#Adonis blue butterfly

[emmanuel-the-manual]

A rainbow of moths and butterflies I’ve drawn this year!

Also there won’t be art for a while- I’ve broken my dominant arm and cannot draw for a month while it heals up.

Thank you so much for the love on the bug drawings!

[calochortus]

Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus) taking a sweaty drink... by Will Atkins Via Flickr: As I was trying to get a photo of it on some marjoram this male decided to make life a little harder for me by landing on my thumb instead!

[xmas-infinite]

next up is Arcticaenid, the Azure Moth Monstar!

Description:

“Found only during the winter, Arcticaenid’s larval stage has never been seen before. Their brilliant blue wings make them easy to spot in their snowy habitats. The silky wool-like fibers on their upper bodies keep them warm enough to resist even blizzards.”

Arcticaenid’s name is based on the word ARCTIC and the scientific classification LYCAENIDAE, which constitutes about 30% of the world’s butterfly population. Despite the clear moth references in the design of Articaenid, it’s inspiration comes directly from the Adonis blue butterfly.

The wooly fibers on Arcticaenid come directly from the fur-like fibers on the Adonis blue butterfly. Only the males have this distinctive blue coloration, with female Adonis blue butterflies have a chocolate brown coloration with some orange spots. originally, Arcticaenid was supposed to have snowflake-shaped wings, but the design was scrapped as it made the design too cluttered and difficult to replicate from drawing to drawing. Hopefully I get the chance to reuse the snowflake wings on another Monstar in the future!

[death-mothblog]

The Adonis blue (Lysandra bellargus, also known as Polyommatus bellargus) is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It inhabits the Palearctic realm (Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Southern Russia, Iraq, Iran, Caucasus, Transcaucasus, and Turkey).

The male has the upper side wings a brilliant sky blue, with a fine black line round the edge and a white margin. The female is chocolate brown with a few blue scales near the base, and with orange spots, bordered by blue scales, around the edge of the hind wing. The fringes are chequered both sexes. The underside is brownish grey with black and orange crescent spots. The wingspan is about 3 cm (1.2 in). The caterpillar reaches 1.6 centimetres (0.63 in) in length, has a dark green body with dark spines, and yellow bands along the back and sides.

[dansnaturepictures]

Adonis Blue butterfly, Martin Down

[spikrock]

a conversation between adonis and chess (he likes to have fun)

[bloomnetworkapp]

Blooming Adonis Blue, 2021, France.

[hellsitegenetics]

this is literally the coolest gimmick blog i have ever seen, i took a genetics class in tenth grade and i’ve been obsessed ever since. could you analyze this ask too?

String identified:

t ta t ct gc g a , t a gtc ca tt ga a ’ c. c aa t a t?

Closest match: Lysandra bellargus genome assembly, chromosome: 10 Common name: Adonis blue butterfly

[esoteric-chaos]

Spring Equinox Masterpost- Spoonie Witch Friendly

Art Credit: Anastasia Catris

The Spring Equinox, also called the Vernal Equinox or Ostara, is usually celebrated between the 21st of March in the Northern Hemisphere (In the Southern Hemisphere around September 20th or 21st)

In 2024, Ostara and the Spring Equinox land in the Northern Hemisphere on Monday, March 19th.

The Spring Equinox celebrates the arrival of spring. Celebrating balance, growth, and new beginnings as Winter has finally ended.

Spring Equinox Correspondances

Colours

Light Green

Lavender

Sunny Yellow

Light Blue

Pastel Pink

White

Herbal

Lemongrass

Daffodils

Tulips

Violets

Apple Tree

Cherry Blossom

Primrose

Birch tree

Hyacinths

Dandelion

Garlic

Ash tree

Jasmine

Edibles

Honey

Salad greens

Spring veggies

Fresh berries

Mead

Herbs

Eggs

Seeds

Bread

Edible flowers

Quiches

Custards

Maple

Animals

Hares

Baby Chicks

Snakes

Robins

Bees

Butterflies

Phoenix

Ram

Crystals

Fluorite

Moonstone

Silver

Aquamarine

Clear Quartz

Amazonite

Symbols

Bonfires

Flowers

Rabbits

Eggs

Seeds

Baskets

Flowering or Tree Buds

Lambs

Birds

Spiritual meanings

Purification

Cleansing (removal of stagnant energy)

Growth

Transition

Motivation

Balance

Birth

Good fortune

Kindness

Joy

Fertility

Scents

Coconut

Citrus

Floral scents (rose, lilac, jasmine, etc)

Herbal scents (rosemary, basil, mint, etc)

Gods / Goddesses / Spirits

Eostre –  (Anglo-Saxon)

Aphrodite - (Greek)

Gaia - (Celtic)

Gaea - (Greek)

Venus - (Roman)

Athena - (Greek)

Aurora - (Roman)

Eos - (Greek)

Isis – (Egyptian)

Freya - (Norse) 

Persephone - (greek)

Cybele - (Roman)

The Green Man - (Celtic)

Odin – (Norse) 

Osiris – (Egyptian)

Pan – (Greek)

Thoth – (Egyptian)

Adonis – (Greek)

Apollon –  (Greek)

Apollo - (Roman)

Need some suggestions to celebrate? I've got you covered.

High energy celebrations and ritual

Deep cleaning of the hearth and home

Nature hikes

Visiting farmers markets

Making preserves

Create a fae garden

Create a seasonal altar

Abundance/Prosperity ritual

New beginnings ritual

Low energy celebrations 

Wear pastels

Create flower crowns

Light a candle with scent correspondence

No spoon celebrations 

Opening a window

Journaling Prompts

Keeping hydrated

Drink floral tea

Rest

How you celebrate the holiday does not matter. You can choose to do any activity that feels right. These are only suggestions and remember that you're enough no matter what.

Also please note some stuff is UPG. A great book is Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden for honouring the celebrations and if you wanted to work more seasonally. It's not Wiccan-based and has plenty of resources for every witch.

Feel free to post how you celebrate in the comments or reblogs!

Want to see more of my posts? Check out my Wheel of the Year Masterpost or my Main Masterpost.

[greenwitchcrafts]

March 2024 witch guide

Full moon: March 25th

New moon: March 10th

Sabbats: Ostara-March 19th

March Worm Moon

Known as: Crow Moon, Eagle Moon, Goose Moon, Hrethmonath, Lenting moon, Lentzinmanoth, Moon of Snowblind, Moon of Winds, Plow Moon, Sap Moon, Seed Moon, Sore Eyes Moon, Storm Moon, Sugar Moon & Wind Strong Moon

Element: Water

Zodiac: Pisces & Aries

Nature spirits: Air & water spirits & Mer-people

Deities: Artemis, Astarte, Athena, Cybele, Isis, Luna & Minerva

Animals: Boar, cougar & hedgehog

Birds: Sea crow & sea eagle

Trees: Alder, dogwood & honeysuckle

Herbs: Apple blossom, broom, high John root, Irish moss, pennyroyal, wood betony & yellow dock

Flowers: Daffodil, jonquil & violet

Scents: Apple blossom & honeysuckle

Stones: Aquamarine, bloodstone, jasper, opal &topaz

Colors: Pale-green, red, violet, yellow & white

Energy:  Balance, beginnings, dream work, energy breaking into the open, exploring, fertility, inner development, karma, prosperity, spirituality, success & truth seeking

For many years, it was thought that the name "Worm Moon" referred to the earthworms that appear as the soil warms in spring. This invites robins and other birds to feed—a true sign of spring.

However, more research revealed another explanation. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver visited the Naudowessie (Dakota) and other Native American tribes and wrote that the name Worm Moon refers to a different sort of “worm”—beetle larvae—which begin to emerge from the thawing bark of trees and other winter hideouts at this time.

March’s full Moon often plays a role in religion, specifically in Christianity, this Moon is known as the Lenten Moon if it is the last full Moon of the winter season (i.e., if it occurs before the spring equinox) or as the Paschal Full Moon if it is the first full Moon of spring (i.e., if it occurs after the spring equinox).

Ostara

Known as: Alban Eiler, Lady Day & Spring/Vernal equinox

Season: Spring

Symbols: 8-spoked wheel, butterflies, chicks, decorated baskets, eggs, feathers, jellybeans, lambs, rabbits, seeds, shamrocks, spring flowers & sunwheels

Colors: Green, indigo, light blue, pastels, pink, red & yellow

Oils/Incense: African violet, florals, ginger, jasmine, lotus, magnolia, rose, sage & strawberry

Animals: Cormorant, hare, hawk, rabbit, sheep, sparrow & swallow

Mythical: Dragon & Unicorn

Stones: Amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone, moonstone, red jasper & rose quartz

Food: Dairy foods, eggs(hard boiled), fruits, honey, honey cakes, leafy greens, vegetables, pine nuts, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, sprouts & waffles

Herbs/Plants: Acorn, cinquefoil, dogwood, ginger, Irish moss, olive, strawberry & woodruff

Flowers: Celandine, crocus, daffodil, dandelion, Easter lily,  jasmine gorse, honeysuckle, hyssop, iris, jonquil, linden, narcissus, peony, snowdrop, tansy & violet

Goddesses: Aphrodite, Ariadne, Artemis, Athena, Coatlicue, Cybele,Demeter, Diana, Eos, Eostre, Flora, Gaia, Hera, Idunn, Iris, Ishtar, Juno, Minerva, Persephone, Venus & Vesta

Gods: Adonis, Attis, Celi, Cernunnos, Coel, Dagda, Dalon ap Landu, Dumuzi, Green Man, Lord of the Greenwood, Mithras, Odin, Osiris, Ovis & Pan

Issues, Intentions & Powers: Agriculture, balance, beauty, fertility, growth, life, love & rebirth/renewal

Spellwork: Air magick, fertility, new beginnings & water magick

Activities:

• Go on a hike/walk & look for signs of spring

• Add Ostara symbols to decorate your altar space

• Plant vegetable &/or flower seedlings

• Decorate eggs with bright colors

• Set your intentions for the weeks/months ahead

• Start a new class or hobby

• Create eggshell candles

• Make plans & new routines for the future

• Participate in rituals & ceremonies that connect you with energy & the life force of nature

• Have a feast with your friends &/family with sprouts & leafy greens

• Bake hot cross buns or lavender/lemon flavored treats

• Clean & de-clutter your home

• Try a re-birthing/ renewing ritual

• Bring fresh flowers or plants into into the home

• Host a spring & floral themed tea party

• Make egg based food dishes & desserts

This holiday marks the Spring Equinox, which happens before March 19-22. It is the second of three spring celebrations (the midpoint between Imbolc and Beltane)  during which light & darkness are again in balance, with light on the rise. It is a time of new beginnings & of life emerging further from the grips of winter.

There is much debate regarding the origins of Ostara due to the lack of primary sources about this sabbat. One theory is the name of Ostara came from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre. Another theory is that Eostre is more of a localized goddess in Kent County, England. Despite the questions of her origins, Eostre is associated with modern-day Pagan traditions of Ostara.

There is no evidence that the ancient Greeks or Romans celebrated Ostara, although they did celebrate their own spring festivals, such as the Roman festival of Floralia & the Greek festival of Anthesteria. It was a time to honor the returning sun, fertility & rebirth.

Related festivals:

• Nowruz- March 19th

Nowruz marks the first day of spring & renewal of nature. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox. It is also celebrated as the beginning of the new year by people all around the world for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East & other regions.

It promotes values of peace & solidarity between generations & within families as well as reconciliation & neighbourliness. Nowruz plays a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples based on mutual respect & the ideals of peace and good neighbourliness. 

Traditional customs of Nowruz include fire & water, ritual dances, gift exchanges, reciting poetry, symbolic objects & more; these customs differ between the diverse peoples & countries that celebrate the festival.

• Holi- March 25th

Holi is a popular & significant Hindu festival celebrated as the The festival of colors, Love &Spring. It commemorates eternal and divine love of the deities Radha & Krishna. Additionally, the day signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it celebratess the victory of Vishnu as Narasimha over Hiranyakashipu. Holi originated & is predominantly celebrated in the Indian subcontinent, but has also spread to other regions of Asia & parts of the Western world through the Indian diaspora.

Holi also celebrates the arrival of Spring in India, the end of winter & the blossoming of love. It is also an invocation for a good spring harvest season. It lasts for a night & a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (full moon day) falling on the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which falls around the middle of March in the Gregorian calendar.

• Easter- March 31st

also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday is a Christian festival & cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus Christ, preceded by Lent (or Great Lent), a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, & penance.

Easter traditions vary across the Christian world & include sunrise services or late-night vigils, exclamations & exchanges of Paschal greetings, flowering the cross & the decoration and the communal breaking of Easter eggs (a symbol of the empty tomb) among many others. The Easter lily is a symbol of the resurrection in Western Christianity traditionally decorates the chancel area of churches on this day & for the rest of Eastertide. Additional customs that have become associated with Easter & are observed by both Christians & some non-Christians include Easter parades, communal dancing, the Easter Bunny & egg hunting.

Other Celebrations:

• Festival of Luna- March 31st

Is a feast day honoring the Goddess Luna who is seen as the divine embodiment of the Moon.

The Temple of Luna was a temple on the Aventine Hill in Rome, dedicated to Luna, the moon goddess. Its dedication was celebrated on March 31st, thus the celebration.

According to Tacitus, it was built by king Servius Tullius. However, the first confirmed reference to a temple to Luna dates to 182 BC & refers to one of its doors being knocked off its posts by a miraculous blast of air & shot into the back of the Temple of Ceres. That account probably places the temple at the north end of the hill, just above porta Trigemina. The temple was struck by lightning around the time of the death of Cinna, as was the temple of Ceres. After the destruction of Corinth, Lucius Mummius Achaicus dedicated some of his spoils from the city to this temple. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD & not rebuilt.

Sources:

Farmersalmanac .com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

Wikipedia

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Encyclopedia britannica

Llewellyn 2024 magical almanac Practical magic for everyday living

[yan-san-yan]

Kwami swap? Older Luka? Yes please 🦋

I imagine luka’s already high EQ becomes even more heightened (because magic obviously), so he can hear heart songs more clearly from greater distance and instead of “hearing people’s problems/mind/thoughts” like Hawkmoth, Luka instead can interoperate songs and emotions accurately as if hearing their voices/thoughts. I truly believe the concept/belief/self image (like show in the show) affects his power input and not only the outfit, so since luka is more empathic and emotionally aware (empath) unlike Gabriel, the nature of his powers are also influenced since the butterfly is the power of emotions.

I think this outfit might be too extravagant for him but yet i can totally see this being still in Luka’s style! He is truly sophisticated! I couldn’t get out the idea of the cape being “accidentally” shape into butterfly wings and this is the result.

I originally wanted to name him Adonis since the design is inspired by the Adonis blue butterfly but that name was already taken by another amazing artist’s butterfly!Luka design ( I believe it was @zoe-oneesama)

I also borrowed inspiration from the butterfly Aricia (blue) and the name stuck with me!

[emmanuel-the-manual]

Adonis Blue 🦋

[evangelineiiimoscovia]

First colouring attempt! Kaiser's wings are white and gold (as a treat for me) but he made the terrible decision of dyeing them and the dye is shitty so his feathers are constantly falling off. I wanted to make his wings dark blue on the inside and his outer feathers naturally white like those Adonis blue butterflies but that stroke of genius arrived too late so I'll fix that in the future haha.

His hooves are supposed to look like tiaras and his cutie mark is actually just the rose, he tattooed the vines because he's extra like that. Since the dye already comes in the wings I decided his hair was just naturally that colour and it wouldn't look too out of place in the MLP verse, unlike the dyed feathers which aside from Cadence and Flurry Heart no-one has that type of bicoloured wings.

He's a genius from the wonder bolts academy, the fastest of his roster. He's one of the few ponies capable of creating a sonic rainboom (or whatever a boom with his colouring would be called). He competes against Rainbow Dash for the most rainbooms, Rainbow Dash doesn't even know who he is.

I lost my magenta marker so Ness will have to wait. I might doodle some fun comics about them

[hwsforeignrelations-spicy]

Yank-In' Old Big Ben

Word Count: 1249 // AO3 Link

“Yanks arrived, sir,” murmured the messenger, slipping out of the tent as soon as he entered. Frowning, the Englishman finished his tea and stood woodenly to follow through the canvas flap and address his horrendously tardy guests.

However, England was not expecting his senses to be assaulted with the eighteenth century embodiment of Adonis. 

Confidence defined the self-righteous roll of his walk and left Arthur furious and aroused at once. In the beige army trousers (a size too small from generous American rations no doubt) the fabric hugged the curves of Alfred’s hips and upper thighs.

The ground crunched beneath brown, tightly laced service shoes. Fresh, like the rest of America’s uniform.

The soft smirk settled above America’s square, smooth jaw only made the Englishman’s blood boil higher, and the round frames of Texas caught the light to hide Alfred’s twinkling blue eyes. 

It had been a year since they’d seen one another in person, and Arthur thought himself too worn to experience anything carnally desperate.

And yet.

Saliva collected in Arthur’s mouth and he struggled to maintain the vicious gaze at the oncomer’s face, fighting his eyes’ desire to travel back to the sinful rotation of the slim hips and strong legs. If his knees felt weak before he’d left his tent…

The American stopped a few feet from his former caretaker, seeming to revel in their height contrast. A fresh bomber jacket highlighted the broad shoulders and strained at the young man’s bicep when he pushed up his glasses and offered a leather gloved hand to England.

“The heroes have arrived,” beamed Alfred F. Jones, set of pearly teeth near blinding the host country.

Arthur, surrounded by captains and staff, accepted the large hand and returned the firm greeting. “So glad you and your men found the time to join us,” the English lord spoke graciously, barely-detectable jeer curling his lips.

Either the young nation didn’t hear the sarcasm or chose to ignore it. 

Knowing him, one was as likely as the other.

“No problem!”

–

The Englishman pressed both hands into Alfred’s sternum, bending him back before grasping his waist and joining their groins. 

Alfred’s cheek warmed, and Arthur wanted to pepper the sweat beading on his perfect hairline with his lips. It was just out of his reach, however, but he vowed to do so without being on his toes.

Alfred moved before he could, ducking his head into Arthur’s neck and biting a line along his jaw. Knees suddenly weak and belly warm with butterflies Arthur tilted his head back, grasping at the ass of the man devouring his neck, wanting more.

“Bite it like you mean it,” Arthur complained. His ask was answered and the sensitive skin below his ear was ravaged by foreign teeth and tongue, warm and hot like a sauna.

The Englishman scrambled for purchase on Alfred’s soft hips, imagining the way America's discarded pants had hugged the dense bones beneath his hands. He squeezed and Alfred gasped against him, momentarily stalling his oral journey down Arthur’s neck.

“These damn buttons…” groused America, fingers struggling to open the tiny buttons latching Arthur’s shirt closed. His eyebrows met into a crinkle over his nose, pout not dissimilar to a child with their hand caught in the sweets jar. Arthur sighed and pushed the clumsy hands aside, undoing the soft, starched shirt himself with deft movements.

“It’s a wonder you’re dressed at all…” England teased, gingerly skimming over the tender skin that had recently healed over a shrapnel wound on his side. It would hold, he decided.

Arthur’s body was sore, always was these days, but it wasn’t difficult to push past the discomfort if he could be properly sated for the first time in months. 

Although he’d have to be delicate with his ribs.

(America was already smoothing his hands up England’s hips, mouth busy nibbling on his shoulder, then squeezed around his upper waist in a movement that left Arthur’s cock instantly hard, painfully trapped in his pants.)

Or not, ribs be damned. 

In a moment his shirt was off and whipped over the back of a chair and again their bodies met, starting on one another’s pants. 

They stepped over Alfred's jacket, tossed haplessly on the floor, and the leather creaked in protest, dust collected from the dry outdoors pluming into air and irritating their noses.

Pants off Arthur pressed his nose into the space between Alfred’s neck and shoulder, breathing in the smell of sweat, cigarettes, and something like firewood. Beneath his cheek the Englishman felt the strength, the sturdiness like an immovable pillar, and gripped the thick biceps with internal reverence. 

Arthur hid his appreciative smile of surprise when he was effortlessly picked off the groud and pressed against the tent’s wooden post. Their pants were off, and neither had bothered unlacing their shoes. 

The dirt floor wasn’t much joy on bare feet, besides.

“Oof,” grunted the Englishman, wood digging into his back as he slid down the length of it. He didn’t mind terribly, however, when Alfred dropped to his knees and looked up, smiling up like a dope. Still. “There’re more worthwhile ways to get a friction burn, lad.”

“Doubt it,” smiled America, nuzzling the blond hair surrounding England’s straining cock. 

Arthur groaned, head falling back against the poll as his length was engulfed by warm, wet heat.

Lips curling into a smile around his mouthful, America bobbed his head, drawing his tongue along the skin. One hand strayed from where he kept England’s hips in place to wipe away the wetness behind his glasses, then moved to wrap around the base of the English shaft to fondle his balls.

His efforts were rewarded with more moans and America produced a mewl of his own when a hand grasped the sensitive strand of hair and tugged, bringing his lips closer to the bed of hair and the tip of Arthur’s cock to the back of his throat.

Alfred tasted precum and attended to his mission with renewed purpose.

“Alfred,” England panted, head still back and hands scrambling over his head, face and shoulders for purchase. “Alfred,” he repeated, “I-I’m, move or I’ll- agck!”

That was all the warning Alfred received before his mouth filled with his partner’s release.

Salty, Alfred decided, with a hint of earl grey.

The Englishman’s vision went white and fuzzy as stars danced before his eyes. His limbs hummed with pleasure, skin tingling, and everything was right and perfect with the world.

Alfred sat back on his heels and spat the come into a handkerchief, then used a fresh corner to wipe something white from the side of his mouth. 

When Arthur finally looked down it was to a smug face and messy hair. “I did good?” asked the blue-eyed soldier, pride glowing on his face and eyes waiting for further approval.

Arthur breathed out, willing his breath to return to normal, and leaned down to press a kiss onto the tip of Alfred’s nose, licking a missed smear of cum off the cupid’s bow. Now accessible, the green-eyed man pecked Alfred's hairline, satisfied. “The technique could use some practice,” Arthur hummed, putting the lad’s hair back into order.

Alfred looked momentarily affronted and England soothed, “Overall performance was… well executed.”

Those teeth suddenly grinned, and Arthur looked down at Alfred’s own unattended arousal. “You ain’t seen the half of it,” Alfred came back from his jacket pocket with a tube of petroleum jelly.

“Let’s see what you’ve got, yank,” Arthur smirked.

[the-mortuary-witch]

APHRODITE

WHO IS SHE?

Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, war, desire, and fertility. She is often depicted as a powerful and seductive figure who wields great influence over both mortals and gods. She is believed to have power over all aspects of love and desire, including physical beauty, sexual attraction, and romantic love.

BASIC INFO:

Appearance: Aphrodite is often depicted as a beautiful and seductive woman, with flowing golden hair and captivating grey or blue eyes. She is often shown wearing a chiton, a long, flowing garment in a light, sheer material, with a belt around the waist. Often, she is accompanied by the winged God Eros, or Cupid, who represents the God of desire, love and erotic desire.

Personality: she is often portrayed as a complex and multi-faceted deity. On one hand, she is a loving and nurturing mother figure, associated with love, fertility, and the natural world. On the other hand, she is often depicted as a powerful and seductive deity, associated with beauty, desire, and pleasure. She is often portrayed as having a powerful and somewhat overwhelming presence.

Symbols: rose, pearl, mirror, girdle, anemone, lettuce, narcissus seashells, scallop shells, Venus, golden apples, the number 5, and mirrors

Goddess of: love, beauty, war, desire, and fertility

Culture: Greek

Plants and trees: apple, linden tree, myrtle, pomegranate, poppies, lettuce, rose, quince, ash, poplar, anemone, artichokes, aloe vera, lemon verbena, dill, thyme, calla lilies, tulips, geraniums, alstroemeria, and hydrangea

Crystals: rose quartz, scallop pearl, diamond, aquamarine, Zambian emerald, agatized coral, ruby fuchsite, rose gold, pigeon’s blood, saltwater pearl, padparadscha sapphire, cultured pearl, triphane, white opal, freshwater pearl, olivine, aurichalcite, cat’s eye, Mozambique garnet, aqualite, Colombian emerald, Burmese ruby, trapiche emerald, mangano calcite, opal royale, akoya pearl, biron emerald, blue kunzite, lepidocrocite, welo opal, gibbsite, African emerald, kimberlite, grandidierite, strawberry quartz, linarite, mayanite, pumpellyite, lemurian jade, thulite, forsterite, green calcite, tremolite, spodumene, marble, rutilated quartz, emerald, pearl, cinnabar, dolomite, clinochlore, chrysocolla, azurite, peridot, kyanite, dumortierite, pink opal, apophyllite, and chrysoprase. (A lot of beautiful crystals for a beautiful Goddess).

Animals: butterflies, swans, dolphins, geese, doves, sparrows, bees, goats, hares, cats, hummingbirds, unicorns, and horses

Incense: rose, myrrh, vanilla, cinnamon, jasmine, ginger, cherry blossom, and lavender

Colours: red, pink, baby blue, sea foam, aqua, violet, silver, and light blue

Numbers: 2, 3, and 5

Zodiac: Libra

Tarot: The Empress, The Lovers, The Star, and The Suit of Cups

Planet: Venus

Days: Friday, Ostara, Lupercalia, and Aphrodisia (the third week in July to the third week of August).

Parents: Zeus, Dione, and/or Uranus

Siblings: Hephaestus, Ares, Athena, Artemis, Apollo, Hermes, Dionysus and Persephone (she only had half siblings)

Partner: Hephaestus, Anchises, Adonis, Ares, Eurydome, Hermes, Poseidon, Dionysus, and many other lovers

Children: Eros, Himeros, Pothos, Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, Anteros, Rhodos, Eryx, Peitho, Rhodos, The Graces (Charities), Beroe, Golgos, Priapus, and Hermaphroditus

MISC:

• Aphrodite is said to have been born from the foam of the sea and was considered to be the most beautiful of all the Gods and Goddesses.

• She was known for her love of luxury and fine things, and was often depicted surrounded by a lavish entourage of nymphs and gods.

• She was associated with the arts of music, poetry, and beauty, and was believed to be the patron goddess of artists and artisans.

• Aphrodite is often called "The foam-born" because she is believed to have emerged from the foam of the sea after Cronus castrated Uranus.

• In Greek mythology, Aphrodite was married to Hephaestus, the God of fire and smithing, but she often had affairs with other Gods, such as Ares, the God of war.

• She is often depicted with the winged God Eros, or Cupid, as her companion or son.

• She had many lovers, including the mortal prince, Adonis, who died because of their relationship.

• She represented the sensual aspects of love, including passion, desire, sexuality, and eroticism.

• She had many temples dedicated to her throughout the ancient world, including at Aphrodisia in Athens and Pompeii.

• She was sometimes depicted as a warrior Goddess, associated with the battlefield and conflict.

FACTS ABOUT APHRODITE:

• She is widely worshipped as a Goddess of the sea and of seafaring.

• Aphrodite was born off the coast of Cythera from the genitals of Uranus.

• She is known as the Lady of Cythera, the Lady of Cyprus because of her birth story.

• Like every Greek Olympic god, Aphrodite was also immortal and powerful.

• She is often depicted as the Greek equivalent of the Roman goddess, Venus.

• Aphrodite is one of the goddesses that reside in Mount Olympus.

• She did not take rejection well.

• Supported the Trojans during the Trojan War.

• Aphrodite’s magical girdle or belt also served as her weapon.

• The statue of Venus de Milo is said to depict the Goddess Aphrodite.

• Her name originated from the word Sea-foam.

• Like her siblings, Aphrodite also indulged in incestuous relationships.

• Aphrodite is depicted as perfectly symmetrical.

• The temple of Aphrodite is famous for its alleged temple of prostitution.

• Aphrodite is often depicted as nude and desirable.

• There is a flower named after the Greek goddess Aphrodite (Calycanthus Aphrodite).

• There are more artworks for Aphrodite than any other classic mythology figure.

• Many Olympian goddesses have been jealous of Aphrodite.

• Aphrodite was considered greatly generous to those who worshipped her.

• She has no known children with her husband.

• Pomegranates were also once associated with Aphrodite.

• In some texts, Aphrodite is depicted as a blonde or redhead.

• She really likes lacy and frilly things, fairies, pastel colours, music boxes, classical music and old songs from the 50s and 60s, and ballet.

HOW TO INVOKE APHRODITE:

To work with Aphrodite, you can engage in activities that reflect her attributes and values. Here are some suggestions:

Create a beautiful altar or shrine to honour her, adorned with symbols of love, beauty and sensuality, such as flowers, mirrors, perfume, and jewelry, etc. 

Offer prayers, offerings, or libations to her in her honour. This can include burning incense, offering wine, flowers, or other gifts that are meaningful to you.

Engaging in acts of self-care and self-love, such as taking care of your physical appearance and nurturing your relationships with others.

PRAYER FOR APHRODITE:

“Dear Aphrodite, great and lovely Goddess of love and beauty, I come before you today to honour and worship you. Thank you for the many gifts and blessings you have bestowed upon me. Please grant me the power to love and be loved, to find joy and beauty in all aspects of my life.”

“May your grace and presence always be a source of comfort and inspiration for me. Hail Aphrodite, hail the Goddess of love.”

SIGNS THAT APHRODITE IS CALLING YOU:

• Notice an increased sense of beauty and love in your life.

• Are drawn to her symbols, such as roses, shells, or swans.

• Feeling a strong connection to her myths and stories.

• You notice a surge in your own power of attraction or beauty.

• Noticing feelings of passion and desire when you think about her.

• You have dreams or visions related to her.

• Increased occurrences of the colour pink in your life. 

• An attraction to love, beauty, and romance in all their forms.

• Feelings of intense love or desire, or a heightened sense of sensual energy.

• Encounters with doves, swans, or dolphins.

• A strong feeling of being drawn to or inspired by the goddess Aphrodite.

OFFERINGS:

• Roses.

• Sweets, candy, and desserts (she loves chocolate).

• Jewelry.

• Natural honey.

• Beauty products.

• Seashells.

• Cinnamon.

• Intimate acts.

• Art and music.

• Mirrors.

• Rose quartz.

• Scallop shells, conch shells, sea shells - just shells.

• Poetry.

• Myrtle.

• Anemone.

• Poppies.

• Abandoned beehives.

• Dead bees (make sure they died of natural causes, please don’t kill bees).

• Something you created (could be drawings, poems, knitted decoration, whatever you did while thinking of her).

• Fire.

• Bread.

• Something someone else created (always ask for permission to use someone else’s art and don’t ever make it pass as your own, She’s not stupid, and will be pissed if you do).

• Olive oil.

• Statues of her or anything She’s related to, as stated above.

• White feathers/dove feathers.

• Pearls of any colour.

• Lingerie.

• Sex toys.

• Fish scales.

• Sea water.

• Wine or champagne.

• Nuts.

• Aphrodisiac scents/foods.

• Silk.

• Beach sand.

• Starfish (grab a dead one from the beach, don’t buy one because they usually take living starfish and kill them to sell it as decor or souvenirs).

• Coffee beans or ground coffee.

• Fruits like strawberries, apples, pomegranates, cherries, or grapes.

• Shellfish.

• Vanilla or cinnamon sticks.

• Cat whiskers (please don’t cut a kitty’s precious whiskers, wait for them to shed naturally - look for them mostly during Summer and on the places your cats spend most of their time).

• Lettuce.

• Himalayan salt.

DEVOTIONAL ACTS:

• Experimenting with makeup.

• Wear cozy/comfy clothes.

• Listen to music that makes you feel empowered.

• Sing along to your favourite songs.

• Give little gifts to your friends.

• Go for an evening walk.

• Sleep in when you can.

• Clean your room and let some fresh air in.

• Drink tea with honey.

• Visit the ocean or find some ways to be connected to it (sea salt, seashells, etc.)

• Write a letter to your future self or one to her.

• Go to a store and try on some new clothing styles.

• Leave positive notes in random places.

• Change your look every once in a while.

• Treat a friend to some drinks/dinner.

• Don’t limit yourself and your style because of stereotypes.

• Support small businesses.

• Take a day off and do whatever you want.

• Watch some cute animal videos.

• Visit a garden.

• Go on a picnic.

• Stand up for those who need it.

• Buy yourself some flowers.

• Be there for your friends.

• Eat those extra sweets.

• Wear more makeup/jewelry if it makes you feel nice.

• Compliment people more.

• Try out some new face masks.

• Take more selfies and pictures (by yourself and with friends).

• Enjoying floral scented things.

• Going see a movie by yourself.

• Practicing loving yourself.

• Sexually please yourself/explore and know your body.

• Make love/have sex.

• Create a playlist with songs that remind you of her.

• Baking her something sweet.

• Become a beekeeper / help local beekeepers.

[dansnaturepictures]

Some blue butterflies I have enjoyed seeing this year, Holly Blue at Lakeside this week, Adonis Blue at Martin Down in May, Chalkhill Blue at Stockbridge Down on Monday and Silver-studded Blue at the Range, South Stack last month.