sororitywitch

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Baela astride Moondancer

By JUANTAO

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y'all will circlejerk yourself to the mysticisms of faeries and elves in european countries for centuries and take it as fact but the second native americans ask you to respect our spirituality and culture suddenly you're all aetheists

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Women in Classical Antiquity

Hey so I’ve compiled a list of surces I have used at some point or other and/or seen reccomended when it comes to the stuy of Women in Classical Antiquity. Feel free to add anything you have also found useful, though please try to keep it mainly to scholarly and balancrf sources.

Historical Studies

New Directions in the Study of Women in the Greco-Roman World by Georgia Tsouvala, Ronnie Ancona

Women in Antiquity: Real Women Across the Ancient World by Jean Macintosh Turfa, Stephanie Lynn Budin

Women and Monarchy in Macedonia by Elizabeth Carney

Roman Women by Eve D'Ambra 

Women in Antiquity: New Assessments by Richard Hawley, et al.

A Companion to Women in the Ancient World by Sheila Dillon, Sharon L. James

Pandora’s Daughters: The Role & Status of Women in Greek & Roman Antiquity by Mauren Fant, Mary Lefkowitz

Women in the Classical World: Image and Text by Elaine Fantham, et al.

Women in Greek Myth by Mary Lefkowitz

Women in Classical Antiquity: From Birth to Death by Laura K. McClure

Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves: Women in Classical Antiquity by Sarah Pomeroy

Spartan Women by Sarah Pomeroy

Women’s History and Ancient History by Sarah Pomeroy

Women in Hellenistic Egypt: From Alexander to Cleopatra by Sarah Pomeroy

Arguments with Silence: Writing the History of Roman Women by  Amy Richland

The Women of Pliny’s Letters by Jo-Ann Shelton

Sourcebooks

Clodia: A Sourcebook by Julia Dyson Hejduk 

Cleopatra: A Sourcebook by Prudence J. Jones

Women’s Life in Greece and Rome: A Source Book in Translation

by Mary Lefkowitz, Maureen B. Fant

Women in Ancient Greece: A Sourcebook by Bonnie MacLachlan

Women in Ancient Rome: A Sourcebook by Bonnie MacLachlan

Women and Society in Greek and Roman Egypt: A Sourcebook by Jane Rowlandson

Biographies

Zenobia: Shooting Star of Palmyra by Nathanael J. Andrade

Agrippina: Sex, Power, and Politics in the Early Empire by Anthony A. Barrett

Livia: First Lady of Imperial Rome by Anthony A. Barrett

Sabina Augusta: An Imperial Journey by T. Corey Brennan 

Arsinoe of Egypt and Macedon: A Royal Life by Elizabeth Carney

Eurydice and the Birth of Macedonian Power by Elizabeth Donnelly Carney

Olympias: Mother of Alexander the Great by Elizabeth Carney

Berenice II and the Golden Age of Ptolemaic Egypt by Dee L. Clayman

Cornelia: Mother of the Gracchi by Suzanne Dixon

Hypatia of Alexandria by Maria Dzielska

Julia Augusti: The Emperor’s Daughter by Elaine Fantham

Clodia: A Sourcebook by Julia Dyson Hejduk

Faustina I and II: Imperial Women of the Golden Age by Barbara M. Levick

Julia Domna: Syrian Empress by Barbara Levick

Turia: A Roman Woman’s Civil War by Josiah Osgood

Cleopatra: A Biography by Duane W. Roller

Cleopatra’s Daughter: and Other Royal Women of the Augustan Age by Duane W. Roller

Clodia Metelli: The Tribune’s Sister by Marilyn Berglund Skinner

Terentia, Tullia and Publilia: The Women of Cicero’s Family by Susan Treggiari

Lectures, Documentaries, & Online Sources

Cleopatra: The Most Famous Woman of Classical Antiquity (Lecure by Dr. Duane Roller, 2021)

Lucretia and the Politics of Violence (Lecture by Dr. Mary Beard, 2019)

Mothers, Murderers and Mistresses: Empresses of Ancient Rome (2013)

Virgil: Aeneid: Women (lecture by Llewelyn Morgan, 2012)

Women in Antiquity: An Online Resource for the Study of Women in the Ancient World

Women Who Made History: Cleopatra (2015)

Women’s Classical Caucus

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Vultures hover in slaughterhouses in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, March 2005.

Stefano De Luigi

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i've just moved in to my new apartment, so i can finally show y'all the lararium project i've been working on :)

plus the progress pics:

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Unfriendly reminder that Breonna Taylor was killed three whole months ago, and they're only now deciding to fire one of the three criminals. This is not justice.

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Guys please reply to this with what your url means or references I’m really curious

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Photographed by Jack Davison for M Le Monde

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“The cult of Hera remained locally characterized  on the one hand; on the other, it was tied to specific times of human life: to the time of wedding, to the times in the feminine life-cycle generally, which made possible or impossible the encounter between wife and husband.  In contrast, a survey of the major locations of the Athene cult gives the impression that this goddess belonged to the common property of the Greek race altogether differently than did Hera. Athene seems to be equally primary, if not equally prominent, everywhere.  So self-evident to all Greeks was her high rank that it did not have to be emphasized at every opportunity. The cult of Hera is more precisely fixed geographically, much more tied to particular shrines. Moreover, these shrines are dedicated exclusively to the goddess as protectress of a specific, feminine area of life, even though whole cities and islands, including both women and men, and these latter not only for their roles as husbands, submit themselves to her. This is a venerable heritage from pre-Greek, probably Neolithic, times.”

— Athene: Virgin and Mother in Greek Religion by Karl Kerényi, translated by Murray Stein

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Zeus weeps when He sees you hurt yourself. His worst nightmare is you taking your own life and returning to Him too soon.

Hera sees your pain as the pain of Her own child. She is there to listen and offer counsel when you struggle.

Poseidon wants you to take deep breaths, and remember that even this tempest shall pass. He wipes your tears with a gentle hand.

Apollon knows that sometimes it is hard for you to understand His messages. He does not resent you for that, but He wants you to know that He sees you aiming high, and weeps with joy. He wants you to know that you are never alone in the darkness. He will always, always be there, patiently waiting for you to be ready to walk back towards the light. He kisses your forehead when you choose right, and your tears when you choose wrong. He sees that your mind is ill, but He is there to help you with it. If only you will take His hand.

Artemis understands that it is hard, so hard, to walk alone in the darkness. But She is there to hold your hand while you make your way through the wilderness. Even if no one else sees you, She does.

Demeter notices how much you have grown. She understands that sometimes, the seeds we sow do not yield a good harvest. And that’s okay. She sees your frustration, and She does not resent it. She also isn’t trying to deny you what is yours. This failure is merely a part of Her plan for you.

Dionysus wishes you wouldn’t deny yourself comfort. He despairs to see you inflict pain on yourself, because you deserve softness. In His eyes, you deserve good food, you deserve soft touch, and you deserve rest and relaxation.

Hestia knows that things are hard at home, sometimes or all the time. You have a home with Her and within yourself no matter what.

Athena sees that sometimes you don’t feel strong enough, or smart enough, and She wants you to know that that is okay. She is not disappointed with you, and sees that you are trying. You are good enough for Her, always.

Ares knows that sometimes it is hard to have courage, and He is at your side for the battle you are undertaking. A battle against oneself is arguably the hardest possible fight. He wants you to keep fighting, but He is also there to listen about it and tend to your wounds.

Aphrodite does not resent you for the insults you throw at yourself, but you must remember that She respectfully disagrees as to their accuracy. She thinks that your soul is beautiful, and hopes that one day you might see yourself as She sees you.

Hermes wants you to continue on your journey, but He does not resent that you may sometimes get lost or hit bumps in the road. Such is the nature of any great odyssey. He merely wants you to keep going, and would weep to see you give up before the end.

Hephaestus knows how they hurt you and He wants you to continue, even if they left you crippled.

Just. The Theoi love you, okay? They love you so, so much. More than a mere mortal mind can understand. No matter if you have not been praying. No matter if you have not been doing offerings. No matter if you are questioning your faith. They still love you. They love you, They love you, They love you. Unconditionally, always. Never let your mental health struggles fool you into thinking They don’t.

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Tasty Tuesday / 26 November 2019

Welcome, Devotees!

Looking to spice up your devotional work? Try one of these:

Home Maintenance: Make lists of traditional offerings to your deities and spirits. Then, check your pantries and cupboards–do you have these offering materials in stock? If so, look into organizing your kitchen shelves in a way that makes them easy to access for days where you need to offer, but are sleepy or unwell or in a rush. If you don’t have these offering materials in stock, look up places where you can get them easily, make a shopping list, and go find some!

Build Others Up: If you know someone who is really good at making or prepping food, and is supportive of your religious choices, see if you can pick their brain for ritual food ideas. They might be willing to share recipes with you, or help you learn some cooking basics.

Self-Improvement: Look into cooking classes in your area. You might be able to find some through your local food bank. Or you can look into classes in a specialized skill, like cake-decorating or foodways from a specific culture.

Today in the Hellenic Calendar: 

Today is the 29th of the lunar month.

The last three days of the lunar month are tied to chthonic (Underworld) Deities, entities, and the Dead. It’s a good time to honor one’s ancestors and engage in chthonic work if that is part of your path.

Tonight at dusk marks the lunar-monthly Dinner of Hekate, and tomorrow night marks the Noumenia (the start of the new lunar month). Thursday (28 November), as the first day of the new lunar month, will be a holy day for Apollon Noumenios.

If you like incorporating daily hymns into your prayers, Drew Campbell recommends the following prayers for today: To Boreas (The North Wind); To Zephyros (The West Wind); and To Notos (The South Wind).

Daily Reminder: If you know of any resources you’d like us to incorporate on our site, or any sites/projects you’d like us to signal boost, send us an ask or fanmail!

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💁💁💁

Imagine being a witch who wanted to do some magic but had no particular goal in mind and not knowing that Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader ®, almost singlehandedly responsible for Merrick Garland not being seated on the Supreme Court, is right there? He’s 77 years old; curse him and see if he breaks. Knock yourselves out. He deserves literally all out of it.

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Sewing, knitting, spinning, crotchering, embroidering, weaving.

These things, these crafts are so often ignored or dismissed as parts of witchcraft. But wool, cotton, silk and leather are as much part of the world as any stone, crystal or plant. They hold as much power as any of these and these forms of craft, the possibilities in spellwork, should neither be ignored nor dismissed.

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The Mysteries

The Eleusinian Mysteries was probably the most successful Mystery Cults in the ancient Mediterranean, spanning centuries of active practise. Initiates reguarly journeyed from places as far as Italy and Asia Minor to be inducted. It is also one of the most ‘successful’ Mystery Cults because what the initiate actually learned or was shown, is still a mystery today.

It is only from the evidence we have from writings and accounts of the surrounding rituals, that we can attempt to piece together how an initiate became inducted into a Mystery that promised a better life after death than the Fields of Asphodel.

The origins of the Mysteries is based on the goddesses Demeter and Persephone. Though there is debate on whether they were always mother and daughter or a representation of maiden and mother, the rituals focused on the journey and travails of Persephone’s abduction to the Underworld and Demeter’s search for her daughter as told in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter.

The Mysteries were split into two main festivals, the Lesser Mysteries and the Greater Mysteries.

The Lesser Mysteries were thought to have been created in order to allow the initiation of Hercules, Castor & Pollux because they were not native Athenians. However, by the time the Mysteries were well established, the Lesser Mysteries rituals were a requirement for all those to sought initiation.

The Lesser Mysteries took place during Anthesterion (end of February/early March), and probably consisted of intense purification rituals, which included ablutions from the river Illissos and the drinking of Kykeon (a barley and pennyroyal mixture drunk by Demeter). These were thought to purify the material body and the soul so that they were ready for the next stage of initiation. A liknon (winnowing fan) was waved over the heads of initiates to symbolise the ‘separation of the chaff from the wheat/pollution from the spirit.’

There were also dramatic reenactments of the abduction of Persephone, who was picking flowers in the springtime when she was kidnapped by Haides. She was returned to Demeter in the springtime, which brought fertility back to the earth. This fertile time of year served as a reminder of the goddesses’ links with the agricultural cycle, especially in the growing of grain. At this time in the year, the grain fields would be well on their way to being established properly after an Autumn sowing.

The Greater Mysteries occurred during Boedromion (mid-late September) which places it at the end of the agricultural year, after the wheat harvest in June and the re-sowing of seed.

The Greater Mysteries’ ritual was performed over a nine to ten day period, which was supposed to reflect Demeter’s nine days of wandering in search of her daughter.

The first day, the 15th of the month, was called the agyrmos (The Gathering or Assembly). Everyone who had completed the Lesser Mysteries was assembled at the sanctuary for further purification rites ‘by fire’. They were also reminded of the dire consequences for those who disclosed the nature of the Mysteries to the uninitiated.

The second day was known as Halade Mustai (to the sea intiands), which was the command for the initiates to go and bathe in the purifying waters of the sea, or the two consecrated lakes of saltwater known as Rheiti, which were located along the Sacred Way between Eleusis and Athens. Before bathing, transgressions were confessed to a pig, that was then sacrificed as a scapegoat to cleanse the initiates.

The third day was the Day of Mourning (Iereia devro), and was supposed to remind the initiates of Demeter’s grief at the loss of her daughter. Because of this, all pleasure was denied and the participants fasted until nightfall, when they broke the fast with seed cakes, corn, salt, pomegranates, and mixed wine. Sacrifices were made to bless the polis and offered as a holocaust (given solely to the gods, with none eaten by people). Pigs that had been purified the day before in the salt water were sacrificed on this day to complete the purification.

The fourth day was known as the Asclepia (in celebration of Asclepius’ arrival from Epidaurus to be initiated). It consisted of a great procession in which the holy baskets of Demeter were paraded. These baskets contained Kistai (secret things). What was contained in these baskets has never been disclosed and theories range from fertility symbols such as phalloi, to grain stalks, and/or reaping implements such as the sickle.

On the fifth day, the Day of Torches, initiates walked in pairs around the temple at night fall carrying torches. The waving of the torches was to represent the wanderings of Demeter in her search across the world.

On the sixth day, the Day of Iakkhos, a statue of Iakkhos (possibly a form of Dionysos) was taken in a procession spanning 14 miles from Athens to Eleusis. Dances and sacrifices occurred all along this route, and torches were lit at nightfall to ward away evil spirits. To indicate that an initiate had completed this distance, a saffron band was attached to their left ankle.

On the seventh day, the statue of Iakkhos was carried back to Athens and some initiates competed in games. After the games, comedic events occurred to recall Iambe’s attempts to cheer Demeter. At a main bridge along the Sacred Way, there were also the telling of rude jokes.

The eighth day, Epidaurion, was a repeat of the celebration of Asclepius’ initiation into the Mysteries. It was the last part of the purification rituals, which separated the soul from the material realm. Sacrifices were made to Demeter and Persephone in a a very strict manner, so that everything was perfect. The aporrheta (the unrepeatables) were completed on this day. The dromena (things done), which involved the reenactment of the myth. The deiknumena (things seen), where the priest showed the initiates the sacred kistai. And the legomena (things said), in which the sacred knowledge was disclosed.

The ninth day was known as the Day of Earthen Vessels, where a jug of wine was placed at the East and West directions of the sanctuary. After recitations of sacred formula for rain and fertility, the jars were broken and the wine spilled on the earth as a libation. The initiates were finally shown the sacred objects and a metamorphosis of the participant into an initiate occurred. An all night feast followed, along with dances and libations to the dead.

On the tenth day, people were free to return to their homes, but every third and fifth year the Eleusinian Games were held, which included music, athletics, and horse racing.

The final stage of initiation (epopeya) was only available after an individual had waited a year after the second stage. Here the priest and priestess celebrated the hierogamy (sacred marriage) of Zeus and Demeter. They descended into a recess of the temple and all the torches were extinguished. When they returned, the torches were re-lit, and the priest proclaimed that “the divine Brimo has given birth to the holy child Brimos. The strong has brought forth strength.” (Brimo is an epithet that translates to ‘angry’ or ‘terrifying’, a name that is applied to formidable goddesses like Demeter Erinyes, Persephone and the Furies.) He then cut an ear of wheat in a great silence, possibly to represent the symbols of life and death recurring within the life cycle, both human, animal, and plant.

“Growing, thriving, blossoming is brought to a halt with the cutting of the harvester’s sickle; and yet in the ear of corn cut down there lies the force for new life.” - Burkert, Greek Religion, page 288.

These final initiates could now take part in the festival unsupervised, and they were thought to have ascended to a new state of divine understanding.

The Hymn to Demeter tells us;

“Whoever on this earth has seen these is blessed. but he who has no part in the holy rites has another lot as he wastes away in dank darkness.”

Though we have no definite evidence of exactly what went on during these Mysteries, we can extrapolate that they were a response to the finality and unknowable nature of death.They reflect closely the descent of Persephone into the Underworld, and her eventual return, an ever occurring cycle that could possibly reflect the hope that the soul was eternal, even for mortals.

—

Bibliography

Religion in the Ancient Greek City - P. Cartledge (1994)

Mystery Inquisitors; Performance, Authority and Sacrilege at Eleusis - R. Gagne (2009)

Greek Religion - Walter Burkert (1985)

The Homeric Hymns Translated by Apostolos N. Athanassakis

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Nem temple of Jupiter at Rome by Associazione Tradizionale Pietas

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From this post [x] by @smoke-and-pomegranates

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“Ζεῦ βασιλεῦ, θεὸς ὄμβριε, φύξιε, κλῦθ’ ἐλεεινῶς Καὶ κατάβηθι λαὸν σῴζων γαῖαν τε παναίθην. Lord Zeus, god of rain, protector of those who flee, listen with mercy And come down to save your people and their all-burning land.”

— Please join me in saying this prayer and donating to the relief efforts if you are able.