#hellenic mythology

[flaroh]

Persephone 👸🍂💀🦇

[boymanmaletheshequel]

A few common misconceptions and hurtful myths about the gods I worship:

• Demeter is not careless or selfish for reacting the way she did to the loss of her daughter. Grief, even amongst the gods, is an emotion so powerful that it causes us to loose control, and surrender to our own emotions. You would not blame a woman in grief over the loss of her child for having a mental breakdown. Also, I don’t personally believe that the plagues that befell Greece after these myths were written were caused inherently by Demeter, as agricultural disasters happened often, especially back before modern farming and cultivation knowledge, and it was if anything, a coincidence of timing which frustrated and worried men used as justification to attack and blame Demeter as a target of their angst, and a scapegoat to direct their suffering at.

• Poseidon wasn’t a rapist, nor was he inherently malicious or “evil”. Although he is most certainly impulsive and often aggressive, it is rarely in a malicious way, as many of the myths paint him as. You have to remember as the embodiment of the sea, sailors and others who knew the dangerous and unforgiving nature of the ocean often cast these traits onto Poseidon by association, and not all of the things they believed of him were necessarily true. The idea that he is a rapist is also a myth, or many myths, cultivated I’m sure by the high ranking and extremely misogynistic patriarchal men of Greece, who saw powerful male gods like Poseidon and Zeus as equals to themselves (foolish) and therefore believed that if they liked taking advantage of women and other unconsenting individuals, than surely they did too. (I imagine many found themselves smitten as a result of this.) if anything, Poseidon was more of a dominant father figure, like Zeus. He saw the women of the Parthenon as his daughters and sisters, as well as his followers, hence the reason many modern devotees such as myself refer to him as “father”.

• conversely, Artemis was not a misandrist, she didn’t hate sex, and she was not some uncontrollable psychopath. Many of Artemis’s myths heavily exaggerate her animalistic tendencies, which do exist, but are certainly not psychopathic or evil in nature, as nature itself is inherently incapable of being so. She also did not “hate” men, non-virgins, or sex. In fact, as the patron goddess of pregnant women and babies, these things are inherently connected to her domain. One of the reasons these beliefs have emerged, besides the myths, is that people have exaggerated the fact that as a virgin goddess who remains chaste as a virtue, Artemis tends to avoid men and people who aren’t women in her myths, not out of misandry, or other ideas that are honestly quite terf-y, and have been used to push transphobic narratives, but because she hopes to protect these virtues. She does not hate her male, trans, or otherwise non-cis woman followers, she values them just as much, and this is an unfortunatley common, and hurtful, misconception. Like Poseidon, she is often aggressive, and can be impulsive, but she’s MUCH more of a stern mother of nature, than a ruthless animal.

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Please don’t fall for these common misconceptions, read Hellenic texts and stories yourself, and try not to spread misconceptions yourself! There are many reliable resources to avoid this, such as Wikipedia, theoi.com, and more! Have a blessed day 💙🏛️

[susiephone]

this can't be just me

[dhampiravidi]

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ahhh such a pretty Apollo

[dvudushnydiaries]

There’s something so peculiar about the way a lot of neopagans (at least on the interwebs) make the choice to defang and declaw certain gods versus the ones they make the choice to demonize. It’s this wild combination of mythic literalism, lack of study, and lack of unpacking personal issues and thought processes about religion. There are so many examples of the defanging; Baba Jaga, Apollon, Ares, Aphrodite and then the villainization of Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite (yes She’s on here twice because so few people can be normal about Her), and the rest.

Idk. I have a lot of opinions on how and why this happens and how it can be amended, because it certainly needs to be amended.

[intothestacks]

Greek Heroines and Monsters: Greek Mythology Retold

Six retellings of Greek mythology you think you know, but told from the point of view of the women instead of the men.

Circe by Madeline Miller

Circe is not like the other deities. Neither blindingly powerful like her father, nor alluring like her mother, she is something altogether her own. Sent to live on an island by Zeus, she befriends the local wildlife and meets many of Greek mythology’s most famous mortals. But eventually the time will come where she will have to decide where she belongs – among the gods, or the mortals she has come to love.

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

Married to a tyrant, Clytemnestra was helpless to watch as her husband killed her child to placate the gods. When he returns triumphant from waging war on Troy, she has a choice to make – be the quiet dutiful Greek wife… or seek revenge.

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood 

At the end of The Oddysey, Odysseus returns home, kills Penelope’s suitors, and, curiously, 12 of her maids. What was Penelope up to for those 20 years where her husband was gone, and why did he kill the maids?

Ithaca by Claire North

Seventeen years ago, Odysseus sailed away with all the men of fighting age to fight in the war against Troy, leaving the women to rule the island. As time has passed, rumours of Odysseus’ death put Penelope in a precarious position. But while outside the island men rule, in Ithaca the women and their goddesses decide their own fates.

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

When Poseidon assaults Medusa in Athena’s temple, the goddess is enraged at the violation of the sacred space. But instead of punishing the god, it is Medusa who receives her wrath. Now cursed with the power to turn any who see her into stone, Medusa resigns herself to a life of solitude. Until Perseus arrives, seeking to acquire the head of a Gorgon…

Medusa by Jessie Burton

Exiled by the whims of the gods, Medusa has no one but the snakes on her head for company… until a man named Perseus arrives on her island. And now, things will never be the same again.

[atheostic]

Zeus: You have to convince each of these gods to let Odysseus leave Calypso's island.

Athena: Ok.

Hera: I don't think he should get to leave.

Athena: He's never cheated on his wife.

Hera: ...I changed my mind, let him go.

[ofthesunlight]

I have something to say about Athena that might be a little weird to hear.

Okay. Here we go:

Athena is a WONDERFUL goddess for mental health.

Now BEFORE YOU COME AT ME, hear me out. So many people say, "she's a logical, strategical goddess" and leave it at that. I have a bone to pick with this statement, because while y'all are technically right, she is SO. MUCH. MORE. THAN. THIS. She's a goddess of war, of protecting what you have, of boundaries, of self care and caring for others, of finding healthy ways to cope, of helpful advice. How can I say these things? What do these have to do with her? IM SO GLAD YOU ASKED.

Here are some of her epithets to help you understand:

Omvrimóthymos: strong of spirit (boundaries, healthy ways to cope)

Ormásteira: she who urges you forward (protecting what you have, self care/caring for others, boundaries again)

Polýllistos: sought with many prayers (healthy ways to cope again, helpful advice)

Polývoulos: of many wise counselings (helpful advice, self care/caring for others, boundaries)

Ima go more in depth about my point.

So in terms of protecting what you have and boundaries, these both have SO MUCH to do with war and strategy. You have to have a strategy when you set boundaries. You can't just be like "this is what I need and if you cant so that screw you." NOPE. Setting boundaries means "I would like you to do y for me, and if you don't, I'll do x". An example of this that I have done is, "I need you to leave me out of the family arguments. If you don't stop talking about it, I'm going to leave the room." I have done this MANY times with Athena's help, and IT WORKS. Boundaries help you protect yourself and what you love. BAM.

When it comes to healthy coping, self care, and caring for others: during war, you HAVE to be caring to yourself and your comrades. You have to be a team, otherwise things go to shit. You have to communicate. You're already going to be traumatized; caring for yourself helps so much. While most of us aren't fighting in literal war, mental health is a war in itself. Athena can and will help you care about yourself during your battles!!!!! Along with this, you need to use coping skills, especially when needing to ground. What do you need when you're grounding? LOGIC. You can't be in la la land and be grounded. What do you also need? Coping skills! Coping skills ARE your ways of being logical!!!!!

Now, the advice thing. She is literally OF MANY WISE COUNSELINGS. People went to her when they needed help. Advice. SO SHE WILL GIVE YOU ADVICE OVER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WHEN YOU NEED IT.

Okay I think that's all I have to say. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[paddysnuffles]

Me listening to Epic: The Musical

Character: *has a whole cheery song about staying positive and "greeting life with open arms"*

Me: Oh, you are SO gonna be the first redshirt to bite it.

You don't even need to know the story of the Odyssey to know that he is definitely doomed. lol

[moonagedaydreamsofrhiannon]

The parallels between Yellowjackets and the myth of Persephone and Hades…

The Yellowjackets are Persephone, ripped from their old life in the sun, and trapped in hell. The Wilderness is both Hades and the underworld itself. Both the kingdom and the ruler. The only way to survive is to eat the fruit, but by consuming the pomegranate seeds, they’ve sealed their fate. Once they’ve tasted the food of the dead, they can never leave. A piece of them will forever remain trapped in the Wilderness, always calling them back. Those who didn’t partake in the feast never made it out, but at least they found escape in death. Those who made it out will never truly escape, they will be tethered to the Wilderness for the rest of time. This is a vow that can never be broken. This is a tie that can never be cut. This is the price of survival. Eat and be consumed, or abstain and be eaten.

[flaroh]

Io Saturnalia!🪔🌲🏺

From Dec 17-23, Romans celebrated the god Saturn by feasting, exchanging gifts, lighting lamps, and switching up the normal societal class structures 🪔🌲🥧

These illustrations are from my series of Saturnalia in Hadrians Wall country 🏛️🌲

[boymanmaletheshequel]

Ten More ways to honor Hestia

- Vacuum when your home gets dirty

- bless your meals in her honor

- change your living space to match the season, take pride in decorating!

- water your houseplants

- stay on top of doing your dishes, and keeping your kitchen clean and sanitary

- tidy up before inviting guests over

- learn and practice new recipes in your cooking

- celebrate Greek holidays that are relevant to her

- take care of your pets

- spend time with your family (if they deserve it)

[dearartemis]

hi hi @sunlit-arrow here✨

First: I'd love a temple to lady artemis 💕

Second: Do you have any reading recs for new devotees? (of Artemis ofc). I am currently reading She Who Hunts by Carla Ionescu. Have you read it?

Third: I’ve been struggling with the meaning behind the myth of Callisto. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your interpretation?

Sorry for the long ask, I love your blog✨💕

Ah! I am so glad someone else would be interested in something like that! It is currently in progress as we speak! I do have some book recommendations! Artemis by Stephanie Lynn Budin,

The pagan portals Artemis book Awakening Artemis: Deepening Intimacy with the Living Earth and Reclaiming Our Wild Nature by Vanessa Chakour

"Artemis: Virgin Goddess of the Sun & Moon" by Sorita d'Este and David Rankine

"Artemis: The Indomitable Spirit in Everywoman" by Jean Shinoda Bolen

"The Sanctuary of Artemis at Brauron: A Guide" by John Papadimitriou

"The Huntress: Artemis and the Feminine Power of the Wild" by Cait Johnson

"Artemis: The Feminine Divine" by Rachael Patterson

"Goddess Artemis: Mythology and Modern Archetype" by Courtney Roberts

"Artemis: Virgin and Mother in Greek Religion" by Buxton Richard

"The Nature and Worship of Artemis" by Donald E. Strong

"Artemis: Greek Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon" by Teri Temple

"Artemis: The Goddess of the Hunt and the Protector of Animals" by Tammy Gagne

"Artemis: Warrior Goddess and Protectress" by Annie Baring

"Artemis: Goddess of the Wild" by Paul Stephenson

"The Cult of Artemis in the Classical World" by David R. Bean

"The Goddess Artemis" by Laura Perry

"Artemis: Her Story Retold in Modern Context" by Diane Wolfe

"Artemis: The Goddess in Action" by Penelope W. Hunter

"Artemis and Her Cult" by Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge

"Artemis: The Huntress and the Moon Goddess" by Eileen Holland

"The Cult of Artemis at Ephesus" by Guy MacLean Rogers

"Artemis: Insights into the Wild Goddess" by Sarah Burntwood

"The Virgin Huntress: Artemis and Her Worship in Ancient Greece" by Helen Brown

"Artemis: A Guide to the Ancient Goddess of the Hunt and Moon" by Amy Tate

"The Legacy of Artemis: From Ancient Myths to Modern Feminism" by Marianne Moore

"Exploring Artemis: Mythology, Worship, and Legacy" by Christopher Blackwell

"Artemis Unveiled: The Goddess of Wilderness and Protector of Women" by Sophia Kane  ( I apologize some of these are woman focused but I have read most of these myself and currently reading number 24) and last but not least Secrets of Artemis by C.K. Brooke I absolutely love the book She Who Hunts by Carla Ionescu and absolutely loved how it covers how widespread her worship was and her origins ! I'd be happy to discuss it with you anytime on here or discord! As for your third question! The Myth of Callisto is very hard to interpret as I have read like three different versions of it and they were all vastly different. But from all I can gather it really just seems to be a big elaborate way of explaining the constellation Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. But I will be writing this down to read again and hopefully be able to write a different interpration on this blog. I will leave this explanation of it below that I just looked up while writing this post and see if maybe you got a different opinion from it too? I'm all about discussion and everyone has a different opinion! http://madelinemiller.com/myth-of-the-week-callisto/ If you have any other questions im always free to answer here or on discord! ( I apologize how long winded this is as well)

[tarobombb22]

Hey! I’m very interested in Hellenistic Polytheism (haven’t converted yet but I will be once I leave my household!) and I made a small altar for Aphrodite and I was wondering if this is okay?

(Also, are there any tips on how to make the altar more discreet? Because I know my family would be against Hellenistic Polytheism since they all are Baha’i — they’re kinda inclusive🧍‍♀️)

[hecatesdelights]

Medusa, one of three sisters known as the Gorgons, a chthonic monster in tales from Classical Antiquity, whose gaze turned men to stone.

[intothestacks]

How to make Kykeon, a healing potion mentioned in The Iliad and the Odyssey