Pagan Sanctum

A place for witches, pagans, and polytheists to share experiences and learn from one another! As no two spiritual experiences are exactly the same, we expect all members to discuss their differences in a calm, civil way. Our Discord has lots of events, prompts, and clubs to join in on, and plenty of channels for all sorts of paths. The mod teams works hard to do what's best for our members. We're always willing to address any issues or suggestions members bring to us, and we even have an anonymous concern and suggestion form. Please consider joining our community if this sounds like the right place for you!

°•* Tumblr *•°

°•* Discord *•°

Here is a list of important links:

More information on the discord server (edit: please note that the server link in this old post is expired, use the Discord-link above to join) 

Hello everyone! I’m happy to inform you that after a brief break, we are welcoming new members again. After discussing the future of the server we mods are feeling excited about everything and are ready to get things rolling more actively again. We are going to start posting discussion prompts in the server again, and we still have several fun clubs and workshops, such as Party Arties for art projects and Modern Mythologists for devotional writing. We have even talked about doing events again, possibly starting with our traditional spring event! 

You may have noticed how quiet this blog has been recently. Pagan Sanctum still exists and is a safe haven for pagans and witches of all paths, but as the server is more quiet than it used to be and we are operating on a smaller mod team, we haven’t really been able to update our social media. 

To catch a breath and make sure that we have the energy to keep the server going, we are currently not allowing new people to join. We will let you know when the entrance is open again! It has been heartwarming to see how many new people have joined even though we haven’t been posting on tumblr in a good while, clearly there is a need for spaces where pagans and witches can share their thoughts and learn. We hope that Pagan Sanctum can be such a place in the future, too. 

Our previous prompt was to write about giving a gift to a deity or a spirit, or receiving one from them. The texts that got submitted turned out rather personal and emotional, thanking the deities for all their support and for helping us change our lives to better. A perfect theme for these final days of this year, when we contemplate the past year and what we hope for the next year to bring 💕✨

As a holiday special, our current prompt is to write anything you want, as long as it’s somehow related to your practice. If you want to see what everyone comes up with, join us on our Discord server ✨

For the past few weeks, our prompts have been to write a fairytale, and to imagine a myth ending differently. For the latter, here’s a text one of our mods @lucinaofstarlight​ wrote, concerning the relationship between Hera and Heracles. 

TW for a vague mention of attempted sexual assault

Glory of Hera

After a moment of silence, as if the world was drawing breath, the battlefield was filled with loud cheers of joy as the Olympian gods celebrated their newly-fought victory over the giants. Heracles got an approving nod from Athena, who had fetched him to help with the battle: after all, a prophecy had stated that the gods could only win if they were aided by a mortal. And Heracles had been a great help indeed, having shot many giants with his arrows. The hero's confidence faltered slightly when he saw Hera approach him.

In the midst of battle, he had saved the Queen of the Gods from being attacked and assaulted by giant Porphyrion. The enemy had first been struck by a thunderbolt thrown by Hera's husband Zeus, and Heracles had then rushed to help by shooting Porphyrion with an arrow. No harm had come to Hera, who had then proceeded to fight as she had before. The goddess of motherhood and marriage was quite fierce when she wanted to be, as Heracles had experienced before. He was a brave and resourceful warrior, even now clad in the hide of the Nemean lion he had killed. But if there was something that made him feel nervous, it was being in the presence of the goddess who had caused many problems for him before. What was she thinking about right now?

“Thank you for saving my life”, Hera said, to Heracles' surprise. What confused him even more was her tone, which was actually genuinely grateful.

“Of course, my lady”, the man replied politely. Hera must have noticed the slight suspicion in his voice and demeanor, and chuckled.

“Has it not dawned on you yet, boy?” the queen asked, and proceeded to explain. “I don't hate you. All the obstacles I have thrown at you have been challenges for you to overcome.”

She glanced at her husband who was standing nearby, chatting with his beloved daughter Athena. Hera turned back to Heracles and continued:

“Zeus fathers children, I forge them into the heroes this world needs. In that sense, you are my son as much as you are his.”

Her tone was proud and royal but at the same time the look in her eyes was soft and approving. Heracles was confused and unsure what to think, but in the end supposed that this was a good thing.

“Geez”, he said, scratching his head embarrassed. “I guess that explains the meaning of my name and all.”

Hera's Glory. The goddess simply nodded and turned her head towards the night sky, where the stars were clearly visible now. There was the milky way, which had come to existence when Hera had nursed baby Heracles and he had sucked so strongly that milk had spilled across the sky. Her milk had also given Heracles his super strength. As he had been just an infant he himself didn't remember this event, but Hera did, and thought of that memory now.

Holiday season is here, and in the server we are holding multiple little events to celebrate! 

✨2021 Manifestation Calendar: each day a positive manifestation prompt will be posted. Read and repeat it thorough your day and try to manifest it. You can join in at any time! 

💫Pass the Sigil: Participants will be working on a sigil together, each adding new lines to it after another so it will be even more powerful! The theme of the sigil, as participants voted, is "sigil for prosperity and having the energy for achieving what we set out to do in the new year". 

🎄Gift Exchange: A returning event from last year, where participants are assigned a random person to give a digital gift for. 

A new workshop called Anchoring Animism recently started on our Discord server! As the club coordinator describes it, the goal is to help people discover and incorporate Animism in their practice, and to also help those that already do hone their craft and also just talk and exchange ideas. 

Pop in to see what’s going on in there🌱

For the past two weeks our prompt was to write about how you first met your deity or spirit guide. Members shared their heartwarming stories, and an example written by one of our mods can be read below. Our new prompt is to write about how would the altar or place of worship of your dreams look like 🥰

Writers will have even more fun going on next month, as there will be a separate November writing challenge which will offer exciting daily prompts to work on. They aren’t limited to spiritual matters either - you can do basically anything you want with them. If you want to join or see what our creative members come up with, join us on our Discord server! ✨

October Rainbow

Exactly one year ago today, I saw a rainbow. It was the biggest rainbow that I had ever seen, and it arched over the whole city, shining brightly. I took a photo of it – the camera on my phone could capture only a glimpse of its beauty – and was simply enchanted by it. 

I posted the picture on Instagram, and almost typed something about Iris in the description, as I had instinctively thought of her when I saw that wonderful phenomena. But a lot of the people following my account that time were my relatives who did not know that I was pagan, and so I shied away from doing so. But every time I looked at the photo I would think of the Goddess of the Rainbow, and months later when I had officially approached her I realized that I had met for the very first time when I gazed at that huge rainbow up in the October sky.

- @lucinaofstarlight​

Many of our old clubs that had been on a break for a while have returned with new club coordinators! This includes 

💝 Shadow Work Support Group

☕️ Aurora’s Corner, now renamed Philosopher’s Corner

🃏 Tarot Tower

💎 Elder Futhark Rune Workshop, now with new co-coordinator

Join our Discord server to participate in these clubs and in others! ✨

For the past two weeks, our prompt was “try travelling to a different realm while meditating and write a story about your experiences. If you can't travel, imagine a place you would like to go to!” 

Our admin recently shared a story of some astral traveling they did, guided by the goddess Hestia. It included a place in the astral that they didn't expect, a mysterious fountain, and ended with them receiving a very unique item for protection.

If you're interested in reading more about this story and more about our other members' experiences with the astral, our discord server is open and has many stories about these travels and practitioners willing to share more!

For the past two weeks, our prompt has been to write a prayer or a hymn. It was heart-warming to see many of our members participate and write for their deities from many different pantheons 🥰 As an example here is a little something I wrote for Iris, but if you would like to see all the other prayers & hymns as well as participate in our future prompts yourself, come join us on Discord ✨

- Mod Lucina @lucinaofstarlight​

Hymn to Iris  I greet you, Iris of the Rainbow! Clad in vivid colors, shining bright You truly are the Wondorous One With your golden wings you fly you across the skies Leaving your enchanting mark behind

I greet you, Iris Storm-Footed And dance with you in the rain You always fill me with such inspiration And such great joy I thank you for your many blessings.

The most recent prompt for Modern Mythologists has been “Try getting in touch with your spirit guides or deity you’ve always wanted to make contact with and write about your experience!” We got to read each other’s exciting stories about meeting new deities. Here’s one example from the pop culture pagan side of our server, about contacting Meridia, The Daedric Prince of Life. 

Breath of Life

The Sun.

That is the card Lady Azura gave me as an answer to my question. I had asked if she consented to me introducing myself to Lady Meridia. I do dream of working with both of them, but before I actually get started with Meridia, I wish to honor my promise to Azura. Promise of regularly devoting time for her, promise of showing that I am committed. Daedric Princes have expectations and don't wish to be forgotten or ignored. When I've proved that I can keep up with a consistent worship, I can follow the both of them. Dawn and Dusk, Light and Life.

The Sun.

What could be a clearer sign of approval? And at the very same time the perfect card to represent the Lady of Infinite Energies herself?  I excitedly pour an offering of honeyed tea and address the one once known as Merid-Nunda. A sense of approval washes over me.

The Sun.

Candles are lit and I settle down. I wish to travel, I want to see her. Talk to her. I close my eyes, take deep breaths. Soon I am surrounded by bright beams of light, bathing in their warmth. I can see nothing more, only endless radiance. I think I catch a glimpse of a winged silhouette in the golden glow, but I am uncertain. I decide to trust in my instincts.

The Sun.

I'm not sure where exactly I am, but it is beautiful. Peaceful. Only light. I find myself thinking about life. Nothing specific, just... life itself, if that makes sense. It does to me in that moment as I feel invigorated by the rays of light. I don't exactly hear a voice, but I'm quite certain that I am being talked to. I can make out a single command in my mind:

Live.

As I take that in, I feel a strong sense of approval again. I am accepted, I am welcomed. Her hand touches my forehead, conferring her blessing.

I wake up, and feel alive.

I've found many sources claiming with proof that JoS is a neo-nazi cult, and these sources will all be listed below. We do not support nazis in our community, period. If you're associated with this group in any way, do not interact with us.

While researching JoS, I came across someone else receiving a similar ask which makes me think these are being sent by members of JoS and specifically wording them to appeal to the people they're sending them to. For us, they only said "Pagan" in their message. For that other blog, they specifically said "Hellenic Pagan." (imo it's pretty stupid to promote yourselves as a Hellenic Pagan group to gain members if you have Satan in your name).

With that said, we certainly do allow members in our community who practice Satanism, as long as you're not associated with this group, are not anti-semitic or racist, and are respectful of others. This applies to everyone in our community.

> Sources:

• Blogs of JoS members

• Nazi content on the JoS website

• JoS beliefs

• List of websites organized by JoS

Party Arties is Pagan Sanctum’s art club where members discuss their art and make amazing works inspired by prompts that are given out. The current prompt has been to create a portable altar, and @mythical-manda​ created these absolutely enchanting mini altars for Aphrodite, Hestia and Artemis 😍💖✨