#lares

[coinandcandle]

Spirits of Place - Genius Loci

Ever since I was young I always felt that the world around me was full of energy, of spirit. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized that what I was feeling exists, and there's a name for it. I’m talking about the spirits of place called Genius Loci.

This is going to be a brief guide to Genius Loci. I’ll put links throughout the post so that you can read more if you’re interested!

What does it mean?

Genius Loci is the term used most often and it is essentially a spirit of a place, often cities or towns but can be anywhere.

The name is Roman, the plural being Genii Loci, and they were sometimes depicted in art as human-like beings holding a cornucopia, a patera (libation bowl) or a snake. There would be altars set up for these Genius Loci all throughout the western Roman Empire.

The idea of a spirit of a place exists in so many cultures. In some places like Thailand there are Lak mueang (Thai: หลักเมือง)--or city pillars erected and often placed in shrines dedicated to the city's deity (or deities).

In other places, like in Southeast Asia, spirit houses are created and placed in or near businesses, shrines, and sometimes houses.

The Romans also had household spirits or deities called Di Penates as well as Lares–guardian spirits/deities.

The term Genius Loci is sometimes used in a more modern way to indicate a nonliteral version of “spirit of a place”, similar to the “vibe” or feel of a certain architecture, design, or environment of the place.

How is it different from Animism?

The short explanation of animism is that everything, animal, plant, object, the ground, etc. has a spirit or spiritual essence. The difference lies in that Genii Loci are the spiritual embodiment of a place, meaning they embody all of its vibes and don't represent only one aspect of it.

How is it different from a Tutelary deity?

As mentioned before, a Genius Loci embodies the place, whereas a Tutelary deity/spirit is the guardian or protector of that place. Tutelary deities/spirits can be Genii Loci and vice versa, but they aren’t always one in the same.

Does every place have one?

Yes! Every place can (and probably does) have a Genius Loci, some places may even have more than one. They may have different names for them depending on the culture and lore they come from, though. If you plan on interacting with them make sure to ask what they prefer to be referred to as. (See Types of Household Deities at the bottom)

How do I interact with them?

First of all: you never have to interact with them if you don’t want to. 

If you would like to interact with them, though, there are a few ways that you can achieve this:

First spend some time with them. Hang out in the area that you'd like to interact with the Genii Loci. Get to know them.

Make sure you're being respectful!

Set up a spirit house or shrine.

Leave offerings out (but make sure they are safe to leave outside and are biodegradable OR that you come retrieve the offerings later) and let them know that it's there for them specifically.

Clean up the area. No one likes when their space is dirty!

Listen. What do you hear? The spirits may just reach out to you after you've shown your willingness to hear what they have to say.

You don't have to literally hear voices, there are several different ways that you can talk with spirits and metaphysical beings. You can use divination methods like tarot, runes, oracle cards, or you can meditate and see if you get any visions/information that come to you.

Also, you don't have to wait for them to reach out, chances are they won't try and contact you first. Feel free to let them know that you'd like to speak with them and that you're open to communicating with them.

Ps: A Genius Loci likely isn't going to tell you to hurt yourself or others. If it seems like the spirit you're speaking to is being very hateful and/or aggressive it's probably best to back off. Even if it is a Genius Loci (a really mad one) you should leave them be if they are being aggressive towards you. Especially if you're pretty new with spirit work.

If you’re interested in this, you may want to check out:

Genius Loci: The Ancient Worship of Spirits of Place or Land Spirits

Animism - The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Anthropology

Tutelary Deity - Academic 

Lares and Penates - Encyclopedia.com 

Types of Household Deities by culture (not a complete list)List of Tutelary Deities

Edit: When first posted I wrongly wrote that the plural of Genius Loci was Genius Locorum. Since I have changed it to the true plural form Genii Loci.

Genius Locorum is a spirit that presides over multiple places.

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#genius locorum #roman mythology #tutelary deities #spirit work #paganism #pagan #witchcraft #witch #grimoire #witchblr #guardian spirit #lares #di penates #animism #genii loci #genius loci

[carneirodemercurio]

'The Compitalia is a day assigned to the Lares (guardian spirits) of the roads; therefore sacrifice (of honey cakes) is made at the 'compita' (crossroad) where roads meet. Varro. I offered my honey cakes, a head of garlic and two figures made of cotton to the Lares today, may they bless my neighbourhood, and my household with good fortune and a good remainder of the winter and year to come. 🙏

«Compitalia é un día asignado aos Lares (espíritos gardiáns) das estradas; polo tanto, onde as estradas se xuntan, o sacrificios (de bolos de mel) fanse nas 'compitas' (encrucilladas)». Varo.

Hoxe ofrecín bolos de mel, unha cabeza de allo e dúas figuras de algodón aos Lares. Agardo que bendigan a miña veciñanza e a miña familia e que nos axuden pasar un inverno bo e san, e un ano feliz.

De statutis diebus dixi; de annalibus nec die statutis dicam. Compitalia dies attributus Laribus vialibus: ideo ubi viae competunt tum in competis sacrificatur. Marcus Terentius Varro.

#paganismo romano #roman paganism #Compitalia #lares #Guardian spirits

[mahamayax]

Jakiś gościu chce zastąpić Beziego

#machinima #gothic 3 #bezimienny #lares #no opowiadaj #daj spokój #no nie mów #no co ty gadasz #gothic game #Youtube #video wideo

[ovid-daily]

May 1 | A • K • MAI • NP LVDI | Kalends Maii

The constellation She-goat rises at night. Altars to the Lares were dedicated at crossroads. The rites of Bona Dea are celebrated.

#a busy day! #ovid #ovid daily #fasti #fastorum libri sex #taga #bona dea #lares

[philoursmars]

Retour à mon projet de présenter la plupart de mes 53880 photos (nouveau compte approximatif !)

2014. Retour dans le Nord.

Musée Arkhéos, près de Douai :

- applique à l’effigie du dieu Sol - Lewarde

- idem entre Mercure et Mars Juvénile

- Cérès entre deux Lares - Bavay

- œnochoé - Vimy, 1er s. apr. J-C.

- Stèle aux Quatre Dieux - Bermerain, IIème s. apr. J-C.

#souvenirs #nord #douai #arkhéos #archéologie #cel #gaulois #gallo-romain #mythologie #divinité #sol #mercury rx #mar #vimy #bermerain #lewarde #lares #cérès #oenochoé

[poseidoros]

I have a bad habit of starting books and never finishing...so maybe posting about books will help motivate me. First book in my To Finish List:

Dancing Lares and the Serpent in the Garden by Harriet I. Flower

Idk what I'll post about but that's for future me to worry about.

#personal #roman polytheism #lares #religio romana #cultus deorum

[lidadornoticias]

#lares

[sinjones]

#sin jones #the poison apple #painting #Roma #Lares

[lares-algotech]

Get 7 Best Algo Trading Software in India 2024 - Lares

Algo trading software company works by analyzing, customizing, and programming to suit the trader’s needs and preferences. There is a list of the Best Algo Trading Software in India such as Lares, Zerodha, and so on Trading Software company. You should check out our blog.

Learn more: https://laresalgotech.com/7-best-algo-trading-software-in-india-2024/

#Algo trading software #Algo trading software company #Algo trading Company #Lares #Lares algo #Lares Algo Tech

[dejahisashmom]

Brownies of Scotland: The Mischievous Household Spirits - Historic Mysteries

This is in honor of the Cleveland Browns. One of the authors of this blog is from the great state of Ohio. So this definitely piqued our interest! Enjoy.

This is in honor of the Cleveland Browns. One of their mascots is a brownie. The other is a bulldog if you are curious. One of our authors is from the great state of Ohio. So this piqued our interest when they told us about the connection. https://www.historicmysteries.com/brownie/

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#Aberdeenshire #Ancient Rome #Brounie of Bealach-nam-Brog #Brownies #England #Fae #Fairy #Hairy Meg #Hobgoblin #House #Lares #Meg Mullach #Scotland #Scottish Lowlands #Spirits

[salkantaytrek-peru]

Tour: 2 day Lares Trek to Hot springs

Guide: Jesus Valdivia

The trail starts in Lares hot spring 03 hours away from Cusco, Crosses the Huacawasi pass at 4300Mts

A trek through dramatic Andean scenery with a rich variety of cultures, centered on the magnificent Lares surrounded by magnificent snowy peaks and many hot springs. 

More info:

[email protected]

[phone]

#lares #larestrek #trek #trekking #hotsprings #hike #hiking #adventure #outdoor #2daytrek

[pasquines]

#Congress #Contextomy #Farm bill #Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon #Lares #Tropical Agricultural Research Service

[machupicchupath]

Lares trek is amazing with llamas and alpacas on the way to machupicchu incan site,

www.machupicchupath.com

#lares

[inkatrailexpeditions]

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu in 4 days

Confirmed group on May 22th 2023

10% off online. Book now!

The trail starts in Lares hot spring 03 hours away from Cusco, Crosses the Huacawasi pass at 4300Mts, descends into and cone des and ends in Yanahuara or Ollantaytambo access to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu.

More info:

[email protected]

[phone]

https://wa.me/51970506205

https://www.iteptravel.com/tour/lares-trek-llamas-path-machu-picchu-4-days

#lares #larestrek #4daytrek #trek #trekking #MachuPicchu #hike #hiking #adventure #outdoor

[noticiassomosponce]

Radican cargos contra un hombre por causar daños al vehículo de su pareja en Lares

Agentes del Negociado de la Policía de Puerto Rico, adscritos a la División de Violencia de Género, en unión a la fiscalía del Tribunal de Utuado, radicaron cargos por violación al artículo 3.1 de la Ley 54 contra, Richard Acevedo Vélez de 38 años, residente de Lares.   De acuerdo a la investigación, para la fecha del 21 de abril de 2023, en la carretera 124, kilómetro 1.5 en el Barrio Espino en…

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#Arresto #Cargos criminales #Lares #Violencia Doméstica

[evovendshop]

No Templo e nas Casas | Danilo Mesquita.   De dentro dos lares, Cristo fez surgir o único movimento eterno e invencível do mundo: a Igreja. Dos tempos de Atos até os dias de hoje, ela jamais parou de avançar nos templos e nas casas para estabelecer o Reino de Deus na sociedade https://www.evovend.com.br/livros/livros-cristaos/no-templo-e-nas-casas-danilo-mesquita #no #templo #nacasa #lares #cristo #monimento #celular #igreja #evovendlivros (em Guarapari Espírito Santo Brasil) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpDUcWJO-Fr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#no #templo #nacasa #lares #cristo #monimento #celular #igreja #evovendlivros