echoingalone

[echoingalone]

So you want to worship Aphrodite?

Aphrodite goddess of love, beauty, sexuality and so on.

Born of seafoam, goddess of the peoples hearts.

Aphrodite has been a big part of my life for awhile... Shes blessed me in many ways! And if you want to work with her I hope to help you.

I won't be going into her history in this post, this is more of a guide on how to get started on worshipping her.

The first thing alot of people ask about is how to build that connection, how to reach out. With any deity I work with I started out leaving an offering, lighting a candle and/or incense and offering my devotion through prayer. I then usually follow up with divination of some form to build on the relationship and get to know them. As for offerings I find it can be flexible to what you have. But I'll list off some traditional and other kinds of offerings here first!

Offerings~

• frankincense incense

• apple

• eggs

• strawberries

• chocolate

• honey

• roses

• olives

• wine/mulled wine

• raisins/grapes

• perfume

• cosmetics

• shells

These are just a few but there are plenty more.

I personally when I'm short on any of these I offer her some of my own food. Theres been times where she has gotten a pizza pocket but a big thing is to remember is to not stress about this! The gods are understanding, they won't be mad and Aphrodite certainly wont be! The biggest thing that matters is that it comes from the heart...

Ill also listen some plants and food associated with her as it might also be helpful for offerings.

• rosemary

• hibiscus

• Jasmine

• myrtle

• mint

• cinnamon

• basil

• cannabis

• lettuce

• strawberries

• pomegranate

• iris

• myyrh

• vanilla

• ginger

• peach

• frankincense

Associated animals

• doves

• sparrows

• waterfowl

• dolphins

Crystals

• rose quartz

• pearl

• aquamarine

• jade

• moonstone

• rhodolite

• carnelian

Setting up an altar

Personally I set up a small altar space first... I see it as welcoming them into my home, healing them settle/get comfortable. It would be like maybe getting your home presentable and such for a new friend coming over. And I believe that when approaching the gods you should do it like that, great them as a new friend. Be respectful, don't rush into it and be welcoming.

When I first set up my altar to Aphrodite I looked around my room for what I could use first. I wouldn't rush into buying stuff until you've established that connection.

I searched for shells, pink items, fake flowers etc. I even put toys and jewelry that reminded me of her on there. I also used a tea light and pink spell candles.

This was my first altar:

If you have any questions let me know.. I will do posts like these on other deities I worship soon 🩷

(also this is from my personal experience.. I hope it is helpful though)

[echoingalone]

[echoingalone]

[echoingalone]

brought home a little friend today

perfect for safekeeping a single ibuprofren

[echoingalone]

Poem prayer to Hermes

and His blessings

Hermes, swift-footed messenger of the gods,

With winged sandals, you traverse the skies.

To you, we offer prayers with hearts aglow,

Grant us your blessings, as we humbly bestow.

Guide us, oh Hermes, with wisdom's light,

Through tangled paths and shadows of night.

Messenger divine, with words profound,

Grant us eloquence, let truth resound.

Protector of travelers, keeper of roads,

Watch over us as we bear our loads.

Grant us safe passage, wherever we roam,

Under your gaze, we'll find our way home.

Oh Hermes, trickster, with laughter's grace,

Teach us to jest, in life's bustling race.

With wit and charm, weave our tales anew,

Bless us with laughter, pure and true.

Hermes, patron of merchants and trade,

May our endeavors not be dismayed.

With skillful hands and minds inspired,

May prosperity be always acquired.

So hear our prayer, oh Hermes divine,

With blessings abundant, make our lives shine.

Guide us, protect us, in all we do,

Hail Hermes, to you, our reverence is due.

Affirmations to the Greek God Hermes

Hail Hermes, swift messenger of the gods, I affirm your presence in my life.

I embrace your guidance and wisdom, Hermes, as I navigate life's paths.

With your blessing, I speak with clarity and eloquence, sharing truth and understanding.

Hermes, protector of travelers, I affirm safety and guidance on my journeys.

May my endeavors in trade and commerce be blessed by your hand, oh Hermes.

Grant me the wit and charm to navigate life's challenges with ease and humor.

I welcome abundance and prosperity into my life under your patronage, Hermes.

As a keeper of secrets, I honor your trust and discretion in all matters.

With your blessing, I embrace opportunities for learning and growth.

Hail Hermes, I affirm my reverence and gratitude for your presence in my life.

[echoingalone]

Yes, there is prayer and worship in temples. In librations poured for the gods, in altars carefully set up with statues and candles and offerings.

But there is also prayer on her water bottle, in the way it is covered in stickers that subtly (and not-so-subtly) represent and remind her of her gods. Whenever someone asks what the stickers mean, she smiles.

There is prayer in the little devotions they leave behind on their computer, in the code they've been working on for days. They leave dedications and praises after two forward slashes (like arms raised to the sky) — secret to most, but not to them. Not to their gods.

There is prayer on the inside of his jacket, the one he always wears to teach. Stitched above his heart are the names of the gods he calls out to the most. He touches his chest, letting out a breath before addressing his class.

There is prayer in the charms that hang from her rearview mirror. There is prayer in the way they gesture wildly while telling a story. There is prayer in the little symbols he traces on fogged-up glass.

And the gods are always happy to see it.

[echoingalone]

here's a tip about working with Dionysos that nobody asked for

invoke him using epithets, and be specific

like maybe don't call on Zagreus the Hunter to bless your grapevine - consider Korymbophoros the Cluster-Laden

I generally wouldn't call on Chthonios of the Underworld to bless your theatrical production - Dithyrambos the Hymned is a more appropriate option

Meilichios the Gentle might not be the best aspect to call on before attending a protest with heavy police presence - for that, consider Lyseus the Liberator

does this make sense? call on him using epithets! always always use epithets if you can manage it, be specific about what aspect you want to talk to - he is Polynomos and Polymorphos, Many-Named and Multiply-Born for a reason

there are exceptions, obviously, where you could get really specific about why for example Chthonios IS the best aspect to bless your musical (maybe you're doing Hadestown?) but put some thought into it

try and match the epithets to what it is you're trying to accomplish or honor, rather than choosing them at random or based on how they sound sonically or how badass they seem

that's it, that's the tip

easy, simple, effective

have fun

[echoingalone]

et tu brute?

[echoingalone]

Deities for Disabled Worshippers

If you’re disabled, chronically ill, or mentally ill, Lord Hephaestus is (of course) a great deity to build a relationship with. Still, many Gods can be worthwhile to reach out to for many things related to disability. Hermes- Can assist with communication with medical providers, payment for medical bills and medication, safe traveling (especially for those of us who use mobility aids!), fertility treatment or reproductive care, finding lost items due to brain fog, and especially for terminally ill people and those of us with life expectancy-limiting conditions: navigating into and through the afterlife. Apollo- Assisting with healing and recovery, mental health therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, treatments, medication, using art and music as a coping skill, and getting adequate and safe exposure to sunlight. Asclepius- Following treatments and therapies, taking medication, help accessing medical care, safe surgeries, researching medical conditions, etc. Asclepius is the son of Apollo and he represents the healing aspect of the medical arts; he was married to Epione (ηπιος, “soothing”) she personified the care needed for recovery. His daughters, the “Asclepiades”, are: Hygieia (“Health, Healthiness”), Iaso (from ἴασις “healing, recovering, recuperation”, the goddess of recuperation from illness), Aceso (from ἄκεσις “healing”, the goddess of the healing process), Aegle (“brightness,” or “splendor” the goddess of good health) and Panacea (the goddess of universal remedy). His sons, Machaon and Podalirius were highly skilled surgeons and medics during the Trojan war, and his son Telesphorus “the accomplisher” or “bringer of completion” was a little person, and in some myths, a child and minor God of healing from illness, particularly for children who frequently accompanied Hygieia. Many of these related deities might be more helpful for navigating specific circumstances! Psyche- Goddess of the soul, can assist with overall wellness Hypnos- Sleep and relaxation, insomnia and painsomnia, following good sleep hygiene, addressing nightmares and night terrors Hestia- Being homebound, creating a safe environment at home, accessibility within the home Dionysus- For matters concerning mental health, mad pride, celebration, intoxication, using substances to manage symptoms Thanatos- Beneficial for those of us with life-limiting and terminal conditions, death positivity, navigating suicidal ideation, transitioning into end-of-life and hospice care, writing advanced directives Hades- Particularly helpful for those of us with life-limiting and terminal conditions, death positivity, navigating suicidal ideation, transitioning into end-of-life and hospice care, writing advanced directives This is a non-exhaustive list, I personally feel that your relationship with any deity and your experiences of disability can be intertwined in endless ways! Feel free to add others in the replies!

[echoingalone]

if you could pick one fictional character to explain a Deity to someone who is unfamiliar with Them, who would it be ?

[echoingalone]

Readings to pay for top surgery

I will be offering readings to help fund my top surgery cost! (About $5,000)

What I’m offering

You can choose what deck is used from my collection of 30+

Reading with 1 tarot deck and 1 oracle deck: $10

Add (unlimited) additional decks for $2 each

Add ons:

Pendulum reading: $3

Die casting: $4

Charm casting: $4

Rune casting: $3

Bibliomancy: $5 (different books offered)

Domino casting: $2

Colormancy: $1

And if you’d like I can call in a Greek god of your choosing!

I’m losing my insurance at the end of this month but my top surgery is scheduled for the end of May! Ive been waiting for this surgery for 7 years so I really don’t want to cancel.

If you wanna just donate that’s cool too!

Handles:

C$happ: okaykid4

V**mo: okaykid

Any bit helps!

[echoingalone]

“You worship so many deities how do you keep up with them all?”

Yes, that is kind of the point of polytheism.

Polytheistic worship includes a massive web of Gods who are all connected in some way or another, their domains overlapping as they work together.

You are just one person so you only have so much time and energy, of course you would worship one Deity who is linked heavily to your journey more than others.

You dont have to be every Deity’s devotee, just like you dont have to be everyones best friend. Sometimes you worship for a specific time, purpose or to bond with a loved one who worships that Deity.

Like I said in my previous post, the Gods will not get angry or clingy if you dont pay attention to them, they existed and have been worshipped way before you were born and way after you are dead.

If you devote yourself to a deity, dont be afraid to acknowledge their family, in fact they will encourage it.

[echoingalone]

The original stoners!

[echoingalone]

i think the fastest and most effective prayer to any God in an emergency is just "[insert name], please help me". specifics are good in like, formal situations, but let me tell you: i parked my car in mud which froze overnight (temps in my area dropped from 50 degrees fahrenheit down to about 10 degrees with windchill), and after trying for almost a full hour to get my car unstuck from the mud, i just stared vacantly to the sky and said "Hermes, please help." and wouldn't you know it, about three minutes later my car's wheels somehow managed to gain traction and the frozen mud around them loosened enough to actually allow me to back out.

i have more thoughts on this whole (very good) incident namely involving a tiktok by olympianbutch on invocations (not tagging him because i'm not writing that essay yet), the power of the names of the Gods, and how the Gods are very, very, very good. but it's almost 3am and my brain is potatoes, so we'll post that all some other time :)

for now, i'll give a simple thank You Hermes for getting me unstuck from the mud <3

[echoingalone]

Please reblog for sample size! 🧡

[echoingalone]

*Friendly reminder*

I just wanted to clarify that my blog is NOT a fandom blog. This is a religious blog, this is a space for Hellenic Polytheist, other pagans or similar, witches, and other religious groups . I do not see my gods as fictional characters and I do not want anyone who considers or treats my gods as such here (peace and love)

Thank you ❤️‍🔥

[echoingalone]

Starting on a replacement set of Hermes prayer beads. I've got my tortoise charm, a hare charm, a Route 66 charm, a set of wings, a butterfly, and a dragonfly. I'm using dyed river shell, dyed jade, turquoise, and dyed howlite beads with copper separators.