Shine Forever

✰ The following lists contain information on magical goals and their related deities

AGRICULTURE  • Adonis, Amon, Aristaeus, Baldur, Bonus Eventus, Ceres, Consus, Dagon, Demeter, Dumunzi, Esus, Gahanan, Inari, Osiris, Saturn, Tammuz, Thor, Triptolemus, Vertumnus, Yumcaa, Zochipilli

ARTS • Athena, Ea, Hathor, Odin, Thor

ASTROLOGY • Albion

CATS • Bast, Freya

CHILDBIRTH • Althea, Anahita, Bes, Camenta, Cihuatcoatl, Cuchavira, Isis, Kuan Yin, Laima, Lucina Meshkent

COMMUNICATIONS • Hermes, Janus, Mercury

COURAGE • Tyr

DREAMS • Geshtinanna, Morpheus, Nanshe

EARTH • Asia, Consus, Daghda, Enlil, Frigga, Gaea, Ge, Geb, Kronos, Ninhursag, Ops, Prithivi, Rhea, Saturn, Sif, Tellus

FERTILITY • Amnu, Anaitis, Apollo, Arrianrhod, Asherali, Astarte, Attis, Baal, Bacchus, Bast, Bona, Dea, Boucca, Centeotle, Cernunnos, Cerridwen, Cybele, Daghda, Demeter, Dew, Dionysus, Eostre, Frey, Freya, Frigg, Indra, Ishtar, Ishwara, Isis, Kronos, Ono, Lulpercus, Min, Mut, Mylitta, Ningirsu, Ops, Osiris, Ostara, Pan, Pomona, Quetzalcoatl, Rhea, Rhiannon, Saturn, Selkhet, Sida, Tane, Telepinu, Telluno, Tellus Mater, Thunor, Tlazolteotl, Yarilo, Zarpanitu

GOOD LUCK AND FORTUNE • Bonus Eventus, Daikoku, Fortuna, Ganesa, Jorojin, Laima, Tyche

HEALING • Apollo, Asclepius, Bast, Brigid, Eir, Gula, Lxlilton, Khnos, Paeon

JOURNEYS • Echua, Janus

LAW,TRUTH, AND JUSTICE • Astraea, Maat, Misharu, Themis

Love • Aizen Myo-O, Alpan, Angus, Aphrodite, Asera, Astarte, Asthoreth, Belili, Creirwy, Cupid, Dzdzilelya, Eros, Erzulie, Esmeralda, Fenrua, Freya, Frigg, Habondia, Hathor, Inanna, Ishtar, Kades, Kama, Kivan-Non, Kubaba, Melusine, Menu, Minne, Mamaja, Odudua, Olwen, Oshun,Prenda,Rao, Sauska, Tlazoletotl, Turan, Venus, Xochipilli, Zochiquetzal

LUNAR MAGIC • Aah, Anahita, Artemis, Asherali, Astarte, Baiame, Bendis, Diana, Gou, Hathor, Hecate, Llmaqah, Ishtar, Isis, Jacy, Kabul, Khons, Kilya, Lucina, Luna, Mah, Mama Quilla, Mani, Menu, Metzli, Myestaa, Nanna, Pah, Selene, Sin, Soma, Taukiyomi, Thoth, Varuna, Yarikh, Yerak, Zamna

MARRIAGE • Airyaman, Aphrodite, Aryan, Bes, Bah,Ceres, Errata, Frigg, Hathor, Hera, Hymen, Juno, Patina, Saluki, Svarog, Thalassa, Tutunis, Vor, Xochipilli

MUSIC AND/OR POETRY • Apollo, Benten, Bragi, Brigid, Hathor, Odin, Orpheus, Thoth, Untunktahe, Woden, Xolotl

REINCARNATION • Hera, Khensu, Ra

SEA • Amphitrite, Benten, Dylan, Ea, Enoil, Glaucus, Leucothea, Manannan Mac Lir, Neptune, Nereus, Njord, Paldemon, Phorcys, Pontus, Poseidon, Proteus, Shoney, Yamm

SHAPE-SHIFTING • Freya, Volkh, Xolotl

SKY • Aditi, Anshar, Anu, Dyaus, Frigg, Hathor, Horus, Joch-Huva, Jupiter, Kumarbis, Nut, Obatala, Rangi, Svarog, Tane, Thor, Tiwaz, Ukko, Uranus, Varuna, Zeus

SLEEP • Hypnos

SOLAR MAGIC • Amaterasu, Apollo, Atum, Baldur, Bochia, Dazhbog, Helios, Hiruku, Horus, Hyperion, Inti, Legba, Lugh, Mandulis, Mao, Marduk, Maui, Melkart, Mithra, Orunjan, Paiva Perun, Phoebus, Ra, Sabazius, Samas, Sams, Shamash, Sol, Surya, Texcatlipoca, Tonatiuh, Torushompek, Utto, Vishnu, Yhi

VENGEANCE • Nemesis

WEALTH AND PROSPERITY • Adad, Acolus, Agni, Amen, Baal, Bragi, Burlash, Catequil, Chac-Mool, Chernabog, Donar, Fomagata, llyapa, Indra, Jove, Jupiter, Kami-Nari, Koza, Lei-Kung, Marduk, Nyame, Perkunas, Pillan, Pulug, Quiateot, Raiden, Rammon, Rudra, Shango, Sobo, Summanus, Taki-Tsu-Hilo, Tawhaaki, Tawhiri, Tefnut, Thor, Thunor, Tilo, Tinia, Typhoeus, Typhon, Yu-Tzu, Zeus, Zu

WISDOM • Aruna, Athena, Atri, Baldur, Brigid, Dainichi, Ea, Enki, Fudo- Myoo, Fugen Bosatsu, Fukurokuju, Ganesha, Minerva, Nebo, Mimir, Oannes, Odin, Oghama, Quetzalxoatl, SIa, Sin, Thoth, Vohumano, Zeus

Part 3 of this series. *All based in Aztec Mexico

Acolmiztu - God of the Underworld

Acuecucyoticihuati - Goddess of Rivers and Streams

Atlatonan - Goddess of the Earth

Ayauhteotl - Goddess of Infamy

Centeotl - God of Maize

Centzon-Totochtin - Drunken God

Centzonuitznaua - Gods of the Stars

Chalchihuitlicue - Goddess of Water

Chicomeccatl - Goddess of Corn and Maize

Chalchiuhtecolotl - God of the Night

Chalchiuhtotolin - God of Disease

Chalmecatecuchtli - God of the Underworld

Chantico - Goddess of the Hearth

Chicomexochtli - Gods of Painting

Chiconahuiehecatl - God of Creation

Chihucoatl - Goddess of the Moon and War

Cinteotl - God of Maize and Corn

Cipactli - Creator God

Cipactonal - God of Astrology and Calendars

Coatlicue - Goddess of Earth and Fire

Cochimetl - God of Merchants

Cocijo - God of Rain

Coyolxauhqui -Goddess of the Moon

Cuaxolotl - Goddess of the Stars

Ehecatl - God of the Winds

Huehuecoyotl - God of Mischief

Huehueteotl - God of Fire

Huitzilopochtli - God of War

Huixtocihuatl - Goddess of Fertility

Ilamatecuhtli - Old Mother Goddess of Midwifery

Itztli - God of Sacrifice

Itzpapalotl - Goddess of the Heavens

Itztlacoliuhqui - God of Justice

Ixtlilton - God of Healing

Macuil-Cozcacuahtli - God of Pleasure

Macuil-Cuetzpalin - God of Pleasure

Macuil-Malinalli - God of Pleasure

Macuil-Tochtli - God of Alcohol

Macuil-Tonaleque - Gluttony Gods

Macuilxochitl - God of Games and Sports

Malinalxochi - Goddess of Insects

Mayahuel - Goddess of Alcohol

Metzli - God of the Moon

Mextli - God of War and Sacrifice

Mictecacihuatl - Goddess of Death

Mictlantecuhtli - God of the Underworld

Mixcoatl - God of the Hunt

Nanautzin - God of Sickness

Omecihuatl - Goddess of Creation

Ometecuhtli - Supreme God of Creation

Ometotchtli - God of Pulque and Drunkness

Opochtli - God of Fishing and Hunting

Oxomoco - Goddess of Astrology and Calendars

Patecatl - God of Healing and Medicine

Piquete-Ziña - God of Bats and the Night

Quaxolotl - Goddess of Duality and Schizophrenia

Quetzalcoatl - God of Creation

Tecuciztecal - God of the Moon

Temazcalteci - Goddess of Purification

Teoyaomiqui - God of Flowers

Tepeyollotl - God of Caves and Earthquakes

Tepoztecatl - God of Alcohol

Toci - Creator Goddess

Tezcatzontecatl - God of Beer

Tlazoltéotl - Goddess of Purity and Confession

Tezcatlipoca - God of Death and the Night

Tlaloc - God of Rain

Tlahuizcalpantecutli - God of Dawn

Tlaoque-Nahuaque - Supreme God

Tonacatecuhtli - God of Food

Tonatiuh - God of the Sun

Tzitzmitl - Grandmother Goddess of Alcohol

Ueuecoyotl - God of Happiness

Xipe-Totec - God of Agriculture and Spring

Xiuhcoatl - God of Fire and Drought

Xiuhtecuhtli - Ancient God of Fire

Xmulzencab - God of Bees

Xochipili - God of Love

Xochiquetzal - Goddess of Fertility

Xólotl - God of Lightning and the Underworld

Yacatecuhtli - God of Merchants and Travel

Mom: They always give me clear and specific messages

Me: what, I just get riddles or vague signs!? You don’t?

Religions have many different aspects that should at least be given thought if not careful consideration. Use these to guide your creative process when developing new religions and deities.

Key Aspects

Deity/Pantheon: Your religion does not need to necessarily have a deity, and it can even have an entire pantheon. I would venture that while a trained priest might perhaps specialize in one deity, a religion can have many.

Dogma: What are the principles and teachings of your religion? What does the deity implore of their worshippers? What is and isn’t allowed? What are the ethics of the religion? Why must we follow these principles?

Symbols: As important as the religion’s dogma are its symbols. How is your religion recognized on flags, tabards, armor, weapons, artwork, and holy symbols? Does your religion have a holy color or color scheme that they could use for their priestly robes?

Temples: Where are the religion’s places of worship? They could be secluded and secret or in/near cities. What do they look like? Are they merely household shrines or grand cathedrals? Do they have any distinguishing features?

Religious Practices

Rites and Rituals: What sorts of special ceremonies do the clerics of your religion practice? Are there any special material components that have meaning for the religion, deity, and ceremony? How long do ceremonies take and what is supposed to come from them? Rituals always serve a purpose, even if that purpose is merely affirming your faith. Rituals are useful as story elements as well as for players to perform.

Affirming Faith: telling your god you’re there and in prayer. It can be as simple as a daily prayer or weekly ceremony or more in-depth like a monthly or yearly ritual.

Proving Devotion: proving your faith to your god, usually meant for those who might be in doubt or who have wavered.

Initiation: rituals for new members to the religion.

Induction: rituals for new clergy members or clergy moving up in hierarchy.

Satiation: your deity demands sacrifice of something valuable to you or to it.

Boon/Blessing: the ritual seeks something of your deity, perhaps a bountiful harvest or victory in battle.

Magic: a ritual might be held to cast certain spells or perhaps to increase the power or scope of a spell. These can also be used in creation of magic items.

Healing: rituals for performing healing magic.

Funerals: ceremonies for the dead.

Marriage: ceremonies for binding individuals together spiritually

Holy Days: Often rituals can coincide with special days or times of the year. Holy days can be predicted and often signify important seasonal or historic events. Harvest, springtime, solstice, and equinox holy days are common, as are those commemorating the deaths of martyrs or important dates in the religion’s history.

Myths/Legends: Are there any stories or parables that your religion teaches? What stories of the gods do they tell? Do they have any specific myths relating to things like the creation of the world, the creation of elements, the invention of everyday things, or perhaps the invention of morality?

Prayers/Sayings: To help you roleplay priests of this religion, you can come up with some common greetings, farewells, and blessings that might be associated with the religion. “Pelor shines upon you” and whatnot.

People

Titles/Hierarchy: What are the ranks of the clergy and do they have any special titles? Are there any notable NPCs in the religion’s hierarchy? For instance, those that worship Mammon, the archdevil of greed are often called Covetors.

Clergy: Do the clergy perform any services for the rest of the population? Usually this involves healing or holding ceremonies, but they could have a broader scope in a theocracy or a narrower scope if secluded or unpopular. What do the clergy look like and wear? Do they favor certain classes other than clerics?

Worshippers: What sort of people are drawn to the religion? Are there certain races, classes, or kingdoms that worship them? What convinces them to follow the religion’s dogma? Is it out of fear, necessity, protection, comfort, or prosperity?

Relations: Does this religion have allies or enemies? These could either be allied or rival churches, deities, or religions. Furthermore, certain kingdoms or people could ally with or oppose the religion. Think of how each faction and religion in your world sees this religion.

Culture

Art: How does your religion express itself? Define your religion’s art, architecture, fashion, and songs and how they compare to other religions and cultures.

Burn an orange candle to get you motivated in the morning

Brew some rosemary tea to help you focus on homework, studying, etc.

Carry around some hematite to attract things into your life

Draw beauty sigils on your shampoo/ conditioner, lotion, lip balm, etc.

Paint your nails black to protect them from damage

Put a piece of paper with a sigil on it underneath your phone case

Try to connect to the elements every day: drink water, walk in nature, etc.

Make a flower crown!

Charge up and drink some Moon Water and Sun water

Eat foods with correspondences to what you want to bring into your life (ex. avocados for love and beauty)

Light some lavender incense to help you fall asleep

If you worship deities: bless little things that you do for them. (Ex. lighting candles)

If you have plants: use divination to ask them what they need (Ex. use a pendulum to ask it if it needs more water)

Boil some herbs to make a fragrance spray

For larger altars:

Round cakes decorated with candles

Fish (red mullet and salmon) and cured meats

Red wine and mead

Garlic

Honey

Milk

Breads

Crescent shaped sweets

Pomegranates

Raw eggs

Mushrooms

Dandelion tea

Large candles

A cauldron

Imagery of dogs such as statues, toy dogs, paintings, etc.

Incense (lavendar and myrrh are great)

Graveyard dirt (ask before taking! Do your research before gathering please.)

Snake skin

Animal bones

Mugwort

Wands

For smaller/hidden altars:

Almonds

Foxglove

Mint

Sage

Yew

Rose petals

Lavendar

Cypress and willow leaves

Frankensince

Obsidian

Quartz

Seashells

Black dog fur

Dog nail clippings

Images of dogs (pictures, personal drawings, dog plushies, etc.)

Keys

Personal offerings (nail clippings, hair)

Anything relating to the moon (pictures, keychains, personal drawings, etc.)

Crow, raven, and/or owl feathers.

Actions:

Helping and being friendly to dogs

Donating blankets, food, toys to animal shelters in her name

Volunteering at an animal shelter

Devoting time at night to her (meditate, talk to her, just have some silence for her, etc.)

Sharing your expierences, especially painful ones and your anger or sorrow with her

Study herbs and planting herbs in your garden

Having rituals or casting spells during a dark moon and invoking her

Taking care of graveyards and keeping them clean

Holding a feast for her and having all her favorite foods and drinks

For all the African witchies here.

Abassi - Creator and Lord of the Sky (Nigerian)

Abuk - Goddess of women and gardens (Sudan)

Achimi - Buffalo Goddess (Algeria)

Adro - God of Destruction (Uganda)

Adroa - God of Creation (Uganda)

Ahia-Njoku - Goddess of Agriculture and Farming (Nigeria)

Aje-Shaluga - God of Riches (Nigeria)

Ajok - Rain God (Sudan)

Akongo - Creator God (Congo)

Ala - Fertility Goddess of the Earth (Nigeria)

Alouroua - Creator God (Ghana)

Amma - Creator of the Universe and Sky (Mali)

Anansi - Trickster God (West Africa)

Andriamahilala - Goddess of the Moon (Madagascar)

Asa - God of Protection (Kenya)

Atai - Creator Goddess (Nigeria)

Babalu-Aye - God of Healing (Nigeria)

Banga - God of Water (Congo and Central Africa)

Bomazi - God of Ancestors (Congo)

Buk - Goddess of Rivers and Streams (Sudan)

Buku - God of the Skies (West Africa)

Bumba - God of Creation (Congo)

Cagn - God of Transformation (Kalahari)

Candit - River Goddess (Sudan)

Chedi-Bumba - God of Birds (Congo)

Chiuta - Rain God (Malawi)

Chonganda - God of Vegetation (Congo)

Chuku - God of Creation (Nigeria)

Dada - God of Abundance (Nigeria)

Deng - Creator God (Sudan)

Ditaolane - Hero God (Lesotho)

Domfe - God of the Wind (Kurumba)

Dongo - God of Thunder (Songhai)

Dziva - Creator Goddess (Zimbabwe)

Ebore - Sky God (Nigeria)

Edinkira - Goddess of the Trees (Africa)

Egungun-Oya - Goddess of Divination (Nigeria)

Evus - God of Mayem (Gabon)

Elegua - God of Mischief (Nigeria)

Elusu - Goddess of Water (Africa)

Engai - God of the Skies (Kenya)

Enekpe - Goddess of Fate (Africa)

Eseasar - Goddess of the Earth (Nigeria)

Eshu - Trickster God (Nigeria)

Fa - God of Fate (Nigeria)

Faro - God of Creation (Mali)

Gamab - God of Death (Namibia)

Gaunab - God of Evil (South Africa)

Ghekre - God of Judgement (Ivory Coast)

Gu - Blacksmith God (Benin)

Heitsi-Eibib - God of Nature (South Africa)

Haiuri - God of the Underworld (South Africa)

Hare - Trickster God (Nigeria)

Huveane - God of Creation (Lesotho)

Hyel - Supreme God (Nigeria)

Imana - Creator God (Rwanda)

Itherther - Buffalo God (Algeria)

Jakuta - God of Lightening (Nigeria)

Jok - Rain God (Uganda)

Juok - Creator God (Sudan)

Kaang - God of Creation (Botswana)

Kabundungulu - Heroic God (Angola)

Kaka-Guie - Death God (Ivory Coast)

Kalumba - God of Creation (Congo)

Kanu - God of Creation (Guinea)

Katonda - Creator God (Uganda)

Khonvoum - Creator God (East Africa)

Khuzwane - God of Populating (South Africa)

Kwoth - God of the Mysterious (Sudan)

Le-Eyo - God of Death (East Africa)

Legba - God of Mayhem (Benin)

Leza - Rain God (South Africa)

Libanza - God of Creation (Congo)

Maori - God of Creation (Zimbabwe)

Massim-Biambe - God of Reincarnation (Congo)

Mawu-Lisa - Unisex Double Gods of Creation (Benin)

Mbaba-Mwanna-Waresa - Goddess of Beer (South Africa)

Mbere - God of Creation (Congo)

Mbokomu - Goddess of Ancestry (Congo)

Mboya - Goddess of Motherhood and Fertility (Congo)

Mebeghe - God of Creation (Gabon)

Minga-Bengale - God of the Hunt (Africa)

Minona - Goddess of Prophecy and Divination (Benin)

Modimo - God of Creation (South Africa)

Morimi - Goddess of Fire (Nigerians)

Muluku - Creator God (Zambesi)

Mulungu - God of Creation (Tanzania)

Musso-Koroni - Goddess of Discord (Mali)

Mwambwa - Goddess of Lust and Desire (Namibia)

Mwari - Unisex Creator Gods (Zimbabwe)

Nasilele - Goddess of Creation (Zambesi)

Nzame - God of Creation (Congo)

Njambi - God of Creation (Namibia)

Ndriananahary - God of Creation (Madagascar and Nigeria)

Ngai - Creator God (Kenya)

Ngewo-Wa - God of Creation (Sierra Leone)

Nyalitch - Supreme God (Sudan)

Nimba - Fertility Goddess (Guinea)

Ninepone - Fertility Goddess (Gabon)

Nommo - Unisex Gods of All (Mali)

None - God of Populating (Gabon)

Nyaliep - Goddess of the River (Sudan)

Nyambe - God of Creation (Zambesi)

Nyame - Supreme God (Ghana)

Nyaminyami - God of Streams and Rivers (Zambesi)

Nyankopon - Supreme God (Ghana)

Nyiko - Hero God (Cameroon)

Nyokonan - God of Spiders (Cameroon)

Nyonye-Ngana - God of Ants (Congo)

Obassi-Osaw - God of Creation (Nigeria)

Obatala - God of Purity (Nigeria)

Ochosi - God of the Hunt (Nigeria)

Odomankomo - Creator God (Ghana)

Odudua - Goddess of the Earth (Nigeria)

Ogo - God of Mischief (Mali)

Ogun - God of Weaponry (Nigeria)

Oko - God of Farming and Agriculture (Nigeria)

Olorun - Supreme God (Nigeria)

Olokun - God of the Seas (Nigeria)

Onile - Goddess of Blacksmithing (Nigeria)

Orunmila - God of Wisdom (Nigeria)

Osanyin - God of Vegetation (Nigeria)

Oshe - God of Storms (Nigeria)

Oshun - Goddess of Love (Nigeria)

Oya - Goddess of Destruction (Nigeria)

Qamata - God of Creation (South Africa)

Rugaba - Creator God (Uganda)

Ruhanga - God of Creation (Uganda)

Ruwa - God of Creation (Kilimanjaro)

Sagbata - God of the Earth (Benin)

Sakarabru - God of Justice (Guinea)

Shadipinyi - Drunken God (Namibia)

Shakpana - God of Disease (Namibia)

She - God of Thunder (Nigeria)

Soko - Supreme God (Nigeria)

Somtup - God of Masculinity (Guinea)

Sopona - God of Disease (Nigeria)

Sudika-Mbambi - God of Thunder (Angola)

Thixo - Sun God (South Africa)

Tilo - Creator God (Zambia and Malawi)

Tore - God of the Hunt (Zaire)

Tsetse-Bumba - Goddess of Lightning (Congo)

Uhlanga - Swamp Goddess (South Africa)

Umvelinqangi - Creator God (South Africa)

Unkulunkulu - Creator God (South Africa)

Waaqa - Supreme God (Ethiopia)

Woyengi - Goddess of Population (Nigeria)

Wulbari - Ruling God (West Africa)

Wuni - Creator God (Ghana)

Yansan - Goddess of the Wind (Nigeria)

Yasigi - Goddess of the Festival (Mali)

Yeban - God of the Underworld (Mali)

Yurugu - God of Chaos (Mali)

Who is Hecate? She is the Goddess of Witchcraft, Necromancy, Ghosts, Magic, and, in some instances, the Night, Darkness, The Mist, and Moon. For some She is also the goddess of motherhood, protection, and the sea. She is a Hellenic deity, born of the Titans Asteria and Perses. There’s a few beliefs circling around Her being a crone goddess or a Triple Goddess, but those are modern and neopagan beliefs—which She predates. I also consider Her to be a part of the Chthonic deities.

Symbology: Black dogs, Wolves, Keys, Torches, Flames, Torches, Crossroads, Serpents, Daggers, Birds of Prey (crows, ravens, owls), the Moon, witchcraft tools (such as cauldrons, tarot, athames)

Offerings & Devotional Acts for Her:

Figurines of any of Her symbols

keys, skeleton keys, lockets

fire witchcraft and candles, flames, matchsticks

dedicating any lunar or symbolic jewelry to Her

black/dark crystals such as obsidian and onyx

nocturnal animal imagery

black/cool colored glitter

baneful/poisonous herbs and plants

pomegranates/berries (She seems to really like blackberries)

dark blend wines

honey, cinnamon, poppy seeds, chocolates (dark)

mugwort, lavender, roses, jasmine, dragon’s blood

bones and feathers from birds of prey (please check your local laws about obtaining these)

pinpricks of blood (please DO NOT attempt this if you struggle with self harm/etc, blood magic is particularly strong and isn’t for everyone. She will understand if you cannot offer that to her).

Taking midnight walks, setting up altars and rituals at crossroads, paying respects to the dead and practicing your craft in a cemetery 

Any playlists, poems, literature, whether it be your own or just a piece you associate with Her, also make wonderful offerings. 

Lunar Influences & Connections: Reaching out to Hecate tends to work best at night, and really any time the moon is at it’s peak. The Witching Hours, midnight to 3A.M., during strong lunar influences (blue moons, blood moons, eclipses, new moons, etc) all hold strong bonds with Hecate. Also, any time it is particularly foggy or your surroundings are covered in a mist is a good time to try to connect with Her.

Large altars:

Olive oil

Honey

Wine or juice

Bread

Olives

Pomegranates

Pears

Olive tree bark or leaves

Blue, gold, red, and white candles

Dragon's blood, frankensince, orange blossom, cedarwood incense

Large crafts such as pottery, textiles, etc.

Ship figurines

Snake skins

Figures of owls

Helms (toy or otherwise)

Shields (toy or otherwise)

Lance or spears (toy or otherwise)

Trophies and medals you've won

Your favorite books

Small/hidden altars:

Roses and sweet smelling flowers

Spices, especially cinnamon

Crystals such as lapis lazuli, azure, turqoise, onyx, star sapphire, ruby

Drawings of owls, snakes, ships

Small crafts like art, paper crafts, candle making, embroidery, or small items made by sewing or crocheting

Wool

Golden jewelry

A difficult test that you got a good grade on

Your job resume

Your diploma or graduation cap

Owl feathers

The playing card Queen of Spades

Pencils and pens (you can ask Her to bless them and use them for tests or writings)

Craft supplies such as needles for sewing/crocheting

Take some of your hair (gathered from your hairbrush) and wrap it around a spindal and offer it to Her

Actions:

Learn about self-defense

Learn about your rights

Defend and stand-up for others who need help

Create art dedicated to Her or of Her

Make or listen to music for Her

Make hymns or poems dedicated to Her

Handmade crafts for Her

Your work in general! Yes, really, She enjoys her devotees to work hard at their job(s), crafts, or classes!

Study and learn new information or skills

Read and learn about Her history

Learn more about the politics of your country/state, write letters to your senator or mayor etc.

Read

Learn about welding

Grow an olive tree

Wear clothing with her colors (royal blue, gold, orange, yellow, emerald green, red) or with owls on it

Wear jewelry with her favorite crystals

Play strategy games

Decorate your room with owls

Pray to Her for wisdom, knowledge, strength, help with studying, and help with your work or crafts

Self-care bath spells and rituals

Sources:

https://journeyingtothegoddess.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/goddess-athena/amp/

https://occult-world.com/athena/

Aphrodite

"Persephone is the goddess queen of the underworld, wife of the god Hades, and the goddess of spring growth along with her mother, Demeter."

Large Altars:

Pomegranates

Pomegranate juice or wine

Honey or honey infused wine

Honey made from flowers

Spring water

Floral tea

Flower or herb infused water

Breads, grains, cakes, sweets, etc.

Sweet fruits

Flower crowns

Flower arrangements

Potted plants

Floral scented incense

Almond, vanilla, bergamot, or pomegranate scented incense

Purple, magenta, indigo, green, and black candles

Crowns

Statues or paintings of bats, rams, and/or deer

Small/hidden Altars:

Pomegranate seeds

Pomegranate candies

Dark chocolate

Spring flowers

Wild flowers

Fake flowers

Crushed mint

Small animal bones

Fake or animal skulls

Toy coffins

Floral scented perfumes

Almond, vanilla, bergamot, or pomegranate scented perfumes

Jewlery

Gems such as crystal, quartz, agate, black onyx, pink tourmaline, obsidian, coral, and jasper

Artwork

Poetry

Seeds

Plush toys of bats, rams, and deer

Devotional Acts:

Tend to a garden or keep a plant

Learn herbalism

Learn about flowers, try baking with them, using them in bath spells, etc.

Make a playlist of songs that remind you of Her

Meditate outside

Go on nature walks

Clean up nature trails

Smell the flowers

Celebrate the coming of spring and Her return

Likewise, celebrate the coming of fall and Her departure to the underworld

Honor the dead

Visit graveyards

Clean up graveyards

Donate to those who can't afford a funeral service

Honor the fae and work with them

Honor Hades

Honor Demeter

Sources:

Artwork from Smite

https://vocal.media/futurism/ways-of-worship-persephone

https://occult-world.com/persephone/

Because holy shit have the past 3 days been a fucking shit show.

I've previously mentioned I was guessing Aphrodite was attempting to call me in my dreams, which I found weird as I don't want to go near deities yet and she seemed like such a random one to pop up.

It wasn't Aphrodite.

I contacted this thing via pendulum and it refused to answer like 90% of my questions and I got a migraine once that session was over, already a red flag from my own fucking spirit work but I pressed on. I spent the rest of the day researching deities online and in my books and asking witches who I knew worked with her "Hey, what was your experience like??" and again, the way this thing was acting didn't add up and I should've stopped trying to communicate. I pressed on again. I did a deep meditation before bed and that night the thing actually talked to me.

It went on this spiel about how it had "chosen" me and that I was to submit to it and worship it and it would repay me heavily in due time if I followed what it was saying. It told me I had no choice in the matter.

My half a day's worth of research pointed at a big fuck off sign that read "THIS ISN'T APHRODITE".

Before I could do anything about it though I woke up and vomited and have been lying in bed since exhausted and unable to eat for most of the day (And I'm 99% sure I'm not just normal ill; I have not left the house in 2 weeks due to the lockdown so no chance of getting any stomach bug outside, I don't have food poisoning as I ate the same things my family has eaten and no one else is sick and no one else previously had any bugs, this sickness came out of nowhere)

This is something I knew could happen, however I have seen little information on so fuck it, I'm throwing it down because some other witch who's trying to work with deities for the first time or some idiot who didn't properly research is going to fall for this shit and could get hurt.

DEITY WORK IS A CONSENSUAL THING FOR BOTH PARTIES

You and the matron or patron have to consent to work with each other. Just because a deity reaches out to you does not mean you have to drop everything and work with them. Just like how you can leave offerings for a deity but they just may not be interested in working with you due to timing, you may not be suited best to that certain deity, a million things.

DEITIES DON'T "CLAIM" YOU/SPEW TO YOU THAT YOU'RE THE "CHOSEN ONE"

I've seen this phrase tossed around here and a shit load on the TikTok Witch Community that people are "claimed" by deities. This is also not true. You can be called by a deity, they can drop hints that they wish to work with you over a period of time (not all at once like what happened with me, it may take weeks, months, a year, longer). These hints can vary and are usually symbolic in nature so you may not pick up on them right away. You may dream of a person who strikes you differently and looks like a certain deity (what I thought was happening to me), sometimes symbols of a certain deity start appearing in your life, etc. Deities don't "claim" people though, as that breeches the consent part I mentioned. You don't suddenly belong to a deity just because they wish to work with you.

DEITIES DON'T ACT SHADY AS SHIT

Honestly, deities don't have the time to be beating around the bush with you. If you figure out a deity is trying to communicate with you and you reach out with questions they are most likely going to answer you. They won't bullshit around refusing to answer questions you have, especially if they're interested in working with you. Also they don't ask you to worship and grovel to them, there's a reason why pagans and witches say they "work with" deities. It's a mutual exchange, you respect them and give them offerings and prayers or whatever and they will support you in spells, times of need and perform favours for you. What you put in is what you'll get out of it, vice versa.

DEITIES ALSO DON'T LEAVE YOU FEELING HORRIBLE AND SICK

Honestly if they pulled this shit on everyone I don't know why anyone would be working with them.

_____________

IN CONCLUSION (+Specfically for baby witches)

In case ye were wondering, I am okay and safe now. I banished the entity, cleansed my house and room and have put up specfic wards using sigils to keep anything bad out but to let anything good in (a potential REAL deity perhaps 👀👀). I am a lot smarter than this and under normal circumstances I wouldn't have let it go that far, but I was so bewildered at the idea of a deity noticing me I completely ignored my gut feeling and knowledge about entities.

While I did fuck up and make a mistake by dismissing red flags, I'm sure I'll be able to look back on this at some point in the future and be thankful I learned never to ignore my intuition again.

If it was the actual Aphrodite I probably wouldn't have taken her up on this offer straight away anyway, 1. I know barely anything about deity work and would probably need a good year to learn and research everything and 2. My own needs and issues need to be tended first before I can begin to appease a literal God or Goddess. I would maybe like to work with a deity in the far away future but right now is not the time for that.

From the research I did do to try wrap my head around this and to make this post, I honestly do get why people work with deities, it seems like a wonderful connection to have and I'm sure it's a fulfilling relationship to be a part of. However, due to the work and commitment it takes and the possibility of incidents like what happened to me happening, baby witches or inexperienced witches shouldn't be rushing into this. Witchcraft in general is not a thing you can speed read in a few days and rush into expecting brilliant results, if you fuck around it will come back around and punch you in the face so please be smart. I feel like people get excited looking at the advanced stuff or get unintentionally pressured by the community of witches who have already found their deities or work with other entities and then on week one start using a ouija board to talk to their "deity" who showed up yesterday to drain them of their energy before they learn any basics like protective magick or anything like that and it's honestly quite a dangerous situation.

i might do a more in-depth analysis of some of these deities’ lores later but for now here’s a short lil list. these are all deities i’ve either worked with or would like to work with in the future, so if you notice i’m omitting some that’s probably why (or i just forgot lol).

1. Bia - goddess of force and power

2. Morpheus - god of dreams 

3. Nyx - goddess of the night and darkness

4. Aether - god of the upper sky

5. Phoebe - goddess of radiance and brightness

6. Hypnos - god of sleep

7. Psyche - goddess of the soul

8. Tyche - goddess of fortune (more famous by her Roman name, Fortuna)

9. Anagke - goddess of destiny

10. Echidna - goddess of monsters

11. Kronos - god of time and (sometimes) chaos (not necessarily lesser-known, i just don’t know anyone who’s worked with him)

12. Peitho - goddess of seduction and persuasion

13. Dike - goddess of justice

14. Sphrosyne - goddess of self-control 

Whatever you were dreaming about previously comes to an abrupt stop, and a change in vibrational frequency occurs after the spirit appears.

The dream becomes more lucid, and you are able to act consciously and communicate effectively with the spirit. 

Your sensory perceptions become clearer.

The dream’s scenery reverts back to your room, and you see the spirit inside your room or beside your bed.

After the spirit has given you an important message, you wake up between 3-4 AM. 

You will instantly be able to recognise the spirit, often telepathically hearing it’s name.

Upon waking up, you are able to recount the dream in great detail.

The dream is accompanied by the spirit’s symbolism, especially if it is a deity.

You meet the spirit through a door or gateway - the astral threshold. 

Abundance: Arnica

Balance: Heather

Banishing negative energy: Lilac, Snapdragon

Beauty: Amaryllis, Pentas, Wolf’s Bane

Clairvoyance: Poppy, Queen Anne’s Lace

Communication: Datura (with Deities), Foxglove (with Fae), Pansy

Courage: Geranium, King Protea

Creativity: King Protea

Divination: Chicory, Damiana, Datura, Hibiscus, Pansy, Poppy, Rose

Dreams: Calendula (psychic dreams), Dandelion, Datura, Poppy

Energy: Carnation, Sunflower (sun energy)

Exorcism: Angelica, Dandelion, Datura, Henbane, Lilac

Fertility: Daffodil, Damiana, Foxglove, Geranium, Heather, Myrtile, Poppy, Queen Anne’s Lace, Sunflower

Friendship: Hydrangea, Passion Flower

Happiness: Calendula, Hyacinth, Lily of the Valley, Pansy, Scarlet Pimpernel, Sunflower, Tulip

Harmony: Gardenia, Iris, Jasmine, Lavender, Poppy, Rose, Violet

Healing: Arnica, Angelica, Calendula, Carnation, Chicory, Gardenia, Geranium, Heather, Lavender, Rose, Scarlet Pimpernel, Vervain

Hope: Daisy, Violet

Innocence: Daisy, Freesia

Invisibility: Poppy, Wolf’s Bane

Joyfulness: Birds of Paradise

Love: Buttercup, Daffodil, Daisy, Damiana, Datura, Foxglove, Gardenia, Geranium, Heather, Hibiscus, Hyachint, Iris, Jasmine, Lavender, Lilac, Orchid, Pansy, Pentas, Poppy, Queen Anne’s Lace, Tulip, Vervain, Violet, Yarrow Flower

Luck: Carnation, Chicory, Daffodil, Dandalion, Honeysuckle, Poppy, Violet

Lust: Damiana, Heather, Hibiscus, Queen Anne’s Lace

Marriage: Buttercup, Yarrow Flower

Money: Bergamot, Chamomile, Honeysuckle

Passion: Chamomile, Passion Flower, Rose

Patience: Aster

Peace: Gardenia, Iris, Lavender, Passion Flower, Poppy, Violet

Pleasure: Sweet Pea

Prosperity: Jasmine, Poppy

Protection:  Angelica, Arnica, Carnation, Datura, Dogwood, Foxglove, Geranium, Heather, Holly, Hyacinth, Lilac, Lily, Marigold, Rose, Scarlet Pimpernel, Snapdragon, Tulip, Vervain, Violet, Wolf’s Bane

Psychic Ability: Arnica, Calendula, Damiana, Orchid, Rose, Moonflower

Purification: Chicory, Dandelion, Lavender

Relaxation: Chamomile, Jasmine, Lavender, Poppy, Vervain

Removal of Curses/Breaking Hexes: Chicory, Datura, Hydrangea, Lily

Second sight: Henbane, Queen Anne’s Lace, Scarlet Pimpernel

Sensuality: Heather

Sexuality: Damiana, Foxglove

Sleep: Chamomile, Elderflower, Linden, Poppy, Violet

Spirit: Arnica (keeps unwanted spirits at bay), Bergamot (lifts spirit), Dandelion (summoning spirits), Heather (conjuring spirits), Honeysuckle

Spirituality: Jasmine, Queen Anne’s Lace, Rose

Strength: Carnation, Chicory

Success: Bergamot, Chicory, Sunflower

Tranquility: Lavender, Poppy, Rose, Violet

Transformation: Datura, King Protea, Moonflower, Scarlet Pimpernel

Vision: Angelica, Damiana, Datura

Vitality: Carnation

Wealth: Elderflower, Honeysuckle, Jasmine

Wisdom: Henbane

🌈Flower Colours and Magical Correspondences🌈

BLACK AND DARK BURGUNDY: The Crone,  banishing, breaking hexes, and removing negativity

BLUE: Element of water,  healing, sleep, and peace

BROWN AND  BEIGE:  Home,  stability,  and pets

GREEN: The God, element of earth,   faeries, healing, money, luck and fertility

PINK:  Friendship, children, affection and love

PURPLE: Power, psychic abilities and passion

RED: The Mother, element of fire, lust, love, sex, healing and protection

WHITE: The Maiden,  all  purpose, purification, protection,  and moon magick

YELLOW: Element of air, wisdom, mental powers,and divination 

ORANGE: Energy, vitality, and success

🌻🍂Flowers of the Month🍃❄️

January: carnation (bestows energy, healing), snowdrop (symbolizes new beginnings)

February: violet (love, protection), primrose (protection, love)

March: daffodil (fertility, love)

April: sweet pea (friendship, strength), daisy (love), lily (keeps negative influences away  [White: symbol for the archangel Gabriel])

May: lily of the valley (perks you up, lifts your spirits [all part of the flower are mildly toxic, should not be ingested]), hawthorn (fertility, happiness, good luck in fishing)

June: rose (love), honeysuckle (prosperity)

July: larkspur (health, protection), water lily (healing, emotions, psychic powers [use it in water spells, rituals])

August: gladiola (ending relationships, ending situations,), poppy (luck, prosperity)

September: morning glory (can be used in binding spells, peace, happiness), aster (can be used in love spells)

October: calendula (strength, healing, justice)

November: chrysanthemum (protection, protects you from negativity)

December: holly (protection, male plant), ivy (fidelity, love, female plant)

🔱Goddesses and Associated Plants🔱

APHRODITE: Violet, Morning glory, Rose, Linden, Heather, Queen Anne’s Lace, Daisy and all true blue flowers      

APOLLO: Arnica, Henbane

ARADIA: Rue, Vervain, Verbena

ARIANRHOD: Linden

ARTEMIS: Artemesia, Daisy, Damiana    

ASTRAEA: Aster, Michaelmas daisy

BAST: Catnip

BIL: Henbane

BRIGHID OR BRIDE: Dandelion,  Crocus, Helebores          

CERNUNNOS: Chamomile

CERRIDWEN: Vervain/verbena

CHRONOS: Henbane

CYBELE: Chrysanthemum

DEMETER OR CERES: Red Poppy

DIANA: Rue, Henbane, Rose

DRYADS: Daisy

FAE: Daisy

FREYA:  Maidenhair fern, Daisy, Rose, Primrose and Arnica

GANESHA: Damiana

HADES: Datura

HATHOR: Rose

HECATE: Cyclamen, Lavender, Willow, Hensbane, Datura, Wolf’s Bane and Monkshood (aconite)

HEL: Chrysanthemum

HERA:   Iris, Willow

HESTIA: Passion Flower

HOLDA: Rose in full bloom

HYPNOS: Passion Flower

IRIS: Iris, Rose

ISIS: Rose, Heather and purple  Iris

JUNO: Iris

JUPITER: Carnation

KALO: Hibiscus

LADY OF GUADALUPE:  Red and pink roses, Poinsettias

LILITH:  Lily; Deep-Red, Thorny, Garden-Style Roses

LUNA: Queen Anne’s Lace

MAE LABRAID: Heather

MAIA: Scarlet Pimpernel

MARS: Daffodil

MEDEA: Lavender

MERCURY: Chamomile

MINERVA: Thistle, Olive, and Mulberries              

NATURAJA: Datura

NECHTAN: Heather

NEPHTHYS: Lily

OESTRE: Daisy

OSHUN: Chamomile, Yarrow Flower

PERSEPHONE:   Parsley, Pomegranate, Henbane

RA: Arnica, Chamomile

SATURN: Datura, Lavender

SELENE: Rose, Bluebell, Nicotiana, Queen Anne’s Lace   and all white and night-blooming flowers

SHANGO: Hibiscus

SHAVA: Linden

SHIVA: Datura

ST. ANNE: Chamomile

VENUS: Violet, Morning glory,  Rose, Hibiscus, Queen Anne’s Lace, Heather and all true blue flowers    

YEMAYA: Passion Flower, Yarrow Flower

ZEUS: Damiana

Source: Garden Witchery - Magic from the ground up by Ellen Dugan