Spirits of Place - Genius Loci
Ever since I was young I always felt that the world around me was full of energy, of spirit. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized that what I was feeling exists, and there's a name for it. I’m talking about the spirits of place called Genius Loci.
This is going to be a brief guide to Genius Loci. I’ll put links throughout the post so that you can read more if you’re interested!
What does it mean?
Genius Loci is the term used most often and it is essentially a spirit of a place, often cities or towns but can be anywhere.
The name is Roman, the plural being Genii Loci, and they were sometimes depicted in art as human-like beings holding a cornucopia, a patera (libation bowl) or a snake. There would be altars set up for these Genius Loci all throughout the western Roman Empire.
The idea of a spirit of a place exists in so many cultures. In some places like Thailand there are Lak mueang (Thai: หลักเมือง)--or city pillars erected and often placed in shrines dedicated to the city's deity (or deities).
In other places, like in Southeast Asia, spirit houses are created and placed in or near businesses, shrines, and sometimes houses.
The Romans also had household spirits or deities called Di Penates as well as Lares–guardian spirits/deities.
The term Genius Loci is sometimes used in a more modern way to indicate a nonliteral version of “spirit of a place”, similar to the “vibe” or feel of a certain architecture, design, or environment of the place.
How is it different from Animism?
The short explanation of animism is that everything, animal, plant, object, the ground, etc. has a spirit or spiritual essence. The difference lies in that Genii Loci are the spiritual embodiment of a place, meaning they embody all of its vibes and don't represent only one aspect of it.
How is it different from a Tutelary deity?
As mentioned before, a Genius Loci embodies the place, whereas a Tutelary deity/spirit is the guardian or protector of that place. Tutelary deities/spirits can be Genii Loci and vice versa, but they aren’t always one in the same.
Does every place have one?
Yes! Every place can (and probably does) have a Genius Loci, some places may even have more than one. They may have different names for them depending on the culture and lore they come from, though. If you plan on interacting with them make sure to ask what they prefer to be referred to as. (See Types of Household Deities at the bottom)
How do I interact with them?
First of all: you never have to interact with them if you don’t want to.
If you would like to interact with them, though, there are a few ways that you can achieve this:
First spend some time with them. Hang out in the area that you'd like to interact with the Genii Loci. Get to know them.
Make sure you're being respectful!
Set up a spirit house or shrine.
Leave offerings out (but make sure they are safe to leave outside and are biodegradable OR that you come retrieve the offerings later) and let them know that it's there for them specifically.
Clean up the area. No one likes when their space is dirty!
Listen. What do you hear? The spirits may just reach out to you after you've shown your willingness to hear what they have to say.
You don't have to literally hear voices, there are several different ways that you can talk with spirits and metaphysical beings. You can use divination methods like tarot, runes, oracle cards, or you can meditate and see if you get any visions/information that come to you.
Also, you don't have to wait for them to reach out, chances are they won't try and contact you first. Feel free to let them know that you'd like to speak with them and that you're open to communicating with them.
Ps: A Genius Loci likely isn't going to tell you to hurt yourself or others. If it seems like the spirit you're speaking to is being very hateful and/or aggressive it's probably best to back off. Even if it is a Genius Loci (a really mad one) you should leave them be if they are being aggressive towards you. Especially if you're pretty new with spirit work.
If you’re interested in this, you may want to check out:
Genius Loci: The Ancient Worship of Spirits of Place or Land Spirits
Animism - The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Anthropology
Tutelary Deity - Academic
Lares and Penates - Encyclopedia.com
Types of Household Deities by culture (not a complete list)List of Tutelary Deities
Edit: When first posted I wrongly wrote that the plural of Genius Loci was Genius Locorum. Since I have changed it to the true plural form Genii Loci.
Genius Locorum is a spirit that presides over multiple places.
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'The Compitalia is a day assigned to the Lares (guardian spirits) of the roads; therefore sacrifice (of honey cakes) is made at the 'compita' (crossroad) where roads meet. Varro.
I offered my honey cakes, a head of garlic and two figures made of cotton to the Lares today, may they bless my neighbourhood, and my household with good fortune and a good remainder of the winter and year to come. 🙏
«Compitalia é un día asignado aos Lares (espíritos gardiáns) das estradas; polo tanto, onde as estradas se xuntan, o sacrificios (de bolos de mel) fanse nas 'compitas' (encrucilladas)». Varo.
Hoxe ofrecín bolos de mel, unha cabeza de allo e dúas figuras de algodón aos Lares. Agardo que bendigan a miña veciñanza e a miña familia e que nos axuden pasar un inverno bo e san, e un ano feliz.
De statutis diebus dixi; de annalibus nec die statutis dicam. Compitalia dies attributus Laribus vialibus: ideo ubi viae competunt tum in competis sacrificatur. Marcus Terentius Varro.
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Retour à mon projet de présenter la plupart de mes 53880 photos (nouveau compte approximatif !)
2014. Retour dans le Nord.
Musée Arkhéos, près de Douai :
- applique à l’effigie du dieu Sol - Lewarde
- idem entre Mercure et Mars Juvénile
- Cérès entre deux Lares - Bavay
- œnochoé - Vimy, 1er s. apr. J-C.
- Stèle aux Quatre Dieux - Bermerain, IIème s. apr. J-C.
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Lares Trek to Machu Picchu in 4 days
Confirmed group on May 22th 2023
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The trail starts in Lares hot spring 03 hours away from Cusco, Crosses the Huacawasi pass at 4300Mts, descends into and cone des and ends in Yanahuara or Ollantaytambo access to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu.
More info:
+51 970 506 205
https://wa.me/51970506205
https://www.iteptravel.com/tour/lares-trek-llamas-path-machu-picchu-4-days
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Radican cargos contra un hombre por causar daños al vehículo de su pareja en Lares
Agentes del Negociado de la Policía de Puerto Rico, adscritos a la División de Violencia de Género, en unión a la fiscalía del Tribunal de Utuado, radicaron cargos por violación al artículo 3.1 de la Ley 54 contra, Richard Acevedo Vélez de 38 años, residente de Lares.
De acuerdo a la investigación, para la fecha del 21 de abril de 2023, en la carretera 124, kilómetro 1.5 en el Barrio Espino en…
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