#demeter worship

[homey-worshiper]

lady demeter

working on an offering for lady demeter

{i love drawing & painting offerings, for sure will later use it in my collages}

[theway-her-hairfalls]

Praying to Aphrodite for seeing the beauty in the world despite my sadness, as well as loving myself, even when others judge me

Praying to Ares for the strength to keep going, and as the loving hand of a father that I never had

Praying to Hestia in hope that I'll feel at home for the first time in forever, that I'll be comforted with thoughts of my favorite bread in the warm oven

Praying to Demeter in hope that my hunger will be sated while there's no food for me to eat, and again for the caring embrace from a mother when mine turns her back

[messywitch]

are user boxes still a thing? no idea. but i made user boxes as my contribution to the community. they're matchy, too!! you're free to use them- just say Aterios made it.

i'm open to making these under request, just send me an ask with the deity you'd like a box for!! please be nice, too.

gods in this post: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Athena, Hermes & Dionysus.

[thedansemacabres]

Introduction To Supporting Sustainable Agriculture For Witches and Pagans

[ID: An image of yellow grain stocks, soon to be harvested. The several stocks reach towards a blurred open sky, focusing the camera on he grains themselves. The leaves of the grains are green and the cereals are exposed].

PAGANISM AND WITCHCRAFT ARE MOVEMENTS WITHIN A SELF-DESTRUCTIVE CAPITALIST SOCIETY. As the world becomes more aware of the importance of sustainability, so does the duty of humanity to uphold the idea of the steward, stemming from various indigenous worldviews, in the modern era. I make this small introduction as a viticulturist working towards organic and environmentally friendly grape production. I also do work on a food farm, as a second job—a regenerative farm, so I suppose that is my qualifications. Sustainable—or rather regenerative agriculture—grows in recognition. And as paganism and witchcraft continue to blossom, learning and supporting sustainability is naturally a path for us to take. I will say that this is influenced by I living in the USA, however, there are thousands of groups across the world for sustainable agriculture, of which tend to be easy to research.

So let us unite in caring for the world together, and here is an introduction to supporting sustainable/regenerative agriculture. 

A QUICK BRIEF ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE 

Sustainable agriculture, in truth, is a movement to practise agriculture as it has been done for thousands of years—this time, with more innovation from science and microbiology especially. The legal definition in the USA of sustainable agriculture is: 

The term ”sustainable agriculture” (U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103) means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term:

A more common man’s definition would be farming in a way that provides society’s food and textile needs without overuse of natural resources, artificial supplements and pest controls, without compromising the future generation’s needs and ability to produce resources. The agriculture industry has one of the largest and most detrimental impacts on the environment, and sustainable agriculture is the alternative movement to it. 

Sustainable agriculture also has the perk of being physically better for you—the nutrient quality of crops in the USA has dropped by 47%, and the majority of our food goes to waste. Imagine if it was composted and reused? Or even better—we buy only what we need. We as pagans and witches can help change this. 

BUYING ORGANIC (IT REALLY WORKS)

The first step is buying organic. While cliche, it does work: organic operations have certain rules to abide by, which excludes environmentally dangerous chemicals—many of which, such as DDT, which causes ecological genocide and death to people. Organic operations have to use natural ways of fertilising, such as compost, which to many of us—such as myself—revere the cycle of life, rot, and death. Organic standards do vary depending on the country, but the key idea is farming without artificial fertilisers, using organic seeds, supplementing with animal manure, fertility managed through management practices, etc. 

However, organic does have its flaws. Certified organic costs many, of which many small farmers cannot afford. The nutrient quality of organic food, while tending to be better, is still poor compared to regeneratively grown crops. Furthermore, the process to become certified organic is often gruelling—you can practise completely organically, but if you are not certified, it is not organic. Which, while a quality control insurance, is both a bonus and a hurdle. 

JOINING A CSA

Moving from organic is joining a CSA (“Community supported agriculture”). The USDA defines far better than I could: 

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), one type of direct marketing, consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

By purchasing a farm share, you receive food from the farm for the agreed upon production year. I personally enjoy CSAs for the relational aspect—choosing a CSA is about having a relationship, not only with the farmer(s), but also the land you receive food from. I volunteer for my CSA and sometimes I get extra cash from it—partaking in the act of caring for the land. Joining a CSA also means taking your precious capital away from the larger food industry and directly supporting growers—and CSAs typically practise sustainable and/or regenerative agriculture. 

CSAs are also found all over the world and many can deliver their products to food deserts and other areas with limited agricultural access. I volunteer from time to time for a food bank that does exactly that with the produce I helped grow on the vegetable farm I work for. 

FARM MARKETS AND STALLS 

Another way of personally connecting to sustainable agriculture is entering the realm of the farm stall. The farmer’s market is one of my personal favourite experiences—people buzzing about searching for ingredients, smiles as farmers sell crops and products such as honey or baked goods, etc. The personal connection stretches into the earth, and into the past it buries—as I purchase my apples from the stall, I cannot help but see a thousand lives unfold. People have been doing this for thousands of years and here I stand, doing it all over again. 

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Farmers’ markets are dependent on your local area, yet in most you can still develop personal community connections. Paganism often stresses community as an ideal and a state of life. And witchcraft often stresses a connection to the soil. What better place, then, is purchasing the products from the locals who commune with the land? 

VOLUNTEERING 

If you are able to, I absolutely recommend volunteering. I have worked with aquaponic systems, food banks, farms, cider-making companies, soil conservation groups, etc. There is so much opportunity—and perhaps employment—in these fields. The knowledge I have gained has been wonderful. As one example, I learned that fertilisers reduce carbon sequestration as plants absorb carbon to help with nutrient intake. If they have all their nutrients ready, they do not need to work to obtain carbon to help absorb it. This does not even get into the symbiotic relationship fungi have with roots, or the world of hyphae. Volunteering provides community and connection. Actions and words change the world, and the world grows ever better with help—including how much or how little you may provide. It also makes a wonderful devotional activity. 

RESOURCING FOOD AND COOKING 

Buying from farmers is not always easy, however. Produce often has to be processed, requiring labour and work with some crops such as carrots. Other times, it is a hard effort to cook and many of us—such as myself—often have very limited energy. There are solutions to this, thankfully:

Many farmers can and will process foods. Some even do canning, which can be good to stock up on food and lessen the energy inputs. 

Value-added products: farms also try to avoid waste, and these products often become dried snacks if fruit, frozen, etc. 

Asking farmers if they would be open to accommodating this. Chances are, they would! The farmer I purchase my CSA share from certainly does. 

Going to farmers markets instead of buying a CSA, aligning with your energy levels. 

And if any of your purchased goods are going unused, you can always freeze them. 

DEMETER, CERES, VEIA, ETC: THE FORGOTTEN AGRICULTURE GODS

Agricultural gods are often neglected. Even gods presiding over agriculture often do not have those aspects venerated—Dionysos is a god of viticulture and Apollon a god of cattle. While I myself love Dionysos as a party and wine god, the core of him remains firmly in the vineyards and fields, branching into the expanses of the wild. I find him far more in the curling vines as I prune them than in the simple delights of the wine I ferment. Even more obscure gods, such as Veia, the Etruscan goddess of agriculture, are seldom known.

Persephone receives the worst of this: I enjoy her too as a dread queen, and people do acknowledge her as Kore, but she is far more popular as the queen of the underworld instead of the dear daughter of Demeter. I do understand this, though—I did not feel the might of Demeter and Persephone until I began to move soil with my own hands. A complete difference to the ancient world, where the Eleusinian mysteries appealed to thousands. Times change, and while some things should be left to the past, our link to these gods have been severed. After all, how many of us reading know where our food comes from? I did not until I began to purchase from the land I grew to know personally. The grocery store has become a land of tearing us from the land, instead of the food hub it should be.

Yet, while paganism forgets agriculture gods, they have not forgotten us. The new world of farming is more conductive and welcoming than ever. I find that while older, bigoted people exist, the majority of new farmers tend to be LGBT+. My own boss is trans and aro, and I myself am transgender and gay. The other young farmers I know are some flavour of LGBT+, or mixed/poc. There’s a growing movement for Black farmers, elaborated in a lovely text called We Are Each Other’s Harvest. 

Indigenous farming is also growing and I absolutely recommend buying from indigenous farmers. At this point, I consider Demeter to be a patron of LGBT+ people in this regard—she gives an escape to farmers such as myself. Bigotry is far from my mind under her tender care, as divine Helios shines above and Okeanos’ daughters bring fresh water to the crops. Paganism is also more commonly accepted—I find that farmers find out that I am pagan and tell me to do rituals for their crops instead of reacting poorly. Or they’re pagan themselves; a farmer I know turned out to be Wiccan and uses the wheel of the year to keep track of production. 

Incorporating these divinities—or concepts surrounding them—into our crafts and altars is the spiritual step towards better agriculture. Holy Demeter continues to guide me, even before I knew it. 

WANT CHANGE? DO IT YOURSELF! 

If you want change in the world, you have to act. And if you wish for better agriculture, there is always the chance to do it yourself. Sustainable agriculture is often far more accessible than people think: like witchcraft and divination, it is a practice. Homesteading is often appealing to many of us, including myself, and there are plenty of resources to begin. There are even grants to help one improve their home to be more sustainable, i.e. solar panels. Gardening is another, smaller option. Many of us find that plants we grow and nourish are far more potentant in craft, and more receptive to magical workings. 

Caring for plants is fundamental to our natures and there are a thousand ways to delve into it. I personally have joined conservation groups, my local soil conservation group, work with the NRCs in the USA, and more. The path to fully reconnecting to nature and agriculture is personal—united in a common cause to fight for this beautiful world. To immerse yourself in sustainable agriculture, I honestly recommend researching and finding your own path. Mine lies in soil and rot, grapevines and fruit trees. Others do vegetables and cereal grains, or perhaps join unions and legislators. Everyone has a share in the beauty of life, our lives stemming from the land’s gentle sprouts. 

Questions and or help may be given through my ask box on tumblr—if there is a way I can help, let me know. My knowledge is invaluable I believe, as I continue to learn and grow in the grey-clothed arms of Demeter, Dionysos, and Kore. 

FURTHER READING:

Baszile, N. (2021). We are each other’s harvest. HarperCollins.

Hatley, J. (2016). Robin Wall Kimmerer. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants. Environmental Philosophy, 13(1), 143–145. https://doi.org/10.5840/envirophil201613137

Regenerative Agriculture 101. (2021, November 29). https://www.nrdc.org/stories/regenerative-agriculture-101#what-is

And in truth, far more than I could count. 

References

Community Supported Agriculture | National Agricultural Library. (n.d.). https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/community-supported-agriculture

Navazio, J. (2012). The Organic seed Grower: A Farmer’s Guide to Vegetable Seed Production. Chelsea Green Publishing.

Plaster, E. (2008). Soil Science and Management. Cengage Learning.

Sheaffer, C. C., & Moncada, K. M. (2012). Introduction to agronomy: food, crops, and environment. Cengage Learning.

Sheldrake, M. (2020). Entangled life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures. Random House.

Sustainable Agriculture | National Agricultural Library. (n.d.). https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/sustainable-agriculture

[khaire-traveler]

🌾 Subtle Demeter Worship 🌻

Learn how to make homemade bread

Eat fruit and vegetables

Learn how to forage; picking safe berries, mushrooms, and the like (really do your research!!!)

Plant a garden; grow plants in your home/room

Support environmental or preservation organizations

Have a candle that reminds you of her (no altar needed)

Keep a picture of her in your wallet

Wear jewelry that reminds you of her

Honor the changing of the seasons; go outside to admire/respect the natural cycle of seasons

Pick up trash in your neighborhood or area

Visit a local forest or nature preserve; spend time there and explore

Observe wildlife in your area; bird-watching

Educate yourself on local flora and fauna

Have a snake or pig stuffed animal

Have imagery of flowers, fruit, or cornucopia

Learn how to cook or bake

Bake pastries for yourself or loved ones, especially ones containing fruits

Spend time/play with any pets you have

Make flower crowns

Pick flowers (not from someone else's garden!)

Purchase produce from local farmers

Support local food banks

Make a warm meal for someone in need

Try writing your own recipes; try old family recipes, if any

Learn about local invasive species, plants or otherwise; get rid of any invasive plants you see, if safe to do so

Educate yourself on poisonous plants in order to avoid them

Drink natural teas; make your own herbal tea bags

Ground yourself in nature

Take a hike or walk outside

Sit in a field, and bask in the sunlight (during summer or spring)

Feed neighborhood cats, dogs, or birds

Volunteer at animal or homeless shelters

Donate food; canned foods and well-packaged foods are extremely helpful

Be kind to yourself; take care of yourself physically

Eat three meals a day

Bury the pits or seeds of fruits and veggies you eat; give back to the earth c:

-

May add to this down the line! This is my list of discreet ways to worship Demeter. Enjoy, and take care! 💚

Link to Subtle Worship Master list

[fabledfoxglove]

𓇣❀ᴅᴇᴍᴇᴛᴇʀ • ɢᴏᴅᴅᴇss ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴀʀᴠᴇsᴛ, sᴇᴀsᴏɴs, ᴀɢʀɪᴄᴜʟᴛᴜʀᴇ, ɢʀᴀɪɴs, ғᴇʀᴛɪʟɪᴛʏ, & sᴀᴄʀᴇᴅ ʟᴀᴡ❀𓇣

[iliosflower]

Isis and Demeter: Symbols of Divine Motherhood

Author: Vincent Arieh Tobin

Source: Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt, Vol. 28 (1991), pp. 188-89, link

[laupaihell]

Dedicated the cookie kitchen to Demeter 🥰

[ancientcanopiess]

shout out to all the Demeter and Hera devotees who have unstable family lives, you guys are strong and i’m so proud of all of you <3

[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

🌾Demeter🌾

- if able go on a walk and enjoy the outdoors doesn’t have to be anywhere fancy it could literally just be a walk around the block

- if you can’t go on a walk either sit outside for a bit or just open some windows for some fresh air

- play farming simulator (you think I’m joking but I’m not) or watch vids of ppl playing it

- watch documentaries or do a deep dive on farming and all the stuff that goes with it (maybe you’re wanting to know more about tractors, or farming techniques over the years, etc.)

- if able attend a farmer’s market or look into any that are in your area you don’t necessarily need to buy anything you could just go look around (I do that regularly)

- learn about the role of a farmer and what it’s like to be a farmer (I worked on a farm for a bit in high school and while I loved it I couldn’t do it as a living it takes a very special someone to do it) and look up ways you can support them

- learn about the native plants in your area

- watch foraging videos and learn about it (how to safely do it especially, if it’s something you wish to do at some point)

- if able support local farmers by buying their products (I know here in wi it’s not uncommon for farm stands to pop up this time of year and they sell all sorts of stuff for good prices! One in my town sells the best corn and for only $1 a piece which is perfect)

- point out cows, horses, sheep, goats, etc. while going by them in the car

- learn about homesteading and watch videos about it (though I will issue a heads up that some of these folks veer into uh….’crunchy’ beliefs so just be careful I guess)

- look up recipes you’re interested in trying, try to write your own recipe, or cook something using a family recipe/you’d own recipe if able

- enjoy a fruit, vegetable, or grain/bread product! Have some toast with jelly/jam! Have a salad! A fruit cup! The fruit/veggies can be frozen as well. It’s still that fruit/veggie.

- listen to a devotional playlist for Her

- listen to nature soundscapes

🦉Athena🦉

- learn your rights and by the gods I can’t stress this enough (if you rent learn your tenants rights, learn your workers rights, etc.)

- watch a war movie, show, or documentary (plugging Band of Brothers again because there’s some examples of excellent leadership and all that)

- read or listen to an audiobook about war (can be fiction or nonfiction- my personal favorite is Conversations With Major Dick Winters it’s great)

- listen to a devotional playlist for Her

- is there a weapon you’re interested in? Or maybe a style of combat? Or something else pertaining to combat? Read about it! Watch a video about it!

- if able pick up a handicraft of some sort: knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc.)

- if unable to do that watch tutorial videos for it (I can knit but can’t crochet to save my life but I love watching crocheting videos)

- read or listen to an audiobook about literally anything

- if you’re a student, and are able, do some studying

- or just watch documentaries or read articles and such about stuff that interests you

- if able play a strategy game if unable to do so look up videos for techniques for strategy games you like and pick up some new tricks for when you next play!

- if able do a puzzle (can be as simple or complex as you want)

- if able do something like a word search, sudoko, crossword, etc.

[travelingthief]

Demeter Devotional Acts and Offerings

Devotional Acts

Cook a meal/Bake

Forage

Go to a corn field/corn maze

Tend to a garden

Keep indoor plants

Join a community garden

Volunteer/work on a farm

Honor the seasons

Watch the leaves fall mindfully

Pick up litter

Pray before meals

Learn your local fauna, flowers, and wooded areas

Volunteer at food banks

Access food pantries/other resources if you need them

Keep a recipe book

Take a hike

Donate food

Plant local wildflowers

Shop locally

Learn what crops your state/area specializes in

Eat healthy (for your body! This looks different for everyone!)

Bake bread

Make beer

Harvest fruits/vegetables

Play farming simulation games

Tour a farm

Eat mindfully

Learn the life cycles of various crops, plants, and trees

Have a community/family meal

Stick to a grocery budget

Make flower crowns

Offerings

Fruits/vegetables

Beer

Barley

Wheat

Rice

Corn

Herbs

Gourds

Squashes

Cereals

Popcorn kernels

Quinoa

Rye/rye bread

Buckwheat

Cuscus

Dry pastas

Seeds

Flowers

Grass

Flour

Sugar

Poppies

Oats/oatmeal

Farm equipment/souvenirs

Farm animal imagery/products

Horse imagery

Autumn/harvest imagery

Pumpkin scented items

Golden objects

Swords/sickles/axes imagery

Snake skin

Flower crowns

Leaves

Homemade baked goods/meals

[homey-worshiper]

digital offerings for lady demeter and lady hestia

{it's a little "bread baking" themed as i am making bread as an offering, and i haven't made bread in a while, so i honestly need some additional support}

{also, how i love making those collages as offerings, both digital and on paper}

[irisrainbowplumed]

Grief

Goddess Demeter Strong and resilient I grieve with you, Loving mother For the life wrenched from your arms Sent down below. As the leaves rip off the trees And the gentle flowers wither May your rage sweep the lands May your daughter return swiftly

happy autumn equinox. never forget that the story of persephone and demeter is of heart wrenching grief.

[dionysianmystery]

Grief, Hallowed Demeter, as I cling to your words

Like the changing colors of the leaves, it inches through me

Helpless to stop it

And known is its inevitable conclusion.

As I lay across the earth, I wonder

If you too feel such things;

If the color of golden death makes you begin to weep

Tears of red and yellow, Autumn’s ails upon us.

I know, in Days, there will come dawn again,

And Helios will warm our faces,

And the grass shall sway in Notus’ breeze.

But now- Autumn reigns upon us, and us-

Soundless Mourner, Graceful Demeter-

Our heads are cradled by Sleep.

[thedansemacabres]

Something seriously underrated is Demeter as a goddess of beer. There's something divine in her drinks, the craft beers tasting of everything from chocolate to pineapple. Whether a pale ale or hard German beer, there's Demeter's lovely grains and loving smile at the wonders her cereals produce.

[boymanmaletheshequel]

Subtle ways to honor Demeter 🌾🌻

- buy produce from farmers markets or from local grocers

- grow your own crops, this can be something as big as corn, or as small as a potted basil plant!

- cook with organic herbs and veggies

- eat your veggies and grains

- be kind and respectful of livestock animals

- source your meats and eggs ethically and sustainably

- vote in local elections in favor of local farmers over large agricultural corporations like the cargill corporation.

- visit farm events and homestead museums

- learn about agricultural history

- eat pork or corn

- plant or enjoy looking at sunflowers

- honor her daughter Persephone

- take time to healthily mourn the loss of a loved one, a pet, or a friend if one passes away.

- support investigations of missing persons and support those effected by the disappearance of a loved one or friend.

- fight and protest against human trafficking and human exploitation.

- respect and love your mother

- wear the colors green or yellow

- celebrate and enjoy the autumnal season

- admire pretty leaves during autumn

- go for a drive in the countryside

- wear jewelry of stones like citrine, jade, or aventurine.

- eat a pomegranate or pomegranate flavored things

🌾🌻🌾🌻🌾🌻🌾🌻🌾🌻🌾🌻🌾🌻🌾🌻