Laurels And Teacups

Epithets of the Greek God Apollo/Apollon:

Phoebus (Phoibos): Meaning "bright" or "shining," this is his most famous epithet, denoting his role as the god of light and the sun.

Pythius: Referring to his cult at Delphi and his victory over the monstrous Python.

Acesius: An epithet worshipped at Elis highlighting his capacity as a healer.

Alexikakos: Meaning "averter of evil" or "defender against plagues".

Loxias: "The one who speaks crookedly," referring to the often enigmatic and cryptic prophecies delivered through his oracle.

Dionysus rides in a flying chariot with eight leopards, all crowned with ivy (and sometimes a ninth leopard with glowing eyes at the front, depending on what you believe). He gives wine and delicious food to those who were good throughout the year but leaves strangely ominous objects to those who were bad (one half of a pair of scissors, rotten grapes, a disembodied lion head, etc.).

so.... I was real sick most of today (chronic illness succkksss so badly) but I decided eventually to be like hmmm... I should make Lord Hermes something, it is Wednesday my dudes, Hermes day... So I decided with my left hand (cause there's nothing I love more than a self imposed challenge) to draw this art for his altar;

Anyways, after I decided to do an oracle reading, hand-made cards a bunch of phrases in them....

First of all, he seemed to approve of the art, but he took the liberty to call out my DM's lol.... I decided to message an ex of mine to check in cause we're somewhat still friend and I pulled a card "ugh, them again? 😒" And I was like... "Do you have a problem with my DM's??" He was like "check your spam folder" and "you're trading for copper what is worth gold." And I was like ??? Okay what do you want me to do about it? He took that as an opportunity to ask for more offerings lol. Was like "more coffee please" (a card a made to mean more offerings because I offer coffee daily) and I was like, are you asking for a bevvy? And he pulls "stop talking, start doing 🤌" and I'm like, imma take your advice and I gave him some offerings but the interaction brought me great joy...

...i freaking love Lord Hermes.

Jupiter, Hera, and Venus- Mattheus Terwesten

I love how one of the Erotes is holding the dove with the leash and Zeus eagle (also childhood bsf or bf), Aetos, is holding his thunderbolt as if protecting it. Then there’s Hera and her peacock in their own world together.

If you need to hide your practice, but want to keep your worship in physical form, you can write prayers and information in letter form. Seal it after every time you add something and say it's "for a friend".

If you get headaches from burning candles, but the fragrance itself doesn't make you feel bad, you don't have to light candles in your practice.

If you cannot show your devotion to a deity by wearing their symbol, you can choose jewellery in a colour that represents them.

If you cannot hide your practice and cannot do rituals in peace, try waking up earlier than anyone in your household and doing a "noninvasive" ritual. Not a lot of sound, no smell, no leftovers.

Translation of the Hymn:

Listen to me, O, Hermes, of Zeus a messenger and son of Maia; for you are victorious and president of the games of men.

Gracious minister, and astute killer of Argus, with your winged sandals, from the gods you prophesize to us.

He who loves exercises, trickery, and schemes, interpret of all, source of profit and relief.

He who holds in his palms the weapon of peace and in luck's transit.

This art piece is more of a love note to Apollo himself as I've been healing for 6 days now and I do reach out to him in practices at times

But I also deeply missed drawing him so even though this isnt super clean, me drawing him first after a medical leave felt important :)