#I haven't really drawn for myself at all lately ;v;

[suneiaaa]

Rare Melia warm-up. (i can't post more tags??? is this suneiaphobia??)

[littlefireofhestia]

hi! i'm sage and i was going through the "hestia devotee" tag and found a post of yours that said you were open for questions about her. i don't know how old that post is or if you're still taking questions, you can ignore this if you're not, but since i'm here i wanted to talk/ask about something.

i'm a baby witch (like the babiest of babies, almost a new born) and most of my experience is through reading and watching since i don't currently have time or resources to do any practice other than lighting incenses or candles or working with crystals. and i definitely don't know any form of divination, like tarot or pendulum, that would allow me to do actual deity work and properly communicate with them.

the thing is, i've researched deities from multiple pantheons multiple times, mostly out of curiosity, but the moment i came across a prayer to hestia my heart skipped a beat and i immediately felt a kind of comfort. it could have been nothing, but i still researched all i could about her and just. i've never felt this drawn to a deity before, much less felt a pull to actually worship one. but i feel very much that way about her.

i looked up ways to honour her and i'm genuinely shocked at how happy it's been making me. i'm finding joy in domestic activities i used to loathe, like washing the dishes or helping with house cleaning. i tried baking a cake all by myself for the first time and lit an orange candle for her while doing it. it turned out absolutely delicious, i discovered i actually really enjoy baking and even started my own cook notebook with some of my grandma's old recipes. i make a point to always tie my hair back when i'm doing something that makes me think of her or in her honour, like making tea or baking or making dinner for my family or cleaning, because i saw people talking about how she appreciates veiling but i don't know how to do it so i just tie my hair in a bun instead of putting on a scarf. and i used to hate tying my hair, but now i feel very good about it!

i've always struggled with feeling connected to religion and never really understood how that could bring peace to someone, but i haven't felt this grounded or loving towards my family and pets or in peace with myself as much as i have since i started doing things as acts of devotion to hestia.

now, on to the actual problem: i'm scared it's all in my head. i'm worried i'm not enough of a witch to worship a deity yet, since i'm still trying to learn ways of communication and can't directly ask her if she's with me. i'm scared that the little things i'm doing aren't enough and the comfort and faith i feel while doing them are my imagination and not actually her watching over me and appreciating my effort.

anyways, i'm really sorry for dumping these worries on you but i didn't see many hestia related blogs and i really needed to ask someone about this. is what i'm doing enough of a worship right now? do you have any tips on how to worship her better? thank you!

Hi Sage! I don’t know when you sent this ask so I’m sorry if it’s been a while since you sent it and my response is late. When I read this ask for the first time I nearly cried tears of joy. Before anything I do want to say that you’re doing amazing sweetie!

I’m always open to questions about Hestia.

First off, there is no prerequisite to worshipping deities. I am admittedly not a witch and worship the gods exclusively for religious reasons and not for witchcraft. I have not learned many divination methods yet (although I have used the very handy Greek Alphabet Oracle a few times) and my rituals are still relatively basic, mostly not even occurring on an altar. But I have felt Hestia. I have been in her presence. I have received dreams from other deities and signs. None of this is required to happen to believe in or worship the theoi, but I just want to assure you that beyond doing some research to figure out who you want to pray to and how to do prayer and ritual, there are no prerequisites to worship. My first prayer to Hestia was literally me throwing a scarf over my head and talking to her in the dark with a flashlight to represent a flame. No formal structure. Didn’t even know how to correctly hold my hands yet. And still she accepted me.

The vibe you get from Hestia is very much similar to my experience. I’ve been drawn to her for YEARS but didn’t know I could worship her. But she’s always felt like home and comfort and just right for me. I never ever had a reason why she was my favorite deity before becoming pagan. She just was. My connection to Hestia has been a fact for over a decade that I just didn’t know was religious until a year and a half ago. Me wondering if I could worship her is the reason why I started researching Hellenic Polytheism in the first place. She brought me to this faith and I am so thankful to her for that.

You finding joy in domestic activities you used to hate is something I’ve discovered through Hestia too, although it’s still a journey I’m early on due to depression and physical disability and having a lot of work to do on figuring out how to make things accessible for me. I’m excited to go further for and with Hestia.

I understand the thought about it being all in your head. I had those thoughts early in my practice too. Basically, belief is a process. It takes time to switch from whatever religious thought (or lack thereof) that you grew up with to polytheism and worshipping a variety of deities or even just one deity, and from there to truly believing in them. I’ve been practicing for a year and a half and it probably took me at least nine months to truly feel secure in my faith in the theoi. Research, pray, do ritual, devote acts to the gods, think about the gods, notice the influence of the theoi in your daily life, and gradually that belief will solidify. You may or may not receive signs, which may or may not speed this process up. I promise, if you want to believe in the gods, in Hestia, it just takes time.

Also on feeling that you aren’t doing enough, the video at the bottom of this post (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odhRRYqQo8Y) might help. And I promise: you are doing enough, you are enough, just as you are.

Now as for worship tips. You are honestly doing great so far. Thinking of her while doing household chores and tasks or dedicating those tasks for her is a great way to worship her. I’d also recommend checking out her Homeric and Orphic hymns, one translation of which can be found here, and a copy of the Homeric hymns can likely be found at a local bookstore or definitely through online ordering. The Homeric hymns can also start to teach you some stuff about prayer structure, but prayer doesn’t have to be formal. Sometimes I just sit and talk to Hestia, or to any of my other deities. Tell them about my day, thank them for things in my life or the world, and sometimes asking them for things (although I find that I ask for aid much more rarely than when I prayed as the Catholic I was raised to be). I also have perpetually in progress playlists I have made for my deities, and if I want to spend some non-ritual time just focusing on a deity I’ll put on their playlist and read something religious or talk in religious discords. I actually had my most profound spiritual experience with Hestia while doing this.

Last but not least, worshipping Hestia, or any other deity, is something you have your whole life ahead of you to do. Take it at your own pace. Faith is all about the journey. The destination is irrelevant. There is no deadline or leveling up system, no authority checking your progress. As I have experienced time and time again, the gods will very much meet you where you are. A few months ago I was in a deep depression and did not do any ritual for several months. When I finally did a ritual again, I felt Hestia’s warm hand on my shoulder, as if to say “I miss you, welcome home”. I promise, Hestia will always welcome you home.

P.S. I know this ask is anonymous but Sage, feel free to message me with any additional questions about Hestia or worshipping deities in general. I’m here if you need any more help.

[raysofcrosby]

If you don’t mind me asking how did you come up with the character of Caroline in WLTAY? Like was there anyone who inspired/drew inspiration from to create the character/take character traits from or was it your own thoughts/ideas of how you would like to have seen a character?

Personally she is my favorite character out of all your pieces of work because you really see her develop and transition throughout the story from being a young teenager to being an adult. While keeping very true to how that journey goes in the real world of not really knowing what you are doing in life and just trying to find your way through the best way you can and not every decision you make is the best or right one but you have to deal with the choices you have made and navigate them as best you can.

honestly, it's been so long since i started planning the story i don't really remember if there was a certain inspiration!!

the fic in general is v much inspired by the movie forever my girl [i haven't read the book yet and i believe there's differences between the two] and was going to be a baseball fic, but got more inspired once i started writing more on tumblr and it just transferred!!

in terms of caroline, i think it was a good mix of pulling traits from different characters in books i've read, along w traits from myself and my friends or own family and then along the way adding things that i would/could picture her doing/saying/thinking, etc!!

like the sibling dynamic between her and andrew is drawn from my own friends and their siblings, a lot of ethan's personality is drawn from my experiences of being around friends relatives/kids of the same age and then the small stuff of shows she likes [greys, glee and 20/20] are really just my favs 💀

that really means a lot that she's your favorite character, bc i can understand just how frustrating she and her choices throughout the story regarding matt and their past can be!! but i really was focused on trying not to just let her cave once matt comes back around and didn't want to immediately brush her choices under the rug and act like they never happened. i really wanted the consequences to come around even after things have been "concluded" yk?? all in all, she wasn't a perfect person and i think she's one of my fav characters i've ever written just bc she is flawed on that aspect!!

also i'm sorry for replying to this late, i like to hold onto messages sometimes esp when it comes to ones about fics bc i like to read them over and over bc it feels so validating that someone enjoyed the fic so much they send detailed messages 🥺🥰

[itisannak]

For the fanfic ask: B H S R T U V 🥰 love you so much!!

I love you 🥺

Sorry for the late response. My MA has been kicking my ass lately. Thank you for your ask. ❤️

B: Any of your stories inspired by personal experience? The one I can think on the spot that is actually related to my experience is Let the sunshine in (C.H). I had never failed a class and I almost did for the first time like a month away from getting my degree. I went through the worst case of defeat in my life.

H: How would you describe your style?

I would say a mix of narrative and descriptive. Sticking to a style is not my goal when I am writing a story, and I always enjoy writing dialogues over long inner-thoughts. I like how it moves the story and gives a feeling without naming the feeling, it is more open to interpretation and adaptation from the reader.

S: Any fandom tropes you can’t resist?

I write for 5sos mainly, so I will talk about that fandom. I can't resist the 'Calum doesn't believe in love' trope. I am a sucker for feelings denying and then realization.

R: Are there any writers (fanfic or otherwise) you consider an influence?

ooof, I feel that no matter what story I read, I always get a little bit influenced by it. @suchalonelysunflower, you inspire me daily. I am in awe of your progress and your prose, and your mastery of words. I am so proud of you. lately I have been drawn to @emmyhem 's stories when I need inspo. And ever since I started reading the Bridgerton series, I catch myself trying to match Julia Quinn's prose and sentiment.

T: Any fandom tropes you can’t stand?

Demonizing their past / current girlfriends is an instant turn-off for me. I prefer reading/writing stories with made-up exes.

U: Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.

@suchalonelysunflower sunny has some of the most amazing stories I have read. She is not afraid to touch difficult genres, such as the historical/royalty genre. I can't wait to see more from her.

@emmyhem writes really good smut stories, without making them feel cheap or being a basic plotless porn story.

@sunshinericciardo provides much-needed f1 content and lately, I have been so thankful for that. I get so into the stories, I am always craving more.

there are so many more that I can't remember now because I haven't been active on tumblr for so long. But know that I still love and appreciate all your stories.

V: If you could write the sequel (or prequel) to any fic out there not written by yourself, which would you choose?

I think there isn't a story I would mess with. I understand that each writer has their unique view and plan for the story, and I respect that. It wouldn't be the same story/universe if I messed with it.