loverofdoves

[loverofdoves]

highkey i love it when gods have such stark epithets ie Aphrodite Philomeidēs vs Aphrodite Areia (smile loving vs warlike) apollo paeon vs Apollo Loimios (healer vs plague bringer) Dionysus Maenoles vs Dionysus Patroeus (raging vs parental) SUCH A DIFFERENCE WHAT??

[loverofdoves]

praise Demeter and Hestia this cereal is really fucking good

[loverofdoves]

When you are manic, Dionysos is with you

When you are depressed, Dionysos is with you

When you are delusional, Dionysos is with you

When you are euphoric, Dionysos is with you

When you are splitting, Dionysos is with you

When you are in a rage, Dionysos is with you

When you are struggling with your mental health in any way, Dionysos is right there with you. He will never be angry about your mental illness.

**I know all the gods are with you but as the god of madness, Dionysos feels most fitting.**

[loverofdoves]

Hypnos of the chronically fatigued, unable to walk for long

Hypnos of the chronic pain sufferers, stuck in bed for days

Hypnos of the recovering, having to rest for long periods

Hypnos of the comatose, protecting them in their fragile state

Hypnos of those with endometriosis, unable to get out of bed from the cramping pain

Hypnos of the narcoleptic, unable to control their sleep-wake cycle

Hypnos of the hypersomniacs, unable to stay awake very long

Hypnos of the insomniacs, unable to fall asleep at all

Hypnos of the sleep walkers, keeping them from running into something in their sleep

Hypnos of the sleep paralysis, fighting the visions off when you can’t move

Hypnos of those who faint and black out, making sure they don’t hit the ground too hard

Hypnos of the dizzy and lightheaded, who have to lie down more often

Hypnos of the sick, disabled and chronically tired.

[loverofdoves]

my 13 y/o cat has been succumbing to his diabetes but held on with meds for two months but now he’s no longer eating or drinking willingly so i’ve made the difficult decision to take him to the vet to be put down because at mine they have an entire cozy room and use a sleep aid before the drug so the animal is asleep in your arms already before they officially pass. i would appreciate it if you can keep him in your prayers. i’ve already been praying a lot during this process but it would comfort me knowing y’all are too

[loverofdoves]

Also Happy Pride! Know that Lord Dionysus loves you always!

[loverofdoves]

Aphrodite loves sex workers and victims of sexual assault and intersex people and people who are insecure about their body/self harm and nonwhite people and queer people and fat people btw. pass it on

[loverofdoves]

i saw one for lord ares and lord apollon and i had to make one for lady aphrodite

(edit: i forgot to put her name, sorry)

[loverofdoves]

➶ Prayer to artemis ! ⟡˙⋆ 

artemis, queen of beasts, who runs with the wolves and deer

protectress of her sacred stag and all things wild,

fierce and divine huntress, thank you for your protection.

o excellent torch-bearing goddess, she who lights my path with shafts of gold,

i praise and honor you.

hail artemis <3

[loverofdoves]

absolutely there is literally no doubt in my mind on this

Do y’all think Aphrodite would appreciate a tiny crystal penis…..?

[loverofdoves]

I do need to remind the pagan community, as a native Chinese: the majority (if not all) of the native practitioners of the ancient eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, folk religions, Shinto, shamanism, etc.) do not want to be referred to as pagans.

Many (if not most) Asians find it highly offensive when Asian religions get put under the paganism category.

In many parts of the world, "pagan" is a derogatory description that indicates "abnormal", and the people have never wanted to associate with the term.

Just like "witch", "pagan" is not universally reclaimable, and all of us need to simply accept and respect this.

It doesn't matter what the word "pagan" means from an English dictionary. You can argue about its definition until the cows go home, but the whole world doesn't go by what something means in English and you need to understand this.

[loverofdoves]

"Hermes is the god of thieves so he's fine with art theft!" No.

"Dionysos wouldn't mind it he's chaotic!" No.

"Hephaistos is a machinery god and AI is machinery so it's okay!" No.

"The gods wouldn't even care they just want offerings!" No.

There is not, and never has been, a reason to offer the gods AI art. It requires absolutely no effort or thought on your part as a worshipper, which defeats the purpose of an offering.

Do not support the use of AI art at ALL, much less as something given to Them.

"But it's all I can give!" Water. The Theoi fully accept a glass of water.

Sing.

Do a craft.

Write a letter.

Draw.

Dedicate a task.

Please do not offer those you worship something so lackluster and thoughtless as a computer generated image that destroys our environment and piggybacks off the works of others.

[loverofdoves]

Hephaestus/Vulcan

Small devotional acts.

Support local craftspeople

Burn a candle/heat some oils

Update the settings on your phone

Buy jewelry from metalworkers/smiths

Always offer your seat on the bus to the elderly, physically disabled, parents, or those who look weary

Learn more about fixing your car

Go to science fairs

Create more things. Jewelry-making, knitting, painting, etc.

Buy more steampunk style things

Learn about invisible illnesses and check yourself when you think someone isn’t “disabled enough” to use certain accommodations

Learn about ableism and disability rights movements (both past and present). What do you still need to work on? How can you show your support?

Play around with origami

Before buying a replacement, see if you can fix it yourself (it’s okay to use google)

Learn about volcanoes

Support and encourage kids who are passionate about creating things

Keep a jump-kit in your car in case someone needs it

Stand by those who don’t identify with their originally assigned gender (transgender, nonbinary, genderfluid, genderqueer, etc.)

Hold the door for people

Take some time to do the gritty, necessary acts of self care

Carry a pocketknife or multitool with you

Whenever you judge someone solely based on their looks, take a moment to retrain your thoughts. Having those assumptions will not aid you

If you’re thinking about adopting an animal, get one that may be unwanted by others (only three legs, missing an eye, etc.)

Volunteer at a soup kitchen

Learn the basics of ASL (or whatever form of Sign Language is used in your area)

Donate to places that ensure everyone gets basic healthcare

Buy from small artists

Get more takeout, and spend evenings by yourself

Give bigger tips to the underappreciated and often forgotten workers

Create things using clay

Watch shows like MacGyver to inspire your craftiness to flow free

Learn Morse code

Remember to take your meds

PRACTICE LOVING YOURSELF

Many, many, many other things not said here

[loverofdoves]

A small prayer to Lord Asclepius! I made it before a medical visit, but I feel like it could work for other things.

Oh great Asclepius, lord of healing and lover of people, I pray to you for good luck with my medical journey. If I have ever pleased you before, child of shining Apollo, I ask for you to let this go over well, and I thank you for your time. Oh wonderful physician, I praise you.

[loverofdoves]

— Zeus is the one who lifts me up in difficult times and encourages me to be strong as a thunder.

[loverofdoves]

Dionysos Androgynos, effeminate god, bringer of liberation. Teacher of the free ways. Dionysos Kissokomes, Lord who bears ivy, giver of ecstatic intoxication. Scarlet-painted lips, lips placed upon His lover, Ariadne. Cheeks are flushed, akin to crushed grapes, full with delight and raw passion. She feels the burn the comes up from His throat, fruitful and lustful. Look upon His tall Thyros He carries, His Kantharos that forever holds sweet wine. Loud and boisterous Dionysos, unapologetic and emancipated. Deliverer of carefree frenzy.

Possessor of the arts; the scribbles on crinkled paper, the hand-written notes on sheet music, the ache in the bottom of your feet, the strain in your throat from singing. Dionysos Melopmenos, found in every actor from the lively stage to the lonely nights of rehearsal.

• @bacchic-loki

Hail Lord Dionysos ˖ ݁𖥔 ݁˖

[loverofdoves]

psephoi: greek divination tiles

a while ago i made this post about astragalomancy, a form of divination using four-sided knucklebones. in that i mentioned another post that my friend fritz had made about psephoi. since then, fritz has deleted his tumblr blog so i decided to repost these tiles he made (with his permission) and their interpretations!

BACKGROUND:

psephoi is a method of using 24 tiles each inscribed with a greek letter (much like norse runes and celtic ogham) and chosen randomly. it wasn't just used for divination, of course, as with astragaloi (which were used as dice), but in this case we will only be considering the divinatory method.

THE TILES:

psephoi tiles can be a number of things: pieces of ceramic, wood, or pieces of paper. you can put them in a cup or bag or whatever and draw blindly, or you can swirl them around in the vessel until one/some fall out.

if you don't feel like making your own or want something quick and easy, check out these tiles fritz drew up!

you could cut them out and just use them as is, or paste them onto pieces of wood/stone/whatever you like!

(btw fritz says y'all can feel free to screenshot and print these out to use)

whether or not you make your own tiles, below is a list of the interpretations for your divinatory usage!

INTERPRETATIONS:

Alpha: “The God [Apollo] says you will do everything successfully.” Your entire project will turn out well and you will meet all your goals. You will have good luck in all your activities, or prosperous business transactions and negotiations.

Beta: “With the help of Tychê, you will have an assistant, the Pythian [Apollo].” You are at a critical point, but if you are fortunate, Apollo the Far-shooter will help you if you call on Him. Even with luck, the God will only assist; ultimate responsibility is yours. “Pythian” refers to Apollo as the God at Delphi (which was in Pytho), one of the most important oracular sites. Therefore the help to be expected might be of a prophetic nature.

Gamma: “Gaia will give you the ripe fruit of your labors.” You will have a successful harvest, or you will reap all your profits from the Earth. The Mother of All will bring your labors to a fruitful conclusion. Gaia will give you your just deserts.

Delta: “In customs inopportune strength is weak.” Ill-timed force will be ineffective; act with precision; timing is everything. Knowing where and when to strike is more important than strength; misapplied ability is disability. Blind conformity to customs is spineless; overly strict adherence to rules is self-defeating. Unreasonable or undue force will defeat itself; a tyrant must fall.

Epsilon: “You desire to see the offspring of righteous marriages.” This is a statement of fact, not a command or prediction. The obvious meaning is that the querant wants children or grandchildren from suitable marriages. However, it can also mean he or she is in love with seeing this, that is, obsessed by the idea. The “rightness” of the marriage admits many interpretations; it could be a terrible marriage if that was fitting and righteous (i.e. deserved). The oracle may also refer to seeds, other than children, sown by the marriage (e.g. family alliances, marrying into wealth or influence). Finally, marriage may be taken metaphorically to refer to any alliance or union.

Zeta: “Flee the very great storm, lest you be disabled in some way.” Don’t make a sea-voyage in bad weather. It is futile to fight the force of the ocean; likewise, bucking the inevitable will weaken you and hinder your progress. Avoid raging storms of any kind; save your energy for when it can be effective. Sometimes flight is wiser than fight.

Eta: “Bright Helios, who watches everything, watches you.” The life-giving Sun will care for you. Helios is an enforcer of oaths and promises, and He knows the deceit in your heart.

Theta: “You have the helping Gods of this path.” The “way” may be a concrete road, a plan of action, a spiritual path, a way of life, etc. In any case, the Gods who oversee this way will help and defend you, so you may go forward with confidence; you are under divine care because you are following your destiny.

Iota: “There is sweat; it excels more than everything.” There will always be hard work; work is never done. Hard work is the surest means of success. When you have lost all other possessions, you still have your labor as an asset. The oracle recommends elbow-grease.

Kappa: “To fight with the waves is difficult; endure, friend.” In time, the force of ocean waves can grind down anything; they can be a metaphor for repetitive, unstoppable processes. It is difficult, dangerous, and painful to try to resist them; the sensible thing to do is to wait until they abate, or if that is impossible, then to endure the inevitable with courage.

Lambda: “The one passing on the left bodes well for everything.” Since the left is traditionally the sinister side, the oracle may mean that an apparently sinister thing or event may be a blessing in disguise. The left is also associated with the unconscious, lunar mind, and so unconscious processes or intuition may signal a favorable outcome. A promising sign comes from an unpromising quarter.

Mu: “It is necessary to labor, but the change will be admirable.” Through toil and distress a change will be made for the better. Hard work will result in a good return.

Nu: “The strife-bearing gift fulfils the oracle.” Something will be given (to you, by you, or from one to another) that brings strife with it; this will discharge the force of the oracle. The import seems to be that this gift will be the answer to the question asked of the oracle. So, for example, if the querant asked when something will happen, the gift is the sign that it’s immanent.

Xi: “There is no fruit to take from a withered shoot.” There is no good to be gained from an angry young man or woman. The frayed end of a good line. Harshness and stinginess will achieve nothing. You can’t get blood from a turnip; you can’t get water from a stone. Don’t polish a turd.

Omicron: “There are no crops to be reaped that were not sown.” What we spread about, comes back to us. What goes around comes around. You must plan ahead in order to achieve anything.

Pi: “Completing many contests, you will seize the crown.” If you persist in your struggles, after many trials you will succeed. Perseverance through adversity.

Rho: “You will go on more easily if you wait a short time.” If you will hold your ground for only a short time, you will be able to proceed (more easily or with greater cooperation). You will go faster by waiting than by going now; on the other hand, delaying too long may provoke reckless action. By standing fast you live recklessly. By remaining where you are, you live life thoughtlessly.

Sigma: “Phoibos [Apollo] speaks plainly, ‘Stay, friend.’” Neither advance nor retreat; wait or hold your ground, as appropriate; the best action is inaction. “Phoibos” refers to Apollo as Bright and Pure, which also characterizes His advice in this oracle.

Tau: “You will have a parting from the companions now around you.” This may be an unwelcome parting from friends or a welcome release from enemies; in either case they are now around you. This may also mean a growing apart or forced separation of a person from his or her family, peers or fellow travelers on the path.

Upsilon: “The affair holds a noble undertaking.” There is some issue to be resolved, or some deed is under consideration; it involves high-mindedness, either in commitment, deed, or professional pursuit. The oracle may tell us that the affair is admirable due to this noble element, or that the situation may guide us to seek the appropriate noble undertaking or profession. The hero’s quest. On the other hand, the oracle may mean that the situation hinders this fine undertaking. Thus you should try to understand the situation: does it demand an excellent undertaking or impede it.

Phi: “Having done something carelessly, you will thereafter blame the Gods.” Take responsibility for your actions (or inactions); don't blame the Gods (or the universe, or fate, or society, or nature) for your own failings. The ancient Greeks said, “Hermes will help you get your wagon unstuck, but only if you push on it.”

Khi: “Succeeding, friend, you will fulfill a golden oracle.” “Golden” may be a metaphor for rich, noble, excellent, etc. This admirable oracle will be fulfilled by you attaining your ends, or a mere chance meeting could constitute the golden event.

Psi: “You have this righteous judgment {Psêphos} from the Gods.” Literally, a psêphos is a stone used for divination, voting, counting, and similar purposes, so this oracle refers to collective judgment rather than individual judgment. This implies that the majority of the Gods concur in this judgment, and that this judgment is appropriate, fair, and righteous, though there is no implication that the result is that desired by the querant.

Omega: “You will have a difficult harvest season, not a useful one.” Concretely, there will be a poor harvest, or autumn will be difficult; the harvest will be too early, before the fruit is ripe. More abstractly, too early grasping of the fruits of your labor (whether voluntary or necessary) will yield a poor return; the rewards will not be suitable for their purpose. Your youth will be rough; you will have to grow up before your time.

SOURCES:

patheos.com

for the interpretations