Web Of Control.

okay but can you imagine Frankenstein with the radioactive green aesthetic worked into the goth

we are pitting bad bitches against each other for gladitorial entertainment

Goddess Athena by sculptor Giovanni Battista Lombardi (Italian, 1822-1880)

as someone who spent a long time in that category of worshippers and is still unlearning some of it, i’ve been making more of an effort to use Theoi vs gods (for more of an anthropological perspective discussion.) i’ve wanted to open more of the barrel of monkeys that is reconstructing ancient religion, but in this current day and age, it’s a little more difficult to trust sources.

do you have any known reliable resources for finding the more historically accurate terms (unfortunately digging through texts isn’t always accessible and google can’t be trusted anymore) or is there terms you prefer to use?

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.

🏺🧥✅

greek amphora cardi

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.

What I've Done Instead of Shadow Work

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 ….

thinking about this again

does she have it out for you, or is she trying to get your attention on something?

the Gods do not just dislike. that's not how they work. they don't have petty grudges or just not like someone. they are not human. they are Gods.

if your petitions to Aphrodite are not working, you are missing something.

maybe you have some learning or growing to do, a habit to break, maybe this is a lesson in perserverance or looking for love in the wrong places.

somewhere there's that poem about someone's dog wanting chocoloate because she doesn't know it will hurt her and the Gods witholding the things we pray for for the same reason

if you genuinely think a deity is angry with you, check yourself first. what are you doing that is in active opposition to their teachings? what would they be mad about in the first place? if you can't find it, you are convincing yourself of failure for no reason.

Hey witchy side of Tumblr quick question why does Aphrodite seem to have it out for me?

And what can I do get her to not hate me?