#patroness of the arts

[patrothestupid]

Patro the moose with huge antlers

[higherentity]

[wally-b-feed]

Anthony Fineran (B 1981), Buana Patro, 2023

[koiiiji]

author's note ; a terribly trivial trope with gods!au but i still like this idea. my first attempt to write for jjk so be nice... please?🙏🏻🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

pairing ; god of war!Sukuna x goddess of love!reader

tw ; suggestive, possessive, mentions of blood, Sukuna himself is a trigger warning.

first art credit to ryoza on X, third unfortunately i don’t know, i just took it from pinterest, if u know the artist let me know.

the world outside your temple is dying.

you feel every heartbeat snuffed out like a candle in the wind, every soul extinguished under the weight of Sukuna’s brutal assault. the prayers of your people grow weaker with each passing moment, their pleas mixing with the acrid smoke rising from your city. a city, your sacred haven, you swore to protect, everything has fallen. as the goddess of Love you can do nothing but listen as your people are slaughtered by the god of War, Sukuna, and his vicious army.

yet here you stand, in your temple of marble and gold, powerless against the force that rages just beyond its doors.

then, a low groan of ancient stone pulls your attention. the great doors shudder before they’re forced open, and the breath catches in your throat. he has come.

the god of War strides into your sanctuary, and with him, the violence of the outside world bleeds into your sanctuary. his presence alone warps the very air, thickening it with malice and death. you feel it immediately — the oppressive weight of his aura, so unlike your own. it’s as if the divine purity within you is recoiling, trying to retreat from the darkness he carries with him.

he is the storm to your calm, a god forged in battle and blood, and it feels like the very walls of your temple groan under the strain of holding him. his aura is suffocating, a constant pulse of violent energy that seeps into every corner, every crevice of the sacred space, corrupting it just by being there.

delicate floral incense that used to fill your temple is swallowed by the acrid stench of blood. the faint scent of burning flesh seems to follow him, clinging to his skin and weapon. it turns your stomach, and yet all you can do is back away.

his eyes — deep red, smoldering like embers — lock onto yours with a dark amusement, the corners of his mouth lifting into a cruel grin. where you embody love and gentleness, everything about him is violence and possession. there is nothing in his gaze, but only burning hunger.

you stand before him in white, light robes, the embodiment of purity itself, but his mere presence in your temple feels like a violation, like he burning your delicate skin with his dirty, bloody hands. you can feel the sacred energy of the space twisting, recoiling from him. soft tapestries that once shimmered in the glow of the candles seem to sag as if under the weight of his power. the statues of you that line the walls — once symbols of hope for your people — seem to dim, the light in their eyes snuffed out by the God of War's corruption.

Sukuna takes a step forward, and his shadow seems to stretch across the entire hall, swallowing the light. aach step echoes like a death knell, the sound of his boots on marble a cruel reminder that he has defiled everything that was once pure. his bloodied hands drag across the white stone altar, leaving streaks of crimson on the sacred surface. It’s a deliberate act of desecration — he wants you to feel it. wants you to know that nothing here is untouched by his violence.

“you’ve built a lovely sanctuary,” he muses, voice low and mocking. “so pure. so fragile.” his eyes gleam, sharp as blades. “but like everything else you’ve created, it will fall. just like your people. just like you.”

the divine power that fills your veins feels cold now, diminished in his overwhelming presence. you, the patroness of love and purity, can do nothing to stop the wave of blood and death he brings with him.

his aura presses down on you, crushing and suffocating, smothering the breath from your lungs. it’s like standing before a predator who takes his time savoring the moment before the kill.

“look at you,” he sneers, stepping closer, his voice a twisted mockery of gentleness. “all of this love… yet you reek of weakness.”

your hands tremble at your sides, fingers curling into the fabric of your robes as if it could somehow anchor you to this space, to the divine essence that has protected you for so long. but even that protection feels fragile now, brittle under his relentless gaze. his eyes burn into you, full of something darker, more twisted — obsession.

you can feel it, his claim sinking into the very fibers of your being. Sukuna is not here to simply conquer. he has razed cities, destroyed armies — but you, you are the prize that he truly desires. his fixation on this idea, thick in the air, and it terrifies you.

“do you feel it?” his breath is hot against your skin now, his body towering over yours, radiating raw power. his voice is soft, almost intimate, as he leans in, his lips brushing the shell of your ear. “you can’t escape me, Goddess. this temple, your city, your people… they were nothing more than a prelude.”

his fingers, stained with the blood of your followers, trace along the line of your jaw, leaving a smear of red on your pale skin. touch burns like fire, sending a violent shudder through your body.

Sukuna’s grin widens, sensing your fear, your hopelessness. “you were never meant to be untouchable,” he whispers darkly. “not from me. you, with all your love, purity and light… it was always meant to be broken.”

“be broken by me,” he continue, hissing venomously into your ear, voice thick with satisfaction…

[blueiscoool]

Panathenaic Prize Amphora: A Pot With Olive Oil Awarded at The Ancient Greek Olympics

Instead of a gold medal, victors at the ancient Greek Panathenaic Games received terra-cotta pots filled with Athenian olive oil from sacred trees.

Name: Panathenaic prize amphora.

What it is: A Greek terra-cotta pot known as an amphora.

Where it is from: Vulci, Italy.

When it was made: Circa 530 B.C., during Greece's Archaic period.

Unlike in today's Olympics — in which competitors receive gold, silver and bronze medals — each ancient winner received dozens of terra-cotta vases emblazoned with their specific sport and filled with Athenian olive oil, a highly "valuable prize," according to Harvard Art Museums.

The olive oil award given to Olympic champions came from the sacred groves of Athena, the patroness of Athens, according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In general, ancient Greeks considered olive trees "sacred," and they symbolized Zeus, the god of the sky and, later, the god of the Olympics, according to the Journal of Olympic History.

his particular amphora features a lineup of five runners during a footrace, a competition considered the "earliest known event in the Panathenaic Games," according to the Met. Athletes competed fully naked, since they thought their physiques might intimidate their competition, according to Southern Utah University.

The pot, which stands 24.5 inches (62 centimeters) tall, is attributed to "Euphiletos Painter." This anonymous artist was known for an art style called black-figure pottery, in which subjects were drawn in silhouette, according to the British Museum. This is just one of the many vases awarded to the victors at the Games, with other pots featuring charioteers, archers and boxers.

By Jennifer Nalewicki.

[lionofchaeronea]

Bronze balsamarium (container for oil or perfume), made in Etruria in the first half of the 3rd century BCE. The balsamarium takes the form of a deity with a winged helmet, variously identified as 1) Turan, goddess of love, fertility, and sexual potency, identified with Aphrodite/Venus and patroness of the Etruscan city of Velch (=Vulci), or 2) one of the Lasas, deities who made up Turan's entourage, possibly connected to the Roman Lares (household gods). Height = 10.8 cm/4.2 in. Now in the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. Photo credit: Walters Art Museum.

[talonabraxas]

Xochiquetzal art: Areuz

Precious Feather Flower The name ‘Xochiquetzal’ may be translated to mean ‘Precious Feather Flower’, and this goddess was known as Ichpochtli, which means ‘maiden’. The Aztecs believed that Xochiquetzal’s domain was love, beauty, and pleasure, and that she was the patroness of lovers and prostitutes, as well as artisans, including artists, silversmiths, and weavers. The significance of this day

5-Xochitl is the name day of Macuilxochitl, the God of Dancing and Singing, often represented by a monkey.

Day Xochitl (Flower, known as Ahau in Maya) is governed by Xochiquetzal, Flower Feather, as its provider of tonalli (Shadow Soul) life energy. Xochitl is a day for creating beauty and truth, especially that which speaks to the heart who knows it will one day cease to beat. Xochitl reminds us that life, like the flower, is beautiful but quickly fades. It is a good day for reflection, companionship and poignancy; it is a bad day for repressing deep-seated wishes, desires and passions.

[serotoninbetweenpages]

Praise today, O Lord Apollo and Lady Artemis, rulers upon the Sun and Moon.

The Celestial Twins, on this date, join each other in the sky, shining upon us their divine light and presence.

Praise the children of Great Zeus and Leto;

Hail Lady Artemis, the oldest daughter, who helped her mother at birth. Godess of the hunt, divine virgin, patroness of girls, their childhood and innocence.

Hail Apollon, youngest son, born by his sister's hand. God of the plages and sickness. Patron of the arts, music and poetry.

May they raise their bows and guide us towards their light.

[dreamdragoness]

Lately, I've been having a bit of inspiration for @sketchquill's "Corpse Puppet" Au. I've been able to get further along "White Tulips" and I've decided to make this prologue image, which is also the first time I ever drew Howdy Pillar before. This is a portrait Howdy and Stacy took twenty-two years after they got married. Their union brought about many a thing, including the birth of three children, the Pillar Family being saved from poverty, and the Flannigan Family gaining social standing. Howdy, despite his parents' protests, took to learning the art of business and became the new head of the Flannigan Mercantile empire. He still gained the title of Lord, but now he was able to earn back the family fortune.

Aside from raising three children (two sons and a daughter), Stacy became a patroness of the arts in memory of her dear friend and "first husband," Wally Darling. She was also the one who had to inform his father about his son's death, to which the Earl was grateful. She brought culture to the dreary town and even her daughter became one of the pioneering female artists of the age. (It was considered inappropriate for women to take up the arts in Stacy's youth.)

Both Howdy and Stacy brought other changes to the town including the ending of arranged marriages. When their parents' protested, the couple reminded them about the hoops they had to go through to get married and did not want that to happen to their children. This painting was made for their 22nd wedding anniversary. Just a few days before Stacy caught something that would shorten her lifespan by a significant margin.

--------------------------------------------

Welcome Home: Party Coffin

Corpse Bride: Tim Burton

Corpse Puppet AU: @sketchquill

[kemeticdevotee]

Mundane devotional acts to various Netjeru

Clean your house/room in honor of Nebet-Het

Get physical exercise in honor of Sekhmet, Maahes and Ausar

Journal in honor of Auset, Ausar, Nebet-het (really a variety of deities)

Water your plants in honor of Ausar, Geb, Neper

Sunbathe in honor of Het-Heru, Ra, Amun, Atum or Heru

Moongaze in honor of Khonsu, Iah, and Djehuti

Read a book in honor of Djehuti, Nit, and Seshet

Do your makeup or skincare in honor of Het-Heru and Nefertem

Anything to do with music (even just listening) falls under Het-Heru, Ihy and Merit's domains.

Learn more about your ancestors in honor of Anpu, Anput and Wesir

Spend time with your cats in honor of Bastet and Sekhmet

Spend time with your dog in honor of Anpu or Anput

Play a lighthearted prank on a friend in honor of Set and Bes, you can also laugh with them as well.

Cook with your deities and offer it to them

Work on your mental health (such as going to therapy) in honor of Auset or Sekhmet

Anything art related is under Het-Heru's domain, however Ausar was said to enjoy music and Auset is the patroness of artisans

Anything physical health related falls under the domain of Auset, Sekhmet, and Serket

Weave in honor of Hedjhotep, Nit or Auset

Stargaze in honor of Nut

Lay on the Earth in honor of Geb

Celebrate achievements in honor of Heru, Nit, Sekhmet and Maahes

Study in honor of Seshet and Djehuti

Meditate on justice and what it means to you in honor of Ma'at, Sekhmet and Ra

Listen to silence in honor of Meretseger, Auset, and Nebet-Het

Stormwatch in honor of Set

Learn more about your deities associated animals and watch documentaries on them

Read about ancient Egypt and how the ancients practiced the religion, it is ALSO very important to read up on modern day Kemetism in Egypt and surrounding territories :)

Drink water in honor of Nut or Tefnut

Go out in the rain in honor of Min, Auset, Tefnut and Nut

This is by no means an exhaustive list, as ANYTHING you do can be religious if you interpret it to be so, these are just some ideas :)

I tried to include as many deities as I could here, because I know what its like to want to find information on a deity you're interested in just to find that there are almost no modern day Kemetic content on them, and its a bit of a buzzkill.

If you have any ideas, feel free to share in the comments!!!! :)

[patrothestupid]

wood patro wood patro !

[cumbiazevran]

also okay so these are my interpretations of each of the Pantheon's realm

Elgar'nan — Vengeance, protection and righteous anger. Lord over and under the sun, father of Gods, Magnificent among the rest of them. Lord of War, victory and love which knows no bounds. Bearer of loss. His is the light of the sun and the task of protecting the future of the Elvhen, there where no justice can serve.

Mythal — Justice, protection and wisdom. Lady over and under the moon, who comes and rules the sea, mother of Gods, Magnificent among the rest of them and loved by Elgar'nan. Lady of Strategy, public rejoice and stability. Bearer of growth. Hers is the hope in the night and the task of seeing over all civic life.

Dirthamen — Knowledge, Secrets and Piety*, of the unwavering loyalty and quickest of understandings. Heir to the time of Endless Creation which is to come after the War and, therefore, Heir of Mythal and Elgar'nan. Lord of Serenity and quiet but undying passion, his are the mountains and the stars. Undaunted by Fear and Deceit, all lies and betrayals are abhorrent to him. His is the task to record all history.

*Not to be mistaken with solidarity between peoples.

Falon'din — Time and death. The one untouched by Blight, who cannot be tainted by the Void. Scryer of the futures of Elvhenan because only he knows the weight of time involved in their becoming. Shepard of the Dead. Considered the Eldest in merit of the children of Elgar'nan and Mythal, first of the children to bear a realm. He's the only Creator/Evanuris who can actually understand and feel the passing of time. Because of this, he is owed reverence.

Sylaise — Creativity, diplomacy and peace. Lady of Fire and Home, who reminds of the importance of temperance in one's endeavours. She who gave the Elvhen the gift of creating beauty for beauty's sake. Lady of mourning, as she bears all that for war is lost. Hers are the arts, the gift of gab and of medicine, which she rules over with her brother Dirthamen, Heir of the Elvhen. Her is the task of peaceful resolution of disputes.

June — Resourcefulness, material creation, craftsmanship, commerce and mastery over one's actions. Giver of joy and kindness, pillar of peace as there cannot be peace in lacking, protector of quartermasters and workers alike, to whom nothing is impossible. Husband of Sylaise. His is the task of invention, as he bears the weight of curiosity and love which asks for nothing in return.

Andruil — Fortune, chances, sacrifice, births and rot. Lady of the Hunt and of Survival. Master of swiftness and over-looker of Oaths — to swear on her name and not complete the task is to invite bad luck to the oath-breaker. Lady of resolute action, who is predator and prey. Thematically, she is the most opposed to Sylaise.

Ghilan'nain — Dire circumstances, guidance, overcoming obstacles and navigation. Lady of crossroads and pathways, hers are the river-ways and trails. Protector of trailblazers and patroness of the inevitability of choice. Most beloved by Andruil. Bearer of travelling, and therefore, of yearning, distances, but also of discovery.

Fen'Harel — Deception, lies, illusions, missed opportunities and trickery. The compass to what is Not. Teacher of bitter lessons. Lord of Lost Youth, false hopes and exile. Bearer of Guilt and the cost of Pride. He is an omen of danger and is drawn by fear. Thematically, most opposed to Dirthamen.

[gaiasgrimoire]

HEKATE - Myths & Stories

Hekate appears in several myths and stories throughout Greek and Roman mythology, often in the context of magic, crossroads, and the underworld. Though she isn’t one of the Olympian gods, her influence is significant, especially in tales that deal with transformation, liminal spaces, and the afterlife. Here are some of the key myths and stories that mention Hekate:

1. The Myth of Persephone and the Underworld

One of the most famous myths involving Hekate is her role in the abduction and return of Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, by Hades.

Story: Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, was abducted by Hades and taken to the underworld to become his queen. Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, searched the earth for her daughter, causing all life to wither in her grief. Hekate, hearing Persephone’s cries from the underworld, came to Demeter with her torches and offered her guidance in finding Persephone. In some versions, Hekate accompanies Demeter to confront Hades. Later, when a deal is struck for Persephone to spend part of the year with Hades and part with Demeter, Hekate becomes Persephone's guide, ensuring her safe passage between the two realms.

Hekate’s Role: She acts as a mediator between the realms of life and death, guiding Persephone through the underworld. This myth solidifies her association with the transition between life and death, the underworld, and the cyclical nature of seasons.

2. The Gigantomachy (Battle of the Giants)

In the Gigantomachy, the cosmic battle between the Olympian gods and the giants, Hekate is one of the key deities who aids the gods in their struggle.

Story: The giants, born from Gaia (Earth), rose up against the Olympian gods. The gods, needing powerful allies to defeat the giants, called upon various other deities to aid them. Hekate was one of the gods who fought alongside Zeus and the Olympians, using her torches and magic to defeat the giants.

Hekate’s Role: She is shown here as a powerful protector of the divine order and a wielder of significant magical power. Her involvement in this battle highlights her role as a goddess who transcends realms, participating in cosmic events.

3. Hekate in the Theogony by Hesiod

One of the earliest written accounts of Hekate comes from Hesiod’s Theogony, which describes the origins of the gods.

Story: Hesiod praises Hekate as a goddess who was honored by Zeus above all other deities. She is described as ruling over land, sea, and sky, with dominion over birth, death, and fortune. Hesiod emphasizes her ancient power and portrays her as a unique goddess who survived the Titanomachy (the war between the Titans and Olympians) with her powers intact.

Hekate’s Role: In this text, Hekate is portrayed as a benevolent deity with control over many aspects of life, and Hesiod depicts her as highly respected by both gods and mortals alike. This reinforces her status as an ancient and powerful figure.

4. The Argonautica

In Apollonius of Rhodes' Argonautica, Hekate is invoked by the sorceress Medea, who was her devotee.

Story: In the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, Medea, the daughter of King Aeëtes and a powerful witch, helps Jason obtain the Golden Fleece. Medea was taught the arts of witchcraft by her aunt Circe, but her magic was said to come directly from Hekate, to whom she prayed for assistance. Before performing powerful spells, Medea often invoked Hekate for guidance and strength.

Hekate’s Role: Hekate appears as the goddess of witchcraft, particularly in her role as the patroness of witches like Medea. Medea’s devotion to Hekate reinforces the goddess’s role as the source of magical power and secret knowledge.

5. The Homeric Hymn to Demeter

Hekate is also mentioned in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, which recounts the story of Demeter and Persephone in more detail.

Story: In this hymn, Hekate hears Persephone’s cries as she is being abducted by Hades. Later, she becomes an important figure in reuniting mother and daughter. Hekate, holding her torches, emerges from the shadows and guides Demeter to Helios, the sun god, who tells Demeter of Persephone’s fate. When Persephone is eventually allowed to return to the upper world, Hekate serves as her companion and guide, accompanying her on her journeys between the worlds.

Hekate’s Role: This story cements Hekate’s role as a protector and guide, particularly in matters of transition, like life and death or the changing seasons.

6. Hekate in the Metamorphoses by Ovid

In Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Hekate appears in the story of the witch Circe.

Story: Circe, a powerful sorceress and daughter of the sun god Helios, is a devotee of Hekate. When Circe performs her transformations, whether turning men into animals or casting spells, she invokes Hekate’s power. Ovid’s depiction of Circe emphasizes her connection to Hekate, showing the goddess as the source of Circe’s potent magical abilities.

Hekate’s Role: Here, Hekate continues to embody her associations with witchcraft and transformation, empowering witches like Circe and Medea to perform magic.

7. Hekate and the Birth of the Monster Scylla

Hekate also has a role in the transformation of the sea monster Scylla, as told in Ovid’s Metamorphoses.

Story: According to one version, the sea monster Scylla was originally a beautiful nymph. The sorceress Circe, jealous of Scylla’s beauty and affection from the sea god Glaucus, invoked Hekate and used her magical powers to transform Scylla into a hideous creature.

Hekate’s Role: Though indirectly involved in the story, Hekate is seen here as the goddess from whom Circe draws her dark transformative magic.

Hekate in Roman and Later Traditions

In Roman mythology, Hekate became known as Trivia, goddess of crossroads, magic, and ghosts. Her associations with the dead and the supernatural were emphasized more strongly in Roman times. Hekate-Trivia was often worshiped at crossroads with offerings left for protection from evil spirits, and she became a figure deeply entwined with Roman magic and necromancy.

Hekate’s role in myth is often tied to transitions, whether they are the literal passages between life and death, changes in personal fortune, or the transformative power of magic. She remains a goddess of liminal spaces, guiding and protecting those who navigate these uncertain realms.

[redbayly]

I should be working on my next chapter for "Hot Ice, Strange Snow."

(I've just started on Chapter 12)

Instead, I'm just sitting around imagining headcanons for Zutara in the LOK-era.

Katara isn't just "greatest healer in the world." She is Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, former ambassador to the Fire Nation, founder of the Southern Water Tribe's Waterbending Academy (and frequently visits the academy to give advanced lessons in combat, practical, and healing waterbending), subject of numerous statues around the world to commemorate her contributions to ending the war and aiding in the post-war restoration (she even has a statue alongside Sokka's at the SWT cultural center in Republic City, because WHY WOULDN'T SHE?!), patroness of countless charitable and cultural organizations, and retired Fire Lady.

Zuko still has all his achievements from canon, plus he continues to endorse several groups dedicated to promoting world peace. He is a celebrated philanthropist, often volunteering his assistance to orphanages and shelters. Even in his retirement, he and Katara still travel regularly to look for opportunities to help people. Zuko also visits Ba Sing Se specifically to stop by the Jasmine Dragon. When Iroh passed away, he left the tea shop to Zuko and Katara's youngest son, who was obsessed with tea since he first tasted it (as the kid was way far down the succession line, he saw no point in living like a prince when he could run a tea shop, instead).

Zuko and Katara also enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. As someone who likes kids, I prefer to imagine they had a lot of children and, as a result, a lot of grandkids. They are extremely doting grandparents and try to be as involved as possible. They both enjoy sharing different parts of their respective cultures with their family.

Their children and grandchildren grew up learning about and appreciating their mixed heritage. While they are all Fire Nation royalty, they all know and practice Water Tribe traditions alongside Fire Nation ones.

When the Northern Water Tribe invades the South, of course Zuko and Katara step in. After all, the SWT doesn't answer to the North (seriously, wtf LOK?) and this is an unlawful occupation. Zuko and Katara also rally their kids and grandkids, who all turn up along with Sokka's kids and grandkids to stop the invasion. When the Southerners see firebenders in their land, they regard it as a cause for celebration rather than fear.

Kind of a cosmic role-reversal. Instead of people from the South defending the North from the Fire Nation (like in Book 1), it's the Fire Nation helping defend the South against the North.

Of course Katara is right in the midst of the action alongside Zuko and the rest of the family. After all, it's not like Katara would just sit silently in the background doing nothing while her homeland is invaded (*glares at LOK again*).

Also, Katara never outlaws bloodbending. She ensures heavy regulations are put on learning it, but she does teach it to some select students whom she has vetted to ensure they are mentally and emotionally sound, have a good grasp of ethics, and are trustworthy enough to study the art.

Anyway, that's enough for now. Just wanted to get these ramblings out of my brain before I go to bed.

[thesevenstarfoxes]

Daphne is the patroness of married people, all grace, kindness and elegance. It is known that when a young and unknown woman with wisteria flowers braided in her long chestnut hair appears at a wedding, the married couple must show her respect and listen carefully to her blessings, because the patroness of marriage likes to appear at weddings and bless the bride and groom, and her blessings will always come true. One day, her elder brother Anthony, the patron of elder brothers, tells her about a young warrior named Simon whom he met when he responded to an older brother's prayer that he would protect his younger brother in battle, and among other things notes that Simon does not believe in marriage and does not want to get married. Daphne is shocked by this, and decides that she must meet the warrior who was special enough to attract her brother's attention despite being an only child, and make him believe in marriage. She doesn't expect to fall in love with the handsome young man, and Simon doesn't expect to fall in love with her either…

Anthony is the patron of elder brothers, as befits the eldest son of the goddess of motherhood and family and her human lover. Over the centuries and thousands of years of its existence, it has helped older brothers ensure a good life for their younger and beloved brothers. When his brother Gregory, the patron of lovers, tells him excitedly about a beautiful girl he met in a small village in India who refuses to marry her sister will not approve the match, Anthony is impressed, and decides to help the sister, Kethani Sharma, find a suitable match for her sister. Just like Anthony, Kate Sharma believes that her existence has no meaning except as the big sister, and that she does not deserve happiness on her own merits. When the strange man, who as far as she knows owns no property and shows a terrible disrespect for the rules of the ceremony, appears in the village and asks about Edwina and her, she automatically assumes that he wants to marry Edwina, and decides to do everything to prevent that.

Throughout her childhood, Sophie, the illegitimate daughter of a rich businessman, heard stories about gods and monsters from the workers who took care of her, but more than anything she was fascinated by the stories about Benedict, the patron of artisans who had countless lovers. Her fondness for art grew as she grew older, and stayed with her even when her new stepmother began to abuse her. The best night of her life was the night she managed to sneak into the opening gala of a new art gallery, even without the charming young man who stayed by her side the whole time, flirting with her and talking so passionately about art. He disappeared at the end of that night, and the last thing Sophie expected was for him to appear two years later when she sneaks out of her house to paint graffiti, takes one look at the painting, and reveals himself as Benedict, the hero of her childhood stories, to offer her to come with him to the world of the gods and join his many lovers of all kinds . The offer is tempting, even Sophie will appreciate it, and it's probably her best chance of escaping her stepmother, but she has more self-respect than joining the harem as a concubine to a god, thank you very much.

Penelope Fetherington, Baron's third daughter, is a shy wallflower who writes to herself about what she sees and meets around her. She certainly doesn't think her writing is good enough for the patron of writers Colin, who occasionally uses his powers to read what people write for themselves, to be impressed, but Colin stumbles upon her writing and reads everything she's ever written in one day, then disguises himself as a gentleman (and a travel buff, to explain his many mysteries) connects with her, and waits patiently until she accidentally tells something about her writing. Then he encourages her to write more, helping her publish what she writes in a gossip paper under the name Lady Whistledown. He doesn't know that Penelope is in love with him, but he certainly values ​​her friendship very much…

part 1/2

[thechthonicherbalist]

Who is...

Lady Athena?

Lady Athena is a #Hellenic goddess worshiped in Ancient Greece and beyond. Like many of the Ancient Greek Gods, Heroes and Lore, the story of her birth is not quite average. Zeus, mighty ruler of Olympus had received a warning, that one of his sons would take his throne & strip him of his power, as he himself had done with his father Cronos. So like his father, Zeus decided that cannibalism will solve his problem and swallowed his first lover, Metis, a beautiful Okeanide (Daughters of Okeanos and Thetys), while she was pregnant. Instead of bearing him the promised son, a wise girl, with the attire of a warrior was born from Zeus' head. Hephaistos, the disabled god of fire, metallurgy, and crafts came to aid Zeus as a midwife, effectively splitting his head open with an axe, to make way for Zeus' most beloved daughter, Athene, who stepped forth, with eyes of steal and fully armoured. If this is a special benefit of having a divine blacksmith midwife or a side effect of cannibal birth through your father's head is unknown.

("The birth of Athena" - Vase painting from 555 - 550 B.C. by the Phrynos Painter - British Museum, London)

Little Athene however was soon sent to be raised and educated in the arts of war, by the God Triton, alongside of his daughter Pallas, who became her companion (read: potentially wlw lover). Training together, the two girls would fight against each other with sword and shield and both were so skilled in their doing, that Zeus started to worry about his daughter, interfering in their play. This startled Pallas so much that she missed to parry a thrust of Athena's sword and got lethally wounded. According to some interpretations Athena was so devastated about the death of her lover, that she took her name as her own, to immortalize her memory and henceforth was known as Pallas Athena, whereas other interpretations identify Athena as aromantic or asexual.

(1. Contemporary bronze figurine of Athena, taking the fierce stance of a warrior with her iconic Medusa shield, her helmet and spear.) (2. Alternative shield of Athene's sporting the owl emblem, a symbol of her wisdom and crest to the city of Athens.)

Pallas is also synonymous with the word "girl" which goes hand in hand with another epithet of Athene's: Parthenos, meaning "maiden". In other words, Athena was known as the "Girl Athena" or "Maiden Athena", implying that she was rather young. Despite her everlasting young age, Athena became known as the wisest and most skilled warrior. Unlike Ares, God of war, her skills lie particularly with wisdom, protection and defense as well as diplomacy and righteousness, with which she aided many Greek heroes like Hercules, Perseus, Achilles and Odysseus according to Hellenic lore. Being an INFP (MBTI type) myself, and therefore a diplomat, I always admired her for these particular traits and often seek her council, aid and guidance, in order to act thoughtful and not get carried away by heated emotions, especially in the face of conflict and problems. (I'm not always successful, but that's why we ask for help. 😂)

("Athena Protects the young Hero" - Berlin)

Furthermore she is the patron goddess of arts and crafts, specifically those that serve the creation of useful objects and tools, but especially of crafts connected to thread and fabric. Notably she is also known as the Patron of Greece's capital city Athens, who sports an owl emblem in it's crest in her honour. The people of Attica chose her as such, after she gifted them with the invention of the olive tree, rooting the discovery of olives and their products in the hands of Greece, according to their lore. Furthermore she is known as patroness of Sparta, founder of Thebes and in association with the city of Corinth. Later Athena was also associated with Hygieia (goddess of health, cleanliness and hygiene) and the Hippocratic oath, a pledge physicians make before various healing gods to practice medicine and healing in a honourful and ethical way. Therefore Athena is also sometimes depicted with a serpent-staff, like Asclepios.

(Athena as restored by Algardi - Museo nazionale romano di palazzo, Altemps)

Some animals & objects associated with Athene are:

The Owl and Serpent - symbols of wisdom

The Horse - symbol of equestrian skills

The olive tree - symbol of victory

Armour, Helmet, Shield and Spear - symbols of divine authority, protection, wisdom and strategy

Sphinx and Griffins - symbols of power, domestication and taming of the wild spirits, abundance

Well received offering for Athene are:

Food like bread, meat, milk, honey, cakes, barley meal, olive oil, fruit, wine and pure water

Olives and Olive Branches

Flowers, especially white roses

Spices, especially cinnamon

Burning or offering incense

Crystals, amongst others Sodalite, Marble, Shungite, Fluorite, Granite, Amethyst, Dumortierite, a number of quartzes, emeralds and opals

Dedicational work and worship can include:

Studying, reading and educating yourself

Promoting peace and seeking diplomatic solutions and conversations to resolve conflict

Arts and crafts, especially weaving, knitting, crocheting

Learn and practice martial arts

Educating or writing informational works

(Athena with Owl and Shield, Replica)