Enter the Haunted Woods

"Hera is the Olympian queen of the gods, and the goddess of marriage, women, the sky and the stars of heaven."

Large Altars:

Honey

Breads, grains, homemade sweets

Pomegranates

Fruits

Milk

Wine

Pure water

Flowers such as lilies, poppies, irises, white roses, and waterlilies

White flower arrangements

Peacock paintings, statues, or peacock patterns

Cow paintings, statues, or cow print patterns

Cuckoo bird art or statues

Cuckoo clocks

Incense such as rose, iris, myrrh, civet, jasmine, and patchouli

White, royal blue, purple, dark green, grey, and silver candles

Diadem (crowns)

Throne imagery

Framed family photos

Small/hidden Altars:

Chocolate

Pomegranate seeds

Fake white flowers

Peacock feathers

Peacock jewlery

Cuckoo feathers

Snail or hermit crab shells

Cow jewlery

Cow print items

Toy peacocks or cows

Gemstones such as pearls, garnets, citrine, amber, diamonds, and star sapphires

Perfumes

Silver and gold jewelry (especially rings)

White or gold rose petals

Golden roses

Art that you've created, especially if it is art of Her

Poems written for Her

Any crafts you've made

Stories that you've written

Photos of your S.O. and/or children

Devotional Acts:

If you have a romantic partner surprise them with breakfast in bed, a movie, a massage, booking a romantic retreat for the two of you, etc.

Do housework and keep your home clean

Make a playlist of songs that remind you of Her

Spend time with those you care about and listen to what they have to say

Try to help others

Be kind to children

Reminisce by looking at old photos on your phone or photographs around your house

Set time aside in your schedule just for your S.O., children, family, friends, etc.

Turn your bathroom into a spa!

Take a long bath with bubbles, soaks, music, candles, wine, etc.

Don't be afraid to speak your mind and let others know what you want and don't want

Donate and support domestic abuse victims

Donate a dress to organizations like Brides for a Cause or Brides Against Breast Cancer or donate to help fund someone's wedding/wedding dress

Donate and support charities that help aid in ending child hunger

Take care of yourself, your mental health, and treat yourself to something you want

Pray to Her and talk with Her about what's going on in your life, any crushes you have, your romantic partner/s, past relationships, children, etc.

Sources:

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

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

https://goddessgift.com/goddess-info/meet-the-goddesses/hera/hera-activities/

So, first of all, I’d suggest at least looking over the companion post to this, How to Read the Deity Communication Spread. A lot of the same ideas and concepts I mentioned there are going to apply here as well.

Secondly, if you’re not sure what I’m talking about – check out the Deity Identification Spread!

The purpose of this spread is to build a profile of information about a deity so that you can discover or narrow down their identity. It won’t always hand you the answer on a platter! But as I said before, and will say numerous times again in the future, the act of taking that information and searching for the answer is often part of the process of working with deities and spirits.

Another purpose for this spread is to verify the identity of a deity that you’re dealing with. It’s actually quite useful for this one, and quite a bit easier, because you’re going to have a better idea of what you’re looking for already.

(Also, just for funsies, if you’re a writer or someone else who finds themselves needing to do some world building, it’s great for generating up fictional deities as well)

Overall Advice

As always, God stuff is weird. It won’t always be easy, but this spread should point you to the signs along the way to figure it out, even if it doesn’t hand you the answer.

Be willing to think creatively. The “answer” may come from the card meaning or imagery, but it could also be a pun on the name or number, or something that is whispered to you when the card is turned over – see above: God stuff is weird.

Remember: you may have to do the leg work on this. The cards should ultimately give you symbols and signs to look out for – so be looking out! See what deities you find that are connected to your answers. Search the myths and lore. See how and where they fit.

Like I said in the post about the Communication Spread, it’s okay to draw more cards for various positions, perhaps even more so in this spread. (You can uh….draw multiple cards for positions on any spread?? by the way?? Just throwing that out there)

Even if you don’t discover the identity of the deity, you’re going to get some useful information in terms of allowing you to reach out to them – clues about their nature, information on their symbols and associations. The closer you get, the more answers may be revealed.

CARD ONE: The Deity

Like in the Communication Spread, this card sums the deity up, typically giving you the particular aspect that is appearing to you.This card should give you hints on where to start looking for the deity’s identity – their name, personality, their appearance. 

Relate this card to the other cards to start building an image of the deity.

CARD TWO: Quality/Trait (”Negative”)

As I say in the spread, I usually interpret this trait as being something “negative” – note, by the way, that you may not get a straight answer here if the deity doesn’t have any overtly negative traits or if you personally won’t perceive or experience those traits.

The “negative” trait may be something they’re classically associated with – jealous, impulsive, potentially cruel. But it may be something you personally may not like – associations that make you uncomfortable or challenge you.

I think it can be hard for people to confront this card because it can be scary. If you get an answer here you don’t like, maybe you don’t want to know the answer after all. If that’s going to be an issue for you, enough that you can’t get over it, then eh, maybe don’t specify this to be something negative. But I think it’s worth it to know and it can be very illuminating.

CARD THREE: Quality/Trait (”Positive”)

This card is the same as above, but with a more positive slant. So these may be things that are aspects they’re known for, such as beauty, generosity, wisdom, or things that you’ll appreciate and be supported by.

This card can be confusing when the positive trait comes up as a negative card, so firstly, let me suggest reading what I said about negative cards in How to Read the Deity Communication Spread.

But overall, consider that a negative card may:

Be expressing a positive aspect of itself – The Tower as liberation, the Five of Pentacles as a light for the lost.

Represent something symbolic – the Ten of Swords may be someone who is known for stepping out of their physical body or granting that ability to those who worship them. The Ten of Wands may be someone who is known to take on many burdens or many followers.

…may just be negative? You might not have a good time with every deity. It happens.

CARD FOUR: Ruling/Power

This card should point you to the deity’s domain, if you will. The cards can be a bit cheeky here, so be prepared for that. The Lovers may indicate a love goddess – but it may also come up for a crossroads deity. 

You should be willing to have a dialogue with your cards here. Pull more than one if you need to, but don’t be afraid to actually give a think to what you draw here – and for all of the cards, to be honest…

Contemplation and comparison to the other cards should help you out here.

CARD FIVE: Symbol/Association

This can be straightforward or not, so good luck!

Again, sometimes the answer is in the imagery – a lightning bolt on The Tower, there might be a dolphin on your Knight of Cups, or maybe it will be in the name or meaning. The search for the answer can be part of the work you’re supposed to be doing, remember? 

But what you’re looking for here are symbols, animals, places, concepts, or whatever else you can strongly link to a deity – which you can use not only to identify that deity, but to reach out to them. 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I really can’t stress this enough – even if you don’t get the answer directly, you’re going to get clues to follow along the path and you’re going to get keys to help bring you closer to that deity. 

If you follow those signs and if you use those keys, you will be able to build a bridge of communication and build a relationship that is going to bring you closer to the answer of identity.

This is especially useful for lesser known deities or deities whose names have been lost to time! 

But ultimately you need to be willing to sit with these answers and explore them, especially if a straightforward identity isn’t presented to you. Sometimes the answer is something that unfolds over time rather than something that hits you straight in the face right away. Maybe you can eliminate some names along the way!

Like I said in the closing thoughts on the communication spread breakdown:

“One of the reasons this spread can be difficult is that deities are difficult. Discovering who they are and what they want from you is sometimes part of the whole challenge or bonding process, and the quest to find those answers is often as useful and important as actually accomplishing anything they’re going to ask from you.

Commissions for @kissedbyasiren on Instagram

Hestia | Hera | Demeter

Modern Statues of Olympians

I’ve noticed that there aren’t many posts concerning epithets for Hades, and certainly no comprehensive ones, so I thought I’d make one. This is Hellenism focused, so all will be applied to Hades, even though the Latin ones would traditionally be for Pluto. Latin epithets are marked as (L). I translated some of these into more concise titles that convey their implications, and notes are made as necessary. Sources are at the bottom but are not linked so that this will still show in tags. I hope this helps everyone!

Related to his role as ruler of the underworld:

Hades Chthonius - Hades of the Underworld

Hades Polyxenos/Polydegmon/Polysêmantôr Aidonius - Hades, Ruler/Host of Many

Hades Pasiánax - Hades, the Universal King

Hades Adesius - Hades of the Grave

Hades Zefs Khthonios - Hades, Zeus of the Underworld

Hades Larthy Tytiral (Etrurian) - Hades, Sovereign of Tartarus

Hades Ánax - Hades, the King

Hades Polydegmenos - Hades, He Who Welcomes All

Summanus/Manus/Mantus (L) - Hades, Prince of the Dead

Niger Deus (L) - Hades, the Black God || Hades of the Infernal Regions

“Zeus of the Departed”

“The Other Zeus”

Related to his roles concerning death:

Hades Nekrodegmôn - Hades, Receiver of the Dead

Hades Agesilaos - Hades, Who Calls Man To The Underworld

Hades Nekrôn Sôtêr - Hades, Saviour of the Dead

Hades Hesperos Theos - Hades, God of Death and Darkness (for those who believe he and Thanatos are the same deity)

Related to his role as controller of the earth and its resources:

Hades Ploutos - Hades of Wealth

Hades Khamaizilos Dios - Hades of the Earth (“where he likes to be” is implied)

Hades Theôn Khthonios - Hades, the Terrestrial God

Tellumo (L) - Hades, Who Provides to the Creative (denotes creative power of the earth’s resources)

Tellus (L) - Hades, Who Provides for the Productive (denotes productive power of the earth’s resources)

Altor (L) - Hades, Who Nourishes

Other:

Hades Hagesilaos - Hades, Leader of the People

Hades Eubuleus - Hades of Good Counsel || Hades, the Consoler (supposedly references death as the end of sorrows)

Hades Adámastos - Hades, the Unconquerable

Hades Aidis - Hades, the Unseen

Hades Aïdonefs/Aidoneus - Hades, the Singer || Hades of Nightingales || Hades of Sleep || Hades of Light || Hades of Poets || Hades of a Girl

Hades Amenthes (Egyptian) - Hades, Who Gives and Receives

Hades Axiocersus - Hades the Shorn (he was depicted without hair where this was used)

Hades Clymenus - Hades, the Renowned

Hades Euclius/Eucles - Hades of Good Report/the Famous/of Good Fame

Hades Agetes/Hegates - Hades, the Conductor

Hades Moiragetes - Hades, Guide of the Fates

Hades Orkos/Orcus - Hades of Oaths, Hades, the Avenger of the Perjured

Hades Opheius - Hades, the Blind || Hades of Prophecy (as the blind augers of Messenia we’re dedicated to him)

Euchaites - The Beautiful-haired One

Rusor (L) - Hades, to Whom All Things Return

Salutaris Divus (L) - Hades, Restorer of the Dead

Saturnius (L) - Hades, Son of Kronos

Uragus (L) - Hades of Fire

Urgus (L) - Hades, Who Impels

Operatus (L) - Hades, the Concealed

Februus (L) - Hades, To Whom Purification and Sacrifice Is Offered

Hades, the Good and Prudent (not historical, but reflects how he was seen)

Negative (but everything can be twisted sometimes):

Hades Agesander - Hades, Who Carries All Away (this references the Persephone myth; included because it exists but I’m not sure you’d want to use it)

Hades Clotonius - Hades, the Infernal

Hades Stygius - Hades the Hateful

Feralis Deus (L) - Hades, the Cruel God

Hades Agelastus - Hades of Melancholy Countenance

“Hades, the Tearless”

“Hades, the Implacable and Adamant”

Given by Poets:

The Grisly God (Homer)

Ruthless King (Homer)

Infernal [Zeus] (Vergil, he said Jove)

Stygian [Zeus] (Vergil, same as above)

Sources:

Hellenic Gods (dot Org)

Brown, Robert (1844). “The Religion of Zoroaster Considered In Connection With Archaic Monotheism” (also known as Wikipedia citation)

As many may already know, Runes are a popular form of divination in order to communicate with the gods! However, aside from the popular Norse runes (elder futhark) that everyone might be aware of, did you know that there’s also a form of “rune casting divination” for the Greek alphabet?

First found inscribed in Olympos, a city in ancient Lycia, the Greek alphabet divination system uses the 24 letters from the Greek language and assigns them meanings, and based on what rune you pull, can give you advice from the gods on your current situation!

There were many Alphabet Oracles in ancient Greece, and the idea of reading the Greek alphabet for signs of the gods is one of the oldest divination methods that we know of.

How do I create my “runes?” 

To create your runes, any way of making them works! Historically, they would be painted onto pottery shards, but any way you can think of to have them accessible to throw/draw is completely okay. I have personally used black stones with gold paint on them.

You create one piece per letter, and in total there will be 24. Each letter will be listed and elaborated on later on in the post!

I’ve made my alphabet set. How do I use them?

In order to call upon the Theoi to get an answer, you can firstly call upon them in an invocation. After you have called upon them or asked your gods to give you an answer (sometimes no formal structure is needed) you can reach into a bag which contains the letters and pull out one at a time and read that, or you can grab them and throw them and look for patterns or groups of letters that are clumped together. 

THE LETTER MEANINGS

Α - Alpha - “The God Apollo [Apollon] says you will do everything successfully.” With his luck and good fortune, the current thing you are working on will turn out well and you will be the leader of your situation and have good transactions with others.

Β - Beta - “With the help of Tyche, you will have an assistant [Boêthos], who is the Pythian Apollon.” You might be at a time in your life where you’re struggling, but this divine-coded letter tells you that the gods that you worship are going to help you soon, so the signs you get might be more prophetic in nature. 

Γ - Gamma - “Gaia [Gê] will give you the ripe fruit of your labors.” It is time for you to take a break and admire the hard work you have put in. Gaia will reward you, and you will have abundance in happiness, emotional fulfillment, food, or all of the above. 

Δ - Delta - “In customs inopportune strength [Dunamis] is weak.” Timing is everything. Wait for the right time to act, and do not act to hastily. Wait for your time, but at the same time, use your strength for good to make a change in your situation.

Ε - Epsilon - “You desire [Eraô] to see the offspring of righteous marriages.” You need to surround yourself with good friendships, romances, allies, or relationships in general in order to get the most out of it. Surround yourself with positive people or situations to bring yourself up in a righteous way.

Ζ - Zeta - “Flee the very great storm [Zalê], lest you be hindered in some way.” If you’re already struggling, know when to pick your battles. Sometimes flight is better than fight, and only you know your own limitations. 

Η - Eta - “Bright Helios [Hêlios], who watches everything, watches you.” Helios knows that in the past you feel like you have been wronged. As the enforcer of oaths and promises, if you are honest with yourself and the situation the truth will come out and you will be aided.

Θ - Theta - “You have the helping Gods [Theoi] of this path.” If you are taking a plan of action do not worry! The Gods are guiding your way and you are in good hands. 

Ι - Iota - “There is sweat [’idrôs]; it excels more than everything.” Within your situation, there is going to be a lot of work. The gods recommend you buckle down and work as hard as you can, and it will not be easy. But it will be worth it.

Κ - Kappa - “To fight with the waves [Kuma] is difficult; endure, friend.” Now is not the time. You should wait until the vicious waves die down, and then take action.

Λ - Lambda - ““The one passing on the left [Laios] bodes well for everything.” Something that may seem really bad currently or in the future is actually going to turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Pay attention to your intuition!

Μ - Mu - “It is necessary to labor [Mokhtheô], but the change will be admirable.” You might feel distressed right now and that nothing is going right. But keep working to change either your situation or yourself, and the results will be in your favour.

Ν - Nu - ““The strife-bearing [Neikêphoros] gift fulfils the oracle.” Something will be given to you and enter your life. While it might not be obvious at first, this is the first domino in a line of changes that will happen in your life and make prophecy come true. 

Ξ - Xi - “There is no fruit to take from a withered [Xêros] shoot.” Being bitter and angry is not the way to go about things. Don’t keep trying to pull water out of a well that is empty, and know when to let go. 

Ο - Omicron - “There are no [Ou] crops to be reaped that were not sown.” In order to get things out of the situation, you have to plan ahead. What goes around comes around. 

Π - Pi - “Completing many [Polus] contests, you will seize the crown.” After many trials, you will achieve your goal. Persistence will give you your rewards, and do not be afraid to use your talents. 

Ρ - Rho - “You will go on more easily [Rhaion] if you wait a short time.” You should act, and quickly. Now is the best time and waiting longer is not a good idea. The stars are aligned and while it not be easy, there is no better time than the present. 

Σ - Sigma - “Phoibos Apollon speaks plainly [Saphôs], ‘Stay, friend.’” The gods want to inform you to wait for more information before you make any decisions. In this time, relax, and let the signs come to you.

Τ - Tau - “You will have a parting from the [Tôn] companions now around you.” Soon, people in your life might not stay the way they are. Friends might leave or enemies might leave. You might grow apart or distance or travel might force you away. Be wary of this, and act accordingly. 

Υ - Upsilon - “The affair holds a noble undertaking [Yposkhesis].” The task at hand is certainly a grand one, but with confidence, you, the hero of your own story, can pull through. You must acknowledge your strength, but also acknowledge the size of the task. 

Φ - Phi - “Having done something carelessly [Phaulos], you will thereafter blame the Gods.” Something is going wrong, and you may be trying to blame other things than the cause of the problem. Don’t resort to pointing fingers. The Gods will help you if you do not take out your anger on them or others needlessly. 

Χ - Khi - “Succeeding, friend, you will fulfill a golden [Khruseos] oracle.” Luck is on your side, and by mere chance, things might fall into place. The answer is positive, and you might be pleasantly surprised at all the riches that the world gives you in addition to your solution.

Ψ - Psi - “You have this righteous judgment [Psêphos] from the Gods.” Truth will be brought forwards, so be careful in your actions. The Gods are watching, and they will be fair, honest, and unforgiving to those who deserve it. This includes those who might be harming you, as well.

Ω - Omega - “You will have a difficult [Ômos] harvest season, not a useful one.” The times will be rough, and you will not get what you wish for at the end. You also might be forced to make tough decisions that you are not ready to make.

Trøllabundin eri eg eri eg Galdramaður festi meg festi meg Trøllabundin djúpt í míni sál í míni sál Í hjartanum logar brennandi bál brennandi bál

Trøllabundin eri eg eri eg Galdramaður festi meg festi meg Trøllabundin inn í hjartarót í hjartarót Eyga mítt festist har ið galdramaður stóð

English translation:

Spellbound am I, am I The wizard has enchanted me, enchanted me Spellbound deep in my soul, in my soul In my heart burns a smouldering fire, smouldering fire