#intersex pagan

[transtheology]

Hi, I'm a multigender trans intersex person (bigender transmascfem androgyne, sometimes agender) and I've been feeling a calling towards some kind of occult / pagan / witchcraft practice but am having a very hard time finding anything that will honor both my multigenderness and my intersex body/variation. I was wondering if you knew of any resources or specific practices that might be accepting of this? I had a friend tell me to try out Wicca but it seemed to be very binary-focused in everything I read. Thank you so much for your time!

Wicca is definitely pretty binary focused. Its also diverse and there are many different ways of practicing Wicca, but the fundamental theology is based in a strict binary of the Mother Goddess and the Horned God, and a lot of its beliefs are based on this balance of male/female. As a result much of early Wicca (and some modern Wicca) was very homophobic & gender-sex essentialist (there's also Dianic Wicca, which is goddess-centric and therefore very popular with TERFs). There are trans Wiccans & Wiccan paths which are less binary (or less strict about it), but I wouldn't blame you for not wanting to engage with it.

With Witchcraft, there's a lot more room because "witchcraft" itself isn't its own spiritual tradition as much as a practice or skill you can engage in. In a very general sense Witchcraft is "doing x thing to get y result (through some spiritual/supernatural/mystical method)," so how much you get into cissexism and binary thinking is really dependent on how you see things. For example, a Wiccan might have a very binary view of magic & spiritual energy, but another person might not consider gender at all when doing magic.

A lot of European & WANA (West Asia North Africa) polytheism has some genderfuckery somehwere in its mythology. Inanna/Ishtar in Sumerian/Akkadian/Assyrian polytheism is one example: you might be aware that She had transfeminine devotees called the gala, and she was described as having the ability to "turn a man into a woman and a woman into a man." She has a myth where she descends into the Underworld to confront her sister Ereškigal and gets trapped there. To get her out, Enlil/Ea creates either two sexless beings (gala-tura and kur-jara), or one androgynous being/eunuch (Asušunamir) to save her.

There's also Cybele/Magna Mater in Rome, who also had transfeminine devotees called galli. In Greek polytheism, there is Dionysus, who was heavily associated with gender non-conformity, having been raised as a girl in some versions & having the epithet Androgynos. Aphrodite has the form Aphroditus, who has a beard penis and was worshipped by male and female devotees through crossdressing rituals, and generally her role as Aphrodite Pandemos, a love goddess for all people, has made her popular with queer polytheists. There is also Hermaphroditus, the child of Aphrodite and Hermes, who became intersex/genderqueer when he joined bodies with the nymph Salmacis; a pool formed where this happened that was said to have the ability to androgynize anyone who bathed in it. They were, as you can imagine, heavily associated with androgyny and the union of male and female. In Norse Heathenry, Loki has been seen as an androgynous figure; he transforms into a woman/female animal in multiple myths, and in the Hyndluljóð he eats the heart of a woman and gives birth to several creatures.

There are definitely other deities who have androgynous aspects who I'm forgetting, but in general you can find a lot of genderqueerness throughout polytheist religion. Although there are still transphobic & intersexist witches/pagans/polytheists, and those who use ancient patriarchal practices to justify their behavior. In general I'd recommend seeking out specifically trans & intersex pagans/polytheists/witches and learning from their practices to see what calls to you. Even beyond ancient practices, a lot of modern trans & intersex polytheists worship modern, specifically trans forms of otherwise binary deities. so don't feel the need to limit yourself to just what people in the past practiced. I hope this was helpful.

[thewhisperofzagreus]

Oh, Hermaphroditus, a Holy One.

1. Hermaphroditus statue from Imperial Rome, around 70-100 AD, at "Lady Lever Art Gallery" in Europe England 2. Hermaphroditus statue from Imperial Rome in the 2nd century AD, at "Louvre" in Paris, Europe France

[thrashkink-coven]

🏳️‍⚧️⚧🏳️‍🌈

[beautyofaphrodite]

Ἑρμαφροδιτος

Hermaphroditos, God of Intersex and Effeminate People

The yellow border on the outside with the purple on the inside represents the intersex flag, as Hermaphroditos is shown with traits from both the main sexes.

(requested- all images found on Pinterest or www.theoi.com)

[to-hypnos-we-dream]

Hypnos loves when His devotees are loved, no matter the gender.

He watches His lesbian devotees kiss ever gently upon the bed, a domain He is over, and He smiles knowing that His devotee is happy.

He watches His transgender devotee fight for their own comfort, and even through His sleepiness He cheers them on

He holds His gay devotees whenever they feel afraid or scared or guilty, and He whispers how He loved them always

He uplifts His mspec sexuality devotees, laughing alongside them for their joy adds to His own

He watches over His devotees who claim kink, He loves the lovingness of their sexuality and how consent is healing them

He loves the aros, the aces, the alloroaces, the aroallos, and He supports them no matter what

He takes the hands of those who may feel invisible, the intersex people, those who use xenogenders, those who are objectum or use rare or even contradictory labels people may exclude them for

He takes the faces of all His queer devotees and kisses their heads and holds them under His protective wing, may Your dream of acceptance and liberation be fulfilled

From the Temple of Hypnos: Happy Pride!

[bear-facets]

hapi, intersex god of nile flooding (digital, 2024)

[thedansemacabres]

disability can be so… depressing, at times. I whisper prayers to my gods as I lay in bed, half-burnt and half-rotted from my failing body, school, and work. I sit here, with a complicated body, whispering prayers to my gods on a strained voice and a to do list unfinished.

and then they come, dear Thetis comes to sit at my side. She tells me a story, and I listen, calling her mother as she pulls my heart into rest.

the gods are most wonderful, and have had worshippers like me for thousands of years. It is beautiful in that aspect—how communal it can be, even though I live in a home mostly alone.

[whereserpentswalk]

I was discussing gender with the goddess Hel last night, and when I mentioned loki, she mentioned how strange it was that most mortal depictions of them that portray them with a nonstandard gender identity, still show them with an incredibly male presenting body. It really made me rethink things. Like, there's no reason to think of Loki with a masculine body. We should see more humanoid depictions of them with breasts, or with a hairless face, or with a high voice.

The ancient sources definitely seem to depict Loki as being like humans in those cultures who broke from the gender binary, but we always assume they're being compared to perisex amab people when there's no reason to think that way. Especially given how many myths show a male presentation as a default, yet they're still very clearly not cis.

Can't say much for my own interactions with loki, as they've been limited, and the forms they've appeared in have had almost no humanoid features outside of a grin and hands (though even their hands were clawed and robotic). Also I just haven't interacted with them as much as I have other gods.

[luckyluckyjesse]

Tribute to Hermaphroditus💕⚧️

[jessiarts]

So I made another design in my series of Pride Norse designs, aka my "Fuck-off nazis, these symbols aren't for you!" designs, aka my "I hope we can make designs of them that are so blatantly gay they won't want to touch them anymore" designs. (Previous designs: Pride Loki Runes | Be Gay, Do Pride | Pride Yggdrasil with Runes | Pride Valknuts)

This time I drew Mjolnir and colored many versions with different Pride flags. I also made two versions of each design, one saying "You are Worthy" and another saying "I am Worthy," with the exception of a progress flag version that says "We are Worthy"

Here are some I've done so far:

(All designs are transparent. Images with colored backgrounds are for visibility purposes)

I do have plans to do more with other flags, but if you see I maybe haven't done yours yet, feel free to send me an ask.

Like the previous sets, I've got the full-res designs hosted on my Ko-fi as free downloads for anyone who wishes to use them. Print them on a shirt, make yourself stickers, use on gifts for others- whatever.

I also have them available on Threadless for those who can't print them on stuff themselves (or just don't feel like it) but still want something with the design on it. Each sale will also make an automatic donation to various LGBT+ charities like The Trevor Project and the It Gets Better Project.

(Note: I am completely aware that in the original Norse Mythology the "must be worthy" charm doesn't exist with Mjolnir. However, stories change and adapt over time, and people can find meaning in all interpretations of a story, including this popularized adaptation. I felt the message was just more important than being accurate to the original mythology, just in case anyone wanted to come through with a stick up their ass because "uM acTUaLLY, ThE WorthY pARt AcTuaLLy COMeS fRoM maRVeL...")

[the-mountain-flower]

Revisited a story that was very important to me as a child, and learned about the author being very vocal about the harm gender roles & stereotypes cause. I thought "oh that's great!" but was afraid. What if she only applied that logic to cis ppl?

I did some searching, and found out that not only does she support trans ppl, but has also spoken multiple times about how important it is to be able to see protagonists outside of the perceived norm. A.K.A., she doesn't see my very existence as wrong.

I let out a deep sigh of relief. I could continue to enjoy this thing that had been so important to me growing up.

But this isn't the first time something like this has happened. Too often I discover a new artist, or even be unsure of one I've enjoyed the work of for a long time up to the present; and I have to desperately search to know if I can enjoy their work. Either I am extremely relieved, or absolutely crushed.

This shouldn't be necessary. I shouldn't be feeling this deep fear that something so important to me, was created by someone who despises my very existence. That I, as a disabled queer femme ex-mormon Pagan witch who was raised like a girl, will be shoved off the emotional cliff of "this person you looked up to hates you for the same reason all bigots do".

I was so terrified that something that meant so much to me as a kid could've shattered me emotionally. Simply because I didn't know if the person who made it hates people like me.

We shouldn't have to live like this.

[angelellipsis-devilofdots]

thinking about at the local pagan festival when a music performer was giving a speech about the queer community; they were older, maybe in their 50s-60s and very androgynous, and they said something beautiful along the lines of:

"some people tell me i sound like a gay man. that's cool. some people tell me i look like a lesbian. that's also cool. i am every gender and i am no gender. i am a man, i am a woman, i am everything in between. my sexuality is everything and nothing all at once. i am the L, the G, the B, the T, the Q, the I, the A, and the +. i represent you all and i love you all."

[girl-with-bones]

okay you know what? no more discourse. you're all banned. everyone is allowed to do whatever they want. forever

Sorry. I don't make the rules. because there are none

[deusluxuria]

abdul: got my period on litha, must mean something crazy.

kakyoin: it means the pagan deities have to give you something. uno reverso.

abdul: they already did, they gave me endometriosis, a temper that gets me in trouble and causes me physical pain, and a boyfriend who looks like a tree stump.

polnareff: (shouting from the other room) three fold law got you back for being mean to me!!

[misspjsuperior]

🪷 Guan Yin is “the one who sees all sounds in the world”, perceiving and honoring all human lamentation and celebration. She is also a Trans goddess. How?

Previously known as the male bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara or Padmapani from India, once reverence of this Buddhist “lotus bearer” settled in China, he transformed into a sort of Goddess of Mercy, the ever-compassionate Guan Yin we know of today who is also widely revered in Korea and Japan as well, often known by her name “Kannon” in many temples. So that makes Guan Yin not only an honestly international Goddess, but a Trans Goddess as well.

In the name of Guan Yin, divinity of ultimate compassion, blessed International Day Trans of Visibility to all Trans folks- even those not yet safe to be visible. 🏳️‍⚧️

More vulvarobed goddesses available for the bold to bear on their bodies (t shirts) at MissPJsuperior.etsy.com

Altar prints returning there soon too.

Thank you for your support of independent queer femme artists! 🙏

[foodandfolklore]

Ostara and the Hare

The spring equinox is right around the corner! It's called Ostara on the Wiccan wheel, and it's one of my favourite holidays. The colours, the rainbows, the eggs, the flowers, the food; it is the embodiment of spring. There's just lots of fresh, new, albeit young energy everywhere.

But this post is not focusing on Ostara the Celebration. This is focusing on the story of Ostara and a Rabbit. It seems to be a German folktale from the late 1700s to early 1800s that was spread via word of mouth. The name Ostara comes from Eostre, Goddess of spring. Spring is all about beginnings, fertility, rebirth; so it's not surprising to see a folktale that combines symbols of these things catch on and be retold.

A little fun note about the story, the Gender of the Hare is never made clear. He is referred to as male, using He/Him pronouns in most stories (which I will continue to do) but he is able to lay eggs; something traditionally reserved for females in old folktales. It's mostly written off as a glitch in the magic, but maybe he is intersex? I dunno, but it's a little fun to think about.

Ostara and the Hare

One year, the winter was particularly long and harsh. The snow was deep, the air was cold, and the Goddess of Spring, Ostara, was late.

When she finally arrived, the animals and people were so thankful to see her. Her presence thawed the land; trees could start budding, and animals came out of hibernation and hiding to frolic. Soon, the sound of song birds could be heard singing as they flew around looking for a new love.

Ostara smiled as she looked across the land. As creatures passed her by, they always stopped to offer their praise and thanks. This pleased the Goddess Ostara, and she promised she'll stay until spring is in full swing. The animals rejoiced at her assurance and gave her many gifts to show gratitude.

Then, a lone bird approached Ostara, walking up to her on land. His feathers had been damaged from the long frost and he could not fly. He looked ragged and exhausted. The happiness and energy that reached the other animals did not seem to affect him.

"My Goddess, Ostara. I come to you with a request." the bird kept his head low and his tone respectful, "Your power is great and I ask you use that power to change me into a Hare."

"A Hare?" Ostara looked confused, "You do not wish to live your life as a bird?"

"Every year, winter is long and harsh." The bird explained, "I can do nothing but huddle in my nest and try to keep warm. But I see the Hares move about easily in the snow, kept warm by their fur. My feathers can not endure another winter like the last." Ostara looked the bird over, and indeed his feathers did not seem suited for an icy winter. She agreed and used her powers to turn the bird into a Hare, like he asked.

"Go now." she spoke once the transformation was finished, "Live your life as a humble, but warm, Hare." When he realized he was now a Hare, he leapt high into the air cheering for joy. But when he landed, something strange happened. In his excitement, he laid an egg.

The egg was a pretty sky blue with green pokadots. An egg unlike anything ever seen before. Ostara looked at it, enthralled. The Hare picked up his decorative egg and offered it to Ostara. She took it with great enthusiasm and the Hare hopped off.

Word of the Hare blessed by Ostara started to spread fast. Animals and creatures from all over came to him, wanting to see the colourful eggs. Each time he laid an egg, they came out different and unique. Everyone loved to see and receive his eggs, and he in turn loved the new attention he got.

After some time went by, Ostara noticed a change in the forest. Despite spring continuing to come, the praise and thanks she got from the creatures stopped. All animals, from birds to deer to mice, would pass by and not stop to acknowledge her. They all seemed focused on where they were going. Curious, Ostara followed them one day.

All the animals were going to see the Hare and his eggs. She watched while hidden. The Hare would hop and lay a new, colourful egg. Dozens of coloured eggs surround him with impressive vibrancy and intricate patterns. Ostara looked at the egg the Hare has given her earlier, and was annoyed how simple and plain it looked in comparison.

The creatures cheered as the Hare made more eggs and handed them out. "You are amazing!" a squirrel praised, "How do you do it?" Ostara, knowing his colourful egg laying ability was made possible because of her powers, thought maybe now she'll get the credit and praise she was deserved. But the Hare stood high and mighty as he answered "I just imagine the colours, then I hop and pop! Nothing to it."

Ostara was furious. How dare he not only take all the attention of spring away from her, but also take all the credit for a gift she gave. Add to that, he had not shared with her the more beautiful eggs he could now make. Ostara made her outrage known as she reveled herself and berated the Hare. She told him to gather every egg he had made. She was going to take him and every egg he made away, forever.

The Hare begged Ostara not to make him take all of his eggs back. The eggs brought so much joy to everyone who received them. To take them away would take away their happiness. Ostara agreed that the eggs could stay, but he would need to come with her when she leaves at the end of spring.

And so the Hare left with her. Ostara promised she'd be back again next year. And at the end of every winter, she indeed makes her return to bring spring. During this time, she allows the Hare to return for a single day. For one day, he is allowed to share his bright and colourful eggs that are known to bring so much happiness. Sometimes they are in plain sight, and sometimes they are hidden. Can you find one?