Apollo holding the kithara from the Temple of Venus at Hadrian’s Villa (detail)

Hestia Aidios, Eternal Lady of the hearth, Hear this prayer and grant it warmly. Eldest of the Kronides, The first and last, The heart of every home and every state; Hestia Aidios, you who is always there, Be here now. I pray before your everlasting comfort, Your undying flame of love. Eternal Queen, I pray for you to be ever present To those who need you most. May you always be found, Even when place is unfamiliar, Let us find solace in you, beloved Queen. May those who have more of a family Outside the walls of their abode, Find peace in knowing that even then They are safe, They are with family, They are with you. O lovely eternal Lady of the home, Hestia, Come before me and hear this prayer. If ever I have done you well, grant my words life. Hestia Aidios, may your name always be present in our life And always be in our hearts. Xaire.

-> divider by @/anitalenia

Temple of Apollo, Portara, Naxos, Greece

Dionysian grapevine 🍇

Currently available as prints and all forms at Redbubble !

The pose, fashion choice & jewelry were inspired by the previous Indo-Greek bodhisattvas that which I had once shown and reblogged here - compassionate figures who delayed their Buddhahood & help prayers/worshippers to achieve nirvana in their cycle of samsara. (which kind of fit well on the “death, resurrection and rebirth” theme of Dionysus, to be honest; besides his journey spreading the knowledge of “winemaking and its cultivation” across the Mediterranean, Middle East-North Africa, and South Asia. From being almost butchered by the Titans, later being driven mad by Hera to rescuing his mother & lover, Semele and Ariadne from the underworld realm of Hades in some myths.) Despite sharing some similarities with early Christian saints, such as them dressed in princely fine robes and bejeweled from hair to toe, bodhisattvas do not associate with any historical persons or martyrdom at all.

The background was inspired by various late Roman - early Byzantine golden frescoes and mosaics of lush grape vines, specifically, the one they found in the Vatican underground necropolis (with the god “Sol Invictus” in the center, identified with “Helios” of the Greeks) and this Pompeii piece which currently exhibited in the National Archeological Museum of Naples.

Ancient Greek Gold Tiara (diadem), 325-330 BC , Demetrias/Thessaly

Stathatos Collection Gallery, National Archaeological Museum, Athens

White-armed wife of Zeus!

Just queen of Olympia, goddess of the clear sky! Hear our praise!

Unbulled mother of fierce Ares, she who bore glorious Hebe!

Mother of all mothers, queen of all queens!

O’grand defender of man, champion of justice! May you reign long & well!

She who keeps balance in Heaven! She who’s milky skin reflects in the stars!

Her chariot pulled by sleek peacocks, her crown blossoming with lotuses!

A maiden of storms, punisher of adulterers!

She who’s righteous anger melts iron! She who’s rain showers clear mortal filth!

Patron of princes! Graceful lady of matrimonial harmony!

She who traces the sky with constellations!

Cow-eyed goddess, glorious wife! Rejoice in our worship!

Mother of gods!

Blooming lotus!