thewhitetarotwolf

[thewhitetarotwolf]

Hello!

I've been devoted to Apollo for some time now, but I haven't been able to find sources that can clearly explain to me his festivals/holidays and how to celebrate them.

I'm coming from Wicca (as that's all I was exposed to in terms of spirituality, previously), but I feel that its never worked for me. Hellenism seems like a nicer fit, as I'm already interested in the history of the time and I feel connected to the Theoi (especially Apollo) already.

As I'm finding myself in my spiritual journey and figuring things out, I do feel that slowly transitioning (maybe one deity at a time) will be for the best; especially since I'm still young and don't have all the time in the world.

Anyway ! To get to the point (I'm sorry for being all over the place), I was previously celebrating the Wiccan wheel of the year in a more Apollo-centric way, but I would like help finding information on His real festivals and holidays.

I'm sorry if you've gotten a similar ask, or if you've talked about this already! Thank you for this blog, its helped me a lot !!

Hi there!

I was planning to make a post about his festivals anyway, so here we go!

Apollo's festivals

We probably have the most detailed accounts of Attic/Athenian and Panhellenic festivals when it comes to most gods. Of course, other festivals such as regional ones did exist and I could mention some of them and the scarce bits and pieces of information that have survived but in this post I will focus on festivals and celebrations we know a little more about - some of the ones we could celebrate nowadays or even attempt to reconstruct. There were plenty of festivals celebrating different gods and Apollo had quite a few of his own but I think this will be more useful in terms of modern religion.

I will briefly talk about the history, how the festivals were celebrated back in ancient times and what we could do nowadays. Don't stress if you don't have access to some of the things listed as offerings. These are only my suggestions and things that could especially be associated with each festival. It's fine to offer something else.

So, let's go over some main festivals of Apollo:

Just a PSA: you don't have to celebrate all of them

Pythian Games - Panhellenic; every four years - during the third year of each Olympiad

History: The games were said to have been established shortly after Apollo killed Python and set up the oracle at Delphi. They were also meant to commemrate those events.

Celebration: involved various athletic (foot & chariot races) and musical competitions. The winners received a wreath of bay laurels from the city of Tempe in Thessaly.

What could we do nowadays: Offerings - wine, oilve oil, laurel; watch sport/musical competitions on the TV or attend an event like that; physical activity, listen to music, sing, write songs/poetry

Pyanopsia/Pyanepsia - Athenian; 7th day of Pyanopsion (around October)

Gods: Apollo, Helios, Horai

History: The origins of the festival are linked to the Athenian hero Theseus was said to have established the celebration to thank Apollo and commemorate his victory over the Minotaur.

Celebration: Rites incorporated remnants of rustic magic, including two offerings, consisting of a hodgepodge of the pulse (edible seeds) and a branch of olive or laurel bound with wool, around which were hung fruits of the season, pastries, and small jars of honey, oil, and wine. The offerings were carried to the Temple of Apollo, where they were suspended on the gate. The doors of private houses were similarly adorned. Children carried Eiresione [Ειρεσιώνη] - a wand of laurel. They were going from house to house singing. It's possible that in exchange for Eiresione, the children received small gifts. Eiresione was said to bring good luck over the year if fixed above the door.

What could we do nowadays: Offerings - especially seeds from the legume family, grains, honey, wine, olive oil, fruit, incense, laurel & olive branches/leaves; singing, celebrating with your loved ones (if you can), prayer/hymns, exchanging small gifts, hanging a laurel/olive branch over the door

Delphinia - Athenian; also celebrated in various other parts of Greece; 6th Mounychion (around April)

Gods: Apollo & Artemis

History: Again, connected to Theseus

Celebration: involved a procession to the Delphinion (the shrine) where both Apollo and Artemis were worshipped. Seven boys and seven girls carried olive branches, bound with white wool. There's a possibility Apollo was also honoured as a god having influence on the sea.

What could we do nowadays: Offerings - especially olive oil, olive branches/leaves, water, saltwater, wine, incense; going on a walk - especially somewhere by the sea or a river; prayer/hymns

Gynmopedia - Spartan; annual (around the 6th to the 10th of July)

Gods: Apollo, Artemis & Leto

History: might've begun in 668 BCE to honour a Spartan victory in Thyrea. Apparently, it's possible that Lacedaemonians took it "more seriously than any other festival". It was the first public gathering of the new year.

Celebration: it featured enerations of naked Spartan men participating in war dancing and choral singing, basically it was an exhibition of all kinds of accomplishments in gymnastics, music, and dancing. They would honour Apollo through songs and performed songs which represented the phases of life. The leader of each chorus group would wear a headpiece known as the "feather crown" made of palm leaves.

What could we do nowadays: Offerings - palm leaves; dance, singing, blasting music, physical activity, celebrate with your loved ones (if you can), reflect on life a bit

Hyacinthia - Spartan (+Amyclae); three-day & annual (probably early summer)

Gods: Apollo & Hyacinthus

History: Based on mythology. Held in honour of the Spartan youth, Hyacinthus who was a lover of Apollo.

Celebration: Athletic contests were held to commemorate Hyacinthus' death (killed with a miscast discus). The rites gradually passed from mourning for Hyacinthus to rejoicing in the majesty of Apollo. It's probable the festival was connected with vegetation and might've marked the passage between spring and summer.

What could we do nowadays: Offerings - flowers, incense, grains; physical activity, prayer/hymns, take some time to appreciate the people in your life, read the myth about Hyacinthus

Karneia - Spartan, 7th (Attic) Metageitnion/(Spartan) Karneios (around August)

Gods: Apollo (Karneios)

History: Due to the sacred law, the festival was the reason why Spartans did not help the Athenians in the Marathon battle.

Celebration: Five young men were chosen out of each tribe; one man, decked with garlands, ran away, and the rest followed him. The festival might've been connected to vegetation and fertility.

What could we do nowadays: Offerings - flowers, grains, fruit; prayer/hymns, physical acrivity (go for a jog/play tag?), spend some time outside, learn about the Battle of Marathon

Thargelia - Athenian; (pretty important festival), annual 6th & 7th of Thargelion (around May)

Gods: Artemis & Apollo

History: held on birthdays of Artemis & Apollo; sometimes it might've involved human sacrifice, especially in it's early days

Celebration: vegetation ritual; It was common to offerthe first-fruits of the earth to the gods. The first day involved a purifying and expiatory ceremony. On the second day of the festival there was a feast and procession as a mark of thanksgiving. Branches of olive bound with wool, borne by children, were affixed by them to the doors of the houses (pretty much the same thing as during Pyanopsia). Musical contests were also common on the second day.

What could we do nowadays: Offerings - grains, bread, honey cakes, all kinds of fruit (especially figs), honey, wine, olive oil, incense, olive branches/leaves; prayer/hymns, plan a purification ritual/activity (it could even involve things like: cleaning your house, taking a bath, etc.), make dinner and invite friends/loved ones to share it with, sing and listen to music.

Apollo is also honoured during:

Noumenia (new moon) under his epithet Noumenios

The 7th day of each month

During Summer/Winter Solistice (his arrival from/deparure to Hyperborea, marking the change in seasons, if you follow the myth)

Some things that might also be useful:

Here's an example of "Greek Wheel of The Year":

It's a simplified diagram showing some main Hellenic holidays. You can find more info on the website (link above). Of course, this is not the only way to celebrate Hellenic festivals but since you mentioned the Wiccan Wheel of The Year, I figured it could be easier to picture or get used to.

Attic Callendar 2022 - a reconstruction of the Attic (lunar) calendar; days marked for specific festivals and to honour certain deities [FYI Hellenion is kinda problematic, though, so keep that in mind - see more about that here & here ]

Ancient Greek Fesivals - summaries

You can also create a personal, UPG-based festival/holiday! @theoi-crow explains it really well in this post - LINK

I might write a short post about other fesivals for/involving Apollo, such as Stepterion because I think it's particulary interesting but could be difficult to celebrate today. It's more of a bonus, so I'll just link it here once I'm done.

Hope this will be helpful!

[thewhitetarotwolf]

BEWARE FOR NSFW CONTENT! hi-res non-cropped version: part I | part II  They asked me for a body tutorial, but first a bit of must-to-reads:

This tutorial is NOT for beginners! 

Yes, I made this tutorial BUT I’m in no position to say this is 100% correct. This is how I draw, these are my tips that solely adapts to my drawing style and I’m sorry if there are anatomic mistakes. I know I do a lot of them. 

When I was cropping this I noticed a lot of grammar mistakes, I’m so sorry I don’t have the time to correct them.

I don’t think there is any absurdity here but if I made some big and harming anatomy error please tell me and I will change/delete it

I never attend art school or art course, as I said on the tutorial. What I can do is self-taught, that’s why there’s so many errors.

the most important: USE REFERENCE IMAGES WHEN DRAWING! If they are real photos and not other drawings is better. This is the truth, you have to copy pictures in order to improve. That doesn’t mean you have to trace them, but observe them until you are able to reproduce it. Especially if you are drawing semi-realistic bodies like me! 

Hhhhh I’m not good with tutorials sorry very much (??)

[thewhitetarotwolf]

COCKS AND HOW TO DRAW THEM

This is my 3000th post, and rather than have it go by without a passing glance, I will instead use it to help YOU, MY LOVELY FOLLOWERS, by giving you references for and tutorials on how to draw a whole lotta dicks.

TUTORIAL 1 BY onta TUTORIAL 2 BY krisCrash DRAWN REFERENCE SHEET 1 BY itsbaru DRAWN REFERENCE SHEET 2 LIVE REFERENCE SHEET (on the various states of erection) FROM wikipedia

All of this is obviously very NSFW, so take a quick glance around to see if anyone’s within peeping distance of your monitor before popping these babies open.

And, of course, ENJOY.~

(VERY LATE EDIT: Sources provided by Tokitoide.)

[thewhitetarotwolf]

Nipple Guide

Support >> http://www.patreon.com/doxydoo

[thewhitetarotwolf]

A friend asked me if I had any pointers on drawing dingle dongles and I may or may not have gotten totally carried away and drew out a bunch of stuff, heheh. Figured Id post it just in case any nsfw artists found it helpful at all~

Also if I have any incorrect info or you have tips feel free to let me know. Always eager to supplement my penis expertise~ haha~

[thewhitetarotwolf]

A glorious fuck-ton of male anatomy references by jinx-star on DeviantArt.

[thewhitetarotwolf]

requested!! its just some stuff ive learned idk dont trust me too much, i had the parts for this laying around for days and was too lazy to put text on it i also added a collage of some chests ive done last minute

[thewhitetarotwolf]

i cant believe i did this i am sorry for this contribution

i just really love balls ok

[thewhitetarotwolf]

A friend asked me if I had any pointers on drawing dingle dongles and I may or may not have gotten totally carried away and drew out a bunch of stuff, heheh. Figured Id post it just in case any nsfw artists found it helpful at all~

Also if I have any incorrect info or you have tips feel free to let me know. Always eager to supplement my penis expertise~ haha~

[thewhitetarotwolf]

The Back and Spine

[thewhitetarotwolf]

Hey friends, it’s Meg!

Back for another TUTOR TUESDAY! Today we take a look at feet and how they work! I’m always looking for recommendations, so if you have anything you’d like help with feel free to send it in here or on my personal blog. Keep practicing, have fun, and I’ll see you next Tuesday!

[thewhitetarotwolf]

Hey friends!

Sorry for the late TUTOR TUESDAY, but here it is! Today is on clothing folds and was a recommendation from @kitemist, thanks! If you have any recommendations you’d like to see send ‘em in here or my personal! Hopefully I can expand on clothes more soon! Keep practicing, have fun, and I’ll see you next week!

[thewhitetarotwolf]

bodies

[thewhitetarotwolf]

Drawing Faces (A Collage of Tips)

Hey hey! We just drew a cute sketch of one of the alters in our system (Ava) and, since we’re really happy with it, we’ll share some proportion and facial construction tips that will hopefully help you with drawing too. 

Picture for example above, explanation/details are below each picture. 

The center of the eye almost always lines up with the corners of the lips (approximately–some people have slightly smaller or larger lips). If you’re confused about the size of the mouth, but the eyes look great, just draw a line down from the center of each eye and you’ll have the exact size of the mouth you need!

It’s approximately five eyes that go across the face (depending on your style, play with this a little). The head wraps in a circle, so if the end eyes go over that’s cool, especially when drawing the face at an angle or in a semi-realistic style like this. 

The key part is that one eye width is in between both eyes. This helps remain as a guide for typical eye-to-eye distance. Then, if you have a character who has wider or closer together eyes, you can change that consciously! 

Enticing eyelashes have movement! They essentially work like arrows from the center of the eye. Upper eyelashes curve in the opposite direction of the lower eyelashes (directions are on the left side of the above picture). 

Just make sure they curve, no one has straight eye lashes (unless you’re deliberately using that for stylistic effect)!

Hair has lots of movement too! Drawing arrows to start getting a sense of direction can be a great place to start. Start the arrow where the hair is attached to the head or pinned (like with a clip or hair tie) and then fan out from there. 

Draw hair in sections/chunks that vary in size. See how some are thin sections and others are thicker? Typically on the edges of hair it’s thiner (like by the face, edges of the hair/outline) and in the center of sections it’s thicker. 

As always, don’t be afraid to use references so you can see how hair falls on the shape of a human head!

A little neck trick: There is a V of muscles that connects near the collarbones and all the way up to under the ear. Make sure this V is something you draw (even if you erase it because your character has a thicker neck). The thinnest part of the neck cannot be thinner than this V.

Also, shoulder muscles start pretty soon after the neck, so see that thick red line on the side? That’s where the V and the shoulder muscles (the ones that get really sore on all of us) coming around the back connect. This gentle V will add a much more realistic look to the necks you draw and help the head look properly supported! 

Best wishes with your drawing!

-Arien (& Bael)

[thewhitetarotwolf]

high quality expression references with varied facial types

[thewhitetarotwolf]

I made a thing! I was thinking about this for a few days - because I realized that when I was young, I was also frustrated about being given the same advice over and over - without really knowing what it meant!!

Here’s 5 techniques which I have done before which have helped me grow as an artist, which are good for 5-minute warmups or just straight up challenges for your sketchbook! 

Obviously, these are not the ONLY techniques - they’re just the ones I find most fun! And maybe they’re not the most ‘correct’ ones out there, but it’s better than another comic about practicing more, right? 

Good luck to everyone on their drawings!

[thewhitetarotwolf]