religious-access

[religious-access]

Fellow pagans. Remember that the pagan experience is not purely an ex Christian experience. That experience is worth talking about, but please don't talk about the pagan experience as if leaving Christianity is universal to being neopagan.

Ex atheist pagans deserve to have their experiences acknowledged by the community.

Ex Muslim pagans deserve to have their experiences acknowledged by the community.

Non practicing Jewish pagans deserve to have their experiences acknowledged by the community.

Pagans who have been pagan for most or all of their life deserve to have their experiences acknowledged by the community.

[religious-access]

[PT: "“Don’t fear the Gods. Don’t worry about death. What’s good is easy to get. What’s bad is easy to endure.” - Epicurus a Greek Philosopher" in biggest text /end PT]

“Don’t fear the Gods. Don’t worry about death. What’s good is easy to get. What’s bad is easy to endure.” - Epicurus a Greek Philosopher

[religious-access]

[PT: "🍂 Seasonal Reminder for Witches and Pagans 🍂" in orange text /end PT]

🍂 Seasonal Reminder for Witches and Pagans 🍂

Many animals are currently migrating in many areas around the world because it’s autumn. With the changing temperatures and weather, many may be searching for warmer or even colder climates. If you’re seeing groups or just many of them, it’s more likely that they’re migrating and that it’s not necessarily a sign. I’m seeing a lot of witches and pagans on here thinking they’re getting a grand sign by seeing flocks of birds, deer, butterflies, etc. In other words, nature just being nature. That’s not to say that it’s not possible that some of these occurrences may be signs- this is just a reminder that not every occurrence is a sign. It’s important to consider mundane explanations as well as spiritual explanations. Mental health can be more vulnerable in the colder months, so it’s important to remember things like this to prevent issues like spiritual psychosis. I say this not to put down anyone’s practices or beliefs, but as a way of looking out for each other 🫶

[religious-access]

[PT: "Being mentally ill doesn’t make you a bad worshipper." in biggest text /end PT]

As may is mental health awareness month, I just wanted to say:

Being mentally ill doesn’t make you a bad worshipper.

Breaks are ok. Taking a step back is ok. Having a hard time giving offerings is ok. Not being able to pray every day is ok. You are ok as you are, and the gods will understand <3

[religious-access]

[PT: "Little Ways to Worship Lord Hermes" in biggest text. /end PT]

Little Ways to Worship Lord Hermes

Hang out with friends

Text someone

Save your money

Spend your money (responsibly)

Eat some chocolate (upg)

Buy a lottery ticket (responsibly)

Pray to him

Say a silent hi to cows you pass by

Say a silent hi to sheep you pass by

Say a silent prayer/take a quick moment of silence for animals killed on the road

Get devotional jewelry

Go on a drive

Thank him for the journey of life

Collect coins

Light a candle for him

Come up with your own correspondences for him

Hydrate

Move around, even if it's just a little

Play video games

Make your phone lock screen and/or home screen a picture of him

[religious-access]

Finally had the spoons to make Vanth a shrine space! I'm out of shelves or surface spaces, so I made this little wooden shadow-box type shrine.

The crystals are smoky quartz and carnelian. No reason except that they felt right.

[religious-access]

[PT: "small worship acts." in italics /end PT]

small worship acts.

drink water for Nethuns.

call your parents or guardians for Uni.

spread joy for Voltumna.

work out for Hercle.

tell yourself you’re amazing for Turan.

read for Menrva.

[religious-access]

[PT: Turms /end PT]

Turms

This one's more of a reflection than anything. So, Turms! He's not one I've worshipped too much - but he's intrigued me since I heard about him! I honestly would love to get further into worshipping. Fun fact, his name is solely Etruscan origin, unlike Hercle or Apulu!

[religious-access]

[PT: Tiur /end PT]

Tiur

Lord of the Moon, how brightly you shine! Great moon in the sky, guide me along my path. You, great ais, light us along the nighttime pathways, giving way to your fellow Usil. Śin Tiur, ais of the moon!

[religious-access]

[PT: A Prayer to Turms /end PT]

A Prayer to Turms

Turms, ais of communication, I praise you for what you give the world. The commerce, the travel, all of the wonderful languages. I ask you to guide me in my interactions, so that I may be true to my values and to my heart, taking care of my fellow human. I praise you, Turms. Śin Turms.

[religious-access]

[PT: "A Prayer for Sunday" in biggest text /end PT]

A Prayer for Sunday

Praise to Usil, he who guides the sun. May you light the grain of the fields on Veia's green earth. May you warm those who celebrate in Voltumna's light. May you be followed by lovely Tiur. Śin Usil, great ais of the sun.

[religious-access]

[PT: "Dua Bast, thank you for listening to my prayers, my thoughts, my feelings. I can feel the warmth of your smile. You are so beautiful. Lady of Life's Pleasures, Protector, Eye of Ra, Lady of the Sistrum, I praise you." with Dua Bast in orange. /end PT]

Dua Bast, thank you for listening to my prayers, my thoughts, my feelings. I can feel the warmth of your smile. You are so beautiful. Lady of Life's Pleasures, Protector, Eye of Ra, Lady of the Sistrum, I praise you.

[religious-access]

[PT: "Prayer to Sekhmet" in big text. "Sakhmet, Lady of Red, Lady of Terror. Massacre my enemies like you have done with the Pharaoh many times before. Execrate them as you have done with Apophis, Eye of Re, Lady of Massacre. Patroness of the armies, O’ Great One, let Geb consume them and suffocate them in his embrace" in normal text. "-Raet / Akhret" in italics. /end PT]

Prayer to Sekhmet

Sakhmet, Lady of Red, Lady of Terror. Massacre my enemies like you have done with the Pharaoh many times before. Execrate them as you have done with Apophis, Eye of Re, Lady of Massacre. Patroness of the armies, O’ Great One, let Geb consume them and suffocate them in his embrace

-Raet / Akhret

[religious-access]

[PT: "Dua Bast!" in orange and italicized text. "Beautiful cat-goddess, Lady of Life's Pleasures! Protector of the Home and her People, She of the Ointment Jar and Pleasant Perfumes, Fierce Guardian of Ra, Eye of Ra, Daughter of the Sun! May you be with me in comfort and protection." in italicized text. /end PT]

Dua Bast!

Beautiful cat-goddess, Lady of Life's Pleasures!

Protector of the Home and her People,

She of the Ointment Jar and Pleasant Perfumes,

Fierce Guardian of Ra, Eye of Ra, Daughter of the Sun!

May you be with me in comfort and protection.

[religious-access]

[PT: "Low Energy Devotional Activities and Ways to Connect with the Gods" in biggest text /end PT]

Low Energy Devotional Activities and Ways to Connect with the Gods

Let's be honest, religion and consistent practice can be HARD, especially when you're chronically ill, disabled, mentally ill or neurodivergent. This is a list of lower energy practices you can do to connect with your Gods when you're having a rough day.

Pray. You don't have to say the prayer. You don't have to do the full cleansing and offering. Just think about the prayer. It could be as simple as "'Deity Name', thank you. I'm thinking of you and appreciate you."

Dedicate any self care you do to the Gods. You've got to take meds? awesome. it's now a devotional activity.

If you can, light a tea light candle. You can think about who you're dedicating it to as you're lighting it.

Tell them about your day. Have a simple conversation with them (again, this can be in your head if needed).

Offer some water! Water is a great offering if you don’t have the energy to cook, collect or buy something.

Incense is also a great offering because you can light it then forget about it and your house won’t burn down (if you follow regular safety measures). 

Resting. Your deities want you to be okay. Dedicating your rest to your deities is especially great if you feel guilty for allowing yourself time to heal.

Turn on a video of someone reading mythos! 

Put on a deity playlist. There are plenty of pre-made ones on Spotify. 

Veil or bind your hair! Whenever I’m low energy I’ll throw my hair in a ponytail and bind it that way. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. 

Make a Pinterest board for them!

Post on a digital altar! There are plenty of discord servers that have digital altars and temples. You could also make a devotional Tumblr blog. 

Change your phone lock/home screen to something that reminds you of your Deity.

I hope this is helpful to anyone who needs it! Take care of yourself first and foremost. If you don't think you can manage something on this list then thats perfectly fine too! you're not a bad person for not being able to do something spiritual or religious. Ultimately, these things are not a necessity. Don't stress :)

[religious-access]

[PT: "Arabian Paganism: Goddess Al-'Uzzā" in biggest text. /end PT]

[IMAGE ID: A temple relief at nearby Khirbet et-Tannur of Al-'Uzzā. /end ID]

[PT: Al-‘Uzzā(bolded text) (Arabic: العزى) is the Meccan goddess of power, might and the planet Venus as the Evening Star who was worshiped by the Arabian tribes of Banu Quraysh; Banu Sulaym; Banu Ghanim; Banu Ghatafan; Banu Khuza’a; Banu Thaqif, and Banu Kinãnah. The main idol of al-'Uzza, which the goddess herself was believed to often manifest in, was a cluster of three acacia trees that were situated in the valley of Nakhla near the town of Mecca. Al-'Uzza had a second temple (bayt(italics)) in Mecca called Buss which was made of brick, and was situated not far from her shrine at Nakhla. Inside the Buss temple was another important idol of al-'Uzza: a thigh bone shaped slab of granite which was venerated and offered sacrifice to by the pre-Islamic Arab tribes of the Hijaz, as they believed that the goddess herself spoke through the idol and would grant an oracle to the worshiper.

The Arabian tribes living around Mecca regularly sought the blessing and protection of al-'Uzza by offering sacrifices of animals and rarely human slaves or prisoners of war at an altar (‘Itr, madhbah(italics)) called al-Ghabghab which was located near the temple of Buss. The powerful Meccan tribe of Banu Quraysh would call upon al-'Uzza as a war goddess before going into battle and their women would perform music and sing chants exalting al-'Uzza; such as they did against the early Muslims in the Battle of Uhud. The last custodian (sadin(italics)) of al-'Uzza’s shrine was a man named Dubayyah ibn Haram as-Sulami, who had a reputation of being exceptionally generous, kind and hospitable until he was slain by Khalid ibn al-Walid, an early convert to Islam; who had also cut down the sacred trees of the goddess and destroyed her shrine upon the orders of Muhammad: this was done in order to effectively put an end to the cult of al-'Uzza among the Arabs of the Hijaz.

In the south of Arabia, the kingdoms of Himyar and Yemen knew al-'Uzza as Uzzayan(italics) who was a goddess of healing; wealthy Himyarites would offer small golden images to Uzzayan on behalf of their sick children. The name Amat-'Uzzayan(italics) meaning “Maid of Uzzayan(italics)” was a popular women’s name in south Arabia, and the male theophoric name Abd al-'Uzza(italics) meaning “Devotee of al-'Uzza(italics)” was popular among the Meccans. Not so far from the Ka'aba itself in the valley of Hurad; the Banu Quraysh tribe dedicated a vale called Suqam to al-'Uzza, where they would visit to swear oaths and pray. During a battle, it was traditional for the women of Mecca to sing chants in the name of al-'Uzza and her consort, Hubal, to inspire valor in the warriors and gain victory against the enemy.

The goddess al-'Uzzā was also known as al-Zuhara and Kawkabtā and was venerated by these names as the ruling goddess of the planet Venus; particularly in her incarnation as the Evening Star, which itself was believed to be either a manifestation of the goddess herself or her palace in the heavens. The planet Venus as the Morning Star was believed to be a male god called Athtar and was a separate divinity to the goddess al-'Uzza. The pre-Islamic Arabs also called upon al-'Uzza as Venus to bless and consecrate marriages. The equivalent of the Arabian al-'Uzza throughout the Semitic Middle East is the Canaanite war goddess 'Anat; the divine lover of the nature god Baal, who was named in Hebrew as ’l'Uzza Hayyim’(italics) (’the strength of life’(italics)).

[IMAGE ID: A drawing of Al-Uzzah, a woman wearing a blue headscarf and red traditional clothing, in front of the moon. /end ID]

Arabian Paganism: Goddess Al-'Uzzā

(Above image: A temple relief at nearby Khirbet et-Tannur)

Al-‘Uzzā (Arabic: العزى) is the Meccan goddess of power, might and the planet Venus as the Evening Star who was worshiped by the Arabian tribes of Banu Quraysh; Banu Sulaym; Banu Ghanim; Banu Ghatafan; Banu Khuza’a; Banu Thaqif, and Banu Kinãnah. The main idol of al-'Uzza, which the goddess herself was believed to often manifest in, was a cluster of three acacia trees that were situated in the valley of Nakhla near the town of Mecca. Al-'Uzza had a second temple (bayt) in Mecca called Buss which was made of brick, and was situated not far from her shrine at Nakhla. Inside the Buss temple was another important idol of al-'Uzza: a thigh bone shaped slab of granite which was venerated and offered sacrifice to by the pre-Islamic Arab tribes of the Hijaz, as they believed that the goddess herself spoke through the idol and would grant an oracle to the worshiper. 

The Arabian tribes living around Mecca regularly sought the blessing and protection of al-'Uzza by offering sacrifices of animals and rarely human slaves or prisoners of war at an altar (‘Itr, madhbah) called al-Ghabghab which was located near the temple of Buss. The powerful Meccan tribe of Banu Quraysh would call upon al-'Uzza as a war goddess before going into battle and their women would perform music and sing chants exalting al-'Uzza; such as they did against the early Muslims in the Battle of Uhud. The last custodian (sadin) of al-'Uzza’s shrine was a man named Dubayyah ibn Haram as-Sulami, who had a reputation of being exceptionally generous, kind and hospitable until he was slain by Khalid ibn al-Walid, an early convert to Islam; who had also cut down the sacred trees of the goddess and destroyed her shrine upon the orders of Muhammad: this was done in order to effectively put an end to the cult of al-'Uzza among the Arabs of the Hijaz. In the south of Arabia, the kingdoms of Himyar and Yemen knew al-'Uzza as Uzzayan who was a goddess of healing; wealthy Himyarites would offer small golden images to Uzzayan on behalf of their sick children. The name Amat-'Uzzayan meaning “Maid of Uzzayan” was a popular women’s name in south Arabia, and the male theophoric name Abd al-'Uzza meaning “Devotee of al-'Uzza” was popular among the Meccans. Not so far from the Ka'aba itself in the valley of Hurad; the Banu Quraysh tribe dedicated a vale called Suqam to al-'Uzza, where they would visit to swear oaths and pray. During a battle, it was traditional for the women of Mecca to sing chants in the name of al-'Uzza and her consort, Hubal, to inspire valor in the warriors and gain victory against the enemy. The goddess al-'Uzzā was also known as al-Zuhara and Kawkabtā and was venerated by these names as the ruling goddess of the planet Venus; particularly in her incarnation as the Evening Star, which itself was believed to be either a manifestation of the goddess herself or her palace in the heavens. The planet Venus as the Morning Star was believed to be a male god called Athtar and was a separate divinity to the goddess al-'Uzza. The pre-Islamic Arabs also called upon al-'Uzza as Venus to bless and consecrate marriages. The equivalent of the Arabian al-'Uzza throughout the Semitic Middle East is the Canaanite war goddess 'Anat; the divine lover of the nature god Baal, who was named in Hebrew as ’l'Uzza Hayyim’ (’the strength of life’).

(Above image: Al-Uzzah by Grace D. Palmer)

[Text Source]

[religious-access]

[PT: "Prayer to Hestia for help with cleaning" in biggest text, with Hestia in the color orange. /end PT]

Needed some help with motivating myself to clean so here we are!

Prayer to Hestia for help with cleaning

Lady Hestia,

Goddess of the hearth and home,

Patron of families of blood and choice,

If ever I have offered you my devotion,

Please grant me the strength and energy to clean my space to the best of my ability,

Bless me with the passion for my home that I need to keep it warm and welcoming.