“This Is Apollo, The Soul’s Darkness And The Soul’s Clarity. His Essence Is Such That He Can Be

Just wanted more Apollo with puppies in my life.

Roman Polytheism Resources

Roman Polytheism, also known as Roman Paganism, Religio Romana, and Cultus Deorum Romanorum, is the modern worship of the deities, deified virtues, genius loci (spirits of places), heroes, and deified humans of ancient Rome.  This intersects with Hellenistic polytheism, which includes Hellenic, Egyptian, Phrygian, Assyrian, Phoenician, and Syrian deities and Mysteries.

This list of resources is by no means exhaustive, and additions are welcome! Just send me an ask or pm with the book titles or links you recommend, or a note if you wish your blog to be included on the list.

Sources and Introductory Material

Roman Religion Reading List   Because it’s best to base your own conclusions on solid source material.

Nova Roma is generally a good source of information about the cultus deorum. This is not, though, an endorsement of the organization itself.

Roman Religion: Beliefs, Practices, And Institutions

Introduction to the Roman deities (pdf) Again, not an endorsement of the Res Publica Romana organization.

Major and Minor Roman Deities

Genii Loci

Mos Maiorum (Roman Virtues)

The Lararium and Household Religion

Prayers, rites, and worship

The prayers and rites listed here are in no way definitive, as there is no unbroken tradition of Roman worship. They represent modern interpretations that have worked for other people; feel free to respectfully modify them to suit your own needs, understanding of the gods, and lifestyle.

How to start practicing private rites

Simple Daily Home Rites and Prayers

Lararium rite

Daily Lararium rite

Kalends Lararium rite

Kalends rite for Janus

The Great Greco-Roman Polytheist Ritual Masterpost

Calendars of Roman Festivals:

http://www.novaroma.org/calendar/index.html

http://romanpagan.blogspot.com/2014/01/roman-calendar.html

http://www.musesrealm.net/rome/festivals.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_festivals

http://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-festivals.php

Places to buy oil lamps, altars, statues, etc.

I have no relationship or affiliation with these shops, and cannot guarantee your experience - I only browse their wares with longing.

Venetian Cat

The Roman Shop

Sacred Source

Celtic Web

Other Roman polytheists at tumblr:

@hearthglow @dorkilypagan  @sassyromanspirits  @dimagnitemplum  @heliosthedemiurge  @redlotuscult  @evodije  @sonnefur @redrokingpunkwitch

Hermes Chthonios, guider of souls, sacred messenger and shepard of men, i honour you this holy Khytroi night. i honour those who begin their return to the underworld, guided by your grace.

Hermes Psychopompos, lord of boundaries, assist me to bid farewell to the restless souls around me. help me to celebrate their lives, to grant them peace, to continue their legacy.

Athanatos Diaktoros, messenger of the Blessed, send my regards to those i have lost and those who came before me. relay my greatest respects to *[insert names of ancestors/deceased friends or family here]*. grant them a peaceful and cherished departure from the kind of the living, and send them home with joy and blessings.

Dôtor Eaôn, immortal friend of mankind, may this night be yours.

i hope you all had a very blessed Anthesteria <3

The Only Tarot Spreads You Will Ever Need in Your Life

Learn these, and forget everything else.

1. The Celtic Cross Tarot Spread

Gives you a comprehensive answer to any question

2. The Soulmate Conversation

Tells you everything about your soulmate

3. The Three Wishes Tarot Spread

Tells you which of your wishes will come true

4. The Two Paths Tarot Spread

Guides you towards making the right decision

5. The True God Shuffle

Reveals which higher power you are connected to

6. The What If Tarot Spread

Shows you alternate realities

7. The True Colors Tarot Spread

Shows you a person's true colors

8. The General Prediction Shuffle

Tells you about your life in general

9. The Life Purpose Draw

Reveals your life purpose in this incarnation

10. The Major Arcana Grand Tableau

Shows you the full year ahead

11. Your True Passion Tarot Spread

Reveals your true passion and how to live it

12. The Life Advice Shuffle

Gives you advice about life's many departments

13. The Sex Life Draw

Reveals your sex life with a current or future partner

14. The Past Life Tarot Spread

Reveals the truth about your past life

15. Allies & Enemies Tarot Spread

Reveals who your allies and enemies are

16. Your Future Children Shuffle

Tells you about any future children of yours

17. Sports Match Prediction Method

Lets you win meaningful bets

18. Age at Death Prediction Method

Tells you how long you will live

19. The High Priestess Tarot Spread

Answers any question about the future

20. The Time Prediction Method

Reveals the timing of any event

Zeus and Hera

I’ve seen several posts defending Zeus lately and honestly I love it. Entire cultures called Zeus father; he’s a protector of the home, foreigners, and sacred hospitality, among many other things.

For me, at first he felt scary and unapproachable even as the good king of the gods. I eventually incorporated Zeus Erkeios and Ktesios into my household prayers, but not much else.

Little by little, our kharis has grown, and Hera, patient mother that she is, has guided her daughter on the path of devotion to her husband. I am still learning, but now, Zeus feels fatherly and kind.

It’s difficult to explain, but I surprised myself today by praying to “Father Zeus” extemporaneously and just sharing my feelings with him. I’m not close with my own dad, so to be able to do that means a lot.

I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t understand the negative perception of either Hera or Zeus, because in worshipping them, I feel as though I’ve found a family. I love my gods, but I’m always overwhelmed and blown away by how much they love me in return.

the real reason mikey way used to be so quiet and stoic was because his jeans were too tight for anything to fit in his pockets, so he held it all in his mouth

An easy spell for protection

Ingredients:

A black candle

A piece of paper

A pen

A protective herb, such as rosemary, basil, or lavender

Instructions:

Light the black candle.

Write your name on the piece of paper.

Fold the paper in half and place it under the candle.

Sprinkle the protective herb over the paper.

Close your eyes and visualize a protective shield surrounding you.

Say the following incantation:

“I am protected from all harm. No evil can touch me. I am safe and sound. I am surrounded by love and light.”

Open your eyes and let the candle burn out.

This spell can be used to protect yourself from negative energy, harm, and danger. It can also be used to protect your home, your loved ones, and your belongings.

Here are some additional tips for using this spell:

You can use any protective herb that you like.

You can say the incantation in your own words.

You can perform this spell at any time of day or night.

You can repeat this spell as often as you need to.

This spell is a simple and effective way to protect yourself from harm. By following these tips, you can make sure that the spell is as effective as possible.

Little prayers for dionysus

Try using these in conjunction with prayer beads! Each bead should remind you of an epithet.

“Dionysus Nyktelios, lull me to sleep.”

“Dionysus Lyaeus, brighten my day.”

“Dionysus Taurus, help me stand my ground.”

“Dionysus Lampter, guide me through dark places.”

“Dionysus Lyseus, free me from my worries.”

“Dionysus Psilas, grant me the freedom to be myself.”

I will create a full list of epithets with meanings for your enjoyment in my next post.

GOOD OMENS S02 + TUMBLR REACTIONS

Saturnalia is coming on soon, so I'd like to speak some more on this peculiar, interesting festive occasion.

It is an Ancient Roman holiday of abundance, feasting, and celebration of harvest, which was supposed to be over by the time the festivities began. After the farmers gathered the crops, they'd celebrate Saturn, God of seed and sowing, for His generosity and richness of the harvest.

The festival, known for its abundant feasts and the peculiar tradition of switching roles of masters and servants, has a complicated history. It laid basis for the modern-day celebration of Christmas with its fairs, markets, street festivities, and gift-giving.

The origins of Saturnalia are much of a mystery as the festival appears to be so Ancient that Roman sources mark it to be older than the city of Rome itself. Saturnalia existed in both Greek and Roman tradition, though it corresponded to the Greek Kronia, which was a similar, but not an identical festival.

Sources speak on different possible origins of the holiday: some mention the temple of Saturn, the largest of the recorded by the pontiffs, being erected in Rome, and thus starting the tradition; whereas others speak on the festival being brought from Greece. Either way, this Ancient tradition is associated with the liberation of the God of harvest.

Saturnalia was officially celebrated on December 17 and, in Cicero's ties, lasted for a week (inclusively), until December 23. The length of the celebration varied depending on the time period as Augustus shortened it to three days only for the sake of letting the civil courts stay closed for less, while Caligula extended the celebration to five days. The original festival, according to Macrobius, appeared to have lasted for only a day; fourteen days before the Kalends of January. The Julian reform shifted the date to the 17th, thus making it into sixteen days before the Kalends. Some believe that the timing for Saturnalia was symbolic, as next followed Winter Solstice, or symbolic Death of the Sun and Birth of the new one.

Regardless, even after the limiting of the festival, Saturnalia seemed to still be celebrated for a full week with the last day being dedicated to Sigillaria, named so after sigillaria, the small earthenware figurines sold in the cities on that day. The original day of celebration was in turn given to Ops, the consort of Saturn and the Deity of abundance and the fruits of the Earth. The celebration in Her honor was called Opalia, and two festivals tended to mix together with Ops' worshippers sitting down during prayer to touch Earth, mother of all.

Saturnalia involved various activities akin to feasts, parties, gift-giving, and ritual rites. The party traditionally started with the guests exclaiming, i Saturnalia, believed to be a shortening from ego tibi optimis Saturnalia auspico, or 'i wish you a happy Saturnalia'. It is believed to be one of the most delightful periods of the year and one of the most beloved Roman festivals. People went into the streets celebrating, marching, setting up shows and street markets. People of all backgrounds could participate in it.

Among the general aspects of Saturnalia were activities such as gift giving, as people exchanged things such as candles, walnuts, dates, and honey. Masters served slaves, whereas slaves became free men as in memory of Saturn's reign when slavery did not exist. Servants walked the streets masked, in Frigio hats, or hats of liberation. The Saturnals were also celebrated in the army; the party was called the Saturnalicium castrense, when the low-rank soldiers sat next to the generals as equals and toasted together. Dice games and public gambling were allowed, but became prohibited again once Saturnalia ended. Mourning was abolished, while courts and schools were closed; starting war or enforce capital punishment was strictly prohibited. The festivities took such a great degree of chaos that some authors of the time report moving to remote suburban houses for the week of the Saturnalia to avoid the noise.

Saturn was one of the few celebrated Deities, as, in Roman times, Dis Pater and Proserpina were also believed to join the festive processions in winter time. They were to be appeased by gifts, festivities, and food; which was believed to make Them return to the Underworld where, as the Gods of subsoil, They would protect the crops and make them sprout in spring.

The official part of the feast consisted of a solemn sacrifice in the temple attended with bare head and during which the wool bandages that wrapped the feet of Saturn's simulacrum melted. A public banquet followed where all the guests exchanged toasts and wishes.

Further celebratory activities were split into days, and precise rites were done on each day of the festival.

At the beginning of Saturnalia, a rite of lectisternium was held. During the ritual, statues of Jupiter and 12 Olympians were seated in a dining position upon a special bed, or couch, and offered food, prayers, and gifts. They were spoken to with due respect and asked for protection of Rome and its people as well as for help with current affairs. After the first step, a procession was sent off to the Temple of Saturn and animal sacrifices were made at the site. A banquet with cheeses, focaccia, olives, and wine was held, to which everyone was invited - all provided by the state.

Starting day one, no-work days began, and gifts as well as greeting cards were exchanged between the citizens. Myrtle, laurel, and ivy - symbolic elements of the Saturna - were given; the trees were respectively sacred to Venus, Apollo, and Bacchus. The first day was signified by banquets, during which the Princeps of Saturnalia, the ruler of the festivities, Princeps Saturnalicius, was elected. During the first day of the festival, people changed from togas to synthesis and pileus; a casual home robe and a cap like headdress.

On the second day of the festival, Rome was still abundant with noise and feasts, to which everyone invited everyone. Stalls and juggles were in the streets alongside dancers and musicians. Celebrations were accompanied by the feast in honor of Epona, Celtic Goddess of horses, much adorned by the equites, whose importance during Saturnalia was due to Her connection to fertility and richness of feasts. The second day of Saturnalia, the 18th of December, marked the beginning of the triad of days of Mercatus, much similar to today's city fairs.

The third day of Saturnalia was the initial day of the celebration (before the reform of the calendar) and was devoted to the Goddess Ops, Deity of Sabine origin introduced to Rome under Titus Tatius. She was praised as the Deity of abundance, protector of rich harvest, giver of fruits of the Earth, and respected consort of the God Saturn. Her Temple at the Capitol hill was erected on that day, and thus received attention and became a center of worship of the Goddess as it was the anniversary of its establishment. Ops was prayed to and asked for blessings of harvest.

The fourth day of the Saturnian festivals, December 20, was dedicated to gift-giving and worship of the Lares, house guardian Deities of Ancient Rome. Terracotta figurines, sigillaria, were made out of paste, wax, or terracotta. Bronze statues were a rarity as bronze was expensive, while sigillaria made out of sweet dough were meant for the children. These statuettes were exchanged as gifts between the citizens as well as given to Saturn as offerings. He was seen as the God of time, and, thus, Death, and the figurines were to be given to Him as ways to redirect Death from coming for the giver, instead letting the figurine take it.

On the fifth day, Rome was filled with visitors from all across the Empire who came to see the city at its peak, blooming with festivals and street activities such as shops, shows, and a multitude of banquet spots. Fod, souvenirs, sigillaria (sigillaria<sigillum<signum+illum), clothes, ornaments and jewels were sold on the street. Artisans from all over the Empire offered goods made of leather, wood, terracotta, bronze, brass, silver and a special alloy of gold and silver, electrum.

On day six of the festivities Rome welcomed dancers, singers, and other performers from across the Empire who came to join the celebration as the entirety of the Empire was involved in it. Gift-exchanging with the guests, also known as xenia, was performed. Marcus Valerius Martialis wrote Xenia and Apophoreta for the Saturnalia, both of which were published in December and intended to accompany the "guest gifts" that were given at that time of year.

On the seventh - and last - day of the celebrations the Gods were thanked for everything given. The streets were full of torches and braziers, and the day passed between banquets and the baths decorated with ribbons and garlands for the occasion. Aulus Gellius relates that he and his Roman compatriots would gather at the baths in Athens, where they were studying, and pose difficult questions to one another on the ancient poets, a crown of laurel being dedicated to Saturn if no-one could answer them.

Saturnalia ended at sunset.

Sources in pinned.