Fighting A River

There are NO living Gods. No matter what title they give themselves - Oracle, Pythia, Priest - they do NOT speak for the Gods, and they are NOT the only ones to know “the Gods’ will.

they're still here, with you. take time to feel them holding your hand and giving it the most gentle squeeze. people screw up. they know this. they've been around for long enough to know we make mistakes, and we make a lot of them at that.

it's okay to worry about not doing them justice, however, don't let the notion of screwing up get in the way of how much they love you. with every unique little characteristic you have, how much you've spiced up their long and maybe otherwise boring lives. i'm not saying screwing up is something to be ignorantly celebrated, but it's not something to hurt yourself over, either.

Zeus’s epithets:

-Zeus Skotitas

-Zeus Ombrios

-Zeus Polieus

-Zeus Hypatos

-Zeus Mekhaneus

-Zeus Limenoskopos

-Zeus Sthenios

-Zeus Kataibates

-Zeus Katharsios

-Zeus Konios

-Zeus Labrandeus

-Zeus Meilikhios

-Zeus Aethiops

Priesthood Series

-Why it’s so important to learn about Hellenic priesthood

-Hellenic Priests: Ritual Masters

-Hellenic Priesthood: Different roles and titles for hellenic priests

-Hellenic Priesthood: Different roles and titles for cult officials

-Hellenic Priests: Ritual Purity of themselves

-Hellenic Priests: Ritual Purity of others

-Hellenic Priesthood: Temple Duties of a Priest

Other Zeus-related stuff:

-Devotional Acts to Zeus

-Tuesday is Zeus’s Day

-Misconceptions of Zeus

-Bees and Zeus

Prayers

-Prayer to Zeus for hawk/eagle friends

My rants

-Myth-inspired Modern Media

-I’m so tired of Zeus slander everywhere

-Acknowledge the duality of the gods

-Greek Mythology ‘versus’ Greek Religion

Asks I’ve Answered

-Is it okay to devote yourself to more than one god?

-Why is Zeus sometimes depicted with long hair?

-Does modern worship kind of make everyone the priest/ess to their own temple?

-Can you worship a deity as a whole and not a specific aspect of them?

-How do you start worshipping the non-‘basic’ Zeus?

-What kind of songs do you associate with Zeus?

-What are some lies told about Zeus in his mythology?

Hypnos of the chronic pain sufferers, stuck in bed for days

Hypnos of the recovering, having to rest for long periods

Hypnos of the comatose, protecting them in their fragile state

Hypnos of those with endometriosis, unable to get out of bed from the cramping pain

Hypnos of the narcoleptic, unable to control their sleep-wake cycle

Hypnos of the hypersomniacs, unable to stay awake very long

Hypnos of the insomniacs, unable to fall asleep at all

Hypnos of the sleep walkers, keeping them from running into something in their sleep

Hypnos of the sleep paralysis, fighting the visions off when you can’t move

Hypnos of those who faint and black out, making sure they don’t hit the ground too hard

Hypnos of the dizzy and lightheaded, who have to lie down more often

Domain: fatherhood, protecting cities, storming, steadfast duty, duel, battle.

Epithets: Horse-taming, Man-killing, of the glinting helm, dear to Zeus, Prince of Troy, Son of Priam, shepherd of the people, Godlike, tall, glorious.

Imagery/symbolism: helm, spear, shield, chariot, an infant, boulder, sword.

Colors: Red, gold, brown, black.

Animal: Horse.

Offerings: Flowers, Candles, incense, art, poetry, lamps, gold, helm, rocks, sword imagery, decorative shields, gin, wine, fruits, honey, meat, horse imagery, milk, water, bread, jewels, sun water, horseshoe, laurel.

Understanding what hero worship is before getting into it.

Request for a certain guide of a hero are open

————————————-

Hero & heroines I’ve done a guide of

—Heroes—

- Heracles

- Achilles

- Odysseus

- Diomedes

- Orpheus

- Hector

- Icarus

- Theseus

- Telemachus

- Cephalus

- Patroclus

- Aeneas

- Ganymede

- Tiresias

- Alexander the great

- Perseus

- Oedipus

—Heroines—

- Penelope

- Helen of Sparta

- Atalanta

- Medea

- Iphigenia

- Cassandra of Troy

- Andromache

- Ariadne

- Pandora

- Sappho

- Andromeda

- Hecuba

Diomedes was a fairly well-known hero who was worshipped; according to the myths and folklore surrounding him, he was even a founder of certain areas.

Places of worship: Diomedes' cults were predominantly located in Cyprus, Metapontum, and other cities along the Adriatic Sea (the archaeological evidence for the hero cult of Diomedes comes mostly from this area). There are also remnants of this cult in regions like Cyprus and some mainland Greek cities, evidenced by the inscriptions on votive offerings found in temples and tombs. However, the popularity is most evident along the eastern coast of Italy. This cult extended far east in the Mediterranean due to the Achaean migration during the 8th century. The most distinct votive offerings to the hero were found on the island of Palagruža in the Adriatic. Strabo claims that the votive offerings in the Daunian temple of Athena at Luceria included votive offerings specifically dedicated to Diomedes. Worship of Diomedes occurred not only in Greece but also along the Adriatic coast, particularly at Thurii and Metapontum. In Argos, his birthplace, during the festival of Athena, his shield was paraded through the streets as a relic, alongside the Palladium, and his statue was washed in the river Inachus. Two islands were named after the hero, known as the Islands of Diomedes, believed to be in the Palagruža archipelago in the Adriatic. Strabo reflects on the unique characteristics of this island, including the history linked to Diomedes' journeys and the regions and peoples he influenced the most. He writes that Diomedes held sovereignty over the areas surrounding the Adriatic, citing the Islands of Diomedes as proof, along with the various tribes who worshiped him even in contemporary times, such as the Heneti and the Dauni. The Heneti sacrificed a white horse to Diomedes in sacred groves where wild animals became tame. 

Sources:

Farnell, Lewis Richard. Greek Hero Cults and Ideas of Immortality. Chicago: Ares Publishers Inc., 1921: 290)

Strabo, Geography 6.3.9.

Callimachus, Λοετρὰ Παλλάδος, line 35.

Domain: paths, labyrinths, mazes, life cycles, renewal, abandonment, fertility, vegetation, Cretan people.

Epithets: lovely-haired, princess of Crete, wife of Dionysus, daughter of Minos, fair, brown-haired, lovely, love-lorn, Mistress of the Labyrinth, fair-tressed.

Imagery/symbolism: Thread, labyrinth, ivy, crown, vines.

colors: gold, red, green.

animal: bull, serpent.

Offerings: Flowers, Candles, incense, art, poetry, lamps, plants, fruit, vegetables, perfume, oils, jewelry, wine, tea, ivy, threads, milk, honey, bull horns, labyrinth imagery, water, bread, snake skin, coins, imagery of the island of Crete.

Day One : Basic Introduction of The Deity

Ariadnê

Αριαδνη (Most Holy)

✦ Domains

The Labyrinth

Pathways

Life & Death

Fertility

Forgiveness

(SPG) Heartbreak

✦ Duties

Consort of Dionysos

Princess of Crete

✦ Personality (UPG)

She is kind and bubbly in the most bright way. She is the grandchild of Helios (the sun) and it shines through with her personality. She is joy, but only the kind of joy you find after a long period of pain. She is generous but not naive. Her worlds are genuine and true but dont take that for granted. She knows what she wants and never speaks without knowing. She is in love with humanity and in love with the world. A helpless romantic with the scars to prove it. If she is angered she has the feminine rage of a thousand ancestors, she has felt the grief and heartbreak of the world and uses it in her defense.

✦ Appearance (UPG)

She will appear to everyone differently and every myth has a different perspective about what she looks like.

To me she has sun tanned olive skin, littered with freckled showing her favor from Helios. Her eyes glimmer golden from her divine heritage. Her black hair is full and curled, she usually wears it in the traditional Minoan style along with her clothes. However she never wears shoes and her hands are covered in callouses from her adventures. Her body is lean as she is/was a dancer. She wears a crown of stars given to her by her husband.

✦ Epithets

The Keeper of The Labyrinth

The Most Holy

Princess of Crete

Consort of Dionysos

The Heartbroken

The Abandoned

The Hero

✦ Mythology

✦ Symbols

Flora

Naxos' Oranges

Winegrapes and Vines

Olive trees

Crete's Thyme

Iris

Cretan Zelkova

Fauna

Bulls

Leopards

Scents

Frankincense

Citrus

Vanilla

Coconut

Ocean/Sea

The Stars

Colors

Purple / Black / Red / Blue / Green / Gold

Elements

Water / Earth / Stars

Tarot

Judgement

The Star

Don’t listen to the people who tell you that the gods don’t care about or love you. Don’t listen to the people who tell you an offering of water is not good enough. Don’t listen to the people who say it’s a requirement for show of devotion to have expensive items strewn across your altar. Don’t listen to people who tell you that you should have an altar even if you can’t. Don’t listen to people who suggest your disability makes you worthless to the gods because you can’t do what others can.

If Dionysos were mortal, he would be a therapist for recovering addicts

If Dionysos were mortal, he would take care of those with mental illness and listen to their stories

If Dionysos were mortal, he would cry a little watching teenagers struggle with depression

If Dionysos were mortal, he would clean up cigarette butts from sidewalks and beer bottles from alleyways

Βακχος/Bakkhos/Bacchus - frenzied - “Dionysus Bakkhos, lead me in frenzy” - have a rave or dance party in his honour.

Βρομιος/Bromios/Bromius - noisy - “Dionysus Bromios, make my voice heard.” - scream at the top of your lungs.

Μαινολης/Mainôles/Maenoles - raging - “Dionysus Mainôles, let me process my rage” - punch a punching bag or pillow.

Νυκτελιος/Nyktelios/Nyctelius - of the night - “Dionysus Nyktelios, lull me to sleep” - take a night time walk

Λαμπτηρος/Lamptêros/Lampterus - torch bearer - “Dionysus Lamptêros, guide me through the darkness.” - light a candle in his honour.

Ἑστιως/Hestiôs/Hestius - of the feast - “Dionysus Hestios, bless this meal” - make a meal in his honour.

Κωλωτης/Kôlôtês/Colotes - spotted gecko - use as a symbol of Dionysus

Αυξιτης/Auxitês/Auxites - giver of increase - “Dionysus Auxitês, increase my fortunes” - use this as a blessing when starting a new business or adventure.

Φαλλην/Phallên/Phallen - of the phallus - “Dionysus Phallên, make me fertile.” - use a phallic object during sex to promote fertility.

Ανδρογυνος/Androgynos/Androgynus - sexually androgynous (both tops and bottoms) - “Dionysus Androgynos, make me versatile in bed.” - explore dominance and submission in BDSM.

Σταφυλιτης/Staphylitês/Staphylites - of the grape - “Dionysus Staphylitês, allow me to grow like the vine.” - grow a grape plant.

Ληναιος/Lênaios/Lenaeus - of the wine press - “Dionysus Lênaios, bless this drink.” - say this before drinking wine.

Θεοινος/Theoinos/Theoenus - God of wine - “Dionysus Theoinos, I honour you.” - use as his title when regarding this aspect of his divinity.

Αγαθοσ Δαιμον/Agathos Daemon/Agathus Daemon - the good spirit - “Dionysus Agathos Daemon, bring good fortune upon this house.” - bless the house by hanging this message above the door or in your Lararium (if you practice more Roman traditions)

Προτρυγαιος/Protrygaois/Protrygaeus - first of the vintage - “Dionysus Protrygaois, I offer you the first sip of my wine.” - go wine tasting.

Οινοψ/Oinops/Oenops - wine dark - “Dionysus Oinops, protect our brothers and sisters of colour and welcome them into our faith.” - donate to an anti racist charity or buy from a Brown/Black/Blak owned business.

Κισσιος/Kissios/Cisseus - of the ivy - “Dionysus Kissios, May my faith grow like ivy on your walls.” - make an ivy crown.

Κιττοφορος/Kittophoros/Cittophorus - ivy bearer - “Dionysus Kittophoros, bless this ivy.” - Make a thyrsus.

Ανθιον/Anthion/Anthion - of the flowers - “Dionysus Anthion, may the world bloom in your colours.” - make a flower crown.

Κιστοφορος/Kistophoros/Cistophorus - basket bearer - “Dionysus Kistophoros, my my basket always be full.” - weave a basket

Ερεβινθινος/Erebinthinos/Erebinthius - of the chickpea - put chickpeas on your altar.

Διμητωρ/Dimêtôr/Dimetor - twice born - “Dionysus Dimêtôr, welcome me into this new part of my life” - study the tarot card “death”

Αιγοβολος/Aigobolos/Aegobolos - goat slayer - “Dionysus Aigobolos, I make this sacrifice in your honour.” - take part in the slaughter, butchering and consumption of a goat.

Βουφαγος/Bouphagos/Buphagus - cow eater - “Dionysus Bouphagus, bless this steak.” - eat a steak in his honour.

Ανθροπορραιστος/Anthroporraistos/Anthroporraestus - man slayer - “Dionysus Anthroporraistos, slayer of men, destroy those who would stand in my way” - burn a straw man on a bonfire.

Λυσιος/Lysios/Lysius - releasing - “Dionysus Lysios, free me from what is holding me down.” - get a massage to release tense muscles

Ελευθερευς/Eleuthereus/Eleuthereus - of liberation, freedom - “Dionysus Eleuthereus, free me from my chains” break a wooden board in half with your hand (look up how to do this safely)

Ψιλαξ/Psilax/Psilax - (lifted on) wings - “Dionysus Psilax, let me fly high enough to see the bigger picture” - collect feathers for his altar.

Σαωτης/Saôtês/Saotes - saviour - “Dionysus Saôtês, save me from myself.” - address him as this when in times of desperation.

Σωτηριος/Sôtêrios/Soterius - recovery (from madness) - “Dionysus Sôtêrios, enable me to recover from this dark episode of my illness.” - go to therapy in his honour.

Πατρωιος/Patrôios/Patroeus - paternal, ancestral - “Dionysus Patrôios, Divine Father, guide me with your wisdom.” - trace your family history/ do a dna test

Αισυμνητης/Aisymnêtês/Aesymnetes - dictator - “Dionysus Aisymnêtês, Divine Ruler, I trust your plan for me.” - make a big decision with your faith in mind.

Πολιτης/Politês/Polites - citizen - “Dionysus Pilotês, stand up for the rights of the common people.” - attend a rally or pride event

Αγυιευς/Agyieus/Agyieus - protector - “Dionysus Agyieus, protect my homeland from harm.” - make a ward around your home.

Μυστης/Mystês/Mystes - of the mysteries - “Dionysus Mystes, bless this party” - throw a bacchanal

Χθονιος/Khthonios/Cthonius - of the earth/cthonic - “Dionysus Khthonios, older than the earth.” - pray to him outside, on the ground.

Μελπομενος/Melpomenos/Melpomenus - performer (in Greek tragedy) - “Dionysus Melpomenos, mask my emotions.” - make a theatre mask of Dionysus.