totally agree there’s tons of stuff out there! let me further rephrase:
I work a lot 😂 kitchen jobs I can’t churn through audio versions of texts because no headphones, and while I do my best to read things, it takes me considerably longer to complete research than I would like.
I more was seeking your opinion and thoughts as a fellow practitioner looking to expand my knowledge! I always ask for help where I can, worst case scenario I don’t get it! but if I can give myself the leg up with peer review, i’ll always take that opportunity
so as a fellow long term hellenic polytheist (around 10 years of loosely dedicated practice) who has recently (1 year) decided to crack down and get more serious about learning the actual texts… what do you think is the best to start with?
we’ve all been inundated with tumblr terms for years, and when you learn the concepts with bad vocabulary, it’s hard to drop. it’s easier to replace. so what terms have you seen that you would recommend for the practice of decentrifying the tiktok/media-based “knowledge” that we all drown in everyday?
if there’s no specific terms, do you have any recommendations for sources that specifically helped you reach this point in your practice?
thanks for actually making this a conversation and entertaining my questions!
I hate a lot of terms adjacent to HelPol spaces. So many of them are indicative of 1. Being raised with Christianity 2. Lack of deconstruction of those beliefs and 3. Utter lack of research (what I call Tik-tokisms)
I do not like the terms deity, misuse of the term “altar”, ever using patron, “my gods or goddesses”, devotee, “reach out” (as in a spirit is reaching out), “talking to the gods”, offending the gods.
I’ve got some REALLLY unpopular opinions about Ares, some primordial spirits, Khaos, like.
I am selective about the term “god”, (Theos and Theoí are commonly more appropriate to my conversations). I’m also slightly apprehensive around the phrase “work with”, but that being said I don’t care as much.
Maya C. Popa, from Wound is the Origin of Wonder: Poems: “All inner life runs at some delay”
[Text ID: “The wound is where the light enters us.”]
it should be noted that this thought concept is most well known (originating from iirc but don't quote that) from George Orwell's book 1984. it is a method used by the government to confuse and oppress until the main protagonist learns to 'speak their language' to abuse and eventually escape the corrupt system.
their language may be evil, but speaking it and being able to talk your way out on their terms will save your life.
(Please check out this video as this is gonna be the real meat of the post and this guy does a better job than I could simply)
Double speak is way of making one thing sound like something else. It's the art of misleading someone in speech.
Youll find many famous Pagan characters and stories have this moment: Loki, Famous evil cult leaders from the 70s, Satan in the Bible, really any character of mischief in mythology.
Get this! Its also common in US politics. Presidents, politicians, good and bad.
So in conclusion, I am not failing my classes I am "Struggling to reach the ideal point of resolve for my educational goals"
welcome to the witchy world new friend!
hellenism is technically the more appropriative incorrect word for Hellenic Polytheism! it’s the reconstructionist view of the Greek Gods!
I recommend some googling and doing some reading on reconstructionist vs revivalist paganism, as well as basics of modern Hellenic Polytheism. Google, not tumblr, there’s still some good scholarly articles out there!
as far as hexing/cursing, the ethics of “can I hex” is entirely up to the witch themselves. everyone has their own paths and ethics, and while some will try to teach you that hexing is evil or wrong or threefold law or whatever-
hope this helps friend! welcome!
I'll make this account pretty later but im not worried about that rn. My main acc is @opposededds
But anyways! Im interested and starting to practice witchcraft/paganism/hellenism (im not sure what it is specifically) and i have basic knowledge of most things. But i have some questions.
Is there an acceptable reason to hex/curse someone (i know the two mean different thinga thats why im asking)
I believe i have a good reason, but i also know it can backfire so thats why I'm asking.
This is going to be the last thing I say on the topic of shadow work, because, honestly I'm getting bored of the subject and would rather go back to talking about spirit work, or spells, or any of the many other subjects that I care a thousand times more about. Some folks seem to be hearing “I refuse to do any introspection” when I say "I have never and will never do shadow work". I have done lots of introspection, I've done therapy that follows evidence based practices, I just see no reason do try and guide myself through a method of therapy with little to no scientific evidence. But in case anyone's curious, or wants some tips, here's what I've done instead! Mindfulness exercises: I love mindfulness exercises that train you to think about your thoughts, but not judge them. Consistent mindfulness practice has really helped me become more aware of my internal thought processes, what I get hung up on, what I struggle with, what emotions I’m feeling and what caused them.
The Artist Way & Embrace Your Weird: These are both self help books for creative folks with a heavy emphasis on journaling and self expression. I found both of these helpful in different ways when I felt like I was struggling with creative burnout or felt like I was stuck in the daily grind of my day job.
Journaling: I keep multiple journals! One is a commonplace book that I fill up with on the spot thoughts, quotes, song lyrics, etc. just stuff I want to remember. The other I write in every morning when I first wake up, a continuation of the morning pages from the Artist’s Way, to just unpack and process whatever going on in my head.
Therapy: Actual real therapy with a licensed professional. I specifically see a pain psychologist because most of what we focus on is the impact my chronic pain has on my and developing healthy coping mechanisms for that.
I think what gets a bee in my bonnet the most about the few negative reactions I’ve gotten on this topic is that these folks seem most concerned about the trauma and “inner demons” aspects of shadow work. There’s always something about how dangerous or unhealthy it is for me or even those around me for me to have not delt with my trauma via shadow work. I don’t like that they presume to know my life and mental health history without having ever spoken to me. And I really don’t like the insistance that everyone has the same kind of trauma that needs to be healed in the same way.
*whispers* (I’m whispering because it’s very important that we keep this very low key)
hey, you know that ancient grimoire you’ve been searching for but can’t get shipped to your country, is probably on Anna’s Archives. Yeah… you could download it for free… pretty much any text you can think of regardless of how old it is, it’s probably on there… give it a little searchy search and you’ll probably find the entire book for free… just saying.
Having a hard copy is always nice. But when I’m trying to figure out if a grimoire is worth dumping money on… it’s always nice to have a little free trial,…
just saying ….
it's not fucking about hating femaleness you absolute twit, but also yes people do get way fucking enraged about menstrual magic.
you can practice menstrual magic all you fucking what without hurting a damn soul (unless that's the intention ofc, anti-threefold here) but the second you make menstrual magic a REQUIREMENT for "proper" magic
you become a TERF
menstrual magic is yet another spell component that not everyone has access to because not all women menstruate, and some men do. that's it. if you use it, good for you. if you don't, good for you.
you do not get to decide how others walk their path, and if you are going to trash talk someone's magical methods, go stick your head back in your cave and yell, your echo will agree with you more
I think it’s crazy how many people will get upset in the witchcraft community about menstrual work of any kind. Because you know, it’s terfy or something.
I have seen so many videos where women try their best to talk about menstrual work without making TRAs mad. But they get mad anyway.
It seems like some people just really hate femaleness, and any one who would dare to see it in a positive light. And males will hate anything they can’t be a part of it seems.
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
10 years of Hellenistic paganism and eclectic witchery makes you learn some weird shit
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