#Hellenic stuff

[wordsmithic]

"feminist" greek myth retellings love to talk about how the "poets," by which i assume we are meant to understand ancient male storytellers (who are positioned as the only perspective in ancient stories), always get things wrong and never talk about women. this troubles me because (1) they did. (2) they did, and those stories and their complexity are often overlooked. (3) merely sneering at certain depictions of mythological and ancient women or pointing out that men should not be the sole storytellers of women's experiences does not mean that you are writing about women's experiences, doing a good job, or even saying something interesting or useful. which is a shame, because there is certainly more to say, if one could get past one's feeling of inherent superiority toward old stories and the things they might be saying.

[that-cunning-witch]

"Aphrodite loves terfs" do you really think a goddess of love formed from a literal penis and the mother of Hermaphroditus, an intersex god who was associated with androgyny and feminine men, fucks around with transphobia?

she is a literal trans icon and to deny that will get you smited by all the gods

[myrtleturtlee]

I don’t know who needs to hear this but having doubts about your practice is totally normal and actually beneficial.

Questioning everything is intelligence.

[lunarforager]

Beginner Witch's Guide: Crystals

Today's witchy lesson is on crystals! Specifically, crystal shapes and their meanings, types of crystals and their meanings, and what you can use crystals for in your practice!

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Basic Crystals and Their Meanings:

Clear Quartz -> Clear quartz is known for its ability to amplify intention and magnify the energy of other stones around it

Selenite -> Selenite is good for cleansing and purifying the area and objects around it

Amethyst -> Amethyst provides a peaceful and relaxing energy

Carnelian -> Carnelian is known for boosting creative energy and allowing for better creative flow

Rose Quartz -> Rose quartz is known for supporting and amplifying love of all kinds (self love, romantic love, platonic love, etc.)

Pyrite -> Pyrite (also known as 'Fool's Gold') is known for drawing in success and fortune

Obsidian -> Obsidian sucks in negative energy from the surrounding space providing protection from unwanted energies and negativity

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Crystal Shapes and Meanings:

Cube -> Cube shaped crystals are often tied to grounding and would be good to use during meditation or meditative spellwork.

Sphere -> Sphere shaped crystals are thought to be more balanced with the energy they emit, splitting it evenly in all directions. They are good to use in grounding work (like meditation) or for protective spells/energy.

Pyramids -> Pyramid shaped crystals are most commonly associated with the idea of communing with celestial bodies or with the universe. Pyramid shaped crystals would be beneficial to use in deity worship or working with deities for spellwork.

Tower/Point -> Tower and point shaped crystals are known to amplify intention and point it in a certain direction. In my opinion, they are the most universally helpful shape and so can be used for a variety of spells.

Palm Stones -> Palm Stones are flat disks of stone that can be placed in one's palm and are often used to provide soothing energy. When placed in the palm they can be rubbed to provide therapeutic relief in moments of anxiety.

Cluster -> A cluster is a mix between a sphere and a point. The energy is emitted in all directions, but not evenly. They are most beneficial for spells and powers you want amplified, but don't need to be even or concentrated in one particular area.

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General Crystal Tips:

When purchasing crystals, make sure the ones you are buying are coming from reputable, ethical sources and are actual crystals!

Before letting any crystal come in contact with the sun or with water, make sure it is safe to do. Some crystals are known to leech harmful chemicals or elements into water when submerged while some will just erode away in minutes. Some crystals can also fade if left in direct sunlight for a long time (amethyst is one of these so keep that in mind!)

If you do not like working with crystals, think something works better for you than crystals, or simply are just not interested in working with crystals, they are not necessary for the craft! Crystals (like any other witchy tool) are optional but can not only provide useful energies or attributes, but also just look super cool and are great to put on altars or in spaces around your home!

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Well, that's all for my beginners guide to crystals! There are so many more crystals out there with their own unique shapes, attributes and energies that I suggest going and doing more research as you start to collect crystals! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out, I love talking to people and love making new friends <3

Valete my friends! :3

[thechthonicherbalist]

A Prayer

My Lord Apollo, Lord of the Sun, of Dance and Music, of Poetry and Art, of Herbs and Flowers and Healing, Protector of Seers and Bringer of the Light that illuminates the Future, Greatest Player of the Lyre, Greatest of Archers, Upholder of Justice and Averter of Evil. Please hear my call. Illuminate this night and ward of the darkness that seeks to invade my thoughts and emotions. Lend me your light and bring joy and warmth back to my life. Let the spring of my creativity well up once again, so it may bring to flourish art and writing as it once used to. Heal what has been wounded in me, cure what has been infested by the sickness brought into my life. Heal my body, this pain, this fatigue, that plagues me. These fevers and inflammations. Hold me in your protective and healing embrace and guide my path towards a brighter future. Let your song fill my life, let it ring from my lips in passion, in joy, in beautiful emotions. And please, keep safe my heart and my soul; these most vulnerable parts of me, that endured so much and need a gentle healer's touch, to wake up and mend. Don't let go of me, be with me every step of the way. I do not know where I'm heading, so I want to trust you, to guide me to safety, light and warmth and joy, to a place of healing. 🌄

[witness2caesar]

Working on it.... I unfortunately can't turn my brain off with the amount of ideas I have for them. My wallet is screaming at me, guys

[sortiarus-de-naturas-daemonum]

Don't y'all get tired of people on Witchtok using Aphrodite as a chain mail message to get likes and reposts by saying "Aphrodite will take your beauty away if you scroll" cause I sure am.

[zenowitchstuff]

persephone collage

[pomegranated]

my attempt to give persephone a digital offering

[carpe-astrae]

Giving libations as someone not old enough to buy alcohol is so funny because I'm over here like "O blessed gods, I ask you to come in a spirit of joyous mercy to this holy rite and libation of reverence, I hope you like diet dr. pepper."

[mars-and-the-theoi]

Low energy Devotional Acts for when you don’t have a lot of energy (or time, or money, etc.) pt. 8

💀Hades/Plouton💀

- listen to a devotional playlist for Him

- learn how to budget if able

- if you have a dog- spend some time with them

- if able volunteer at an animal shelter or volunteer to walk dogs

- if able learn about your ancestors

- learn about death magic and spirit work

- learn about death doulas

- learn about the Underworld or afterlives in general

- listen to ‘dark ambient’ soundscapes

- if able visit a cemetery

- learn about cemetery and graveyard etiquette

- learn about funerary practices throughout time and around the world

- wear black (can be as simple as a hair tie or socks to your whole outfit and even makeup!)

- listen to goth music

- carry some coins on you if able

- do Halloween or gothic themed coloring pages

- learn about the roles of hospice workers, funeral directors, morticians, etc.

- honor deceased loved ones (can be pets, friends, family members, etc. doesn’t matter)

- be kind to spirits and respect* them and the dead (*I know there are some folks who don’t deserve respect in death so obviously you don’t have to respect them this is just a more…in general kind of thing)

🌺Persephone🌺

- if able go on a walk (can be as simple as down the driveway and back up if that’s all you can manage)

- if unable to do that try to sit outside or open a window/door to let some fresh air in and open the blinds/curtains to let some sunlight in

- listen to nature soundscapes

- pick some flowers or get a bouquet for yourself or others

- learn about herbalism

- enjoy some pomegranates, pomegranate juice, or something with pomegranate in it

- listen to a devotional playlist for Her

- if able visit a cemetery

- learn, read, watch stuff about ghosts (yes even those weird ghost hunting shows that come on at like 2 am and make you feel like you’re experiencing a fever dream)

- learn about reincarnation

- be kind to Demeter

- if able donate to or volunteer at a battered women’s shelter and learn about their history and importance

- if able do some baking (especially bread)

- learn about the underworld or afterlives in general

[d3vilishd00dles]

is it just me or is the amount of consistent Apollo, Hermes, and Aphrodite tiktoks I'm getting in succession suspicious

[myrtleturtlee]

Having doubts that your practice is “real”?

It makes you happy, that’s real.

[galacticnikki]

A Baby Witch's First Spellbook

Persephone's Plunge

This post was inspired by blackbacchus999's drink series; specifically his drink called Apollo's Delphic Dawn. Make sure to check it out!

Ingredients:

1 oz Pomegranate Liqueur: Pomegranates are symbolic of Persephone's time in the underworld.

1 oz Vodka: Vodka represents the compassion and empathy that Persephone embodies.

½ oz Rose Liqueur: Roses symbolizes the flowers Persephone picked when kidnapped by Hades.

1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice: Lemon represents the brightness and renewal of spring.

2 oz Pomegranate Juice: A nod to the fruit that bound Persephone to the underworld.

½ oz of Grenadine: Adds a deeper red hue, reminiscent of the pomegranate seeds.

Ice

Pomegranate Seeds: For garnish, symbolizing the seeds of the underworld.

Rose Petals: For garnish, symbolizing the flowers Persephone picked before her descent to the underworld.

Instructions:

Chill a cocktail glass or other glass of your choice in the freezer.

Combine the pomegranate liqueur, vodka, rose liqueur, lemon juice, and pomegranate juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Shake well until the mixture is chilled.

Strain the mixture into the chilled glass.

Add a dash of grenadine for a layered effect, letting it sink to the bottom of the glass.

Garnish with a few pomegranate seeds and rose petals.

Feel free to check out my master post for more information!

[jupii-478]

why am i seeing so many hateful posts about a bunch of super cool retellings??

i personally like a bunch of greek mythology retellings. it makes me kinda sad seeing people hate basically everything i like

retellings are of greek mythology. mythology. we can’t be like “no, we don’t follow the mythology!! that’s not what the gods are really like!!” and then get all offended when other people use it. we don’t want it, right?? so why are people getting pissed that people are using the mythology and making retellings of it??

yeah, i don’t like how the gods are portrayed in percy jackson, but it’s a retelling of the mythology and it’s not even supposed to be close to realistic. yeah, i don’t like how epic isn’t super true to the odyssey, but it’s also a retelling of the odyssey that jorge has said is supposed to be very video game/anime based and he’s even made videos talking about how epic should not be referenced as a reliable source because it’s a retelling. yeah, i don’t like some character portrayals in madeline millers books, but they’re retellings based off of the mythology.

they are retellings of greek mythology, not hellenism.

if you don’t like that content, instead of checking it every few weeks, stop interacting with it. don’t want to hear about epic the musical? avoid it. don’t want to see more of what madeline miller wrote? set down the book. don’t want to hear the pjo gods be talked poorly about? stop interacting with posts that talk about it. it’s not for you.

idk. this is just my opinion. everyone is entitled to their own opinions and i can’t change those. but just remember to be kind and respectful. what you’re insulting is something that a lot of people enjoy, it’s something that someone put a lot of effort into making and is proud about.

say what you wish, but try to be empathetic first. try to understand where other people are coming from and how, maybe, they aren’t trying to offend you. maybe we all just need to learn and grow a bit. idk though, just my thoughts.

(if i could verbally say everything in this post, none of it would’ve been said in an angry tone. i just want to make sure this doesn’t come across as me being mad or anything)

[lavender--milk]

To me, Apollon's presence feels like a tingly, airy warmth in my chest, near the top of my lungs. If I were to visualize it, it would be a ball of light, all whites and yellows and oranges like flame. Bright, but gentle.

It doesn't happen every day. But sometimes, when I'm offering him the garlic-stuffed-olives he loves, or when I'm taking the time to read his stories, or when I'm working on his journal, I'll just get this rush of airy warmth in my chest, and I'll know that he's there, and that I'm doing just fine.