⤷cordelia🫧

The School of Yulan is a modern, eclectic spiritual tradition designed for those who seek a deeper connection to the boundless wisdom of the universe, integrating diverse spiritual practices and philosophies. Rooted in the transformative power of water and inspired by the compassionate teachings of Kuan Yin, the School of Yulan offers a path for seekers who are drawn to fluidity, depth, and the sacredness of all forms of life. Organized and rooted by Suhanni Mahashwarren in 2023.

At its heart, the faith embraces the essence of water, its ability to adapt, cleanse, nourish, and transform. Just as water shapes and nourishes all life, the teachings of school Yulan guide practitioners to embrace change, find inner peace amidst turbulence, and awaken to the limitless potential of their own being. Water, in this context, symbolizes the endless flow of wisdom, healing, and the interconnectedness of all things. Every mind, body, and soul can find peace and support here. Our ultimate mission is self-fulfillment.

Kuan Yin, the embodiment of compassion and infinite wisdom, is the central guiding figure in the School of Yulan. Known for her gentle strength and ability to offer solace to those in suffering, Kuan Yin represents the path of deep empathy, understanding, and spiritual growth. She serves as both a teacher and protector, guiding followers on their journey toward enlightenment, teaching them to cultivate both inner and outward peace.

The School of Yulan embraces a broad spectrum of spiritual practices—from meditation, mantras, and mindfulness rooted in Eastern traditions, to the honoring of nature and the interconnectedness of all beings. It is a faith that values diversity in belief and practice, encouraging followers to draw from what resonates most deeply with their personal journey. Whether through the study of ancient texts, the exploration of modern metaphysical teachings, or the practice of sacred rituals, the school is a sanctuary for those who yearn to explore their own divinity.

The philosophy of Yulan teaches that by aligning with the flow of water and embodying the qualities of Kuan Yin, compassion, wisdom, and grace, individuals can experience profound spiritual growth, heal past wounds, and foster harmony in both their inner worlds and their relationships with others. It is a faith rooted in love, empowerment, and a deep understanding that the universe, like water, is always in motion, ever-changing, and infinitely abundant.

Boy, the Zeus hashtag is as toxic as ever. So here’s a little idea I’ve got: A lot of people claim that Zeus is pretty much the most horrible person ever and others (rightfully!) point out that one must not confuse the Zeus of Greek mythology with the Zeus worshipped by ancient Greeks and Hellenic polytheists today. But I argue that the Zeus of Greek mythology is not nearly as bad as people make him out to be. Since the Iliad is the closest you can get to something like a canon, here are some of his positive characteristics as presented in the Iliad:

reluctant to use violence (he does threaten to use violence a few times but never goes through with it)

grants Thetis’ wish to help the Trojans (1, 523)

Athena is dear to his heart (5, 886) even though she once tried to overthrow him (1, 400)

helps his wounded son Ares even though he despises his love for bloodlust (5, 895)

considers to defy fate to save his son Sarpedon (16, 434)

comforts his daughter Artemis (21, 507)

ὤ μοι ἐγών, ὅ τέ μοι Σαρπηδόνα, φίλτατον ἀνδρῶν, μοῖρ᾿ ὑπὸ Πατρόκλοιο Μενοιτιάδαο δαμῆναι. διχθὰ δέ μοι κραδίη μέμονε φρεσὶν ὁρμαίνοντι, ἤ μιν ζωὸν ἐόντα μάχης ἄπο δακρυοέσσης θείω ἀναρπάξας Λυκίης ἐν πίονι δήμῳ, ἦ ἤδη ὑπὸ χερσὶ Μενοιτιάδαο δαμάσσω.

Ah! it is fated that Sarpedon, dearest of men to me, should be killed by Patroklos son of Menoitios. But my heart is divided in two by my pondering thoughts, as to whether I should steal him away from tearful combat while he is alive, and set him down in the rich land of Lycia, or whether I should let him be killed by the hand of the son of Menoitios. (Iliad 16.433-438, transl. my own)

Zeus, lord of justice and king of the Gods, genuinely debates saving Sarpedon not just despite, but regardless of the fact that Sarpedon is fated to die. In her answer, Hera brings up another important point:

αἴ κε ζὼν πέμψῃς Σαρπηδόνα ὅνδε δόμονδε, φράζεο μή τις ἔπειτα θεῶν ἐθέλῃσι καὶ ἄλλος πέμπειν ὃν φίλον υἱὸν ἀπὸ κρατερῆς ὑσμίνης

If you send Sarpedon home alive, consider that later on, another of the Gods might want to send his own dear son away from the fierce battle. (Iliad 16.445-447, transl. my own)

In other words: Zeus does not just want to defy Sarpedon’s fate. He is at risk of overturning the entire system of mortal fate itself - if he saves his son, then there is no reason for other Gods not to save their own sons, and then fate will be completely meaningless. In the end, Zeus relents and accepts Sarpedon’s death, but his hesitation is still incredibly significant.

Again, Zeus is lord of justice and king of the Gods. He is the one who weighs the scales of fate for mortals. He is responsible for divine and mortal order.

And he considers upturning it all just to save Sarpedon, φίλτατον ἀνδρῶν, dearest of men, his son.

Not only that, it happens again with Hektor - who isn’t even related to him. Again, Zeus considers saving them, and again, he is rebuked by another deity, this time Athena. She speaks the exact same lines as Hera did for Sarpedon:

ἄνδρα θνητὸν ἐόντα, πάλαι πεπρωμένον αἴσῃ, ἂψ ἐθέλεις θανάτοιο δυσηχέος ἐξαναλῦσαι; ἕρδ᾿· ἀτὰρ οὔ τοι πάντες ἐπαινέομεν θεοὶ ἄλλοι.

A man who is mortal, who has long been fated to die, you would yet again want to free from ill-sounding death? Do it; but not all of us other Gods approve of it. (Iliad 16.441-443 and 22.179-181, transl. my own)

Im an Aphrodite devotee, of course I love taking baths

I'm an Aphrodite devotee, of course I love pink and blue

I'm an Aphrodite devotee, of course I wear delicate jewlery

I'm an Aphrodite devotee, of course I love roses

I'm an Aphrodite devotee, of course she's my go-to

I'm an Aphrodite devotee, of course I admire my reflection

I'm an Aphrodite devotee, of course I have a sweet tooth

I'm an Aphrodite devotee, of course I listen to romantic songs

Take your Greek mythology with a grain of salt.

The ancient Greek writers were horribly misogynistic, and they never missed an opportunity to make the Goddess or woman out to be evil or sneaky. Note anything by Hesiod alone. They even turned Gaia, the literal earth and mother of creation itself, into a cruel and rebellious bitch. Athena punished a rape victim and then aided her assailants for fun. Aphrodite was vain and selfish. The entire story of Persephone.

Hera. Just...Hera.

ALL OF THOSE EXAMPLES YOU LISTED ARE PROVEN ROMAN REWRITES AND ARE NOT REAL GREEK MYTHOLOGY. You shit on Hesiod's writings while quoting The Roman poet Ovid, That story of Medusa is one of the biggest examples of Roman literature being portrayed as Greek mythology; it wasn't even a real myth. In Greek mythology (the one written by Hesiod) she was born that way with her sisters, Athena never cursed her. Also you're screaming misogyny as if every well know (at the time) man wasn't painted as a narcissist and or rapist or just man praised for violence, in roman literature. That story about Medusa was made to demonize BOTH Athena and Poseidon to convert people to Roman faith, do an ounce of research.

Every day i see another pagan disrespecting Greek people, culture and mythology because of the misinformation of other Pagans.

saying "take with a grain of salt" means it doesn't matter, i don't know why i need to explain to you all why saying to take someone's culture and mythology with a grain of salt is disrespectful.

There's nothing wrong with having fun or personalizing your practice but at what point do you do you recognize your own errors ? Even if that's how your relationship works with your deities, for you to get on the internet and begin spreading it like something everyone should do is the reason people still can't escape the misinformation of Roman myths that have been portrayed as Greek. It's the reason so many HelPol people want to separate from Hellenic Pagans, you have no respect and endless misinformation. I mean look at how many notes are just blindly believing this.

Where my info is from:

According to Hesiod's Theogony, she was one of three Gorgon sisters born to Keto and Phorkys, primordial sea gods; Medusa was mortal, while the others, Stheno and Euryale, were immortal.

The best-known story of Medusa comes from the Roman poet Ovid. Medusa was seduced by Neptune (Poseidon) in a temple to Minerva (Athena), and in revenge, Minerva turned Medusa's beautiful head of hair into snakes. As she was both mortal and had the ability to turn men to stone, Perseus was sent to cut off her head. Yet we know Medusa Originated in Greece.

SOURCES ON ROMANS USING GREEK CULTURE:

Romans were obsessed with Greek culture for a hot minute, they wanted to go to schools in Greece, buy expensive Greek art. The most Famous Roman poets and inventors built off the ideas of Greece so much their Art was being replicated.

Take your Greek mythology with a grain of salt.

The ancient Greek writers were horribly misogynistic, and they never missed an opportunity to make the Goddess or woman out to be evil or sneaky. Note anything by Hesiod alone. They even turned Gaia, the literal earth and mother of creation itself, into a cruel and rebellious bitch. Athena punished a rape victim and then aided her assailants for fun. Aphrodite was vain and selfish. The entire story of Persephone.

Hera. Just...Hera.

ALL OF THOSE EXAMPLES YOU LISTED ARE PROVEN ROMAN REWRITES AND ARE NOT REAL GREEK MYTHOLOGY. You shit on Hesiod's writings while quoting The Roman poet Ovid, That story of Medusa is one of the biggest examples of Roman literature being portrayed as Greek mythology; it wasn't even a real myth. In Greek mythology (the one written by Hesiod) she was born that way with her sisters, Athena never cursed her. Also you're screaming misogyny as if every well know (at the time) man wasn't painted as a narcissist and or rapist or just man praised for violence, in roman literature. That story about Medusa was made to demonize BOTH Athena and Poseidon to convert people to Roman faith, do an ounce of research.

Every day i see another pagan disrespecting Greek people, culture and mythology because of the misinformation of other Pagans.

saying "take with a grain of salt" means it doesn't matter, i don't know why i need to explain to you all why saying to take someone's culture and mythology with a grain of salt is disrespectful.

There's nothing wrong with having fun or personalizing your practice but at what point do you do you recognize your own errors ? Even if that's how your relationship works with your deities, for you to get on the internet and begin spreading it like something everyone should do is the reason people still can't escape the misinformation of Roman myths that have been portrayed as Greek. It's the reason so many HelPol people want to separate from Hellenic Pagans, you have no respect and endless misinformation. I mean look at how many notes are just blindly believing this.

Where my info is from:

According to Hesiod's Theogony, she was one of three Gorgon sisters born to Keto and Phorkys, primordial sea gods; Medusa was mortal, while the others, Stheno and Euryale, were immortal.

The best-known story of Medusa comes from the Roman poet Ovid. Medusa was seduced by Neptune (Poseidon) in a temple to Minerva (Athena), and in revenge, Minerva turned Medusa's beautiful head of hair into snakes. As she was both mortal and had the ability to turn men to stone, Perseus was sent to cut off her head. Yet we know Medusa Originated in Greece.

SOURCES ON ROMANS USING GREEK CULTURE:

Romans were obsessed with Greek culture for a hot minute, they wanted to go to schools in Greece, buy expensive Greek art. The most Famous Roman poets and inventors built off the ideas of Greece so much their Art was being replicated.

lord apollo,

raise my spirits like those that passed on rise to the great heavens.

warm my soul like the rays of the sun on a warm summer day.

sooth me like the sweet taste of vanilla mixed into a mug of milk and honey.

i know you're around,

the buzz of bees on sunflowers,

hawks soaring far above,

that one song that just warms my heart,

a cheerful child giving me a tight hug.

i love you, for all the gifts and greatness you are.

i love you, for you.

i love you as i love a cool breeze on a hot summer day,

a song i never tire of,

the sweetness of berries,

the aesthetic of life itself.

The original Greek mythology Medusa was born a Gorgon and had a consensual relationship with Poseidon and Athena never punished her. Perseus had to slay her because king Polydectes forced him to do so (but he really did it so he could marry his mother by force)

Full video

The sadness and despair in those eyes...