#devotional polytheism

[seafoamsister]

┊ ➶ ｡˚ "mighty aphrodite rising out of the sea foam" henry courtney selous (1803-1890)°

happy april 3, this is dedicated to aphrodite !! blessed be ♡

#devotional polytheism #hellenic community #hellenism #hellenistic #hellenistic pagan #devotee #aphrodite #aphrodite devotee #aphrodite goddess #aphrodite devotion #aphrodite deity #aphrodite worship #goddess aphrodite #lady aphrodite #devotee of aphrodite #pagan witch #paganism #witchblr #witchcraft #sea witch

[lailoken]

Just a gentle reminder that there is a difference between Religious Theory based on historical research/reconstruction and Peronal Gnosis based on direct spiritual experience/intervention. I'm not trying to say one is better or more valid than the other—and I'm aware that there can be a certain degree of overlap—but all too often I see people speaking about Religious Reconstruction and Personal Gnosis like they're the exact same thing, when they're really not. And in my opinion, equating the natures of the two things diminishes the value of both.

#personal #magic #traditional witchcraft #witchcraft #pagan polytheism #devotional polytheism #personal gnosis #religious reconstruction

[skaldish]

There are certain things deities will never do and would be wildly inappropriate for them to try.

As a rule of thumb, deities will never do the following:

Dictate who you can/can't be friends with

Dictate which deities you're allowed/not allowed to venerate

Dictate who you can/can't be romantically involved with

Dictate your course in life

Threaten to leave if you can't/don't fulfill their requests

Ask you to stop taking your medications

Require you to observe a daily practice

Require you to spend tons of money on their behalf

Rush you into an oath, marriage, or some other binding contract

Prohibit you from doing certain activities

Withhold their affections if you do something they don't like

Shame you

Court minors (not in this day and age. Deities answer to the sensibilities of our time and society.)

If you see a deity act in any of these ways, you might be dealing with an impostor spirit or a mental sock-puppet, rather than the actual deity.

Impostors are petty spirits who disguise themselves as deities to mooch off undeserved worship.

Mental sock puppets are personal thoughts and insecurities projected onto an imaginary being.

And in instances where a deity is doing something you don't think is appropriate, you're always free to set boundaries. Gods don't get to act with impunity simply because they're gods.

#norse paganism #spirit work #deity work #lokean #polytheism #devotional polytheism

[broomsick]

Building a fragrant needfire as an offering

Or, how to combine witchcraft and paganism in a beautiful little craft. (As detailed in Arin Murphy-Hiscock’s The House Witch)

You will need:

A cauldron or fireproof dish strong enough to withstand intense heat. Nothing ceramic or glass!

A heatproof trivet, pad, or flat stone on which to place the cauldron securely.

Rubbing alcohol or any high-percentage alcohol available in liquor stores, such as vodka or brandy.

Epsom salts

Your choice of herbs and resins blend

A long-handled match

A large bag of sand or earth to pour over the fire of you need to douse it immediately

A heavy lid, to smother the flame if it goes out of control

A fire extinguisher as a backup

The steps!

1. Measure out equal parts of Epsom salts and alcohol. Place the salts in the bottom of the cauldron and pour the alcohol over them.

2. Pour the herbal mixture into the cauldron. Place the cauldron on the heatproof trivet or stone

3. Light the long-handled match and touch it to the mixture. It will burst into silent flame, the tops of the flames leaping above the cauldron. The fire will burn until the alcohol has been consumed. Throughout the fire, but more so when the flames begin to die away, you will hear tiny pops and sizzles as the salt cracks in the heat and the herbs and resins are consumed by the flames.

4. Do not even think about adding more alcohol into the cauldron while the flames are burning! Keep the alcohol/salt proportion equal until you are confident about handling the resulting fire; then and only then may you tweak the proportions. Never pour a large amount of alcohol over the salts; the resulting flames can be several feet high and can cause major damage to you or your house. Be safe and use common sense.

5. The fire will die away within a few minutes, but keep your sand, lid, and fire extinguisher handy in case you need them to put out the fire.

Watch your sleeves and hair, and keep the cauldron away from anything flammable, such as curtains.

Notes:

- The Epsom salts serve to soak up some of the alcohol and keep the fire burning in a more stable fashion!

- Instead of adding herbs directly into the salt, you can steep your selected herbs or flowers in the alcohol you plan to use. Steep them for at least 2 weeks, then strain and bottle the alcohol. Label it clearly and do not use it for any other purpose.

- Apart from making a lovely and fragrant offering, this sort of needfire is a wonderful way to scry, to cleanse a room or simply to meditate!

#deity work #crafts #witchcraft #fire #paganism #deities #spirituality #polytheism #heathenry #pagan #norse paganism #norse gods #offerings #rituals #devotional #devotionals #devotional polytheism

[devouredbyflame]

Deepening Relationships with the Divine

I see a lot of posts on Tumblr about how to go about having casual relationships, or showing your devotion subtly but never have I seen ways in which those who wish to move on from that realm of being would actually start having a dedicated practice. People don’t need to be subtle to worship the Gods - in fact, most practices aren’t blatant and don’t need to be blatant. It is understandable and often necessary to be in a closet but you can still have a very deep relationship with the Gods while it still being meaningful.

Here’s a list of things you can do to strengthen your devotion with the Gods as well as build and deepen your relationship.

Build a shrine dedicated to an individual Deity and take time to know Them by using it.

The idea that you need to have multiple Deities all the time and worship all of Them together is a very strange way of doing polytheism and it is a more powerful usage of space to have one singular Deity at a time rather than a mix together. People may feel less of a need to be so bent out of shape if they can’t afford offerings for an entire pantheon of Gods if they only have one household Deity and the rest are specific to other tasks or needs. I’m not saying you need to pick one above the rest, but I am saying that when you work with the Gods, it’s not about quantity of your relationships, it’s about quality and how long you actually spend together in a similar fashion.

Design your shrine to be simple.

You don’t need a bunch of things on your shrine and in fact, that won’t make it any more detectable to the Gods or show how dedicated you are as a polytheist. It is not about how much work you put into the shrine to make it more about the Gods you worship but it’s more along the line of what needs to happen when you go to the shrine, what actions you take while you’re there.

Hypothetically, all you need is a candle to light to show that you wish for a Deity’s presence, but to make it more usable and detectable to a Deity, it is recommended you also have an image, statue, or likeness of the Deity. You can also have a bowl or a glass to fill for your offerings. Do not make huge offerings if you are going to forget to empty them out. Only make the offerings that won’t rot should that be the case, and only do that if you know you’re going to throw it out, eat it, or dispose of it shortly after.

Make a plan to go to your shrine at least once a day if not several times a week.

The more time you spend at the shrine, the easier it will be for the Deity to realize your intent of showing interest. It isn’t because you’re more devoted, are special, or show any signs that you’re worth looking into, but rather, the concept is mostly around how much energy is built up gradually over time. Energy is only built up because of the amount of time you spend there and how much meaning is there. It is not some moral issue you should feel guilty about should it not happen.

The fact is, the Gods aren’t waiting around and checking off boxes above your head so when you fail They mark it against you for the rest of your time with Them. They are, however, flawed in the way that They only can go about recognizing the material world based off of the flow of energy and how much is stored that is unique to Them.

Having a journal at your shrine to write to Them in while a candle is lit is a perfect way of building a relationship. The act of writing is a perfect way to build energy.

Keeping a specific divination tool at the shrine for that single Deity to use and to build Their energy around is also extremely important. It has to be unique to Them while also being used and stored at the site where you are making the most attempts at being at your shrine.

It is important to keep the shrine contained in a way that makes sure that other energies cannot get in. So even if you are closeted or must keep it on the low, go to the craft store and get a photo storage box. You only need a few items in there to make it meaningful. Over time, the use of those items will become more and more sacred. You can take them in and out of the box - it doesn’t matter how it’s stored but as long as it is contained and out of reach of animals and other things that can be hazardous to them and also maintain the cleanliness of the shrine. If not a box, a closet, cabinet, or bookshelf that is high up are all good places to keep it.

If you’re going to keep the shrine out in an open space, make sure the environment around the area is kept free from dust, dirt, animal hair, organized and vacuumed around it. Dirt that is built up makes it harder for the Gods to reach you energetically - cleaning the room it is in is going to be required if you have it outside of a container. If you’re low on spoons or live in a place that is impossible, a box is perfect. As long as the items are kept tidy energetically, no harm would be done if you’re not super hellbent on keeping a very energetically and physically pristine home.

Most people don’t have the space to have a dedicated area that is solely meant to remain clean for the Gods it is dedicated to. If that’s you, don’t worry about having it out at all.

I realize I’ve spoken a lot about using a shrine in this post and that is really a very important thing when trying to build a better relationship with a Deity. It isn’t about who you are or what you’re doing, it’s about recognizing the importance of what the Deity needs to get to where you are first before going about creating a relationship. That’s all that matters for those starting out on the path looking for ways of transmuting their effort into a meaningful way instead of basing it off of appearances and looks.

Gods don’t have eyes and do not see the way humans can. It is necessary that you build up energy as that is what They are and how humans and Deities can interact. Your devotional actions will likely be unseen unless you do them based on the idea that it is repeated, somewhere dedicated to that Deity, or building up a framework of a practice to continue daily.

Not because it’s a moral issue, not because you should feel obligated, but because the Divine are not omnipotent beings who know everything going on and can see everything. Otherwise, you’re not going to get very far in your devotional activities or rituals.

The usage of a dedicated space over time will make communicating with the Gods easier. Consider a shrine like a window in this world for the Gods to look into. The more you use it, the easier it will be for Them to have access to you and the easier it will be for you to hear Them. Yes, discernment is important and having a sensitivity is a great start, but it’s not the only thing that matters in communicating with your Gods.

If you are having issues listening for and hearing the Gods, the problem likely is not just you, it’s that They cannot reach you. The Gods are the most obvious beings on this realm. They are enormous. They take up a lot of space and energy. Those who have experienced Them know that it is not subtle and the more you make it easier for Them to access you, the easier it will be to have Their energy available in order for Them to talk back in a meaningful way and use what’s available in your life to communicate.

Their presence is about as subtle as an elephant sitting in your bedroom. It really isn’t that hard to detect Them once you get the hang of having Them in your specific area in this way. You’ll also know you’re not hallucinating because there is no other experience quite like it. You really won’t know what hit you.

That’s all for now. For more tips on building a shrine or finding more material on this topic, check out my blog.

#deity work #devotional polytheism #mysticism #hellenic polythiest #norse paganism #norse polytheism #paganblr #deity worship #pagan blog #norse gods #pagan resources #beginner pagan #deity devotion #deity witchcraft #deity communication #norse deities #celtic polytheism #hellenic polytheism #polytheist #greek polytheism #beginner witch #paganism #building a shrine #devotional mysticism #deities #devotional activities #metaphysical #metaphyics #energy work #meaningful relationships

[grimnirs-child]

thinking about prayer as hope. as the audacity and courage to dream of life being better. of the possibility of good things. as the joyful strength of knowing we can weave our own wyrd, and weave it well. as the trust that the Gods love us and that we deserve that love.

#heathen #devotional polytheism

[little-sebastophant]

The Lemuralia

Today, May 13th, the Classical Church of Byzantium Novum reverently observes the Lemuralia, also known as Lemuria. The Lemuralia was one of the unluckiest days of the ancient Roman calendar — Ovid tells us it was originally instituted by Romulus to placate or ward off the vengeful spirit of the murdered Remus, and this aspect remained as the Lemuralia came to be associated with banishing all lemures; restless and malignant shades of the dead who became kinless and neglected in the afterlife. This banishment was accomplished at midnight as the paterfamilias went throughout the house casting beans behind him, to be gathered by the ghosts unseen, and accompanied by the banging of pots and pans. Following ancient tradition this occasion is one of only a handful of dies ater on the Church Kalendar; naturally to be condemned as a black and inauspicious day. Members of the Church are therefore exhorted to mindfully abstain from acts of violence, quarrelling, physical labour insofar as reasonable, beginning any new project, unnecessary travel, unnecessary risks, mentioning Father Jupiter or Father Janus, or the performance of religious rites public or private.

#paganism #polytheism #devotional polytheism #deity devotion #religio romana #roman paganism #cultus deorum #greek polytheism #hellenic polytheism #pagan #deity work #deity worship #hellenic devotion #roman polytheism #hellenic pagan #hellenism #paganblr #polytheist #hellenic worship #kemetic polytheism

[scrunkly-does-spellwork]

15 Days Of Aphrodite Worship — Day 3

[Plain text: 15 days of Aphrodite worship — Day 3]

Day 3 — Aphrodite's Symbols And Attributes

• Girdle — Aphrodite was said to have a magical girdle, which was able to inspire love, passion, and desire. Hera occasionally would borrow this item from Aphrodite to reunite quarreling spouses.

• Dove — Both white and turtle-doves were sacred to Aphrodite, as they are considered birds of love and peace. Doves were also said to draw her heavenly chariot.

• Goose — Aphrodite was sometimes depicted riding the white goose.

• Cockle-Shell — The cockle-shell is what Aphrodite is sometimes depicted as emerging from during her birth. The half-opened shell can also represent a woman’s genitalia.

• Hare — The hare was said to be sacred to Aphrodite, mainly because of their high libido. They were sometimes presented to Aphrodite as a gift.

• Apple — The apple and the apple tree were both sacred to Aphrodite. Apples are shown in many of her myths.

• Pomegranate — With the pomegranate symbolizing female fertility, this fruit was also sacred to Aphrodite.

• Lettuce — The lettuce was sometimes said to be sacred to Aphrodite due to it appearing in some of her myths.

• Myrtle and Myrrh — Both of these plants were said to be sacred to Aphrodite due to their appearance in some of her myths.

• Anemone — Once again appearing in her myths, the red anemone was said to be sacred to Aphrodite.

• Rose — Roses are regarded as a symbol of love and passion, which is something Aphrodite rules over.

• Pearl — The pearl is sometimes regarded as a stone of love, and is sometimes considered sacred to Aphrodite.

#🐚 — Aphrodite Devotion #15 Days Of Devotion #deity #deity work #deity worship #hellenic deities #hellenic devotion #hellenic polytheism #polytheism #polytheist #devotional polytheism #hellenism #hellenistic #hellenic polythiest #aphrodite #goddess aphrodite #aphrodite goddess #aphrodite devotee #aphrodite devotion #aphrodite worship

[strange-lights-and-stardust]

Hello crafty Tumblr, did you know I make Tiny Gods, and also tiny mermaids and fairies. There are rumors of tiny witches but you didn't hear that from me.

Here is my Etsy, please share to help me get the word out!

I'm a queer neurodivergent disabled trans guy trying to support myself without much of a family safety net, so help is always appreciated.

#crochet #handmade #pagan crafts #mermaid #fairy #altar decor #amigurumi #hellenic deities #that's who's mostly in the picture but i make other pantheons too #devotional polytheism #polytheist art #pagan gods #pagan goddesses

[thea-in-the-abbey]

Hail Meter Theon, celebrated most on high. Come with rattling drums and fervent accompaniment. Panthers, vultures, bears, lions, bees, and the worms of the earth; all come to the sound of your ringing voice. Come with madness in your midst and also with Liber, and your devotees. Come with your shining stars and Attis crowned in your mysteries. Mountain Mistress the Earth. The Seas, and all the Heavens circle your mural crown. You oh Mother, named for where you dance: I name you Appalachia. I name you Blue. I name you Green. I name you with the names of my lineage, and all the gods, and all the names of the divine and the heavens. I name you Madness and Reason. You are the Initiate and the Initiator. The great Mother and Granny Found Deep in Pines thickets. On soft padded paws you come. With glowing amber eyes you come. With sharp teeth and blood running down your thighs you come! Of mother of mystery, oh mother of the cosmos; engulfed in rapture you come. You who is the cosmic soul- you are and you are not. Oh sweet madness- from what is rational, from what is binding and oppressive-you release your devotees; and from our lips we sing eternal your shinning name.

#cybele #hellenic polytheism #devotional polytheism #appalachia #Meter Theon #Mountain Mother

[seafoamsister]

self care is a devotional act. washing your hands is a devotional act. finding beauty in something or someone is a devotional act. finding beauty in yourself is a devotional act. loving friends, family, pets, & partners is a devotional act. devotional acts dont have to be these grand gestures, because the gods & goddesses appreciate you; especially when youre enjoying the life they bestowed upon you

happy venus day everyone !!

𓆩♡𓆪

#devotional polytheism #hellenic community #hellenism #hellenistic #hellenistic pagan #devotee #aphrodite #aphrodite devotee #aphrodite devotion #aphrodite goddess #aphrodite deity #aphrodite worship #goddess aphrodite #lady aphrodite #lady of the moon #devotee of aphrodite #witchblr #pagan witch #sea witch #witchcraft

[lokixo]

looking for a lokean worship playlist? here is mine!

lmk if you have any song recs, im always looking for something new to add!

#loki devotee #lokean #norse paganism #rokkatru #daily practice #deity worship #ref #Spotify #for loki #loki #devotional playlist #devotional polytheism #polytheism #devotional #loki deity #loki* #mythology loki

[siamkram]

Do not praise your own faith so exclusively that you disbelieve all the rest. If you do this you will miss much good. Nay, you will miss the whole truth of the matter. God, the Omniscient and the Omnipresent, cannot be confined to any one creed, for He says in the Quran, wheresoever ye turn, there is the face of Allah. Everybody praises what he knows. His God is his own creature, and in praising it, he praises himself. Which he would not do if he were just, for his dislike is based on ignorance.

Ibn Arabi

#ibn arabi #quotes #religion #karen armstrong #arabic quotes #god #allah #the perennial philosophy #theism #devotional polytheism

[broomsick]

Gave myself the challenge to try and capture what Baldr’s presence feels like to me, in a way that I could share with you guys! So here is a little mood board made out of gif’s. I also picked out three songs that feel like Baldr to me: Nysnö (Sandra Marteleur), Baldr (Gealdyr), Du gamla du fria (Jonna Jinton).

#hail Baldr #Baldr #heathenry #paganism #norse paganism #spirituality #norse gods #deity work #deities #polytheism #devotional #mood board #norse polytheism #devotional polytheism

[devouredbyflame]

Basics of Deity Communication - Part 2

How do I know whether my message is received? How do I know it’s Them responding?

No one can really know for sure whether or not you’re speaking to the Deity you think you are. There are certain ways, however, to know whether it is possible you are speaking to the right one or not but it takes an immense amount of trial and error. This is why experimentation is somewhat the most important way to get through this sort of discernment. It’s important to be open to being wrong no matter how hard it is and how many other people think it’s right while also holding onto the fact that you might also have been right while other people have told you otherwise. 

However, if a message has been received and it is appropriate to respond to, the Gods tend to respond in Their own time. Most answers to questions I’ve ever asked Loki have gotten back to me and most of the time He has guided me to the answer in some way or shape. Often, finding resources, listening to songs on shuffle, things popping into my mind at random are all the ways in which He has responded to my questions before I got close to Him in the way that hearing Him is not much of a problem anymore.

Read the rest of this post here:

#norse polytheism #mysticism #devotional polytheism #paganblr #deity work #norse gods #norse paganism #deity worship #lokean #pagan blog #devotional #polytheistic #polytheist #celtic polytheism #norse pagan #paganism #loki deity #norse loki #Lokean resource #guide #pagans of tumblr #pagan community #spirituality #nature based religion #religions #greek polytheism #pagan resources #polytheist resource #deity communication #divine communication

[grimnirs-child]

Next installment of my Handmaidens Project is up on my Wordpress! This time it is all about Lofen & Siofen, my Old English interpretations of Lofn & Sjöfn, Goddesses of love and especially forbidden love.

I go into Their attestations in the Eddas, some of my personal UPG & epithets for Them, and what They have to teach us this Pride month about altruism, compassion, and the sanctity of queer love.

Hail Lofen! Hail Siofen! And Hail the mighty Queer, Trans and Intersex Ancestors!

#heathen #inclusive heathenry #lgbt heathenry #polytheism #norse polytheism #paganism #devotional polytheism #this is officially the halfway mark for the main bit of the project btw #i am pumped