#roman essential oil

[essentialnaturaloil]

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Discover the amazing benefits of chamomile essential oil. With its calming and soothing properties, it can help relieve stress, improve sleep, and reduce inflammation. Find out how to use it for aromatherapy and more!

[svanatural]

Chamomile Roman Essential Oil

Soothe your mind and body with the relaxing aroma of Chamomile Roman Essential Oil. It is a perfect choice for relaxation, calming emotions, and reducing stress. Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of this oil's sweet floral scent and create a sense of balance.

[blueiscoool]

How Hadrian’s Wall is Revealing a Hidden Side of Roman History

A party invitation. A broken flipflop. A wig. Letters of complaint about road conditions, and an urgent request for more beer.

It sounds like the aftermath of a successful spring break, but these items are nearly 2,000 years old.

They’re just some of the finds from Hadrian’s Wall – the 73-mile stone wall built as the northwestern boundary of the Roman Empire, sealing off Britannia (modern-day England and Wales) from Caledonia (essentially today’s Scotland).

While most of us think of Pompeii and Herculaneum if we’re thinking of everyday objects preserved from ancient Rome, this outpost in the wild north of the empire is home to some of the most extraordinary finds.

“It’s a very dramatic stamp on the countryside – there’s nothing more redolent of saying you’re entering the Roman empire than seeing that structure,” says Richard Abdy, lead curator of the British Museum’s current exhibition, Legion, which spotlights the everyday life of Roman soldiers, showcasing many finds from Hadrian’s Wall in the process. A tenth of the Roman army was based in Britain, and that makes the wall a great source of military material, he says.

But it’s not all about the soldiers, as excavations are showing.

A multicultural melting pot

Hadrian, who ordered the wall to be built in 122CE after a visit to Britannia, had a different vision of empire than his predecessors, says Frances McIntosh, curator for English Heritage’s 34 sites along Hadrian’s Wall.

“All the emperors before him were about expanding the empire, but Hadrian was known as the consolidator,” she says. He relinquished some of the territory acquired by his predecessor Trajan, and “decided to set the borders” – literally, in some cases, with wooden poles at sites in Germany, or with stone in Britannia. Where those poles rotted thousands of years ago, the wall is still standing: “A great visual reminder” of the Roman empire, says McIntosh.

It’s not just a wall. There’s a castle every mile along, and turrets at every third-of-a-mile point, with ditches and banks both north and south. “You can imagine the kind of impact that would have had, not just on the landscape but on the people living in the area,” says McIntosh.

And thanks to the finds from the wall, we know a surprising amount about those people.

Although historians have long thought of army outposts as remote, male-dominant places, the excavations along the wall show that’s not the case. Not only were soldiers accompanied by their families, but civilians would settle around the settlements to do business. “ You can almost see Housesteads as a garrison town,” says McIntosh. “There were places you could go for a drink and so on.”

The Roman rule of thumb was not to post soldiers in the place they came from, because of the risk of rebellion. That meant Hadrian’s Wall was a cultural melting point, with cohorts from modern-day Netherlands, Spain, Romania, Algeria, Iraq, Syria – and more. “It was possibly more multicultural because it was a focus point,” says McIntosh, who says that the surrounding community might have included traders from across the empire.

Soldiers were split into two groups. Legionaries were Roman citizens from Italy, who had more rights than other soldiers and imported olive oil, wine and garum (a sauce made from decomposing fish).

They worked alongside auxiliaries – soldiers from conquered provinces, who had fewer rights, but could usually acquire citizenship after 25 years of service.

Soldiers carved their names and regiments on stones to show which part of the wall they built – around 50 of them are on display at Chesters fort.

But the wall shows that women and children were equally present.

McIntosh says that pottery brought to the camps – from the Low Countries and North Africa – shows that the soldiers “brought their families, who cooked in traditional style.” Archaeologists have found what seems to be an ancient tagine for North African-style cooking.

A tombstone from Arbeia fort for a woman named Regina shows she was a freed slave from southern Britain who was bought by – and married to – a Syrian soldier.

Another woman buried at Birdoswald fort was laid to rest with chainmail that appears to be from modern-day Poland. “Perhaps she married someone in the army,” says McIntosh, who calls the wall a “melting pot of people from all over the world under the banner of the army.”

“They brought their own religions, as well as worshipping Roman gods and adopting local deities,” she adds. At Carrawburgh, a temple to Mithras – an originally Persian deity – sat near a spring with a shrine to a local water spirit.

‘Wretched little Brits’

Some of the most extraordinary finds from the Roman empire are coming from one site on Hadrian’s Wall: Vindolanda. Here, archaeologists have found a wealth of organic remains because of what curator Barbara Birley calls the “unusual conditions onsite.”

At Vindolanda there are the remains of at least nine forts over 14 levels. “When the Romans would leave, they would knock down timber forts, and cover the area with turf and clay, sealing the layers underneath,” she says.

“Because it happened so many times, the bottom five or six layers are sealed in anaerobic conditions, so things don’t decay. When we get down there, we get wooden objects, textiles, anything organic.”

Vindolanda has the largest collection of Roman textiles from a single site in western Europe, as well as the largest leather collection of any site in the Roman empire – including 5,000 shoes, and even a broken leather flip-flop. “We probably had a population of 3,000 to 6,000 depending on the period, so 5,000 is a lot,” says Birley. For Abdy, the shoes evoke the conditions of the wet borderlands. “Women’s and children’s shoes are hobnailed – you needed it in the mucky frontier dirt tracks. They’re very evocative.”

There’s even a wig made from a local plant, hair moss, which is said to repel midges – the scourge of Scotland during the summer. A centurion’s helmet is also crested with hairmoss – the ancient equivalent of spraying yourself with insect repellent.

The first woman to write in Latin

One of the most famous finds is the trove of wooden writing tablets – the largest found anywhere.

“They give a snapshot of what life was actually like,” says Birley. “We understand so much more from written correspondence than from ‘stuff,’ and, archaeologically, it’s the stuff that usually survives – things like metals and ceramics.

“These were written in ink, not on a wax stylus tablet, and we believe they were used for what we’d put in emails: ‘The roads are awful,’ ‘The soldiers need more beer.’ Everyday business.”

The tablets – or “personal letters” as Birley describes them – were found on the site of a bonfire when the ninth cohort of Batavians (in the modern-day Netherlands) were told to move on.

“They had a huge bonfire and lots of letters were chucked in the fire. Some have been singed – we think it may have rained,” she says. One of them calls the locals “Britunculi” – “wretched little Brits.” Another talks about an outbreak of pinkeye. One claims that the roads are too bad to send wagons; another laments that the soldiers have run out of beer.

Among the 1,700 letters are 20 that mention a woman called Sulpicia Lepidina. She was the wife of the commander of the garrison, and seems to have played a crucial role. There’s a letter to her from another woman, Paterna, agreeing to send her two medicines, one a fever cure.

Birley says it’s similar to today. “If you’re a group of moms, still today we say, ‘Do you have the Calpol?’ It’s very human.” For Abdy, it’s a sign that women were traders. “She’s clearly flogging her medicines,” he says. “It’s really great stuff.”

Another tablet is an invite from Claudia Severa, the wife of another commander at a nearby camp. It’s an invitation to a birthday party. Under the formal invitation, presumably written by a scribe, is a scrawl in another hand: “I shall expect you, sister. Farewell, sister, my dearest soul.”

Presumably written by Claudia herself, it is thought to be the earliest example of a woman’s handwriting in Latin.

Without the organic finds – the shoes and the letters that indisputably belonged to women, unlike jewellery or weaving equipment – it’s difficult to prove conclusively that women lived in significant numbers. Vindolanda “illustrate the missing gaps,” says Abdy. For Birley, they prove that women were as crucial a part of army communities as men. “Before the Lepidina tablets were found we didn’t really understand the interactions between the soldiers and their wives,” she says. Another tablet is written by what is thought to be a Spanish standard-bearer’s common-law wife, ordering military equipment for her partner.

“The Vindolanda collection is showing that there weren’t just camp followers and prostitutes; women were part of everyday life, and contributing to the military community in many ways,” says Birley.

Abdy says that Hadrian’s Wall is interesting because the resident women span “all classes of society,” from Regina – the dead freedwoman, who would have been “bottom of the heap” – to the trader Paterna and the noblewoman Lepidina.

And of course, there’s the wall itself.

“In the Netherlands and Germany the finds are often stunning and better preserved – you go to museums and are bowled over. But in terms of structural remains, Hadrian’s Wall must be among the best,” says McIntosh, modestly, of her site.

Abdy agrees: “I can’t think of many symbols so redolent of imperial will than that wall.”

By Julia Buckley.

[manifestationsofasort]

Things to put in your book of shadows

Of course, only put in your book of shadows/grimoire what you want. If you don't want to put certain subjects in your book then that's fine. It's your book, utilize it how you want. This is just a masterlist of ideas that I've put together. Feel free to add anything else to the list that I may have missed, because there's absolutely no way I included everything.

And for the love of all the gods, if you come across a closed entity or practice, don't try to work with the entity or practice if you're not already part of that group or tradition. You can research it but don't practice it.

+ A blessing and/or protection

+ A table of contents

+ About you:

Your current path

Your personal beliefs

Your spiritual journey

Favorite crystals/herbs/animals

Natal chart

Craft name

How you got into the craft

Astrology signs

Birthday correspondences (birth tarot card, birth stone, etc)

Goals (if you have any)

Anything other relating to your personal practice

+ Safety

Fire safety

What NOT to burn

Plants and oils that can be toxic to your pets

What crystals shouldn't be in water, sunlight, etc

Things that shouldn't be put out in nature (salt, glass, etc)

Potion safety

How to incorporate blood safely

+ Core concepts:

Intention and how it works

Directing energy

Protection

Banishing

Cleansing

Charging

Shielding

Grounding and centering

Visualization

Consencration/Blessing

Warding

Enchanting

Manifestation

+ Correspondence

Personal correspondence

Crystals and rocks

Herbs and spices

Food and drink

Colors

Metals

Number

Tarot card

Elemental (fire, water, air, earth)

Trees and woods

Flowers

Days

Months

Moon phases

Zodiac

Planets

Incense

Teas

Essential oils

Directions (north, south, east, west)

Animals

Local plants, animals, etc

Dream symbology

+ Different practices

Practices that are closed to you (some examples below)

Voodoo and Hoodoo **Closed**

Santeria and Brujeria **Closed**

Shamanism and native american practices **Closed**

Wicca and wiccan paths

Satanism, both theistic and non-theistic paths

+ Different types/practices of magick

Pop culture magick

Technology magick

Chaos magick

Green witchcraft

Lunar magick

Sea witchcraft

Kitchen magick

Ceremonial magick

Hedge witchcraft

Death witchcraft

Grey witchcraft

Eclectic witchcraft

Norse witchcraft

Hellenic witchcraft

Animism

+ Deities

The deity/deities you worship

Different pantheons (the main five are Celtic, Roman, Greek, Egyptian and Norse, all open)

Deities and pantheons that are closed to you

Common offerings

Their epithets

Their mythology

Their family

Deity worship vs deity work

Prayers and how to make your own

Deity communication guide

Devotional acts

Ways to get closer to them

+ Other spiritual entities

Angels

Ancestor work

Spirit guides

The fae

Demons

Familiars

House spirits, animal spirits and plant spirits

Other various folklore entities

Spirit etiquette

Cemetery etiquette

Setting boundaries with the spirits

Communication guide and etiquette

Grounding, banishing, protection and cleansing, aka: "Spirit work safety guide"

How they appear to you

Common offerings

Circle casting

+ Divination

Tarot cards

Oracle cards

Tarot and oracle spreads

Pendulum

Numerology

Scrying

Palmistry/palm reading

Tasseography (Tea leaf reading)

Rune stones

Shufflemancy (Shuffling of a playlist)

Dice divination

Bibliomancy (Randomly picking a phrase from a book)

Carromancy (Melted wax)

Pyromancy (Reading flames)

Psychic abilities

Astrology

Aura reading

Divination via playing cards

Lenormand 

Sacred geometry

Angel numbers

+ Other types of magick

Candle magick

Crystal magick

Herbalism/herbal magick

Glamour magick

Hexing

Jinxing

Cursing

Weather magick

Astral work

Shadow work

Energy work

Sigils

Art magick

Knot magick

Crystal grids

Color grids

Music magick

Charms, talismans and amulets

+ Spellwork

What makes a spell work

Basic spell structure

What NOT to do

Disposing of spell ingredients

Revitalizing long term spells

How to cast spells

What to put in spells (See correspondence)

Spell mediums- Jar spells, spoken spells, candle spells, sigils, etc

Spell timing

Setting up a ritual

Taglocks: What they are and how to use them

+ Holidays and Esbats

Yule

Imbolc

Ostara

Beltane

Litha

Lughnasadh/Lammas

Mabon

Samhain

The 12 full moons (Esbats)

How to celebrate

Deity specific holidays

+ Altars and tools

What they are

The different types and their uses (travel altar, working altar, deity altar, ancestor altar, etc)

What you can put on your altar

What you use your altars for

Common tools in witchcraft

How to use the tools

Food and drink

Common herbs in recipes

Sabbat recipes

Moon water: What it is and how to use it

Potion bases

Tea magick

How to get your herbs

Foraging

+ Mental health and self care

Bath magick

Affirmations

Burnout prevention

Aromatherapy

Stress management

Mental health coping mechanisms

+ History of witchcraft

+ Dream records

+ How to differentiate between the magickal and the mundane

+ Calendar of celestial events (Esbats, retrogrades, etc)

+ How to dry herbs and flowers

+ What chakras actually are and how they work within Hinduism

+ History and traditional uses of reiki

+ The witches' alphabet

+ The runic alphabet

+ Common witchcraft terms

+ Common symbols in witchcraft

+ Your own witch tips

+ Good witchcraft books and authors to avoid

+ Any online resources you utilize often

[centrally-unplanned]

Fuck seed oil discourse, fuck globalism conspiracy great replacement bullshit, the internet of today sucks. We have to go back, back to the way things were. When men, real men - who may have been catgirls to be clear since you never saw their faces - would tell you what The System refused to say: that your understanding of a battle from 2000+ years ago that you got from Westpoint textbook formation diagrams as bastardized by some other YouTube channel is an inaccurate portrayal of the event based on the 500 hours they spent building a brick-by-brick simulation of the battle in the Unreal engine. Enviously-autistic levels of devotion to a topic that is never, ever going to be politically or personally relevant a day of your life.

This is what the internet is for.

Anyway I only just started watching, but I can tell I am gonna be a fighter with dear Invicta up here. My bet is that 50% of this video's point is going to be the perfectly correct statement that the 1970's model of the battle that people have in their minds is wrong. Back when academics read Livy, read Polybius, and were like "yep, these two authors who are honestly contradicting themselves 20% of the time sound legit, let's take em at their word". Which is a valid point to make, obviously, I just bet the branding of the video will run a bit of aground of the need to cite the dozens of more modern academics who already know this. You have "you are wrong about Cannae" articles dating back to the 90's, and that is just one I knew off the top of my head - I have no doubt there are earlier ones. Cannae's sources are spotty, and our understanding of it will always be vague and debated.

The other 50% is going to be what I would call "model devotion" - essentially taking the conclusions of the model as a sort of gospel. But the model is, of course, built from the same vague guesswork as the spotty sources, and is a process of embedding assumptions. Right in the opening he declares that "once you realize how big the battle is, the idea of an organized retreat over a distance of a kilometer is impossible to consider" idk man I can consider it! Have you looked at military history? People do crazy shit, particularly when they are prepared to do it. If Nasir could lead men 600 miles across the desert to attack Aqaba by land, I think these guys can fight for a few kilometers. Doesn't mean they did, but in particular if it was so crazy contemporary sources probably would have pointed it out themselves (Polybius, not Livy - Livy sucks). People tend to over-assume the ignorance of the past - Cannae was a momentous event. Romans wanted to understand it, and we should extend at least some credit to them on that front.

But again, I have only watched a little bit of it - overall it looks great, really! He clearly did a ton of research and work, anyone who is building custom maps of the Aufidus River's historical floodplain to estimate various battle site locations deserves all the credit in the world. I will watch the whole thing, maybe he will convince me!

[whencyclopedia]

Charon

Charon is a figure from Greek mythology where he is the boatman who ferries the souls of the dead across the waters of Hades to the judgement which will determine their final resting place. The Greeks believed the dead needed a coin to pay Charon for his service and so one was placed in the mouth of the deceased.

Charon was a popular subject on 5th-4th century BCE Greek pottery scenes, especially the lekythoi used to store fine oils and perfumes which were commonly buried with the dead. Charu was a similar figure in Etruscan mythology, although there he often carries a hammer. Charon continued to feature in Roman mythology and he enjoyed a revival with other classical ideas during the Renaissance (1400-1600). The largest moon of the dwarf planet Pluto is named after Charon.

The Boatman of Hades

The Greek Charon as the boatman of the dead is an idea which may well have been influenced by Mesopotamian and Egyptian mythology, where there, too, the Underworld contains rivers which hinder the progress of the soul. In Greek mythology, Charon is the son of Erebus (Darkness) and Nyx (Night). His name may have originally meant ‘fierce brightness’.

Charon’s job was to transport the shades or souls of the dead across either a river - most typically named as the Acheron and, in later sources, the poisonous Styx - or a lake, often called Acherousia. The destination was Hades, which was the Greek underworld (and also the name of the god who ruled there), or, more precisely, the inner part of that realm. Often accompanying Charon is the messenger god Hermes, who was thought to act as a guide to the dead in Hades. Often Hermes escorts the soul to Charon, who then takes them deeper into the underworld for judgement.

Hades is described in Greek literature as a cold, dark, damp, and mirthless place, which it is everyone’s fate to end up, that is until post-5th century BCE writers created an alternative destination for good souls. Accordingly, from Hades, good souls went to the Elysian Fields and forgot all their troubles and bad souls went down to Tartarus in the deepest depths of Hades. Those souls who had wronged the gods fared even worse and were given wicked and eternal punishments like Sisyphus who had to endlessly roll a boulder up a slope.

In many Greek accounts, Charon assists heroes who descend into Hades on various challenges, such as Odysseus, Orpheus, and Psyche. Hercules engaged Charon’s services when, for his twelfth and most difficult labour, he was required to fetch the terrible three-headed dog Cerberus (aka Kerberos). This terrible hound made sure nobody ever left Hades or crossed the waters without either Charon or Hermes as their guide. Charon was punished by Hades for allowing the living Hercules into the realm of the dead. The boatman was shackled for one year, which must have left quite a queue of expectant souls waiting on the shores of Acheron.

In order to ensure Charon did actually bother to take one to Hades in his boat, Greeks buried the dead with a small coin in the mouth as it was thought this money could then be useful to pay the boatman. The coin was typically an obol and was placed under the tongue. Those souls without the coin were obliged to wait on the shores for 100 years before Charon would condescend to take them across for free. A proper burial was also considered essential to allow the soul to reach Charon’s boat. In later periods, the money tradition changed to placing a coin over each eye of the deceased before burial.

Continue reading...

[romanreignseater]

Your Assistant?

Roman Reigns x Reader

Rating: 18+

Warnings: Smut, smut, and MORE SMUT!! A consensual affair. And a couple of other devilish thingz.

“Being the assistant to a devilishly handsome man never work out well in the movies. Especially, for the wife. But, what happens when the wife wants you to get a little more closer to your boss?”

A/N: Got this little idea from a thread I saw on Twitter. It’s definitely gonna be interesting… 🫣. *By the way, I didn’t feel comfortable using Roman’s actual wife in this story, so his wife’s name is Jewel in this fic.

GIF: @jeysuso

You’ve been Roman Reigns personal assistant ever since he became the Tribal Chief. While, Paul is his special counsel on screen. Roman needed someone to help in his everyday life. To help him oversee his appearances, social media, and meetings. To help pick up his dry cleaning. To help watch the kids. To help take care of the dogs. And to help his wife figure out why they’re having sex issues?!

Typically, the young and hot assistant never gets along with her boss’s wife. As the wives always see the assistant as nothing but a slut, wanting the position to only fondle with an older and sexy man. But, while you did find Roman very attractive, as anyone would. You would never get in between someone’s love, as you wouldn’t want others to do that onto you.

Roman and Jewel have been together since college, and she’s been with him through the good, the bad, and the ugly. They were young parents having to raise a child with barely any money, Roman’s discovery of his leukemia, and the league not wanting him.

They have been through the toughest of times, and by what Jewel was telling you at this moment. It’s the toughest time in their relationship…

“Roman and I have been having some issues. And I needed someone of experience to talk to.” Jewel said.

“Well, I did have a boyfriend in 9th grade, so I got a little relationship experience.” I said laughing.

Jewel wasn’t laughing. “Anyways Y/N, the problems that we are having is seeping into our marriage.” “What kind of problems is hurting your marriage Jewel?!” You said concerned.

“our sex life…” Jewel whispered. “Excuse me, I couldn’t hear you.” “OUR SEX LIFE!!” Jewel yelled with watery eyes. “Ohhhh… I’m sorry—but isn’t this a little personal to be telling me?! Maybe you should talk to one of your girlfriends or something?” I said nervously.

“Trust me, you’re my last resort.” Jewel said coldly. Ouch… that kind of hurt. “One of my girlfriends had the same problem and said I needed to talk to someone a little younger…Someone a little more experienced, someone who may have a higher sex drive.” Jewel expressed.

Higher sex drive?! The last time I slept with someone… Actually, I’ve only slept with one person in my ENTIRE life. My ex-boyfriend from high school, took my virginity, then moved away to Saskatchewan.

Wherever that is?!

That’s besides the point, why would she just assume I have a higher sex drive?… You know, people are in their 70s still getting down.

“So… what’s exactly your problem?!” You said curiously. “It’s just…. I haven’t been getting wet for the past three months. So… we’re using copious amounts of lube. Roman isn’t engaged or as fast-paced and excited as he used to be.”

I was gagged.

She hasn’t been getting wet and her husband is ROMAN. REIGNS. But, bad bitches have bad days too, so I won’t hold it against her. Every woman is different.

“I’ve been trying my hardest to spice things up. Like, I’ve been wearing brand new lingerie, bringing in candles, essential oils, and I EVEN BOUGHT A VIBRATOR!”

She was really airing out all her business right now…

“Sorry.” She said apologizing for her yelling. “No problem, I understand now, you want to get Roman more engaged. So how about you try a couple new positions other than missionary?!” I said as I mentally smacked myself.

“Sweetheart… if you really like this job. DON’T PUSH IT.. Okay!!” Jewel said as she grabbed my wrist. “My apologies. You could try some new positions or ask him what he wants maybe?!” You said with utter fear in your heart. “I’ve tried and I’ve tried, but he just says ‘J, you don’t need to change anything you’re perfect. I just haven’t been in the mood.’ Like really bitch?!” She said with a look on her face.

“We have FIVE KIDS FOR FUCKS SAKE!! He damn sure was in the mood to make those kids.” You moved your eyes around the room as Jewel wiped away some of her tears. “I guess, you could find a sex expert to demonstrate or show you how to get your man engaged again?!” You said hoping the conversation would just end.

Jewel then gasped and looked you dead in your eyes with a smirk.

“No, no, no, no. I won’t do something like that”. I said crossing my legs and turning away. Jewel pulled me back to face her and said “You listen to me here Missy. This is your ONLY, and I mean ONLY time you’ll EVER do this.”

Please don’t say it, please don’t say it…

“But, I need you to have sex with Ro and ‘demonstrate’ how to get him engaged again.” Jewel said with a serious look on her face.

She said it. Like you can’t just watch porn.

“Jewel, I can’t do that to you or Roman. That’s just weird. My boss’s wife letting me have sex with him.” You said cringing. “You don’t even have his consent and I’m pretty sure this wasn’t in your vows.”

“Girl pleaseeee!! I just want my Ro back…” Jewel said with tears falling from her eyes.

Why me?!

“fine, I’ll do it…” You said lowly. “Pardon, I couldn’t hear you.”

“I SAID I’LL DO IT!!” You yelled to her. “What are you going to do Y/N?!” Roman said as he came from downstairs. “Hey baby.” Jewel said rising from the couch. “How was your zoom interview?!”

“It was nothing different, but I want to know what Ms. Assistant is gonna do so bad that she has to yell in your face.”

My face turned red as I looked to Jewel with pleading eyes, so that we WON’T have to have this discussion right now.

She grabbed his hands and looked into his eyes to say, “You know baby… We haven’t been having the greatest time in bed and Y/N is the solution to our problem.”

Roman was discombobulated. “Why would you air out our business like that Jewel?!” Roman whispered sternly under his breath. “Well nothing I’ve tried hasn’t worked and I know this is the right thing to do.” Jewel looked at me then back to Roman as he said, “How is Y/N the solution to our ‘problem’?!”

“She’s gonna show me how to get you engaged again… By having sex with you.”

Roman’s jaw dropped to the floor.

“I’M NOT GONNA CHEAT ON YOU JEWEL, THAT’S CRAZY!!” Roman yelled. He then looked you in your eyes and began walking up to you with his finger pointed. Jewel stopped him in his tracks and said, “This is not her idea, it’s mine.” Roman let out a deep breath to say, “Why?! Just why?!”

“I need an in person demonstration of how to get you going again.”

Shit… could never be me.

“This is what you want?!”

I know he’s not about to do this…

“Yes Roman, this is what we need.” Jewel said pleading. “fine… I’ll do it.” He whispered under his breath. “We couldn’t hear you.” Jewel and I said in unison. “I’LL DO IT!!” “Perfect!!” Jewel said hugging and kissing him “We could just do it right here, since the kids are at school.” Roman said staring at me.

They both then stared at me waiting for an answer.

“Ohhh, ummm… yeah, I guess.” You said in complete jitters. Jewel sat on the opposite couch and stared at you, gesturing for you to start. You stood up to face Roman and you couldn’t even look him in the eyes. He took your chin into his hand and made you look at him and he said, “Don’t worry, remember we’re doing this for Jewel.” You looked back towards Jewel and she lightly smiled at you.

Ok let’s do this.

You grabbed Roman’s face and started to make out with him. Your tongues fighting one another and hands groping each others bodies. You let your lips disconnect and you looked to Jewel to say, “Ummm, the first step to start the engaging… is showing him a little bit of your dominant side. Fight with his tongue a bit and pull his hair some too.” I feel like such a teacher right now. You and Roman’s tongues glided so perfectly together. And Roman grunted as he took your ass into his hands to massage it.

You pulled your tank top off, and Roman’s eyes instantly moved to your lace bra hugging your large, and supple breasts. “Now, you just have to let him tease you… I guess.” You said as Roman began to grab at your breasts. You moaned and he said, “Can I take this off?!”

“Yes… daddy?” Roman looked at you unsurely, then bit his lip, so you knew he liked it. “Then, you have to call him daddy, he likes that.” You said to Jewel. Roman took your bra off then took his two fingers to your jaw to turn your head. “Stop looking at her for right now.” He said to you. “Okay daddy.” Roman then lowered his head to suck at your perky nipples.

“Let him suck on your tits. They’re big for a reason.” Roman then took off all of his clothes and your clothes. You began stroking his cock to get him going. You told Jewel that in the future she had to tease his balls and the head of his dick. Roman quickly bended you over the arm of the couch, and lifted your right leg up.

“If you just get into it and let things run smoothly, it will all work o-uttt.” You gasped as Roman swiftly entered his massive length into you.

Jewel stood up and Roman lifted his hand towards her to stop her and then said, “You on birth control Y/N?”

“Yes, I am.” You said shivering due to the sheer amount of fullness you felt at that moment.

“It’s cool J, this is what you wanted.” Jewel sat back down and watched. Roman began to pound into your swollen cunt so sweetly. “Oh my god daddy, k-k-k-eeppp going ple—ASE!” You started to push back onto his dick and Roman said, “Keep going like that mama, push back on this dick.”

“You see Jewel, you wann-aaaa… give him the same energy he’s giving you. That’s how you get more engagement.” You said and as you looked to Jewel, she didn’t see to be as engaged as she said she would be. But, your concern for Jewel quickly left your mind as fast as it came to it, because Roman set out to absolutely obliterate your pussy.

His fast burst of pounding sent you to another planet. Your pussy began gushing out all over Roman’s thighs. “AAAAAAAAAHHH!! HOLY SHIT!!” You yelled as the rough pounding continued.

Roman stopped and you gathered yourself. When an idea came into your head.

“Jewel, can you please sit on the couch next to Ro please?!” Roman couldn’t even look at Jewel in her eyes, as they both looked at you confused.

“Do you guys need help or not?!” You said waiting for them to sit on couch. Jewel reluctantly sat on the couch and Roman sat beside her. You went to your knees in front of Roman and stroked his shaft in both of your hands.

“Jewel, when was the last time you gave him head?!” You said questioning her.

Jewel let out a sigh and said, “It’s been about seven months. I just felt like I wasn’t doing it right… I-I don’t know?!” “Well, I’m gonna teach you now.”

You were definitely having way too much fun with this.

Roman bit his plump bottom lip to hold in his moans as you hallowed your cheeks, and sucked on the head of his cock.

“You see how he can barely contain himself with the way I’m sucking it. You like that don’t you daddy?!”

“Fuccc-kkk, baby I love that damn mouth.” Roman said as he held your hair in his huge hands to create a makeshift ponytail. You looked Jewel dead in her eyes as you sweetly sucked on her husband’s cock. You took Roman’s length out of your mouth to stand up and turn around.

“Now… Jewel.” You first said as you spit onto your fingers to smear it all over your already drooling sex. “You gotta save a horse, and ride a cowboy.” Jewel then watched as you lowered yourself onto Roman’s cock and moaned with him in unison as you impaled yourself onto him. You stood in between his spread legs, put your hands on your knees, and began twerking on his dick basically. Jewel spoke up to say to Roman as he watched your fat, plush ass jiggle, “So, you like this shit?!” She asked.

Roman let out a breath and said, “It’s whatever… I gue—sssss”. He cleared his throat soon after. “You don’t like it daddy?!” You said as you looked back to him, he looked at you with worrying eyes. You smirked and started your own assault. You rapidly bounced on him, and set off Roman’s can of moans. “FF—UCKKKK!! Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop mama.”

You continued to bounce and roll onto his cock, when you realized sometimes teachers like their students to participate more. Roman grunted as you released yourself from his dick. “Jewel, I think you should participate a little more.” Roman and Jewel looked at you, then at each other, then at you again.

“What do you want me to do?!” Jewel said hesitantly. You told Roman to lay on his side with his right leg propped up and asked Jewel to scoot a little closer. You then lied on your side with your back facing Roman. He spread your legs open and put the back of your right knee in his hands. “Jewel… Put it in.” You said. Jewel looked at Roman, and he gestured to put it in.

“Oooooo, that’s it right there.” You moaned. Roman soon then pounded into your heat passionately. “That pussy is so wet baby.” The Tribal Chief grunted. “Wet just for you daddy.”

“Play with his balls Jewel, that’ll get him REAL riled up”. You said smiling. “Alright.” She said. Roman’s moans and grunts became louder, he started to fuck me at a God like speed. “Oooo-o-o-o—hh my GOD!!!”. I came right then and there. “Fuck baby, oh my god. That was amazing, but I want more.” Roman said. “That’s perfect cause I got one more trick up my sleeve.”

Jewel was now sitting on the couch with her legs spread and your back atop her thighs. Roman was standing up ready to enter you in between your spread legs. “Jewel, can you make sure you hold her ankles still?! I need to get in there real good.” Jewel held your ankles tights and made sure your knees were bent.

Now, let the fucking continue once again.

Roman quickly slipped into your dripping cunt and you said, “Jewel, make sure your pussy is squeezing that dick in TIGHT. You wouldn’t want to let go.” Roman hard thrusts made your waterbed-like tits bounce and he couldn’t get his eyes off of them. “Pull on those perky nipples Y/N.” He boasted. “Of course daddy.” You said smiling at him. As you played with your nipples, Roman looked up to his wife and he said, “Baby, I love you and I hope you know that I don’t want this to drive a wedge in between us.”

“Ro… I love you and while it will be in the back of my mind, it’s us against the wor-.” Sorry to interrupt, but you had something to say.

“FUCK, I’M CUMMING, give it to me HARDER!!” “You want it harder?!” You nodded. “Yeah, REAL HARD!!” You exclaimed. The sounds of his thighs slapping against yours, the sound of his balls slapping your tight little hole, and the sounds of your pussy gushing out all your wetness. You then came SUPER hard. You were spasming due to the aftershocks and Roman then came in you.

“Wow, all that cum in your pussy daddy.” You said with a smirk. “Yeah… that’s my pussy mama.” You shivered as he smacked your pussy red.

You and Roman gathered yourselves and put your clothes back on. “Well, I hope I was help in some way, and would you look at that it’s 3 p.m. I gotta pick up the kids.” You said shyly. “Y/N, I really appreciated what you did, but don’t come by my man unless I send for you… Got it?!” Jewel replied sternly.

“Yes ma’am”.

“Now, get back to work.” You left the house and pulled out of the driveway. “Sooo… I’m guessing you had fun big boy?!” Jewel said patting on Roman’s chest. “I mean… she was alright.” Roman said scratching his beard. “You agreed with her when she said it was ‘your pussy’.”

“Baby, it was just the heat of the moment, I didn’t mean it. I know you’re hot and bothered for watching that, lemme do some of that on you before Y/N comes back with the kids.” Roman said smirking, leaning into his wife’s ear.

“Fine. BUT, just remember she’s just your assistant.” Jewel said with her pinky finger out.

“Just my assistant.” And they pinky promised.

THE END.

Hope y’all liked this one, I put a lot into this 😭😭. Tell me in the comments what you’ll like to see 💕.

[gaiasgrimoire]

Herb Spotlight: Thyme

History & Origins

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a perennial herb that has been cherished for its culinary, medicinal, and spiritual properties for thousands of years. Originating from the Mediterranean region, thyme was used by the ancient Egyptians for embalming, while the Greeks and Romans valued it for its antiseptic properties and burned it as incense in temples to purify spaces.

The name "thyme" is believed to come from the Greek word "thymos," meaning courage or strength. Roman soldiers would bathe in thyme-infused water to gain bravery before battles. In the Middle Ages, it was also tucked under pillows to ward off nightmares and given to knights and warriors as a symbol of courage.

Where & How to Grow Thyme

Thyme is a resilient, sun-loving herb that thrives in well-drained soil and can be grown both indoors and outdoors.

Climate: Thyme prefers warm, sunny climates with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. It's drought-tolerant and does well in zones 5-9.

Soil: Grows best in well-drained, sandy soil with a slightly alkaline pH. Avoid overwatering, as thyme doesn't tolerate soggy soil.

Growing from seeds: Start thyme seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or plant cuttings directly in the garden in spring or early summer. Thyme can also be propagated easily by root division.

Spacing: Plant thyme about 12 inches apart in a sunny location. It can also be grown in pots or as a ground cover, as it only grows to about 6-12 inches tall.

Harvesting: Harvest thyme when the plants are dry, preferably in the morning, by cutting sprigs just before the flowers bloom. The leaves can be used fresh or dried for later use.

Health Benefits

Thyme offers numerous medicinal benefits when used orally or topically.

Oral Uses:

Respiratory support: Thyme is a natural expectorant, helping to clear mucus and ease symptoms of coughs, colds, bronchitis, and sore throats. Drinking thyme tea or using thyme honey is particularly effective.

Antimicrobial properties: Thyme contains thymol, an essential oil with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It helps fight infections and boost the immune system.

Digestive aid: Thyme is excellent for relieving indigestion, bloating, and gas. It can also help regulate gut bacteria and support digestive health.

Antioxidant support: Rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, thyme helps reduce oxidative stress, supporting overall wellness and aging.

Topical Uses:

Skin health: Thyme can be used as a natural antiseptic for treating wounds, cuts, and infections. It also helps soothe skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and fungal infections due to its antimicrobial properties.

Anti-inflammatory: When applied topically, thyme can reduce inflammation and swelling, making it useful for treating skin irritations or minor burns.

Hair growth: Thyme oil is often used in natural hair care products for stimulating hair growth and treating dandruff due to its antimicrobial properties.

Magical Properties

Thyme has long been associated with purification, protection, and courage in magical practices.

Purification: Thyme is used in cleansing rituals, either burned as incense or added to baths to cleanse one's aura or energy field. It is believed to purify spaces, removing negative energies or spirits.

Protection: Thyme is often carried or placed in doorways for protection from harm or ill intentions. It can also be worn as a charm to ward off negative energies and bad dreams.

Courage & Strength: Thyme is associated with bravery. In magical workings, it’s used to summon strength and courage, especially when facing difficult situations or challenges. It can be carried as a talisman or burned before spell work to empower the caster.

Healing: Thyme is often used in spells related to healing, vitality, and renewal. It's added to healing potions, incense, and sachets to promote physical and emotional recovery.

Love & Attraction: In love magic, thyme is believed to attract love and affection. It’s often included in love sachets, charms, or baths to draw positive relationships and strengthen existing ones.

Using Thyme in Your Practice

Thyme tea: Brewed as tea, thyme can be sipped to promote healing, clear the mind, and fortify the spirit before rituals.

Burning thyme: Burn dried thyme as an offering to deities, or use the smoke to cleanse and purify spaces, objects, or yourself.

Thyme oil: Dilute thyme essential oil in a carrier oil and use it in healing rituals or anointing candles to promote health and protection.

Thyme is a versatile herb with deep roots in history, known for its medicinal, culinary, and magical uses. Whether you're growing it in your garden or using it in your magical practice, thyme offers powerful healing, protective, and purifying qualities that make it a must-have in any herbalist's or witch’s collection.

[salixsociety]

Cleansing Tea Bath against Stress

From my grimoire to yours.

Tea baths have been used for millennia to cure various ailments, improve one's looks, and cleanse the taker: the first recorded tea baths date back all the way to ancient Egypt. Cleopatra was said to take herbal baths, as did empress Sissi. I, personally, do not get the opportunity to bathe often anymore. But now that I am spending some time at home in the countryside, with access to a bathtub, I think it's high time I take an herbal bath to shake the unnecessary stress I've been feeling.

The Ingredients

Kitchen Sage (Salvia Officinalis) Sage has a long history as a bath herb, especially in medieval Europe. The Romans considered it a sacred herb, using it in religious rites, and held it in high esteem for medicine. The same goes for Medieval Europeans, who sometimes referred to it as the savior herb. It has many healing properties, and is quite fragrant. I will try not to go too in depth about individual herbs here, but feel free to ask me about them! I will try to make a post about them. In this bath, the sage serves to relax, purify, and rejuvenate.

Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla OR Chamaemelum Nobile) Chamomile, both the German and Roman variety, is an especially potent relaxing herb. Historically it was especially well loved to treat symptoms associated with PMS and PCOS, which is where the genus name of Matricaria comes from. Roman Chamomile was historically considered a painkiller and relaxer.

Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) A less popular, but very noteworthy herb for purifying. In Nepal, brooms are sometimes made of it (supposedly) to cleanse the home. Mugwort is still used in modern medicine to this day, and was very prized by Medieval Europeans, who used it both in their food and drink, and in their medicine.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) Be sure to take care when you obtain this plan! Please buy responsibly and check if it is protected in your area. St. John's Wort is another one of those herbs that people throughout history have prized immensely. Historically it was used to treat nearly anything, and this high regard is reflected in its common name, one of the most important apostles in Christianity. Nowadays there is research being done into St. John's Wort antidepressive properties, and various streams of herbal and alternative medicine use it actively to treat anxiety, panic disorders, depression, etc. St. John's Wort is also excellent against headaches. But I digress.

After these, you can add whatever scented or additional ingredients. Some options: - A few drops of essential oil - Your favorite strongly smelling herbs, like lavender (calming) or rosemary (rejuvenating) - A few spoonfuls of salt - A bath bomb - Whatever makes you happy - (a rubber ducky)

Of course, the herbs can't do all the work. Indulge yourself. Create a nice ambiance with some candles or some dim lighting, get the water to the right temperature, and try your best to relax as you take the bath. Do whatever takes your mind off what stresses you out and let the bath soak everything out of you. Best of luck to you, hold oe kreggel!

[arcane-trail]

Spells for a More Prosperous 2023

Imbue your 2023 new years resolutions with a little magic.

Samhain, at the end of October, is considered the start of the new year among most Pagan and Wiccan groups. And the Winter Solstice and Yule on the 21st of June is also an important gateway in the wheel of the year as this is the moment when the sun starts to increase in force again (in the northern hemisphere).

Read our guide to Samhain here.

New Year, on the first of January, became the start of the New Year among the Romans in 45 BCE when Julius Caesar decided that the calendar needed reforming. He chose January because it is the month of Janus, as the god represents beginnings and transitions, and he has two faces so he can look both backward and forward.

Despite not being one of the major Wiccan holidays, New Year is still an excellent time to cast spells to set your intentions and manifest prosperity for the coming year. The positive energy created by so many people celebrating and sending out energy wishing for luck and transformation creates a shared energetic force that we can tap into to give extra power to our spells and rituals.

We have three favorite types of rituals that we like to conduct at the new year. Cleansing rituals to expel negative energy and prepare ourselves to take on the new year with fresh energy. Intentions rituals that help firmly set our intentions and draw power for their manifestations. And good luck rituals to attract a bit of fortune for the new year.

Cleansing Rituals

It is great to start the new year by cleansing yourself of any negative or unwanted energy from the previous year. New Year’s Eve can be a great time to conduct any of your favorite cleansing rituals. Use incense to clear energy out of your space, or use a Selenite, Amethyst, or Tourmaline wand to expel negative energy.

But, at New Year, you might be more focused on cleansing your own physical energy. This can be done by bathing in nature, in the Ocean, or in a clean natural lake. If you prefer to do your cleansing at home, run yourself an Epsom Salt bath.

To conduct a ritual cleansing, make sure you have a shower before you enter your bath, as you want to feel clean during your soak. Add a few drops of sage and frankincense essential oils to your bath water for more potent cleansing.

Burn a cleansing white candle while you bathe and focus your mind on the flame. Send negative thoughts and the sources of your negative energy to the flame and imagine them burning up and floating away in the smoke as you bathe.

In the hours following your bath, try only to do things that nourish your body. Moisturize your skin and eat foods and drinks that nourish and invigorate your system.

Intension Rituals

New Year is a time when many people like to set intentions and resolutions for the new year. You can conduct rituals that give your intentions more force and give you and the universe enhanced energy to make them manifest in the coming year.

Start your ritual at first light on December 31st. Take a small piece of green or brown cloth and place it on the earth. Pour a small mound of ground cinnamon onto the cloth and visualize the cloth as a fertile foundation and the cinnamon as nourishing earth.

Next, take some seeds in your hand, one to represent each of your main intentions for the coming year. Hold each seed in your hand and focus on your intention. When it is clearly visible in your mind, plant the seed in your cinnamon. Once you planted all your seeds, leave them in the sun until sunset. As the sun sets, gather the cloth and seal it around the cinnamon and seal it with a gold ribbon.

Take the bundle with you as go about your business. When you and all the people around you are sending out positive energy at midnight, take out your bundle and focus again on your intentions, channeling the positive energy that you need around you into your bundle.

After the ritual is done, place the bundle in your sacred space. You can hold it in your hands and focus on your intentions whenever you need energy, focus, or guidance in the coming year. When you no longer need the bundle, you should bury it in the earth.

Good Luck Rituals

You can also set yourself up for the best possible new year by attracting some good luck. One of the best spells for good fortune is a luck jar.

Get yourself a clean glass jar. Cleanse it thoroughly with soap and water, and then incense. Gather crystals and herbs with lucky energy, such as quartz, peridot, and tiger’s eye for crystals and orange tea, bay leaves, lemongrass, and peppermint for herbs. Also, gather other things that may represent good luck to you, such as something made of gold or small objects linked with previous luck or success.

Take these objects into your magic circle and sit before a burning candle. Slowly and with the intention of both giving and receiving positive energy in the coming year, place these items inside your jar in layers. Once it is full, you can seal the jar using the wax from your candle.

Keep your spell jar on your altar, beside your bed, or where you work if you are looking for fortune in your professional pursuits.

[Read Full Blog Post Here]

[delightingintragedy]

Ostara Dreaming

"Use this blend before bed to dream of love - especially the night before the spring equinox.

3 drops Roman chamomile essential oil (Chamaemelum nobile) (preferred) or Cape chamomile essential oil (Eriocephalus punctulatus) for luck, sleep, love

1 drop jasmine absolute (Jasminum officinale) for love, prophetic dreams

5 drops lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) for love, peace, protection

1 drop Turkish rose absolute (Rose damascena) or rose geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens) for love, dreams

Springtime is when minds drift toward love. Spring flings, first romances, and vow renewals all have their place in the spring dreaming. Mix all oils, and diffuse 1 drop synergy per 100 ml water.

For massage, mix 15 drops synergy per ounce of carrier oil (a good all-purpose oil is sweet almond) plus a drop or two of vitamin E to preserve the mix."

-Blackthorn's Botanical Magic by Amy Blackthorn

Edit: NOTE: Essential oils and absolutes can be expensive, and this book has shown to present a few costly recipes, so take them with a grain of salt. I personally use oil infusions rather than essential oils because of chemical sensitivity, and it tends not to be of high cost comparatively. I take all of these recipes as a suggestion of correspondence rather than something I absolutely must follow. It's better to get creative and use what you have on hand rather than spend a ton of money on some oils you'll only use once or twice.

[smudgingpumpkins]

MABON

The Autumnal Equinox

When is Mabon?

It is celebrated on the day of the autumn equinox, or the midway point between the solstices. This falls on either September 21st, 22nd, 23rd, or 24th.

What does Mabon mean?

It is a celebration of the harvest, giving thanks to the natural environment and the community around you. Joy and bountifulness are revered before the upcoming hardships of winter.

Who does Mabon celebrate?

The Celtic god Maponos is closely associated with Mabon, being the god of youth, hunting, and music. The Welsh figure Mabon ap Modron is derived from Maponos, and the god Apollo is the Roman equivalent.

MABON TRADITIONS

Work with stones that promote grounding, stability, and spiritual renewal to prepare for the harsh winters, like lapis lazuli, sapphire, smoky quartz, hematite, and labradorite.

Use sweet, earthy flowers and herbs like calendulas, chrysanthemums, myrtle, milkweed, and cinnamon. These species are said to harbor antimicrobial properties and promote pulmonary aid, perfect for maintaining good health before the winter sick season.

Prepare meals that include fresh apples and bread, seasonal pumpkins, a variety of nuts, and meaty mushrooms, all signifiers of the fall season and a successful harvest. Autumn is often the ideal climate for mushroom and apple picking.

Decorate and dress yourself in fall colors, like browns, ochers, yellows, and reds.

Incorporate animal imagery (e.g., figurines, photographs, drawings, et cetera) of owls, blackbirds, squirrels, wolves, and dogs. These are creatures of hard work, diligence, and faith. Both Apollo and Maponos are said to have an affinity for hunting dogs in particular.

MABON ACTIVITIES

Enjoy a Mabon tea blend. Infuse the tea with orange, rooibos, cinnamon, and star anise and drink while hot.

Take time to rest. Practice self-care and reset your mind and body.

Take a ritual bath. Add coarse salt, drops of basil essential oil, sage, and calendula/marigold petals for a refreshing, relaxing bath.

Fill a cornucopia. Cornucopias can be made out of anything, from wood to wicker to bread dough (if you want something fully edible). Here is a great video on how to make a bread-based one at home!

Host a grand dinner. Mabon is essentially the "Pagan Thanksgiving," so enjoy baking pies and bread and dining on delicious vegetables with family or friends.

Make a Mabon altar. In the center of the altar, place an icon of Maponos or a god(dess) of your choice, and decorate around it with dried fall leaves, twigs, pinecones, acorns, and earthy-colored gemstones.

Get creative with recipes! Carlota Santos, who is the author of Magika, has a recipe for warm, sweet stuffed baked apples. Here is the recipe down below!

[eucanthos]

Aphrodite Paphia (of Paphos)

A conical basalt stone from the [pre-Greek] Sanctuary of Aphrodite, Palaepaphos site, Cyprus [birth of Venus' from Sea foam site]

Different populations of Cyprus worshiped a female divinity from as early as the Chalcolithic period (3900–2500 BC). The cult-site is active through the Late Bronze Age (c.1200 BC) to the end of the 4th century AD [Phoenician, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman]

Valid scientifically evolution of Astarte (Mesopotamian) or Ishtar (Akkadian), great goddess of ancient Middle East.

The deity's representation (from recovered archeological relics) was of steatopygian female form (fertility figures)

Old Paphos (Palaepaphos), was settled by Greeks in the Mycenaean period, ca. 1600 to 1100 B.C.

Paphos was the offspring of Pygmalion and Galatea, the "milk-white" sculpture brought to life by Aphrodite.

According to Ovid, Cypriot sculptor Pygmalion detested the Propoetides' ways of practicing prostitution, and set a famous case of Agalmatophilia.

According to Pausanias, Aphrodite's worship was introduced to Paphos (Cyprus) from Syria, and from Paphos to Kythera in Greece

Some sources claim that the first priest was king Cinyras (according to Strabo, a previous ruler of Byblos in Phoenicia) [his (Cinyrad) dynasty ruled Paphos until its conquest by Ptolemy I of Egypt (294 BC)].

The adoration of Venus was particularly intense in the ancient period with religious ceremonies depicted on vases or bronze vessels. Common offerings to Venus were myrtle tree branches or essential oil [possibly linked to the blood of Adonis and the teardrops of Venus]

Representations on ancient ceramics depict people in a garden, amongst bushes, flowers and birds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuary_of_Aphrodite_Paphia

https://www.hist.uzh.ch/de/fachbereiche/altegeschichte/assoziierteforschende/vonwartburg/forschungsprojekte/paphos/projects/aphrodite-at-paphos.html

https://www.polignosi.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=12594&-V=limmata

https://www.polignosi.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=7335&-V=limmata

https://www.cyprusisland.net/attractions/palaipaphos-kouklia-archaeological-site

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kouklia

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Aphrodite-Greek-mythology

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinyras

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Astarte-ancient-deity

[triangle-dog]

Pet Summits has another free summit that might be of interest to some of you. This one is on pet anxiety. The talks probably vary in quality (*cough* some-sound-like-BS *cough*), but they are free for 48hrs after they go live so I figure the interesting ones are worth checking out at least the beginning of.

It starts tomorrow (shows how on top of things I am). September 18-22

Sept 18 *Dr. Edward Bassingthwaighte: Nervous System Co-Regulation - Nip Pet Anxiety In The Bud *Shanti Zinzi MA: Feline Anxiety Prevention *Ness Jones: How To Avoid Separation Anxiety in Dogs *Doggy Dan: Anxiety and the Dog Calming Code *Kamal Fernandez: Compassionate Training Techniques to Prevent anxiety

Sept 19 *Ruth Hatten: The Microbiome-Anxiety Connection *Dr. Meghan Barrett: The Gut Brain Axis, Vagal Tone, and Anxiety *Dr. Margo Roman: How the Microbiome Affects The Mental Health Of The Pet

Sept 20 *Joan Ranquet: Animal Communication *Dr. Janet Roark: Essential Oils for Animals with Anxiety *Dr. Casara Andre: Psilocybin And Anxiety For Pets *Dr. Jeff Feinman: Homeopathy for Healing Anxiety *Lisa Spector: Music For Anxiety - Creating A Sound Safe Home For Your Dog

Sept 21 *Christina Chambreau, CVH: Preventing and Resolving Anxiety Energetically *Dr. Robert Silver: An Integrative Approach to Anxiety in Our Pets *Dr. Edward Bassingthwaighte: How To Teach Your Pets Resilient Relaxation *Dr. Alex Avery: Why You Need A Veterinary Exam And Workup And The Underlying Causes Of Anxiety

Sept 22 *Dr. Christopher Pachel: Veterinary Prescription Medications - When And Why They May Be Needed *Dr. Cara Gubbins: The Art of Animal Communication in Understanding and Relieving Pet Anxiety *Dr. Edward Bassingthwaighte: Healing Anxiety With Intentional Touch *Dr. Edward Bassingthwaighte: Anxiety Is Simply Arousal With Nowhere To Go

[art-portraits]

David Allan, 1744 - 1796. Artist (Self-Portrait)

Artist: David Allan (Scottish, 1744-1796)

Date: 1770

Medium: Oil on Canvas

Collection: National Galleries, Edinburg, Scotland

Description

David Allan painted this self-portrait during his stay in Rome from 1767 to 1777, a very successful period in his early career. He has depicted himself as a gentleman-connoisseur in a grand Roman apartment, which is unlikely to have been his actual home at the time. Porte crayon in one hand, he looks away from his drawing of the view from his window and stares at the viewer. Falling off the table is another work, a copy after Agostino Carracci’s Venus fresco in the Farnese Gallery in Rome. Here, Allan alludes to his study of old masters, something which was deemed an essential part of an artist’s education. This self-confident portrait shows the young artist already at the height of his powers and yet full of ambition.

[whencyclopedia]

Trade in the Roman World

Regional, inter-regional and international trade was a common feature of the Roman world. A mix of state control and a free market approach ensured goods produced in one location could be exported far and wide. Cereals, wine and olive oil, in particular, were exported in huge quantities whilst in the other direction came significant imports of precious metals, marble, and spices.

Factors Driving Trade

Generally speaking, as with earlier and contemporary civilizations, the Romans gradually developed a more sophisticated economy following the creation of an agricultural surplus, population movement and urban growth, territorial expansion, technology innovation, taxation, the spread of coinage, and not insignificantly, the need to feed the great city of Rome itself and supply its huge army wherever it might be on campaign.

The economy in the Roman world displayed features of both underdevelopment and high achievement. Elements of the former, some historians have argued (notably M.I.Finley), are:

an over-dependence on agriculture

a slow diffusion of technology

the high level of local town consumption rather than regional trade

a low level of investment in industry.

However, there is also evidence that from the 2nd century BCE to the 2nd century CE there was a significant rise in the proportion of workers involved in the production and services industries and greater trade between regions in essential commodities and manufactured goods. In the later empire period, although trade in the east increased - stimulated by the founding of Constantinople - trade in the western empire declined.

The Roman attitude to trade was somewhat negative, at least from the higher classes. Land ownership and agriculture were highly regarded as a source of wealth and status but commerce and manufacturing were seen as a less noble pursuit for the well-off. However, those rich enough to invest often overcame their scruples and employed slaves, freedmen, and agents (negotiatores) to manage their business affairs and reap the often vast rewards of commercial activity.

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