minoanmagissa

[minoanmagissa]

Can you please do Alectrona Upg ?🥺

I don't know enough or feel connected enough to Alectrona (or Electryone) for UPG, but maybe I'll write a poem inspired by her at some point - especially because I'm particularly fond of solar poetry. ☀️ For those who don't know: "Ἠλεκτρυώνην (Electryone) is the goddess of sunrise and people's "waking sense" and a daughter of Helios and Rhodos.

[minoanmagissa]

heyyy, I would like to know other ways to purify myself before worshiping the gods other than khernips. I don't feel that khernips is for me for a number of reasons, so it would help me to know other forms of cleansing

It's been a while since you asked this, so I'm sorry for the delay (literally just saw it now). Anyway, I totally understand! I personally use saltwater (either water from the sea or water mixed with sea salt) to clean my hands. Some simply wash their hands normally. You can even use incense to cleanse! I can't speak for everyone, but it's simply important to purify yourself in some way.

[minoanmagissa]

Partheneia: Greek Myths Reclaimed (Kickstarter Campaign!)🏺

Partheneia is "a shamelessly revisionist collection of Greek myths with an equally shameless feminist agenda" by Greek-American author Kassandra Flamouri. Please consider joining me in supporting this very important endeavor ❤️‍. Whether you pledge or spread the word, it's greatly appreciated. :)

[minoanmagissa]

Minoan Blog + Discord Server!

As some of you may have noticed, I haven't been active on Tumblr (or IG, for that matter) in a long while. That's because my primary focus has been my main blog/website, Minoan Magissa, which you can check out (and potentially follow) here:

Many of you who followed this Tumblr (formerly Greco Witch) did so due to my mostly Hellenic Polytheism content, but I've been particularly drawn to the ancient civilization that greatly influenced the Mycenaean Greeks and beyond. Also, I'm Cretan Greek, so I figured what better way to honor my ancestors and connect with the magic of Crete than to devote an entire blog to it. However, I still consider myself to be both a Minoan AND Hellenic mystic to my core. Anyway, about the Discord server I recently created (Minoan Palace)... If you're interested in discussing/finding out more about Minoan civilization (not just the mystical aspects, but the art, food, way of life, archaeological findings, resources, etc.), then click here to request to join! There's also a discussion section for Hellenic Polytheism and Ancient Greece.

[minoanmagissa]

Summer Solstice Deities and Festivities

Summer Solstice/Καλοκαίρι/Θέρος/ Litha Blessings to my Northern Hemisphere friends! 🌞

Today also happens to be Arrephoria (Ἀρρηφόρια), a festival in honour of Athena. More on that later in the post!

Some info about the summer-related deities in the graphic:

☀️Auxo (Αὔξω) is one of the Horae (Ὧραι), and the goddess and personification of summer. She is also a protectoress of vegetation, growth, and fertility.

☀️Theros (Θέρος) is another personification of summer and is usually depicted as a winged boy holding an ear of grain in one hand and a sickle in the other. Theros is the word for summer in Ancient Greek.

☀️Athena (Ἀθηνᾶ) is the Olympian goddess of wisdom and warfare. Her main festival is the Panathenaia, which was celebrated during Hekatombaion in midsummer. The solstice also starts off with Arrephoria. Sinoika is yet another celebration during the summertime that honours her.

☀️Apollo (Ἀπόλλων) is the Olympian god of sunlight, healing, music, and poetry.

☀️Helios ( Ἥλιος) is the Titan god and personification of the sun. He is also the god of eyesight and oaths.

What I Did Today

I decorated my altar for the solstice and featured summer deities on the center of it.

I ate a (mostly) Mediterranean meal outside in the sunshine: kalamata olive spread, anaheim peppers, & extra virgin olive oil on gluten-free toast, gigantes beans with feta, and Persian cucumbers sprinkled with Greek oregano and paprika. 😋

I also did a lot of research to put together this post. That honestly took up most of my day. 😆

And now onward to Arrephoria!

Arrephoria (Ἀρρηφόρια) stems from the words "ἀρρητον" (mystery) and "φέρω" (I carry/bring). It is a midsummer fertility festival that honours Athena and takes place on the first day of the Estival Solstice.

In Ancient Athens, two young girls from aristocratic families were elected to reside as arrephoroi (άρρήφοροι: virgin acolytes of Athena Polias) at the Arrephorion on the Acropolis for a year at a time. Their main responsibilities included maintaining Athena's sacred olive tree and with the aid of other women, weaving Athena's new peplos.

On the evening of Arrephoria, the girls donned in white clothing placed what Athena's priestess gave them (a mystery item in closed chests) atop their heads. Then, they both carried the chests down (without looking at the items) to the temenos (τέμενος: holy grove) of Aphrodite via a concealed stairway inside the north wall and proceeded to carry something else (possibly dew from the spring) back up to the Acropolis.

With Hekatombaion (the 1st is the Athenian New Year) around the corner, Arrephoria also served as a "tying up" of the old year, ensuring nothing was carried over into the new one.

What you can do for Arrephoria:

📑finish any unfinished projects

👕declutter (i.e. donate clothing you no longer need)

🧹if you didn't clean your altar(s) for Kallynteria, now is the time to do it

💧pour a libation of dew or water for Athena

🍱have a hearty feast and offer some to Athena

*Kallynteria and Plynteria were two rituals that prepared for Arrhephoria.

The myth the ritual itself is based on:

Kekrops (Κέκροψ), the first mythical king of Athens, had three daughters named Aglauros (Ἄγλαυρος), Erse (Ἕρση), and Pandrosos (Πάνδροσος) - each name referring to dew. One night, Athena gave them a closed basket. While she forbade them to open it, Aglauros' and Herse's curiosity got the better of them, so they took a peek, only to see a baby (Ericthonios, Hephaestus' mysterious son).

Seeing as they broke her trust, Athena punished them by making snakes appear out of the basket, merely to scare them. Startled, the two girls jumped off the Acropolis and met their untimely demise.

Pandrosos didn't partake and was spared. Eventually, a shrine was errected in her name (located next to the sacred olive tree). Therefore, on Arrephoria, Pandrosos (in addition to Athena) were commemorated, and the two arrephoroi fulfilled the unfinished duty of the other two.

Sources: "Girls and Women in Classical Greek Religion" by Matthew Dillon, Hellenion.com: Arrephoria, Archaeology.org: Acropolis Arrephorion Restoration

[minoanmagissa]

Kallynteria & Plynteria

Athena Polias' Festival of Cleansing

25 Thargelion (Θαργηλιών) was Kallynteria (Καλυντήρια) followed by Plynteria (Πλυντήρια) on 26 Thargelion (or the 19th/20th or 21st/22nd - there's no real concensus). Ultimately, this festival can be celebrated anytime throughout late June. The Modern Greek translations are a bit different but imply cleaning and adornment: "washing machines" and "cosmetics," respectfully.

Stemming from the words "to make good/pure" (kallyn) and "to wash" (plyn), these two days are a festival of catharsis ("sweeping out," if you will) for Athena Polias (Αθηνά Πολίας - The Protectress of The City). On Kallynteria, women thoroughly cleaned Athena Polias' temple in Athens, and her eternal flame was relit by her priestesses. On Plynteria, her statue's garments (peplos & jewelry) were removed and ritually cleansed with water from the sea. During that time, she was concealed out of respect.

The city was also deemed unprotected by its patroness and thus prone to bad luck until the cleaning was complete. To avoid any mishaps, Athenian businesses and other sanctuaries were closed on both days.

Coincidentally, Tuesday the 13th (not Friday) is considered an unlucky day to the Modern Greeks. This superstition started because The Sack of Constantinople took place on Tuesday, April 13th, 1204 (marking the culmination of the Fourth Crusade). I just find it interesting timing that Tuesday the 13th was right before the two days that were considered unlucky to the Ancient Greeks...

Ways to Honour Athena Polias:

clean your altar & sweep the surrounding area

light a candle as a symbol of relighting the eternal flame

clean Athena's statue (if you have one - do a visualization if not)

*No altar or statue? Consider these two days a time of pre-Solstice or late-Spring cleaning.

*I suggest washing your hands with saltwater before proceeding with the rituals.

Offerings

(after everything is cleaned)

figs

fig cookies/pastries

jewelry

an ornate cloth

Source: Hellenion.org

[minoanmagissa]

Ways to Honour the Minoan Snake Goddess

𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙

[minoanmagissa]

The Minoan Butterfly Goddess

This is my artistic interpretation of The Minoan Butterfly Goddess (butterfly as in butterfly axe) based off of frescos I saw when I visited the Palace of Knossos. The double-axe in her hand is her main symbol whereas the butterflies are my own creative addition. Butterflies and the color blue tend to signify peace, which reflects the peaceful (but not solely peaceful) nature of Minoan civilization.

Other names: The Labrys Goddess, The Double-Axe Goddess

Labrys: the Lydian word for "double-bitted axe". Greek: πέλεκυς (pélekus).

A small golden double-head Minoan axe. Votive jewel. Found in Archalokori cave, 1700-1450 BCE

Symbolism: matriarchal society, mater-arche (the beginning of creation), feminism, transformation.

*In Ancient Crete, the butterfly axe solely accompanies goddesses, not gods. 🪓🪓

🔹️🔸️🔹️🔸️🔹️🔸️🔹️🔸️🔹️🔸️🔹️

Two of the frescos that inspired me:

"Ladies in Blue", 1525-1450 BCE

"Minoan Maiden with Prayer Beads", 2700-1450 BCE

[minoanmagissa]

ARTEMIS (ΆΡΤΕΜΙΣ) Part 1 《Ways to Honour Greek Gods》 series

[minoanmagissa]

Ariadne

Formidable Women in Greek Mythology

ARIADNE is the Goddess of Mazes, a Weaver Goddess, and the Princess of Crete. She is also a Minoan Fertility Goddess.

🧶🐈‍⬛️🧵🐍

Ariadne also went against her father's (King Minos) wishes and did what she wanted, which was leave Crete with Theseus in the name of love, not the shackles of duty she was bound by. She couldn't sit back and watch yet another person be killed in the labyrinth by the Minotaur.

In one version of the myth, Theseus abandons her on an island. But eventually, she becomes the immortal wife of Dionysos.

All the variations seem to focus on Ariadne in relation to men. But she did far more than "play a small role" in saving a man. Through the plan she devised, a violent monster was slain, human lives were spared, and she broke free from her father's control.

My response when someone asks me to help dismantle the patriarchy (even though I'll be minimized, patronized, silenced, and retraumatized time and time again):

[minoanmagissa]

Hellenic Polytheism & Minoan Paganism Masterpost

All the links to my Hellenic Polytheism and Minoan Paganism posts in one place for your convenience. :)

🔸️🔺️🔸️🔻🔸️🔺️🔸️🔻🔸️🔺️🔸️

Greek God Traits

Aphrodite

Apollo

Athena

Hermes

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Hellenic Polytheism Follow Circle

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🔸️🔺️🔸️🔻🔸️🔺️🔸️🔻🔸️🔺️🔸️

Holidays of Ancient Greece

Agathos Daimon

Arrephoria

Hekate's Deipnon

Kallynteria & Plynteria

Noumenia

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Love Stories in Greek Mythology

Apollo & Hyacinthus

Helios & Rhodos

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Minoan Religion

Minoan Butterfly Goddess

Ways to Honour the Minoan Snake Goddess (Atana)

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Ways to Honour the Theoi

Aphrodite |1|2|

Artemis |1|

Athena |1|

Erato |1|

Hermes |1|2|

Khione |1|

Persephone |1|

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Women in Greek or Minoan Mythology

Ariadne

Circe

Persephone

Pythia

🔸️🔺️🔸️🔻🔸️🔺️🔸️🔻🔸️🔺️🔸️

All Other Posts

Athena Devotee Stuff

Impromptu Rituals & Dressing Up for Worship

LGBTQIA+ Deities, Heroes, and More in Greek Mythology

The Sacred Fruit of Hermes: Koumara, Not Strawberries

Types of Love According to The Ancient Greeks

Summer Solstice Deities & Festivities

[minoanmagissa]

Circe

Formidable Women in Grεεk Mythology

In light of recent events in the DSA (Divided States of America), I decided to create a new post series: #FormidableWomenInGreekMythology. It's not just recent, though. The country itself has stemmed from trauma and oppression, especially of Indigenous, Black, Brown, and Asian people. Overturning Roe v. Wade wasn't "just the beginning" and it's not "just an attack on women". Oppression and dehumanization has been around since its beginnings. The patriarchy is harmful for men, women, and nonbinary folks alike.

First up is Circe (Κίρκη), a witch and the goddess of magick ✨️. Between her inherent knowledge of sorcery and ability to turn enemies into swine, I'd have to say she serves as the perfect symbol for dismantling the patriarchy.

P.S. I worked really hard on this post, but minutes after I posted it to Instagram, it got flagged and taken down from all hashtags. That being said, I'd appreciate it so much if you reblogged this 🥺. Thank you. 💕

#ICantBeSilenced

[minoanmagissa]

🧿Hεllεnic Polythεism Follow Circle🧿

The Hellenic Polytheism Follow Circle is primarly for hellenic polytheists and pagans to connect with others who are on a similar path.

You're also welcome to join if you're inspired by the Greek pantheon and incorporate it into your spiritual practice in some way.

🏺🏛️🏺🏛️🏺🏛️🏺🏛️🏺

All you need to do to participate is...

🔹️Post something about yourself in a comment or reblog (i.e. why you decided to be a Hellenic polytheist, your patron deities, your favorite Delphic Maxim, etc.)

🔹️Follow all the people in the comments/reblogs (as long as you resonate with their page) and follow me if you aren't already.

💙This post is also on my Instagram (@minoan_magissa), so feel free to participate there as well!

🧿Please DON'T follow to unfollow. This Hellenic Polytheism Follow Circle is about making genuine connections. If you catch someone following/unfollowing, please let me know.🧿

Have fun, everyone! May the blessings of the Theoi be with you.

🤗💙🤍💙

Love,

Ravyn (Rei)

[minoanmagissa]

LGBTQIA+ Deities, Heroes, and More in Greek Mythology

With Pride Month coming to a close, I felt like this post was fitting. Some more LGBTQIA+ folks:

❤Achilles

🧡Teiresias

💛Callisto

💚Hermaphroditus

💙Poseidon

💜Heracles

❤Hyacinthus

🧡Pan

💛Zeus

💚Aphrodite

[minoanmagissa]

9 Ways to Honour Erato, The Muse of Love & Lyrical Poetry

-–-–-–✒️-–-–-💗-–-–-💌-–-–-–

[minoanmagissa]

Types of Love According to The Ancient Greeks

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Happy Love Day to those who celebrate! 🥰❤

[minoanmagissa]

Ways to Honour Khione, Goddess of Snow ❄

What would you like to add to the list? 🌬💙