Thinking About This Again

WHAT DO YOU MEAN I TAKE TWO MEDICATIONS ON THIS LIST

hey americans there is a recall on testosterone gel because they found benzene in it! please check the lot numbers on your batches, benzene is really not something you want to be rubbing into your skin, also you might be eligible for compensation because this is just insane what the fuck

more on this page:

Washington State Local Health Insurance

Drug Recall Report

The Drug Recall Report is for prescription drugs that are have recently been issued recalls by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

USING YOUR MENTAL SAFE SPACE AS AN ASTRAL STRONGHOLD

Safe space visualization is something I was taught in therapy, but why not use it for magical purposes? So I thought I’d talk a bit about my methods for safe space creation, what I use my safe space for (magically), etc.

What absolutely comforts you? Think of color combinations, indoor or outdoor? Maybe your safe space has a specific noise or smell. Maybe you have a designated god or goddess or ancestral spirit that knows the layout of it, or maybe it’s just for you. I highly recommend if you do invite a spirit in that you make sure it’s one you trust ENTIRELY. I let my great grandma who I love and admire in my safe space. Important thing is that she RESPECTS my magical beliefs, and practice in general, even if she doesn’t understand it entirely. Spirits that you aren’t super familiar with or have only met a few times are not recommended for being invited in.

Doing a meditation to explore your safe space is entirely up to you, but thats my preferred way of accessing and developing my safe space as a magical realm. For starters, don’t make your space too big, mine is just a small one because the bigger it is the harder to imagine consistently or protect in general. If you’re looking for a good safe space discovery meditation, the following link will lead you to a free one on a free app.

https://insig.ht/SWJ2hZyBESb

Revisit this space when you feel anxious, but also when you feel calm. Why? Well, put simply, if you only visit a space when you are in a bad headspace it will become associated psychologically with negative things for you. If you visit in all different types of moods, you cultivate a neutral understanding of the space, and it doesn’t gain a bad connotation.

IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS, PARANOIA, OR PTSD:

I struggle with these things, so i got ya. If you start to envision creepy shit or startling unsettling things in your safe space accidentally popping in, then here’s what i do. I acknowledge that it’s my fears acting up. And i just go “lol thats not actually my safe space” and bring myself back to a centered state repeatedly until I find peace. It may happen again and again but I keep taking a deep breath and not giving too much thought to why or how these things pop up, I simply draw my attention back to center, and breathe. Eventually (for me) these things have disappeared and lost relevance over time. If this concept of a visualized safe space triggers you to an unhealthy point, please don’t push yourself to keep doing it though. And as always please seek professional help for these symptoms of trauma, OCD, OCPD, and Paranoia in general.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST FOR SUGGESTIONS: You probably shouldn’t share a moodboard or map of your safe space with others. Even friends. It’s for you and you only, like a secret sanctuary that only you and any additional spirits you trust can enter.

WHAT I USE MY SAFE SPACE FOR MAGICALLY:

🧡Magic Spells

💚Connecting With Beloved Spirits That I Truly Trust

🧡Sitting Quietly

💚Anti-Anxiety

🧡When I feel el mal de ojo (the evil eye) as a protective measure

💚To get in a good clear thinking headspace before doing tarot readings for clients

CLOSING THOUGHTS:

Having a safe space that you can mentally go to is so helpful in my opinion, but definitely not necessary to the craft. I just wanted to share this concept with yall. Comment if you have any questions and I’ll try and answer to the best of my knowledge.

Hellenism for the experienced

So, you’re experienced, and all informational posts are for beginners? That’s exactly why I’m making this!

You’ve developed Kharis, learned about the mythology etc,,,now what’s next for your practice?

priesthood

Im gonna start off with something which is REALLY for the experienced, but even if youve practiced for years, keep in mind that this doesn’t equal being quite ready yet either. It’s a serious act of devotion which is to be taken seriously. Once you reach priesthood, you take an oath of devotion to that god for the rest of your life. Keep that in mind.

In our modern age, priesthood may look different than it did in Ancient Greece, for at that time, it was more so a political position, those in this line of work were elected and had a temple to care for. In this age, priesthood looks comparatively very different. It’s a calling, a lifestyle, a way to devote yourself to the gods and your community. Your temple may look different too, perhaps it’s in the form of some sort of discord server, or an altar space where perhaps you gather with close friends or just by yourself.

Most can agree we lack our community and temples in this age, which may mean priesthood is unreachable. That’s not so true, it just looks different than what the title once meant. It’s still entirely reachable a goal, if one is committed.

Keep in mind that this isn’t something you can get into on your own. You need a third party to do a reading, and a mentor to teach is preferable, though I understand how for some such an idea may be unobtainable. I see nothing wrong with teaching oneself with the aid of a god, but alas, the community aspect of priesthood is important that, for me personally, wouldn’t feel right to do solely by oneself.

First step: do tons of research, make sure you’re ready, and that you have someone do a reading for you to see if the god you wish to serve even wishes for you to do so. Make sure you can devote time to this career and the god, and that you’re absolutely committed. It’s not something to take lightly at all. Period.

Myths do not denote the nature of the gods

this may seem like a beginner thing, but, unfortunately, it is a much needed reminder even in those who have been practicing for long. It’s a common misconception that gods are equal to their myths, which is simply not the case.

Myths were written by man, sometimes to excuse their own behaviours by using the gods as examples of conduct. Now, whilst myths can be helpful in understanding the divine natures of the gods, it is not meant to be taken literal, but instead with a grain of salt. They too were used to explain things people did not yet understand, the gods being their best teachers.

Now, it’s a common question among those who do not practice, what’s the point if the gods don’t equal their myths? How do you explain their natures? Well, the gods existed before the myths. Think of it as a sort of fanfiction.

Write your own myths!

Yeah, you can do that. If the ancients did it before, why can we not do the very same? Writing is an act of devotion, and often, I do not see this idea mentioned. This can be for beginners too, of course, but the reason I put this here for the more experienced is because those who have experience may understand the gods they work with better, which will result in a better, authentic piece of writing. Let’s start a renaissance, bring the gods forth in myth.

Dedicate a larger space to them

now, this is not a necessity, but merely an idea for someone who has devoted much time and love to the gods for perhaps years. If you don’t have space, that’s quite alright and you shouldn’t feel bad, but if you DO, perhaps an ultimate act of devotion can be dedicating a much larger space to the gods.

For example, I recently decided it was time to give Eros, my patron, a larger altar that wasn’t in a little porcelain bunny jar. He shares it with Aphrodite, but it still felt so good to dedicate a larger space after all these years. It was simply time.

Tattoos

Now, this isn’t to mean that I think everyone should get a tattoo, but if you’re someone who likes them and can afford it, and are an adult whose thought about it heavily, by all means get a tattoo of the gods in devotion.

This is an act of devotion that requires a lot of thought, and is something I admire heavily. Tattoos are works of art, and to have the gods imprinted on you for life is beautiful. But again, keep in mind that this is only for someone who’s committed, and doesn’t mind the idea of tattoos.

Study the practices of the ancients

This is a beginner thing to say, that much is true, but it’s just as important for an experienced helpol to learn as much as a beginner. To take it a step further, dedicate your life to the study by making it your career.

The pillars of Hellenic polytheism, and the Delphic maxims

Now, this is something a beginner should study, but unfortunately, even those who have experienced lack knowledge on this subject. Perhaps we have pagantok to thank for that, I’m not sure, but often people delve into this religion and start worshipping right away without doing research beforehand, and at times, people can go years into their practice without even knowing about this.

This religion is more than acts of devotion and worship. It’s a LIFESTYLE. The pillars were not like the Ten Commandments that people studied in ancient times, but were instead daily practices that people learned much in the way we know to say “bless you” when someone sneezes.

Practice Xenia, which is hospitality, or Sophia, the pillar which strives for knowledge. Study them, understand them, and put them into practice each and every day.

I feel stuck, like I’ve done everything….

congratulations. You’re truly an experienced helpol. At this point, someone like me on the internet can only tell you so much. Go explore the world, see the gods in every cloud or every season or every smile. Go find out for yourself what more you can do, it’s all part of the journey.

You shouldn’t have to rely on the internet to figure things out, it’s true that it can be helpful, but at times, be aware that it can be a hindrance to your practice. Im glad to be of service, but I should not be relied on at the end of the day.

If you feel stuck, like you’ve done and heard everything, that’s okay. Part of being experienced is doing it all over again, learning and striving to do better.

Extra advice

NEVER STOP LEARNING. Theres no point in this religion where you’ve completed it like a quest. Always strive for knowledge, repeat things, and remember WHY you started practicing in the first place. There’s no end goal, aside from doing your best every day, not just for the gods, but for yourself.

THE JOURNEY NEVER ENDS. Our religion isn’t something that’s meant to be “completed” and there’s no competition to learn everything as fast as you can. Take it slow, and cherish everything no matter how many times you’ve experienced it.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DOES NOT EQUAL BEING AN EXPERT. Im bruising some egos with this one, even part of my own, but it’s the absolute truth. Experience doesn’t suddenly mean you’re an expert, as much as we would like to think. In many ways, like me, you might still feel like you’re a beginner even after all this time. That’s okay. Even with that being said, don’t be shy to share your experiences and any advice you may have. The best way to learn is to share with others, just don’t pretend you have a PhD in the subject (unless, of course, you really do have one).

Zeus has a lot of epithets.

Most of them about power, law, storms, kingship. Things you’d expect from the king of the gods.

But Zeus-Lekheatês stops me in my tracks. It’s one of the most unexpectedly tender epithets he has.

The name Lekheatês comes from lekheion, which refers to the bed where a woman would give birth. So Zeus-Lekheatês is, in essence, Zeus as the god of childbirth. The god who protects women during labor. Which, if you really think about it, is wildly fascinating because it’s so unlike the usual way Zeus is framed.

Birth was dangerous in the ancient world. No epidurals, no modern medicine. Just blood, pain, and the gods’ mercy. A mother could die. The baby could die. It was a moment of pure vulnerability, teetering on the edge between life and death. And here’s Zeus, not just presiding over grand cosmic fates or battles or oaths, but over this. Over the most raw, intimate struggle of all. Over the act of bringing life into the world.

And the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Zeus is, above all else, the god of balance. The one who maintains order, who ensures the cosmos doesn’t spiral into chaos. And what is birth if not the ultimate balance between life and death? A single moment where fate could tip either way? Zeus doesn’t just decide who wins wars, he decides who lives, and that includes the smallest, most fragile of beginnings. It’s an aspect of him that feels strangely human, almost gentle. It’s not the Zeus of the thunderbolts or the one swearing unbreakable oaths on the Styx. It’s Zeus as a guardian. A protector.

And if that doesn’t change how you see him, even just a little, I don’t know what will.

Phoebus Apollo, slayer of Python, protector of Delphi, and patron of the Oracle?

no I don’t associate Him with fortune telling at all why would you even suggest that

Apollo Proupsius

(the foreseeing)

Pls don't tell me I am the only one who asociates Apollo with fortune telling

I...tried to make a meme and got carried away and made A Thing that is like partially unfinished because i spent like 3 hours on it and then got tired.

I think this is mostly scientifically accurate but truth be told, there seems to be relatively little research on succession in regards to lawns specifically (as opposed to like, pastures). I am not exaggerating how bad they are for biodiversity though—recent research has referred to them as "ecological deserts."

Feel free to repost, no need for credit

Mutuals who I don't know very personally yet I am holding a sugarcube out in my hand in the hopes that you will approach me like the noble horse

"What Epithet of Lady Athena do you worship?"

Every. Last. One.

i’m sorry people don’t know this? what the fuck do you guys think they scan at the register if there’s no price sticker? there is a barcode on the back yall

I don't know why I continue to be surprised at how few people seem to know that most mass market paperbacks have the prices printed on the back.

Most of our books do. Only the British imports and some of the indie books don't.