andromeda-sapphire

[andromeda-sapphire]

🌱 Subtle Persephone Worship 🍂

Take a walk/drive through an area with lots of falling leaves during the Fall

Step in dry leaves to hear that satisfying crunch

Start a garden; tend to plants within your space

Pick flowers (not from other people's gardens!!!)

Make flower crowns

Have a candle that reminds you of her (no altar needed)

Wear jewelry that reminds you of her

Keep a picture of her in your wallet

Have a stuffed animal pig, rooster/hen, snake, or dog

Have imagery of spring, flowers, fall, winter, or pomegranates around

Eat pomegranate seeds or drink pomegranate juice

Learn to let go of shitty people, if able; assert your personal boundaries

Take a hike/walk in nature; visit a nature preserve

Honor your ancestors; learn about your family history

Keep family heirlooms; hold onto to objects given to by loved ones who've passed on

Become comfortable with change; take new risks and go outside your comfort zone

Make a list of goals at the end of each month; these goals are for the month ahead

Find simple joys in your day to day; make a list of things that you enjoy

Spend time with pets and loved ones; show appreciation for them

Volunteer at animal or homeless shelters

Support children-focused or environmental preservation organizations

Show yourself the same love you give to others

Practice standing up for yourself

During the winter, make yourself cozy; drink something warm, watch a favorite movie, curl up in a fuzzy blanket, etc.

Do spring-cleaning; keep your space clean

Donate things like blankets and coats to homeless shelters at the start of winter or fall

Cook a warm meal for someone in need, especially when it's cold out

Collect animal bones (thank the animal's spirit; I think that's just respectful)

Remember to regularly go outside/get some fresh air; take frequent breaks from technology throughout the day

Wear flowery perfumes/colognes

Have flowery scents for body wash, shampoo, conditioner, etc.

Take a self-care bath/shower

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I might add more down the line! For the time being, this is my list of ways to discreetly worship Persephone. Take care, and I hope this helps! 💚

Link to Subtle Worship Master list

[andromeda-sapphire]

Just want to clarify that I do not condone “romantic” or sexual relationships with deities, but the other offerings/devotions on this post are nice 💕

Offerings & Devotions | Persephone 🌺🦇

Offerings | 🌰

Any kind of flowers/plants

Pomegranates or related items/foods

Bones, bones, bones! (Note: remember to honor the animal that once carried them)

Tarot cards/decks you associate with her

Nuts & seeds! I love giving her hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds. (Note: do not eat food you offer to her!)

It can be as simple as offering Persephone small fruits like plums, peaches, guayabas, cherries, strawberries, and quenepas.

Anything to do with grains! Bread, pasta, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, tortillas, and grits.

Anything mint related like food, a mint plant, or perfume or gum!

Jewelry! I plan on offering her a tiara/crown

Honey in general is a popular offering for her (any deity tbh)

Lemon-y foods

Poetry/Hymns

Candles that smell of flowers or fruits

Herbs, dried flowers/plants, fruit seeds/pits

Crystals that makes you think of her! Angel aura quartz, rose quartz, agate, & opalite screams her name to me!

Drink wise (pour the drink down the sink/outside once you’ve offered), honey & milk, coffee, hot chocolate, water.

Bat, ram, and deer related items/imagery

Devotions | 🍄

Raise some plants! Take care of plants! Sing to plants! Give all your love to plants!!!! Name them too. (‘: (grow some mint maybe!)

Sing her songs that you associate with her! Or hum the songs! I usually hum “Charon’s Crossing” by Beats Antique because it reminds me of her and I love the idea of Persephone and Kharon being buds.

Muse about your past lives with her (if you believe in the concept)! She is the goddess of reincarnation, so no doubt she’s seen you as many different humans/creatures and loves you all the same.

Celebrate Ostara and Imbolc wth her!

Also honor Persephone during Samhain as she returns to the underworld and Haides.

Walk barefoot in forests/fields (be careful tho of glass and stuff)

Contact some Nymphs and begin working with them since Persephone surrounded herself with them a lot! A UPG of mines is that Persephone is the matron of the elven & fae folk as well hehe

Preform bath rituals in her name. Add some flower petals for a nice touch and as an offering to her!

Ask if she wants to cast a spell with you! You both can work together to cast the spell and hang out. Don’t forget to thank her!

Visit a graveyard and clean up, maybe offer the dead some food like nuts, small cakes, fruits, etc. place out some coins too!

Contact her through bone divination! Or take some flowers and do the “they love me/they loves me not” form of divination with a yes/no question.

Read some poetry about her! There’s so many poetries written about her omehaidkeks so read them aloud to her. Also make one for her!

Make a playlist for her!

Set up a bird feeder outside during spring and summer!

Even simply studying her myths and who she is as a goddess is an act of devotion. So don’t overthink it! Do what feels right in regards of devotional acts towards her!

How to get closer | 🌱

Meditate upon her; channel your godphone and let her voice, touch, and thoughts embrace you. Listen to her & talk to her.

celebrate her associated sabbats with her in her honor. Pamper her and spoil her with lovely offerings (it doesn’t have to be expensive offerings! Give what you can, she will be happy no matter what it may be 🥰)

A lot of people who worship chthonic deities such as Persephone, practice spirit work as well. You don’t have to do this, but I see it as a form of becoming closer with her and understanding her more. I personally have not done this yet and probably won’t for awhile, but I think it would benefit the relationship.

If you are romantic with her (even if you aren’t romantic with her, these are very nice gestures), write love letters, bake her sweet treats with the intent of love and forming a stronger bond, leave a space open for her before you go to bed in case she would like to sleep beside you, ask her to accompany you every other day, muse about her.

Open yourself up to her. Show her your joy, sorrow, frustration, anger, etc. don’t hide them and do not be afraid to ask her for help. Tell her about your good or bad days, vent to her, ask for advice, show her every aspect of who you are. You do not have to be happy and serious all the time with her or any deity you devote to, darling.

[andromeda-sapphire]

MELINOË

WHO IS SHE?

Melinoë is a chthonic goddess represented as a bringer of nightmares and madness. She has characteristics that seem similar to Hecate and the Erinyes, and Melinoë's name is sometimes thought to be an epithet of Hecate. The name "Melinoë" also appears on a metal tablet in association with.

BASIC INFO: 

Appearance: Melinöe is often depicted as a half black and half white shadowy, ghost-like figure, often with the ability to shape-shift and take on various forms. She is said to be able to haunt the living and cause them to experience disturbing dreams and visions, making her a powerful figure in the realm of the supernatural. 

Personality: her personality with her devotees is likely to be intense, intimidating and mysterious. She is often depicted as a fearsome and powerful deity who strikes fear into the hearts of mortals, but also as a protector and guide for those who seek her aid. With her devotees, Melinoë is likely to be protective and supportive, guiding them through difficult times and offering strength and resilience. She is also reputed to be a guide in the realm of dreams and nightmares, offering insight and revelation to those who seek her guidance.

Symbols: skulls/bones, the moon, ghosts, rivers, graveyards, and howling dogs

Goddess of: ghosts, spirits, madness, and nightmares

Culture: Greek

Plants: wormwood, mugwort, absinthe, nutmeg cypress, nightshade, wormwood, poppy, birch, and lilies 

Crystals: moonstone, obsidian, selenite, tourmaline, bloodstone, and clear quartz

Animals: butterflies, ravens, bats, crows, snakes, owls, and dogs 

Incense: opium, myrrh, patchouli, dragon's blood, black blossom, frankincense, and sandalwood

Practices: death witchcraft, shadow work, necromancy, lunar magick, and spirit work

Colours: black and white

Numbers: N/A

Zodiacs: N/A

Tarot: The Moon, Death, The High Priestess, and The Hanged Man 

Planet: Moon

Days: Monday and Samhain

Parents: Hades and Persephone

Siblings: Makaria and Zagreus

Partner: N/A

Children: N/A

MISC:

Spirits: Melinoë is often associated with ghosts or spirits because she is the goddess of nightmares and the dead. She is often depicted as a frightening and unearthly presence, capable of inducing terror and dread in those who encounter her. In some myths, she is said to have power over the souls of the dead and is sometimes depicted as a psychopomp, guiding souls to the underworld. Additionally, the name "Melinoë" is often translated as "black-veiled," suggesting a connection to the shadows and the world of the dead.

Nightmares: she is the daughter of the god of the Underworld, Hades, and the goddess Persephone. She is associated with nightmares because in some stories, she was born at night during a full moon and was believed to bring bad dreams and nightmares to those who encountered her. In ancient Greece, dreams and nightmares were seen as messages from the gods and were often interpreted as warnings or omens. As the daughter of Hades, who was feared as the ruler of the Underworld, Melinoë was often seen as a bringer of nightmares and terrifying dreams.

The Underworld: Melinoë, as the daughter of Hades, was closely associated with the Underworld, as she was born there and grew up in its dark, dismal surroundings. Additionally, as the daughter of Hades, she was sometimes believed to have magical or supernatural powers related to the Underworld and its inhabitants, such as the ability to bring about nightmares or to control the spirits of the dead.

Hecate: in some stories, Hecate is depicted as a mentor or guide to Melinoë, offering her guidance and advice as she navigates the dark and mysterious realm of the Underworld. Additionally, Hecate is often depicted as a powerful and dangerous figure in her own right, with the ability to bring forth spirits, cast spells, and control the forces of nature. As such, her association with Melinoë, who is also a powerful and otherworldly figure, makes sense in the context of Greek mythology.

Butterflies: her associations with butterflies stem from the idea that butterflies are symbolic of transformation and resurrection, due to their metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly. As the daughter of two gods associated with the Underworld and the cycle of life and death, Melinoë was often depicted as a deity of rebirth and transformation. Additionally, butterflies are also sometimes associated with dreams and sleep, which are also themes associated with Melinoë in some stories.

The moon: according to some versions of her birth story, Melinoë was born at night during a full moon, and her emergence into the world was accompanied by the light of the moon. Additionally, the moon is often associated with mystery, magic, and the supernatural, which are all themes that are closely linked with Melinoë and her role as a deity of the Underworld and the night.

FACTS ABOUT MELINOË:

She is sometimes confused with Hecate, the Titan goddess.

Melinoë can see, talk to, and guide ghosts and spirits. 

According to a hymn about her, Melinoë brings night terrors to mortals by manifesting in strange forms, and can drive mortals insane. 

She wanders the earth at night with a train of ghosts that scare anyone in their path. 

Little is known about Melinöe, but ancient Greeks used to conduct rituals and acts of praises to her as a sign of devotion and to garner protection from ghosts.

She wanders the earth at night with a train of ghosts that scared anyone in their path. 

Melinoë grants madness to those she haunts. 

She's a very kind goddess. She can be firm and demanding like Hecate and Hades, but like Persephone, she's very understanding and kind and will help you grow. 

Her connections to Hecate and Hermes suggest that she exercised her power in the realm of the soul's passage, and in that function may be compared to the torchbearer Eubuleus in the mysteries. 

She is also sometimes confused with Angelos, the god of purification. 

Melinoë lives in the Underworld with her parents. 

She is described mainly as a chthonic deity, but more so represents duality of the heavens and the Underworld, dark and light, and death and life.

HOW TO INVOKE MELINOË:

Since she’s considered a minor goddess, how the Greeks would have worshipped and honoured her is unknown. She’s only mentioned in the Orphic Hymn as an ode to her domain and power, and acknowledgment of her being a goddess. She would have been prayed to as a protector of nightmares, and an incitor of them.

In modern times, she can be worshipped much the same; as a protector of nightmares and help with facing one’s fears. She would be an especially important goddess to call upon when doing any kind of shadow work. It also believed that she becomes queen of the Underworld while Persephone is on earth during the spring and summer seasons. This is not confirmed in her ancient worship though.

PRAYER FOR MELINOË:

I call upon Melinoe, saffron-cloaked

nymph of the earth, who revered

Persephone bore by the mouth of the

Kokytos river upon the sacred bed of

Kronian Zeus. In the guise of Plouton

Zeus and tricked Persephone and

through wiley plots bedded her; a

two-bodied specter sprang forth from

Persephone’s fury. This specter drives mortals to madness with her airy apparitions as she appears in weird shapes and strange forms, now plain to the eye, now shadowy, now shining in the darkness—all this in unnerving attacks in the gloom of night. 

O goddess, O queen of those below, I

beseech you to banish the soul’s frenzy

to the ends of the earth, show to the

initiates a kindly and holy face. I hail to you, Lady Melinoë. 

SIGNS THAT MELINOË IS CALLING YOU:

Recurrent dreams or nightmares related to the supernatural or the Underworld.

A growing sense of connection to the night and the dark.

Strong presence of butterflies or other animals associated with transformation and rebirth in your life.

A sense of being drawn to the Underworld or the world of spirits.

Sudden feeling of transformation or a desire to break free from old patterns or beliefs.

Strange or mysterious occurrences that seem to have a supernatural origin.

Feeling drawn to the colours black and white, which are often associated with her.

Having a fascination with magic, witchcraft, or the supernatural.

Experiencing feelings of transformation or growth in conjunction with lunar cycles or the changing of the seasons.

A growing sense of comfort and ease in the dark.

A desire for deeper self-reflection or inner work in the form of shadow work or dreams.

OFFERINGS:

Black and white candles. 

Food and drinks: onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, wine, honey, baked goods, water, olive oil, pomegranate seeds, milk, and black & white items/food (like oreos). 

Animals skulls or bones (collected humanely).

Dead butterflies (that died naturally, DO NOT kill them).

Crow or raven feathers. 

Dark crystals. 

Graveyard dirt (collected respectfully).

Moon water. 

Images or drawings of her associated animals or ghost figurines. 

Dried or dead flowers (especially poppies and funerary flowers).

Oil lamps. 

Incense: opium, myrrh, patchouli, dragon's blood, black blossom, frankincense, and sandalwood. 

Fire. 

DEVOTIONAL ACTS:

Honour the goddess’s family members of the Underworld. 

Facing your fears. 

Visit cemeteries. 

Pay repeats to loved ones who have passed on. 

Honour the ancient heroes. 

Read poetry. 

Celebrating Halloween/Samhain. 

Wear black and white colours. 

Doing spirit work and shadow work. 

Pour libations/give offerings to the goddess, the other Underworld deities, and The Souls of the Dead on Hecate’s Deipnon. 

Take walks at night. 

Pray/meditate in the dark. 

Collect dark crystals. 

Leave flowers at empty graves. 

Connecting with your ancestors. 

Respecting nocturnal animals. 

Honouring the other chthonic deities. 

Taking baths in candle light and have candle lit dinners. 

Respect earthbound spirits. 

Adopt black cats. 

Clean up local graveyards and cemeteries (with respect).

Donate to bat rescues/sanctuaries. 

Light black and white candles. 

Watching supernatural horror movies/tv shows. 

Read ghost stories/research hauntings. 

Grave rubbings. 

Embrace the darker parts of yourself. 

[andromeda-sapphire]

Hades Resource List

Informational

Ancestral Altars - Ritual for Hades

Britannica 

Greek Gods and Goddesses

Greek Mythology

Mythology Source

Mythopedia

Terravara - Offerings, Herbs, Crystals, and More

Theoi

Wikipedia

World History Encyclopedia

Playlists

Ash and Bone

Devotional Lord Hades

Hades

Hades devotion

Hades Devotional Playlist

Hades devotional playlist

Hades devotional playlist

King of Gold, Sword of Silver

King Hades Devotional

Podcasts

Ghost Whisperer - My Journey as a High Priestess

Mythology - Lord of the Shades

Mythology - Out of Tartarus 

Mythology Part One

Mythology Part Two

Styx and Bones

Tumblr Posts

Altar Ideas

Low Energy Devotional Acts

Offerings and Devotions

Personal Experience

Subtle Worship

Youtube

How to Work with Hades

Messed-Up Origins of Hades

My Deities - Hades

My Relationship with Hades

Other

Greek Underworld

Hades Subreddit

Underworld Rivers in Greek Mythology

[andromeda-sapphire]

Offering to Persephone, celebrating her return to this world 🌷🌹 Happy Ostara!

[andromeda-sapphire]

Persephone Offerings and Devotional Acts

Offerings

As Queen of the Underworld:

Pomegranates/seeds/juice/imagery

Skull imagery

Red wine

Bones

Crystals/Gems

Coins/Money

Dirt/soil

Preserved/taxidermized animals

Grave rubbings

Mementos of deceased loved ones

Urns

As a Nature Goddess:

Seeds

Flowers

Dried/pressed flower petals

Produce

Fallen leaves

Grains/breads

Cool rocks

Butterfly wings/imagery

Herbs

Snake skin

House plants

Myrtle (an offering Dionysus brought for her when he journeyed to the Underworld to retrieve his mother)

Snow from the first snowfall

Spring rain

Pig imagery

Snake imagery

As a Mother/Marriage Goddess:

Some traditions worshipped Persephone as a goddess of marriage and motherhood. Her marriage to Hades represented a young maiden being married off to an older man. The change was scary for both the mother and the maiden, but necessary in their society. Women asked for Persephone to bless their wedding garments and children were dedicated to Persephone. I feel traces of this belief remain in modern worship as many worshippers feel Persephone is a motherly figure alongside Hades as a fatherly figure.

Wedding mementos

Childhood mementos

Marriage garments

Family scrapbooks

Family heirlooms

Wedding rings

Baby shower mementos

Devotional Acts

As Queen of the Underworld

Write your post-death wishes down

Learn about different options for burial/cremation

Clean bones

Walk through cemeteries

Visit graves of loved ones

Clean graves (with permission and appropriate knowledge)

Adorn graves of loved ones

Sit with old gravestones

Bury dead animals you find in the woods

Decorate/paint bones

Track your finances

Save money

Donate to others if you have the means

Shadow work about life and death

As a Nature Goddess:

Join a community garden

Start a garden

Make flower crowns

Keep an outdoor altar

Take a nature walk/hike

Meditate outside

Study herbology/herbalism

Support local farmers/artisans

Go to a farmer's market

Get lost in the woods

Honor the seasons

Walk barefoot outside

As a Mother/Marriage Goddess

Call important women in your life

Cook a homemade meal and share it with others

Care/provide for your family

Be nice and caring toward children

Shadow work about your family, especially your mother

Build community

Support new parents

Check in with your friends when they have big life events, such as moving or a marriage

Make a scrapbook

[andromeda-sapphire]

What is Red Salt?

Most witches already know what black salt is, but I feel like many witches (especially baby ones) don't quite think of other salts. For example: red salt. Red salt is an ingredient for a multitude of different magics and practices, including further powering a spell, manifestation, protection, libido magic, and passion magic. It's commonly used in spell jars or to replace regular salt, and occasionally in kitchen magic.

So, how does one make red salt? Well, there are many recipes, and the recipes vary from witch to witch, just like black salt. Here is my personal recipe for a small batch.

What you need

A cleansed jar with a lid

1 tbsp sea salt

1 tbsp cayenne

1 tbsp red chili flakes

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tbsp black pepper

1 tbsp finely crushed bay leaves

Simply add all your ingredients into your jar, give it a shake, and use it as needed. I personally enjoy using red salt in spell jars relating to self-defense, personal power, and general protection. I also enjoy using it to anoint candles for spells and rituals to enhance the power behind them. I can also suggest adding a pinch or two (very small amount) to kitchen spell recipes to enhance its power as well, but be light with it because the flavors may not go along with what you've made.

As always, do your research, be safe, and blessed be!

Support your local witch on Ko-Fi or at my store, Hallow Grove!

[andromeda-sapphire]

🕊️💘Angel's Water

Welcome back to another magical waters post! In this post, we'll be talking about Angel's Water, which I feel is a good ingredient to have as a love witch!

What is Angel's Water?

Also known as Aphrodite Water or Venus Water, Angel's Water is called that because it is said that it derived from the angels who “seduced the daughters of man” in the book of Genesis. Angel Water is a powerful aphrodisiac love and sex potion. It can also be used for glamour magic because of its associated with the Goddess Venus/Aphrodite.

Myrtle is the main ingredient in this magical water. Myrtle is a common evergreen shrub of southern Europe. It symbolizes youth, virginity, fertility, immortality, and most importantly love. When Venus was washed up ashore, birthed, or emerged from the ocean, it is said she was covered in myrtle or held myrtle in her hand, and therefore it's one of her sacred plants.

How do you make Angel's Water?

There's a few different ways to make this water, Here's mine which should be safe for consumption (if you source your ingredients right)

Infuse or mix these ingredients together:

Myrtle - the main ingredient is myrtle, make sure there's more myrtle than of the others.

Flower waters - Rose, lavender, and orange blossoms are most common

Angelica root - This is mainly optional, for protection, and to make the name of Angel's Water ring louder.

Water - Where the ingredients will be infused or mixed.

Where do I use it?

I'd use this water when making love and sex potions. It's suppose to be a great aphrodisiac, so if a love spell requires a type of water, Angel's Water is a great one to use. It may also be used in glamour magic and be used as a face wash or be used in baths, as a way of attracting someone or something to you. It can also be used for consumption, so drink it yourself or feed it to the one you love.

[andromeda-sapphire]

💗— Day 1: Love in Magick

● The power of love in magic

These days it is common to see Love’s place in magic in Love spells and the such — but it is important to point out that Love is much more than that.

Love is a strong emotion, always connected with intent (yes, that one that we witches always talk about!), this emotion protects, motivates and manifests. protetor e manifestação. Such strength from this emotion can not be ignored. Though Love Magic is indeed a big part of magic, it focuses on Love as a result of the practice instead of the use of Love itself to acquire whatever you wish for.

As such, if you haven’t before, take the time to feel the Love you have and you’ll see how powerful it is as a potential aid for and in your craft.

● Types of Love

Opening up to the use of Love as a mobilization and strengthening aid in the craft, a question is most likely to appear: what type of love?

Honestly, that is extremely subjective, as we know that Love can be felt and perceived differently, from individual to individual. I do quite like the categories of Greek Love though, so briefly:

Eros: sexual, sensual and erotic passion.

Philia: deep affection, known as friendship.

Ludus: playful love, attraction and brief passion.

Agape: all encompassing love, similar to empathy.

Pragma: long standing love and unchanging love

Philautia: self love.

With that in mind, I hope your forms of love can become great allies in your craft and practices.

[andromeda-sapphire]

Hellenic Deity Resource Master List

Alexiares and Anicetus

Aphrodite

Apollo

Ares

Artemis

Athena

Hephaestus

Hermes

Poseidon

[andromeda-sapphire]

✨ Subtle Deity Worship Master List ✨

Greek Deities:

Subtle Aphrodite Worship

Subtle Ares Worship

Subtle Apollo Worship

Subtle Artemis Worship

Subtle Athena Worship

Subtle Dionysus Worship

Subtle Eros Worship

Subtle Hephaestus Worship

Subtle Hermes Worship

Subtle Demeter Worship

Subtle Hera Worship

Subtle Zeus Worship

Subtle Circe Worship

Subtle Hestia Worship

Subtle Helios Worship

Subtle Persephone Worship

Subtle Poseidon Worship

Subtle Hekate Worship

Subtle Hygeia Worship

Subtle Nemesis Worship

Subtle Psyche Worship

Subtle Asklepios Worship

Subtle Haides Worship

Subtle Harpocrates Worship

Subtle Erebos Worship

Subtle Medea Worship

Subtle Tyche Worship

Subtle Lethe Worship

Subtle Selene Worship

Subtle Eris Worship

Subtle Themis Worship

Subtle Talos Worship

Subtle Thanatos Worship

Subtle Nyx Worship

Subtle Phobos & Deimos Worship

Subtle Nike Worship

Subtle Pan Worship

Subtle Hypnos Worship

Subtle Charybdis Worship

Subtle Skylla Worship

Subtle Harmonia Worship

Subtle Galatea Worship

Subtle Hyacinthus Worship

Subtle Himeros Worship

Subtle Triton Worship

Subtle Gaia Worship

Norse Deities:

Subtle Sigyn Worship

Subtle Loki Worship

Subtle Baldr Worship

Subtle Freyr Worship

Subtle Odin Worship

Subtle Heimdallr Worship

Subtle Freyja Worship

Subtle Thorr Worship

Subtle Tyr Worship

Subtle Jormungandr Worship

Subtle Hel Worship

Subtle Sleipnir Worship

Subtle Idunna Worship - created by @soil-and-stanzas :)

Subtle Fenrir Worship

Subtle Frigga Worship

Egyptian Deities can be found on @wanderingskemetic 's blog!

-

This list will be updated as I make more posts! I will be making separate lists for these pantheons because I have too many links lol.

[andromeda-sapphire]

[andromeda-sapphire]

I haven’t had a designated space to make jewelry in SO long.

Yesterday I spent all afternoon re-organizing and making space in this storage room so that I could have a special workshop space. I set up a little altar to Hephaestus at the end too, it’s right next to the door I walk in from so that I can say hello and pray for his presence whenever I get working on jewelry projects.

Above the altar I have a wood-burned prayer to Hephaestus I got many years ago at a pagan festival event, along with a painting I did (that became the cover of my debut poetry collection), and a wood carving that my uncle made.

It was fun to put this altar together for him too. I realized I have been doing jewelry and metal crafts longer than I realized — the little metal box is something I made in metal shop class in middle school.

I also found a little Fire Mountain Gems pin with the year “2015” on it. I found this pin at some thrift store ages ago, but I just realized when setting up this altar that 2015 is the year I began wire wrapping. So I put that and a piece of my first pliers (they broke a while back) into my altar tin to Hephaestus, along with a tumbled piece of carnelian and some obsidian I found while rockhounding.

I had an idea while setting up the altar too. While re-organizing my craft supplies, I found some tulle pieces I had used for a Charizard Halloween costume once. I pinned them together and built a little tuft of fire, but then was wondering how I could display it on the altar… I considered using a vase but couldn’t find any that worked. Then I realized that a piece of lava rock that I had found while rockhounding years ago actually kind of looked like a mountain when oriented a certain way. So I attached it to the flame tuft using copper wire and then poured a bunch of quartz and carnelian pieces I had found while rockhounding into the bottom of a jar. I settled the lava rock in the middle, and made a little “volcano” and I LOVE how it came out. I added a little LED tealight in the flame tuft too.

It feels so good to be getting back into jewelry making. 🙏🏻🔥💕☺️ Thank you Hephaestus.

[andromeda-sapphire]

Lord Hephaestus Devotional Acts and Offerings

Learn about:

Volcanoes

Fire safety

Disability rights

The ADA (and how it could be improved)

Ableism and stigma

Blacksmithing

Forges

Devotional Acts

God of fire & volcanoes:

Woodburning (art form)

Fire scrying

Have a bonfire

Paper mache volcanoes

Burn a candle

(Learn how to) Tend a fire/woodstove/hearth

God of blacksmithing, metalworking, and crafts:

Jewelry making

Wood carving

Wire working

Making chainmail

Leatherworking

Car maintenance 

Have a good toolkit

Welding

Handyman maintenance

Robotics

Repair clothing

Carry a multitool 

Learn a new skill

Glassblowing

Restore an old/damaged object

Build Legos/Lincoln Logs

Watch restoration videos

Code/build a website

Go to science fairs/museums

Invent something

God of/with disabilities:*

Mobility aid maintenance 

Disability advocacy

Plan out your spoons/energy

Customize mobility aids/braces/other aids

Create a medical ID

Have an emergency to-go bag

Make your bed into a comfy place to be

Buy things from people with disabilities’ wishlists (like accessibility items etc.)

Identify how many spoons different activities take and make a list

Offerings

God of fire/volcanoes:

Fire starters/pokers

Burned paper

Burned objects

Blowtorch

Lighters

Fire imagery

Volcanic rocks

Volcano imagery

Firewood

Ashes

Matches

Coal

God of blacksmithing, metalworking, and crafts:

Nails, bolts, screws

Tools/toolbox

Swords/shields/armor (imagery)

Cool metal objects

Anvil imagery

Bronze/copper/brass

Anything you’ve made

Blueprints

Tongs

Bellows

Springs

Spare parts

Batteries

Mementos of handy work you’ve done (like a light bulb you’ve changed)

Chains

Stones/bricks/clay

Laptops/tablets/phones

God of/with disability:

Mobility aids

Painkillers/medicines

“Emergency” foods (like electrolytes or candy bars)

X-ray/MRI images

Medical bracelets

Medical paperwork

Adaptive aids

* While Hephaestus was not traditionally seen as a god of disability, many followers in modern times revere him as one

[andromeda-sapphire]

🌋 Subtle Hephaestus Worship ⚒️

Creating carvings/sculpturs; wood, soap, soapstone/gemstone, clay, etc.

If you're struggling with a disability, being kind and gentle with yourself; you are doing the best that you can

If struggling with medical conditions, research your treatment options; be well-educated on the subject to know your rights

Keep a picture of him in your wallet

Wear jewelry that reminds you of him

Collecting volcanic rocks

Have a candle that reminds you of him (no altar needed)

Have a donkey or crane stuffed animal

Have imagery of cranes, anvils/metalworking, or fire (cranes would likely be good for a Christian household)

Treating your body kindly; taking care of yourself physically

Support homeless shelters or organizations that assist the disabled

Light a bonfire in his honor; gather with loved ones around it or sit alone in peace

Make your house a home; honor your space, and make it your own

Try new hobbies/activities that allow you to work with your hands, especially creative and inventive endeavors

Learn about technology; try your hand at computers and the like

Support small businesses and artists, especially those that sell handmade items

Learn how to build/craft things, such as bird houses or diorama-like art pieces

Practice self-acceptance; give love to yourself, especially when you're having a difficult time

Take time to meditate alone or simply decompress by yourself for a bit

Drink hot chocolate, tea, or any warm and comforting drink

Making a list of positive things you encounter throughout the day; try doing this each day

Embracing all of your feelings, but allowing them to be felt and released

Practicing patience; a lot of handiwork and craft work will help with this

Spending time with loved ones, especially found family

Playing video games you enjoy

If you have any walking aids or similar, customizing them and making them your own

Having pictures of ancient Greek architecture around, especially the Temple to Hephaestus

Learning a new skill; improving learned skills

Selling your personal art/crafts; taking commissions for your work

Practice independence if it's something you struggle with (I'm not suggesting you isolate)

-

May add to this later on! For now, this is my list of discreet ways to worship Hephaestus. Take care, y'all; hope this helps someone! ❤️

Link to Subtle Worship Master list

[andromeda-sapphire]

The Gray Whales’ Mysterious Journey — Musings on My Saturn Return in Pisces

🪐❤️‍🩹🌊 🐋💕✨

I found this book at a thrift store today while I had some down time in between a doctors appointment and therapy.

I had some big realizations about my first full Saturn cycle today, as Saturn in Pisces has less than a year left before it is onto Aries and the cycle starts again.

My therapist and I were talking today about how much growth and healing we’ve both seen in me since I started sessions with her (my first appointment with her was in early 2023, just as Saturn entered Pisces) and she brought up the idea of me possibly being “done” with therapy, if I feel ready for that.

It took me by surprise honestly. I have been going to therapy pretty regularly for about 16 years. It felt super strange to me to even think that it could be “over” and I might actually be ready.

I started therapy a little after my first traumatic experience (first of many) when I was 14, at my Saturn opposition. Right around my exact Saturn return in mid/late February this year, I had a massively intense healing experience (which also correlated with this Mars retrograde season timeline - I have a natal Mars/Saturn water trine and have been noticing that major aspects between Mars & Saturn in transit, particularly water sign conjunctions and trines, have huge effects for me). It felt like a huge wave of healing waters had washed through me. (Interesting too that I was at a local hot spring near the beach that evening when I had this healing experience — so much water energy!)

But anyway… it’s kind of funny to me, for so long, I have been so anxious about my first Saturn return, worried it would be some massive mental health crisis or more trauma or something… and then it happened and I actually didn’t even notice that the exact date had passed. It was so positive and healing and felt like the end of a long journey.

Throughout this Saturn in Pisces transit, I have been working on my third poetry collection on healing from trauma. This collection is different from my previous books. It has a very specific concept/theme involving the ocean and it’s power of endurance. (And I totally did not plan this project around my Saturn return in Pisces either, I got the idea originally just before Saturn entered Pisces and didn’t even really make this connection until just now! I actually just checked the chart for the moment I first wrote down the concept plans and the fixed star Fomalhaut was right on the Ascendant too!)

Gray whales are amazing creatures and I feel like they really embody several Saturn in Pisces qualities. They carry ancient ancestral wisdom and memory in their migration routes. They travel thousands of miles every year, between Baja California all the way up the coast to Arctic waters (and back again), as far north as the Chukchi Sea — this is one of the longest migrations of any mammal. Gray whales are also resilient survivors. They were hunted almost to extinction (I think down to only a few thousand) by the mid 1800s due to whaling, but now their population has rebounded to around 19,000.

I feel like doing some ritual of thanks for Fomalhaut and Saturn in Pisces… I also just realized I actually began working with the Sphere + Sundry Fomalhaut materia series in April of 2023, early in my Saturn return transit (the steep & smoke herbal blend is pictured along with my beautiful gray whale pipe, but I’ve also been working with the Fomalhaut anointing oil and perfume oils).

It’s definitely been a long journey, with lots of introspection and healing.

Early on Wednesday morning (April 23) at like 4am where I live, the waning crescent moon will be closely conjunct Fomalhaut and rising in the sky. I think I’m gonna wake up at an insane hour and smoke my Fomalhaut steep/smoke blend out of my gray whale pipe and do some tarot and journaling and meditation… 🙏🏻 maybe layer some Sphere + Sundry Exalted Venus II materia to solidify the healing self-love energy.

I just found a song by Anne Carol, called “The Gray Whale Song” — it perfectly captures this long and mysterious journey of resilience and healing.

[andromeda-sapphire]

Who's your (professonial) patron?

In theory, your patron is the one who has patronage over your occupation or the career field you’re into. It’s a fun concept, but also something you can use when needing help for professional matters. Again, that’s not a researched post, just wrote this for fun. Note that some of them have two patrons eg. Aircraft mechanic: aircraft = Hermes but mechanic = Hephaestus. So consider the overlaps. This list is in no way exhaustive nor 100% correct, it’s just meant to help as a general guideline.

Hermes: Advertising, Sales, Trade workers, Retail workers, Marketing, Aircraft engineers/mechanic/controllers/pilots, flight attendants etc.., Postal service, Logistic workers, transportation workers (bus drivers, taxis etc.), Automotive industry workers, Communications, Broadcast and radio operators, Media, Telecommunication, IT, Surveyor, Casino workers, Linguists, Interpretors/Translators, Travel agents, Hotel workers,

Dionysus: Entertainment careers and associates (actors, producers, directors, theater/film staff), Bartenders, Oenologists, Wine and Spirits industry workers, Dancers, Psychologists, Psychiatrist, mental health workers.

Athena: Teachers, School workers, Librarians/library technicians, Archivists, Curators, Bookkeeping, Accountants, Clerks, Textile workers, Military strategists, Journalists, Urban planners, Civil engineers/technicians

Demeter: agronomists, food scientists, farmers, bakers, millers,

Hestia: Chefs, Cooks, Food Preparation workers, Restauration workers, Interior designers, Heating/air conditioning/

Artemis: Zoologists, animal care workers/vets, environmental scientists/engineers/workers, Forest and conservation workers, Logging workers, Hunting workers

Apollon and the Muses: Artists, art directors, poets, writers, dancers, musician, graphic designers, historians, physicists, astronomers, astrophysicists, Mathematicians, Geographers,

Ares: Athletes, coaches, trainers, Fitness workers, Military careers,

Asclepius: all medical professions and fields, doctors, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists etc.

Hephaestus: Mechanics, Assemblers, Fabricators, Carpenters, Masons, Electricians and electronics workers, Engineering (all of them), Metal industry workers, Construction workers, Repairmen, IT fields, all crasftmanship.

Zeus: Arbitators, Mediators, Conciliators, Judges, Lawyers, Law enforcement, Executives, Politicians, Public relations, Meteorologists, Hydrologists,

Hera: Child Care workers, Marriage/Family therapists, Wedding planner,

Aphrodite: Barbers, Hairdressers, Cosmetologists, Appearance workers, Manicurists, Sex workers, Models, Fashion designers,

Poseidon: Sailors, Marine engineers, Naval architects and workers, Fishermen, Marine biologists,

Hades: Financial careers/banking, Miners, Geologists, Petroleum engineers/technicians, Funeral service workers

Persephone: Funeral service workers, Floral designers.