Adorations to Hera

I'm sure you're all (?) aware of the adoration trend going on in the polytheistic quarters of the Internet. I couldn't resist making one for Hera.

I drew a lot from her ancient epithets, but also added in my own experiences with her (I use 'mother' a lot, as you may notice). One other source is Ceisiwr Serith's prayer to the cow-mother Gwouwindā, which I absolutely adore.



I adore you, Hera.
I adore you, undoubted queen.
I adore you, splendid daughter of Rheia and Kronos.
I adore you, grandchild of broad-breasted Gaia and wide-arching Ouranos.
I adore you, sister and wife of loud-thundering Zeus.
I adore you, mother of peerless Ares.
I adore you, mother of youthful Hebe.
I adore you, mother of skillful Hephaistos.
I adore you, foster-mother of many gods.
I adore you, born in Samos.
I adore you, raised in Argos.
I adore you, mother of cows.
I adore you whose stream of blessings is ever-flowing.
I adore you whose shining body delights the eyes.
I adore you whose holy purity blesses all.
I adore you, nourishing one.
I adore you, fertile one.
I adore you, abundant and gracious.
I adore you, providing milk overflowing.
I adore you, lady of the pomegranate.
I adore you, lady with the lotus-staff.
I adore you, queen of heaven.
I adore you, bringer of sweet rain.
I adore you, kindler of stars.
I adore you, sending cool gales.
I adore you, shining heifer.
I adore you, dreaded lioness.
I adore you, cuckoo.
I adore you, drawn by peacocks.
I adore you, attended by the seasons.
I adore you, mother of kings.
I adore you, mother of heroes.
I adore you, source of sovereignty.
I adore you, highly crowned.
I adore you, knowing heaven and earth.
I adore you, mother of law and order.
I adore you, exalted one.
I adore you, mother of people.
I adore you, protector of women.
I adore you, patron of marriage.
I adore you, keeper of keys.
I adore you, protector at childbirth.
I adore you, keeper of harmony.
I adore you, faithful one.
I adore you, my lady, my queen, my mother.

Other adorations:

• Adorations to Dionysos (thehouseofvines.wordpress.com)
• Adorations to Persephone (melittabenu.wordpress.com)
• Adorations to Hephaistos (aithaloeistheos.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Apollon (lykeiaofapollon.wordpress.com)
• Adorations of Hekate (flamingthyrsos.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Hermes (inahawksi.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Athena (youngflemishhellenist.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Zeus (youngflemishhellenist.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Antinous (aediculaantinoi.wordpress.com)
• Adorations of Ares (aspisofares.wordpress.com)
• Sannion adores the trend he started 

I hope we get to see more!

AVE MERCVRIVS

Today is the third Wednesday from the Kalends (Noumenia) of October, and the third day of my three-day thanksgiving to Hermes-Mercurius as god of commerce and travel. I have so far already offered white chocolate mocha on the first day, hot chocolate with cinnamon and nutmeg on the second day at our house herm, and green tea latte today (though, I did originally promise strawberries and cream).

I joyfully consumed them all in his honour; but, of course, not without a symbolic libation (our business areas are carpeted).

As someone who depends on sales, wit, and cunning for a living -- not to mention being in a business that involves travel and hospitality -- I owe him heaps. So, be thou well, Mercator! Agoraios! Fortunus! Beloved lord and friend!

As you will recognise, this is the prayer I offer you before beginning every work day:

Hear thou Mercury, full of luck,
Who guides the traffic of merchants and travellers:
Praises I pour out to thee,
O champion of commerce, silver-tongued god.
Open my day today to all things auspicious and fortunate,
To joyous business and prosperous sales,
As you have always done, faithful friend.
Be thou increased in power, o god dearest to mankind,
So that we may be increased in joy.

If you like it, please continue to bless my path, my words, and my business -- and that of my kin -- every single day.

An oath is fulfilled

To Hermes
Ever our friend and ally
A holy herm now stands before our door
Wine and honey stain the stones
As sweet gifts to our Vigilant Apotropaios
So that He may guard over our garth
Our pass and paths
Averting all evil and ill
Misfortune and mischief
From hearth and hall
And kindred
Today
And ever more.

Dweller-in-the-Centre

Hestia as I see Her:

Hestia sits at the centre. She makes Her dwelling in the hearts of all things. Her most popular and, presumably, most relevant function in human civilisation is that of a hearth goddess. She guards and protects the home and the frith of families, as well as the cores of entire communities. She is the light, warmth, and heart of domestic life. Where her cult is established, familial relations are well.

In the past, her cultus was tended solely by women, especially maidens, because of her association with purity, which in turn comes from her association with benign fire (fire being the only element that cannot be polluted by any external substance). Hers are the first and last portions of offerings, but never of meat or blood or other items that have been “polluted” by violence. Where she is disrespected – i.e. if the hearth is untended – domestic life is put at peril, as is bound to happen in any circumstance where family relations are taken for granted. Naturally, in myth, she remains unwed and ever-benevolent.

The mythos of her being the first and last-born of her god-siblings comes from her role as receiver of offerings (hearth fires were not only seen as places where dinner was prepared but also as places where prayers were uttered by family members). As a living metaphor for community building (the family being the most basic unit) and fire domestication, she is undoubtedly one of the first gods to be worshipped by Man and definitely one of the most important.

“Shining One, 

She who dwells within,

sitting at the centre,

Guardian of family and home and frith:

Beat strong and pure in the heart of our home, [1]

And burn within our hearts no less,

Shining bright for those who gather around You, [2]

Granting grace to pray before Your pure fires.”

I missed last year's Magdalene karakol; I shan't miss it this year and for ever.

Something I wrote for Her several years back.

Mayo a veinte ocho nanamán.
Simulâ na ng pagbuhos ng ulán.
Dalá ng lakambining nangantimugan.
Magdalena ang kanyáng pangalan. 

Aba at Junio na.
Nagbalik na ang Magdalena.

Maryá Magdalenang dalá ng dayuhan
Salamín ng bathalumang nakalimután.
Ngayó'y sa amin nang nanahan
Naibsán ang pagtangis sa nakaraán.

Sakáy ng alon saami'y nakaabot.
Kamí'y isukob sa iyóng salakót.

Kulóg at kidlát ang kanyáng dalá
Ulán para sa nangansaka.
Pagkaing tubo mulâ sa lupà
Siyáng biyayà ng Magdalena.

Halina at kamí'y basaín.
Dingín itóng aming dalangin.

Papuri't galák sa lakambining Maryá
Sayáw mo sa amin ay ligaya
Ulán mong buhay sa amin at paritó
At sa susong-lupang inalayan mo. 

Aba, aba! Poón naming Maryá.
Amen; siyá nawá ang wikà nilá.

Yes, I know, she's not at all like the biblical Mary Magdalene. This is pure polytheistic love.

This is a test post. Jai Devi Mata!

via exoticindiaart.com

This is a test post. Jai Devi Mata!

Janus-Hermanubis

Ever at guard between worlds is the Waywalker

Who is the Pathfinder

Who opens doors and keeps pathways safe

Who is our Guide, the ever vigilant

Who stands at the threshold, looking both ways

Who asssists travellers, living and dead

Who is our swift-footed Messenger

Who is ever clever

Who speaks with the best wit

Who is the Giver of persuasion

Who presides over commerce

Who is agile and the Lord of games

Who shakes the idle with laughter

Who is lucky in all things

Who is Master of chance

Who protects our flocks with sleepless vigilance

Who is our watchful Shepherd.

Hail the Traveller, the Fortunate, the Way-maker, the Guardian!

Hail our Lord and Brother!

 

Words by Aldrin, Art by Stuart Littlejohn

It was Hermanubis who held my father's hand and sang this song to him as they raced to the undying shores.

via youtube.com

Hail the Traveller! Guide of Souls!

On unapologetically ithyphallic gods.

Tomorrow is the Festival of Min.

According to the festival list in the temple of Rameses III, the festival of Min began on the new moon of Pakhons and lasted for four days. Representations on temple walls depict the Pharaoh hoeing the ground and watering the fields while Min looked on, and on this date, the start of the harvest season, the Pharaoh ceremonially reaped the grain. This is a time to celebrate the growth, fertility, and abundance that Min represents. If you have a garden, spend time in it. Get fresh vegetables and make a feast in his honor – especially lettuce as this is his sacred plant, said to be produced from the god's semen. Min is an unapologetically phallic god, therefore anything sensual, ribald, and downright sexy would be a great way to honor him at this time. Just be careful – he is very much a god of fruitfulness! [Neos Alexandria festival list]

Since it's nowhere harvest season where I live (at least not the primary crops), I think I'm going for the other aspect of this festival – especially after being alerted to this. Fucking blew my brain to bits, that.

Anyway, is anybody else celebrating the Festival of Min tomorrow? This is actually my first time to formally honour Min or any other Egyptian god other than Hermanubis (who is really Graeco-Egyptian). Also, is it just me or does Min bear striking resemblance to Frey? Any other ithyphallic gods of fruitfulness in mind?

On Faith, God, and Faith in God.

This is what I mean, and I hope what other people mean, when I say that faith in God gets us through our problems:

• It is through our awesome family and friends and our own innate awesomeness that get us through life's adversities and struggles. This awesomeness is the immanent, pantheistic God.
• It is through faith in ourselves and faith in the people who love us that we have faith in God.

What I don't mean, and I hope what other people don't mean, is that:

• All help must come from a supposedly all-loving transcendental God who afflicts us with all sorts of maladies to "test" our faith. Cancer is there to test us if we can still have "faith" despite the unbearable pain, and tsunamis are there to remind us to return to God because we've all been so wicked. Either way, there's nothing we can do; it's all up to God.

Which do you think is closer to what you mean? More importantly: Which do you think is more rational and more applicable to the human condition?

Green Iran

I trust that you don't need me to explain why I'm doing this. It's all over the internet. It's horrifying ... and sad. Imagine something like that in your own country.

Do what you can do. Let the world know what's happening in Iran. Speak for the silenced.


Mighty Ares, you are strength and bravery, impart your spirits to the people of Iran, inspire the good strong to protect the weak, strike down the bad ones.

Golden Aphrodite and Lovely Jesus, you are love, stir in the hearts of the Iranian people a glorious love for country and a tender love for lives.

Wise Athene, you are reason and wisdom, impart your spirits to those involved in this noble battle against evil tyranny, raise their voices to the world, protect democracy and freedom.

Just Father Zeus, you are law and ethics, serve Iran and her people justice and restore right conduct amongst its citizens.

And for our own countries, the same spirits. Amen.

In Communion With The Primordial

My moments in nature are my best moments. Nothing beats communion with the Primordial.

To the burning wheel of the heavens, parent of all life, I have no extravagant poems for you but my gestures of thanks and a piece of bread. Hail to the Gods above us, amongst us, and below us.

Anubis In Dallas

This is the God Anubis or Yinepu.

According to this man in his article: "He is that wacky Egyptian god with the head of a jackal and the body of a human, [who] is [now] hanging around Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Actually, a 26-foot-tall statue of Mr. Anubis, known as the god of the dead or the underworld, was installed Friday at Founders Plaza, at the airport's northwest corner."

We had a few things to say in regard to this, however.

Posted by random @ 3:37 AM Sat, Dec 27, 2008

Isn't Anubis supposed to be the Gatekeeper of the Underworld? I mean I know airports are Hell during the holidays, but isn't this taking things a little too literally...?

Posted by Rob @ 3:12 PM Sat, Dec 27, 2008

It might behoove you to be a little more respectful of the beliefs of others. Anubis still has adherents around the world (and no, I'm not one of them); would you be inclined to refer to Jesus as "that wacky Semitic god with the nifty crown of thorns?"

Anubis is not "Mr." anything; would you refer to Jehovah as "Mr. Jehovah?"

Kindly grow up and acquire a little respect for others.

Posted by Masks Off!!!! @ 7:51 PM Sat, Dec 27, 2008

Rob,

Were you offended? Are you practicing the religion of the pharaohs? If so, nice point.

If not, get over yourself.

Posted by R. Reidy @ 8:00 PM Sat, Dec 27, 2008

Your comments about the god Anubis are very offensive and betray a triumphalist christian smugness towards the gods of other cultures.

Learn a little humility towards those of other faiths. Would you say equally smart-mouth things about Jesus, or the Buddha, or the deities of Hindus, etc.?

Posted by Rob @ 2:20 AM Sun, Dec 28, 2008

Masks Off, I do not personally worship Anubis, but I do know that there are those who do. I do not believe I am out of line in asking for a little respect for their faith. As a member of a minority religion myself, I find myself having to stand up for unusual beliefs, so I also stand up for the beliefs of others.

And from the looks of things, I'm not alone.

Posted by HiC @ 11:43 AM Sun, Dec 28, 2008

I should like to toss my voice into the mix as having found the tone and reference to Anubis objectionable and insulting. I mean..."wacky"? Really?! That seems rather condescending and colonialist ("Oh those funny savages back then").

A bit of sensitivity towards things that aren't American or Christian in the future would be most appreciated.

Posted by Katherine M. @ 2:03 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008

The worst part is that they replaced his traditional scepter with a candy cane. This statue was created to be a guard of honor for the pharaoh Tutankhamun- which was a wonderful gesture by the organizers of that king's tour- and now we caricature him into yet another cheap, commercial Christmas ornament? What's next, shall we have Jesus singing "Jingle Bells" while being nailed to the cross?

I would have loved to have visited this monument and seen it treated with a decent amount of respect. As it is, the placement of this statue hardly "highlights the cultural and economic significance" of anything- only the inability of the airport to appreciate the honor of hosting this illustrious guest and their failure to treat him appropriately. It is offensive on so many levels, and I encourage the people of DFW airport to replace the wAs scepter and issue an apology.

Posted by Dan @ 5:19 PM Sun, Dec 28, 2008

Actually I do worship the gods. I'm a Greco-Egyptian Reconstruction Polytheist (Basically I worship the gods of Greece and Egypt by the ways they did in Ancient Times ((though of course modifications like no animal sacrifice)) and other gods=I worship gods of Greece and Egypt but I honor and treat respectfully all gods (Yahweh, Yama, Oghma, and etc))).

But yeah....really tempting fate there with the god of embalming and guide of souls...
They do sell alcohol at airports do they? Well then people can before their flights make libations to him before their flights for safe passage (Underworld passage that is, Anubis is equated with Hermes the Arcadian god of Travel and Money AND he guides the souls of the living in travel and the dead to the underworld. BUT I doubt these fellows had that in mind when they did this....)!!!

As for smiting, I am not sure what Anubis would do-depends if he likes the statue or not-or candycanes. Again not sure but I know a few like myself who are staying away from Dallas airport for a while.....

Posted by Masks Off!!! @ 6:44 PM Mon, Dec 29, 2008

Dan,

You're not only the minority, you may be "it".

The PC culture of the US has gone too far. You can't say "boo" without someone who worships ghosts being offended.

Get over it. It wasn't meant as an anti-Greco-Egyptian slight. Nor was it meant as a slight of those that aren't Americans or Christians.

IN THE US, WE GENERALLY REFER TO A MALE AS MISTER, Mr. OR SOME OTHER VARIATION. WHY? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE USED TO DOING.

We're not used to using surnames as the first name, nor the last name after the maternal grandmothers' name.

Get over yourselves. If you're so "offended", don't read the newspaper. Don't listen to the news. And above all, don't talk to the "normal" Texan or American.

Posted by Rob @ 3:19 AM Wed, Dec 31, 2008

Masksoff, Dan is not "it." Reconstructionist Pagans are not common, but they are around. But even if he were the only one, it would still be appropriate to show respect for his beliefs, just as it would be appropriate to show basic respect for any other religion.

This isn't a "PC" issue, it's one of basic decency. What happened to that famous Southern courtesy?

"IN THE US, WE GENERALLY REFER TO A MALE AS MISTER, Mr. OR SOME OTHER VARIATION. WHY? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE USED TO DOING."

So you say "Mr. Jesus?"

"Get over yourselves. If you're so "offended", don't read the newspaper. Don't listen to the news. And above all, don't talk to the "normal" Texan or American."

Yes, apparently a number of people are offended, and it's only by those people speaking up that things get changed. If you don't like it when the article writer (or you) are called on insensitive remarks, don't read the paper or, better yet, stand up with us for religious equality. You know, "liberty and justice for all."

And I would hope that the "normal" Texan or American knows about the notion that all religions are respected in this country. If you don't believe that, perhaps you'd like to read up on what happens in theocracies?

Very well said, Rob. Whilst I can let the "Mister" part slide, the "wacky" bit though was quite off. Sometimes it can be hard for mainstream folks to understand the concept of cultural sensitivity unless they are finally marginalised themselves. Bigots are still worse than insensitive, hegemonic a-holes but they are still a-holes. And they need to be shoved back to realise that shoving is rude.

Ommmmmmm

I haven't finished my resolutions. Inspiration drives me to pray instead. (Some lines inspired from various poetry by Hearthstone, Ceisiwr Serith, Sannion, and Brynhyld.)

Hail to you day, hail to you day's sons; hail to you night and daughters of night. I look to you with glad eyes, may you be witness to my prayers.

I pray to the wide and all-seeing heavens who look over the earth and her children; whose anger is the storm and whose mercy is the rain. To the ancient one before us all, may you secure our people and our property; keep us safe from typhoon, meteor shower, and cancer-causing UV. We know you are unbiased but you are also merciful. I've always campaigned against smoke-belchers; I have never burnt plastic nor patronised chlorofluorocarbons. For another year, old father, protect us. So that we may give you praise forever and look upon your sapphire-painted face with smiles.

I pray to the broad and all-feeding earth who is both gentle and terrible; whose anger is the quake and whose mercy is the richness of soil. To the mother of all that grows; on whom we walk, from whom we come, across whom we go on our life-long journey. May your compassion never tire to forgive us when we wrong you; may you preserve our existence and our happiness as we feed from your all-nourishing bosom. For another year, oldest of mothers, sustain us.

I pray to the all-reaching waters who are both under and above us; in deep crevices under your sister earth and above her the mighty seas. From you all life has sprung and continues to thrive. Continue to provide us with water to drink and blood in our veins to exist. We know you are slow to anger; may our lives be so lucky to never see you in fury. For another year, live with us, live in us.

For another year, may we remember that by loving you we are loving ourselves. Your current state of being is our survival. Oh eldest of gods, hear us another year.

To the Pantheon

Snagged from Hearthstone, fellow Recon (and Hellene), this lovely devotion to the Gods in their Greek variety. (I am just too lazy right now to muse on my own, you see.)


Hestia, heart of the house, first born and last:
for light and warmth, home and hearth, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Awesome Zeus, mightiest of all the gods:
protector and rain-bringer, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Noble Hera, defender of marriage:
for family and fidelity, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Poseidon, lord of the ocean depths:
friend to sailors and seafarers, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Demeter, best of mothers, gracious one:
for fertile fields and fruit-filled trees, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Hades, ruler of the vast underworld:
for a gentle end to a long life, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Athena, grey-eyed daughter of great Zeus:
for wisdom, for skill, for victory--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Shining Apollo, archer unerring:
for health, for art, for music--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Artemis, first-born child of fair Leto:
protector of our children, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Hermes, clever son of Zeus and Maia:
for wit and luck and humor, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Glorious Aphrodite, kind one, fair one:
for love, for lust, for passion--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Ares, who takes joy in combat and strife:
for strength, for will, for vigor--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Skillful Hephaistos, maker of marvels:
for craft and invention, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Dionysos, beautiful god of the vine:
for rapture and transcendence, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Great Hekate, ever-watchful maiden:
torch-bearing guide and guardian, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Persephone, lovely queen of the dead:
you who will welcome us all, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Goat-footed Pan, roamer in wild places:
for instinct and unreason, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Eros, irresistable force of desire:
for mindless, ruthless passion, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Gaia, ancient one on whose flesh we tread:
for our lives, for existence, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.