#athena devotee

[ivettaflowerblooom]

I begin to sing of Pallas Athena, the glorious goddess, bright-eyed, inventive, unbending of heart, pure virgin, saviour of cities, courageous, Tritogeneia.

Homeric hymn to Athena.

[daytimedemon]

I would like to thank Lord Apollon for randomly giving me healing energy. Or just random knowledge to know how to take care of injuries without prior knowledge.

And I would like to thank Lady Athena for giving me wisdom, letting me help those I’m close to and being able to stand out about my opinions, and to protect others who cannot protect themselves.

And I would like to think Lord Hermes for allowing me to make it from point A to point B without much trouble, even if I do not travel much.

And I would like to think Lord Zeus for allowing storms to refill my energy, to take away my fear and embrace him in my household. And to be the grandfather I never had.

And I would like to thank Lady Aphrodite for letting me love myself, for granting me with the best partner I could ask for. For giving me the ability to show love, to have love.

I would like to thank the gods for every little aspect in my life. For my friends, for my food, for my abilities. I would like to their presence when I am down, when I need someone to talk to.

They will forever have my thanks, and I will try my best to forever live in their favor—and I will not put myself down for not being ‘a good enough worshipper’, because in all honesty.. this summer has drained all the energy I did have, I do not have energy to pray, or to thank as often as I feel the need to. (Seriously, I’ve been practicing new things to do with my energy and with me still being young and newer to this.. I am running out of energy so quickly 😭)

And thank you all for being here with me. Even if not in person, even if I just met you or I’ve known you for years. Thank you. Blessed be, and have a great day:)

[adharaantheia]

The Gods love you.

Even when you spend days without lighting up their candles.

Even if you don't have an Altar.

Even if you don't feel their presence yet.

Even if you're not good at tarot.

Or doesn't have prophetic dreams.

They still love you. And you know why?

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

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

[assistedbytherats]

Zeus and Hera devotees who feel intimidated by them

Poseidon devotees who live far from the sea

Demeter devotees who live in the city

Hades and Persephone devotees who fear death

Dionysus devotees who are perplexed by madness

Aphrodite devotees who struggle to love themselves

Apollo devotees who struggle with inspiration

Artemis devotees who are saddened by animal death

Ares devotees who are too tired to keep fighting

Athena devotees who are easily manipulated

Hestia devotees with unstable home lives

Hermes devotees who get anxious over new things

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

[thealteredaltar]

Queerness in the Hellenic Pantheon

One of the many beautiful things about the Hellenic pantheon is how queer it is. In a world where Abrahamic religions have shamed, ostracized or denigrated queer people, Hellenism has a celebration and normalization of queerness integrated into it.

💜 Aphrodite’s biggest fan in Ancient Greece was arguably Sappho, a poet who dedicated an entire iconic piece to the goddess of love, “Ode to Aphrodite”. In the poem, Sappho prays to Aphrodite for help in regards to gaining the attention and affection of the woman she loves. Unlike the male writers of the time who often slandered her, Sappho depicted the goddess as the truly lovely, benevolent being she is.

Sappho was a lesbian. This is where we get the term “sapphic” from. Not only that but she was from the island of Lesbos. So, yes, this is where lesbian originated. (The name of the island is the same as the derogatory term used to refer to wlw back in the day)

💜 Almost none of the male Olympian deities are straight. Apollo, Dionysus, Zeus and Hermes are notorious for their bisexuality/pansexuality, with many male lovers, both human and divine. Even Ares and Poseidon dabbled a bit in same-sex love, though to a much lesser degree.

💜 Artemis, Athena, and Hestia, the three “virgin goddesses”, are seen as asexual and aromantic. In ancient contexts, “virgin” can simply mean “unmarried woman” or “independent of a man”. But, they actually had no interest in romantic or sexual matters. Artemis and Athena are occasionally labeled lesbian, with female lovers cited, but this is often debated. In any case, they had no interest in male companionship.

💜 Aphrodite had a male version of her named Aphroditus that was worshipped in ancient times. The deity had a combination of male and female attributes, described as voluptuous while also having a phallus and, by some accounts, a beard.

Aphroditus is often seen as an earlier version of Hermaphroditus, the intersex deity that was the offspring of both Aphrodite and Hermes.

💜 Dionysus is famously androgynous. He was often described as being “raised as a girl”, due to the nymphs dressing him in female clothing to disguise him from Hera. He was also called “man-womanish” and effeminate.

The best way to describe him would be gender-fluid. He is generally male and can have clear masculine traits. But, he strongly adopts feminine characteristics, to the point where it is a major part of his mythology, and often seems to exist in some gray area in between male and female.

💜 Both Apollo and Dionysus have famous tragic myths about the loss of their male lovers, who both die in freak accidents. Apollo’s human partner Hyancinthus was turned into the hyacinth flower upon his death while Dionysus’ lover, the satyr Ampelus, was transformed into a vine and led to the god’s creation of wine.

💜 The Erotes are a group of male divinities in Aphrodite’s retinue and often said to be her sons. They are the protectors of same-sex love. The central figure of the group is Eros and all the other gods are said to be his brothers and/or different manifestations of him.

The Erotes rule various aspects of love and sex. Eros is love and desire as a whole while Anteros, his twin, embodies requited and reciprocal love. Himeros is the god of satiated desire yet unrequited love while Pothos is a god who embodies emotional and sexual yearning.

One can see how these minor gods can guide queer people struggling with love. When Timagoras confessed his love for Meles, the man mockingly told him to prove it by jumping off a cliff. Out of despair, Timagoras did just that, killing himself. Tortured by guilt, Meles did the same. An altar was built to Anteros in Athens in honor of this, linking the god to a myth of how rejecting love out of fear or pride only hurts you; a tale familiar to repressed queer people. Anteros is said to punish those who push real love away (in truth, he more so guides than punishes).

💜 In modern times, devotees of Dionysus regard him as a patron god of queer people. Many of those who follow him are gay, bisexual, gender-fluid or trans. He provides a sense of safety, comfort, protection and freedom to his queer devotees or even just any queer person who prays to him or asks for help.

Aphrodite is also said to be a protector of queer people. As the goddess of love, she is the embodiment of “love is love”. She has also been said to be a wonderful support to trans women, as she champions feminine expression in all forms and all people.

Happy Pride to all of us in the LGBTQ+ community. The gods love you!

[the-political-witch]

Lady Aphrodite Moodboard

₊˚⊹♡ Dedicated to the Goddess of Beauty and Love, of Sexuality and Femininity ♡ ₊˚⊹

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Lady Aphrodite ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

[one-celestial-being]

Was finally able to construct my altar for Athena. Not finished yet but it looks decent. Here's my first offering. 🦉

[zlatk04]

You guys have no idea how scary it is to live in a country at war. I pray to Athena to protect not only myself but also my new home. I pray that the night will be calm and the day warm and clear with no worries.

[mythologylover13]

"What Epithet of Lady Athena do you worship?"

Every. Last. One.

[worshipthesunshine]

i’ll never get over how beautiful hellenic polytheism is

[abyss-king444]

One thing I've noticed in researching Athena and her epithets is that so much of it has to do with her eyes.

She has a whole epithet about her eyes. In almost every line of the Odyssey she is mentioned it, her eyes are brought up.

It's Always, Owl-eyed or Bright-eyed or Clear-eyed. One of her defining traits are her eyes.

I bring this up because even as a kid, I was obsessed with eyes. I always drew eyes on my desk or on my school work. I even have an eye as a profile picture on a few social media accounts. To the point where, to this day the only thing I can draw are eyes.

Just something I thought about at 3 am my time.

[ivettaflowerblooom]

La Danse Triomphale de Pallas Athénée

Statue of Athena in Paris. She is also supposed to be holding a spear in her hands

[adharaantheia]

🪭Deities with Epithets that can help you financially 🪭

Adhara's post introduction: Hello, lovebugs!! I'm back and with an informative post that can help those who are searching for jobs; trying to be financially wise, and who are in need of some stability! Hope you all love it!

Ares Aphneiós;

Meaning of Aphneiós: Rich, Wealth;

Lord Ares is amazing for those who need urgent money, I say this because he helped on situations that I was having panic attacks in fear of not having money at the end of the month, and he helps everyone, regardless if you work officially with him or not!

Athena Evræsítækhnos/Mítir Tǽkhni;

Meaning: Inventor of Arts; Mother of all kind of Arts;

This is an amazing Epithet for those that have art's business, Lady Athena will support your artistic skills and help you make wise decisions for your artistic business!

Zeus Ktísios;

Meaning: Giver of riches;

This epithet is not only for those that want new jobs, but also for those that want to have your own property! King Zeus will help you with anything related about wanting a new house or your own business!

Zeus Nikaios;

Meaning: Victorious;

For those who are waiting for a new job interview! He will bring victory and success for you <3;

Hermes Æriounios;

Meaning: luck-bringer;

Lord Hermes is a wonderful Deity for those who need luck in finding a new job!

Hermes Kærdǽmboros;

Meaning: Bestower of Wealth;

If you're in need of some money, you can go to Lord Hermes! He's the bestower of wealth!!

A reminder to always give these Deities offerings once you have your wish granted, and to also work hard to make it happen, the Gods won't give it to you without seeing that you're working hard, and that you're going to thank them with offerings!

[wisdom-devotee]

Athena sends so many random signs. This Christmas, my family and I were playing the family version of Cards Against Humanity, and one of my first cards was this:

Then I won the round.

Thank you for blessing me with strategic thinking, Pallas Athena.

[maenad-of-marriage]

Hellenic worship alongside pop culture retellings

This is just my opinion as a huge consumer of pop culture and Hellenic practitioner. It’s OKAY to like seeing your deities in a secular form. What I mean is movies, music, games, whatever.

You’re an Epic fan and you legitimately worship Poseidon? That’s fine. You’re a Percy Jackson fan? Cool. Maybe Annabeth is your fav because your favorite goddess is Athena.

God of war player? Um. I’ve never played GOW so I don’t have one for that—but same deal.

There’s nothing embarrassing or worth judging about it. And let’s be honest, a lot of you probably got into Hellenic polytheism because as a kid, some modern retelling caught your interest! And that’s ok.

As long as you keep secular and sacred usage separate don’t act like a movie character or something is the same as the actual deity.

[daytimedemon]

Silly question, but how do your deities represent themselves to you? How do they make themselves known? I’ll go first!!

Athena: she sits there. She gives me her presence, and she sits there, watching very aggressively. Sometimes she speaks to me, gives me small words of wisdom, but normally she just lets me speak, or sit with her

Zeus: STORMS. I am NOT joking, when I’m getting upset, or in MAJOR need of comfort/having a depression episode, I have noticed the rate of storms picking up(thunder calms me down, like a lot)

Hermes: He makes himself known by messing with my things, or sitting with me, he makes me extremely excitable

Aphrodite: She sits with me a lot too, she grants me moments of self love (something I MAJORLY struggle with!) and she tells me how pretty I am

Apollo: MUSIC. When he wasn’t to make himself known he’ll get music that reminds me of him stuck in my head, or he’ll just mess with my Spotify enough to play it.

Anyways, I’m getting a new candle tomorrow, so YOPPEEEE!!