#penelope worship

[wisdom-devotee]

My classics teacher was talking about Penelope in the Odyssey, called her the best woman in all of Greece, and the way I could feel Odysseus’s energy just so much. Couldn’t stop smiling.

[starry-polytheism]

I also worship Penelope and Odysseus! I’d love to know what things you associate with them or any experiences you’ve had with them!

- @wisdom-devotee

i need you to know i saw this immediately after answering to your post- so I'll add whatever i forgot to add to yours!

as for associations, penelope is associated to white, blue, and purple while odysseus is associated with black, blue, and yellow for me!

my main devotional act for penelope is friendship bracelets, and i was having a real rough time trying to figure out a pattern i liked for odysseus' bracelet... until i realized im a fool, that odysseus wanted the same matching pattern that penelope has, just in his colors

penelope is quite a motherly presence, odysseus is not quite fatherly but im also much closer to his wife than i am to him, so we'll see on that!

i also really wanna make them a more proper shrine someday, but no luck with that yet :(

[alexandroslocaldevotee]

Listening to music with Odysseus and Penelope after a long day <3

[zarnzarn]

TW: jumping on the manwhore au but aftermath, discussion of S/A, read carefully.

Three weeks pass.

Odysseus is carried through them with ecstasy and joy, reuniting and grieving and laughing and rearranging.

But then everything settles down, and-

It was him who'd ordered it. Ordered owls to be carved into every free inch of Ithaka, coveted shipments of the secretive birds for his personal menagerie, sold trinkets in the market. Made no secret of who favoured them, when he had half the houses painted blue.

But now every step he takes in his own home haunts him.

He cannot so much as look to the side before feeling the urge to flinch away, shame growing inside of him until it chokes him up. Cannot look at any owls. Cannot look at any of his men.

("Well, if our captain can't think his way out of it, at least now we know talking filthy works just as well!" One of the men chortles, unaware of how Odysseus' blood had run cold, standing with his hand raised to knock.)

("This day, you've lost it all, consider this as my goodbye-")

("Come on, she's a beautiful, powerful lady! How bad could it really have been, Captain?")

("Captain?" Eurylochus whispers, as Odysseus wipes the blood off his mouth and reaches for his cloak. The ships are silent, even though the roar of the waves has left. Eyes stare at him from all directions, wide and-

Pitying? Horrified? Odysseus can't really tell.

"Full speed ahead," He says, voice ruined, and keeps his chin high as he hobbles back to his room.)

(When the sirens come, all he sees is Penelope. It is nice, at least, to know that he can discard the intrusive thoughts creeping in about natural reactions and forced pleasures.)

("Please- please don't do this, don't make me choose, I'll do anything-")

("Leave me the fuck alone, both of you. If Penelope does not take me back after all of this, it's her choice. But I have to get all of us off this island and it's better me than you.")

"Ody- Your Majesty!" Odysseus reaches into his robes, pulls out the whittling tool and the wood, busies himself as he walks. It's one of the younger men, the ones who'd barely been boys when they left. "Listen, we were wondering if- if you'd come join us at the festival! The- all of the men, really, we've been- heh- missing you since we now have to share you with the rest of the kingdom. We could- we could sing together? Like we used to?"

Athena's prayers.

"You go ahead," Odysseus murmurs, eyes on the carving. "Next time."

"But you didn't come for the last one either!"

"I have-" He hears his own sharp tone, stops and swallows to soften it. He was terrible to all of them, he knows, those last few days aboard the ship, rude and sharp and brutal like all the other royals, where he never was before. "I have work to do. Have a good day. I've heard the new hound stock is coming in today, you should see if you want a pet."

He ignores whatever is said in response, walking on. He wonders, darkly, what they think of him. Do they still think he enjoyed it? That it was a privilege to be had by gods?

("He won't speak to us!" One of them hiss that night, when the lad comes back sniffling and downcast, like all the others. They'd grown up with Odysseus, almost like younger brothers, and all of the younger ones were taking the sudden frigid silence hard. They all were. Somewhere they had lost their friend, left him behind without noticing, until only their king returned. "He cannot possibly think we think less of him for sacrificing so much, for- the gods are impossible to hold up against, he can't think we blame him for-"

"We don't know what he thinks," Polites says, pulling his head out of his hands and wrapping his arms around himself. "He doesn't even look at us."

The men around the fire are all silent.

"He has to know, right?" Someone whispers. "He has to.")

"What did happen on the trip back?" Penelope says, voice quiet, sitting next to him. He jolts. When did he reach their bedroom? "Something did. You have barely touched me since that first day."

Odysseus opens his mouth, but for the first time, he has nothing to say. What can he? She had known, the first second he had turned his eyes from her in shame, and yanked him back in anyway with eyes blazing like a lion, growling that she didn't care what he had to do to come back, as long as he had.

Odysseus doesn't feel like he has.

Penelope carefully takes the whittling knife away from him, as well as the spear he'd carved. "And you have not prayed, after your return."

(He had tried. Had walked right upto the temple steps when everyone was asleep, and then turned around and thrown up in a bush.)

"Have you heard the story of the high priestess Medusa?" He murmurs, staring at the wall. Watches the shadows dancing across. "Athena used to tell me about her. One of her favourite devotees. I never understood why she cursed her, when it was not her fault."

Penelope puts a hand on his shoulder. Both of them are shaking. She has seen the scars, the ones that glow beautiful and bright, left behind by each god who touched him.

"A gorgon, snake-woman, capable of turning anyone she looked upon to stone, gods and humans alike. No eyes upon her, ever again."

The breeze blows in.

"At the time, I thought it to be a curse." He whispers. Remembers the story of the way she had screamed in the temple bower for Athena's help, insane, at the feeling he knows now is violation of self and celibacy both; Athena's chosen, ripped away from one of their ways of worship by force. "Now I know it was a blessing."

"But-" Penelope swallows. "Perseus-"

"Was a mercy." He looks at the ground. "She was pregnant. She did not wish to be. Athena granted her so."

"The shield is to honor her," Penelope murmurs. "Not a trophy."

He hums.

"I-" Penelope starts, voice thick. "I remember when you asked. When we first got married. If I was fine with not being joined with you in bed often, as long as I was satisfied. Was it-?"

"Only her priestesses can have true celibacy, her devotees less, me lesser. I had a crown to continue, so Athena accepted a more lenient vow, when I became her student." He stares out at the sea, the sky. "But I had vowed. I had sworn." A half-sob escapes him, some delayed noise of grief. It feels far away now, and the scars have all healed, but he cannot move past the violation, the stares, the whispers. The shame of betrayal. "I had an oath, Penelope."

"It was not your fault," Penelope whispers, taking his hand like he will shatter like glass. "Poseidon seems to target all of Athena's people. If anything-"

"We fought," He says, turning his head to press his face to her shoulder, shuddering as he confesses it. Abandoned by his own god. "She left. Maybe this is her punishment, all the eyes, all the time. Paranoid that another Olympian will jump out of the shadows, do it again."

"Or," Penelope says after a long pause. "She does not know. Only one way to truly find out."

Odysseus considers.

"Could you," He swallows, throat clicking. "Could you get me- the things from my shrine?"

-

He does not expect her to actually arrive.

He shakes in front of her, for the first time, feeling small and foolish and broken. Wishes he could go back to being twelve, do it all over correctly. "Lady Athena," He says, as formally as he can. "I beg your forgiveness. Please- please, is there anything I can do to-"

"About time," She interrupts, bored. "Finally willing to concede that I was right?"

Odysseus feels bile rise in his throat. "Yes, goddess. I was- stupid, to ever consider otherwise."

Penelope's hand is clenched tight in his robes, kneeling with him.

"Good," Athena says, pleased. "A war well won, all things considered. Our glory will go down in the history books." A pause. "Why are you on the floor?"

"What?" He chokes out.

"You've never kneeled to me once, even when I've taken you out at the ankles, you impudent brat," She snorts. Odysseus feels his pounding heart freeze in his chest at the- fondness in her voice. Fondness. She is not furious with him, not unforgiving. "What, do you want something else-"

She knocks him on the head, flicking him on the forehead playfully- then freezes as he looks up at her. Goes completely still, and he knows she can see what they did to him.

Penelope's hand reaches out to steady him.

"Only your forgiveness, goddess," His voice breaks. "Only that."

-

After, Penelope holds him, crying silently herself as she wipes at his cheeks. Athena sits with her head in her hands, helmet removed, anger finally under control but completely silent. Just sits there at the edge of their bed, bent over, face buried in her own palms.

Finally, she straightens, inhaling. Turns to look at him. "You may not be alive to see it," She tells him, quiet and furious. "But this is their last transgression, I swear to you. I will find a way to get revenge. They will die."

"I do not-"

"They will die. And no vows have been broken." She hesitates, hand hovering over his ankle. Odysseus crumbles, nodding desperately, and nearly passes out at the relief of the familiar touch, sharp and cleansing, godly and unlike the chaos of all the others. "You need not apologise to me about that."

He sniffs, turning his face into Penelope's shoulder. It feels freeing, some latent relief that Athena finally sees him, understands, forgives. She is not the terrifying goddess so far removed, cold and cruel, that he was starting to think she truly might be; bowed over in grief and horror for him, like a friend- he just wishes this was not the reason why.

Her eyes are gold at the edges. Crying. Nauseated almost, at the fact that- her uncle. Her father.

"Would you-" Odysseus wheezes. His heart hurts still, for their fight, for what happened after, for how hard he knows she will take it. "Can you-"

"Anything, champion," She says softly, strained. Gives him a half-smile. "My friend."

"The wings-" He whispers, feeling stupid, but-

"Slow," Penelope murmurs, reaching out to steady Athena as she climbs in close. Her voice is wrecked. She does not say anything more.

Owl wings fold around him, not white or blue or pink, patterned and brown like the mud; home. Home.

"No one will see you," Athena murmurs, and her voice is wretched, but caring. "No one can see you. Peace."

"Peace," Odysseus repeats, and leans into them both, letting the darkness shroud around them like an embrace. Peace.

Home.

[stollssister]

Colin Bridgerton looking at Penelope Featherington as he remembers his trip to Cyprus, the sand bellow his feet as he gazed upon the sea where Aphrodite was birthed , almost expecting to see her as Botticelli's painting rising from the ocean, perfectly balanced on a giant shell, her long titian hair streaming around her.

[plumeriacosmos]

rewatching bridgerton and im going feral just thinking about how polin will be front and center,,,, and all the tension, the dance scenes, THE SEX SCENES, the dialogue that may happen once s3 is out like fndkdkdm

SOMEONE TAKE ME OUT OF MY MISERY

[theking-mustdie]

plus-size sex scenes are so important in media thank you nicola all hail our queen🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

[maevelin]

That trap has me trapped in a circle of frustration.

The most horrible thing about Colin's entrapment accusation for Penelope must have been the part where Colin had defended her against her mother when Portia accused her for trapping him. It had been a pivotal moment for them, he declared his love, she believed him and made their connection more profound. And then... he went and made the same accusation echoing her mother's words.

I mean...ouch.

And yes I get the parallels with the Marina scheme in his mind and his past trauma which was also connected with the Featheringtons (as I have written in a previous post saying how I understand where he was coming from) but that scene...what he said...sigh...

OVERALL...it had the potential for some great angst and drama and passionate reconciliation...

....and the fact that WE DID NOT GET IT just makes me so frustrated lol

Like we could have gone from Colin (I am ruining LW) to Colin sexy-ruining LW and becoming Lord Whistledown but no....we could not have that.

Okay...now I have to go back to read Book Colin and some fanfiction now.

[wisdom-devotee]

Can we get some info on Odysseus and Penelope??

Sure! I don’t know if this is in reference to this ask game or not, but I’m going to treat it like it is. If you have more specific info you’d like on them rather than my personal experiences, please let me know!

When Odysseus usually shows up for me

I found two main instances where I feel Odysseus’s energy a lot. The first is whenever his family are mentioned (I’ve found this to include Penelope, Telemachus, Ctimene, Laertes, Anticlea and Eurycleia) and the second is whenever I’m being clumsy

When Penelope usually shows up for me

Penelope is the one most likely to show up when I reach out to them both together. I’ve kind of noticed that if I ask to do things with both of them, like tarot, only Penelope will respond? If I ask for Odysseus specifically he’s usually there, but if I ask for both of them, only Penelope shows up. Not sure why but I’m not complaining

What Odysseus is like for me

I most often feel Odysseus as a pressure on my shoulder, almost like his hand? When I feel it I like to pat my shoulder to acknowledge his presence. I always get the feeling that he’s very amused by everything that I do. I reached out to both of them because I have a lot of long-distance friendships who are some of my closest relationships that I have and I’ve found both Penelope and Odysseus to really like them.

What Penelope is like for me

Her energy is really warm, but I haven’t noticed a particular feeling I get with her other than that. She’s very nice to communicate with and I love her. I’ve noticed whenever I’m talking about these two, an online friend messages me, and that actually happened while making this post too. Thanks guys

How much have I bonded with Odysseus

A lot. Mainly getting to know him through reading the Iliad (and when I finish it I will also read the Odyssey). Me and my sister made a joint offering to him and I think he really appreciated that one because it made me feel way closer to him

How much have I bonded with Penelope

I’ve bonded with her through communicating via tarot and it’s been so lovely! I don’t know if I’m as close with Penelope as I am with Odysseus, we’ve communicated more but it’s been smaller interactions if that makes sense? I’m trying to build the relationship up more though! I’m hoping to get thread for Christmas and learn to make friendship bracelets and I want to dedicate that to her. We’ll see how it goes!

The most shocking thing about Odysseus

Like I mentioned before, when I reach out to him and Penelope together, he doesn’t answer. It’s that quietness that’s surprising to me, I think.

The most shocking thing about Penelope

I don’t think there’s anything specific about Penelope herself that’s really surprised me, every experience I’ve had with her Just Makes Sense, but I do find that some of the alternate myths (not written by Homer) are really… interesting. The way some of them just disregard all of her odyssey characterisation? Weird. I do not like them.

The least shocking thing about Odysseus

His closeness with his family. I mean, of course, right? Don’t even really need to elaborate on that.

The least shocking thing about Penelope

How much her nymph genes play into my worship of her I think? I’ve always been really connected to water and I feel very connected to that part of her, so most of the things on her Pinterest board have nymph vibes and that was also the inspiration behind the image I used for her playlist cover!

My opinion about Odysseus

He’s so great. I’m really intimidated by him sometimes but then like whenever I actually feel his energy he’s so nice. I admire both him and Penelope so so much

My opinion about Penelope

Like I said with Odysseus, I really admire them. They’re really inspiring. I find Penelope to be so incredibly calming and I always feel more relaxed after communicating with her.

[starry-polytheism]

Hear me, Odysseus and Penelope, favored mortals of Athena and clever rulers of Ithaca!

Odysseus, who for twenty years was lost from his home, going through every trial to return to his wife and son, I sing your praises! You, who confronted the witch Circe and survived the siren's song!

Penelope, witty and resourceful queen, highest among the women, I sing your praises! You, who on your own raised Telemachus, and who with her brain kept her suitors at bay!

So, hear me, oh wise King and Queen, help me along my path, and I will continue to sing of you and your tale.

(a little prayer to odysseus and penelope!)

[a-hellenic-tragedy]

hello there!

I see people introducing themselves here so, I guess it’s my turn.

Hi! You can call me Azarius or Azzy, I don’t really care which. I use he/him pronouns.

As you can probably guess, I’m a Hellenic pagan. I’m an Artemis devotee and a worshipper of many more. I worship Aphrodite, Hekate, Ares, Athena, and Dionysus. I also do hero worship, and worship Queen Penelope and King Odysseus of Ithaca. I’ve started dabbling in tarot and cartomancy. That’s all I really have to say! Thanks for reading!

[that-one-ya-pagan-book]

Kόρακας Kοράκου Mάτι Δε Βγάζει

Greek Proverb | "The crow does not take the eye out of another crow."

[Credits Unknown, Found Via "Mount Olympus Aesthetic Board Gold" Search]

How do cults form?

No, seriously. How do movements that cause so much damage come to exist?

Is it because of the promises they can make? Is it because of the collective individual misfortune and despair? Is it because of the innate human gullibility when one is approached with a being higher than themselves? Is it because of human curiosity that pulls us too far from the edge and now there are no handholds to pull ourselves up?

Is the destruction it brings the burden of the master or the servants?

[Or, as world events rise and humanity starts to destroy itself, a new power arises to "help" them. One man promises millions the ability to restore peace and prosperity. But, he is messing with powers far beyond what he could even start to comprehend. It is now up to three Pagan young-adults descended from the Greek Pantheon in three separate ways to juggle between the lines of myth and man, humanity and society, and collect the power and support of their ancestors to defeat this man once and for all before he could become a full god and make a mistake forever irrepleviable. All the while trying to avoid the wrath of millions of humans who believe they themselves are wrong...]

What is Paganism? [Wikipedia]

"Paganism," derived from the Latin root pāgānus, meaning "rural"/"rustic"/"civilian", is the belief in a religion/spiritual identity outside of Christianity + its facets. It was originally coined towards the end of the Roman Empire after the rise of Christianity when people were still worshipping the "old gods" and things outside the norm--including the Roman Gods. The word fell out of usage around the Middle Ages in Europe but is now used once again to a degree similar to what it once was created as.

Nowadays, "Pagans"--or "Polytheists" for those who also believe in multiple gods/religions--can be found in multiple forms: from those who worship Hellenic [Greek] Mythology, to Norse Mythology, to those who worship Nature as Spirits or as an entity Itself. They can be "witches," or "wizards," they can "look the part" or they could blend in between the walls of society. Some can even worship the Christian Religion to some extent, if they find peace within God or the Gospels. Deep down, to the roots, Paganism is the same as any other religion: the belief and comfort of something Else.

Good places to find out more about Paganism as it applies to the day-to-day person and society as a whole would could be: @within-the-water [a temple dedicated to Lord Poseidon, the Greek God and King of the Seas; this--especially on discord--is where I first started learning about paganism, polytheism, and the Hellenic comforts/practices (though be mindful that I started out an interest within the Oceans themselves, so the "helpfulness" may vary depending on your values, but it is a great start)], @hyakinthou-naos [a temple dedicated to Lord Hyakinthos, the mortal lover of Lord Apollo who was killed and turned into the purple flower we know today; they have a lot of great resources concerning the technical terms, formalities, specifics, and anything you might need to know about Paganism itself]. On their pages should be a list of the other Temples & shrines around for specific Deities that you can learn more about if you are interested or would rather learn a specific way <3.

[I am also always here to be asked more about this, as I myself am a Devotee of Lady Aphrodite, Lady Amphitrite, and Lord Perseus and I have "connections" among the others around here to ask if I don't know either <33]

Amaltheia Othonos

Penelope Smith

Ignatius Mycenae

"The Gatsby"

The Cult Of Acceptance

Mount Olympus

The Mortal World

The Council Of The Primordials

Plot Concept - Ichor

Plot Concept - Demigods

The Avatars of Primordial Khaos

Legacies Of The Greek Heroes

Current Timeline Thoughts

Plot Thoughts

Tags:

↳ That One Pagan YA Book - Book Thoughts/Posts

↳ Timeline? Don't Know Her - Character RP Posts

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Credits:

@xurengu0 - For All & Any Dividers Used <3333. They Are Just So Pretty & Thank You For Letting Me Use Them <333

[pawfulofwaffles]

Personally I think I should be rewarded for simply getting out of bed in the morning and getting ready to face another exhausting day

[womenofwrestlingfashion]

Idol Worship Cropped Blazer ($142.40) & Damned If I Do Platform Mary Janes ($75.60 - on sale) from Widow

[blue-lotus333]

Heroine Worship guide (?)/suggestions

(pt 1)

(for hellenist who want to worship heroines)

Penelope

Heroine of loyalty, commitment, intelligence, weaving, patience & shrewdness. The Queen/patroness of Ithaca, the cunning weaver.

Libations: Tea, water, coffee, milk, wine, olive oil.

Food suggestions: grapes, baked goods, sweets, olives, figs, raisins, cakes, bread, plums, mulberries, broth, legumes, pears, barley, etc.

Other Offerings: flowers, lamps, candles, incense, poetry, art, weaving offerings, jewelry, oils, images of looms, music, weaving needles, yarn & olive branches.

Devotional acts: helping others, studying, learning how to weave, Literary Tribute, crafting, Journaling, charity.

Crystals (optional): Amethyst, lapis lazuli, garnet, clear quartz, opal, selenite.

Colors: white, gold, purple, blue.

Sacred animals: swan, dogs, duck & spider.

Symbols: crown, the loom, ducks, water, yarn.

Titles: Queen of Ithaca, the weaver, the faithful wife, wife of Odysseus, sensible queen, The prudent woman, heroine of the odyssey.

Other names: Penelopa, Arnacia, Arnaea, Ameirace.

Helen of Sparta

Heroine of beauty, love, charm, desire, marriage & Divine Favor. The Queen/patroness of sparta, the face that launched a thousand ships.

Libations: Tea, water, wine, milk, juice

Food suggestions: apples, cherries, sweets, baked goods, figs, strawberries, honey cakes, grapes, peaches, honey, barley, broth, pomegranates, etc

Offerings: lamps, candles, incense, poetry, art, makeup, rose water, music, flowers, crown charms, jewelry, gold, mirrors, perfume, oils, & combs.

Devotional acts: self care/love, personal beauty rituals, helping others, dressing up for her, reflection, & Creative Expression.

Crystals (optional): rose quartz, pearl, ruby, moonstone, spinel, Rhodonite.

Colors: Pink, gold, yellow, red.

Sacred animals: Swan, goose, doves.

Symbols: mirror, swans, the apple, crown.

Titles: Queen of sparta, princess of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world, the face that launched a thousand ships, daughter of Zeus, brilliant among women, mistress of sunlight.

Other names: Helena, Argive, leukolenos, eukomos.

Medea

Heroine of magic, magical practice, reconsideration, poisons & requital. Priestess of Lady Hecate, the Princess/sorceress of Colchis

Libations: Tea, water, coffee, milk, wine, olive oil, gin

Food suggestions: baked goods, sweets, figs, mulberries, blackberries, mushrooms, olives, honey, pomegranates, plums, juniper berries, etc.

Other Offerings: flowers, lamps, candles, incense, poetry, art, herbs, bronze, coins, snake imagery, wands, music, dragon imagery/charms, artifacts of witchcraft.

Devotional acts: study & practice magic, Acts of Empowerment, creating spells of justice, Journaling, Meditation.

Crystals (optional): Obsidian, black tourmaline, Labradorite, onyx, bloodstone.

Colors: black, purple, red.

Sacred animals: snakes & dragons

Symbols: Golden Fleece, the chariot of Helios, snakes

Titles: Vengeful Maiden, Priestess of Hecate, She Who Knows All Herbs, Princess of Colchis, Daughter of the Sun and Moon.

Other names: polypharmakos, doloessa, Anguitia, Angitia

Atalanta

Heroine of speed, independence, Athleticism, equality & challenges. Devotee of lady Artemis, the Princess of Arcadia.

Libations: water, milk, wine, olive oil.

Food suggestions: baked goods, sweets, figs, black berries, pork, pears, lime, apples, meat, plums, broth, vegetables, etc.

Other Offerings: flowers, lamps, candles, incense, poetry, art, boar hide, music, boar charms, laurel, medals, bow & arrow imagery, lion imagery.

Devotional acts: foot-racing, working out, hunting, learning self defense, Personal Challenges, trying out on sports & athleticism.

Crystals (optional): jasper, moss agate, iron, tigers eye, carnelian.

Colors: green, brown, dark blue, orange.

Sacred animals: boar, lion & bear

Symbols: Golden apple, boar, lion, bow & arrow

Titles: Member of the Argonauts, princess of Arcadia, devotee of Artemis, the swift-footed huntress, equal in weight, she who toils greatly.

Other names: N/A

(Btw, like I’ve pointed out many times, these are just suggestions, ofc u can honor them how u want to honor them.)

[inthedreamatorium1]

Colin’s love declaration >>>>>>>>>>>> all other men

“I will always stand up for you. Because I love you, Pen.”

“Are you sure?”

“Everything I said to your mother is true and you should see it as well. You are the cleverest, bravest woman I’ve ever known. You make me feel seen in ways I have never felt seen before. And then there is the way your hair cascades down your shoulder….the way your eyes shine when you look at me, like two blue pools. The firmness of your lips parted just so….the softness of your skin. And then there are other parts I’ve been dreaming about.”