☆ kat ☆

Sometimes due to my being on T, I get more hot and bothered than I’m comfortable with, especially with dosage increases. Aphrodite has been a great aid to me in helping subdue erotic feelings when they don’t serve me.

I’m friends with a couple asexual people who’ve expressed that they feel uncomfortable when their body demands sexual stimulation, so I thought y’all would be pleased to know that Aphrodite is also an aid for people who are looking to avoid sexual stimulation as well!

If you are reading this;

May Aphrodite fill your heart with unconditional love.

I first became fascinated by the Hellenic gods and goddesses when I was around 13 years old. The rich mythology, the diverse pantheon, and the idea of being able to actively worship these ancient deities really resonated with me. I dove headfirst into research, learning as much as I could about the history, traditions, and practices associated with Hellenism.

For a time, my interests shifted, and I stepped away from actively practicing Hellenism. But the pull of these ancient Greek traditions never truly left me. It wasn't until I was around 16 or 17 that I felt a renewed and more profound connection to the Hellenic deities. This time, my rekindled interest felt much more intentional and grounded.

Gradually, I began incorporating Hellenistic practices back into my life, finding a deep sense of fulfillment and spiritual enrichment in doing so. The accessibility of Hellenism has been truly remarkable - it welcomes individuals of all ages and backgrounds, from inquisitive teenagers to seasoned adults.

The key is to approach it with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a deep respect for the rich history and traditions. Start by familiarizing yourself with the Greek pantheon, the myths, and the various festivals and rituals associated with Hellenism. As you feel drawn to certain deities or practices, gradually incorporate them into your daily life in a way that feels authentic and meaningful to you.

Remember, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to become a Hellenistic polytheist. It's a deeply personal and individualized path, and the most important thing is to find what resonates with you and to honor the gods in a way that is true to your own spiritual journey.

In my last studies about the Goddess Aphrodite, I was very curious to research her many epithets, despite knowing some of them, these were my last ones listed here:

Places of worship and worship:

Acidalia: Inspired by the city of Idálion, in Cyprus, one of its places of worship.

Amathusia: Venerated in the ancient city of Amathus, in Cyprus.

Amyklaios: Honored in Amicleia, in Laconia.

Aphakitis: Related to the city Aphace, in Syria, where she was worshiped in an oracular temple.

Arakynthia: Originating from Arakynthus mountain, one of her places of worship.

Argennis: Worshiped by Argenus, a friend of Agamemnon, who built a temple in her name.

Cythereia: From the island of Cythera, one of her supposed birthplaces.

Erykina: Referring to Mount Éryx in Sicily, associated with the worship of Venus.

Idalia: Venerated in the city of Idalion, in Cyprus.

Kastiniê: Due to Mount Castius, a place of worship.

Knidia: Associated with the city of Cnidus, where she was also worshiped.

Kôlias: Venerated in Colias, in Attica.

Kypria: From Cyprus, one of her supposed birth locations.

Kyprogenese: Born in Cyprus.

Melinaia: Venerated in the city of Argos.

Aphrodite Syria Thea: From Syria, revered in a temple syncretized with the Goddess Astarte.

Aphrodite Zephyritis: Invoked on the promontory of Zephyrus in Egypt.

Aphrodite Zêrynthia: Revered in Zerintia, Thrace, as a Goddess worshiped in the region.

Maritime protection

Euploia: Related to safe sea travel.

Limenia: Protector of ports and navigators.

Nauarkhís: Protector of navigators and their vessels.

Aphrodite Pontía: Lady of the Headlands, with temples strategically located along the open sea.

Apollo

Dearest Aphrodite,

As the day fades away,

I call upon you to hear what I say.

Wrap me in your loving light,

Guide me through the peaceful night.

Bless my heart with passion's fire,

Fill my dreams with love's desire.

Protect and bless my loved ones dear,

Keep them safe, forever near.

In the evening's calm and serene,

May your beauty and love be seen.

Goddess of love, I humbly pray,

May Lady Artemis assist you in forging your own path - the one least traveled.

May Lord Ares plant your feet on the ground and keep you steady.

May Lady Athena remind you of the power you wield to turn the tide in your favor.

May Lady Aphrodite smile back at you in your own reflection as a reminder of your worth.

May Lord Hephaestus encourage you to look back with pride at your own strength and resilience.

May Lord Hermes guide your steps when they're filled with uncertainty.

May Lady Persephone emphasize all of the beauty that exists in the world around you that has gone unnoticed.

May Lord Dionysus nurse your passion for life, celebrating even the smallest things with you.

May Lord Poseidon aid you in knowing when to assert yourself and when to go with the flow.

May Lady Hestia warm you on your coldest nights and shelter you from every storm.

May Lady Demeter keep your plate full and your cup overflowing.

May Lady Hera show you how to keep your head held high, even when the world heckles you.

May Lord Zeus raise your strengths and talents higher to prove to you how amazing you truly are.

Hello, My name is Alva Tauri! I am an herbalist, spirit worker, tarot and oracle reader, and lunar and herbal witch dedicated to closing the education gap when it comes to herbalism and witch practices!

Today, I wanted to talk about ways in which I connect with the Gods and deities I worship in my life, to aid new witches in this task in their day to day practice. I believe that we oftentimes overcomplicated this part of our practice and that can make this task seem overwhelming and daunting when, in reality, connection can be simple.

I want to gear this post towards my new witches who do not fully grasp the concept yet or don't yet have an altar, as well as my fellow neurodivergent, mentally ill, and/or chronically ill witches who may find this task daunting for other reasons (I.E. low physical, low mental energy, physical pain, etc.) A portion of this post will be dedicated to low energy ways to connect with your Gods and/or deities to make your practice a bit easier.

Let's get started!

Day to Day Connections

it can be difficult to remember to do rituals or sit at our altar intentionally in our busy lives. here are some tasks you can do within minutes every single day to connect with your Gods and/or deities - great for days that are hectic or with minimal free time:

light a candle and simply say thank you

offer the meal or snack that you made to them

offer your drink to them

bit them goodmorning and goodnight

thank them for the things you enjoy throughout your day

dedicate a cleaning task to them (I.E. vacuuming, doing laundry, etc.)

cleanse your space spiritually and dedicate that task to them (I.E. sage burning, incense, etc.)

In Helpol, we have three concepts known as lyma, miasma, and agos.

To some, humans are seen as naturally pure beings, but because we are living mortal creatures, spiritual dirt can cling to us and make us impure.

Here, I will discuss these three types of pollution

(Disclaimer: Some of this information comes from my own personal interpretations, and therefore may not apply to the beliefs of everyone)

Lyma

Lyma means "something to be washed away". Itis generally just physical dirt. It isn't much of a big deal when it comes to spiritual matters. However, it is still best to be free of it when approaching the gods.

Miasma

This is where things get complicated.

Miasma is essentially general spiritual pollution. Miasma is something that is completely unavoidable and should not be shamed (well, depending on the cause). Miasma is mainly caused by things related to life and death. This includes sex, childbirth, visiting a cemetery, blood, sexual fluids, etc.

However, miasma has different degrees of severity. More severe miasma comes from acts such as rape, hubris, murder, etc.

Miasma also spreads from people to people. If you walk past someone on the street who just came back from a funeral, their miasma will cling to you as well. This also highlights how unavoidable miasma is. But usually, this kind of indirect miasma is not as bad.

We are not allowed to approach the gods in a state of miasma. Luckily, miasma is not difficult to get rid off (excluding the more severe cases listed above).

All you need to do is wash your hands.

If you get a cut on your leg, the blood is miasmic and therefore you can't approach the gods. But all you need to do is wait for the bleeding to stop, wash away the blood, wash your hands, and then you're good to go.

There is a debate I once had on whether miasma prevents us from praying, giving offerings, and participating in festivals. To me, the answer is yes, but not with prayers. Let me explain why.

In a very simplified description of a certain myth, Orestes killed his mother. This caused him to enter a state of severe miasma and a state of agos (which I will explain later). Long story short, he prayed and asked Apollon to help purify him, in return for a grand offering later on. Apollon heard the prayer and came to help purify Orestes.

In this example, we see that Orestes was still able to pray to Apollon in the worst state of miasma, but promised to give offerings later on.

This implies that prayer is not an issue with miasma.

Here is another example: You don't need to wash your hands when talking to someone, but you should wash your hands if you want to give that person food.

In a similar way, in my opinion, you don't need to wash your hands for a casual prayer, but you should wash them before giving an offering. Although, I also prefer not to pray when I know I am in a miasmic state.

However, this is my own interpretation and others may have different views.

There are other ways to cleanse miasma such as khernips, incense, and scapegoats.

Ocean water is also said to cleanse miasma extremely well.

Agos

Agos is a cursed state and is the most extreme form of spiritual pollution. However, agos is not easy to get.

If you commit a horrible act such as murder, you will be in a state of extreme miasma. However, when the gods notice your crime and get enraged (keep in mind that it is usually not that easy to anger the gods), the miasma evolves into agos.

Miasma is a naturally occurring thing, but agos only comes from the wrath of the gods.

Agos is difficult to remove and is a pretty big deal.

Luckily, you don't need to worry about agos unless you're a horrible person who commits heinous acts.

Aaaand that is my interpretation of spiritual pollution in Helpol. I hope this post can be helpful to you!

May Aphrodite bless you all with lots of love.