stateofmindandbeing

[stateofmindandbeing]

Dionysus Offerings

"Dionysus (or Dionysos) is the Olympian god of wine, vegetation, pleasure, festivity, madness, and wild frenzy."

Large Altars:

Wine/mead

Grape juice

Intoxicants

Grapes

Honey

Olive oil

Apples

Figs

Eggs

Goblets

Curved daggers

Pine incense or frankensince

Bull horns

Snake skin

Leopard or tiger print objects

Purple candles

Theatre masks

Sexual toys (He was sometimes worshipped as a giant phallus!)

Percussion instruments

Wine bottles

Small/Hidden Altars:

Fake/toy grapes

Leaves or curls from grapevines

Ivy leaves

Pine needles

Pinecones

Apple seeds

Bindweed

Wildflowers

Toys, photos, or art of any big cats, snakes, and/or bulls

Hymns

Songs you've written

Any art that you create

Any stories that you create

Art or pictures of the comedy and tragedy masks

Wine corks

Wine labels

Toy or miniature drums

Purple crystals like amethyst, grape agate, sugilite, etc.

Devotional Acts:

Make a playlist for Him

Dance and sing to your favorite songs or songs you'd think He would like

Throw a feast in His honor

Remembering to take your medication (if you have any) and taking care of your mental health

Support/donate to your local theatre in His name

Be a part of the theatre!

Stand up for those that are marginalized

Write stories/plays for Him

Invite Him to watch plays or movies with you, especially comedies or tragedies

Throw parties or attend them

Attend festivals

Attend a wine tasting

Go on wine tours

Attend parades

Masturbate or partake in sexual acts for Him (if you're comfortable doing so)

Drink alcohol or grape juice

Smoke pot (only if you want to)

Learn about winemaking

Support local vineyards

Wear wreaths made from ivy

Wear faux leopard or tiger print

Wear the color purple

Pray to Him for things such as protection while intoxicated/high, relaxation, improvement in your mental health, fertility, ecstasy, for everything going well in the theatre

Sources:

https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Dionysos.html

https://vocal.media/futurism/ways-of-worship-dionysus

Artwork from the game Hades

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Apollo Offerings

"Apollon (Apollo) is the Olympian God of prophecy and oracles, music, song and poetry, archery, healing, plague and disease, and the protection of the young."

Large Altars:

Sun water

Wine diluted with pure water

Milk

Olive oil

Herbal teas

Honey and honey cakes

Orange or lemon pastries

Lamb or goat meat

Fruits

Cheeses

Wheat

Breads

Golden objects such as gold bowls, gold wine cups, flakes of gold, etc.

Bows and arrows, real, toys, or art

Images or art of the sun

All musical instruments, especially stringed instruments

Wolf and/or dolphin imagery

Any images of birds, especially crows and swans

Yellow, gold, and white candles

Incense such as frankincense or myrrh

Small/Hidden Altars:

Chocolates with orange or lemon flavors

Laurel wreaths

Gems such as amber, sunstone, and yellow sapphires

Laurel tree branches or leaves

Lily of the valley

Sunflowers

Aloe vera

Anise

Bandaids

Poetry you've written

Music you've written

Art you've drawn

Photos you've taken

Concert tickets

Golden jewelry or jewelry of the sun or arrows

LGBT+ flags

Divination items (tarot cards, pendulums, etc.)

Wolf and/or dolphin art, toys, or photos

All bird feathers, but especially swan and crow feathers

Devotional Acts:

Donate to medical charities

Support up-and-coming/indie artists and musicians

Sing to Him

Play musical instruments for Him

Hold dance parties

Make a playlist for Him and listen to it daily

Read poetry to Him

Take care of your mental health and remember to take your medicine, if you have any

Try archery

Try different types of divination

Try and wake up early and watch the sun rise

Go for a walk and feel the warmth from the sun

Let more sunlight into your home/room

Learn a musical instrument or how to sing

Learn simple medical care, like CPR

Learn about His history, His mother's history, and His sister's history

Learn about His lovers

Attend pride

Support LGBT+ rights

Wear yellow or orange clothing

Honor Leto and Artemis

Pray to Him and speak to Him often, things to consider praying for are guidance, healing/good health, inspiration, a prophecy or truth

Sources:

Official artwork from Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson

https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Apollon.html

https://vocal.media/futurism/ways-of-worship-apollo

https://occult-world.com/apollo/

[stateofmindandbeing]

Artemis offerings

For large altars:

Bows

Arrows

Moon shaped food (cookies, cakes, etc.)

Animal shaped food

Honey

Round honey cakes

Fruits

Wine

Cooked natural meat/fish

Incense such as jasmine or lemon

White, green, and red candles

Animal bones*

Tusks*

Animal hides*

Deer antlers*

Moon shaped objects

Moon water

Pictures of wild animals

Images or statues of Artemis

Clothing (either your favorite garment or clothes bought specifically for Her)

For small/hidden altars:

Almonds

Walnuts

Mugwort

Wormwood

Tarragon

Cedar leaves or bark

Oak leaves or bark

Willow leaves or bark

Fir leaves or bark

Moonstone

Amethyst

Quartz

Owl or quail feathers*

Animal claws/nails/teeth*

Wildflowers

Amaranth

Pearls

Silver

Art or figurines of wild animals

Art or figurines of bows and arrows

Your own hair (collect by getting a haircut or collect some from your hairbrush)

Arrowheads

Actions:

Dancing

Herbalism

Donating to wildlife programs in Her name

Donating to women's programs/shelters in Her name

Donating girl's and women's clothing

Cleaning up nature trails or parks

Taking nature walks and enjoying the wildlife

Giving Her offerings at midnight

Including Her brother, Apollo, in your work and offerings

Making arrows

Practicing with a bow and arrow

If you hunt, invoke Her at the start of your hunt and give thanks to Her when you finish your hunt. Never take the creature you hunted for granted and try to use the whole animal or donate what you dont use

Having a feast in Her name that includes all her favorite food and drink

*Artemis will not accept nor like these items if they are gotten in unethical ways. Please, either buy them from a reliable source or find them yourself in nature.

Sources:

https://sacredwicca.com/goddess-artemis

https://otherworldlyoracle.com/goddess-of-the-hunt/

And the rest are what I offer Her!

[stateofmindandbeing]

Two newest additions to the altar, y’all seriously need to check out #sonofthepharaoh their statues are just amazing!

[stateofmindandbeing]

The gods come when you need them, you don’t have to call but if you do they’re there. Religion used to make me so uncomfortable and now it’s such a large source of comfort and healthy behavior. I asked to be found and I was. And I continue to be found.

[stateofmindandbeing]

Artemis/Diana

Small acts of devotion.

Go hiking 

Learn self defense

Spend time in the forest

Go barefoot

Carry menstrual products in case someone needs one

Learn archery or how to use throwing knives

Go stargazing

Understand feminism 

Always help an animal in need

Keep an eye on anyone who seems to be uncomfortable with the person they’re with - discreetly offer support if needed

Make fashion choices that make you feel quietly confident

Cook over a campfire - or a wood burning stove

When drinking your morning cup of tea/coffee, step outside and enjoy the fresh air for a few moments

Dance

Wear oils and perfumes that smell of the forest

Be kind to kids - inspire them to follow their passions regardless of gender, ethnicity, etc. 

Learn more about constellations 

Boldly be whoever you are

Give money to any homeless people you pass

Plant native plants near your home

Work with the moon, follow it’s phases (use an app if needed)

Support aro/ace individuals 

Sleep under the stars

Buy more houseplants

Learn about the geography of the moon (Maria, Lunar highlands, etc.)

Watch wildlife/nature documentaries

Wake up at dawn

Go to pride

Learn bird language

Listen to instrumental music that inspires you

Keep basic first aid supplies with you

Donate to charities that help endangered species

Spend time in the mountains

PRACTICE LOVING YOURSELF

Many, many, many other things not said here

[stateofmindandbeing]

☀️ Small ways I honor Apollo day to day ☀️

Taking my vitamins and meds

Leaving the windows and blinds open as much as possible to let in the sunlight

Carrying a pocket first-aid kit

Listening to music almost constantly

Attending therapy n being kind to myself

Singing unabashedly

Painting my nails yellow

Educating myself and supporting the lgbt community, showing my pride

Drawing and making art for the sake of art (something I’ve learned from Apollo, instead of being a perfectionist)

Taking moments to bask in the suns warmth

[stateofmindandbeing]

things that remind me of apollo

cars zipping by with their windows rolled down, blasting the radio

the refreshing sting of burt’s beeswax chapstick

the comforting feeling that simply putting a band-aid on a wound gives you

rich yellows and oranges

warm fuzzy blankets

really catchy summer songs

glittery eye makeup

the soft, flickering light of a flame, the warmth it radiates, and the trance it sends you into if you stare for too long

the color combination of orange and turquoise

rising really early in the morning, and feeling at peace and rested while you drink coffee and admire the sunrise

singing a song with friends and accidentally harmonizing 

highlighter that perfectly illuminates someone’s cheekbones 

the golden strands of blond hair

the warmth and happiness you feel when you bask in the sunlight

acoustic guitar and piano

feeling the music travel through your body at a live concert

[stateofmindandbeing]

As an offering or to connect with Artemis I write her letters. They don’t have to be anything special. You could just write about what happened in you day.

[stateofmindandbeing]

Apollo Offerings

As a sequel to my Aphrodite offerings, I’m doing Apollo offerings. DISCLAIMER: What works for me might not work for you! Theses are just my suggestions. 

1) Sit and watch the Sunrise. While I have yet to do this because of my bad sleeping habits, I’ve heard He loves it!

2) Listening to music. It could be listening to music with Him or by yourself that reminds you of Him :)

3) Just like with Aphrodite, praying to Him is a good way to communicate and show Him you appreciate his work. Whether it’s praying because of your emotions or just because praying is a nice offering. 

4) Giving Him flowers. All flowers are a nice offering but especially Sunflowers since those are His favorite!

5) Wearing yellow. It could be a yellow shirt or a yellow hair tie just little clothing pieces that remind you of him. 

6) Chocolate. Since I don’t have chocolate right now I can’t do this one, but everyone says he loves chocolate (as most people do). 

7) Singing. Singing for Him no matter how good or bad you are! I know the one time I sang for Him and then played it and He really enjoyed that :)

8) Poetry. If you want to read some out loud from a book, write some for Him, or just any form of reading poetry to Him is a nice offering. I burn it after I read it to Him so He can have it but you can ask him if he wants you to burn it or not. 

9) Music in general. Listening to it, writing it, playing an instrument just anything to do with music he loves! 

10) Art. Making any form of art and giving to him on his altar or burning it for Him would be appreciated as a way to say thank you for the art skills He’s blessed you with. even if your not amazing yet it’s still appreciated. 

11) Any food in the shape of a sun or in Nines. He is the God of the Sun after all, so it makes sense for sun shaped cookies. Anything in Nines is because of the 9 muses. <3

12) I’m sure He would also appreciate if you made a blog or blog post for Him! Showing Him your proud of worshipping and working with him through the form of spreading knowledge about Him is a good way to show you appreciate him and are proud to work with him! 

[stateofmindandbeing]

Apollo

Greek god of music, art, light, prophecy, oracles, knowledge, science, healing, diseases, plague, poetry, dance, herds and flocks, and archery

Apollo has a complex role as a deity for he is both the healer and the destroyer. He is known to be warm at heart and is fond of delighting others with music, namely by playing a lyre. Apollo is also deeply connected with all forms of art for he is a lover of beauty and emotion, and in fact, he is so deeply connected with the arts that the Muses are his attendees. He is a very ancient god whose origins extend beyond the Greek pantheon, being known as Apol in Egypt where he was moreso a god of war. Apollo was among one of the most feared Greek gods, and was terrifying to even the gods themselves.  

As a healer, Apollo is known to visit humans suffering from plagues and epidemics so he can heal them. Though as destroyer, he is given the name “the god who punishes and destroys (oulios) the wicked and overbearing”. All sudden deaths of men, whether they were regarded as a punishment or a reward, were believed to be the effect of the arrows of Apollo; and with the same arrows, he would send out plagues. In mythology, a story tells that four days after his birth, Apollo went to mount Parnassus, and there killed the dragon Python, who had pursued his mother during her wanderings. The circumstance of Apollo being the destroyer of the wicked was believed by some of the ancients to have given rise to his name Apollo, which they connected with apollumi, “to destroy.“   

In myth, Apollo is a son of Zeus, King of the Gods, and the Titaness Leto. His mother was hounded by Zeus’ wife Hera throughout her pregnancy and thus was forced to wander the world in search of safe refuge. In one legend, his twin-sister Artemis was born one day before Apollo. His mother gave birth to Artemis on the island of Ortygia, then, almost immediately after her birth, Artemis helped her mother to cross the straits over to Delos, where she then delivered Apollo with Artemis’ help.  

Along with Artemis, Apollo was a protector of children (Artemis protecting females and Apollo the males). But paradoxically, they could also be the cause for their deaths through shooting them with their arrows and raining disease upon them. In one mythical story, Artemis with her twin brother, Apollo, put to death the children of Niobe. The reason being that Niobe, a mere mortal, had boasted to Leto, the mother of the divine twins, that she had bore more children than her, which must make her superior to Leto. Apollo being outraged at such an insult on his mother, informed Artemis. The twin gods then hunted Niobe’s children down and shot them with their arrows; Apollo killed the male children and Artemis the girls. 

In my personal experiences with this god, Apollo is an elegant, charming, intelligent, refined, wise, and sophisticated gentleman whose eloquent words reflect his role as a god of the arts. He is deeply compassionate and protective of those he cares for, making his heart golden like the sun itself. Though he does in fact get wrathful towards injustices and is not afraid to seek the destruction of the cruel. Apollo values courage, kindness, generosity, independence, and wisdom. He is incredibly sweet and helpful, giving wonderful advice to those who need it. He is also very calm and patient as well. When people are suffering, his heart goes out for them and he does whatever he can to heal them- both physically and mentally. Apollo also greatly loves to learn and teach, making him an outstanding deity for all sorts of areas of life. Appearance-wise, Apollo appears as a tall and very handsome gentleman with tanned skin, blue eyes, very long golden hair, and gentle facial features.   

| Symbolism of Apollo |

Lyres

Bow and arrows

Laurel wreaths

Hyacinth 

Pythons

Ravens

Dolphins

Swans

Wolves

Bees

The Sun

| Personal Associations |

Harps

Sunflowers

Marigolds

Hawks

Griffins 

| Some of his epithets |

Loimios (The deliverer from plague)

Epikourios (The helper of warriors)

Aphetor (Archer)

Chrusaôr (The god with the golden sword)

Akestôr (Averter of evil)

Hekatos (He who kills many {with plague})

Hekatebolos (He who strikes from afar)

Eleleus (He who utters a war-cry)

Erasmius (The lovely)

Aegletes (The radiant one)

Stratagios (The general)

Nikephoros (Bringer of victory)

Acesius (Healing)

Boedromios (Savior on battlefield) 

| Offerings |

White wine, clear gin, chamomile tea, apples, figs, olives, honey, honeycomb, fancy sweets, pastries, chocolate, river fish (like trout), lamb meat, sunflowers, marigolds, hyacinth, yellow roses, bay leaves, musical instruments, bow & arrows, daggers, cologne, hair pomade, round mirrors, music sheets, hand-made crafts, pottery, chamomile, sunstone, citrine, divination tools, yellow or gold candles, raven feathers, swan feathers, bathing salts, white salt, lamb wool, a bowl for lecanomancy, frankincense, lyres (mini or full-scale), images of his sacred animals, classical music, artwork, poetry, and prose.

[stateofmindandbeing]

I have a really complex relationship with religion, but here’s something positive

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Imbolc/Candlemass

Overview and History

Candlemass or Imbolc as it’s more commonly known is a Gaelic traditional festival marking the beginning of spring and the end of winter. Historically it was widely celebrated throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. It is believed that Imbolc was originally a pagan festival associated with the goddess Brigid.

Imbolic takes place on the 1st of February in the Northern Hemisphere.

Imbolic takes place on the 1st of August in the Southern Hemisphere.

For wiccans, and witches alike this Sabbat is the time to give thanks to the earth, thank your gods/goddesses for the lands birth of colour. Life is seeping back into the land and in turn is coming back to you.

Activities for Witches

As a holiday celebrating beginnings and renewal, Imbolc is often chosen as a time for initiation, whether it be through a coven or through a self-dedication ritual. It is also a time for ritual cleansing after being shut indoors, largely inactive, for the past few months. The ability of the Sun to cleanse and purify is recognized in various ways. Some people light several candles in each room of the house, or, in a more modern version of this tradition, turn on every lamp to set the old energy “ablaze” with the power of light. Some Witches will leave their ritual tools out in direct sunlight as one of their Imbolc traditions to cleanse and charge them. Particularly metal tools and treasured crystals or mineral stones. Traditional candle colours for Imbolc are white, yellow, orange and red, and altar decorations include fresh Spring flowers, besoms and figurines or images of young animals.

Easy Activities

Decorate your altar with white, yellow, orange and red candles

Also decorate your altar with flowers

Visit a hot spring or have a warm bath

Tend to your garden, refresh the soil and plant new seeds

Make your own wand

Make a poppy seed cake (I adore orange and poppy seed cakes)

Look for new birds

Find new nests and do your best to protect them

Craft a Brigid Cross

Read poems about spring

Make a flower crown

Gift flowers to your neighbours

Walk in nature

Have a petal bath

[stateofmindandbeing]

Sabbat Altar and Celebration Ideas for the Solitary Witch

YULE Altar ideas: Put mistletoe and pine on your altar; put a candle up there to represent the Sun; keep your Yule log on your altar; use symbols of the Sun; decorate with red, green, white, blue, and yellow (red and green for holly, white and blue for snow and wintery colors, yellow for the Sun). Celebration ideas: Kiss a consenting person under the mistletoe for luck; give gifts; have a feast; make magickal wreaths with herbs corresponding to the spell intent (you might use lilac, lavender, and camomile for a wreath that brings peace into your home).

IMBOLC Altar ideas: Use candles to represent the return of spring; make a cute little corn dolly; put a Brigid’s cross on there to honor her; decorate with yellow and green to represent the Sun and return of spring. Celebration ideas: Clean your house; have a self-dedication ritual (to a particular path, deity, philosophy, standard of life, etc.); clean off your working altar and redo it; cleanse and charge any tools or crystals you need to.

OSTARA Altar ideas: Use fake eggs, rabbits, and other symbols of fertility or spring; put some potted plants on the altar; place some packets of seeds you might be planning on growing; decorate with purple, yellow, green, white, and other spring, pastel colors. Celebration ideas: Paint and blow eggs (take proper precautions when handling raw eggs, obviously, especially if you’re putting your mouth on them); if you have a greenhouse, want a potted plant, or it’s warm enough where you live to plant outside, plant some seeds; buy a potted plant; organize your herb shelf.

BELTAINE Altar ideas: Make a mini Maypole for your centerpiece; smack some candles up in there, especially beeswax, if that’s in your budget; put some faery symbols, like little statues or bells or something like that; a jar of honey or some beeswax is always dope; if you’re comfortable with it, some people like to put representations of genatalia on their altar. Celebration ideas: Light an awesome bonfire (also be very cautious with this because fire can quickly turn dangerous); leave offerings to the faeries; have a dance outside; this is a good time to plan to have a handfasting ceremony or wedding; cast any love workings you’ve been meaning to do; if you’re an adult and have a person/people who consent to it, you could choose to have sex during this time (but do be safe!); many people try to conceive children during Beltaine.

LITHA Altar ideas: Symbols of the Sun and the Moon, feminine and masculine symbols if that’s a thing in your tradition; decorate with black and white to symbolize the night and day. Celebration ideas: Get up before the Sun rises and go to sleep after it sets, so you can experience the day and night; have a bonfire (again, safety is important); have a picnic; just spend a lot of time outside.

LUGHNASADH Altar ideas: Put bread and grain on the altar; maybe some apples and other autumn fruits; pinecones and leaves are fall symbols; decorate with red, orange, yellow, brown, and other colors of the season. Celebration ideas: Bake (especially make the cute little bread men); give an offering to the Earth; go to an apple orchard and pick some apples; share a feast with the family or your friends.

MABON Altar ideas: Wine, or grape juice if alcohol is unavailable for any reason; leaves and pinecones; apples; a money jar (see first celebration suggestion below). Celebration ideas: For a week or two before Mabon, put money you can afford to give up in a jar, and donate it to charity or a cause you support on Mabon; have another apple harvest; have another feast; do a ritual to honor the Earth.

SAMHAIN Altar ideas: Pop a few gourds in there, more apples if you want; pictures of the deceased; tools for divination and spirit contact; decorate with black, white, and orange. Celebration ideas: Divination, spirit communication (obviously only if you know what you’re doing); hold a seance or a dumb supper if that’s more comfortable for you; light a candle in the window for spirits (use a fake one if you want it lit all night); leave some milk and honey for the Fair Folk; give offerings to the dead; put up wards and shields if you’re one of the people who would prefer to avoid spirit activity.

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[stateofmindandbeing]

Just some pages from my BOS ✨

The pagan calendar year 🌞

[stateofmindandbeing]

Daily Reminder

That you are all special, talented, important, and you can do whatever you set your mind to.