow

Tarot: The Lovers, The Sun, Suit of Pentacles, and King of Pentacles

Offerings: honey, grains and breads, gold, and antlers.

👰 Frigg

Goddess of: motherhood, marriage, prophecy, and fertility

Culture: Norse

Symbols: spinning wheel, silver, clouds, and mist

Plants: mistletoe, birch, fir, hawthorn, and Frigg’s grass

Animals: falcon, sheep, raven, and hawk

Colours: blue, silver, and white

Tarot: The Empress and The Lovers

Offerings: milk, mead, pastries, light fruity wine, hand-spun fibres, feathers, and soups and stews.

🪦 Hades

God of: the Underworld and wealth

Culture: Greek

Symbols: keys, chariot, helmet, Cerberus, serpent, dogs, and pomegranate

Plants: mint, white poplar, cypress, asphodel, narcissus, and pomegranate

Animals: snake, dog, sheep, cattle, screech owl, horse, black ram, bull, vulture, black cat, crow, and raven

Colours: dark blue, black, purple, dark green, bronze, gold, silver, and grey

Tarot: The Hermit, Death, Judgment, and Suit of Swords

Offerings: dark wine, whiskey, coffee, black tea, peppermint tea, dark chocolate, meat, sharp cheeses, bread, pomegranates, apples, bones, coins, keys, and crowns.

🪘 Hathor

Goddess of: the sky, women, fertility, love, the Sun, music, dance, joy, motherhood, fate, foreign lands and goods, and the afterlife

Culture: Egyptian

Symbols: sun disk, mirrors, drums and sistrums, and the number 4

Plants: sycamore, myrrh tree, dates, papyrus, and henna

Animals: cow, lioness, cobra, goose, gazelle, and cat

Colours: red

Tarot: The Empress, The Lovers, Wheel of Fortune, and Suit of Cups

Offerings: figs, dates, bread, cheese, butter, wine, beer, fresh water, perfumes, and makeup

👻 Hecate

Goddess of: Witchcraft, necromancy, ghosts, the night, boundaries, and crossroads

Culture: Greek

Symbols: paired torches, keys, crossroads, dark/triple moon, wheel, daggers, rope, dogs, serpents, knives, and Strophalos

Plants: asphodel, garlic, yew, cypress, and poisonous plants

Animals: dog, mare, serpent, cat, bats, and polecat

Colours: black, grey, silver, gold, violet, green, red, and white

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Hermit, The Moon, and Queen of Pentacles

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, fruit, honey, milk, eggs, garlic, almonds, various herbs, bones, wands, keys, a cauldron, crow feathers, pomegranates, dark chocolate, and blood.

📯 Heimdallr 

God of: watchmen of the Gods

Culture: Norse

Symbols: horn and rainbow

Plants: birch, oak, rose, verbena, and avens

Animals: rooster, horse, and ram

Colours: white and rainbow

Tarot: The Hermit

Offerings: mead, fine beer, freshwater, lamb meat, pork, and coffee.

💀 Hel

Goddess of: death and the afterlife

Culture: Norse

Symbols: skulls and bones

Plants: beech, alder, elm, ivy, juniper, willow, and yew

Animals: wolf

Colours: black and white

Tarot: Death, The Tower, and Suit of Swords

Offerings: tea, wine, apples, meat, bread, soup, dried flowers, and blood.

🌋 Hephaestus

God of: metal smithing, fire, volcanoes, craftsmanship, and technology

Culture: Greek

Symbols: hammer, tongs, and anvil

Plants: fennel

Animals: donkey, crane, and dog

Colours: gold, yellow, orange, silver, grey, and red

Tarot: Judgment and Suit of Wands

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, fruit, honey, bread, meat, spicy things, hot beverages, and handmade metal items.

👑 Hera

Goddess of: marriage, fertility, childbirth, Kings and Empires, women, family, the sky, and the stars

Culture: Greek

Symbols: lotus-staff, throne, and diadem

Plants: pomegranate, lotus, willow, and apple

Animals: hawk, peacock, lion, cow, cuckoo, and crane

Colours: gold, silver, white, purple, blue, and green

Tarot: The Empress, The World, Suit of Cups, and Queen of Cups

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, fruit, honey, milk, grains and bread, chocolate, pomegranates, apples, white flowers, crowns, animal shells, perfume, and silver or gold jewelry.

💸 Hermes

God of: messenger of the Gods, heraldry, omens, animal husbandry, poetry and fables, trade, travel, boundaries, thieves, wit, language, education, psychopomp,

Culture: Greek

Symbols: caduceus, shepherds pipes, travellers hat, lyre, rooster, talaria, winged helmet, tortoise, and satchel or pouch Talaria, and petasos

Plants: palm tree, crocus flower, Greek strawberry trees, hydrangeas, chrysanthemum, and almond tree

Animals: hummingbirds, tortoise, hare, cattle, hawk, ram, snake, and rooster

Colours: gold, red, silver, yellow, orange, grey, and green

Tarot: Judgment, The Magician, The Fool. The Hierophant, The Hermit, The Star, and Suit of Swords

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, strawberries, foreign foods and items, honey, citrus fruits (pineapple, lemon, etc), chocolate, wheat, almonds, cinnamon, coins, dice, beer, meat, chamomile tea, bread, and milk mixed with honey.

🏠 Hestia

Goddess of: the home, the hearth, family, domesticity, and The Civic or The Sacrificial Flame

Culture: Greek

Symbols: hearth, kettle, and head veils

Plants: poppy, goldenrod, hollyhock, and yarrow

Animals: pig, cow, donkey, and crane

Colours: gold, white, orange, red, and lavender

Tarot: Strength, The Hermit, and Queen of Wands

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, fruit, honey, milk, pork, bread, cooking herbs, tea, and candles.

🦅 Horus

God of: kingship, the sky, war, protection, and healing

Culture: Egyptian

Symbols: crown, Eye of Horus, Ankh, the Sun, and the Moon

Plants: acacia, lettuce, iris, lotus, and olive

Animals: falcon, hawk, bull, peacock, and lion

Colours: green

Tarot: The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Chariot, The Sun, Judgment, and King of Swords

Offerings: raw meat left out for hawks and falcons, bread, weaponry, water, milk, ale, wine, coffee, fruits and vegetables, figs, dates, and chocolate with nuts.

😴 Hypnos

God of: sleep, dreams, and illusions

Culture: Greek

Symbols: inverted torch

Plants: poppy and cottonwood tree

Animals: nighthawk and songbirds

Colours: black, silver, white, blue, red, and purple

Tarot: The Hierophant

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, honey, milk, fruit, poppy seeds (and foods including them), herbal teas, sleep inducing and calming herbs, feathers, sleeping mask, and poppy flowers.

🍎 Idunn

Goddess of: spring, rejuvenation, immortality, youth, and beauty

Culture: Norse

Symbols: golden apples and ashwood box

Plants: apple blossom, birch, fir, hawthorn, mugwort, rose, and willow

Animals: songbirds

Colours: green, silver, red, and yellow

Tarot: Page of Wands, Queen of Cups, and Queen of Pentacles

Offerings: gardening, apples, homegrown fruits and vegetables (without pesticides), apple pie, and cider

💖 Inanna

Goddess of: romantic love, harmony, sex, beauty, passion, desire, fertility, victory, war, justice, and political power

Culture: Mesopotamian

Symbols: eight-pointed star, hook-shaped Knot of Reeds and Venus

Plants: lilies, narcissus, reeds, myrtle, and all sprouts

Animals: lion and dove

Colours: green, black, red, silver, and white

Tarot: The Lovers, The Hierophant, Justice, The Hanged Man and The Star

Offerings: Wine, Champagne, Lemonade, Honey, Chocolate and Pastries, Cherries, Pomegranates, Strawberries, Elegant Jewelry, Peaches, Swords and Daggers, Artwork and Poetry

🦊 Inari 

God of: rice, foxes, fertility, tea, sake, crafts, agriculture, industry, and prosperity

Culture: Japanese

Symbols: keys, wish-granting jewel, and rice

Plants: cryptomeria, cedar, pine, wheat, and rice

Animals: fox

Colours: red and white

Tarot: Suit of Pentacles

Offerings: inarizushi, rice, rice cakes, rice served with red beans, sake, incense, acts on behalf of foxes, handmade crafts, and tea.

☄️ Isis

Goddess of: magic, life, compassion, fertility, motherhood, childbirth, rebirth, devotion, royalty, knowledge, protection, abundance, healing, and the elements.

Culture: Egyptian.

Symbols: moon disk, cow horns, wings, solar disk, Ankh, and gold.

Plants: sycamore, cedar, corn, flax, wheat, barley, grapes, lotus, vervain, myrrh tree, and papyrus.

Animals: hawk, crocodile, scorpion, crab, cobra, goose, swallow, dove, vulture, and snakes in general.

Colours: yellow, silver, gold, black, red, cobalt blue, and green.

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Empress, The Lovers, Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Temperance, The Star, The Moon, The World, and Suit of Cups.

Offerings: milk, flowers, honey, wine, lemonade, tropical fruits (juice or whole), herbal tea, seafood, herbs (anise and nutmeg), roses, Egyptian jewelry, incense, and white candles.

🌿 Jarilo / Yarilo

God of: vegetation, fertility, spring, rebirth, sexuality, peace, and war

Culture: Slavic

Symbols: vegetation

Plants: wheat, ferns, and spring flowers

Animals: horse and white wolf

Colours: white, yellow, gold, and green

Tarot: The Sun, Strength, and Suit of Pentacles

Offerings: bread, wheat, spring flowers, and edible seeds

🌍 Jörð

Goddess of: personification of the Earth

Culture: Norse

Symbols: mountains, grandmothers, and girdle

Plants: local native plants and healing herbs

Animals: bee

Colours: green

Tarot: The World and Queen of Pentacles

Offerings: picking up litter and trash and taking care of the Earth and nature.

[coriander-candlesticks]

I've been trying to figure out how to incorporate religious practice into my life & trying to get over the fear of being...annoying? If that's the right word? It feels a little like tugging on the gods' sleeves when I make more than one offering a day to them even though I know I'm not, like, being rude by *checks notes* giving them things or dedicating time/activities to them. Today I made a dessert in preparation for tomorrow's Pathfinder game and dedicated that time spent baking to Hestia and Aphrodite, and it was really nice! I feel like I'm starting to find my footing despite my worries. I'm also trying to make sure I take time where I'm not thinking about religion at all so that I don't start to ruminate/spiral. It's happened a few times already to varying degrees and it's! Not fun!

It's possible it's hindsight/confirmation bias, but I do think the vibes of my tarot deck changed when I started reaching out to the Greek deities. It makes sense: I was using my deck to reach out to a completely different deity/deities before I started exploring Hellenic polytheism. And it's definitely not in a bad way, just more energetic and...light? When before it was heavier (in a comforting way). I've gotten consistently coherent pulls, too, which is nice.

I've been trying to remember to pour a libation to Hermes at certain street corners when I'm out & about, but I have to make a game plan for when other people are also in the area, even if it's just psyching myself up so I don't look awkward while I do it. I have a pendant that I keep in front of his altar/shrine jar that I try to remember to take with me when I travel, and it's been cool having something in my pocket that's consistently reminding me of him because I check so often to make sure it's still there. There were some...issues with my commute on Monday (a true comedy of errors on the city's part) but the change in routine was a *lot* easier to handle in the morning. Of course, the unusually cool temperature helped, but I do accredit the smooth transition to Hermes because I wasn't stressed at *all* for the vast majority of my commute when I usually would have been wiped from the mental/sensory strain of having to pivot & kinda just hope I guessed right on what to do next. The commute home was a nightmare but I didn't have a whole-ass work day ahead of me after that so the stress didn't matter as much (and I was able to get through the last bus ride & walk from the stop which I wasn't sure I'd have the mental fortitude for).

I'm almost done with the statue of Hermes I've been working on, and I finished a set of alphabet oracle "stones" (squares made from air dry clay...would that technically be closer to potsherds?) tonight. I'll share a picture of them once I finish their bag- I have some leftover green cotton yarn from a recent project that I think will go well with them. We'll see how well they hold up, though I'm not planning on doing the "shake them until one falls out" method so hopefully they'll last a while. I worked on them in the living room this evening, instead of in my room. I'm getting more comfortable showing little elements of what I've been exploring to my housemates; it was nice to be able to sit & paint & listen to the iliad while my friend did his own thing next to me on the couch.

I'm still trying to figure out how to gauge each housemates' potential reactions. It'll probably be fine: friend 1 actively has an altar-esque space and uses tarot cards and a pendulum and friend 2 is friend 1's wife. I'm a bit worried about friend 3 being weird about it, at least at first, but considering he was experimenting with witchcraft-esque things a few years ago (I distinctly remember charms & him discussing which of the wheel of the year days he wanted to observe) I think I'm overthinking things. He's an atheist & his view of witchcraft was, at the very least, *similar* to the psych model, which I think is where the hesitation has been coming from on my end. I have therapy this weekend so I think I'll start bringing things up then. The office my therapist is in openly advertises all sorts of alt/witchcraft things so I think I'll be safe there lol

[antheiasworld]

adventure of the day: making my greek alphabet oracle! It's only 24 letters, but I put 5 more in case some go bad. I also make a little heart with mine and my girlfriend's initials and a plate! It's my first time with modeling clay, but I hope it turns out well!