eclectic-misfit

[eclectic-misfit]

Hey so quick question.

Why do y'all think that the greek gods are mad about elections? Let alone be mad at YOU for how the elections turned out.

Another question. Shouldn't they also be mad about the constant forest fires in Greece every year? The poverty and exploitation of the African continent by their past colonizers? Shouldn't they be mad about what's happening in Gaza? And why are they not mad at the dictatorship in Russia?

I know this is a situation where many Americans are becoming vulnerable... From queer people, people of color, disabled people, and more minorities.

BUT PLEASE TRY TO THINK RATIONALLY. WHY WOULD THE GODS BE MAD AT YOU FOR SOMETHING YOU CAN'T CONTROL?

Also. Don't believe everything you see on TikTok and stop fear mongering PLEASE.

[eclectic-misfit]

Reminder that the orange Cheeto man is not worth your life. We are not doomed. Our human rights will not immediately evaporate into thin air. Most things that Trump does can likely be undone in the next presidency, and there WILL be a next presidency. As much as he likes to think he's a dictator with unlimited power, he is not. That's not the way our system works, thankfully.

Reminder that the suicide hotline number in the US is 988. You can also contact The Trevor Project. This election is NOT worth your life, I promise you.

[eclectic-misfit]

[eclectic-misfit]

☀️Deities☀️

I see so many people criticizing others over their relationships, or lack thereof, with their deities, so here are some reminders:

Not having deities is okay.

Having just a devotional relationship with your deities is okay.

Having a working relationship with your deities is okay.

Playing games with your deities is okay.

Harmless jokes with your deities are okay.

Doing fun things with your deities is okay.

Doing devotional offerings for your deities is okay.

Giving physical offerings to your deities is okay.

Not being able to do certain offerings for deities is okay.

Having an altar for your deities is okay, no matter the size.

Not having an altar for your deities is okay.

Laughing with your deities is okay.

Crying with your deities is okay.

Having genuine conversations with your deities is okay.

Being unable to hear/see deities is okay.

Being able to hear/see deities is okay.

Not being able to communicate through divination is okay.

Using divination as a key element in communication is okay.

Not calling on deities during spellwork is okay.

Asking deities to help during spellwork is okay.

Asking deities for help in general is okay.

This is your relationship with your deities in your practice. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. 🫶

It's 2am, please forgive me if there are any mistakes!

[eclectic-misfit]

BIG shoutout to those who are practicing in secret

y'all don't get enough recognition because leading a double life is exhausting (i know because i'm one of those people leading that very same double life)

shoutout to those who can't tell anyone about their practise

shoutout to anyone who can't own tarot or oracle decks and so use household items to do divination

shoutout to those who can't have candles or fancy altars

shoutout to those who practice in secret.

[eclectic-misfit]

Does anyone have any tips for continuing to have faith and trust in your deity even when you aren't receiving any signs of their presence? I feel bad but it's something that I really struggle with.

[eclectic-misfit]

⚔️Hail, Lord Ares⚔️

[eclectic-misfit]

It's so important for us to understand that we can connect with the Gods in our own personal ways. Just because you see someone on this app with the aesthetic altars/shrines, and the routine rituals, etc. doesn't mean you need to do/have those things in order to connect to the Gods.

The Gods know. And they understand that everyone connects differently. Whether its going out into nature, or praying softly in your car before work, or giving small offerings into the earth, the Gods accept you.

It can be difficult to understand the concept that religious connection is a personal journey, not something you need to envy from someone else. Find what helps you connect, and do those things.

No matter how big or small your actions may be, the Gods love you all the same.

[eclectic-misfit]

It's with a heavy but hopeful heart that I watch Palestinian families fundraiser on here, slowly accumulating the precious little money to go around that they need to survive. However, not everyone is so lucky. A lot of Palestinians that have not had that kind of luck, that did not get early verification, that did not get massive platforms behind them from large bloggers, have approached me in my inbox, asking me kindly to do what I can for them. It kills me that I have so little to give myself, but I've seen this platform collectively raise enough to change someone's life. I've made a list of Palestinian fundraisers that are extremely low on funds, in the hope that drawing attention to people who have not been lucky at all can help turn that luck around. I know most of us can't possibly give enough to get all of these families safe in one go. But please, reblog this list. Pick one or two fundraisers, give what you can, and then keep track of it. Slowly, collectively, we can make a difference in these people's lives. Share and donate as much as you can. https://docs.google.com/document/d/178EGDFKkHlh3y4TMVX82kqgITHsqtoMdNccI2f_94Os/edit?usp=sharing

[eclectic-misfit]

Friendly reminder that you don't need to be on any “level” of witchcraft to worship the Hellenic gods because

1. Being a polytheist or a pagan doesn't equal being a witch.

2. These deities were worshipped by literal children back then as there was no fear of them being harmed.

If someone is telling you “this deity is for beginners/advanced practitioners/whatever” then they're either misinformed or they're purposefully trying to seem spiritually above you so you consider them as some sort of spiritual guide.

[eclectic-misfit]

Some day you're gonna lay in the sun and know that everything's gonna be okay

[eclectic-misfit]

I think something important to remember when it comes to working with deities and spirits and the like is that you’re not always going to be perfect at it and it’s not always going to be going well.

We put such an emphasis on all the good experiences that we can sometimes forget that there are going to be times where you can���t face doing your practice for a while (mental health, illness, life in general). There will be times you can’t sense your deities/spirits when trying to communicate with them. Your tarot might come out as nonsense. You might feel completely disconnected.

I think it’s so easy to get disheartened when dealing with this type of stuff. When you’ve been able to grasp something so magical in the past, only to feel it slipping away in the present, it will, of course, feel awful and like you’re failing as a devotee.

But it’s important to remember you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re only human, and sometimes human things get in the way.

Take a moment to breathe. If it’s not coming to you as easily as before, take a break. Give yourself to opportunity to fail for a while. Your Gods will still be here when you’re able to hear them again.

[eclectic-misfit]

I don’t think we are meant to fear the Gods. Not even Gods of storms, death, or war. To believe in them is to accept them as they are. Don’t let anybody convince you that polytheists should fear the Gods. Be awe-struck, be humble before them if it feels right, but in this modern day and age, spirituality shouldn’t feel unsafe.

[eclectic-misfit]

hot take but if you're going to be participating in any religion (INCLUDING PAGAN RELIGIONS) you have to research about the culture itself first.

[eclectic-misfit]

CONNECTING WITH DEITIES

• Say good morning and good night to them.

• Study and do research on them (myths, history, etc).

• Make an altar/shrine.

• Pray and talk to them.

• Give offerings (food, drink, flowers, incense, and/or other objects with symbolic meaning).

• Write letters and notes to them.

• Start a hobby associated with them (or just any hobby).

• Cook or bake something.

• Wear colours associated with them.

• Have symbols their associated with.

• Dedicate any self care to them.

• Participate in rituals or ceremonies that honour the deity and allow you to tap into their energy.

• Meditating on their energy.

• Put on a playlist that’s dedicated to them (click here for the ones I’ve made)

• Making a Pinterest board for them.

• Change your phone lock/home screen to something that reminds you of your deity.

• Veil or bind your hair.

• Dedicating your rest to your deities is especially great if you feel guilty for allowing yourself time to heal.

[eclectic-misfit]

Listen. Abandoning the idea of what a proper pagan is was the most rewarding experience. Your intuition is stronger than you think.

This isn't a science. You don't have to treat it like one. Go with your heart, go with your intuition. It will help you grow more than you've ever dreamed of.

[eclectic-misfit]

How can I know if a book on Hellenic Polytheism is based on reliable sources?

I assume you mean from a Reconstructionist view?

Is the book self-published or is published by a well-known publisher or a university press? Nothing intrinsically wrong with a self-published book, but, especially if the author is unknown, it raises questions about the material.

How old is the book? Recent books tend to incorporate new material.

Check the author’s credentials. Do they have a degree in classical studies, archaeology, history, religious studies? Do they claim to have a “continuous lineage” with the past, or access to  previously “secret” or “hidden” information?

Read reviews to assess the quality of a work, from the 5-star to the 1-star reviews. Check JSTOR and the Bryn Mawr Classical Review  for reviews of books in classical studies, archaeology, and ancient history.

Is there a bibliography? What kind of evidence does the author cite? Primary evidence, like Hesiod or the Homeric Hymns? If they site secondary sources, such as academic works on ancient religion, is it  recent or many years out-of-date?  Do they cite archaeological evidence and, if so, is it new or outdated? Do they use their own experiences in working with the gods as a model for everyone?

Does the author provide footnotes to document their statements? Do the footnotes cite primary sources, secondary sources, archaeological evidence?

If the book describes rituals, does the author provide any sources for them? Red flags would include: calling the quarters, celebrating the solstices and equinoxes, fitting ancient Hellenic goddesses into the maiden-mother-crone paradigm.

but it can be difficult to assess the accuracy of the material in books with titles like “Hellenic Polytheism for Beginners” because there the authors seldom cite of sources. Try to find out about the author/s online. Books on Hellenic polytheist practices are sometimes compiled by HP organizations or BNPs (big name pagans); some of the material might be available on their website, so take the opportunity to asses the quality of their sources (and their views on things like race, ethnicity, gender, and gender roles) before giving them your money. 

Books with boring titles like “Ancient Greek Religion” may be dry reading, but they’re honest about what’s actually known by scholars about ancient religion. Learning about ancient practices usually requires reading more than one book to assemble a working view of how devotion was done in the past but, from a reconstructionist methodology, accuracy and understanding are very important.

Don’t feel that you need to buy books to worship the Theoi, Anon. The research desk at your library can help you find journal articles and get books from other libraries. College and university libraries can be especially useful. A great deal of reliable information about the gods and their ancient cults can be found at theoi.com, the Perseus Project, and JSTOR. Many museums have collections of ancient pottery and other art and artifacts online related to ancient rituals and mythology which provide a great deal of information.

I’ll be happy to provide specific recommendations if you wish.

May your path be blessed!