pc-paganism-and-polytheism

[pc-paganism-and-polytheism]

Young guardian spirit, Hylia

[pc-paganism-and-polytheism]

Generative AI has no right to be in HelPol spaces .ᐟ.ᐟ

I can say honestly that I have used generative AI in the past. I have never used ChatGPT but to say I haven’t at all would be disingenuous.

Me and my partner found a website that generated memes (awfully) and found it funny. This was about early 2024, it was a one time thing, and it hasn’t been touched since. (This Meme Does Not Exist) — I acknowledge that a year ago we probably should’ve known, I’m not sure why we didn’t think about it, we truly didn’t know.

I have also looked at Google’s AI for a quick answer before scrolling down or even closing the tab entirely. I feel so guilty about my contribution, more so that I did that at the same time I started practicing paganism, but I want to say I apologise and will not knowingly use, post, or spread AI going forward. Especially for Google, I will think about looking past the AI overview no matter how “easy” it will be to get an answer. (I mention this later)

Since last year, AI has exploded, with people encouraging it to people giving all they got to remove it. I learned very quickly how harmful AI is not only for the environment but for creators. AI is generative PURELY because it takes from others, it can never make something of its own. Talk of AI is everywhere on the internet by now, there aren’t many excuses to not have at least heard something about its negative impact.

Before I left school, I saw my peers boast openly about how they used ChatGPT and even had a teacher of mine encourage it. I found it shocking. This isn’t a matter of struggling with school work and assignments, this is not being able to think for yourselves. Find your teacher, find a tutor, find a textbook, find online resources. That’s the issue. As said earlier, it’s easy and fast. People want answers? Want something funny? Boom. It’s there. That’s how people get sucked into it.

Back to HelPol spaces

Using AI to write posts about Hellenic Polytheism straight up rips off actual academic authors !! and other Tumblr users. Using AI to generate “art” of the gods takes from actual artists who put work and effort in, unlike you. I’ve seen so many beautiful drawings from those in the HelPol community, some that are heartfelt, amusing, or captured how I see a deity.

AI is empty, void, and cold. It doesn’t and will never have the imperfections or the lines done by the human mind. It doesn’t have the soul and determination to create.

AI takes away the freedom for a creator to post their works. If you practice Hellenic polytheism, do you not think this goes against gods of art? Of music? Of poetry? Any kind of medium. Think of what the gods stand for too: nature, animals, the world.

(I speak to those using AI who are also HelPol, but you absolutely do not need to be religious to want to protect the rights of creators and the Earth)

Please talk about the gods, create for the gods even if it isn’t pro-level art. Please write for the gods even if it’s a small drabble that has spelling mistakes and grammar issues. Do your best. But don’t turn to AI because it’ll be quick, or you’re struggling, or because you think it’ll get you pumping out a lot of posts for likes.

AI doesn’t come from a brain, or a heart, it is a machine that takes and spits out what it learned from human beings. People that put in time to write what they did, time to draw what they did.

Think for yourselves. Don’t let the machine do it for you.

@pixilatedwitchery and @dancing-with-maenads list of HelPol (and general pagan) accounts that use AI — here

[pc-paganism-and-polytheism]

braids the hair of his love

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Slow dancing Wip!

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"your religion is evil!!!!"

they say as im picking flowers for aphrodite and asking her to enchant my favorite locket and perfume, humming and talking about my day.

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Small ways in which you can worship Khaos

(entirely UPG, this is just my personal experience, do not take this as 100% facts)

Not being afraid to start new things

Listening to the birds’ songs

Learning about different species of birds that exist in your area

Watching the clouds

Finding peace and comfort in the dark

Creating visual or written art about them

Rediscovering an old hobby

Engaging in activities you’ve never tried before

Find your own symbols and associations you have with them

Find meaning in randomness

Share food and drinks with them

Learn to cook a new recipe

Discover new places in your home city/country

[pc-paganism-and-polytheism]

Shrine of the Lesser Known - Khaos

Shrine of the Lesser Known is a personal project in which I research various lesser known deities and share my findings with the community. The first deity on my list is Khaos/Chaos.

"Verily at the first Khaos (Chaos, the Chasm) [Air] came to be, but next wide-bosomed Gaia (Gaea, Earth), the ever-sure foundations of all the deathless ones who hold the peaks of snowy Olympos . . . From Khaos (Chaos) came forth Erebos (Darkness) and black Nyx (Night)."

Khaos, also known as Chaos or Aēr, is the first primordial deity in Hellenic believes and the progenitor for all other deities. Before Khaos there was nothing and after Khaos came all the other primordial gods, titans, gods, humans and so on. She is considered the endless void, the abyss, the chasm of air, the lower atmosphere which surrounds the earth - both the invisible air and the gloom of fog and mist. She is also believed to be the goddess of birds and one of the goddesses of fate.

When it comes to the gender of Khaos, the sources have mixed opinions. Overall, she is a sexless deity, referred by both she/her and he/him pronouns in various sources. In more modern media, the pronouns they/them have also been adopted when referring to any representation of Khaos.

Khaos has only two children, Nyx and Erebus. The other primordial gods came after Khaos, but not born from Khaos.

The information on Khaos is few and hard to come by. Since she mostly represented the endless void of nothingness from which everything else was born, the ancient greeks were hesitant to worship her. But in modern times, the general opinion has changed and, although still small, there is a community of Khaos worshippers (using the word "community" loosely since there is nothing formaly organised).

Resources:

[pc-paganism-and-polytheism]

as small of a gripe as it is

witchcraft books stop assuming that the reader is female challenge.

[pc-paganism-and-polytheism]

Finally I can post this!!!

A week or so ago, there was a conversation in the Community of Hyrulean Faiths discord server about Zelda Hymn parodies. (A v chill server. Would 100% recommend for anyone interested in LoZ inspired Faith/Practice)

This set off a week-long brainworm about in-universe LoZ Hymns.

So I now present to you:

My fanmade Hymn For Hylia.

This is half fun hyperfixation project, and half devotional practice on my part.

Give it a listen if you want! (No, I did not sing. You're welcome lmao)

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[pc-paganism-and-polytheism]

Pop Culture Paganism Guide: The Triforce

Series: The Legend of Zelda (by Nintendo)

Other Names: The Golden Power, The Master Force, The Ultimate Power

The Triforce is the ultimate source of power in Hyrule, and a sacred relic left behind by the three golden goddesses - Din, Nayru and Farore - once they finished creating the realm. Din created the Triforce of Power, Nayru the Triforce of Wisdom, and Farore the Triforce of Courage. The goddess Hylia was tasked with guarding both the land of Hyrule and the Triforce. Though, since Hylia’s rebirth as a mortal, the Triforce is in the hands of the Royal Family of Hyrule, the Sheikah and the Sages to protect. The Triforce has ultimate power in Hyrule, capable of granting any wish if one assembles the entire thing, whether that wish is good or bad. It is said that the wish will become true until the user of the Triforce dies. The Triforce pieces typically belong to three respective recurring characters in The Legend of Zelda series: Ganondorf holds the Triforce of Power, Princess Zelda bears the Triforce of Wisdom, and Link wields the Triforce of Courage. 

This is a guide on how to utilize the respective Triforce pieces in your craft and tap into the power of the golden goddesses with your magic.

Triforce of Power

Creator: Din

Placement: Top

Description: This piece grants the wielder true, god-like power, such as unlimited strength and magical ability. 

Favored People/Patronage: Warriors, Soldiers, Rulers, Activists, Leaders

Symbols: Boars and Pigs, Weapons, Crowns, Thrones

Color: Red

Plants: Ginger, Fennel, Oak, Snapdragon, Cress, Gladiolus, Sunflower, Bamboo, Anemone, Amaryllis, Marigold, Calendula, Carnation, Juniper, Nutmeg, Anise

Crystals: Jasper, Carnelian, Sunstone, Garnet, Bloodstone, Citrine, Obsidian, Onyx

Incense: Dragon’s Blood, Bergamot, Cinnamon, Cypress, Pine, Myrrh, Ginger, Mace

Altar Decorations: Zelda merchandise related to Ganondorf, Weapons, Workout Equipment, Things that get you fired up, Salt and ground-up Eggshells, Bricks and brick dust, Protective amulets and symbols, Crowns, Candles and other fire-related things, Mirrors

Evocation: “By Din’s Fire, Nayru’s Love and Farore’s Wind, I call upon the divine power of the Triforce of Power. By Hylia’s grace, may it guide my heart and grant me the power and ability to see this through."

Devotional Acts: Workout to build muscle and become stronger, Attend a protest or fight for something you’re passionate about, Donate to a good cause, Believe in yourself and put your money where your mouth is, Act like you’re the King of the World and unstoppable

Triforce of Wisdom

Creator: Nayru

Placement: Bottom Left

Description: This piece grants its bearer divine wisdom and incredible magical abilities, like healing, telepathic communication and ward off/sense evil and malicious magic. 

Favored People/Patronage: Rulers, Researchers, Archivists, Librarians, Teachers, Educators, Scientists, Magicians, Spiritual Teachers and Mentors

Symbols: Books, Quills and Pens, Eyes, Runes and Sigils, Trees, The Hylian Royal Family Crest, Silent Princess (fictional flower), Dragons (especially the Light Dragon from TOTK)

Color: Blue

Plants: Lotus, Rosemary, Iris, Olive Tree, Bay Laurel, Apple, Sage, Pomegranate, Spruce Tree, Violet, Silent Princess (fictional)

Crystals: Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Pearl, Jade, Amber, Malachite, Moonstone, Agate, Sapphire, Turquoise, Clear Quartz

Incense: Frankincense, Mugwort, Pine, Cedarwood, Sage, Jasmine, Violet, Amber

Altar Decorations: Zelda merchandise related to Princess Zelda, Informative Books, Articles and Research Papers that interest you, Books on magic or self-help,  Silent Princess art or figurines, Tests you’ve gotten good grades on, Lists of random facts you know, Divination and ritual tools, Journals you’ve written in, Your book of shadows (grimoire)

Evocation: “By Din’s Fire, Nayru’s Love and Farore’s Wind, I call upon the divine power of the Triforce of Wisdom. By Hylia’s grace, may it guide my mind and grant me the wisdom and magic to see this through.”

Devotional Acts: Study hard for something that interests you, Always get the other side of the argument, Try seeing things from someone else’s perspective, Learn from your mistakes

Triforce of Courage

Creator: Farore

Placement: Bottom Right

Description: This piece bolsters the bearer’s courage and provides immense strength, as well as the ability to communicate with spirits and other unseen entities. In Twilight Princess, it is the reason Link is transformed into a wolf in the Twilight Realm and not a spirit like others.

Favored People/Patronage: Heroes, Soldiers, Protectors, Farmers, Craftsmen, Martial Artists and Swordfighters, Adventurers, Athletes

Symbols: The Master Sword, Wolves, Thunder and Lightning, Horses, Weapons and Shields

Color: Green

Plants: Oak, Borage, Basil, Cedar, Clove, Yarrow, Garlic, Rue, Cinnamon, Thistle, Bay Laurel, Mushrooms, Raspberry, Angelica

Crystals: Agate, Tiger’s Eye, Emerald, Tourmaline, Turquoise, Bloodstone

Incense: Basil, Bergamot, Dragon’s Blood, Frankincense, Clove, Pine, Musk

Altar Decorations: Zelda merchandise related to Link, Swords and Daggers, Bow and Arrows, Things you’ve found out in nature, Adventuring/Hiking supplies, Snacks and Food, Lists of affirmations that make you feel brave, Comfort items, Trophies you've won

Evocation: “By Din’s Fire, Nayru’s Love and Farore’s Wind, I call upon the divine power of the Triforce of Courage. By Hylia’s grace, may it guide my heart and grant me the courage and strength to see this through.”

Devotional Acts: Take a self defense class, Stand up for others and what you believe in, Speak up for yourself, Do something that scares you, Go on an adventure, Take a walk or hike without a clear destination in mind, Always come prepared

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piece i did for my art class! i really like my design for Hylia! i wanted to mix greek marble statues with a bit of zelda flair :)))

[pc-paganism-and-polytheism]

The cultural myths and legends of Hyrule, as they have developed and evolved over time, reveal deep-seated tensions between patrilineal and matrilineal legacies, reflecting broader struggles over gendered power and influence. These tensions are buried under a carefully constructed façade of consensus and coherence, but cracks in this narrative offer a glimpse into the ideological contestations beneath.

The Divine Progenitors: Hylia vs. Rauru

At the heart of Hyrule’s mythological structure is the question of rightful origin and authority. The goddess Hylia is often presented as the divine matriarch and progenitor of the Hylian people, a being whose sacrifice and transformation into mortal form underpin the foundation of Hyrule’s cosmology. However, her centrality is complicated by the prominence of Rauru, the first king of Hyrule and a Zonai—a divine race associated with otherworldly wisdom and power. While Hylia’s influence is foundational, Rauru’s establishment of the monarchy casts him as the architect of Hyrule’s societal order, potentially overshadowing her.

Rauru’s relationship with Queen Sonia further muddies the waters. Sonia’s pastoral connections and seemingly humble attire evoke a matrilineal legacy rooted in nature, fertility, and cyclical time. In contrast, Rauru’s narrative arc often frames him as an active creator and a bearer of linear progress. This dichotomy between Sonia’s perceived naturalism and Rauru’s rational order reflects a cultural valuation where patriarchal authority elevates the female principle only insofar as it aligns with or serves a male-centric vision of governance.

Zelda and Link: Gendered Dynamics of Wisdom and Courage

The roles of Zelda and Link further exemplify the gendered tensions embedded within Hyrule’s mythology. Zelda, as the bearer of Wisdom, embodies the archetype of the matrilineal custodian of power. Her significance is tied to her bloodline, a connection that reinforces traditional associations between femininity, reproduction, and the cyclical perpetuation of the royal legacy. This alignment of femininity with the natural and material world situates Zelda’s power as inherent but also bounded—she must fulfill a biological destiny to sustain her role.

Link, by contrast, as the bearer of Courage, is often portrayed as transcending natural limitations through a combination of conscious will, discipline, and spiritual resolve. His role requires guidance from Zelda, acknowledging her superior wisdom, yet his independence and individual heroism are framed as markers of a higher, more rational principle. This dichotomy reflects patriarchal valuations of the male principle as elevated and intellectual, while the female principle, though revered, is relegated to a supporting, material role.

Buried Consensus and Narrative Coherence

Over time, these tensions are smoothed over in Hyrule’s official narratives, which weave together elements of both matrilineal and patrilineal traditions into a seemingly unified mythos. The prominence of Hylia is acknowledged, but her role as progenitor gives way to a royal lineage established by Rauru. Similarly, the gendered dynamics between Zelda and Link are presented as complementary rather than hierarchical, though subtle biases persist.

This forced coherence reflects a broader cultural process of mythmaking, where competing legacies are reconciled to present an image of harmony. However, the unresolved discrepancies—such as Sonia’s ambiguous elevation and Link’s dual status as both subordinate and superior to Zelda—reveal the underlying struggle. These myths are not merely stories but ideological battlegrounds, where questions of gender, power, and legitimacy continue to play out.

In this way, Hyrule’s legends serve as a mirror of cultural anxieties, preserving traces of unresolved conflicts while presenting a veneer of stability that upholds the social order.

[pc-paganism-and-polytheism]

I swear every time I pull 'Joy' in my daily oracle card pull, everything goes to shit that day

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EPITHETS FOR KHAOS

Disclaimer: This is not an orthodox list of epithets for Khaos (as far as I know, none exist). This is a list I curated for personal worship; I am simply posting it here for reference. Feel free to use it for your own practice, though!

Aionos (Eternal)

Athanatos (Undying, Deathless)

Arkhaion (Ancient)

Diaktoros (Guide, Messenger)

Eleutherios (Of Liberation, The Liberator)

Empyrios (Empyrean)

Hieros (Holy)

Hypatos (Supreme, Most High)

Khthonios/Khthonia (Of the Earth, Chthonic)

Kydimos (Glorious)

Nyktelios/Nykteria/Nykti (Of the Night)

Ouranos/Ourania (Heavenly)

Pangaios (World-wide)

Panopaia (All-seeing)

Pantheos (All-God, All-Divine)

Patroios (Ancestral)

Pantrophos (All-nurturing, All-sustaining)

Pege Psychon (Source of Souls)

Phosphoros (Light-bringer)

Physis (Nature)

Polymorphos (Of Many Forms)

Polyonymos (Of Many Names)

Polyphorbos (All-Nourishing, Bountiful)

Propylaios/Propylaia (Of the Gateway)

Protogonos (Firstborn)

Skotitas/Skotia (Dark, Murky)

Thesmophoros (Bringer of Law)

Thesmia (Of the Laws)

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Working with Chaos, the Primordial Void

Disclaimer: THIS IS ALL UPG! I am not an authority figure, this is just my personal experience.

It can be really difficult.

Mostly bc there's so little information about them out there. (Theoi is fine enough but it has its shortfalls)

And working with the embodiment of disorder and darkness is... tough sometimes.

But it is so rewarding.

Chaos has helped me accept change in my life, for better or worse. All things must transform and so I must change with it. They have seen me through some of the hardest times in my life, showing me that I can still affect positive change, despite all the negativity happening around me.

I am a person that likes order. I like when things are predictable and go as they have always gone. However, sometimes that order is detrimental. Chaos helped me see that some orders and habits are harmful more than helpful. By abandoning these and embracing the chaos as something new is made, I have made better decisions.

The other deities I honour are wonderful. They all bring something so unique to my life and to my practice. But it is Chaos I honour first in the morning and last at night. It is Chaos I think of first when I feel the wind or sit in the darkness. It is Chaos I call my Patron.

Glory to Chaos, the Void from which All Things were formed.

May we meet again.

[pc-paganism-and-polytheism]

Reading about your Conpantheon that was born from an original story and even using animal symbolism for each elemement that's part of it brought so much relieve and LIGHT to my spirit! I got a very old group of OCs for an even older story that practically are such darlings and mind-companions to this day- I thought to take some of their meaningful decade forged concepts and do a Conpantheon too, still on the fence. But that! Seeing yours is SO INSPIRATIONAL 🌟 I wish the best on your self-discovery journey with yours!

Oh my goodness thank you so much!

I'm glad you found something in my conpantheon. I was very on the fence about posting about it but I'm happy I did.

Wishing you all the best too, whether you make your own conpantheon or not!