templeof-demeter

[templeof-demeter]

Demeter, mistress of vegetation,

of the seed resting within the black soil,

of the changing seasons and their pleasures,

of food and flower, field and furrow,

of rich harvests given or withheld,

all at your will, all by your sturdy hand,

I thank you for your many gifts,

for the many years of survival,

of life granted us by your kindness, goddess.

Demeter, loving mother of Persephone,

mother by marriage to stern Hades,

you show us what is most important,

where lies the true substance of our lives.

Necessary goddess, I honor you.

Devotion: Prayers to the Gods of the Greeks by Hearthstone

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I don't know who needs to hear this but it's ok if you can't hear your deities talking, whether physically or mentally

It's ok if you don't dream with them

It's ok if you can't feel their presence

It's ok, darling!

They still love you. They love you very dearly, just as much as you love them!

[templeof-demeter]

May Dionysus Androgynous look after my trans brothers, sisters, and siblings who need it the most right now. May He bless you with the comfort of knowing you're not alone and the ability to remember how much strength you truly possess. May He grant you a glimpse into the memories of the millions of trans souls who came before us, as we have always existed, and remind you of how incredibly resilient our community has always been.

Hail Dionysus, the Great Liberator! May He break the chains that bind us all and ignite the spark of revolution within our hearts. 💜🍇🥂🏳️‍⚧️

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

[templeof-demeter]

“ῥεῖ δὲ γάλακτι πέδον, ῥεῖ δ᾽ οἴνῳ, ῥεῖ δὲ μελισσᾶν νέκταρι. - The ground flows with milk, flows with wine, flows with the nectar of bees.”

— Euripides, Bacchae 142-3 (via terpsikeraunos)

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Demeter and Persephone designs :]

Explanations to my design choices:

Demeter

I portrayed her as an older woman, being the older sister to the big three. She is a tired but a loving and caring mother, despite everything she’s gone through. Her colors are warm ofc, her hair blonde like wheat and her skin as wheat bread, but despite being generous and sharing her harvest, Demeter isnt afraid to take it away. Sometimes she can be scary.

Persephone

I drew as a full grown adult because im a bit tired of ppl drawing her as a teenager or a child. Kore helps her mother and works with her.

She is covered in flowers, her overworld wear is the opposite in color placement compared to Demeters. Her hair is puffy and big (takes the trait from Zeus)

In her underworld attire, she wears a pomegranate crown, and is showered with Hades riches like gold and red gems, her hair is calm and braided, her freckles fading, and her skin pale.

it was so fun drawing them!!! Would be interested in hearing what you think, maybe even share your own interpretations of them!

[templeof-demeter]

to those who feel like they haven’t been doing enough in their practice or have any doubts (this message is dedicated to myself as well):

what matters isn’t the material or quantitative worth of your practice and worship. you don’t need to be overly extravagant. you don’t need to spend absurd amounts of money to get new things for an altar. it’s okay to dedicate the tiny little trinkets you find in your house or while you’re out of the house. you don’t even need to set up an altar if you’re unable to in any way, shape, or form. worship doesn’t focus on physical quantity as much as it values intent and quality.

to those who can’t practice openly, it’s okay to be silent with your worship. it’s okay to not have an area to dedicate to your gods, and if you do, it’s okay if it’s hidden in a closet or a box. it’s okay to have prayers, hymns, and/or messages written in notebooks or typed into your notes app on your phone.

to those who struggle with worship because of any physical/mental difficulties. the gods understand us more than you think. once again, there’s no need for over-the-top extravagance. a simple good morning, good night, whispered prayer, or devotional act like simply getting out of bed or even just drinking some water is sufficient. you’re doing your best and the gods can see that.

to those who question whether their belief is real. whether the lingering presence they can sense beside them or in the back of their mind is truly the god(s) you worship or are trying to reach out to; trust yourself. trust your intuition. no one knows your practice better than you do and no god will try to impersonate another just to screw with your mind. they have no need for that.

remember to take care of yourself. remember to prioritize your mental wellbeing when things get tough. do not compare yourself or your practice to the people around you. we are all different. we are all unique. you matter, you are of great value, you are worth it, you are cared for, and you are loved. never forget that ♡

[templeof-demeter]

Like Kore, the soul descends into genesis, like Dionysus she is scattered by generation, like Prometheus and the Titans she is chained to the body. She frees herself by acquiring the strength of Hercules, gathers herself together through the help of Apollo and of Athena the Savior, i.e. by truly purifying philosophy, and she elevates herself to the causes of her being with Demeter.

- Damascius’ Commentary on Plato’s Phaedo I

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Queenly Deo, the sender of splendid gifts 🌾

To Demeter Eleusinia. O universal mother, Deo famed, august, the source of wealth, and various named: great nurse, all-bounteous, blessed and divine, who joyest in peace; to nourish corn is thine. Goddess of seed, of fruits abundant, fair, harvest, and threshing are thy constant care. Lovely delightful queen, by all desired, who dwellest in Eleusis' holy vales retired. Nurse of all mortals, who benignant mind first ploughing oxen to the yoke confined; and gave to men what nature's wants require, with plenteous means of bliss, which all desire. In verdure flourishing, in glory bright, assessor of great Bromios bearing light: rejoicing in the reapers' sickles, kind, whose nature lucid, earthly, pure, we find. Prolific, venerable, nurse divine, thy daughter loving, holy Kore . A car with Drakones yoked 'tis thine to guide, and, orgies singing, round thy throne to ride. Only-begotten, much-producing queen, all flowers are thine, and fruits of lovely green. Bright Goddess, come, with summer's rich increase swelling and pregnant, leading smiling peace; come with fair concord and imperial health, and join with these a needful store of wealth. --- The Orphic hymn to Demeter

✿❊✿❊✿❊✿❊✿❊

Portrait of Demeter, I was mainly practicing working with colors and drew from a lot of artistic references for this. Overall, I'm happy with the piece (despite how rough and messy she still looks) , and I had a lot of fun working on this for her

🌾I hope that everyone is doing well, and may Demeter keep your plate full and your cup overflowing 🌾

[templeof-demeter]

“Are you not aware that all offerings whether great or small that are brought to the gods with piety have equal value, whereas without piety, I will not say hecatombs, but, by the gods, even the Olympian sacrifice of a thousand oxen is merely empty expenditure and nothing else?”

— Julian “To the Cynic Heracleios” in The Works of the Emperor Julian (1913) edited by W. Heinemann, Vol II, p. 93 (via honorthegods)

[templeof-demeter]

ANTHESTERIA STARTS TOMORROW (NEXT THREE DAYS), MY FAVORITE FESTIVAL!!!!

For those celebrating, I hope you have a wonderful time! For those who are unfamiliar with the festival, here are some informative posts and the like:

~ 🍇 ~

Information:

On Antheaterion - @kallisto-aglaia

Anthesteria - @thegodsaremyhome

Anthesteria - @dionysusmybeloved

Ancient Greece's Biggest Festival: The Anthesteria - @margaretkart

Anthesteria - The First Day, Pithoigia - @aceofcupsbiggestfan

Anthesteria - The Second Day, Kheos - @aceofcupsbiggestfan

Anthesteria - The Third Day, Khytrai - @aceofcupsbiggestfan

Rethinking The Anthesteria - @thegrapeandthefig

Celebrating Anthesteria Without Alcohol - @thegrapeandthefig

Anthesteria - Hellenion.org (I do not personally endorse Hellenion, based on things I've heard about them, but they can still be a helpful resource)

Anthesteria - Britannica.org

The Anthesteria - World History Encyclopedia.org

Devotion:

Anthesteria Dionysus Invocation - @beatingdrumspouringwine

Protrygaios Hymn/Poem - @beatingdrumspouringwine

Orphic Hymn 46 to Dionysus - @dionysusmybeloved

Hermes Chthonios Hymn/Poem - @sanguinebutch

Anthesteria, Khytrai Lyre Melody - @princesmeadow

Anthesteria - @nyxshadowhawk (found on @dionysia-ta-astika )

Personal Dionysian Ritual, First Day - @beatingdrumspouringwine

Flower Poem For Bacchus/Poema-florido Pra Baco - @piristephes

Anthesteria Playlist - @nyxshadowhawk

Orphic Hymn 30 to Dionysus - @kallisto-aglaia

Celebration Ideas For Anthesteria - @khaire-traveler (me)

~ 🍇 ~

Have a lovely Anthesteria, everyone, and remember to put up protections to prevent any wandering spirits from sticking around ~~~

Hail Dionysus!!! 💜💚

[templeof-demeter]

the first day of spring

[templeof-demeter]

Haloa festival

The Haloa is yet another of those Winter Solstice festivals. @dionysiandevotee made a post a few days ago about the Brumalia, which is the Roman counterpart of the Greek Haloa. 

Similarly to the Brumalia, the festival focuses on Demeter, Poseidon and Dionysus. However, the timing and deities involved are where the similarities end. 

Quick historical background and purpose of the festival

The festival was celebrated in Athens and then continued on in Eleusis where the first fruits were carried. It is therefore closely linked with Demeter’s mysteries. It was an important festival for women, who were expected to participate. Men, on the other hand, were expected to pay for them and were excluded of the women-only celebrations. The general consensus is that the festival was related to threshing (the process of loosening the edible part of cereal grain after harvest), and that Dionysus was added later on. Very possibly because it is at this time of year that the soil around the vineyards are cut and hoed, and the first fermentation cycle completed.  

Celebrations

The celebration included a procession and sporting events which were open to all citizens. Then, there would be a feast that included genital shaped cakes/baked goods. It is likely that the men honored Poseidon while the women were having their own ritual to Demeter and Dionysus.

Because the festival is sacred to Demeter, some food restrictions apply. Avoid offerings of pomegranates, meat (”flesh” but it’s possible some fish and/or fowl might have served), and it is possible that eggs and apples were also excluded. On the other hand, offerings of cakes (genital shaped if possible) and of fruits were made. The consumption of wine seems to also have been an important component of worship. Sexual symbols in general are a custom of the festival, and the sexual symbolism of the offerings were accompanied by “lustful words” that probably included crude jokes and sexual word play. 

How to celebrate it today? Possible ideas.

The usual would be to read hymns to the three deities involved: Demeter, Dionysus and Poseidon. Offering wise, fruits (no pomegranates or apples!), cereals and wine are especially appropriate. Holding a feast is obviously an extra if possible. 

Baking is also a good devotional activity, and you can make the baked good genital shaped if you are comfortable with it. 

Granted, the Haloa is not the most minor-friendly celebration. If you are an adult and comfortable with sexual imagery, you can dedicate erotic acts and/or consume erotic entertainment, especially jokes and written works. 

Have fun!

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Hello, friends!

My queue is back in motion for one post a day. We have ordered a new laptop and I am looking into some changes to reduce my social media time. That being said, this blog is different being a religious blog so I hope to be here for a long time!

Unfortunately, there will be no February divination as my days are packed. I am finding time for myself and my private worship, but in doing so have less time for public.

I hope the days have been well for you all, I know times are harrowing for followers in America and surrounding, so I hope we all are taking the necessary time to take care of ourselves and our communities.

May your hands be blessed!

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since it’s a scary time to be trans: refuge restrooms is an app which maps gender-neutral/single-stall restrooms. it’s community-mapped, so it’s possible you might be the first person to log the restroom locations, but hopefully it’ll help some people.

please reblog this post if you’ve got trans followers. stay safe.

[templeof-demeter]

January divination with Demeter

1. What message do you have for followers of the temple?

Knight of Cups

King of Cups

Demeter is letting us know that even if our projects and dreams do not come to fruition as quickly as we desire, and if they do not come to fruition at all, that it is okay. We have the capabilities in us to handle challenges in mature ways, even if our first response feels immature or mercurial. What we get may not be what we expect, so this is a time to practice navigating confusions and strong emotions. Do not be upset by your human nature and response, but do work on growth and change to become better where you need to be.

2. What advice do you have for followers who may be going through difficult times this month

Knight of Wands

Sigma

Be bold with your choices. Demeter reminds us to not always stick to the status quo, just as she did not. If Demeter had stuck to what was expected to do we would not have our seasons, our Homeric Hymn, and she would never see her beloved daughter Persephone again. You may not have your vision or goals set, but that shouldn’t stop you from working on yourself and finding out those goals.

“Apollo speaks plainly; stay, friend.”

3. What signs or symbols should followers be looking out for this month?

Nine of Wands

Motivational quotes, groups of nine, yellows, leaves

This does not mean everything we see is a sign, but to look out for notable aspects of these things. Such as a group of nine animals when you’ve only ever seen one or two, or for newly painted yellow walls, etc. Use discretion.

[templeof-demeter]

Update: Likely getting it replaced, and I am working on queuing many posts for the temple as I attempt to fix my attention span and work more towards my personal goals. The ask box is always open, and the discord active! Just needing time to work and grow myself.

01/12/2025 - Question of the Week

I will be taking a break from QOTW until I get my laptop fixed. Thank you for your patience!