#the poetics of eros

[in-subdued-ecstasy]

“For as I sailed upon that pictured tide, the strength and splendour of the storm was mine”

- Oscar Wilde

‘The Garden of Eros’

[deathshallbenomore]

.

[eros-sinclair]

PFFF your drawing of fishy Godwyn has me dying 😂 there's actually this hilarious fan theory saying he'd always had a fish tail since the beginning

https://www.reddit.com/r/Eldenring/comments/vxz4sk/godwyns_strange_appearance_fishman_and_the/

I have seen that one yes! I was partially inspired by it but in the TG (Tarnished Garden) Narrative he only gains the “fishy” attributes once he gets resurrected in a way, getting his soul restored and his body partially repaired.

Of course this is because I had to have my “everyone lives” timeline ;w;

[astrologydayz]

ASTRO SEXOLOGY NOTES🔞 - NATAL CHART2

VENUS/EROS IN PISCES/AT 12, 24° = Pisces degree points 2 someone being sexually attracted 2 "lost souls", they want someone who's willing 2 let them be their saviour✨. They could also hold deep thoughts about being saved by a lover themselves, and the idea of "escaping" 2 their "happily ever after". Sex them up with how artistic/poetic u can be. That shit always works. They need someone who's willing 2 show them a kind heart, while also fulfilling their deepest desires/sexual urges.

VENUS/EROS IN SCORPIO/AT 8, 20° = Scorpio degree points 2 someone wanting a lover that's more sexually charged in private, and someone who's willing 2 give up their "thought patterns", as they can be a little "obsessive" with wanting to know everything, or them investigating when they feel the other persons sexual attraction "dying down a little bit"🧯🔥. These people can easily find your weak spots, so they won't disappoint. They need someone who's willing2 give them their soul, as they do the same💀😍.

VENUS/EROS IN LEO/AT 5, 17, 29° = Leo degree points 2 wanting 2 be praised all the time, and a need 2 praise, if the other person does good🐕. They want someone who worships them, puts them on a pedestal👑. They need someone who knows that they're not 2nd place, but always 1st place. They put passion, & sexual attraction/admiration at the top of the list, of things they NEED, 2want to get sexual with somebody. They need platonic, romantic, &sexual flirting from people all around, 2 get that "confidence in", people telling them how fine they look/how sexy they are🌟🌟.

Moira asteroid (638) conjunct 5th house can show fated romances/affairs throughout life, or with one special person💜.

A MAN’S Venus in Leo/1st house is mostly all about themselves in bed, they want 2 get off first and then maybe, if you're lucky, they'll finish u off2. No hate, I just don't fuck with it 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨.

Black Moon Lilith conjunct Vertex in a MAN’S chart shows that he's meant 2 have fated experiences, that puts him out of the "conventional". Like him dating/seeing younger women&getting shit4it, or him being "thrown" into situations where he has 2 "defend himself", because of the women he's in a sexual relationship/romantic relationship with🙄. These fated connections/experiences is what turns him into who he's supposed 2 be - someone who doesn't give a fuck about anyone else's opinion - BML energy🖕🖕💜.

Medusa asteroid (149) conjunct ASC in a WOMAN’S chart will make herself look "tempting", or "available" in front of a man, but as soon as he looks or tries 2 hit on her, she'll degrade him. "U disgusting man, or "u pig"!! "I didn't look at u, or made any attempt 2 flirt with u, whatsoever"😂.

A MAN WITH Venus, Mars and Saturn in Capricorn = Ultimate dom. They'll make you scream their name over, and over again, & won't stop until he made you cum multiple times. He's REALLY sexually experienced, when he reach his older years, like from 30&up.

Lust asteroid : 4386 conjunct Jupiter = crazy sexual needs. Even if they've had crazy sex all night = they can go again the next day, all day😵‍💫😲🤣🤣 Mars in Virgo/8th house in Virgo in a MAN'S chart typically finds "younger people" 2 be way more sexual attractive, than people at their own age. They're attracted 2 the feeling of "feeling young", while being with a young woman/man❤️. They want someone they can have an insane sexual attraction2, while also being able 2 "teach" the other person a lot in the sexual department. Them wanting young/inexperienced women.

Neptune conjunct Black moon Lilith can make you so damn ethereal. Especially if you got Mars or Venus aspecting it 2. people want 2 rip your clothes off but r afraid 2 even say hi 2 u😭😭😭. Afraid you'll reject/embarrass them.

💜💜💜💜 Look at aspects from Venus (the planet of love&attraction), & Mars (the planet of sex), 2c what u like, & what u need sexually💋.

👅👅👅 Mars in Gemini changes their mind a lot when it comes 2 sex. One day they like 2 dominate, & the next they like 2 be submissive. It really comes down to how they feel on that particular day. &it makes sense. Mars (planet of sex&) in Gemini - Duality. A MAN’S Venus/Mars in Leo wants praises from u. They want 2 hear how good they are, and amazing they are in bed. If u don't, they can get bored of u, and seek somebody else - get their "needs" taken care of by another person👀 👀.

If your 8th house ruler is in your 8th house = sex can be so transformative for u but you'll probably only hookup with a few people throughout your life tho. Only having sex with people you feel a deep soul connection with.

🍆🍆 A MAN'S Mars/Venus/in 11th house in Aquarius is FREAKYYYYY, they'll try anything with their partner. MOSTLY ON VIDEO/cam🙃🙃🙃 PERIOD.

A WOMAN'S Venus in Pisces/8th/12th house is the "I'll do anything I can 2 satisfy your needs, before my own". I love these placements, they want their partner 2 feel all the pleasure and doesn't even think about their own.

Taurus Mercury/Mars LOVES 2 be neck kissed, damn. Just go wild there and they'll go crazy 4 u, I promise 👄👅. MEN with Mars in Taurus/Taurus in 8th house = attracted 2 women that always looks "beautiful", "sexy, but classy", "ocd around looks", "model looking". They want a gorgeous woman, that can "cater" 2 their most sensual needs 🫦💦. Find some whipped cream/ice cream + your tongue&his body = go loca. If he doesn't go crazy, (u probably have the wrong chart😂🤡). Webb asteroid (3041) conjunct/trine/sextile/quintile BML can indicate doing "Web porn", "only fans", "showing yourself off, in a "sexual, provocative way online"🧯💨🔥.

Mars/Venus in Gemini/3rd house loves using toys! But they especially love2 use their hands&fingers!! They can also love oral👅.

REPOST OF SOME OF MY POSTS FROM MY OLD BLOG/SOME NEW COMMENTS

THANKS4READING💘 Appreciate u, always!

[harmoonix]

☾ Night - Diamond ☽

• Astrology Observations •

🌆 - Is very Risky trying to lie on 8th house placements or Scorpio Moons, because when they trust you, they do it 100% if you break their trust, hardly you take it back..

🌆 - Venus/Mercury and Sun or Saturn in the 10th house can have a great reputation and can be seen as a "role model" for others

🌆 - Mars or Pluto in the 7th house can attract jealousy in their relationship, and with that can also come people who may try to break up the natives

🌆 - Libra and Gemini Venus/Moons can be very flirty when you try to know then more/deeper, sometimes it can happen to flirt without noticing

🌆 - Something I observed about the Venus/Moon in the 6th house is that they need reassurance when they are in love or in a serious relationship

🌆 - Sagittarius Sun/Moon/Mercury are the best to have around for their great humour and their unique jokes

🌆 - Mercury at 6°. 18° degrees may like to talk about mental health issues, they may also be the people who help others with opening up about their issues

🌆 - Sometimes Saturn in the 5th/7th house can experience rejection. In case you do, that is a sign from Saturn to be more aware of something

Is not the right time for that

That person may not be the one for you

The rejection may help you to discover things about that person

🌆 - People who don't really believe in astrology do not have not their 3rd eye open enough or they don't trust the higher plan enough to believe it

🌆 - Juno in Aquarius/11th house are the cutest when it comes to making a good relationship with their partners. Because they rely on free expressing and freedom

🌆 - South Node in your 8th house may experience a lot of deja-vu in their current life and aswell can experience states of being very intuitive about it

🌆 - Scorpio Risings are the best when it comes to hiding their true emotions/feelings so they would not get hurt in case there is someone who has a bad eye upon them

🌆 - Saturn aspecting Chiron can indicate issued with their father or with the older authorities in their lives

🌆 - Neptune at 1°, 13°, 25° degrees may doubt themselves a lot, they think that they are not enough, you are good in your own way, and you don't have to doubt yourself you are worth it.

🌆 - Sun/Moon in the 11th house can find gaming or games as a hobby, a thing that gives them a good vibe and a good state of mind

🌆 - Virgo Moons may need to practice a lot of self - healing if they need to recover from any traumas they had experienced

🌆 - When someone with Cancer or Leo Placements acts like a child around you, don't judge them, probably their inner kids feel safe with you

🌆 - Taurus Venus/Moon/Risings may like to make a lot of physical contact with their lovers/partners or in their relationship

🌆 - Capricorn Sun/Moon/Rising are having the stereotype of being an "old soul", so they may have really good advices or tips when it comes to life lessons

🌆 - Mercury in Sagittarius/Pisces may have captivating voices, they are giving poetic voice, someone who may be poetic/artistic/dreamy in the terms of voice

🌆 - Asteroid Eros (433) aspecting Mars is an indicator of being very erotic. Very sexual,sensual intimate and intense, ofc the tighter the orb the more intensely you feel these

🌆 - Asteroid Eros at 4°, 16°. 28° degrees may give an flow of innocence when you first met them, you can be ethereal with these degrees on your love asteroids. Also their eyes make you to fall more in love

🌆 - Try to make your Uranus persona chart to see what unexpected things you can experience in your life, for example having Venus in your 7th house in your Uranus Persona chart can mean you can have unexpected relationships

🌆 - Aquarius/Aries and Pisces Moons may have different taste in music 🎵 and they can also listen to multiple music genres like one second you catch them listening to pop, the next second they can listen rock or other genre of music

🌆 - Lilith in Libra Degrees (7°, 19°) charm people with their beauty, is giving femme fatale vibes with these degrees+ Lilith combined, you may also have gorgeous hair

🌆 - Gemini/Scorpio in the 6th house can have more 1 pet, I feel like most people with this placement can have more pets in their home or the desire to have more than 1 pet

🌆 - People with their Mercuries in Aries Degrees (1°,13°,25°) can talk really fast, like they put a lot of energy in this and can end up with everyone saying "sorry can you repeat? you talk too fast"

🌆 - Having Uranus - Juno aspects feels is having a vibe close to this "I never knew there was someone so special like you out there in the world" - They can find their partner/spouse so so so special and is so cute

🌆 - Neptune - Venus aspects can sometimes indicate getting in a state of delusion when you are in love, you can even create fake scenarios in your head about your crushes/lovers

🌆☽ - It's a new day and that means a new post for me to you 🦋, I hope you have it good and you're fine 🦋 🌆☾

☽ I hope everyone who reads my notes has a good day full of light and good vibes, and the most important. To love yourself ☾

🌆☽ Yours truly, Harmoonix ☾🌆

[genderkoolaid]

Featuring exclusively transmasculine poets, the anthology carves out a new space in queer poetics in which these poets can see themselves and be affirmed and understood in their identity, and in turn go forth to continue the vibrant and important work of telling and listening to transmasculine narratives. From visits to doctor’s offices told in haunting starkness, to bodies mourned and reborn in resolute resiliency, to scenes of queer love that border on the divine, this anthology invites readers into a new and relatively uncharted space, bearing witness to a world that society has tried to disappear, and listening to voices that have been silenced for much of history.

Cannot recommend this anthology enough. 115 pages of wonderful transmasculine storytelling– eros and grief and Oklahoma and mermaids. I chose a few short ones to give you a taste, but there's a lot more to explore.

If this intrigues you, but you have no money, you are in luck! The entirety of “Transmasculine Poetics: Filling the Gap in Literature and the Silences Around Us” is available to download for free! (you can also read more about Dr. Remi Recchia here). Check it out & share your favorites!

Support transmasc art 🩵

[aliciavance4228]

Here Are A Few Things From Greek Mythology Which Not Only That Make Sense, But Are Actually Quite Briliant

1. The children of Ares (war, combat, bloodlust) and Aphrodite (beauty, sex) are: Eros (love), Anteros (requited love), Himeros (uncontrollable immediate desire), Pothos (longing desire), Harmonia (harmony), Phobos (fear), Deimos (panic/terror) and Adrestia (revenge); which are all of the emotions that can happen in a relationship between the foul-tempered abusive jock and the pretty girl. The ancient Greeks understood relationships.

2. Perseus is the son of Zeus. Why didn't Hera go after him or his mother? Because they're from Argos, and she's the patron of that city.

3. The story of Heracles states that Hera tricked Zeus into saying that the next king of Argos shall be the next male born. Of course, she manipulates events to happen so that Heracles's cousin Eurystheus is born first - thus making him the rightful king. But wait - Heracles has a twin. (Iphicles) So why go for his cousin, and not his fraternal twin to really rub salt in it with Zeus ("Hey, Alcmene's son is the next rightful king - Ain't no rule saying it had to be Heracles, haha!")? It makes a bit of sense actually - by making Eurystheus the next born child, she ensures that it's not Heracles. If she induced labour in Alcmene, there was still a chance Heracles could have been the first one born - and not Iphicles.

4. Why would the relatively amiable Hades kidnap Persephone to make her his bride? Well, according to some sources, he did that after asking Zeus for relationship advice. Given the fact that Zeus has raped and/or kidnapped plenty of women (and poor, minor Ganymede) just 'cause he felt like it, it isn't surprising that his advice would involve something like that.

5. Every source and most people tend to think Hades got the worst and Zeus the best of the deal when they divided up the world, but actually it's kinda balanced because all three of the brothers' domains come with some great perks. Zeus' is obvious, but consider this: Poseidon got the element that covers about two thirds of the planet, with earthquakes to boot, and for Greeks travelling by sea was something of a necessity, while Hades got all of the minerals and gemstones, and as many point out, the one biggest flaw of humanity is that the dead have always and will always outnumber the living.

6. Most stories of Andromeda mention that she was supposed to be eaten by a monster because her mother Cassiopeia blasphemed and made Poseidon mad by claiming Andromeda was more beautiful than the Nereids. All nice and good as the Nereids were supposed to be extremely beautiful, including Amphitrite, Poseidon's wife herself, but the thing comes in when you remember that the Nereids had a brother called Nerites, who was even more beautiful than them, and who was Poseidon's first serious relationship besides his wife. No wonder he got pissed off, she was badmouthing both his wife and his boyfriend!

7. There's some poetic justice in the fact that Narcissus, who saw himself as an unattainable treasure, got transformed into a flower — something that literally anybody can take and do with as they wish.

8. The anger the Olympians felt when they discovered Tantalus' crime makes even more sense when you remember that at least Hera, Poseidon, Hestia and Demeter (Hades wasn't present at the time) all know how it feels to be eaten by your own father.

For Hades' part, it certainly explains why he'd give Tantalus such a torturous punishment in the afterlife.

Made worse by Tantalus being the son of ZEUS.

9. Why are all the gods (save Hestia) prone to so much hypocrisy, violence, sexual assault, and abuse? Well, each god is typically associated with either an aspect of nature (such as the oceans, plants, weather, etc.) or emotions and biological reactions (bloodlust, love, sexuality). As such, the gods are less like people, and more akin to forces of nature; the gods, like nature, are indifferent to humanity, so sometimes they’ll harm people when they’re angry, reward people when they’re happy, etc.

10. Some of Typhon and Echidna's offspring, such as Cerberus, Ladon, the Caucasian Eagle and the Colchian Dragon were utilized by the Olympians in some way despite the fact that they were the offspring of their Nr. 1 Enemy. Sounds odd...but when you think about it, it's actually genius. It's an excellent way to prevent the monsters from running wild and destroying stuff, whilst simultaneously taking advantage of their destructive tendencies.

11. Why is Hades such a faithful husband (Leuke and Minthe were later Roman additions) when both of his brothers are pretty unfaithful? Well, Hades has a very important job that never seems to end. He’s in charge of the Underworld and since someone is always dying, Hades is always very busy which means that he didn’t have time nor interest in having affairs. Also many couples were likely to be together in death. Perhaps Hades saw through those couples what it means to be a good husband. It does help that Hades is also far more mature than his brothers.

12. Nyx is one of the few beings Zeus is too afraid to face, having let her son Hypnos get away with messing with him since he went to his mom. Why's he scared of her in particular and not other primordial deities like Gaea? Depending on the myth Nyx is the mother of many personified concepts, and that includes the Fates...aka the one force even gods like Zeus can't overcome. Imagine how outclassed Zeus'd be if he had to fight their mom!

13. Why is Hestia the least problematic deity out of all Olympians? Cronus ate five of his children, and she was in there the longest. Perhaps the reason Hestia is the sanest and nicest of the six Olympians is because she as the oldest was forced to mature faster in order to take care of her younger siblings while they were trapped in their father's stomach. Hades being the second oldest and first son similarly assumed this role as well. Then we have Demeter, then Poseidon, then Hera and Zeus. While not a perfect graph, you could graph 'reasonable behavior' as being tied to 'who spent the longest in his stomach'.

Credits: TV Tropes

[nostalgic-shamefest]

This is a buddie shooting post. Bear with me, I've had an epiphany. If anyone else thought of this I need you here, we need to talk.

In greek mythology, eros, the deity of love (more like all consuming romantic desire/yearning) carries a bow and arrow and sneaky fucker shoots unsuspecting people. Once they are shot the person standing right in front of them becomes the object of their eros, regardless of rhyme or reason. And it's a beautiful poetic metaphor for the painful sudden realisation of fuck I am in love with this person, this feels like dying, why them, how the fuck did I not notice until it felt like dying. Now, Eddie motherfucking Diaz who was shot with a fucking bullet, with Buck standing right in front of him, had to experience the feeling of actually nearly dying. You cannot convince me in a million years he did not also simultaneously experience the metaphorical death of realising he is in love with the person right in front of him. It's too good and too obvious to not be what was happening in that scene. For the love of christ bring the motherfucking shooting discussion back season 8 I beg!!!!

[stalkerofthegods]

Lady Aphrodite/Venus deep dive

Lady Aphrodite/Venus is Amazing and beautiful in soul and looks, graceful as a swan and as kind as a mother, I adore Lady Aphrodite/Venus as a worshiper and as a researcher, she is far beyond interesting, so please know that she is not any insults you may know, she is a powerful and wonderful goddess and a mother, and know she is not just her looks.

Herbs • anemone, daffodil, myrtle, lettuce , pomegranate, apple, rosemary fresh roses, vanilla, cinnamon, cypress, jasmine, the olive tree, narcissus, honeysuckle, the apple tree, the lime tree, Strawberries, Oranges, Pears, lotus

Animals• hare, turtle-dove, sparrow, goose, swan, horses, hummingbirds, cats, butterflies, bees, fish, hare. 

Symbols• Hearts, Seashells, Mirror, Girdles, Dolphins, Doves, Swans, Sparrows, Bees, Sea Foam, Pomegranates, Apples, Strawberries, Oranges, Pears

Colors • pink & red, rose gold , blue, green, white, gold, baby blue, pastel colors, Seafoam green, Aqua

Appearance in astral or general • many ancient artworks of her, depicted her with traditionally male features, like beards, along with traditionally female features, she can change looks many times, but no matter her looks she is the most beautiful alive.

Crystal• rose quarts, garnet, pearls, diamond, sapphire, aquamarine, opal, sea glass, silver, emerald, rhodonite, rhodochrosite, ocean jasper, morganite

Jewelry • pearls, rose gold, promise rings, diamonds

epithets of Aphrodite• Psytiros - whispering Aphrodite, epithet also is attributed to Eros, Euploia - a marine epithet to Aphrodite of easy sailing, fair voyage, Leaina -the Lioness, an epithet given to the Goddess by Athenian orator Democha, Praxis - Aphrodite of action, a statue to whom stood in the city of Megara, Peitho - as an epithet to Aphrodite, it describes Her a persuasive, Epiodoros - Aphrodite of bountiful gifts as She was titled by Greek poet Stesichoru, Argounis - shining Aphrodite, worshiped in Boeotia and likely associated with Dawn, Philomedes - Aphrodite of a lovely smile or smiling Aphrodite, Helikoblepharos - quick-glancing, or Aphrodite with an ever-moving eye, Polychrisou - rich in gold, rich in many golden gifts, Chrisopeplos - gold-clad, Aphrodite dressed in gold, Chrisostephanos -  Aphrodite wearing a golden wreath, Chrisanios - Aphrodite holding golden rein as Her chariot was often said to be fully made of gold, Nikêphoros- She is the Warlike, Areia- She is the averter of unlawful desires and actions, Apostrophia- She is one who blessed marriage and unions, Migôntis- She is the one who turns to love, Ourania- Heavenly, Divine Love, Pandêmos- Common To All, Epistrophia - She who Turns to Love, Nympthia Hêrê - Of Hera of Marriage, Symmakhia- Ally in Love, Pontia - Of the Sea, Kypria - Of Cyprus, Pothon Mater -  Mother of Desire, Chrysea- Golden, Aphrodite Urania (also spelt Ourania), Aphrodite Pandemos, Venus Genatrix, Peitho, - meaning persuasion, Philommeidḗs - "smile-loving", Cypris and Cythereia -  for her association of Cyprus and Cythera, Eleemon, In Athens, she was known as Aphrodite in kopois ("Aphrodite of the Gardens”, At Cape Clias, a town along the Attic coast, she was venerated as Genetyllis "Mother", Aphrodite Euploia - of the fair voyage, Anaduomenê - The Goddess Who Arose From The Sea, Ambologêra - The Ons Who Delays Old Age, Antheia - The Blooming One / Friend Of Flowers , Apotrophia - The Expeller ( Of Shameful and Sinful Desire), Areia - The Warlike, Kupria/Kuprigeneia - The One Born in The Island Of Cyprus, Despoina - The Rulling Goddess/ The Mistress , Genetullis - The Protectress Of Births , Nikêphoros - Bringer Of Victory

Cult epithets • Ourania (heavenly) , Pandémos (common to all) , areia (of ares, warlike) , hòplismené (armed) , Symmakhia (ally in love) 

Poetic epithets • Kypris ( of Cyprus) , philomeidês (laughter loving) , aphrogenia (foam born) khryseé (golden) Pothón Mêtêr (mother of desire) 

Names• Venus, Aphrodite, Harthor, Astare, Priyah, inanna, isis, Freaya,

Mortal or immortal • immortal

Zodiac • Libra, taruas

How to get closer • sign her hymms or dance in her honor

Number• 5

Courting• Ares, she is no longer married.

Past lovers and flings • Anchises (a mortal in the past she dated), Adonis ( handsome young man killed by a boar (Ares in disguise), Dionysus, Zues (maybe), Hermes, Phaethon, Posideon, Butes, Apollon

Devine children • Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, Eros, Anteros, pothos, hermaphrodios, (From the mortal Anchuses), Aeneas a mythical hero of Troy and Rome, and Lyrus/Lyrnus (From Butes), eryxs, Meligounis and several more unnamed daughters, Hymenajks, lacchus, priapus, the Charites, (graces: Aglaea, Euphrosyne, Thalia) (From Dionysus) Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, The Erotes (Eros) , Anteros, Himeros ,  Pothos,  from Ares, Hermaphroditos, Priapus, from Hermes, Rhodos from Posideon, Beroe, Golgos, Priapus (rarely) (from Adonis), Astynous from Phaethon, Priapus (from Zeus)

Attendees • The erotes, Harmonia, Hebe, peithos, the kharites , Naiades

Regions• Cyprus; Kytherea, Corinth, Eryx in Sicly

Holiest shrine•  Paphos, island of Cyprus, (her birth place & seat of her mysteria) 

Other shrines • Temples throughout Greece and Asia Minor and ur moms house. Some places, most notably Sparta, Thebes, and Cyprus honored her as a goddess of war.

Parents • Ouranos Sometimes it’s said that she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. And born from the severed genitals of the primordial god Ouranos.

Siblings • Aeacus, Angelos, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Dionysus, Eileithyia, Enyo, Eris, Ersa, Hebe, Helen of Troy, Hephaestus, Heracles, Hermes, Minos, Pandia, Persephone, Perseus, Rhadamanthus, the Graces, the Horae, the Litae, the Muses and the Moirai.

personality• she isn’t intimidating at first, she likes not having already used products on her alter if possible, a clean, nice smelling alter.

dislikes• She does not like Medusa, she wants nothing to do with her for some reason, just what I’ve heard from people who worshiped Aphrodite and Medusa in close timelines

Diety of • Sex, libido, self-image, self-love, relationships, friendships, parent love and pet love, crushes, lust, procreation, seduction, pleasure, happiness, sadness, passion, stalking, ports, port homes

Home• Olympus and was living in the sea before Olympus

Hate• Boars, pigs. 

Likes• Faries, unicorns, butterflies, lacy & frilly things, music boxes, ballet, cars.

Roots• Greek, born near Paphos, on the island of Cyprus

Offerings • pastries, cakes, , olive branches,  dark chocolate, wine, apples, perfume, makeup, Pomegranate: said to be first planted by Aphrodite herself, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Figs, Watermelon, Sea shells, handheld mirrors/ beautifully ornate mirrors, makeup products, perfumes (sweet/sensual/seductive ones), skin/body care products, fruits, apples, lettuce, pomegranates, chocolates, sugar and cream, honey, wine (rosé or sweet-scented), sweetened rose tea, rose quartz, pearls, jewelry, roses, flower bouquets, statues of her sacred animals (ex- swans) ,  myrtle or myrrh incense, pink/gold/white candles, seawater, the artwork of her, devotional poems, self-care routines, ritual baths, have a rose garden that you can take care of in her name if possible, be supportive of women and the LGBTQ+ community. • olive oil, fruit, honey, chocolate, dark chocolate (she loves it) , Apples/golden apples, Mermaids, Jewelry, Cherries, Dolphins imagery, Perfumes, Cologne, Makeup, Combs, Affirmations/Affirmation Cards, Beach Sand, Sea imagery, Water, Love poems, Oyster shells, Pink Salt, Driftwood, Sea glass, Amenome/Roses/Carnations, Other flowers, Valentine's Day gifts, Teddy bears, Rose water, Eros/Cupid imagery, Cakes, (Dress up) Dolls, Chapstick/lipstick, Fishnets, Honey cakes, Undergarments, Hearts, Handheld fans, Pictures of loved ones, Condoms/lube(18+), Lingerie(18+), Undergarments(18+), Sex toys(18+), NSFW magazines/books/movie(18+) (AND I MEAN IT WHEN I SAY 18+, OR ASK HER!!), roses, Myrtles, Apples, Pomegranates, Honey, Chocolates, Cookies or cakes made to look like one of Her symbols (ex- hearts), Strawberries, Oranges, Pears, Bath Salts, Bath oils, Bubble bath soap, Scented lotions or fancy soaps

Devotional• light your favorite candle, put on your favorite lotion or perfume, put on your favorite piece of jewelry, put on your favorite article of clothing, enjoy a sweet treat, Sex magic, Glamour spells, Dressing up, acts of self care and acts of self- love, Caring for mental & physical health, Take a bubble bath,Spend time at the sea, Collect sea shells, Read Sappho poetry, Donate to LBGTQ+, Support sex workers, Have safe sex and learn about it, Stand up for yourself and what you believe in, Donate to woman programs and shelters, Do stuff to make ur self feel empowered and beautiful, Honor her kids and ares, watch a romcom, watch a regular romantic movie or show or read your favorite romantic story, Make plans with loved ones and friends or your lover in her honor, Treat yourself to something you enjoy, if you have a pet and they like to snuggle, snuggle or lay with them. Talk to them and tell them how much you love them (If able take them for a walk or a ride), listen to ocean/sea soundscapes, read up on all the many kinds of love, engage in an act of self-care, listen to love songs, listen to a devotional playlist for her, make a Pinterest board or playlist, or journal all of your favorite things and things that you love, learn about the different kinds of love, do things that boost your self esteem, be gentle with yourself, take it easy, etc, watch a ballet, read love poems, Dress up and selfies, Keep menstrual products on you (even if you don't bleed), Advocate for pro-choice, Give/accept compliments, Advocate for SA victims, Go on a date, Take yourself on a date, Do something nice for your partner, get a Manicure/pedicure, Flirt, Affirmations in the mirror, Drink wine, Advocate for proper sex ed (Including queer sex ed), Experiment with your style, Mirror scrying, Listen to sleep affirmations, Love letter to self/her/partner, Take a bath/shower,Go to the ocean/water, Finally give into that one kink (You know the one, 18+), do Masturbation in her honor (only 18+, I heard she’s not comfortable with minors doing it, but that’s between y’all, just ask her beforehand.), Practice safe sex (18+), Educate yourself on the porn industry, Support sex workers (TIP THEM, 18+), Have sex (18+), Get educated on consent/safe sex, Take nude/lewds (18+)

Holiday • on March 18, goddess of fertility day 

Season• spring 

Status• Olympian, major goddess

Music • Harry styles, Classical music, old love songs (50s & 60s)

Day• Friday 

Planet• Venus

Tarot• High priestess, the lovers, the empress, the star

Rituals • honored and invoked for love and fertility and beauty

Festivals • Aphrodisa, kinyrades ( summer festival) adonia ( mourning for Adonis, woman only) 

Fact• She was most worshiped during times of politics, Many people offered her Opiates, or did Opiates in her honor. opium-burners were often found at her shrines in ancient times, please do not do opium.

Prayer•

1• sing, sing, oh i sing to aphrodite who is most beautiful! she who stirs the passionof men & god alike! o, to she — i sing! golden goddess with soft lashes, golden goddess withsoft arms, i spin and sing and delight in the bright rose that is you. may i dance with your grace, lifted up as the foam from the sea as you were — may my smile be blessed with delight. golden-haired goddess, bless my tongue to be sweet as honey, bless my fingers to be delicate and swift, bless my steps so they may bound forth in soft beauty. glory to she — praise to she! goddess of ever golden smiles, of fierce beauty, of spilling laughter and delight. o! may i love as you love — may i delight as you delight! goddess, fill me with your beauty — may i shine & rise above the wrathful waters of those around me and delight, delight, delight in the glory that you have given to me! 

2•Golden Aphrodite

Lady of beauty and grace, Please give me the power to appreciate my body, Grant me confidence in my masculinity, Help me to feel your love within myself, and to express it outwardly as well, Lady Aphrodite, please hear my prayer, I sing your praises and offer you this incense

3•Aphrodite, guide me towards love. Help me discover it, receive it, embrace it, give it, celebrate it, honor it, teach it, and live it. Let love be the mark I leave, as your devotee, as a human being. 

4• Antheia 

Hear to me my call for spring to have sprung,Oh, sweet one scented of honey and nectar. Hear my call Aphrodite Antheia,As I harken a need for the sweet bloom. I crave the beauty of the opening flower, The sweet taste of its nectar upon my lips. Ah Aphrodite Antheia, Bring to me the joy of the fresh blooms. Let the petals cascade upon my body, Allow me the joy of the sunshine. Oh sweet one, Oh Aphrodite Antheia. Bestow upon me and mine, The gifts of the flowers fair.

5•daughter of seafoam, goddess of beauty, aphrodite please hear my cries. please listen as i describe all the parts of me that are shattered & torn, please understand as i tell my stories of pain. aphrodite accept me please. aphrodite pick me up & help me mend myself for i am yours, thank you so much & so mote it be

6• Aphrodite rivals the beauty of the sun setting over an ocean's horizon as you stand on the shore, the water tickling your feet as it pulled in and pushed back out repeatedly by the waves.

Scents/Inscene •  Rose, wine, fresh roses, Frankincesne, Myrrth, vanilla, cinnamon, cypress, jasmine, cherry blossom, lavender. 

Other• images of things she’s associated with, jewelry, perfume, bath salts , scented lotion, seawater, seashells, sand, makeup, feathers, self care essentials. 

Links/websites/sources

 @khaire-traveler

 ephemeral-cryptid.tumblr.com

  @mars-and-the-theoi graffitiphilosopher.tumblr.com teawiththegods.tumblr.com

 @seleniangnosis

@melitheoidevotion

 @seafoamsister

 evilios.tumblr.com hearthcreation.tumblr.com orsialos.tumblr.com 

@hisfluer

I use resources, I do not own the info, and most deep dives have UPG (that I use in my work.) And I only take some information from sources. I am 14, this is my hobby, I am learning but I spent many hours and days on this, and I am always open to criticism. I have been doing worship for 5 years. Please know you can use the info, I do not sue, but I will take action if this work is used without permission and not put as a resource if used in any work. without permisson and not put as a resource if used in any work, for the public.

[the-moon-devi]

Spiritual, Nurturing & Caring Aspects || Synastry Observations PT.1

•♀ ☯ ☆ . ♀ ☯ ° .• °:. *₊° .☆♀ ☯ . • ☆ . ° .• °:♀ ☯ . *₊° .☆.♀ ☯ • ☆

☆ . ° .• °:♀ ☯ . *₊° .☆ . •♀ ☯ ☆ . ° ♀ ☯ .• °:. *₊° .☆. • ☆°•☆ ♀ ☯

Hey guys!! Today we have a synastry aspect post! I just so happen to be looking at my synastry charts. I took notice to asteroids in particular & things started to make sense. These are some aspects that I noticed in my own and others synastry charts. I hope you guys enjoy! I worked on this for damn near a month so pleassssse enjoy🥰💋

pick a song or listen to the whole playlist. Listen to this as you read (it's a vibe 🎶)

Pof - neptune~ may create spiritual connections everytime you & this person come in contact you may have spiritual experiences & gain insight. With the house this can show more how this plays out.

Ex: ( I'm Neptune person with this person and my Neptune is in 7th house and their pof is in 12th house!! This explain alot to me because everytime we come in contact with one another we talk about spiritual topics. I had dreams about them and a they held a large meaning & are prophetic. They have also said they have had dreams about me. This is just a small bit of what this placement is like. But you guys could really enjoy doing creative & poetic things with each other. I also want to add once I met this person I became a lot more spiritual. This is sextile @ 0°

Pof just expands everything similar to Jupiter & pof person brings you luck & inclines you to be more lucky in that area.

ceres - chiron: ceres- Chiron shows that the Chiron person is wounded in some way and needs nurturing from ceres. This aspects allows both parties to open up and heal and nurture each other intensely. For harsher aspects this pair may fight the healing, while soft aspects welcome this healing in with ease. This is the type of relationship where you were meant to meet each other to heal. This can be very triggering but so nurturing. Chiron will feel like Ceres is very understanding. This nurturing is usually mutual. Healing each others wounds and caring about the other deeply.

Juno-jupiter -loyalty loyalty loyalty; Juno Jupiter aspects show how this couples inclines each other to want to commit. They have a deep trust and bond. This is the placement that'll have you saying, " I could see you and me settling down together" This person meets your needs when it comes to long term commitments. This is an indication of love at first sight. The moment you locked eyes you knew that they would be significant in your life. This is an effortless aspect beacuse of the history between juno and jupiter. Jupiter brings out the desire for marriage within juno. Amazing for long term relationships.

Vesta- asc- commitment & Devotion to asc person. Vesta wants to devote themselves to asc person. Asc sees Vesta as very sacred & devoted. Sacred commitment to one another. This can also indicate some level of a sacred spiritual connection.

Eros-moon: eros feels turned on when moon is vulnerable & vice versa. There may be a lot of passion when it comes to emotions they nurture each other. Moon feels eros sexual needs and intuitvely knows how to fulfill them.

Eros-chiron; healing through eroticism you both feel comfortable with each other & expressing needs eros can be healing towards chiron & inspire them to open up more & heal.

Ceres ⚳ conjunct Asc-very nurturing placement. Asc person will feel very taken care of around Ceres may even view them as motherly. Asc person will learn to soften up due to their love for Ceres ⚳

Ceres ☌ Moon- emotional nourishment, the two come together and make a beautiful, serene environment for one another. You find cherishing & security with one another. Cooking for each other & doing household chores together are fun for this pair.

Juno ☌ Moon- Deep emotional bond & you feel commitment for each other intensely

Valentine ☌ saturn- personally i feel like this shows loving a person for a long time and even through hardships. The couple could also be very slow to showing love to each other but deep down there's so much love!

Link -Moon : I would say for positive aspects, both partners will feel very connected to each other due to their emotions. Emotions could definitely be mutual as well.

Sun- Akasha: can show you two have a soul contract that has to be fulfilled. Karmic connection indicator and you two were meant to meet in this lifetime to teach each other how to express yourself & be you.

Nostalgia-moon: a emotion of familiarity & comfort. You feel a surreal presence when your around them

Nostalgia-jupiter: may talk about spiritual topics and prone to getting glimpses of past lifes. a huge sense of familiarity. Could have a very healing inner child energy when they are around each other. Also may have known each other for a very long time.

Asteroids: Valentine (447); Link (3550); Akasha (5881); Nostalgia (3162); Ceres; (1); Juno (3); Vesta (4); Eros (433)

• ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊° .☆ . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊° .☆. • ☆ . °• ☆ . ° .• °*₊° .☆ .

Thanks for reading to the end! Leave your commentary down below! I love hearing from yall! Catch ya later lovelies.... Til' next time!

~𝓒𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓵 𝓴𝓲𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓼 xx🤎💋

𝓕𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓒𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓵

✌𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓸𝓾𝓽!✌

𝓓𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓓𝓮'𝓛𝓾𝔁𝔁𝓮 (masterlist)

©𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓒𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓵 (Do not copy or steal my work)

[ecstarry]

Delmira Agustini, from Poetics of Eros

[anotheroceanid]

Shit, if it ain't poetic that the god of truth madly longs for the goddess of loyalty

RIGHT??? These do concepts go hand in hand in my mind, so the poets of the Athenide universe had a loooot to write about.

And like, even without Athena’s intervention, no one would be able to force her into loving them. Not even Eros and his arrows, her love have to be truthful because lying about love would already be a betrayal… so, yk, goddess of loyalty.

[petaltexturedskies]

In the moon-white vase of your melancholy rescue, like a pink diamond, your heart.

Delmira Agustini, from Selected Poetry: Poetics of Eros "The God Sleeps"

[delta-pavonis]

Dream Journal Rescue for the wip game, please

WHOO! Thank you for asking about this one, Nonny.

For the 2022 Dreamling Secret Santa I took a risk and wrote something that can be very divisive in fanfic and in fiction in general: first person narrative. I wrote the first half of i had a dream (i got everything i wanted) as a dream journal that Hob used to record his dreams after they came back when Dream got out of the fishbowl in 2021. It draws both from the early comics and from the TV show in terms of events/timeline. This fic got significantly less attention than the others I had written at the time, but it was also the one I was most proud of that year (and that's with Eros in Pragma and Hypnopompia turtur in there!). I am still extremely proud of it because it is, for me, I think very poetic writing. However, the first version of i had a dream wasn't post-fishbowl, but actually started before the fishbowl. Hob still kept a dream journal, and it still started in first person, but the idea originally was that Hob would figure out that something had happened to his Stranger because of his dreams stopping. Which meant that they needed to have enough of a relationship/rapport by the 1910s that Hob would trust that Dream would not miss a dream "date" of theirs without very good reason. Hence, "dream journal rescue" as the name. I only have pieces of the fic, but I keep them because I still viscerally love what I did with i had a dream SO FUCKING MUCH that I want to return to that style at some point. If you have read i had a dream you will see the bits I took from this and transferred to that.

This is totally G-rated and starts before 1889, as Hob is anticipating that next meeting, and then keeps going into 1914. Here's what I have in that WIP file:

1:

21 October 1885

I think I need to write these down. Olive suggested I start writing these down. She is usually right about such things.  

Maybe it will bring some clarity to this… mess. 

I’m in the White Horse Inn. (It is always the White Horse.) 

The year is not obvious from the decor, which is a riotous mix of 1389 and 1489 and 1789. Delicate teacups and straw-covered floor and fireplaces with chimneys. Of course chimneys. But I know, in the way of dreams, that it is the day of our annual appointment, the next one, in 1889. 

I shake my coat and hat free of the London morning rain. I am many hours before the time of our appointment. This my usual - I always arrive early. To ready the table and, more importantly, myself for our meeting. 

But in this dream I enter the White Horse to find the Stranger already there. He looks exactly as he did in 1789. Which must say something about my imagination since he has always been in impeccable fashion specific to the era of our meeting. 

Or perhaps it is because he looks at me with the same burning intensity that made our last appointment so spectacular. His eyes devour me, just as they did when we parted last, and I am absolutely helpless to resist.

I am sitting then, across from him, cups of tea and venison pasties between us. His beautiful pale fingers trace around the gilded edge of the teacup. I am speaking, words tumbling forth, I can hear the droning vibrations in my ears and throat, but it is not where my attention lies. 

My attention is riding the wave in his coalblack hair. My attention is wafting the bob of his throat above his high collar. My attention is tracing the sweet pout of his pink lips. My attention is flying through storm-sky eyes. 

He reaches across and

Fuck. I can’t write this.

2:

[There are several attempts at starting entries after the previous one. None manage more than a sentence.]

[No attempts at entries are made after 1889.]

3:

1 November 1898

I woke up still drunk and still in very rural Wales (note: never ever always maybe return for Nos Calan Gaeaf in the future) and found this old journal in the bottom of my trunk, so I suppose I shall once again make a valiant attempt to take dear Olive’s advice to sort out the dreams of my Stranger that ever plague me.

(I have heard tell of work by a man named Freud who claims dreams can be used to better understand someone’s psychology and potentially even relieve psychosis. He'd have a field day with me. May I never come within 400 miles of him.)

My drunk mind lacks creativity for scenery and so when I sleep this night I find myself in the same village square I was in only hours prior… however, I am back in time about 400 years? Long before the industrialization of the region, before the extermination of these old traditions by the expansion of “civilization.”

I have just won the silly harvest mare from the clutches of the other young men bringing the last of the harvest in, a horse-shaped horror made from the final stalks of grain reaped. I am now expected to try to sneak this rustling beast into the home where the bulk of the feast is being prepared by the womenfolk without one of them dousing me with washwater. If I succeed in getting into the kitchen unscathed I will win their finest beer and an honored seat at the feast-table. I am always up for new games.

(This is all Iwan’s fault for convincing me to accompany him home for the holiday yesterday and for me getting drunk while they all told me stories of the Old Days. Let it never be said that I abandon a friend in their time of need.)

I easily weave through the crowds of women and children, in their dresses and aprons and smocks, clothing I haven’t seen in centuries but are still as real as yesterday, and cross the kitchen threshold only to find the room empty. An empty kitchen except for the crackle of the hearthfire and my Stranger sat on a barrel in front of it. 

The large fire paints him in oranges and golds and he looks warm and inviting in a way that I have never experienced outside of my mind. It is the moment I know for certain that this is a dream. 

When he looks up to me he appears confused, brows drawn, lips parted. 

I am the first to speak, although words do not come easily to me. “What…?” After our parting in 1889 I can scarce understand why I am seeing him before me now. Although nightmares of the night plagued me in the months afterwards, I had been blessedly free of any night-time visits from my Stranger for almost a decade now. It has been an unexpected boon after so many years of dreaming of him more carnally. I know these facts within the dream. “Why are you here?”

He doesn’t stand, cranes his neck back to look up at me, and I realize he has a low collar this night, lower than it had been even in 1489. I can see flame-gold arcing around the shadowed hollow of his throat.

“It is a Ysbrydnos.” He explains in perfect Welsh, as if I am some child. I do not question why I can so easily understand him despite my mediocre grasp of the language. It is a dream, after all. “Many call on me such nights.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Yes, ‘tis a Spirit Night and you a spirit.” 

He tilts his head to the side, bird-like and distinctly not human. “Not as such. But I will attend the dreams of many who call me here this night.” The Stranger’s voice is just as rich and decadent as it is in person. This detail my memory - traitorous bastard it is - does not neglect. 

“Of course. Even the version of you I make for my dreams gives non-answers and evasions.” I can feel my whole body hunch in defeat. I wrap my arms around myself, look to the floor. “Just why…” Even my dream cannot steady my voice. “Why does my mind show you to me now? Why this torment?”

“Ah.” Now his voice is choked and staccato. “You did not call me here yourself this night.” Perhaps he is surprised, or ashamed, I cannot tell. 

Still, I want to scream. “After last time…” I grit my teeth and continue to stare at the floor. 

I see the toes of his black shoes enter my field of view. His chest is perhaps a handspan from mine. “Do you truly wish to never dream of me?” This inquiry is a mocking echo of his usual question, but there is no mockery in his tone. “Given…" He shakes his head, unable to say the words. Say the words he should say: Given what I did to you… Instead he restarts the sentence, "It would be well within your right to request it.”

I sigh. He almost sounds remorseful. What a fantasy this is. How contrived. “No.” And if I ever doubted before that this was a dream the tiny bits of relief I see wash over my Stranger confirms it. His eyes soften minutely. His shoulders relax a hair's breadth. “This might be the only chance I have to ever see you again. And I would take the machinations of my mind, I would take delusions of your regard, over nothing.”

He hums, looking back to the fire as he takes a step away from me. I feel cold and bereft. “This dream is over.”

And then I woke up.

3: 

1 Nov 1898  I have not dreamed of him in six months. one year.         three years.         seven          ten          fifteen 

4:

25 May 1914

After almost 17 years I found myself dreaming of the White Horse last night and when I focused upon it in my mind’s eye I almost burst into tears.

Wait, Olive always said that this was more effective if I narrated as if I was reliving the dream. That I would get more details back that way.

I begin the dream standing outside the White Horse Inn and knowing that I am dreaming. It is the first time I have begun a dream this aware and therefore it is noteworthy. 

When I enter I feel his presence before I see it. Through the doors in the back, to the private room that had been set aside for us in 1789. He is once again in front of a fireplace, standing this time, hands clasped at the small of his back as he looks down into the flames. 

(Note: Ponder this pattern more later, that I associate him in dreams with fire.)

The door to the room automatically closes behind me and he turns. Despite the venue, he is dressed, as always, in the pinnacle of fashion. All black - of course - but a suit with long jacket and waistcoat and tie nonetheless. The ever-present ruby sits heavy and dark just below his throat.

“I did not intend the delay, Hob.” And doesn’t that throw me for a loop. I did not know prior to that moment that one could get dizzy in their own dreams. “I sometimes forget that time flows… differently… for you humans. But I did think on our last conversation.”

Thirty questions stampede through my mind at once. Everything from ‘Did he just directly admit that he is not human?’ to ‘Which last time?’ I throw all of these aside and instead opt for a cautiously lilted “And?”

A magnanimous wave of his hand and we are sitting, the same tea and sweets that were present in 1789 grace the table between us. I hold my breath. “Perhaps we can pick up, as much as we can, where we were in 1789 before the Lady Constantine interrupted us.” I am so taken aback by the turn this dream has taken that I cannot for the life of me think of what to say next. Luckily, my mind does not require me to as he continues. “I believe you asked my name.”

I almost fall over myself to give him leave to avoid it. “Only if you wish it.” Just don't leave again.

He smiles, something brighter than usual, and it feels like looking into the Sun. “I have a list of titles, which we can get to later, but the simplest name is Dream.”

I clamp down on the anguish that’s in my throat, but it still comes out as a high-pitched wheeze from between my teeth. “Dream?! DREAM?!?” I let myself slump boneless into the chair, impropriety be damned, and splay my legs out in front of me, hands over my face. “Oh fuck my mind and these GAMES. Why can it not send me sweet dreams of you? Of COURSE you are named Dream… you are a dream! Has my subconscious no creativity? Christ in heaven…”

“Hob!” He shouts. He has never shouted at me before. I look to him through my fingers, meet twilight-blue eyes. “My name is Dream of the Endless and I am the King of Dreams and Nightmares.”

Shock, bright white and violent, runs through me and I quite literally fall out of my chair.

And then I wake up.

5:

26 May 1914

I do not think I have ever been more wrong about something in my long long life.

Fuck. 

My Stranger is Dream. He lords over dreams and nightmares. They are his Domain, his Kingdom. 

F U C K

I knew that he was something Other. But this. This. 

We met again last night, in my dreams. I don’t need to work at this anymore (thanks for trying, Olive) because he asked me last night if I wanted to remember this, remember meeting him. Apparently he has some manner of control over such things.

I told him yes. Of course I said yes. But I think I want to continue to keep track of what has happened, what will happen, in my dreams, here in this journal. If only so that I have something to refer to later when I have absolutely zero confidence that this is real. Some proof that I haven’t gone completely barmy. 

Last night we talked. Just talked. It was in a liminal space, barely distinct as containing a floor and walls and chairs. All monotone, in blacks and greys and faint whites. It still reminded me of the back room from 1789.

He - Dream - told me so much. More than he had ever said to me in one go ever before. He told me some of his other names: Lord Morpheus (or just Morpheus), Prince of Stories, Oneiros, Shaper of Forms. He has a kingdom, home to dreams and nightmares alike. They are not only his citizens, but he creates them. Creates!

I have so so many questions.

But I must parcel them out carefully. Each answer is a treasure I will hoard. 

I returned his generosity with words of my own.

[idyllcy]

eros & psyche

Word count: 5k

Summary: the five times Komaeda tells you he likes you and the one time you tell him the same

cherry pink confessions

chocolate flavored kisses

and a bouquet of red roses

You stare at the red roses in the guy's hands, and you pause. "You want to date me to meet your soulmate, don't you?"

The guy sputters, and you sigh. "It's that girl over there." You point absentmindedly, changing your shoes and heading to your classroom. The guy yells thank you in the distance, rushing over to the girl with the roses instead. You dodge the students as they run around to their valentines, and you blink slowly at your desk.

You glance at the bouquets, reading through the letters and tossing flowers at classmates as they swarm around your desk for the chocolates. Ex-lovers... exes... exes... teacher... student... friend... friend... random admirer... ex— wait. random admirer?

You stop sorting through the letters, reading through the letter from the admirer, and you pause when you see the writing. It's familiar. The scent of fresh laundry dabbled on the paper reminds you of someone. It's strange. You didn't think you were able to recognize scents. Well, Nanami smells like strawberries, and Sonia smells like lilies. Teruteru is in a resting scent of cooking oil, and Mitarai smells like takeout. Komaeda... ah. He smells like fresh laundry, huh?

"Komaeda, do you have a crush on me?"

Komaeda jumps out of his skin as he stops at the door, blinking slowly at your question.

The cherry blossoms flutter outside, and your eyes lock with his. Komaeda stumbles over his words, confused beyond belief, trying to make sense of your question. Him? You? How— How'd you even find out? The letter wasn't even written by him? He had someone else write it for him? How would you even recognize that it was him? He had purposely stayed behind and almost ran late just so you wouldn't think it was him. Where did he screw up—

"Yes or no," You stare at him, and Komaeda averts his eyes to the ground.

"H-how did you tell?"

"Only you're capable of such poetic writing," You tuck the letter into your skirt, looking through the rest of your letters and gifts. It's creepy if you tell him you recognized the letter by scent. You hand the majority of the chocolate to Teruteru to mess with, and the roses go to Miss Yukizome to help decorate the class. Ryota gets photos of the letters for his animations, and you help Chiaki beat a romance simulator.

Komaeda thinks you've forgotten about him by the end of the day. You're still painting Sonia's nails, whispering and giggling about what she was going to do when she got home. Komaeda packs his bag as the bell rings, getting ready to leave.

"Hold it!" You yell for him as you rush to stuff as many of the letters into your bag as you can, and Komaeda stares at you as you run over to him. "Let's go."

"Why are you..."

"Go out with me," You stare up at him.

"H-huh? Komaeda stumbles over his words. He thought you were going to leave him. You were known to just point soulmates out on Valentine's instead of accepting anyone. If anything, you were the one receiving all of the confessions. Just what did he do for you to ask him out?

"I'll make you the happiest man alive during the time that we date, then I'll hand you to your soulmate when we finish. Please?"

"W-what if I want to stay with you?"

"Don't be silly," You blink twice. "No one dates me without knowing I match them to their soulmate."

"A-ah," Komaeda fiddles with his fingers. But he likes you. "Sure. We can date."

"Great!" You reach for a contract out of your bag. A couple of letters spill out with the contract, and Komaeda stares at the pink pen that falls out. Komaeda crouches down to reach for it, handing it to you as you hand him a contract."Please have this signed by tomorrow! Love you!"

"Ah... I... like you too."

He thinks you look gorgeous above him.

[Step one: Confess] [Complete]

"Where do you want to go for our first date?" You blink at Komaeda expectantly.

He shakes his head. The school is empty at this hour. The sun is burning out in the sky, and most of the students have headed to the cafeteria to eat. Hope's Peak had the best food, especially with Teruteru around. Ibuki might be performing downstairs again. He doesn't quite know how he ended up cornered by you at this hour. "I don't know."

"Really?" You tilt your head at him, hiding something behind you.

"Well," Komaeda pauses. It looks like a basket. "Picnic?"

"I thought you'd say that." You grin, pulling the basket from behind you. "shall we find somewhere?"

"I know a place," Komaeda mumbles, dragging you with him as you wind through the flower garden. "The ultimate botanist doesn't like us in his garden, but there's a wildflower field just beyond his garden. I hope it's empty."

"It should be," You follow behind him. "Komaeda-kun, what's your favorite food?"

"I prefer salty things to sweet things," Komaeda pauses. "Maybe... shrimp chips?"

"Mmm," You stop as he does, and you barely glance at the field. You pull a notebook from the basket next, scribbling down his answer. "What's your favorite color?

"Green."

You stare at the string on his pinky, noting down the hex code. "Sounds about right."

"How do you match people?" Komaeda helps you set up the picnic blanket, blinking slowly as you set up the picnic with ease. You pat the seat next to you, staring up at the tree. You don't answer him immediately, reaching for a sandwich instead.

"I match them based on soulmate strings," You swallow, glancing at him. "They exist. They have strings on their fingers." You pause. "If you believe that, it is."

"So... a predestined soulmate?" Komaeda hums. "Sounds fun. Doesn't that make soulmates real?"

"Yeah," You shrug. "My parents called me shrimp eyes."

"Because you see strings?"

"Yeah," You pause. It's strange that he's so accepting of something outrageous. "You believe me?"

"Well, it would explain your ultimate talent," Komaeda smiles, chewing on the shrimp chips.

"I made that, by the way," You kick your legs as you grab another slice.

"How do you even..."

"Trade secret," You pull out the strawberries, and Komaeda blinks slowly at the sight of the heart shape.

"You're... very romantic, aren't you?" Komaeda laughs as you pull out a heart-shaped cake.

"It comes with my talent," you hum. "Do you want a sandwich?"

"It's fine," Komaeda smiles. "Spending time with you is more than enough."

"Weirdly," You mumble as you write, "smooth with words."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Everything's a good thing if you get matched with people that suit you," You click the pen. "Likes and dislikes?"

"Like pretty people," He pauses. "And dislike ugly people."

"Mm," You scribble, following his words. "Pretty is subjective, what kind of pretty?"

"Pretty." Komaeda deadpans.

"Vague," You sigh, falling onto the mat. "Anything else?"

"What about you? Any fun facts?"

"I hate white day." You grin.

"Why?"

"Secret" You shrug. "Anything else you want to know?"

"Do you need my background?"

"I already have your background." You hum. "Rich people have more easily accessed histories. How much money do you have right now?"

"I don't think you want to know."

"But I do."

"Does money play into soulmates?"

You glance at the string tied to his ring finger. "Not really. It's more out of curiosity."

"I'll tell you," Komaeda stares at you, the wind blowing his hair. "But you have to keep it a secret."

"Will do!"

Komaeda says the number, but it goes in one ear and out the other. He's pretty. Pretty white hair with pink tips and pretty pale skin like snow. Snow white? You don't know. He's pretty. The flowers behind him seem dull compared to his face. His hair is sickly, and his skin wraps around his bones. His illness, huh? Chemo sounds terrible for someone only in high school. No one should have to go through something like that.

"Is... something wrong?"

You blink at him slowly, sighing. "Nope."

"Did I do something?"

"Nothing."

"Then why are you staring?"

Komaeda's lips are parted as he asks you, and you jut out your bottom lip. He's pretty. You pout when you remember that you're setting him up with someone through. You're sure that you'd keep him if his string had not been cut. Maybe you'll keep him if you try hard enough. The universe already destined someone to be his. Who are you to go against what the universe has already planned out for him?

"You're pretty," You hum.

"You flatter me," Komaeda looks to the side. "trash like me-"

"Has a soulmate," You sit up, turning to stare at him. "Everyone has a soulmate."

"What about you?"

You stare at your fingers. They're empty. "I'm just Cupid. Cupid doesn't have a soulmate."

"But Cupid married Psyche, did he not?" Komaeda reaches for your hand, tracing out letters in your hand.

I like you

You blink at Komaeda.

Right.

"Then I guess that makes me Saint Valentine."

[Step two: Date] [Complete]

You kick your leg over Komaeda's, leaning on his shoulder as the two of you sit on his couch, staring at the movie on screen. The two of you watch in silence, your hand in the popcorn bucket as he rests his arm on the rest. The wind blows outside, and you jump in your skin as the screen flashes. Komaeda blinks lifelessly, and you sigh in exhaustion as the movie credits roll.

"How are you not scared?" You reach to turn the lights on.

"Worst things have happened to me." Komaeda hums, leaning back as you reach over him. "Remember?"

"I'm surprised you didn't throw everything and decide to commit atrocious crimes after it," You sit back down, scrolling through the rest of the movie selections. "Do you miss your parents?"

"It's been a long time, so... not really."

"I see," You hand him the tablet as you note down his answer. "Komaeda-kun, I think your soulmate is a therapist. It's the most ideal relationship-"

"That's a joke."

"Yeah. I don't know who your soulmate is. I have to go find them." You stare at the hex code. "You know, everyone in hope's peak meets their soulmate at some point during their time at the school."

"Really?"

"Our seniors," You pause. "Class 75. Their soulmates were all in their class. There was a case where one of our seniors had two soulmates in the class."

"Does it have to be within the class?"

"No," You pause. "One of them had a reserve course soulmate. Well, not reserve course. An ordinary soulmate. Not an ultimate."

"Do you think I have a reserve course soulmate?" Komaeda grimaces. "I'll stay with you if I do."

"That's not for me to decide," You shrug. "Besides, I'm not able to stay with anyone."

"Why?"

"Saint Valentine never married."

"But Eros did." Komaeda tits his head. "Eros ended up with Psyche and fell in love with her, no?"

"Eros shot himself accidentally when shooting the second arrow. I'm not foolish enough to do that. Besides, didn't we already establish that I'm the Saint instead of Cupid?" You raise a brow at him in amusement. "Let's talk deep stuff. Any family trauma?"

"You know everything already." Komaeda pulls his knees to his chest, resting his chin on his shins. "You ran a background check."

"I don't know how you felt throughout the entire situation."

"I've grown used to loss." Komaeda mumbles quietly, mostly to himself. "I grew up losing everything everywhere I went. I lost my dog in elementary, then my parents, and then I got kidnapped, found a lottery ticket, was diagnosed with cancer and frontotemporal lobe dementia, accepted into hope's peak, and then now I'm here."

"You don't feel sad that you didn't get to experience anything?"

"Not really." Komaeda stares at you.

"Is there anything you really want to do?"

Komaeda pauses. "Love."

You sigh. "Is that it?"

"Yeah." There's a significant silence before he speaks up again. "What about you?"

"You're my client." You smile back at him, knees tucked to your chest and smile on your face. "My job is to find your soulmate. The less you know about me, the less likely you are to be attached to me."

"But that's not fair." Komaeda pouts. "I obviously asked you out because I like you."

"I can't."

"Isn't that lonely?"

"All saints are lonely." You close your eyes. "Especially Saint Valentine."

[Step three: trauma dump] [Complete]

There are three steps to finding a soulmate through you. You call it operation lovebug. You don't remember the last time it didn't work. Your exes always sent better break-up anniversary gifts than gifts they actually gave you during the relationship. You don't even know how many rose quartz pieces you've received. You wonder if they charge at all. You don't know. Do you even care? You stare at the notes made for Komaeda's drawing, and you exhale.

Gotta find him his soulmate.

You doodle red flowers absentmindedly, wracking your mind and checking your laptop to look for his match. The numbers and hex codes run through your mind as you look for a match for Komaeda. You know everyone on campus. The reserve course paid handsomely to you as long as your soulmate match was good. It's strange. You don't remember when you could see the whole stringed color thing.

Komaeda steps into the room, handing you a mug of tea as you continue scrolling.

"Have you ever had Kohakutou crystal candy?" You switch tabs to stare at the crystals.

"No," Komaeda hums. "Why?"

"I saw it on pinterest just now," You sip the tea, scrolling through

"What are you up to?"

"Finding your soulmate," You yawn, thanking him for the tea as you take a sip.

Komaeda sits next to you, staring at his profile you made. "You draw?"

"It's all in the romance," You hum, starring two people. "Man or woman?"

"No preference," Komaeda rests his chin on your shoulder as you continue scrolling. "Does it have to be someone? Why can't it be you?"

"It's cause," You reach for his hand, staring at the ribbon. "I'm the Saint. I have no soulmate."

Komaeda tilts his head at you, and you shrug.

The strings are all over the place in front of your eyes. Komaeda's string is a bright green, and yours doesn't have one. His string is on his ring finger. You had to find him his soulmate. It wouldn't be right if you didn't. Yet, you think you had seen that green once on campus. The color on your screen is found, and you reach for the string. Soulmates exist. They exist in front of your eyes, and none of them have ever been wrong. Though, it hurts a little to let him go.

You hand him a bag of seaweed chips, and he sits next to you. You put everything on a spreadsheet; the colors only you able to tell the difference between. They all look relatively similar to him.

Komaeda doesn't understand, but he supposes you have your own way.

"Male." You click open the student's profile, checking his string again. "Hajime Hinata, born January first, a hundred seventy nine centimeters tall, has a chest size of 91 centimeters, also-"

"Are you sure?" Komaeda glances at the male. "He's a reserve course student."

"Ex-reserve course student. He got expelled." You pause. "Huh."

Komaeda tilts his head, and you stare at the hanging string on his finger.

You pause. "He cut his own soulmate string."

Komaeda doesn't get it.

You blink slowly. "Then that means he can see the string."

"How many people is that?"

"Just... me." You pause.

How tragic; even his own soulmate didn't want him anymore.

He tilts his head at you as you stare up at him for a reaction. He doesn't feel anything. He's used to losing people. You feel bad for him. To think that he would lose everyone that ever mattered to him. Maybe he's just as lonely as he thinks you are. Maybe there was some sort of truth to your relationship with him. Something something... lonely.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." You mumble. You close your laptop, finishing the cup of tea Komaeda brought you. Your lips are pulled downward, and Komaeda reaches to pull your cheeks up into a half smile. You stare at him, tears welling in your eyes. You think it hurts more for you than him.

"Well," Komaeda exhales, letting go of your cheek. "I like you, so it doesn't matter to me."

"That's not how it works, Komaeda-kun."

"It could, though."

[Step four: locate soulmate] [Failed]

You find yourself chewing on your bottom lip more these days. Komaeda's been staying over at your dorm, sitting as you turn down whatever gift he offers you, wondering how you're going to make up the contract to him. You've never seen a soulmate ribbon cut before. It had to be someone else who had your talent. There was no way someone could see the strings like you did.

"How do you want me to make it up to you?" You mumble quietly, staring at him.

Komaeda frowns at the way his heart wavers when you look so dejected.

The room is dark. There are no lights, and not even the moon peeks past the blinks. Komaeda can't see your face, but your voice sounds sad. The rain drums against the glass, and the rhythmic sound of water acts as a relaxant to Komaeda.

"Was everything a job to you?"

"Dating is a job to me." You mumble. "My job is to find someone's soulmate. Strings don't get cut unless something significant happens."

"Why couldn't it have been me?"

"You can't see the string," You rest your cheek on the table, and Komaeda pauses at the sound. You sound much sadder than he is. Was it that? You were worse off than him? Was he nothing more than a client to you when you had rushed to him with flushed cheeks and exhaustion on your lips? Were you just that desperate to have him as a client?

"Can we date instead?"

"No dating my clients."

"What if I burn the contract?"

"Still no dating ex-clients."

"Not at all?"

"No."

Komaeda rests his cheek on the table as well, mimicking you. "Then what shall I do? I want to date you."

"Maybe if you try hard enough—"

"I am."

"Well, it's not working."

"You know, you fall for people really easily, lovebug."

"Lovebug?"

"Lovebug."

You mumble the nickname to yourself, your voice growing shakier each time you repeat it.

Komaeda exhales. "I'd like to be able to see you."

"Too bad." You mumble.

"Really?" Komaeda pouts.

"Yeah."

"Is it because you're scared of me seeing you cry?"

You go quiet, the sound of your finger running along the wood replacing it. Quiet breathing fills Komaeda's ears as you sniffle quietly to yourself, the darkness making it so that he can't see you. His hand reaches for your cheek, wiping the tears between the corner of your eye and your nose. He can't see you, but it seems he's grown used to the way your face is shaped. He even remembers where to avoid when tracing shapes on your skin. How... how... how. How surprising.

"Are you sure you like me?"

"Of course." Komaeda mumbles. "I fell for you before I ever got to meet my soulmate."

"That's hard to believe."

Yet your voice holds no doubt. Komaeda thinks he succeeded in calming you down.

But it wasn't a lie. Komaeda doesn't remember a time when his heart wasn't fighting his ribcage around you. Even when you had pressed your chest to his back, helping with homework, or even as you scream from next to him while playing Mario kart against Chiaki and your perfume sent his mind into overdrive, he had never had a moment when he wasn't in love with you. He wonders if he'll scare you off with such intense emotions.

You go quiet, and Komaeda scoots closer to you, tracing your bottom lip, freeing it from your teeth. He leans in slowly, the rain pelleting against the window, his breath mixing with yours. He's close enough to see you now. Your eyes stare at him lifelessly, not a sliver of hope behind them. He pauses, searching your eyes for something. Anything. Something that would let him lean in; and he finds it. You lean in slowly, maybe unconsciously, but he takes it as an invitation, leaning in anyways.

Thunder roars outside, and Komaeda jumps in his skin, hitting his head on the boxes as he jumps.

"Are... you alright?"

Komaeda coughs lightly. "Yeah... yeah. It's the luck."

You laugh, and Komaeda hears you sit up, reaching for the back of his head. He flushes as you pull him to your chest, running your hand through his hair, checking for any wounds. He's probably red enough for you to see him in the dark. Yet, you don't mention anything, even as he's radiating heat onto your chest and listening to your heart race. Maybe he has a chance.

"I like you."

"I know you do."

[Step five: ???] [???]

Komaeda wanders in Hope's Peak's library, stopping at the section about classical history. The books seem to have been left untouched for ages, and he pauses at the sight of Eros and Psyche. He collects that book first before he looks for a book on the saints of the roman empire. The book is heavy, but he holds it anyways, sitting on the couch and flipping through the legends and myths left behind by the past.

You said you were lonely as Cupid.

But Eros had Psyche, and Saint Valentine had all the people he had blessed during the time he was alive. So in the end, neither of them was really lonely. Eros may have made a mistake, but it was a beautiful one. That was how love was, Komaeda supposes. Love was as simple as falling in love with someone. Love doesn't make sense, the more he thinks about it. You were incredible to be able to make sense of it all. How incredible of you.

It's simple things. Psyche went through hell and back for Eros, and Eros fought against his own mother as a symbol of his own love. His mother told him to force her to fall for the vilest creature, yet his own heart wavered at the sight of a mere mortal. Love was foolish, maybe. Love was falling for people that you couldn't have and chasing after that person until somehow they would have them. Love was chasing after your love until you had them in your hand. Were you in love with him? Maybe you were. Love was hiding yourself and praying the other didn't get to know you.

To hide yourself in the name of love, and to hide yourself in order that your love may never know the dark sides of you, and to think that you could only be loved if they never knew what you looked like. No. Not quite. There was no love without trust. Maybe that was the foundation. All love came from getting to know the other first, and then it came from just knowing that the other person would love you no matter what you were. That was how simple love was.

Eros fled when Psyche saw his face, and the little mortal had been heartbroken. The god of love himself had told her that there was no love without trust. Yet, it wasn't as if she didn't love him. She had done everything that Aphrodite herself had asked of her to see him again. She had even died just so that maybe, just maybe, he would be able to meet her again. Their ending is happy, unlike the many other greek myths that float through society. He wonders if he was your Psyche.

Though, maybe love did exist without trust.

Komaeda stares at the book in his hand, flipping to the right Saint.

Saint Valentine wasn't lonely either.

He restored the sight of a young one, and he had even written her a final letter before his martyr. His life was a mixture of stories, but he had ultimately been there for everyone. From the persecution to marriage in secrecy, he had been the one there for love, never for himself. In a way, he lived to see every single Christian marriage at the time. To wed people even in a time of persecution, was that what love was? You aren't as much of a Saint Valentine as you think you are.

Saint Valentine had an abundance of couples he had married in the name of religion, those who were willing to risk their lives in the name of love. Though more religious, Komaeda thinks the Saint wasn't lonely either. One legend stated that even the king took a liking to him. But faith mattered more to the saint, and he was stoned at the cross. He thinks you made a mistake. You're much more like Eros than Valentine. You would be Eros, and he would be your Psyche.

He thinks he understands why you hate the fourteenth a little more as he closes the book.

It's a lonely day for you.

Komaeda stops by Shikiba's place, asking for a bouquet of flowers, and Teruteru hands him a box of Kohakutou crystal candies as he stops by the kitchen. You'll like them, right? You said you wanted to try them. Maybe you will. Teruteru has him try one first since he looked skeptical, and he calms once there's nothing in the food.

You had asked him out the first time, so he would do the same for you this time.

The sun is shining today, unlike the other times the two of you spent together. It's strange. Komaeda had received your confession on a sunny day, and now you were receiving his on a sunny day. He stops at your dorm, rocking on his feet, knocking twice. When you don't answer, he tries the door. It's unlocked. He steps in, sliding his shoes off, looking for you in your dorm.

Your dorm was filled with letters on the walls. You taped each one to the wall so that you could reread them. In the center rested a coffee table, chess, uno, monopoly, and cards stacked on top of each other neatly there. You loved harder than anyone else. The letters of romantic declarations on the wall were more than enough proof of such.

You're not in sight.

Instead, he finds you in bed, clicking at the laptop in your hand, answering emails and inquiries about who their soulmate might be. Komaeda leaves his jacket on the rack, stepping behind you, flowers and candy in hand. You noticed him when he entered. Maybe you were even kind enough to leave the door open for him. How lucky of him.

"You know, Ko-kun," You snap your laptop shut, turning to face him. "I hate White day."

"Isn't it because you're the busiest?" Komaeda smiles, handing you the roses.

You take them, placing them on the bed next to you. You toss your laptop onto your pillows as well.

"No"

He hands you the candy next. "Then why?"

You open the box, eyes brightening at the sight of the candy. You reach for a piece, holding up it to his lips, and he takes a bite as you answer him.

"I'm always single by white day." You bite on the leftover half.

Komaeda blinks at you as you chew on your bottom lip along with the candy, anxiety written all over your face. He reaches for your hand, locking his fingers between yours, his other hand tapping your ring finger before reaching for your bottom lip between your teeth.

"I'll tie my string around your ring finger, isn't that enough?" He smiles, tracing your bottom lip. "You have me this year."

"Not quite," You let go of your bottom lip, staring at him. "That's not how it works."

"But I don't have a soulmate anymore, so wouldn't that make us a match?"

"It still feels like I stole you from your soulmate."

"Not if I was the one to ask you," Komaeda looks down to stare at you, a smile on his face. "Maybe I was your soulmate the whole time."

"Don't be ridiculous," You chew on the candy, a harmless pout on your lips.

Komaeda grins when a smile makes it onto your face.

You like it.

"Shall I take that as a yes?"

You stare up at him, holding another candy to his lips.

Komaeda bites down.

"So?"

"I like you too." You hum, eating the half leftover.

Komaeda blinks at you slowly, cupping your cheeks and pulling you in for a kiss instead. You melt into this one, the sound of rain far away and the sound of thunder in the back of your mind from the smell of his body from that same night weeks ago. You lean into this one, losing your breath and your mind fuzzing, simply because it's Komaeda. You don't know if you'll ever be able to love someone as passionately ever again, but the taste of the candy on his tongue makes your eyes go half-lidded, hungry for more.

When you pull away, the taste of the candy dances on your tongue, and you pause in thought. He's sweet. He's... sweet. Huh. He ended up with you instead of his own soulmate, huh? You furrow your brows as you remember.

Komaeda keeps your face in his hands, bottom lip jut out when you frown while in thought.

"stop kiss feeling kiss bad." Komaeda presses his lips across your face instead. "I chose you. Not the other way around."

"But it's—"

"My soulmate left me first," Komaeda sits on your lap, pushing your head to his heart, wrapping his arms around your neck. "The universe gave me a second chance with you."

"You sure?"

"Of course I am."

There's a silence that passes before a kiss is pressed to your temple.

"I always have been."

[flowersandfigtrees]

Epithets, Explained

Introduction

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I’m just making this post to help explain exactly what epithets are, how they’re used, and the different types. I know that for beginners, getting a hold of all the terms used in relation to deity worship and/or work can be tough, and I’ve seen this subject trip people up in the past when they read about certain deities or translations of ancient texts.

For a quick definition, epithets are “an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned”. In relation to epithets of deities, you might also see them called ‘surnames’ and they're basically nicknames or bynames to refer to specific aspects or forms of a deity. Typically, they’re used alongside the actual name of the deity but there’s also plenty of times where only the epithet is used, such as calling Apollo by simply “Phoebus” and not “Phoebus Apollo” or calling Athena by only saying “Pallas”. This happens a lot in texts like the Iliad or the Aeneid where using the full name paired with the epithet every time would eventually end up sounding too repetitive but also, to ancient people, certain epithets would have been easily recognizable on their own and they wouldn’t need to have the actual name given. They can come before or after a deity’s actual name, order doesn’t really matter, it’s just whatever grammar rules you’re following.

Types & Examples

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Generally speaking, there are four main types of epithets used in polytheistic religions: regional, functional, syncretic/fusion, and poetic. And just as a note; most of my religious experience is with Greek, Roman, and Gaulish religions so that’s where I’m gonna be getting most, if not all, of the examples used below.

The categories are, for the most part, arbirtrary but can be helpful when understanding epithets in a general sense when you come across them. Some types overlap with each other, for example, Dionysos Melanaigis (lit. Dionysos of the black goatskin) refers jointly to a functional/cultic role his worship played in a ritual during the Apaturia festival in Athens AND to a story in myth where he wears a black goat skin and comes to the aid of a guy named Melanthus (which is the mythic explanation for why he’s worshipped during Apaturia) but it makes Melanaigis a regional epithet (only used in Athens), a functional cult epithet (was only during rites to him for a specific event) and a mythic epithet (as it refers to a specific mythic event). Similarly, there's examples with Apollo; Delphios Apollo refers to both the form of Apollo specifically in Delphi (regional epithet) AND to Apollo in his function as an oracular deity of prophecy (functional), and Pythian Apollo refers to Apollo around the area where he slayed the mythical Python (so both a reference to myth as well as regional, in this case referring to the area around Delphi) and also functional, since it can refer to his oracular function.

Additionally, epithets can be shared by multiple deities, “Phoebus” was used to refer to both Apollo and Helios, “Antheia” was both the name of a standalone deity as well as an epithet to Hera and Aphrodite, “Bacchus” was an epithet for the Etruscan god Fufluns and to Dionysus and would eventually become to go-to byname for Dionysos in Rome. There are also epithets such as “Aetnaeus” which refers to any number of deities associated with Mount Etna, including Zeus and Hephaestus, and “Eleutherios” which could refer to Dionysos, Zeus, or Eros.

i. Regional Epithets

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The first type is regional or locative/toponymic epithets. These are used when referencing a form of a deity that is unique to a certain place for whatever reason or originated there. Sometimes deities will have unique local forms because of the inevitable variations of religion in any given culture (no religion is or was a monolith) and there may or may not be pseudo-historical/mythical reasons for the specific local variation. But it's pretty much just saying “the form of this deity that resides in Town A” or “the form of this deity representing a specific thing they did at this site”, examples include:

➻ Diana Nemorensis — literally: “Diana of Nemi”, used specifically to refer to her cult at Lake Nemi and was the form of Diana celebrated there during Nemoralia.

➻ Apollo Palatinus and Apollo Delphios — literally: “Apollo on the Palatine” referring to the temple built to him on the Palatine Hill in Rome by Augustus, this form of Apollo was also Augustus’ personal protector. Apollo Delphios was mentioned earlier but it refers to the oracular-centric form of Apollo in Delphi.

➻ Artemis Ephesus — literally: “Artemis of Ephesus”, refers to a form of Artemis unique to the city of Ephesus who had a very different representation to the other forms of Artemis. This manifestation of her was transported to multiple other cities such as Massalia and it was a form that was a sort of mother-goddess.

➻ Zeus & Hephaestus Aetnaeus — literally: “of Mount Etna”, for Zeus it refers to the form of him which has a small shrine and festival there and for Hephaestus, it refers to where he has his workshop.

ii. Functional Epithets

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These epithets are ones that reference a specific (often cultic) function of the god. Many deities have multiple roles or concepts they embody and have domain over, so epithets can be used to zero-in on just the side of a deity relevant to why you’re praying to them or giving offerings. There are also festival-specific epithets which can be used on specific festivals in honor of that aspect of the given deity. Some examples include:

➻ Hercules Olivarius & Hercules Augusti — literally: “Hercules of the Olive Merchants”, referring specifically to his ability to guard the olive industry in Rome and also “Hercules of the Emperor” which was used to refer to the aspect of Hercules that guarded Roman emperors. (Gotta say, if I had to choose, it's Olive-Merchant Hercules every time for me)

➻ Hermes & Apollo Theoxenios — literally: “of the Theoxenia festival” and was the name used to invoke both Hermes and Apollo during that specific festival.

➻ Aphrodite Areia — literally: “Warlike Aphrodite” or “Aphrodite of War”, used to call specifically on Aphrodite’s war function.

➻ Apollo Acestor & Apollo Kataibates — literally: “Apollo the Healer”, was used when calling on Apollo to aid in healing, and Apollo Kataibatês literally meant “Apollo, Protector of Travelers” (also used for for Hermes) and was used by people to thank him for a safe journey or to ask for protection on a journey they were about to take.

➻ Poseidon Isthmia — literally: “Poseidon of the Isthmian Games” which was used only to call on him during this athletic festival.

➻ Ceres Legifera — literally: “Ceres, Keeper of the Laws (of marriage)”, was used to invoke her in marriage processions and during the confarreatio (a type of Roman marriage ritual where the couple eats a cake made with sacred wheat)

iii. Syncretic Epithets

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Another form of epithets are those that serve to equate or combine deities. Oftentimes, foreign deities from one culture may transform into epithets of deities from other cultures or two deities within a single culture might be combined into one. This was especially common with Iron-Age Celtic deities in places that adopted aspects of Roman and Greek religion due to being governed by or just from existing in close proximity to them. Within Greek religion, it was common for more “archaic” or minor deities to become epithets of deities that held more cultural prominence. Some examples include:

➻ Apollo Grannus, Apollo Maponos, & Apollo Belenos — Grannus, Maponos, and Belenos were all standalone deities in Gaulish culture that became associated with Apollo once Roman religious influence spread. Each has their own unique nuance but all seem to be related to Apollo’s healing function

➻ Mars Condatis & Mars Toutatis — Both Condatis and Toutatis are also independently attested Celtic gods and both were interpreted to be a form of Mars. Through some of his Celtic epithets, Mars gained a traditionally uncharacteristic healing function.

➻ Sulis Minerva — Sulis is a Brythonic healing goddess and through her identification with Minerva, enjoyed a pretty large cult in Roman Britain.

➻ Poseidon Erechtheus — a fusion of Poseidon and a mythical king of Athens who was most likely a minor deity at some point. It would go on to be used as a name for Poseidon when in relation to Athens.

➻ Dionysos Zagreus — This is an equation that happened mostly in Orphism and other mystic cults but the earliest evidence suggests that Zagreus was originally a standalone deity or an aspect of Hades which later became an aspect of Dionysos.

➻ Mars Quirinus — Quirinus simultaneously became an epithet to Mars and also maintained an independent presence in Roman religion. It’s partly through his identification with Mars that the latter started to be more warlike as opposed to an agricultural deity.

➻ Pallas Athena — In some tellings, notably in pseudo-Apollodorus’ “Bibliotheca”, this name is the result of Athena taking the name of a Titaness named Pallas, daughter of Triton. Could also be a fusion of Athena and the giant named Pallas.

➻ Serapis/Osorapis/Userhapi — Userhapi and Oserapis are transliterations of the coptic name for Osiris-Apis which became Hellenized as “Serapis” under the Ptolemaic dynasty. It is the result of identifying Apis (a sacred bull turned deity during the Second Dynasty) and the Egyptian god Osiris.

iv. Poetic Epithets

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Poetic (or literary) epithets are, well, epithets just used poetically in ancient literature. They don’t refer to cult or ritual functions and usually either are physical descriptors, compliments, or mythic achievements. It can also include any epithets used to describe mythic standing in relation to other gods, such Ovid calling Aurora “Pallantias” to signify that in his telling, she’s the daughter of the titan Pallas. They can be used in a devotional sense and in a more solely creative one to evoke a certain feeling from the reader and set a scene and they may be referred to as “Homeric epithets” as well since many come from Homeric works. Another function of Homeric epithets can be to help a line of poetry satisfy the line/format requirements of dactylic hexameter. Here's a nifty overview of the grammatical and descriptive purposes for various epithets in the Iliad and Odyssey. If you’ve ever read ancient epic poetry then you’ve encountered loads of poetic epithets, examples including:

➻ Eos Rhododactylos: literally “Rosy-Fingered Eos”, Eos Erigenia: literally “Early-Born Eos”

➻ Aphrodite Philommeides: literally “Laughter-Loving Aphrodite”, Aphrodite Eustephanos: literally “Richly-Crowned Aphrodite”

➻ Artemis Khrysenios: literally “Artemis Who Holds Golden Reins”, Artemis Keladeinos: literally “Strong-Voiced Artemis”

➻ Hermes Argeiphontes: literally “Hermes, Slayer of Argos” (a shepherd he killed in myth), Hermes Kharidotes: literally “Hermes, Giver of Joy”

➻ Hades Polysemantor: literally “Hades, Ruler of Many”, Hades Nekron Soter: literally “Hades, the Savior of the Dead"

Using Epithets

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When it comes to using epithets in your practice, it's largely a personal choice. By no means is it something that you MUST do but, it's also not something that doesn't have a place in modern polytheism. I, for one, tend to find that it can connect my worship to a certain form/aspect of a deity (for instance, Apollo) more quickly or serve to "set the mood" more effectively. I tend to pray to epithets of him for his healing/protective/oracular roles, however, I'm not as personally connected to his musical/artistic roles so on the relatively rare occasions that I find myself wanting to invoke those aspects, using epithets related to that makes me feel closer to them. They can also be used to enhance prayers if you're someone who enjoys having very artistic wording or just wants to glorify the deity you're praying to.

Another way I like to use epithets is to create my own to use in prayers or as a devotional activity. This could mean creating new poetic epithets as compliments to a deity, creating an epithet to invoke them at a local place, or even making an epithet for a role they have in your UPG but do not traditionally have. I usually try to make them in various forms of Ancient Greek, Latin, Gaulish, or in English but you could utilize any language you feel like, it doesn't need to be the language of the ancient culture(s) where the deity was worshipped. And importantly, it doesn't need to perfect. I am certainly not fluent in any form of Ancient Greek or in Latin so it can take a while to get the correct (or even just loosely acceptable) grammatical set-up and lots of comparison with actual ancient epithets. Just for some examples, here's some epithets I've created for various deities:

➻ Dionysos Tautoteus: literally "Dionysus of Identity" but I made it to refer to him as a protector/affirmer of self-identification in relation to sexuality and/or gender.

➻ Eos Dendrokhoria & Eos Anthestephanos: literally "Eos who Dances in the Trees" to refer to when the sunrise is barely visible above the tree line (I usually pray to her at dawn and there's a forest in that direction from my house lol) and the second is literally "Flower-Crowned Eos", just a reference to her being traditionally described as wearing flowers.

➻ Sirona Lindaia: literally "Sirona of the Lake" which I made to use when praying or giving offering to her at lakes, pretty self-explanatory but I also have made a bunch of others for her such as Sirona Nantaia (Sirona of the Stream), Sirona Natrix (Sirona of the Snake), and Sirona Dumnorigana (Sirona, the Queen of the Depths).

Some Useful Resources for Epithets

For most Greek deities, you can find lists of epithets to them online on places such as Theoi.com, within classical texts such as various Homeric Hymns, epics, histories, etc. Theoi is a great site in general, however it can occasionally lack further explanation and context for epithets so if you find that one isn't clarified enough, try searching it up independently.

Wiktionary.com is actually a really great free resource for looking up etymology and the ways different words are/were used in various languages.

For other languages, check things such as epigraphy [for example, CIL databases (Latin) or this EDH CIL database (across the Roman sphere), RIB databases (Roman Britain), IG databases (Greek)], curse tablets, papyri, etymological dictionaries or regular dictionaries. These can be really useful for obvious reasons. For non-Latin Italic languages and ancient Celtic languages, I tend to use etymological/reconstructed dictionaries this for Celtic languages and this for Etruscan. But again, you can make epithets just in the language you already speak, there's no need for them to be in some ancient or reconstructed one. Its literally whatever you want.

This was originally a blogpost of mine on the P&W Amino but has been reformatted for (and reshared) here since amino is heading towards its inevitable end... rip