Of the gods

I love coming on here and seeing everyone's beautiful altars. I also know not every can afford fancy things like the statues and crystals and crystal offering bowls, and what have you. So I wanted to talk about an altar on a budget; where to get decor, place holder items, and so forth.

This is my current set up with my altar. It's a temporary set up do to being in a small home and plans to move. I want to invest in it but not too much until we get to our bigger home.

I'm not joking when I say most of the items on my altar were $5 or less. All the shelves where bought at 5 Below. Aphrodite's shell was also bought there. Thanatos's skull candle, it's gladd candle plate, and the pastel gothic statues for Hades and Persephone all came from the Dollar Tree. Even my incense burner came from 5 below though the few prior to this current one all came from Dollar Tree or Dollar General. Many florals I use also come from Dollar Tree. Though this batch came from Walmart. The two most expensive peices on my altar are my Hephaestus and Thanatos Statues which where gifts from my best friend. Aphrodite, Apollo, and Artemis all came from Ross and were less than $15. I often see other greek statues at Ross and other department stores like it for between $10-$30 dollars. Only a few months back I found a Hermes bust that I did not wind up getting, due to space issues.

As for all of my crystals I think the most I've spent on a single one was the large selenite tower for $12 at a shop in st. augustine.

When I first started out I also got all my candles from the dollar tree. Many on my alter are from Target, the two exceptions being Hephaestus candle which was custom made and Thana's dollar store find.

I know sometimes even $15 for a Ross statue may be out of price range. Don't forget you don't need a statue or imagery of your god to worship them but if you do want something you can always buy a picture frame from the dollar store and print a picture as a place holder. I use the pastel goth statues as palce holders for Hades and Persephone myself and used Day of The Dead cat and dog figurines my MIL gave me for Thanatos before I got his statue. Place holders can be anything. Figurines, photos, a small crystal, a candle, a tarot/oracle card. Truly anything.

There's no wrong way to do an alter. And if you truly can't find a place holder that feels right don't be afraid to just leave the space open. You can see in one of my pictures a whole shelf is barren. That's Ares shelf. I have struggled to find anything as a place holder no matter how hard I tried. The space I have for him just isn't that big and most things I found woundn't have fit. It has been empty for roughly 5 months. But will soon be filled as I finally got the money to buy him a statue and athame.

Bed time Routine: This can be as simple as brushing your teeth right before bed to as complex as doing a yoga routine, drinking some sleep tea, meditating, cleaning your face and teach, and doing a small ritual for the theoi. Just something that gets your body and mind ready for the rest ahead.

Naps: Take naps when you can and need them.

Lavender and Poppies: Poppies are his devotional flower and lavenders are simply calming and often used in sleep teas. So having imagery of these plants or wearing jewlery/clothes with their print is a great way to honor him.

Sleep/Dream Journal: Keep track how much sleep you are getting and how good of sleep you get. As well as any dreams you have during that sleep.

https://take.quiz-maker.com/poll4788559x23244804-148

Soldiers: Make care packages, write letter, donate time to, assist vets. Anything to help make our soldiers lives a bit easier.

Violets: Wear his sacred flower or a perfume of it. Plant it. Adore it

Weapons: Have display weapons or practice the art of one, safely. Specially spears if possible. Or wear jewelry weapons.

Serpants: Wear serpent inspired jewelry and clothing.

There are many places you can start, but I always suggest reading Homor’s works to get an understanding of how the ancients viewed the gods. From there you can start independent studies or you can find a class on it. I personally like Hellenion.org. They have a few free things but for a $10 yearly fee you can be part of the community and take their adult education courses. There is also learnreligion.com, but I have no experience with it so make sure to read reviews first. You may be able to find mentors along the way as well.

It really depends on what suits you better. I did self study for the first half of my learning. It was hard and during a time internet wasn’t as fast, also had time limits because teen, but I was able to get a decent grasp on things and was able to focus on one topic at a time at my own pace. I had a mentor for 3 years as well, but she was Wiccan and so didn’t know exacts with Hellenic religion but did her best to guide me. I have gone back to self mentoring with plans to start the Hellenion classes soon. 

5 yr old: (During major storm) Mommy where's Zeus? Is he in that cloud or that one?

Me: I don't know baby.

5 yr old: I think he's over there *gestures everywhere* Because I like him and he likes me

Me: Oh? That's great baby. Want to give him an offering at home?

Adder: Wear snake symbols, doctorate with them, snake jewelry.

Dagger: You can also wear clothing with imagery of this or jewelry, or own a small dagger. I keep one in my closet for safety so even that would work.

Apples: Best not to throw them to cause a war but you can cook with them, use apple scented candles, and so on.

Competetion: Engage in friendly rivalry and competition from time to time.

This post will be updated any time I make a new devotional activity post. If there is any you want but do not see on her please feel free to message me.

I am still dealing with some medical issues. I had a tumor in my jaw and had to have it removed and as such am still going g to doctors for it and all as well as other issues being dealt with. However I am now in a state where I have energy to work.

Post to come:

-new devotional activities

-dollar store alter series ((for those who cant afford fancy alters yet or must be lowkey))

- conversations from my 5 year old

-story time (dedicating a whole post to individual myths)

-Devotional art request ((you can send messages asking for art that fits your aesthetic for your gods. Does not have to be Greek))

-return of stupid questions