#mars devotee

protector of those who have fought enough in life, and can't do more, because of your own limits, because you are tired of giving when you can't, and the situation demands more and more of your energy when you can't anymore

He will fight for you. He will be your protector. Take care of yourself. Focus on you and your wellness. You not only deserve it, but He will shake those who try to interfere with all His might. He will clear the obstacles while you rest and do self care

Protector of those who have a hard time sleeping because of PTSD. Who have nightmares and wake up reliving it all over again. Whose nervous systems have locked you in feeling you're stuck in that loop again, even if it's been years and years later. He will be your night bodyguard. He will be there for you in the nightmares. He does not tire. He does not sleep a wink when you're asleep. A thousand years is a single night for Him

Protector of those who feel watched from the hypervigilance and from thosec who had to always look over their back for their own safety. Protector of those whose anxiety or paranoia from the trauma is trying to keep you safe to keep watch for danger. He will be vigilant for you. With Him at your side, in your energy, all around you, He will be your bodyguard and keep watch. You are safe to lower your guard. If he notices there's danger, He will guide you away in ways that will not be motivated from fear, but instead cutiosity or joy. He knows you've been through enough of you dashing away from danger

He cares. He is glad to protect you. It brings Him joy overflowing to see you feel safe to take care, live life, and open up more to love and the world around you. That is His motivator for protecting you. Know He loves you as His child 🤍♂️

Art of Mars being paternal, because we all need it in our life

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Small devotional acts.

Take a self-defense class

Adopt an “unwanted” animal

Learn first aid

Have a bonfire

Physically destroy reminders of harmful things

Go to protests, fight for what you believe in

Go on the massive rides at fairs/amusement parks

Educate yourself on PTSD

Wear more leather

Join a debate team

Look at war critically, without glorifying it

Delete contacts who were negative influences

Eat spicy foods

Wear clothes that make you feel confident and badass

Keep a pocket knife/multi-tool on you

Have multiple shots of coffee

Stand up against racists, sexists, and the like

Find small ways to build your endurance each day

Inspire others

Donate to charities that support abuse victims

Wear metal jewelry

Use writing or art to channel your feelings (it doesn’t have to be pretty and light)

Learn more about war history

Follow through with tasks you are given

Listen to music that makes you feel a little chaotic 

Drive on roads you can go fast on

Explore alternatives to the systems and paths you were told to follow

Play a competitive and physical game/sport

Help your friends clean up after a party (or fight)

Fuel your hate into productive energy

Wear darker makeup

Don’t be afraid to have opinionated conversations

Know the best ways to get rid of blood stains

PRACTICE LOVING YOURSELF

Mighty and Swift Mars, who of thy strength 

I draw my fortitude from.

Give me strength this day.

Give me strength to endure my trials.

Give me strength to stand up again.

Give me strength to carry on. 

Oh Mars, fulfilling in strength

I come before you, seeking your aid.

Let not my prayer be in vain 

But bless me with your divine assistance.

I have seen this going around so I am going to put my own list

Do self care

Attend a protest

Fight against injustice

Fight for equity

Exercise

Be that parent figure for your friends

Don’t abandon those in need

Be passionate

Defend those facing abuse and trauma

Help those with depression, anxiety, etc.

Break down a task into steps and just do it

Take care of yourself

Even if I have nothing to say, I am going to try to get into the habit of just lighting a candle or giving an offering daily to the Gods even if I don't say anything besides "I give this to X"

If you don’t know, I am a headblind devotee of Mars. I also honour Saturn and other Gods in my practice. Recently I read a blog post of someone else and their experience being a headblind devotee of Apollon and I thought I would share my thoughts as well.

So if you are in any polytheist space online, I am sure you see plenty of people talking about how they received X sign from their God or they got this feeling or that feeling. As you might tell from where I am going with this, as well as the name, someone who is headblind gets none of this. 

I never received any signs from any of the Gods. I have never gotten any feelings related to any of the Gods. I have never gotten dreams or what have you related to the Gods. My faith is totally void of these common factors that most polytheist spaces take for granted or see them as almost natural. 

Now, there is nothing wrong with this. Far from it. I see it as completely natural and while I may be biased, I think headblind devotee help bring things to polytheist spaces you may not have otherwise. However, I have also seen what damage this attitude of signs being completely normal can do. While I am not that old myself, I would consider myself to have gone through a lot of growth in the past couple of years and that includes emotional and spiritual growth. However, many new polytheist who come to these spaces are less so. I have seen many dejected and depressed because they have not received these signs they hear so much about. 

This is something that I am glad headblind devotees, such as myself, bring. I believe that we can help ground communities in discussions such as these. I have never received any signs or feelings from Mars but I am as much a devotee of him as the next person. 

Something that always touches me as a headblind devotee is the steadfastness of the Gods. I don’t feel the Gods now and I might never but in my silence, I feel the rock that is the Gods. They are always there, watching over me and protecting me, I just don’t know it.  As someone who struggles with depression, I know how fickle feelings can be. No feelings to me can replace the knowledge that the Gods are always there, ready and willing to be there for me. 

Also from depression, I know the value of perseverance. I am alive today because of it. The reason I am alive today is because my ability to grit my teeth and get through the difficult times. This is no different from my faith. There are many days I feel utterly alone and the idea of the Gods can seem useless and arbitrary. But I grit my teeth and press on. On the days it feels useless, I still get up and offer a prayer to Mars and the Gods. It is not my feelings who push me to do that. My feelings tell me that its useless and I can’t do anything right. But the Gods tell me to push on and keep going. 

There are many days where I feel isolated for being a headblind devotee. But there are also many days I am thankful for it. The Gods know me well and I know being headblind is actually for my benefit.