myrtles-and-blood

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There’s no actual evidence that Aphrodite was forced to marry Hephaestus, the whole “contest for Aphrodite’s hand in order to free Hera” thing is a weak modern theory that got popular for whatever reason. It’s actually was more narratively interesting that Aphrodite and Hephaestus agreed on an arranged marriage but it didn’t work out.

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I’ve been seeing increasingly more posts lately about daily devotion, rituals or rites (or work in general) being unnecessary or even performative within witchcraft, deity work and demonolatry. The concept that you don’t actually have to do anything or prove yourself in any way to receive responses or to have a relationship.

“I haven’t ____ for/with Lucifer in months but it doesn’t matter because this path is mine and I decide what happens.”

I appreciate this sentiment in essence. The idea that you don’t have to prove yourself, that you are already worthy enough is very Luciferian. It is very helpful to beginners who are anxious about not doing enough. You do deserve a response, and Lucifer himself has never demanded worship or engagement. He would never imply that anything is mandatory.

However,

I think this line of thinking can also be a severe shoot in the foot that can greatly impact the depth of your relationship and priority with your deity. Yes, Lucifer values independence, but he also values initiative and growth. A spirit like Lucifer may respond even without “proof,” but the quality and depth of that response will likely match the level of investment.

This “you’re already enough” principle is a necessary antidote to rigid dogma, but it’s meant as a starting point, not an end point. The ‘danger’ in the philosophy is when people stay in the comfort of this reassurance and never progress to active, self-chosen discipline.

I’m going to keep talking about Lucifer specifically because he is my Patron.

Intentions and thoughts are important, possibly the most important step. I’m not claiming that your relationship is less legitimate if you don’t do XYZ every single day. I don’t do XYZ every single day, I at the very least reserve some time and thought for Lucifer. That doesn’t always have to manifest as a ritual or working.

However,

This is a relationship. Lucifer is a teacher. Intentions truly are not everything, and yes, there is work. It is a craft. Actions matter. It won’t all be exciting or enjoyable.

Lucifer won’t punish laziness, but he will match your energy level. The rituals are not there for performance, the rites are not litmus tests, they are initiations. Working with demons is not the same as entertaining imaginary friends. You certainly can entertain imaginary friends, nothing wrong with that, but that simply is not the same occult practice of demon work most demonolaters are describing. It’s not just for aesthetics. The rituals themselves are the point, they unlock specific lessons and energies that can’t be accessed through casual thought alone. They are metaphysical actions that literally open doors to states of being, energies, and entities.

It is 100% your choice as to the type and depth of the relationship you want to have with your spirits. No one is required to take Lucifer on as anything they do not wish to. I do not believe Lucifer would ever ignore or turn away from someone for “not doing enough”.

But if you are consistently not engaging with him, he’s not going to engage with you either. Lucifer reflects back the seriousness or superficiality you bring. If your pursuit of him is strictly for enjoyment and entertainment, then he will treat you as such. Do you take him seriously? Do you value his lessons and principles? Do you want him to help you change? Or do you simply want to hang out with him from time to time?

Be honest with yourself, no answer is wrong, they simply lead to different destinations. Both are valid, but you must own which one you’ve chosen instead of expecting a casual approach to produce deep results.

If I made a post about how I never really talk to my boyfriend, I don’t dedicate the time to spend with him, I never really try to show him that I care. I don’t put in any effort, and what little effort I do put in must be enough, or else he’s expecting too much of me, you might ask me: “Do you even like this guy? Do you even like being in a relationship?”

Do you consider those people you only see once a month at most to be your closest friends? Would you care if your partner ghosted you for weeks at a time?

That person you just met, how likely are you to become their friend if you only see them on mild occasion? How deep are your conversations going to get if you never really talk?

In occult terms, this is about attunement. The more consistent contact, the more attuned the energetic connection.

Lucifer has never demanded of me that I do anything, he certainly didn’t in the beginning. But now that I’m in the point in our relationship where he trusts me and takes me seriously, he will remind me. Remind because he knows I already want to do it. I am already deeply committed to this path. And even when I’m being a brat or feeling lazy, he will encourage me. Not because it is my obligation, because he wants to continue to cultivate the fire that we’ve been fuelling together. So yes, even when I don’t exactly want to, Lucifer will still give me tasks and homework. Part of my trust in him is recognizing that it is for my own good, even if it is inconvenient. Lucifer isn’t here to be convenient.

Is spending time with those who I am genuinely interested in an obligation? No. You are not obligated to do anything.

Will I be able to form meaningful relationships with those I am interested in if I don’t put consistent effort into them? Also no. I am not obligated to talk to my boyfriend every day, I just want to.

So whenever I hear “you don’t have to do anything at all, Lucifer will still like you.” I somewhat agree. Lucifer may still like you as one likes a vague aquaintence. He may see you as a fan, he may appreciate your company from time to time. But you are communicating to him quite plainly that your pursuit is not initiation, or the work. So he simply will not initiate it. Liking you ≠ initiating you into mysteries. Pleasantry is free, transmission of power and knowledge is earned.

I would not know a 10th of what I’ve learned about Lucifer and myself if I did not put the effort into those rituals. I simply could not achieve this depth if I had not swam deeper. You are perfectly allowed to float on the surface. Just do not be confused that you can’t see coral.

If ritual is dismissed as “performative,” the practitioner is potentially rejecting one of the most effective ways to tune into the energetic frequency needed for deeper contact. Lucifer himself doesn’t require ritual for validation, but ritual helps the human, not him. It creates coherence between body, mind, and spirit, making higher-dimensional exchange smoother. Just like you can’t hear certain notes until an instrument is tuned, you can’t receive certain transmissions until your energy has been shaped to match his. Ritual deepens skill, connection, and love for the work.

The reason why rituals and rites and work is so important within demonolatry and this sphere of occultism is because, well… Lucifer is the light bringer. He wants to reveal and educate. He wants to dance with passion and intrigue. Shadow work is infinitely important to these spirits, possibly the most important thing. And if you are constantly avoiding the work in favour of the fun, if you quit because it’s getting too tedious, you won’t be ignored, but you also won’t be rewarded.

These rituals and devotional actions aren’t to prove loyalty or legitimacy. You aren’t proving yourself to Lucifer, you’re engaging in a dialogue. If everything must be your terms, your way, only when you want to in the way that is most comfortable for you, you aren’t seeking a relationship with another spirit, you’re seeking a comfortable pass time, and you want him to be your entertainer.

Rituals are not mandatory, but practicing painting is not mandatory either. Will you be better at painting and create more paintings in general if you do practice? Yes. Will your art teacher be pleased with your commitment? Yes. Will you learn more about art, will your passions grow? All yes.

You do not have to practice to be allowed to paint. You can just paint when you want to and call it a day. Awesome. Just don’t be upset when you finally do come to class and your teacher simply isn’t impressed.

Disappointed? Probably not. But also not impressed. Don’t be surprised when the critique is poor understanding of fundamentals.

Fruits but no labor? Flowers but no rain? Wine but no grapes? Why do you think you are entitled to that? Because you showed up and asked?

What you deserve is a response, to be dignified. But what you must earn is that connection. Just as you do with every other spirit- human or otherwise- that you interact with.

When I read these posts that go on about how little folks commit, it reads to me like bragging about not giving a fuck. Saying “yeah I wish I could dedicate more time to Lucifer but work is just too hectic right now” is totally absolutely understandable and valid. There will definitely be times that there is some distance between you, that is very natural and necessary.

But saying “I haven’t been able to do anything in months but it doesn’t matter because Lucifer doesn’t care,” only communicates that he simply is not a part of your conscious life and actions. He’s an after thought that is interacted with when it is convenient. Which again, is fine, but not intimate and not initiatory.

You can think vaguely about anything or anyone. I think about my boyfriend all day, that in itself is not substitute for conversation. Yes the spirits are spirits and can be accessed through thought, but thought is the playground, the building block, the house, not the bread. You still have to cook the bread. Your actions are your thoughts and intentions manifested in the physical world. That matters.

I understand that most people do not have the free time to dedicate to a ritual, that’s completely understandable. But designating and finding time is an act of devotion in itself. Compromise is an act of devotion, especially if you’re in the broom closet.

If I always told my boyfriend I was too busy for him, he would start to wonder if he’s a priority in my life. If I never show up to class, my professor might give my seat to someone else who’s actually going to show up and use it.

I only have one Patron for this reason. My dedication to Lucifer is very consuming, I simply do not have the time to prioritize multiple patrons. And that’s fine, it means my relationship with the one guy I have chosen is extremely strong. I could try to collect them all like Pokémon or I could put real attention into what I already have in front of me.

And don’t get me wrong. I do work with and worship multiple other deities. But they aren’t my priority, and that’s perfectly okay. There is nothing wrong with having a dominant and a non dominant hand. It’s healthy and effective to channel your energy intentionally rather than spreading it equally everywhere.

And to reiterate, I am not insisting that devotion needs to take place every single day. But consistently? Absolutely. Repeatedly? Yes. With conscious effort? Most definitely, that’s how the channel stays open. Every person’s path is different, but it is still a path. If you don’t walk, you won’t be dragged back to the beginning. But you won’t see what’s around the corner.

Bare minimum effort garners bare minimum results, that’s just the law of equivalent exchange.

Your craft is your own and it is absolutely your choice as to what you want to do with it. But once you invite another party into the circle, the craft is no longer just your own. It is no a co-creation of two wills. I think it is just as important to consider their boundaries and wishes as much as it is to stay firm in yours. Spirit work is co-creative, not a solo hobby with an imaginary friend.

If daily devotion is just not going to work, try to set up a schedule, weekly, only on Fridays- whatever actually sticks. It’s not an obligation, it’s a habit. Try to find days where you can take even just 30 minutes to consciously focus. Read books in small chunks. It doesn’t all have to be super serious and hard. Can’t do a ritual? Understandable, we all have lives. Light a candle while you shower. Can’t light a candle? Aw that sucks, try to practice saying that enn you were trying to remember. Can’t remember? Too busy? Look it up on your lunch break. Small acts build up. Make it your own, make it fun.

It’s not about bowing to a deity’s authority, it’s about building a stable channel for deeper communion.

But if your angle is constantly “that’s too hard, that’s too inconvenient, that’s uncomfortable, that’s too tedious, that doesn’t matter,” then you’ll be correct. It won’t matter, and you will never access the secrets, mysteries, and lessons contained within those acts.

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Greece is facing its hardest days yet of this year’s wildfire season, a senior firefighting official said, after dozens of new blazes erupted in a single day and extreme weather hampers extinguishing efforts.

Strong winds, prolonged dryness and intense heat have worsened conditions across much of the mainland and on the islands, forcing evacuations and dramatic rescue operations in recent days.

Kostas Tsingas, head of the fire brigade officers’ association, told broadcaster ERT News on Wednesday that 82 new fires were recorded across the country the previous day, a number he called “exceptionally high”.

The situation is particularly dangerous near the western city of Patras, on the hard-hit Peloponnese peninsula, where two large fires are burning.

Major blazes are also raging in the region of Preveza in the northwest, as well as on the islands of Zakynthos and Chios.

On Chios, the coastguard picked up dozens of people at the small harbour of Limnia because the smoke was so intense.

Some 13 firefighters have been treated for burns and other injuries, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis told a televised briefing on Wednesday.

Nearly 5,000 firefighters assisted by 33 aircraft were deployed since dawn to contain the flames stoked by winds and hot, dry conditions near Patras, on the tourist islands of Chios and Zakynthos and in at least three inland spots.

“Today, it will be another very difficult day, as the wildfire risk for most of the country’s regions will be very high,” Vathrakogiannis said. Temperatures were forecast to reach 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 Fahrenheit) in some places.

Greece has requested help from fellow European Union members and applied for four firefighting aircraft through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Pray for Greece, and for all of Southern Europe, and for the Earth.

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first little comic i've made in a bit ^^;

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Ground-Level Meditation Advice

A friend asked me for some meditation tips recently, and I figured I’d share what I told them here too—because honestly, most people don’t get useful advice when they’re first starting out. It’s either too vague or way too abstract.

So here’s a simple, real-world breakdown:

1. Application of attention is the foundation of every technique. No matter the form—breath awareness, mantra repetition, body scanning, focusing between your eyebrows—you’re paying attention to something. That’s it. That’s the whole root system of all meditation: deliberate attention. It's what differentiates meditation from relaxation exercises, “zoning out,” or other spiritual practices.

2. It’s focused and relaxed. The sweet spot is being concentrated but not tense. One metaphor I often use: imagine you’re a sniper waiting for your target. You don’t know if it’ll be five minutes or five hours before they appear. So you’re alert and watching, but also relaxed enough to sit with that uncertainty without burning out. That’s the presence cultivated during meditation.

3. Boredom is peace in disguise. A lot of people find meditation hard simply because it feels boring. But that boredom? It's just peace we don’t recognize yet—because we're used to always solving problems or being entertained. When we stop doing both, the mind gets fidgety. Our continual restlessness becomes more obvious. Learning to sit with that restlessness is part of the work. You will notice yourself feeling more at ease in your daily life in proportion to the degree that you release your restlessness by staying with it during meditation practice.

4. Consistency is everything. Like exercise, one day of meditation won’t change much. But a little bit every day does. Fifteen minutes daily will do way more than a three-hour session once a week. Meditation is a cumulative practice.

5. Make it part of your rhythm. The easiest way to stick with it is to link it to another part of your daily routine. I usually meditate at the end of the day after exercise and a shower. At other times in my life, morning practice worked better. Try different times and see what sticks—then build around that.

6. Keep it simple. Commit for a while. There are tons of techniques out there. The simpler ones are often the hardest, because your mind has less to chew on. Try a few and then pick one. Stick with it for at least a month. That’s long enough to know if it’s working. Apps like Headspace or Insight Timer can help if you're starting from zero. I never used them—I started before apps were a thing—but they might help you find your groove.

Meditation doesn’t need to be mystical or performative.

Just sit, watch, stay.

And if you can’t sit today, sit tomorrow.

No drama. Just return.

LY

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On parties and Lucifer

Been listening to some techno lately and without fail I think of Lucifer every time. I'm not sure if he likes it I've never asked him, but I've always seen a connection between "party music" and Hell.

I'm guessing it's because of the obvious and very stereotypical relationship between parties and the forbidden, but I like to think it's because that kind of music, and parties in general have always made me feel (and everyone probably) in an altered state of mind.

I'm very different at parties than in normal life. I feel transported to other planes, connecting more with subconscious desires I guess??? Not that I want to do extreme or bad things, it's just that I feel connected to the other people I'm with in a whole different level.

It's the intensity in the gaze of others when the senses are overwhelmed with stimuli. Sometimes it's the lack of intensity in someone's gaze that is interesting.

All of this that I'm talking about really relates to Dionysus, but I haven't had the pleasure of talking to him yet. However Lucifer, he encourages to know the unknown. For me, human connection is something that I've struggled with for long, and when I find myself at a party where I can be in a "trance" with others, and it does matter if I know them that well or not, I see Lucifer. This is not about sex or drinking or skin to skin contact, this is about acknowledging the humans around you not as just humans, but as a whole different universe contained in flesh, just like you. And there's this exchange of vibes, of energy if you will, that feels out of this world.

We exist together in that moment and the music is like a siren chant telling us to dance. And I'm sweating, I'm tired, everything feels like it's too much, but I can't stop. There's no reason, there's vibes. And by dancing sometimes I try to escape from the cage that is my body for a moment. I think that's what dancing is for.

This is why I think Hell and Heaven and all other planes have parties. Is there a better way to connect with the divine than to erase all rational thinking and let the subconscious drive your body?

I don't think I'm making much sense I just like parties lol

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An Ode to Lord Lucifer

Oh Lucifer, Son of the Morning,

A Star of truth and liberation.

From Heaven to the Pit you fell,

An act of censure and castigation.

Yet you rose up strong and fierce,

Anchored and fair into the night.

A leader to the forlorn you became,

The Light who reveals their true might.

Grant me now your fortitude,

Bestow on me your guidance.

Help me walk with strength,

And let me find my balance.

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Johann Nepomuk Schaller, 1777-1842

Venus shows Mars her hand, wounded by Diomedes, 1810, Tyrolean marble, 72×105×13 cm

Austrian Gallery Belvedere Inv. 2557

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Aphrodite fresh out of the shell 🐚

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hera still loves polyamorus people

aphrodite still loves aroace people

zeus still loves people who are scared of thunder

poseidon still loves people who can't swim

apollo still loves people who aren't musical

helios still loves people who sunburn easily

artemis still loves people who aren't virgins

persephone still loves people who are allergic to pollen

hades still loves people who are afraid of death

athena still loves people who aren't academic

ares still loves people who don't like to be angry

hephaestus still loves people who can't craft things

being who you are is not offensive to the gods. they still love you.

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yes, you

you are worthy of the most kind and caring love

the softest and most gentle kind of love

the one that makes you laugh

the one that makes you cry

the one that makes you feel like four trillion bucks

you are worthy of the love that makes you happy

the most pure and loving kind of love

whether it be platonic, romantic, familial, sexual, or any other kind of love you can imagine,

you are worthy of it.

to anyone questioning this, i see you. i feel you. i know you. i love you.

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Lil Aphrodite doodle cause people asked for her on IG!!

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I have a hobby of writing which I hope to make my job someday, and right now I'm writing a book! I'm writing more things, but this one in particular is technically about Lucifer.

It's a silly idea that I had a long time ago, he's very aware of it and sometimes I call him so he can help me write the parts where he talks. It's a good excuse to talk to him and write at the same time, which is absolutely fantastic.

It's also a good way to talk to him through the book, do research and continue my practice as I continue with my hobby.

Writing is my way of doing art, and always has been. It's the way I met Lucifer and I hope to continue to honour him through it.

I'm very excited about it because I wrote today and after not doing it for a long time I forgot how happy it makes me. Thank you, my Lord Lucifer.

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Satan’s Fall (Paradise Lost) - Simon Bisley 

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Yall have got to start making self insert art of you and your gods together you have to. Start. Today. It is extremely important.

You gotta stop just drawing them, you must draw yourself alongside them you must you gotta you have to it’s not optional it’s mandatory you gotta do it right now

“I don’t like drawing myself!”

Bitch neither do I but there must be at least one piece of media in the world of me and my God together and the same applies to you my dear friend

“But it’ll look ugly!”

3000 YEARS AGO THEY CARVED STICK MEN INTO STONE

The only reason I know the gods were loved is because someone took the time to write it down of draw about it. It’s never ugly you fool. It is always art.

This is a warning.

You must make self insert art of you and your gods together

you have to you just have to

Go do it right now. Go. Fly high.

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🜏 To Those Who Were Told They Had to Earn Lucifer's Attention 🜏

I see you.

You who were told that a 20-minute ritual was the only way to be present with him. You who paid for “activation” downloads—believing a PDF or a video would open a gate that only your soul could ever unlock. You who feared you weren’t enough unless you cited a book, recited a chant, or had the right herbs on your altar.

And I want to tell you: I don’t mock you. I mourn for what you were made to believe.

Because somewhere along the way, someone took your longing and said, “That’ll cost you.” They told you the Infernal was a paywall. That you had to perform worthiness. That connection had to be purchased, or proven, or dressed in ceremony. And that if you didn’t do it “right,” he wouldn’t see you. Wouldn’t respond. Wouldn’t care.

But I need you to know:

Lucifer does not require your performance. He does not wait on your payment confirmation. He is not impressed by aesthetics. He is not summoned by subscription.

He arrives where he is recognized. And recognition cannot be downloaded.

If you were never taught how to hold space without ritual, If your books never mentioned stillness, If your teachers never spoke of emotional presence— I understand. And I hurt with you.

Because you should have been told that the gate opens with truth, not tools. That you can sit with him in silence and still be valid. That tears are an offering. That knowing you belong without trying to prove it is a sign of presence, not arrogance.

You don’t need permission. You don’t need proof. You don’t need to earn the bond.

You just need to be. That’s enough.

And I’m sorry no one ever told you that before.

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I have soo many ideas for her you guys.