signsofthegods

[signsofthegods]

the ladies' bathroom is the temple of Aphrodite

I make my pilgrimage through the crowd

I dance my way through the beer garden and enter her sacred space

past midnight, the sermons begin

the sink is the altar at the temple of Aphrodite

the priestesses are gathered around one tiny mirror

their giggles and cackles are ambrosia to my ears, the nectar has long before started flowing

it has to, else no service tonight

"oh my god," the high priestess says, invoking the prayer

"you're too good for him," says another of the women

"girl, I love that dress," says the third.

one of them offers her mascara. communion.

the stalls are the confession booths in the temple of Aphrodite

as the godess herself holds a girl's hair as she confesses her sin

"do not worry, child, it is not a sin to live in hedonism," she says, her voice like honey

"stall’s free," the girl stumbles out

it is a mess, the temple of Aphrodite

but not a repulsion. tear tracks are a mark of love,

not for the man who caused the tears but for the girls who wipe them away

you’ll never see them again, but tonight they voice the will of a godess

I ask the high priestess where she got her shoes

it is part of the ritual of the temple, and I have done my part now

"ooh, girl, on sale!" the priestess is pleased.

the godess herself is appeased. I go in peace.

the ladies' bathroom is the temple of Aphrodite

[signsofthegods]

you were created out of sand from the palm of aphrodites hand. she formed your body, your soul, your life out of bits of the sea & shells. every curve, every hip dip, every dimple, & every freckle she placed upon you for the goal to show beauty in various ways. the back rolls you loathe every time you look in the mirror was once a pebble from the ocean that aphrodite saw beauty in. the mole on your cheek was once a grain of sand aphrodite walked in. you were made with honor honey, you were made with a purpose from blessed lady aphrodite. do not be harsh on yourself. love yourself, treat yourself as a sanctuary. so mote it be

[signsofthegods]

— Aphrodite is iridescence, like the shimmer of pearls and seashells, like glittering jewels in the sea

[signsofthegods]

One of those days where I’m proud of myself for simply having a bath and washing my hair.

Thank you my Lady Aphrodite for sticking with me through thick and thin. I love you. You are forever my saviour.

[signsofthegods]

Then many ghosts of men that are dead will come forth. But do thou thereafter call to thy comrades, and bid them flay and burn the sheep that lie there, slain by the pitiless bronze, and make prayer to the gods, to mighty Hades and to dread Persephone. [The Odyssey, Book 10, Lines 530-535.]

[signsofthegods]

i love father hades, he’s the softness in darkness, the peace in silence, he’s strong and steady his hands never wavering. He’s wise and calm and despite his reputation his love is abundant. His love is soothing quiet, darkness after a long overwhelming day, soft music, tears and tenderness. He is fatherly and makes everything seem okay, he is a promise of kindness beyond life, and i think that in each pocket of relief, of love in the world, he is there. In tea, in friendship, in a stranger smiling at you, a wave between customers, a kiss on the cheek, a wagging tail of a pet. His love is gentle and steady, a rocking chair and i love him with deep tenderness.

[signsofthegods]

Hera is more than just the nonchalant suburban mom some of yall paint her for.

Hera is just as much an old queen in New York picking up stray queer kids and giving them a place to stay.

Hera is in the women putting on a full face for a 16 hour shift in a dementia unit and comforting confused and frightened people who think they’re 11 and can’t find their own mom.

Hera is the first in line at ANY right for marriage rally. She doesn’t care if you’re marrying six people or just one person of the same sex, she is there.

Hera is in the “Did you eat?” No? Here, have this.”

Hera is in the older siblings help dress their younger brothers and sisters for the day, for the ones who have stepped in for their parents to get away for a night or who have stepped in permanently.

Hera is woven into the fabric of handfasting ties and hides between the stones of wedding rings, promising the same good blessing to each band from Kay Jewelry and Walmart.

Hera is in the mom splitting the dollar cheeseburger from McDonald’s with her toddler in the backseat when that’s all they can afford.

Hera is in the quiet moment you embrace your spouse(s) after a long day, just holding each other and relishing in the warmth.

Hera is in the kind hearted folks who pick animals off the street and take them home, nourish them back to plump little things rather than skin and bones.

Hera is in promises of any kind, from childhood pinkie swears to vows on an altar.

Hera is in waitresses, nurses, customer service, any pink collar job that takes the blunt load of the shit in people’s days.

Hera is in the rural women across the globe whose back doesn’t break under the weight of physical labor and family needs. Her hands watch over the backs that do.

Hera is the mom fighting for silent dances, better ramps, bus accessibility and equal opportunity for the disabled children who are so often left out.

Hera is in the women in beat up jeans and dirt who wish for the days their hands were delicate enough for nail polish.

It is with great respect that we should regard the Queen of the Gods, mother to all and protector of humankind.

[signsofthegods]

Hera makes me believe my children will have a stable family someday and that's enough

[signsofthegods]

*grabs you and shakes you but gently cause I love you* you do not need to be ‘called’ to worship the gods. Just worship. Please just worship if it is what your heart wants.

[signsofthegods]

If you’re ever having a breakdown, just remember the wise words of the lord himself

[signsofthegods]

Why was Hades partially digested by his father? He was the fourth to be eaten by him, why weren't his sister's digested?

They were all technically digested, but gods don't really have permanent forms anymore and can change whenever needs be; as long as their domains remain worship-able they will always have power to change. Being an Olympian helps this for all the other gods, but Hades was never an Olympian and was generally avoided as a god (he was rarely called fully by his name in fear he will be summoned), but death is always there for everyone, even if you ignore it, so his actual existence will forever make him (even if it isn't the nicest looking). So his true/original form is still at hand for him, while the other Olympians had their times in the spotlight to heal into healthier versions. In fact, he never had a healthy 'living' form until Persephone came along. And her injuries, made in the Underworld, have never fully healed.

[signsofthegods]

I've seen this saying being passed around a few times. Not sure where it is from, but I love it:

If you don't know who to pray to, then pray to Hermes. Even if he cannot help you, he knows someone who can.

[signsofthegods]

I just think that having altars to the gods in our homes is so beautiful. It’s a practise that’s been carried down for thousands of years no matter how hard people have tried to wipe it out.

[signsofthegods]

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.

[signsofthegods]

May the Theoi surround you with comfort and warmth in times of hopelessness and dismal loneliness. May they always remain a friend in your corner, a gentle rhythm to your heartbeat, a surge of confidence, a bout of contagious laughter, a boundless curiosity, a passionate anger, pure joy in all its countless shapes and forms. May they embrace you in the dark and dance with you in the light.

May you never suffer, or celebrate, in the cruelty of solitude ever again.

[signsofthegods]

i feel like lady hestia enjoys just being around. in the most simple sense. drinking your morning coffee or tea, she's there enjoy it with you. being bored at work, she's there sitting next to you filling you with ideas what can you do when back home. making a quick dish after work, she's there loving all the smells. laying in your bed and looking at the ceiling, she's looking at the same ceiling. she's there, always. and i think this is what makes her so important. she's always there, no matter how small or big the occasion, she's there, with you. her presence is not grand and full of intense emotions, its simple and stable. she's like the air that surrounds us, we know it's there even if we cannot see it, grab it, it's there.

[signsofthegods]

“But, since this is some poor wanderer who has come to us, we must now take care of him, since all strangers and wanderers are sacred in the sight of Zeus, and the gift is a light and a dear one.”

- The Odyssey, translated by Lattimore