Devotional Polytheism - Tumblr Posts

loaded (genuine) question but. If people say the myths are just metaphors/not literal events, then how do we know what the gods are truly like (personality/powers/etc) and why do we treat them as real beings? did they originate from a myth itself or did people know of the gods existence and then create the myth based off of them? how did they find out all of the names and what they stand for without the myths? are the gods physical or metaphysical beings and actual gods, or are they aspects of nature (lightning, rain) that people have given names and personification? or not nature itself but rather the forces of nature being alive and THATS the gods? I’m having a hard time understanding what exactly gods are to majority of people and how *i* should perceive them. when someone says the gods are real, what ARE the gods? is it the same as when Christians believe in their god and say he is real and watching over people? or are these gods a completely different concept

additionally… if the gods are just nature or forces of nature to people then why do we call them gods and give them pronouns, names, personality rather than just referring to it as nature/natural forces?"

That is a loaded question, but a very interesting one!

The most important thing about deities and people's relationships/beliefs surrounding them is this: it is all subjective, because it is all belief.

For your first point about myths being metaphors: some people don't view them as metaphors. There are a few people who are "myth literalists" and believe that the myths of their religion are true and factual (one example would be Christian Creationists, who believe that the World truly was made in 7 days and that The Flood actually happened). Most people you'll interact with in pagan or witchcraft circles will agree that the myths are stories, that they reflect the authors and their societies beliefs more than any factual story of the Gods, but that doesn't mean there is no truth in them! For example, Zeus, from the Hellenic pantheon, is the King of Gods and the God of thunder and the sky - this information is gathered from the myths and stories of Ancient Greece, it is considered "fact" or "canon" within the religion. However, there are also many stories of him 'cheating' on his wife, Hera, and fathering many children (often by nonconsensual means) - many hellenists (and academics) will argue that this was representative of the power of rain and storms (creating fertile ground), and that as King of Kings many Ancient Greeks would have desired a story that put them, or their ancestors, as one of his descendants, these aspects of the myths may be seen as less literal by many hellenic followers, or simply as a product of their time. HOWEVER, the most important part is that it really just depends on the person and their beliefs, which stems from their research, experiences and general world view.

People treat their deities as real for the same reasons that Christians treat their God as real: because they believe He is. That is what faith is. That is how religion works - you believe they are real, even if you cannot prove it.

As for your next part about where they came from: that again depends on the person.

Some people believe that the Gods predate their myths, that myths were stories created about them or dictated/written down by those they deemed worthy of hearing them. Other people believe that deities were created by the myths and belief (this is more similiar to my belief system, which I am happy to expand upon if requested).

Are the gods seperate to their domains? Are they their domains personified? Is Zeus a deity that controls the sky, or is he simply the Sky itself, named by the Ancient Greeks. Does Sol truly travel across the sky on a chariot, or is she just a different name used for the Sun in our sky?

I cannot answer that for you.

Your question: "how i should perceive them" is impossible for anyone but yourself to answer and I am sorry to tell you that, I know that it can be difficult and that sometimes all you want is a concrete answer and a step by step guidebook of "What to Believe in and how to do it Right" but that simply doesn't exist.

In pagan spaces, you will see people disuss or debate whether or not their gods are omniciscient or not (many citing myths as sources or using their own upg - unique personal gnosis), you will see people discuss how their gods appear to them and what they represent or mean. You will see a hundred variations on how to worship them or who they are. None of them are wrong but conversesly none of them are right - they are simply that person's unique faith and belief, and that faith can change over time.

From what I have seen, many people believe their gods to be real and as seperate beings who control their domains (i.e. Zeus is the God of the sky, not the sky itself), and that their myths are partially true, partially metaphorical, all within the context of the society they were written. Many believe that the gods have changed and evolved as times have gone on and that they are beyond our societal rules. But, there is no real "cookie cutter" belief.

If you wish to know, I can tell you my own personal beliefs, what they mean to me, and how I have come to hold them but I will not claim that they are correct and I can't speak for others. I'd definitely reccomend speaking to other pagans and immersing yourself in pagan communities.

You must decide for yourself what the gods are, but I am happy to help you find the tools to discover that.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

love your body. do not be ashamed of your body, do not look at it in disgust for it is one of aphrodites creations. feed yourself chocolate, put on your best lotion & scents, wear those clothes & strunt in the mirror naked. all these acts are a devotion & love to the goddess' creation

offering to lady aphrodite*:ꔫ:*+ﾟ

self care is a devotional act. washing your hands is a devotional act. finding beauty in something or someone is a devotional act. finding beauty in yourself is a devotional act. loving friends, family, pets, & partners is a devotional act. devotional acts dont have to be these grand gestures, because the gods & goddesses appreciate you; especially when youre enjoying the life they bestowed upon you

happy venus day everyone !!

𓆩♡𓆪

┊ ➶ ｡˚ "mighty aphrodite rising out of the sea foam" henry courtney selous (1803-1890)°

happy april 3, this is dedicated to aphrodite !! blessed be ♡

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

daughter of seafoam, goddess of beauty, aphrodite please hear my cries. please listen as i describe all the parts of me that are shattered & torn, please understand as i tell my stories of pain. aphrodite accept me please. aphrodite pick me up & help me mend myself for i am yours

thank you so much & so mote it be

witchy memes today𓍢 ִ ໋𖹭 ִֶָ 𖥔 ࣪˖

aphrodite is constantly blessing me. she graces me with her very presence, allowing me to feel loved by her in little & impactful ways. she blesses me with a loving relationship, with the laughter of friends, & a beautiful body. thank you aphrodite, so mote it be

｡꒰ 🥥 ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

𖤐 brand new intro again since i have been gone for awhile. i dedicate this intro to the goddess of the sea, beauty, & holy woman aphrodite 𖤐

about moi <3

my name is prue, my pronouns are she/her, & i am 18 years old

aquarius sun, libra moon, cancer rising, & capricorn venus

my mbti + enneagram is enfp 6w7

i’m a hellenic pagan & experienced witch. i started my craft when i was 13, & a devotee of aphrodite & worshipping hekate. right now i feel a connection with hestia forming, so please feel free to tell my info about the goddess

i loveeee the moon

follows, likes, etc come from my main @prueeecore

byf + dni <3

dni if you are a christian

i will block any type of flirting or sexual behavior in my dms or comments

other junk <3

my pinterest

my spotify

witchy mutuals & friends welcomed !!

Hello, so sorry to bother but I have a question.

Im sorry I don't mean to be inappropriate or anything, but I've heard an offering to Aphrodite could be intimacy?

Either with yourself or your lover. I wanted to know if this is true because I've seen multiple witches post it and say it's a great offering. I just want to make sure I didn't disrespect her by this you know.

Thank you so much! 🫶

sorry that this response took so long !! lol senior year made me bust my ass

also, yes this is true with aphrodite. m4sturbation & making love with your partner can be an offering or dedication to aphrodite since she is the goddess of love & lust. it can also help build love within yourself &/or relationship. it isn’t all disrespectful

hope that helps !!

✧˖°ʚ🌊ɞ♡ alex alemany (b. 1943) - “mediterraneo

offering to aphrodite <3

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

by luo li rong

an offering to the glorious aphrodite on this venus day. may this day bless our hearts & allow us to show beauty & kindess to all. so mote it be <3

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

♡ﾟ･｡｡･ﾟ♡ﾟ･｡♥｡･ﾟ♥

in honor of my relationship’s one year anniversary i make this post as an offering to the goddess of love, the beautiful aphrodite. she has blessed me truly with a lovely relationship that has taught me so much, but has also shown me what it feels like to be loved wholeheartedly. thank you holy goddess for your gifts <33

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

this is venus’ place,

for she loves to smile at the bright sea

& make sailors happy.

all around her the sea trembles,

seeing her loveliness.

not mine; happy venus day !!

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

idk if this is the right place to ask, but ive been wanting to worship (something synonymous w that) aphrodite, but i cant afford to make altars for her and being autistic, i dont always have the capacity to have faith. does it mean i shouldnt or that i simply cant follow aphrodite?

“reconstructionism: try to do things as the ancient greeks once did (reconstruct religion, does not have to be exactly i.ehuman/animal sacrifice)

revivalism: combine ancient worship with modern worship”

a little insert from my book of shadows !! my personal opinion in this matter is that due to your situation you can take the path of a revivalist, & worship aphrodite that is most comfortable & suitable for your life. i should mention that being a devotee is different, & does require more time & energy. however, you just mentioned worshipping, so i think you can 100% worship aphrodite, even if your altar is simply a candle & a flower. you can worship aphrodite if the most you did was live life beautifully in her honor. goddess aphrodite sees you, & she understands. always

this was a bit sporadic, it’s late at night & i have work tomorrow in the morning lol

┊͙offering to lady aphrodite ୭̥⋆*｡

oh wise & beautiful lady of the sea, please continue to bless me. please accept my pain, my sorrow, & my anguish. please allow me to learn from love & loves heartaches, & to always find comfort in you & your lessons. teach me goddess aphrodite. so mote it be

you were created out of sand from the palm of aphrodites hand. she formed your body, your soul, your life out of bits of the sea & shells. every curve, every hip dip, every dimple, & every freckle she placed upon you for the goal to show beauty in various ways. the back rolls you loathe every time you look in the mirror was once a pebble from the ocean that aphrodite saw beauty in. the mole on your cheek was once a grain of sand aphrodite walked in. you were made with honor honey, you were made with a purpose from blessed lady aphrodite. do not be harsh on yourself. love yourself, treat yourself as a sanctuary. so mote it be

Being so afraid of being wrong that you can’t move is actually the worst thing you could do for your practice.

You aren’t imposing on anyone.

You aren’t insulting the Gods. Arguably, you don’t actually know what would be considered insulting unless you’ve actually asked Them.

You’re not going to be beaten up and told you are the worst devotee ever.

You aren’t going to be told by any Deity you are morally imbalanced or impure.

The only thing the Gods are actually concerned with is the ability to get you to listen to Them which means peeling away layers and layers of trauma, biases, and patterns that take you away from Them. They would not forcibly remove you from Their attentions just because you wanted to try something new or do something that no one else is doing.

The ultimate goal of any Divine relationship for either side should always be to draw nearer to Them, not be pushed away because your discernment is inaccurate while you are learning.

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

by luo li rong

an offering to the glorious aphrodite on this venus day. may this day bless our hearts & allow us to show beauty & kindess to all. so mote it be <3

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ