shinycapra-blog

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“morning person??” oh no you’ve misheard me. I’m a mourning person. always in black, talking about ghosts and bones, in a constant state of grief for the unknown dead.

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National Chief, Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) on the Gerald Stanley trial verdict:

“I am calling on Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau to take immediate action to work with First Nations to overhaul the justice system.  Canadians expect more and First Nations deserve far, far better.  #enough #cdnpoli #JusticeForColten”

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Cecilia Iliesiu as Arabian Coffee in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.

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I going to start offering free tarot readings on this blog. I also think I'm going to change my username/blog name.

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On Worshipping Hades

There are a ton of posts out there for signs and symbols, offerings and all that. Regardless, I’m making this post because Hades is the God I receive the most asks about, and this post was highly requested.

The Basics

Offerings:

Coins & other money (traditionally gold or brass, but all money works)

Stones, especially dark, jagged stones

Alcohol, especially wine

Honey

Milk or Water

Tobacco

Herbs: cypress, mint, myrrh, patchouli, bay, pumpkin, yew, wormwood, cinnamon, lavender, willow, oak

Flowers: marigold, dandelion, rose, lily, daisies, rowan, poppy, daffodils, calendulas 

Oils, especially olive oils and vinegars

Salts and spices

Shells or bones of the earth

Teas, especially blacks and oolongs

Breads or cakes

Fruits, such as apples and pomegranates

Meat (especially lamb)

Incenses: frankincense, myrrh, wormwood, sandalwood, cinnamon, rose, pomegranate

Candles: black, grey or silver

Symbols:

Dogs (Cerberus, specifically), black lambs, serpents and screech owls

Precious jewels, money, metals

Cypress, white asphodel, mint, narcissus

Drinking horn

Sceptre

Key

Helm of darkness

Black, grey, silver, gold

Nighttime

Autumn and Winter

Cemeteries, crossroads, forests, caves and mines

Ideas for the Altar:

Black mirror

Black cloth

Dark stones, such as hematite, onyx, obsidian, jet and the like

Shells

Dirt from outside, or graveyard dirt

Black, grey or silver candles

Flowers (dried works well too)

Bones (ethically sourced)

Representations of any of His symbols, listed above

Money, especially rare coins

Silver, or other precious metals

Family heirlooms

Active Practice

Worship Etiquette:

As with all chthonic deities, offerings are usually poured down. Offerings that float up (such as incense) are less common, but can be used.

Food offerings are usually buried instead of eaten. However, if need be, you may eat them.

Offerings are often buried, poured down the drain, or into the trash. This is done to ‘complete’ the offering.

This is very traditional, but I want to include it for extra information. In a temple with a roof, offerings would often be left by His feet all day and then during at night. Also, since the Mycenaean period, priests of Άδης would rhythmically pound their hands on the ground whilst praying to Him. I will sometimes tap (not pound) my head to the floor while praying in honor of this tradition.

As always, be polite. Hades will forgive any mistakes with a forgiveness offerings and continued respect.

Ideas for Active Worship:

Saving money, and spending it wisely

Cleaning litter from cemeteries, and tending to old graves

Offerings to the dead, as well as money to the spirits of the dead to let them pass on, and donating the physical change

Collecting crystals and stones

Making an altar to tend dead spirits

Studying other cultures’ burial methods and cemetery rites

Donating to burial, mortuary or funeral services

If you communicate to spirits, treat them kindly and help them move on

Ancestral worship

Praying

Devotional poems and artwork

Dedicating items to Him, such as jewelry, a wand, or a specific bone

Working with death energy and dying plants during autumn and winter

Caring for dogs kindly

Reflecting on your thoughts and emotions on death 

Helping others who have experienced loss

Frequently Asked or Requested Information

Hades can help with:

Fears about death or dying

Suicidal tendencies

Chronic illness

Money and business

Creativity

Moving on 

Releasing regrets, guilt, and past relationships

Seasonal worship and practice

Earth magic and herb work

Recovery from trauma

Spirit work, namely spirits of the dead

You DO NOT need to:

Be a spirit worker or death worker in order to work with Him

Swear an oath with Him, unless you’re 110% sure to commit

Be a devotee in order to worship Him

Only worship Him

Speak super formally to Him

Be someone you’re not in order to worship Him

You DO need to:

Honor Him

Be respectful

????

PROFIT

More Questions I’ve Answered

What are more DO’s and DON’T’s?

How do I know it’s Hades and not someone else?

I want to devote! How can I?

What if I can’t give extravagant offerings?

I can’t bury His food offerings

I feel like He’s not listening

I think I’ve fallen in love with Hades

Easy ways to start worshipping

I’m closeted, and want to devote

More tips for closeted worship

What are some modern things Hades would like?

How does Hades feel about cursing?

I was taught to fear Hades … 

What do I even say to Him?

Do you have any tips or advice for someone wanting to become more involved with death magic and Hades?

Are there any Gods Hades wouldn’t want to be worshipped alongside?

How do you pray to Him through journal?

Advice on devoteeing

For more information on worshipping Hades–espeically devoteeism and oaths–you can check out this zine I published about Him, Pleading to Hades.

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Had my first ball lightning experience.

Spooky shit.

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Big stuff is much more occasional than I wish it. In an ideal world it would be at least weekly. Every day has some sort of focus though - they're never skipped or forgotten in my daily practice.

For the ones who are devoted to any deity, do you do devotional rituals and big offerings every single day or only occasionally?

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fucked up how cooking and baking from scratch is viewed as a luxury…..like baking a loaf of bread or whatever is seen as something that only people with money/time can do. I’m not sure why capitalism decided to sell us the idea that we can’t make our own damn food bc it’s a special expensive thing that’s exclusive to wealthy retirees but it’s stupid as hell and it makes me angry

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how to tell a god to fuck themselves without them smiting you

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anyways, ive said it once, i’ll say it again,

the great goddess aphrodite, patron of womanhood and beauty, is a patron to transgender women.

aphrodite, who is war as much as peace, stands by all trans women who must fight for their place in this world.

aphrodite, who is love, shines her adoration on all trans women who welcome it. she knows your heart, and she knows you have earned your place in her heart, too.

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》 A p o l l o 《

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Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York

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FYI the name Dennis is derived from Dionysus. That is all.

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Three new Greek Goddess themed mini skein sets! Persephone, Athena and Hera. Hand dyed on a very soft merino sparkle base. Lace weight yarn, great for weaving and crocheting especially <3

Now available in my etsy shop!

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Frau Holle, or Holda, from the folklore of Northern Europe. Sometimes depicted as queen of the witches, or a domestic goddess, depending on the story. In the Brother’s Grimm tale, Mother Holle, Holle serves a Baba Yaga-like role, rewarding a hardworking girl and punishing her cruel and lazy stepsister. In Holland, Holle ushers in winter by shaking down her bed, the feathers from which become the first snowfall.

I found her when I was researching winter creatures and goddesses for another personal project. She’s become a favourite.

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Reblog if you love Haides!

So I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately of Hellenic polytheist books. And basically, most of them say how Haides isn’t to be worshipped outside of respecting him and honoring the dead. Many are superstitious even still that inviting Haides into your life in any way will bring death into it, which I find ridiculous. He is not a god of death; he is the god of THE dead. He is the one who takes care of our loved ones when they pass on; it is he who makes sure they are at peace.

Shortly after I started down the Hellenic path, I had a terrible night where I was in need of help. I don’t want to get too personal, but just to say that Haides saved me. Without me asking, he just did it. And he has taught me so much already about the preciousness of life and mortality, and he’s taught me to notice the small beautiful things in life and to be grateful for those things.

If you love Haides as well, reblog to show him the love he desrves!

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I don't talk about my love for Athena nearly enough but I think about her daily. She was the first Theoi I had any serious interest in. I craft with yarn, which is what I usually connect with her over.

if you have experience w Athena please let me know & tell me what she’s like and the best ways to connect w her!!!!!!!