restingsword

[restingsword]

I don't know who needs to hear this but it's ok if you can't hear your deities talking, whether physically or mentally

It's ok if you don't dream with them

It's ok if you can't feel their presence

It's ok, darling!

They still love you. They love you very dearly, just as much as you love them!

[restingsword]

Nazis will never be welcome in paganism. They have no space in our communities, we will have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to nazis. You have no right to the cultures, gods and religions you hijack to spread your disgusting ideologies. You will find no refuge or comraderie amongst pagans.

Reblog to let nazis know they’re not welcome here.

[restingsword]

As an addendum: I talked to my therapist about spiritual psychosis, because I've had visions, and I have a therapist, and she had some thoughts.

If you are noodling over what kinds of spiritual experiences are psychologically healthy and not, Abraham Maslow wrote a book called _Religions, Values, and Peak Experiences_ that you should probably read.

Psychosis comes with compulsions. If you have an experience and still feel free to choose for yourself what you do and do not do, religiously speaking, it's not spiritual psychosis. Spiritual psychosis is psychosis with spiritual window dressing. It is spiritually themed, but not actually spiritual in nature, if that makes any sense. If your visions are threatening, and you feel like you can't say no to them, that is spiritual psychosis. If Hekate appears and tells you everything is going to be ok, but you should probably work on being nicer to people (and you think about that, and tell her maybe, but that's really hard, and you don't know if you can do that) that isn't.

Another problem, also with spiritual window dressing, but far more common, is spiritual bypassing. This is when you use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or avoid facing unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished developmental tasks. So, if you take a theological position that the gods hate everyone who does X because it triggers your trauma, that is spiritual by-passing. If the gods comfort you when you are hurting, that is not.

Edit: If you want to know what causes psychosis, here is an article. Funky religious and spiritual practices aren't on the list.

[restingsword]

Dionysus was there when those two boys got too drunk at the party and sloppily kissed in the alley. What are they doing? What does it mean? What are they to each other? It doesn’t matter.

Dionysus was there when the girl who was sick of her hair went mad in the bathroom and buzzed it all off. In that moment, she was flying, and she truly felt free.

Dionysus was there when the girl was standing in front of the mirror, about to take a shower, putting lipstick on her eyebrows and eyeshadow on her cheeks, looking wild and partaking in the gentle joy of painting her face, knowing that before she is seen again, she can wash it all down the drain.

Dionysus was there the first time the 30 something man tried on a dress. As he poured himself a glass of wine and posed in the mirror. How elegant he was in the cramped confines of that dingy motel. For tonight, he can be his effeminate self, knowing that this secret is all his to indulge in.

Dionysus was there when the girls got together, removed their tight bras and danced in freedom as they burped and screamed and cried and howled. These women are insane! How mad they become when they’re free from the burden of society! They were laying on the floor with their stomachs out, breasts sagging, hair disheveled, saying crude words that women must not say. For a moment they were no longer trapped in suburbia. They were in the wild woods, far away from any rule or law. They were free! Free and mad!

Dionysus was there, and no matter how hard they try to deny it, he will always be.

[restingsword]

Minor Hymn to Hephaestus and Asklepios for the autistic devotee

Hardworker, God of clangs in metal, God of invention and fire, Hearken to my call, mighty and enduring Hephaestus! I sing of how you rose after meeting soil in terrible fall, how you've showed thy virtue by strenght, patience and work for all. Mighty God of the disabled, listen to this prayer. Of you I sing, but along bring sweet Asklepios here. He who heals with touch and brings reneweal most desired, He who walks with Health, lover of smiles. He who was born again, but has known the pain of mortals. O mighty Paean, O harginber of healing, O giver of life, With gentle Hephaestus come to my side, Aid me in my endeavors, in my days dark or bright. I pray, O Gods, bring true rest and peace of mind, When my autism proves a challenge, enlighten my life.

português:

Trabalhador, Deus dos clangores em metal, Deus da invenção e fogo, Ouça meu chamado, poderoso e tenaz Hefesto! Canto de como te ergueste após encontrar o solo em queda temível, como tu mostraste tua virtude por força, paciência e trabalho a todos. Poderoso Deus dos deficientes, ouça minha prece. De ti canto, mas junto trazei doce Asclépio aqui. Ele que cura com toque e traz a mui' desejosa renovação, Ele que caminha com a Saúde, amante de sorrisos. Ele que nasceu novamente, mas conheceu a dor dos mortais. Ó poderoso Peã, Ó arauto da cura, Ó doador da vida, Com gentil Hefesto venha a meu lado, Ajude-me em meus esforços, no dia escuro e no claro. Rezo, Ó Deuses, trazei vero descanso e paz insistente, Quando meu autismo se provar um desafio, iluminai minha mente.

[restingsword]

do you have any ideas on how to maybe get someone to understand how their actions hurt others through magic? do u think i could possibly write the request on a bay leaf and burn it and that would work (?)

I have no direct experience with the bay leaf wishing spell thing.

A classic solution is this:

Create a poppet of the person and trap it inside a mirror box, or have it face a mirror.

A mirror box can be handily created by carefully lining the inside of a small box (perhaps an old tea box) with tinfoil, shiny side reflecting inwards. Line all 6 sides.

If you use a mirror, any small mirror will do - perhaps one from a makeup compact, or a bulk mirror that can be bought for arts and crafts. But it should be small enough that you can put it up on a shelf with the poppet and have it be undisturbed.

Tell the poppet that it won't be allowed to look away until it's faced its behaviors and acknowledge what its done. Tell it that it may only close its eyes and rest when it's learned its lesson.

Of course, you probably ought define exactly what wrongs need to be acknowledged.

Leave the poppet in the mirror box, or facing a mirror, until the work is done.

You may determine the work is done through any variety of means; try wax scrying. Periodically, light a tealight or small candle to "wake up" the poppet and make sure it's filled with energy to do its work.

First, watch how the candle burns to see if omens may be gathered that way.

Second, when the candle is near the end of its life, drop the remaining wax into a dark dish full of water. If the candle is a tea light, pour the liquid wax; if a taper, turn it upside down and drip wax into the water.

Read the shapes that appear and interpret them to determine if the work has been done, or what stage the work is at; a handy symbol to keep watch for is an eye. An open eye may indicate realization, insight, and awareness; a closed eye may indicate the work is not done.

When the spell is done, desecrate and dispose of the poppet as desired; the mirror or mirror box may be saved for later use.

Additionally: You may find empowerment and catharsis in writing the person's wrongs directly onto the mirrored surface (perhaps with a sharpie pen), or on the reverse side; but don't block the mirrored surface with a piece of paper or anything else.

[restingsword]

I saw the most charming little Dionysus at the museum yesterday and I had to draw him ;-;

[restingsword]

i have some thoughts on the posts i see about worship and selfcare that people may not like but i feel the need to say it anyway bc this has been bothering me for a long time.

i see a lot of posts about worship or devotional activities that center very much on the individual. doing things for oneself while thinking about the gods, usually its some kind of selfcare routine. i dont want to downplay this style of worship, or accuse anyone of worshipping "incorrectly" (i dont rly believe thats possible tbh) but i do want to point out that this kind of worship is very.... hmm capitalistic shall we say?

let me explain; capitalism seeks to make us believe that society is full of individuals living seperate lives. this is blatently not true, and engaging in worship/devotionals that only focus on the self worries me, esp when every post i see about subtle worship is all about selfcare, with a single mention or two of community care or giving to charity.

the gods are the world, therefore we should strive to serve and care for the world- u feel me? worship cannot and should not be all about self care or doing things for yourself. it NEEDS to include people other than yourself, people you do not know and may never see again. we wanna talk about xenia and kharis without extending that love and care to strangers? remember the old stories of zeus and hermes disguising themselves as poor homeless travelers begging for food and shelter? if a homeless person aaked you for shelter would you help them?

i really truly believe a HUGE part of worship means doing things for others, whether they know why or not. you dont need to bless them or explain to them about xenia and kharis or get into the 9 pillars- we arent here to proselytize- but inviting ppl over and cooking for them, meeting your neighbors, talking kindly to strangers, organizing, celebrating and grieving together- things like these are extremely important parts of worship. even the delphic maxims talk about this (015, 037, 067, 071, 075, 091, 093).

not every part of being a religious person is going to be fun and easy. esp for us, a religious minority in a monotheistic aberhamic dominated world. dont stop doing selfcare devotionals, just dont stop there.

[restingsword]

Genuinely, feeling really confident in telling other people that they're doing witchcraft objectively wrong is a strong sign you're experiencing the Dunning-Kruger effect on the low end of the scale. The more you actually study witchcraft and the occult in general, the more you learn that there's really nothing that's set in stone. You learn that what you thought was Very Serious Witchcraft was invented in the last century, and you learn that people living thousands of years ago had folk magic practices that fly in the face of everything you learned.

If you feel really super confident telling people what witchcraft absolutely can't be and can't include, you really, really should try doing more research. (And may I suggest ESOTERICA and Angela's Symposium as starting points?)

[restingsword]

common toxic plants

[long post; updated 12.8.24]

this is not a complete list by any means, but these commonly noted plants, herbs, and flowers should be handled with care or avoided altogether. 

aconite (wolfsbane, monkshood) - all parts: dermatoxic, hepatotoxic, and neurotoxic

adam and eve (jack-in-the-pulpit, wild arum) - root: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic if ingested

african sumac - leaves: dermatoxic; possibly fatal

agave - juice: dermatoxic  

angel’s trumpet - all parts: cardiotoxic; often fatal

apple - seeds: cytotoxic in large doses

apricot - leaves and seeds: cytotoxic in large doses

arnica - gastrotoxic 

asparagus - berries: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic if ingested

azalea - all parts: cytotoxic and neurotoxic; rarely fatal

betel nut palm (pinyang) - all parts: gastrotoxic if ingested

bittersweet nightshade - all parts: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic; rarely fatal

black hellebore - all parts: cardiotoxic and gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

black locust (false acacia) - root bark and flowers: gastrotoxic

black nightshade - all parts except ripe fruit: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

bleeding heart - leaves and roots: neurotoxic

bloodroot - rhizomes: cytotoxic

blue passion flower (common passion flower) - leaves: cytotoxic

bracken - all parts: carcinogenic

buttercup - all parts: gastrotoxic and dermatoxic 

calabar bean (ordeal beans) - seeds: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic if ingested in large doses

cassava - leaves and roots: cytotoxic in large doses

castor bean (castor oil plant) - seeds: cytotoxic if ingested or inhaled

celandine - nephrotoxic 

cherry - leaves and seeds: cytotoxic in large doses

christmas rose - all parts: gastrotoxic

cocklebur - seedlings and seeds: gastrotoxic and neurotoxic

columbine - seeds and roots: cardiotoxic; easily fatal

corn lily (false hellebore) - all parts: cardiotoxic; often fatal

cowbane (water hemlock, snakeweed) - root: neurotoxic if ingested

daffodil - bulbs and stems: gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

datura/moonflower - all parts: gastrotoxic and cardiotoxic

deadly nightshade (belladonna) - all parts: cardiotoxic and neurotoxic; often fatal

desert rose (sabi star, kudu) - sap: cardiotoxic with skin contact

dumbcane - all parts: dermatoxic; possibly fatal

elder (elderberry) - root: gastrotoxic

elephant ear (angel wings) - all parts: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic

ergot - neurotoxic 

foxglove - leaves, seeds, and flowers: cardiotoxic; often fatal

garlic - all parts: gastrotoxic in animals

giant hogweed - all parts: dermatoxic

golden chain - all parts, especially seeds: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

goldenseal - all parts: gastrotoxic and neurotoxic in large doses

grapes/raisins - all parts: gastrotoxic in dogs

greater celandine - all parts: gastrotoxic in large doses

hemlock (spotted cowbane, poison snakeweed) - all parts: neurotoxic; possibly fatal

hemlock water dropwort - roots: neurotoxic if ingested; possibly fatal

henbane - all parts: neurotoxic and cardiotoxic

holly - berries: gastrotoxic

honeybush - all parts: gastrotoxic

honeysuckle - berries: gastrotoxic in mild cases and cardiotoxic in severe cases

horse chestnut - all parts: neurotoxic

hyacinth - bulbs: gastrotoxic and neurotoxic; possibly fatal

iris - rhizomes: gastrotoxic and dermatoxic 

kava kava - nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic 

kidney bean - raw: gastrotoxic

larkspur - young plants and seeds: neurotoxic; often fatal

lemon - oil: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic to animals  

lily - all parts: nephrotoxic

lily of the nile (calla lily) - all parts: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic if ingested; possibly fatal

lily of the valley - all parts: cardiotoxic; possibly fatal

lima beans - raw: gastrotoxic

lime - oil: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic in animals

lobelia - all parts: gastrotoxic 

mandrake - roots and leaves: gastrotoxic and neurotoxic

mango - peel and sap: dermatoxic

mangrove - bark and sap: dermatoxic and eye irritation

mayapple - all green parts and unripe fruit: gastrotoxic

meadow saffron (autumn crocus) - bulbs: gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

mistletoe - leaves and berries: gastrotoxic, cardiotoxic, and neurotoxic; rarely lethal in adults

moonseed - fruits and seeds: gastrotoxic; often fatal

mountain laurel - all green parts: gastrotoxic

nutmeg - raw: psychoactive in large doses

oak - leaves and acorns: gastrotoxic; rarely fatal

odollam tree (suicide tree) - seeds: cardiotoxic; often fatal

oleander - all parts: dermatoxic, cardiotoxic, and gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

onions - all parts: gastrotoxic in animals

orange - oil: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic in animals

peach - seeds and leaves: cytotoxic in large doses

periwinkle (vinca) - all parts: neurotoxic and potentially fatal

pokeweed - leaves, berries, and roots: gastrotoxic; often fatal

poison ivy/oak/sumac - all parts, especially leaves: dermatoxic; possibly fatal

poison ryegrass (darnel) - seeds: neurotoxic

potato - raw: cytotoxic

privet - berries and leaves: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

ragwort - all parts: hepatotoxic

redoul - all parts: gastrotoxic, neurotoxic, and causes respiratory issues; can be fatal in children

rhubarb - leaves: nephrotoxic

rosary pea - seeds: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic; often fatal

skullcap - hepatotoxic

spindle (spindle tree) - fruit: hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic; possibly fatal  

stinging tree (gympie gympie) - bark and sap: dermatoxic; sometimes fatal

strychnine tree - seeds: neurotoxic; often fatal

sweet pea - seeds: neurotoxic and damaging to connective tissues

tomato - leaves and stems: cytotoxic in large doses

uva ursi - neurotoxic, dermatoxic 

white baneberry (doll’s eyes) - all parts, especially berries: cardiotoxic; possibly fatal

white snakeroot - all parts: gastrotoxic; often fatal

winter cherry (jerusalem cherry) - all parts, especially berries: gastrotoxic; occasionally fatal, especially to children

wisteria - gastrotoxic

yew (english yew, common yew) - leaves and seeds: gastrotoxic if ingested and respiratory issues if inhaled

glossary: 

carcinogenic - a substance that can cause cancer

cardiotoxic - toxic to the heart

cytotoxic - toxic to living cells

dermatoxic - toxic to the skin

gastrotoxic - toxic to the gastrointestinal system (stomach, intestines, etc.)

hepatotoxic - toxic to the liver

nephrotoxic - toxic to the kidneys and urological system (ureters, bladder)

neurotoxic - toxic to the neurological system (brain, nerves, brainstem, spinal cord, etc.)

psychoactive - pertaining to substances that change brain function and result in alterations in perception, mood, or consciousness

© 2024 ad-caelestia

[restingsword]

VEILING

Veiling is a practice with both ancient and modern roots. While veiling was not universally practiced by all ancient Greeks, it held symbolic and practical significance in certain contexts, particularly in relation to specific Gods, rituals, and social customs.

As someone who practices veiling more often than not, I wanted to discuss the history behind it as pertaining to the religion, and show you some examples of different veils you can use.

Historical Veiling in Ancient Greece

In ancient Greece, veiling was not just religious but was linked to societal norms regarding gender, respect, and propriety. It was common for women to veil their heads when outside the home, though men could veil as well.

Veiling also had a ritual function in religious ceremonies. Priestesses often veiled during rituals or temple service as a sign of reverence and purity when approaching the Gods. In some festivals, such as those dedicated to Demeter or Hestia, veiling was particularly significant, reflecting the Goddesses’ connection to the home, modesty, and fertility.

In modern times, we can veil during rituals or daily life as a way to express reverence for the Gods, especially when in prayer.

The reasons for veiling vary among practitioners and may include:

1. Honoring Tradition: Veiling can be used as a way of honoring ancient customs, particularly when engaging in things regarding Hestia, Demeter, or Persephone.

2. Ritual Purity: Veiling can be used as a means of maintaining ritual purity, particularly when one wishes to separate the mundane from the sacred.

3. Modesty and Respect: Veiling can also reflect a personal choice to express modesty or respect, particularly in the presence of deities or during rituals dedicated to chthonic Gods.

Different Forms of Veiling in Modern Practice

Full Veil (Himation-style): The veil covers the head and sometimes drapes over the shoulders.

Partial Veiling: This veil covers just the top of the head or wearing a scarf. This can be a less formal or everyday expression of devotion, often used in daily prayers or minor rituals.

Face Veiling: In some instances, particularly in rituals involving the chthonic deities, one may veil their faces in addition to their heads. Sometimes known as Tegidion, This is done to show humility or to protect oneself spiritually when interacting with Gods associated with death or the afterlife, like Hades or Persephone.

God-Specific Veiling

Veiling can be done as a specific act of devotion to certain Gods. For example:

- Hestia (Goddess of the hearth)

- Demeter and Persephone (Goddesses of agriculture and the underworld)

- Hekate (Goddess of witchcraft, crossroads, and the underworld)

As always, I can discuss this more in depth if anyone would like :)

[restingsword]

Resting is a very important act for the Gods (I whisper this to myself every time I take time to relax instead of doing directly devotional work)

[restingsword]

brigid — celtic goddess of healing, smithing, poetry, fertility, divination, fire and water.

brigid bless this hearth and home, keep us safe from harm. no matter how far we might roam, guide us safe and sound. heal me with your sacred water, shield me with your flame. your love is my sword and shield and so it shall remain.

[restingsword]

I have such a bad habit of falling asleep at random, so I don’t often light candles for the Gods. Sometimes I light incense. But I just have announced to the Gods what of my actions are for them and that’s enough. You’re allowed to adjust, you also don’t have to do everything you see online. I hope to someday soon be able to do more, but also what I do now is perfect for my practice.

[restingsword]

this is definitely a long shot, especially because i don’t have many followers but anyone here interested in IRL Chicago meet ups for other Hellenic Polytheistic / Hellenic Pagan? likely on north side or west side but can be discussed! i’m feeling isolated and would love to cultivate some community feel free to respond or message me if interested!

[restingsword]

Things To Work On With Your Deities

"I want to do rituals and spells and deity work but don't even know about what!"

You've come to the right place, I had this issue for almost two years before actually getting into regular deity work.

If you want a regular magical practice with your deities or even without them, you gotta stop seeing it as a practice that's disconnected from your every day life. Witchcraft/deity work is just another way of dealing with things, just in a spiritual way.

If you never seem to have ideas for spells or rituals, consider writing down a few lists.

One with all your long time future goals & dreams (don't be afraid to be a bit delusional, dream big)

One with goals you want/need to accomplish in the near future

One list with external issues you have (people, health issues, job, things that are outside your control)

One list with internal issues (mental struggles, thought patterns, feelings, your personal journey that lies mostly within your control)

One list with all of your character strengths and personal resources

One list with all your weaknesses (be realistic, but not self-destructive)

Now, when looking for something to work on, you can choose between these three options:

pick a strength from list 5 that correlates with a goal from list 1 or 2, choose a deity that aligns with the specific topic, and do a ritual or meditation on it. Ask them for help, guidance, inspiration for your future accomplishments

pick a strength from list 5 that correlates with a topic from list 3 or 4. Match it with a deity that aligns with the issue you're trying to work on and do a ritual or meditation on it. Ask them for help navigating the issue

pick one weakness from list 6 and choose a deity that is the opposite of that weakness, or one you think would not have this weakness. Do a ritual or meditation on the issue and ask the deity for advice

Go through your lists one step at a time. It might take you months or even years and you'll probably never run out of material, because that's how life is.

I got this idea from the book "The complete Book of Demonolatry" by S.Connolly, in the chapter "Meditation and Ascension – Demonolatry core"; it helped me a lot to get started on deity work. Credits go to the author.

[restingsword]

Rhea giving Dionysus the amethyst

However small her part in his story was, it was profound nonetheless, and people often forget about it. With the amethyst Dionysus not only snaps out of Hera's punishment, but also helps control or balance the overwhelming effects of intoxication.

Imagine the state he was because of Hera, causing him to wander the earth for many years in a state of confusion and suffering. How low and hopeless it was before Rhea found him. She who's always depicted as a maternal figure who aids gods in moments of hardship, proves it yet again.