chatpaienne

[chatpaienne]

As an outside observer I find my self getting very interested in Hellenic polytheism. I would say in no way to I have a pre existant cultural attachment. I was originally introduce to Greek mythology by Percy Jackson as most people are and I was scrolling through tumblr and found the religion. It seems to catch my attention in much more of a way than any other religion has. I simply wish to know more, where would I even start, and am I an outsider aloud to learn and participate?

Hi!

First things first: Hellenic paganism is not a closed religion and any one can join regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation etc.

As for starting, I'd like to redirect you to @crazycatsiren's Masterlist where she has put together various beginner-friendly posts from various bloggers (myself included). These are, for the most part, specifically about the religion as it is practiced today.

I also have a basic explanation of an introduction ritual here, but if you're just looking around, I wouldn't really start with this outside of curiosity.

This said, I also advise reading and gaining knowledge of the religion as it was historically practiced (instead of having only knowledge of the modern practices). For this purpose, my go-to book list to recommend is this one:

Jennifer Larson, Understanding Greek Religion 

Jennifer Larson, Ancient Greek Cults: a guide

Daniel Ogden, A Companion to Greek Religion

The whole "Gods and Heroes of the Ancient World" collection published by Routledge if you are looking for a book about a specific deity/hero.

And most importantly, just take your time. There's no rush so feel free to read and explore before jumping in.

[chatpaienne]

if i understood correctly, they believed that zagerus-dionysos could release dead people from misery?

According to Orphic beliefs, humans were created from the Titans’ blood and/or bodily remains when Zeus killed them with his thunderbolts for murdering baby Dionysos. As a result humanity is defective, but for those who are initiated into his cult, Dionysos offers a blessed afterlife.

The line "Tell Persephone that the Bacchic One himself released you" from the Pelinna tablet has been interpreted like this by Fritz Graf:

"Dionysus, under whose aegis the Bacchic mysteries operate, releases souls from the burden that the Titans' crime placed on all humans. Once this has been done, (which happens while the initiate is alive), the soul of the initiate will have the right to declare its special status to Persephone after death and thereby win her favor in the afterlife." (Ritual Texts for the Afterlife by Fritz Graf and Sarah Iles Johnston)

[chatpaienne]

Glory to Dionysios, the eternal saviour!

[chatpaienne]

🏛Hellenic cheat sheets🏛

In construction

Here are some cheat sheets with general information about the Greek Gods which you might find useful in worship but not only!

There is plenty of information I did not include. These are just simple cheat sheets. I could not fit everything in there but this might come in handy if you’re just starting out or want to get to know the Hellenic Gods.

For more information about them, I highly recommend you check out the websites or books I listed in sources!

PSA: Some of the things listed in offerings and associations section are more modern, thus could be regarded as UPGs/SPGs

⚡ The Olympians ⚡

Zeus

Hera

Poseidon

Demeter

Athena

Apollo

Artemis

Ares

Hephaestus

Aphrodite

Hermes

Hestia

Dionysus

Mount Olympus - Home of the Gods

Hyperborea

🦴The Underworld🦴

Hades

Persephone

Hekate

Hypnos

Thanatos

Erinyes

House of Hades & the Afterlife

🌱 Minor deities & daimones 💫

Nemesis

Eris

Phobos & Deimos - bonus info

Eros

Nike

Asklepios

Pan

Iris

Hebe

Priapus

Amphitrite

Aristaios

Thetis

Tyche

Mousai [Muses]

Moirai [Fates]

Charites [Graces]

Anemoi [The Winds]

🌾 Titan & Primordial Gods 🌌

Helios

Selene

Hekate

Eos

Leto

Themis

Rhea

Cronus

Nyx

Gaia

👑 Heroes & deified mortals ⚔

Achilles

Heracles

Asklepios

Ganymede

Dioskouroi

Adonis

Hyacinthus

If you like my content consider supporting me on: https://ko-fi.com/screeching0wlet

[chatpaienne]

apollo ☀️

[chatpaienne]

2022 Witch's Calendar

For all my witches out there, here's a handy list of the 2022 dates for the major holidays, full and new moons, and special events. I've listed my sources at the bottom. Dates and times for all events are calculated for Eastern Standard Time, USA, Northern Hemisphere. Adjust for your location as needed. Enjoy!

WOTY Holidays and Solstices

February 1-2 - Imbolc

March 20 - Spring Equinox / Ostara

May 1 - Beltane

June 21 - Summer Solstice / Midsummer

August 1 - Lughnasadh

September 22 - Autumn Equinox / Mabon

October 31 - Samhain

December 21 - Winter Solstice / Yule

Full Moons

January 17 - Wolf Moon ♋️

February 16 - Snow Moon ♌️

March 18 - Worm Moon ♍️

April 16 - Pink Moon ♎️

May 16 - Flower Moon ♏️

June 14 - Strawberry Moon ♐️

July 13 - Thunder Moon (aka Buck Moon) ♑️

August 11 - Sturgeon Moon ♒️

September 10 - Harvest Moon ♓️

October 9 - Hunter's Moon (aka Blood Moon) ♈️

November 8 - Frost Moon ♉️

December 7 - Cold Moon ♊️

Fun Fact: The title of Harvest Moon is given to either the September or October full moon, whichever falls closest to the autumn equinox. In 2022, that month will be September.

New Moons

January 2 ♑️

February 1 ♒️

March 2 ♓️

April 1 ♈️

April 30 ♉️

May 30 ♊️

June 29 ♋️

July 28 ♌️

August 27 ♍️

September 25 ♎️

October 25 ♏️

November 23 ♐️

December 23 ♑️

Special Events

April 30 - Black Moon & Partial Solar Eclipse (10:42pm EST)

May 16 - Total Lunar Eclipe (12:11am EST, coinciding with zenith)

June 14 - Supermoon

July 13 - Supermoon

October 25 - Partial Solar Eclipe (11:01am EST)

November 8 - Total Lunar Eclipse (5:59am EST, coinciding with zenith)

SOURCES:

Inverse - Full Moon 2022 calendar: Dates, times, schedule, and names for the brightest nights all year

Astroseek - Full Moons 2022 & New Moons

The Pagan Grimoire - The Wheel of the Year: The 8 Festivals in the Wiccan Calendar

[chatpaienne]

[chatpaienne]

Fucking

LIT 🔥

[chatpaienne]

I’m a witch in theory only. I collect shit that makes me think “Wow, I could use this for a spell!” and then proceed to do nothing.

[chatpaienne]

Is there any reason to worship a god of war?

The Homeric Hymn to Ares suggests that worshiping a god of war could be of benefit to pretty much everyone:

“…Shed down a kindly ray from above upon my life…that I may be able to drive away bitter cowardice from my head and crush down the deceitful impulses of my soul. Restrain also the keen fury of my heart which provokes me to tread the ways of blood-curdling strife. Rather, O blessed one, give you me boldness to abide within the harmless laws of peace, avoiding strife and hatred and the violent fiends of death.”

- Translation from Evelyn-White, theoi.com

[chatpaienne]

Liminality & Liminal Spaces

It’s been quite a while since my last original post, and I profusely apologise for my absence.

What is liminality?

The word “liminal�� comes from a Latin word “līmen”, meaning “a threshold” and its Oxford Dictionary definition is:

Relating to a transitional or initial stage of a process.

Occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold.

[Source]

That is a brief etymological explanation of liminal/liminality, but,… what is it? What is it in relation to witches and witchcraft?

Keep reading

[chatpaienne]

Can we talk about this WHOLESOME painting??

For much better resolution and to see more: CLICK HERE !

Yes. Yes, we can and we will! 😌

Upon my visit to Sanssouci Palace in Postdam, I completely fell in love with this piece! I'm a sucker for depictions of the God of War where he's shown in such a peaceful manner, or basically as an object of love.

So, let's begin!

Venus et Mars was painted by a French painter Louis de Boullogne in the year 1712. The technique used is oil on canvas. It measures about 42 cm wide and 32 cm tall and it is not the only artwork where the artist depicted the two divinities together.

The God and the Goddess are depicted as a pair of lovers. Venus is resting on the bed looking fondly at Mars as she extends her hand towards him in a welcoming manner as if to greet and invite him to lay with her on the bed.

Perhaps he's just come from the battlefield longing to return into the arms of the Goddess. His gaze is turned towards Venus; full of anticipation as if he could not wait to join his lover.

Surrounding them are the cheerful Amores - their children (according to some versions of mythos). It looks like they are helping their father undress, holding pieces of his armour and his weapons, just about to place them on the floor next to the bed and carefully taking off his sandals.

If we look at the background, we could assume the scene is taking place in Venus' bedroom. Above, there is a canopy held up by two telamones (the so-called "male caryatides") as well as one of the four Amores. Beside the bed, there stands a small table with some belongings of the goddess. Among them, we can notice her mirror and girdle.

Whilst Mars is known to be the God of War, Venus is famous to be the Goddess of Love. A clash of two domains that some may consider to be nearly polar opposites. Yet, by showing the two divinities together in such a private setting, the painter managed to create a tender, very intimate atmosphere where the presence of both the Goddess of Love and the God of War accompanied by their children adds this harmonious aspect to the scene.

I hope you found this interesting, dear reader!

Thank you for your attention! ❤

[chatpaienne]

so i might be getting this beautiful little Dionysos statue for my birthday and i’m SO EXCITED

not sure what i’ll do with it when i’m living at home because ✨catholic parents✨ but i’m hopefully going to think of something because i love it and if i get to have it i want it to be OUT

i also have my eye on a bandana style scarf to start veiling with (it has mushrooms on it!!) and i’m just...very excited to start building up my little Starter Set of Worship Things

[chatpaienne]

A terracotta kernos – a vase that held offerings to the gods – dating to around 2200 BCE. This vessel would have held flowers or food. It was found in the Cyclades islands by a British naval officer in 1829, who kept it for a while until his widow donated it to a museum.

{WHF} {HTE} {Medium}

[chatpaienne]

Dionysus is associated with wine first and foremost although it’s far from being the only thing he is a God of. He is a patron of feasts, fertility, vegetation, pleasure, madness, and religious ecstasy. 

You do not necessarily need to drink alcohol, get tipsy or drunk to worship Dionysus. There may even be cases where he considers thoughtless consumption of alcohol offensive to be done in his name if it brings you nothing but pain, discomfort, or trouble in the end. He is a God of indulgence and satisfaction and expects you to find pleasure in worshipping him. 

I would like to focus on ways of worshipping him that do not involve consumption of wine, other alcohol, or drugs. There are plenty of those. 

Keep reading

[chatpaienne]

A lot of people actually find it really surprising that my patron deity is Apollo, as externally they don’t perceive me to engage in any of his domains! When he presented himself to me I was actually very surprised and confused, as I didn’t see why I should engage with him! Quite quickly I learned that his domains have extremely large and valuable influences on my life! 

I struggle with my health and am chronically ill, as well as having anxiety and a medical phobia. Working to deal with the healthcare system and improving my health is extremely difficult, but I find comfort and guidance with him in this area of my life! As well, art is incredibly influential in my life. I dabble in a lot of different art forms, but have a great amount of anxiety stemming from the fear of not being committed or good enough at them. Recently I have picked up writing and poetry again for the first time in years, and am considering returning to music (I’m an oboeist!).

I didn’t particularly choose my patron, or even those who I pray to and work with frequently; it just comes naturally. As a child I was enamored with Athena, and I still quite admire her, however when the lesson I need to learn was “stop doing so much schoolwork, you’ll work yourself to death” her guidance was not as essential to what was going on in my life. Knowledge is something that is very important for me, but learning to put it on the backseat for my physical health was tough. Basically, my point is that sometimes you just land where you need to be, even if you didn’t originally intend to do so. 

[chatpaienne]

my mum wont let me buy a lesbian flag, so i'm going to make one :D