Rubedo, of White Stone Born

༺📜༻ Names are quite the interesting and fickle thing, wouldn't you say? I certainly would. Originally, this blog started as religious and magickal in nature. Thusly, I used the name Themodoros (Θεμοδοροσ, ❝gift of Themis❞) to identify myself — given my fascination with law and divination, which Lady Themis held dominion over. Much earlier, I used the name Requiem, as veneration for the dead was a much bigger part of my practice. These two names are what most of my followers might know me by.

Secularly, I have many more names. There are far too many for me to list, and my collection only grows as time goes on. I make no demand that someone be familiar with all of my names or keep changing which name they refer to me by as it changes, however.

| For those curious: I currently go by Crymson Byzantium and/or being referred to by Durin's name! ^w^ |

A list of said names, as well as my preferred pronouns and honorifics (if you wish to use one for me) can be found here, on my pronouns.cc page!

༺📜༻ As my magickal name might imply — I am indeed a worshipper of Lady Themis! She is certainly not the only Theoi which I revere greatly in my life (the ones in my active practice being Lady Hestia, Lady Artemis and Lord Dionysos).

In addition to that, I consider myself a Grecobuddhist and a curious student of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha's Dharma. I've done various practices related to Lady Guanshiyin Pusa (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) and Lord Yaoshifo (Medicine Buddha). My altar also contains images of Lord Vajrasattva and Lady Tara.

As I have grown up in a Christian environment (Eastern Europe), it has been a large part of my life. I've originally had great amounts of hatred towards it due to my grievances with the Church, but I am experimenting with Christopaganism as I try to differentiate the beauty of Divinity and the Lord from the failings of His mortal followers. Many labels could be applied to me! Divinity is incomprehensible, so I try to approach it from many angles.

What was just previously expressed in three paragraphs can also be put quite simply: I hold no single label for my beliefs. I believe that there can be beauty to be found in every single explanation and interpretation of Divinity, and religious pluralism only helps us better understand such an incomprehensible existence.

༺(☦︎)༻ When it comes to my Christian beliefs: I consider myself [mostly] Eastern Orthodox. I identify as Side A and an universalist, so while I concur that Christians are commanded to not sin, that functions as a ward against the sin itself not as a condemnation of the sinner, for we are all equal under our Heavenly Father's all-encompassing love and mercy. If Hell exists, it is at most temporal.

༺📜༻ In broad strokes, this blog is my way to show love to all the things I am fond of: law; magick; religion; anthropology; and, naturally, all beings! <3

༺📜༻ As a follow-up for the last part of the previous statement: I view empathy and kindness as an unlimited resource that could be given towards everybody, regardless of circumstance (which includes sometimes handing out corrections/helping one feel the consequences of their actions — turning a blind eye isn't compassionate, it's really the opposite).

༺📜༻ It probably doesn't need to be said given what I hath just explained — but, I am very much left-leaning, and I will not welcome any sort of bigotry or hate speech on my blog.

༺📜༻ There are many other more secular or casual things which I am quite fond of, such as: video games (currently hyperfixating on Slay The Spire 2 and Deadlock); music (which is further explained here, if thee find thyself curious); and Dungeons & Dragons, among many others.

༺📜༻ Asks and DMs are welcome and encouraged! I crave to share what information I've amassed, exchange opinions or simply offer companionship to those who need it. Additionally, feel free to tag me in posts/tag games, I do not mind and instead quite enjoy when my beloved mutuals do so! I sometimes am very online for large periods of time, so if I do not answer your ask, DM or tag then I promise it is not personal! I shall get around to it eventually.

༺📜༻ I am a minor (17 years of age, born on 01/12/2008 ~ December 1st, 2008), so I do wish to make it clear for people who do not feel comfortable with that!

༺📜༻ I used to have a specific D.N.I. (Do Not Interact) list, yet I've chosen to not include it. I block those I am uncomfortable with, though I do loathe to do so impatiently. 9/10 times, if you have basic empathy then I will have no issues or complaints to voice in regards to you. (^w^)

༺📜༻ Current anonymous persons (in order of appearance):

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༺📜༻ Tags:

A visitor? Come on in! ~ Answering asks!

Interacting with the laity. ~ Non-mutuals!

Interacting with the choir. ~ Mutuals!

Archival entry. ~ (very rudimentary) science communication about anthropology/theology; I may include my own magickal practice here as well!

(☦︎) rejoice; give thanks; and sing! ~ posts related to Christianity

(☸) Hatred does not cease through hatred. ~ posts related to Buddhism

(🏛️) First: whenever you come to your house; offer good sacrifices. ~ posts related to Hellenic Polytheism

Exactly what it is useful for is out of my realm of expertise as of yet, though it is intrinsically tied into much of Daoist practice (as the tàijítú in the yin-yang form in the middle of the image implies) and thusly as I originally began this blog with a Daoist perspective, I felt it fitting. I still study much of Daoism right now, so though I might not look like it I do still deem it a fitting enough name for my identity.

“What's your «I will always order this» food?”

Definitely shawarma. I have yet to eat a single shawarma that was not delicious despite whatever hinderances it might have. In addition to that, 'tis very much a confort food for me.

“What's your most overused emoji?”

It would probably have to be the 😔 (pensive) emoji. It is the only emoji that I use with any sort of regularity, so I would hazard the guess that it wins by default.

“What's your current comfort show, movie, book?”

It'd definitely be Mrs. Benebell Wen's “I Ching, The Oracle: A Practical Guide to The Book of Changes.” I simply adore all of her books, and they've been the single most reliable anchor in my discovery of esoteric Daoism. I almost would find any attempt at describing them insulting, and heartily recommend her as an author to those interested, be they interested in Tarot, the Yijing, or the crafting of Fu.

“Song you've had on repeat this week?” [sic]

We Don't Wanna Be No Saints – Powerwolf

“What's the last thing you hyperfixated on?”

Dungeons and Dragons. More specifically, I have recently been designing two characters. One is a Grave Domain Cleric of Kelemvor (which I have had for a long time & one of my names is inspired by them) and the other is a Wizard studying the School of Necromancy (which is much newer).

“What's an oddly specific thing that brings you joy?”

As I speak with a few other on similar paths and of a similar craft to mine, I am reminded that the way in which I talk, though I see it as completely unremarkable prose, is not the norm for most other people. It brings me much joy to see the confusion or fear [sic] that some people express when they witness the way in which I express myself.

“What smell instantly makes you happy?”

Incense. Without a doubt, the smell of incense is able to soothe and calm me instantaneously. The memories and rituals that it brings to mind help tremendously as well.

“What's something you loved as a kid you secretly love now?”

I've almost no memory from my childhood, so I am afraid I shall leave this query unanswered, as much as I loathe to do so.

“What's your phone wallpaper right now?”

I tend to use devotional wallpapers over more secular choices, so right now they are a mix of wallpapers of/based around Lord Jesus Christ, Lady Hestia and Lady Artemis.

“Are you a morning person, night owl, or something else entirely?”

One is tempted to say night owl, though that is more so a consequence of prying eyes pausing their constant vigil while asleep. In truth, in an environment that isn't inherently dysfunctional, I perform physical tasks best during the morning and afternoon whilst I am much better at matters requiring mental acuity during the evening.

“Lastly, if you work, what is your work profession? And do you like it?”

I am still but a foolish member of the youth and thusly am unemployed. My dream, however, would be the attainment of clerical status. I yearn to be in a position where my spiritual knowledge can be put to use helping those in the community I am affixed to.

Hopefully these answers have been sufficiently detailed in order to satisfy the curiosity of anybody wishing to know more about me! As per always, I invite asks and DMs if thou have any inquiry to pose to me! :D

Blessed be, dear mutuals. <3

❥ Themodoros ☦︎