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Welcome to Venus Darling Magazine! We hope you enjoy your stay! Our magazines ISSUE I: LETTERS TO VENUS is coming soon at February 14th! Make sure to check our Instagram for more information!

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I am so crazy about your Hermes and Athena designs! Your art is so good! Now I wonder what your Aphrodite looks like? 🤔

Quite a lot of people have asked for some Lady Aphrodite, so here’s finally some concept sketch for y’all !!

+ Bonus Eros🥺

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The Harvest Moon - September’s Partial Lunar Eclipse Full Super Moon •🌝•

─ ⊹ ⊱꒰☆꒱⊰ ⊹ ─

Today the Harvest Moon, or Corn Moon (and I believe for some the Barley Moon) will take place! Its energies are going to be incredibly powerful and “chaotic” however, due to the partial lunar eclipse. Manifestations and rituals will be affected far more emotionally and intensely than a typical full moon, so be careful! Here is a link to help you find out when the eclipse will be visible in your location! Autumn is here, and it’s important to take this time to find gratitude for what we are able to love and access in our present lives (and for most of us I’m sure this time may be a very busy one indeed!). This allows us to celebrate our own version of a bountiful harvest, but this would also be a good time for

• Cleaning and tidying, find something to touch up just a bit that will bring you some clarity or joy or simply cleanse your spaces energetically

• Dancing by a fire would be incredible, but you could also listen to some of your current favorite tunes and allow yourself to get in touch with your physical being as one under the light of the full moon! (You can also do this in other ways and I always like to let myself feel the energy of the celestial body from wherever I am throughout the day)

• Celebrate with someone/others! Share a meal together and maybe catch a glimpse of the eclipse, express thanks to the Earth for nourishment :)

• Go for a walk or watch the sky for some time, let it be a reminder of the interconnectedness between humans and nature

• Let your creativity and imagination flow, if there is a space of creativity that you find much joy in then there is no better way to celebrate the event! Maybe even try some moon-inspired crafts

• Indulge a bit! Whether it be your favorite TV show, a good book, or a delicious treat, let yourself take pleasure in this existence and bask in the harvest!

• Journaling! It’s always a great way to find some time to understand yourself, your wants and needs, and just releasing yourself into a medium that is thankfully very accessible🙏✏️

• Meditation and release, perform a you-specific ritual to release energies in your life that may be hurting you or find some time to meditate

There is also so much more! And while there are many cultures and traditions whose mythos or rituals have revolved around the Harvest Moon for a long long time, it is all up to you to determine how you want to celebrate it :)

(Please leave some comments and criticisms! I hope you enjoyed!)

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

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Fruit Correspondences

Apple: spirit work, offerings, love, healing, beauty, wisdom, harvest

Apricot: love, self love

Avocado: beauty, love, lust, fertility, spell work

Banana: wealth, luck, spirituality, religion, masculinity

Blueberry: protection, banishment, curses

Blackberry: protection, fertility, femininity, funerals, afterlife, moving on

Cantaloupe: spell work, protection, grounding, energy work

Cherry: lust, love, fertility

Clementine: childhood, dreams

Coconut: protection, cleansing, femininity

Cranberry: holidays, blood magic, spirit work

Date: fertility, luck, money

Dragon fruit: lust, passion, spell work

Durian: curses, cleansing, protection

Fig: happiness, divination, love

Grapefruit: cleansing

Grape: money, spell work, fertility, offerings

Guava: love, self love, lust

Honeydew: cleansing, energy, love

Jackfruit: divination, spell work, happiness

Kiwifruit: health, love, lust, happiness

Kumquat: luck, health, money

Lemon: cleansing, purification, protection, curse breaking

Lime: cleansing, protection, love

Lychee: love, self love, femininity, beauty

Mango: love, lust, fertility

Nectarine: love, self love, spell work

Orange: cleansing, protection, divination

Papaya: curse breaking, banishing, spirit work, love

Passion fruit: lust, love, passion

Peach: fertility, love, happiness, spirit work

Pear: offerings, happiness, luck, money, confidence

Persimmon: healing, love, luck, protection

Pineapple: protection, health, offerings, money, luck

Plantain: fertility, masculinity, lust, passion

Plum: love, healing, offerings

Pomegranate: offerings, blood magic, fertility, divination, spell work

Prune: cleansing, protection

Raspberry: love, dreams, health

Strawberry: love, wishes, dreams, happiness

Starfruit: lunar/solar magic, spell work, cleansing

Tangerine: solar magic, strength, energy work

Tomato: protection, cleansing, love, passion

Watermelon: healing, femininity, lust, love, spirit work, cleansing

Tip Jar

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APOLLO

Sculpture in the Alley of Muses, Kiev

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I just got my first oracle deck! I've had lots of tarot decks but I recently found an affordable, nice oracle deck that I felt attracted to. I really like it and it'll probably become one of my common practices.

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Hello everyone!

With my exams officially over, I am back to posting.

Today, I bring to you an info sheet on Aphrodite! Hope you all enjoy it!

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Apollo

Απολλων [Apollo] God of prophecy and oracles, music, song and poetry, archery, healing, plague and disease

Epithets: ⟡ Proopsios [Foreseeing] ⟡ Phoibos [Bright] ⟡ Akestor [Healer] ⟡ Alexikakos [Averter of Evil] ⟡ Theoxenios [ God of Foreigners ] ⟡ Pythios [Slayers of Python] ⟡ Chrusaor [Of Golden Sword] ⟡ Daphnephorios [Bearer of Laurels] ⟡ Loimios [ Deliverer from Pague] ⟡ Moiragetes [Leader of Fate] ⟡ Pagasios [Pagasaean] ⟡ Hekaergos [Far-shooting]

Domains: ⟡ Prophecy & Oracles ⟡ Light ⟡ Music & Arts ⟡ Song & poetry ⟡ Archery ⟡ Healing & medicine ⟡ Plague & Disease ⟡ Protection of the young ⟡ Boys ⟡ Sudden Death ⟡ Knowledge ⟡ Herds & Flocks ⟡ Protector of Fugitives

Devotional acts: ⟡ Donate to medical charities ⟡ Draw or Paint ⟡ Read poetry or listen to music ⟡ Sing or play an instrument ⟡ Go to the library

Associations

Symbol: ⟡ The Lyre ⟡ Silver bow & Arrows ⟡ Dolphins ⟡ Swans ⟡ Crows ⟡ Ravens ⟡ Lions ⟡ Wolves ⟡ Mice ⟡ Griffins ⟡ Hawks ⟡ Snakes ⟡ Laurel wreath ⟡ Fire / flame ⟡ The sun / Light ⟡ Tripod ⟡ Apples

Element: ⟡ Light

Color: ⟡ Orange ; yellow ; Gold ⟡ Red ⟡ Pure white ⟡ Pink ⟡ Purple ⟡ Green ⟡ Blue

Crystals & stones: ⟡ Sunstone ⟡ Amber ⟡ Honey ; Yellow Calcite ⟡ Rutilated ; Clear ; Rose quartz

Fruits,Vegetables,Flowers,Herbs: ⟡ Cypress ⟡ Laurel ⟡ Larkspur ⟡ The-apple-tree ⟡ The palm tree ⟡ Hyacinth

Animal: ✧Swan ⟡ Raven ⟡ Tortoise ⟡ Serpent ⟡ Wolf ⟡ Dolphin ⟡ Mouse

Incense: ✧ Bay ⟡ Frankincense ⟡ Cypress

Food & Drinks: ⟡ Red wine ⟡ Olive oil ⟡ Water ⟡ Fruit ⟡ Honey ⟡ Almonds ⟡ Citruses ⟡ Cinnamon ⟡ Coffee ⟡ Herbal tea with Honey cakes ⟡ Bay leaves ⟡ Anise

Day, Season, Time of Day: ✧ Sunday ⟡ Middsummer ⟡ Midday ⟡ May

Tarot: ✧ The Sun ⟡ The chariot ⟡ Strength ⟡ Temperance

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☀️ Subtle Apollo Worship 🏹

Singing/listening to your favorite songs; this applies to any music, though

Listening to music while studying

Playing any instrument

Dedicating a journal to writing poetry or stories

Reading poetry books; reading ancient poetry/stories (especially ancient Greek poetry/stories)

Dancing to any music of your choice

Setting reminders to take medication on time; taking your medication in general

Taking care of your body physically, such as brushing one's teeth or taking a shower

Taking a walk on a sunny day; basking in the warmth of the light

Keeping a pic of him in your wallet

Wearing jewelry that reminds you of him

Keeping imagery of light/the sun, lyres, instruments, music, swans, cranes, or ravens around

Getting a wolf, swan, or dolphin stuffed animal

Anything to do with positive and healthy self-wellness

Learning archery

Learning to do divination outside of the obvious (the obvious being tarot, runes, and pendulums, for example; not obvious would be cartomancy, pyromancy, carromancy, shufflomancy, etc.)

Doing homework (yes, really)

Being kind to yourself when you're having a difficult time

Placing positive affirmations on somewhere you'd see them everyday, especially ones about things you're proud of

Checking in with yourself emotionally throughout the day; how are you feeling? What are some good things that have happened so far? What are some not so good things?

Learning about philosophy and taking note of your thoughts on the topic

Learning more about yourself (e.g. make a list of things you enjoy, try new hobbies, experiment with new outfits, etc.)

Expressing yourself through art of any kind

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

Keeping a personal journal/diary - somewhere where you can keep track of your thoughts and feelings

Practice compassion and patience, especially with yourself

Continue learning throughout your life; interesting topics, philosophy, music, psychology, physical health, etc.

Learn about any medical conditions you or a loved one has

Learn about your healthcare options and medical rights (HIPPA in the US)

Support education forward, humanitarian, healthcare, or homeless shelter organizations

Volunteer at a homeless shelter

Donate clothes, toys, hygiene kits, and other items; hygiene kits are always needed

Be kind to children; play with them if offered

Make a list of things that make you feel human throughout the year - moments where you feel present, content, and alive

Sharpen your mind; play memory or mentally stimulating games

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May add more later! For now, this is my list of discreet ways to worship Apollo. I hope it helps someone, and take care, y'all! 🧡

Link to Subtle Worship Master list

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Saw Aphrodite in the clouds while driving around, love you lady love <3

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Its Hermes day (Wednesday) hi Hermes I think you're so cool my mutual worships you and I wanna say uh thanks for letting me let coins collect on the general altar and thanks for delivering my packages early and keeping me safe on trips!! safe travels and have fun being the gods' mail deliverer and thief protector :3

( guys go check out @stalkerofthegods )

also THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping me not get caught stealing from teachers and my friends 😭🙏

[croww1tch]

Hypnos Deep dive

Animals• Sheep, butterflies, moths, long-eared owls, black animals (he takes black animals thrown into a pit to die rather than an alter), a singing bird,

Herbs• Cottonwoods, poppy, poppy seeds

Zodiac • None 

Colors • Black, silver, purple, blue

Crystal• Onyx, obsidian, black tourmaline, Amythst 

Symbols• twigs, horn of sleep-inducing opium, a poppy stem, a branch dripping water from the river Lethe (Forgetfulness), an inverted torch

you can wear in their honor • Pjs, sleeping masks, and slippers.

Diety of• Sleep, Hypnosis, stuffed animals, sleep-related things, Relaxation, Insomnia, sleep-related-disorders

Patron of• liberator from care and anxiety, sleep, relaxing, sleeping, stuffed animals, sleep-related things, relaxation, Insomnia, sleep-related-disorders

Offerings• Chocolate, blankets, PJs weighted blankets, stuffed animas, melatonin, red wine, olive oil, water, honey, milk, fruit, herbal tea, calming herbs, milk, feathers, pillows, flowers 

Devotional• wearing PJs, wearing eye masks, wearing slippers, relaxing, doing a sleep study, napping, learning about the sleep cycle, maintaining a sleep schedule, have a sleepover, Spend more time in your room with all the lights off, Wear clothes with poppies on them and decorating your room with poppy designs, Buy yourself new sheets and a pillowcase, Send sweet evening messages to your friends (ex- wishing them a good night filled with rest), Wash your sheets and blankets more often, Sleep with the window open, Keep a dream journal, Wear soothing colors, Cuddle with a pet, Go to bed earlier, Listen to instrumental music, Make coffee/tea for everyone in the morning, Change the sound of your alarm, Use more relaxing scents in your home, Sleep outside occasionally, Decorate your room with pale flowers, Do more mindless projects (ex-knitting), At the end of the day, write down everything that you are stressed about and check the following morning to see if anything still needs to be worked on, Buy new curtains, sleep in, Buy new pajamas , Learn basic medt, Read more books, Paint your walls a his colors, Get more houseplants, Create more alone time, Worship their family/friends in their honor, Spend time in the evenings with all electronics off

Ephithets/titles • Epidotes -Bountiful, Pannikitis - All-Vanquisher, Melamkhrotos-Black-Skin, Hypnus, Somnus, Sopor, Soft-eyed, black-winged, sluggish, drowsy, lazy, bold, youthful, sweet, empty, gloomy, shadowy, vagrant - all-vanquisher, defeater of woes, rest of the soul, balm of the soul, peace of all the world, stranger to anguish, gentlest of the gods, quietest of the gods, god who knows no pain, the blackskin, the painless, son of Night, brother of Death, king of slumber.

Equivalents• Somnus (Roman), Hypnos (Greek)

Signs their reaching out• Sleeping more, being into sleep study, seeing their animals, starting to see their herbs, suddenly learning and being interested in them 

Vows/omans• Wedding vows 

Number• None

Morals• Morally neautrql, does good deeds but is persuaded over rewards (ex- Hera making Zeus sleeping, and persuading Hypnos to do so with the marriage of his wife)

Courting• Pasithea

Past lovers/crushes• Selene (the Moon), the Muses, the Erotes, a mortal called Endymion (they were queer couple)

Personality• Hypnos is a carefree spirit, he's pleasant, passive and intermittently mischievous, he is very mellow, He is well-loved by mortals and immortals alike when they are in need of his comforts, However he is also the source of all weariness, Hypnos indulges in whatever pursuits are of his inclination, although he tends to be quiet and lethargic, He is willing to provide aid to those who seek it from him, but he will not attempt anything perilous without proper incentive.

Home• Tarturas, some say the island of Lemmos, in a cave in the land of Cimmerians, where he sleeps on a couch with his many sons surrounding him sleeping.

Mortal or immortal • immortal

Fact• he is a Chthonic god

Curses• No sleep, insomnia, being addicted to morphine, not being able to relax, ur family not being able to sleep

Blessings• Good sleep, being able to relax, sleep for your family

Roots• Greece

Friends• Morpheus, his parents, Hera, his wife, Oneiroi 

Parentage• Nyx, Erebos 

Siblings• He's the twin brother of Thanatos (Death), Akhlys (Mist of Demise), Anaplekte (Swift Demise), Iskhnasia (Wasting Demise), Morpheus (Dreams), Phantasos (Fantasies), Ikelos/Phobetor (Nightmares), Kharon (Taxes), Momos (Blame), Oizys (Pain), Eurynomos/Septos (Decay), Lyssa/Mania (Madness), Epiphron (Shrewdness), Koalemos (Idiocy), Hybris (Insolence), Anaideia (Cruelty), Nemesis (Retribution), Dolos (Treachery), Apate (Deception), Philotes (Affection), Eleos (Mercy), Sophrosyne (Restraint), Geras (Old Age), Eris (Strife).

Pet• None

Children • Morpheus, Ikelos, Phantasos, Oneiroi (on some accounts)

Attendents• Oneiroi, Lethe

Patron Regions• Lemnos

Holiest shrines• possibly a shrine in Troizenos Argolis

Appearance in astral or gen• gentle young man with wings coming from his temples or shoulders, 

Festivals • Festival of Choes, you can celebrate him during the night

Season • Winter (hibernation)

Day • None, but night time is his time

Status• a Daimeon god, a powerful Greek dream god.

What angers them• Angering their wife, and children, being disrespectful.

The music they like• Probably lo-fi, relaxing music 

Planet• There is an asteroid that is named after Hypnos, called 14827 Hypnos

Her Tarot cards• the Hierophant

Remind me of• sleep

Scents/Inscene • Lavender, chamomile

Prayers• 

Restful Sleep

Hypnos, bright-winged bringer of blessed sleep, son of misty-eyed Nyx of the sooty night, I call to you to grant me your favor. In sunless Erebos you make your home, O Hypnos; each eventide you follow in Night’s wake, fleet of foot, garlanded in blood-red poppies, their sweet scent a balm to those who seek your gift. Hypnos, granter of the peace of a night’s oblivion, soft-spoken god in whose gentle arms men lie in repose, I pray to you, deliver me into soothing slumber.

Links/websites/sources • https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hypnos Hypnos and Thanatos at the RP Repository https://aminoapps.com/c/hellenistic-polytheism/page/item/hypnos/zwxn_k1iwIDE5BWBL1G3Z0XLlJJ0Bwb4Krhttps://vocal.media/futurism/ways-of-worship-hypnos https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/14827_Hypnoshttps://vocal.media/futurism/ways-of-worship-hypnoshttps://www.tumblr.com/heatherwitch/161014286900/hypnossomnushttps://greekpagan.com/2011/04/24/prayer-to-hypnos-for-restful-sleep/

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Tarot Card Associations for Hellenic Deities

Fool - Dionysus, Hermes, Pan, Ate, Gelos, Momus, Horme

Magician - Hephaestus, Hermes, Hecate, Aristeaus, Circe, the Muses, Apollo

High Priestess - Hecate, Persephone, Hera, Circe

Empress - Hera, Aphrodite, Demeter, Hestia, Gaia, Rhea

Emperor - Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Ares

Hierophant - Demeter, Persephone, Hecate, Hestia, Hera, Gaia, Rhea

Lovers - Aphrodite, Eros, Dionysus, Adonis, Hera, Philotes

Chariot - Hermes, Charon, Iris, Morpheus

Strength - Athena, Ares, Heracles, Nike, Bia, Kratos, 

Hermit - Hades, Hestia

Wheel of Fortune - Hermes, Tyche, the Fates, Zeus

Justice - Athena, Themis, Nemesis, Astraea, Apollo

Hanged Man - Hermes, Harpocrates, Prometheus, Psyche 

Death - Hades, Thanatos, Dionysus, Charon, Persephone, Ares

Temperance - Athena, Demeter, Artemis, Harmonia

Devil - Dionysus, Pan, Comus, Ate, Priapus

Tower - Ares, Poseidon, Deimos, Phobos, Eris, Moros, Enyo, Hybris

Star - Aphrodite, Artemis, Astraea, Urania, Hermes, Eos, Hesperus

Moon - Selene, Artemis, Hecate, Nyx, Hypnos, Erebus

Sun - Apollo, Helios, Hemera, Hyperion 

Judgment - Zeus, hades, Athena

World - Hermes, Demeter, Gaia, Hestia, Harmonia, Pan, Tyche

[croww1tch]

𝘼𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 101

Hi! I’m Raven (or Ray), and I’ve been an Ares devotee for almost five years now. You want to start worshiping him? Great! Despite what today’s media makes of him - which I will talk about a lot in this post - , he’s actually a very caring, gentle and (dare I say) beginner-friendly deity! In general, a great choice! (Also, this is inspired by another post I saw but forgot to save - so, credits for the idea goes to that person) So, let's get started.

WHO IS ARES? - MODERN MISCONCEPTIONS

Since I’m assuming you already know the broad strokes of who he is (Greek god of war, bloodshed, violent and so forth), this section will be about some of the misconceptions most people have of Him. If you’ve ever consumed any Greek mythology-related media, I’m sure you’ve seen the following caricature: beefy, misogynistic, violent, stupid jerk, rude and always looking for a fight. While, yes, He IS violent (He's the god of war, afterall), that's far from all He has to offer.

Did you know Ares is actually historically a major feminist? That’s probably the first thing to get demystified about Him when you talk to an Ares devotee or worshiper, so I’m not really saying ground-breaking news here, but since a fair amount of people don’t know about it, I thought it was a fair mention. So, let’s get into the actual myths and proofs for this claim:

Ares was the father of and supported the Amazons in battle, a group of female-only warriors and hunters.

He’s one of the only male deities in Greek mythology to not have sexually harassed or raped someone. Yes, even other deities viewed as “nice” such as Apollo and Hermes have done so (I don’t mean any disrespect for those deities here - I’m also an Apollo devotee).

Ares was held in trial for the murder of Halirrhotius, a son of Poseidon, after he raped one of Ares’ daughters, Alkippe. He was acquited of murder by the gods. Remember, back in ancient Greece, women didn’t have ANY rights - raping one was not considered a crime or even frowned upon as far as I'm aware.

One of His epithets is “Ares Gynaikothoina", which means "feasted by women". During a war between the Tegeans and the Spartans, the women of Tegea defended the city from a invasion led by the Spartan king Charilaus. After arming themselves, they defeated the Spartans following an ambush. Among the prisoners was the Spartan king himself. In commemoration, they would hold a feast in honor of Ares, to which only women were invited.

All in all, Ares is protective, just, and encouraging of His children as well as worshipers and devotees. He’s not the piece of shit jock most people think of when you mention His name. Please stop doing my man this dishonor, He deserves so much better.

BASIC INFO

His Roman counterpart is Mars. He’s the son of Zeus and Hera, and his consourt is Aphrodite (even though they’re not officially married). His divine children are Phobos and Deimos (twin daimones/personified spirits of panic and terror, respectively), Harmonia (goddess of harmony and concord), Antero (erote/god of requited love) and Eros (erote/god of carnal love), all which he had with Aphrodite, as well as Drakon of Thebes (a giant serpent), which he apparently had by himself.

As for hero children; Cycnus (a bloody-thirsty men who was murdered by Herakles), Diomedes of Thrace (who had man-eating horses for some reason), Thrax (who founded Thrace), Oenomaus (Greek king of Pisa), and the Amazons (female warriors and hunters as mentioned above).

His symbols and associations are: spears, swords, helmets, armour, dogs, chariots, shields, The Chariot & The Emperor tarot cards, etc.

FESTIVALS AND DAYS

Tuesdays are holy to Ares and are ruled by the planet Mars (again, his Roman counterpart), which means they’re associated with action, energy, strength, and courage, as well as the color red.

As for festivals, He was typically honored with special rites in times of war or just before battles. There were also two annual festivals: one in the town of Geronthrae in ancient Laconia, celebrated only by men, and one in Tagea in Arcadia, celebrated only by women, where His "feasted by women" epithet came from. There's hardly any info on exact dates (from the Attic calendar or not) or info about any other festivals.

SACRED ANIMALS

Serpents

Dogs

Vultures

Woodpecker

Barn owls

Eagle owls

SACRED PLANTS

There’s no plant, flower or tree traditionally associated with Ares, unfortunately, so I’m gonna give a list of my UPG’s. Now, I’m not a witch, so I don’t know about the magical properties of the plants I’m about to list (if you’re a witch and were looking for something like that, my bad). However, I am a florist and have a special interest in floriography, so I assign them to Him based on vibe, meaning, etc.

Amaryllis (Means “Pride”)

Basil (Means “Hate”)

Water hemlock (Means “Death”)

Snapdragon (Means “Presumption”, but I think he just likes the way it looks)

Poppy (Means “Eternal sleep”, but has a long history with wars, being the first kind of flora to start growing in abandoned battlefields that were previously considered infertile)

Nettle (Means “Cruelty”)

Magnolia (Means “Dignity”)

Yarrow (Means “Cure for a broken heart”, and is said to have been used by Achilles to heal his men on the battlefield, which is why the scientific name is “Achillea”)

Ginger (Associated with “Heat”)

Pepper, spices, etc (idk he just gives the vibes)

OFFERINGS & DEVOTIONAL ACTS

Honestly, the only slander Ares should be getting is that He likes edgy teenage boy things. That being said, here's some ideas/suggestions, first for devotional acts and then offerings:

Workout or do any kind of physical activity

Take care of your mental and physical health

Stand up for yourseld and what you believe in

Learn about past wars, battles, and riots

Do things that make you feel badass/brave/empowered

Go to a protest

Work on managing your anger (especially for my fellow BPD havers)

Pet a dog

Honor His children and Aphrodite

For offerings; any kind of meat, especially red

Anything sharp (cool knives or daggers, broken glass, etc)

Bones!!

Halloween decor (I personally have those fake plastic snakes, spiders, and a skull on His altar)

Black coffee, the stronger the better

Any alcohol, but especially whiskey

Anything spicy

WHY WORSHIP ARES? - A PERSONAL RANT

Living in an extremely physically abusive household, I had to know and be acostumed to violence from a very young age. That violence left with many things - BPD and C-PTSD, to name a few - but mostly importantly, it left me only being able to feel one thing: anger.

I was angry at everything. Angry at the world for allowing me to have to live through such a horrible situation, angry at my mom for not standing up for me, angry at my abuser, even angry at myself for not ever trying to fight back or protect myself (though now I realize that was completely out of the question. I was only 8, what could I have done against a man in his 30's that was three times my size?).

That anger didn't go away after I got away from my abuser. If anything, it grew worse. I'd yell, break everything around me, say horrible things to the people I loved - I was a totally different person. I could barely recognize myself. I was an empty shell, filled with absolutely nothing else than the purest form of resentment and wrath, things that had been brewing inside of me since I was a child. I never had the choice to become anything else.

Ares understands violence. He's the god of it. He knows when it's justifiable and when it's not, when it serves a purpose and when it's out of pure malice. He helped me realize that instead of trying to fight against my anger out of the shame it made me feel, I had to embrace it - become one with it. It's a part of me, at the end of the day. I just had to figure out how to control it instead of letting it control me.

He embraced me when I was too disgusted with this ugly side of me to even look in a mirror. I was scared of myself - he wasn't. He's seen worse. I never had someone accept me and all my flaws before, god or otherwise.

That's why it's so upsetting to see the modern depictions so many people have of him. Someone so understanding and loving being defined by the worst parts of Himself, just like I used to do with myself in the past.

Ares is the god of war, war is not the god of Ares.

[croww1tch]

Hey.

It’s ok to have a bit of a crush on your deities.

Like hello they’re beings that accept you for who you are, love you and appreciate you, are always there for you, and let’s be real a bunch of them are pretty as fuck. Why WOULDN’T someone have a crush on them? If you can have a parental, best friend, sibling, or even just strictly devotee/deity like relationship, then why would it be wrong to have a bit of a crush?

Of course, no god will be going after anyone underage. Like hello they’re deities, they know that’s wrong. But who didn’t have a bit of a crush on an older celebrity or something as a teen? They’ll just see it as ‘aw, that’s cute’ the way we see kittens and puppies cute, something that’s endearing and sweet, and leave it at that, as any responsible adult would. Maybe they’ll gently tell you change your perspective if they’re seeking a different dynamic with you. And that’s ok.

I’m no expert on godpartnering or anything like that, but the fact it’s even a thing means deities have been knowing about us mortals getting all heart eyed for them for centuries. I promise you it’s nothing they haven’t seen before.

So yes, it’s ok to be a little giddy and leg-kicking for your deities. It’s totally normal for someone who experiences a romantic kind of attraction to have feelings. We all have feelings. The gods know that.

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Epithets

In my last studies about the Goddess Aphrodite, I was very curious to research her many epithets, despite knowing some of them, these were my last ones listed here:

Places of worship and worship:

Acidalia: Inspired by the city of Idálion, in Cyprus, one of its places of worship.

Amathusia: Venerated in the ancient city of Amathus, in Cyprus.

Amyklaios: Honored in Amicleia, in Laconia.

Aphakitis: Related to the city Aphace, in Syria, where she was worshiped in an oracular temple.

Arakynthia: Originating from Arakynthus mountain, one of her places of worship.

Argennis: Worshiped by Argenus, a friend of Agamemnon, who built a temple in her name.

Cythereia: From the island of Cythera, one of her supposed birthplaces.

Erykina: Referring to Mount Éryx in Sicily, associated with the worship of Venus.

Idalia: Venerated in the city of Idalion, in Cyprus.

Kastiniê: Due to Mount Castius, a place of worship.

Knidia: Associated with the city of Cnidus, where she was also worshiped.

Kôlias: Venerated in Colias, in Attica.

Kypria: From Cyprus, one of her supposed birth locations.

Kyprogenese: Born in Cyprus.

Melinaia: Venerated in the city of Argos.

Aphrodite Syria Thea: From Syria, revered in a temple syncretized with the Goddess Astarte.

Aphrodite Zephyritis: Invoked on the promontory of Zephyrus in Egypt.

Aphrodite Zêrynthia: Revered in Zerintia, Thrace, as a Goddess worshiped in the region.

Maritime protection

Euploia: Related to safe sea travel.

Limenia: Protector of ports and navigators.

Nauarkhís: Protector of navigators and their vessels.

Aphrodite Pontía: Lady of the Headlands, with temples strategically located along the open sea.

Birth (associated with the sea)

Anadyomenê: The one who emerged from the sea, being born in a scallop shell.

Aphrogeneia: Denotes its birth from sea foam.

Equória: Due to its birth in the sea, linked to maritime locations.

Haligenes: Born from the depths of the sea.

War

Areia: Evoking your connection to war, love and violence.

Hôplismenê: Armada, related to his relationship with Ares.

Androphonos (Mankiller)

Hekaergê: One who acts from a distance, without direct confrontations.

Summakhia (Ally in war)

Vegetable world

Antheia: Friend of Flowers, as she was known in Knossus.

Kêpois: Related to gardens and flowers.

Love and sex/Prostitution

Apostrophia: Connotes the illicit and forbidden love that she often represented.

Dôritis: Reflecting your generosity and giving of love.

Epistrophia: Suggesting that she is the facilitator of love.

Hetaira: As a lover, reflecting your connection to love and pleasures.

Kataskopia: Suggesting your ability to watch love blossom.

Melaines: The Dark One, related to nocturnal loves under the starry sky.

Migôntis: The one who unites loving hearts.

Aphrodite Pandêmos: The Goddess of the People, referring to her connection with earthly and common love relationships, daughter of Zeus and Dione.

Psithyristês Aphrodite: The Whisperer, who gently whispers to passionate hearts.

Aphrodite Pothôn Meter: The Mother of Desire, whose presence incites sensual and lascivious passions.

Aphrodite Praxis: Related to the sexual aspect and acceptance of the complexities of libido.

Aphrodite Symmakhia: She Who Remains in Love, because it is love that perpetuates and inspires her actions.

Despoena: Meaning lover, as it was known in some traditions.

Porne (Fleshy; Prostitute)

Sky

Alilat: Known as Aphrodite Urania by the Arabs, symbolizing her celestial nature.

Alitta: Another Arabic reference to Aphrodite Urania.

Aphrodite Ourania: The Celestial, alluding to her origin as the daughter of Uranus (the Sky) and Thalassa (the Sea).

Childbirth/fertility and marriage

Gamêlioi Theoi: The Goddess of Marriage, one of the five main deities who bless marriages.

Genetullis: Protector of Births, linked to the protection of births.

Makhanitis: Associated with creation and fertility.

Nymphia: The Bride, blessing relationships.

Hêrê: In her association with Hephaestus, her husband.

Chthonic (death)

Tumborukhos (grave digger)

Epitumbidia (She over the tombs)

Its nature

Aphrodite Philommeidés: The Friend of Smiles, personifying joy and joviality in her divine actions.

Aphrodite Peithô: The Persuader, revered in Athens for her ability to persuade hearts and minds.

Morphô: Celebrating your beauty and beauty.

Mechanitis: Suggesting his inventiveness and creativity.

Khryseê: The Golden One, symbolizing her shine.

Kallipygos: Highlighting its beauty and grace.

Glykymeílikhos: With a sweet smile, which exudes joy.

Eutesphanos: Crowned with great splendor.

Day: Denoting his divine and splendid nature.

Ambologêra: The one who wards off old age, as she herself is eternally young.

Apatouros: Suggestive of the trick, reflecting the myth in which she deceived the giants

Kallisti (The most beautiful)

Basilis (Queen)

Eleemon (Merciful)

Origin (perhaps related to historical origin)

Aphrodite Xenia: The Foreigner, remembering her Asian origin.

Diona: Reference to her Asian origin, with links to Dione, the Oceanid.

Myths

Nikephoros: The Victorious, in reference to the competition with Athena and Hera.

Dios Thugatêr: Meaning daughter of Zeus in one of the myths associated with her.

Apatouros: Suggestive of the trick, reflecting the myth in which she deceived the giants.