The Delphians offered sacrifices to Apollo the cuffer; the Cretans and Spartans to Apollo the racer; and the dedication of spoils taken in the wars and trophies to Apollo Pythias show that he is of great power to give victory in war.
everybody in the dark academia community be thinking latin is all romantic when in reality its crying over irregular verbs and wondering why the same verb means ‘wear’ and ‘wage war’
I’m not being paid to promote this haha, but I have to share my adoration of Sam Guay’s Blood Moon Tarot! It consists of a full set of 78 standard-sized tarot cards, with original watercolor art on each one. The minor arcana consists of Dreams, Songs, Skins, and Honey!
The roman-era greek poet Mesomedes is said to be the composer of a few ancient melodies that we know of. One of them that I seldom see around here is the said Hymn to the Sun - an hymn to the Sun-God Helios, although bear in mind with me that on this particular era (around the 2nd century ACE), I believe Apollon and Helios were already very much conflated, the same goes for Artemis/Diana/Selene.
But without further ado, let’s appreciate the song a bit. Which, by the way, you can listen to here.
Hymn to the Sun
English:
Father of the Dawn with her snow-white eyelids, you who follow in your rose-pink chariot the track of your flying steeds, exulting in the gold of your hair, twining your darting rays across the boundless vault of sky, whirling around the whole earth the thread of your all-seeing beams, while flowing rivers of your deathless fire beget the lovely day.
For you the peaceful chorus of stars dance their measure across Olympos their lord, forever singing their leisured song, rejoicing in the music of Apollo’s lyre; and leading them the silvery-grey Moon marshals the months and seasons, drawn by her team of milk-white heifers. And your benevolent mind rejoices as it whirls around the manifold raiment of the universe.
Portuguese:
Pai da Aurora com suas pálpebras alvas como a neve, tu que segues em sua carruagem rósea a pista de seus alados corcéis, exultando com o ouro do seu cabelo, entrelaçando seus raios dardejantes através da abóbada sem limites do Céu girando em torno de toda a Terra o fio de seus raios onividentes, enquanto fluem rios de seu fogo imortal que geram o amável Dia.
Para ti, o coro pacífico das Estrelas Dançam sua medida n'Olimpo, seu senhor, para sempre cantando sua canção de desenfado regozijando-se com a música da lira de Apolo; E conduzindo-as a Lua (Selene)cinza-argêntea, comanda os meses e as estações, desenhados por sua equipe de novilhas brancas como leite. E sua mente benevolente se alegra enquanto giras em torno das múltiplas vestes do universo.
I hope you guys appreciate it! May we always honour the Gods with their lovely hymns and art. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong on something or even expand the post.
Wounds: Anger management, lack of self-worth, aloofness and isolationism, cutthroat competition style—needing to be #1 or refusing to participate, comparing and despairing
Healing Gifts: Empowering people to embrace their individuality, channeling anger into creative expression, fearless individuality, modeling independence
Chiron in Taurus (or 2nd House):♉
Wounds: Stubborn resistance to (and fear of) change, following the flock instead of forming your own values and beliefs, addiction to comforts like eating and drinking, materialism and money struggles
Healing Gifts: Creating serene environments, savvy financial planning, holding down the fort during turbulent times, calm in the storm, practical magic, teaching/modeling traditional wisdom
Chiron in Gemini (or 3rd House):♊
Wounds: Fear of being alone (without a “Twin“), approval-seeking, nervous chatter or addiction to gossip, constant pivoting that makes it impossible to finish what you start (Sparklepony Syndrome), anxiety about being judged, sibling rivalry
Healing Gifts: Play-based learning, communication arts, cooperation and mediation, using wit and humor as a tool for connection, putting people at ease/inclusivity
Chiron in Cancer (or 4th House):♋
Wounds: Trouble feeling “at home” or safe—both in your body and in the world, hoarding resources and money, emotional eating, xenophobia and “stranger danger,” family dysfunction (possibly with the mother)
Healing Gifts: Creating a safe haven for community, empowering women, nutritional wisdom/nourishing with food, savvy financial planning
Chiron in Leo (or 5th House):♌
Wounds:Need for validation, attention and approval, presenting a false front, addiction to drama and intensity, romance/love addiction, chasing the high
Healing Gifts: Empowering others through authentic self-expression, playfulness and healthy hedonism, using the arts to uplift and spread a positive message
Chiron in Virgo (or 6th House):♍
Wounds: Debilitating perfectionism, people-pleasing, distorted self-image (body image), anxiety about people’s judgments, being excessively critical of others, hypochondria
Healing Gifts: Creating structures to help people improve their lives (from home organization to wellness), being a storehouse of practical wisdom, creating empowering media
Chiron in Libra (or 7th House):♎
Wounds: Inability to commit to relationships, paralyzing indecision, romanticizing, trying to force peace at any price, trouble ending relationships
Healing Gifts: Fostering peaceful communication and harmonious compromises, diplomacy, creating beauty and heart-opening experiences, being a messenger for Cupid
Chiron in Scorpio (or 8th House):♏
Wounds: Nihilism, sexual addiction (possibly springing from childhood sexual abuse), power struggles, jealousy and obsession, trouble leaving bad relationships
Healing Gifts: Soul-deep sexual healing, alchemy (turning “trash” into treasure), helping people through extreme life passages such as births, deaths and other transitions
Chiron in Sagittarius (or 9th House):♐
Wounds:Fanatical or zealous beliefs, disruptive nomadic tendencies, aggressive or tactless communication style, chasing the “high” of the next big thing
Healing Gifts: Revealing higher truths with compassion, fostering diversity and inclusivity, creating conscious media, laughter as medicine
Chiron in Capricorn (or 10th House):♑
Wounds:Obsessive ambition, using career as an escape, fixation on gaining status and approval, family dysfunction (possibly showing up as daddy issues)
Healing Gifts: Levelheaded leadership, environmental consciousness, utilizing resources to provide for everyone
Chiron in Aquarius (or 11th House):♒
Wounds:Destructive rebellion, scientific detachment from emotions, trying to “fit in”
Healing Gifts: Social justice/activism, fostering utopian communities and a sharing economy both online and IRL, uplifting idealism
Chiron in Pisces (or 12th House):♓
Wounds: Fear of asserting boundaries, escapism, addiction, denial/not living in reality, having a parent with an addiction or who was mentally ill
Healing Gifts: Helping people let go of limiting beliefs, spiritual and esoteric leadership, psychic/metaphysical/shamanic powers, helping people live out their fantasies
Moon in Fire signs People with their Moon in Fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) feel things strongly, dramatically and aggressively. They are quick to react and usually hold nothing back. You’ll know what they’re feeling because they make it obvious that somethings up. More so than any other element, the Fire Moon signs feel things passionately. They are quick to anger and can ruffle up a few feathers in the process. But more than anything the Fire Moon signs are trail-blazers and highly energetic. They make the best out of any situation because of their optimism and enthusiasm.
Moon in Earth signs People with their Moon in Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) feel things in an impacting way, they just don’t show it. The Earth Moon signs usually aim for being responsible and having things under control. More than anything, they crave security and stability in their lives. It is important for the Earth sign Moon to have a set routine because through this they can be highly productive and get things done fast. They don’t do well in chaotic situations because of how things spiral out of control, but somehow they still manage to remain calm and grounded.
Moon in Air signs People with their Moon in Air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) feel things in a deep manner, but they don’t show this side of them; they detach. Air Moon signs would much rather process their emotions completely before they react. They want to have a reason as to why they’re feeling that way. The Air Moon signs love engaging in conversations and have a thirst for knowledge. Socializing is something that they enjoy doing and are exceptionally good at it. Everyone seems to love the enthusiasm, laid back nature of the Air sign Moon!
Moon in Water signs People with their Moon in Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) feel things for what they are but with a lasting impact. Of all the Moon signs, it’s none other than the Water Moon signs that feel things deeply, in an almost all-consuming way. They are passionate and sentimental, highly sensitive to their surroundings and the feelings of others. The Water Moon signs are blessed with intuition and more than anyone; they are usually empaths. However, since they feel things so strongly, they should be careful of becoming too overwhelmed and lost in their own feelings.
Rain is such a holy experience, it’s so primal and reverent, there’s just something about the idea of lakes and oceans and rivers taking up residence in the sky, something about that smell about petricore that grips your lungs. There’s something about it’s forgiveness, about it soaking you through to the skin. About the pitter-patter of the roofs that brings an effervescent calm. Something about it that feels ardent, having known the earth for so long
Hello it’s me again with a post I was meant to put online three weeks ago! I’ve done several of these: Artemis-Demeter - I also made one for Hermes during my 30 days challenge but I’ve just realized it’s quite short so I will be making a new one again at some point in the future.
What are devotional acts?
Devotional acts, or devotional activities/practices are things one can do in order to honor a deity, just like one would do with physical offerings or prayer. In short, instead of giving, say, wine, you will offer time and energy (the mundane one). You would typically look at a deity’s domains and pick some things related to them.
So here is a list of things you might do, in the hope that it would spark some ideas. Of course the list in non-exhaustive !
☀️Study academic fields (sciences or humanities) - dedicating your studies to him can be one of the easiest devotional act you can do. Can be for school/uni/work or simply your research related to the hellenic path. He’s all about the pursuit of knowledge so no matter the field, you can dedicate this time to him. It’s a side of him that is a bit forgotten as people will think of Athena first, but it is completely in line with his domains as a god of Knowledge and Education.
☀️ Art and Music making and appreciation - he is the god of music and all the fine arts so you can dedicate the practice of these things to him and call upon his aid to develop your skills and sensibilities. The mastery of Arts requires the combination of technical skills, emotional sensibility, the capacity to break down things mentally, and the creativity to bring out solutions, things that are his domains as a god of Reason and Expression. If you don’t make art, you can simply dedicate some time to your appreciation of those fields by going to an exhibition or a concert.
☀️Honoring the Muses - his epithet Musagetesmeans leader of the muses and is meant to connect him to the Arts, as previously mentioned. However, you could also take that more litteraly and devote your time forming a relationship with the Muses to him.
☀️Write and appreciate poetry - made this a separate entry for how important this was to the Ancients. Without judging yourself, write your thoughts and feelings freely and see it as an expression of your mind and soul. Alternatively, lose yourself into the writings of others.
☀️ Working around health - Apollo is the god who inflicts but also relieves plagues, and the father of Asclepios. He is thus linked to the medical field and any practice related to that would be a great idea. One of his epithets, Acestor, means healer.
☀️Philosophy- Apollo is the patron of those who seek truth and wisdom, so not only would studying philosophies and religions be a neat idea, the most important would be to adopt that mindset and make sure you reflect on your values, the meaning of your life, your place in society, etc… The delphic maxims can be a good place to start, not to use them as dogmas but rather to stimulate your own thoughts and spark questions. When I think of Apollo I think of a god who wants us to keep questioning the world and ourself and push us to a better understanding of things and to build our own sense of ethics.
☀️Introspection - As an extension of that, practising a form of introspection as a way to shed light on the most unknown parts of yourself and seeking understanding of your whole self. Keep an journal to write down your introspection sessions can be a great devotional act and would draw his good influence upon you.
☀️Pursue the best version of yourself (with kindness) - to some extent all gods want to see you become the best version of yourself, but I don’t know why, maybe it’s a bit of an UPG, but I see Apollo as the one who thrives for perfection the most and works hard for that. Just be careful that this doesn’t become unhealthy and that you are always doing this with kindness and love for yourself.
☀️Celebrate the blessings the light and the warmth of the sun gives us - he isn’t the Sun himself (that is Helios) but he is undeniably linked to the Sun and its light so he is the one I go to when I want to celebrate the bright season and its blessings. Personally I intend to celebrate the summer solstice with him.
☀️Practice methods of divination - he is the god of prophecy and oracles and one you can go to to improve your ability to divine. He isn’t the only god whose domain is of one form of divination (Hermes has ornithomancy and astragyromancy, and Zeus had oracles), but he was the one who spoke through the Pythia so you can dedicate the development of your psychic senses to him. Also, Tarot is a relatively modern invention but I link it to him due to the fact that it’s an elaborated system through which spontaneous insight arises.
☀️Teaching- giving a drawing or music class, or just anything really. The idea of transferring your knowledge and allowing someone else to become more skilled at something. Especially great with the youth since Apollo is one of its protectors.
☀️Crafting things for your altar - maybe you want to make a laurel wreath (his sacred plant) to DIY your altar, or what about a scented candle containing solar plants, you could also use clay to shape little elements that you will paint later as a decoration. The possibilities are endless!
☀️Note on donations: an alternative to practising the activities I previously mentioned, you could also give your money to those causes and domains. For example: by supporting local artists or health-workers.
Religion should be a source of comfort and security. If it isn’t, then there’s something wrong with it.
Prayers aren’t just for times of needs. The gods are always around and willing to listen.
If you ask a god for help, be prepared for surprises. The gods don’t operate on the same level as mortals. They have their own ideas for what’s appropriate and suitable for dealing with things. It makes sense to them, even though we might not understand.
It’s cool to incorporate modern interpretations and retellings, but in my opinion, those are more for fun than anything else. There’s nothing wrong with being a fan of the Percy Jackson universe, but don’t base your perceptions of the gods that have been around for millennia off of a 21st century young adult fantasy series. If you’re actually interested in being a Hellenic Pagan, at least read some Hesiod and Homer.
A Pagan religion can work hand in hand with a witchcraft practice, or it can be completely separate from one. You certainly don’t have to have both. For me, being a Hellenic Pagan fits in with being a witch beautifully. But this doesn’t apply to everybody.
You don’t have to know everything. You won’t know everything. You never will. There are people who devote lifetimes to studying this stuff. You don’t have to wait till you know “enough” to start being a Hellenic Pagan and worshipping the gods. Pick your favorite god(s), and start with them. Pick a myth or two and start reading them.
You don’t have to follow all the ancient calendars and celebrate all the ancient holidays.
You don’t have to be devoted to one god, or choose a patron deity. Being a devotee can take a bit more time and commitment, and if you’re not up for it, that’s ok!
Don’t pigeonhole the gods. There are many different sides to them. Artemis is a virgin goddess, a wild goddess, and a midwife goddess. Apollo is a music god, a shepherd god, and a medicine god.
The modern day Hellenic priests and priestesses and their ancient Greek counterparts aren’t exactly alike.
You can ask gods to adopt you, even the ones who have never sired children of their own. It is perfectly acceptable to view the gods as divine parental figures.
Your practice is your own. Your relationship with the gods is personal. Don’t let anybody tell you how to be a Hellenic Pagan, and don’t let anybody tell you how to worship a god.
