Art Will Save You, Being Unreasonably Passionate About Something Niche Will Save You, Letting Past Sources

lotus by tasia @_tasiams ~ Tasia M S | freelance illustrator

Mermaid Cave by 2D artist Zana on ArtStation

“You that are weary with the world, you that are lonely, you that have suffered hardship, that have suffered hurt, come, gather about Me and be you enfolded in My mantle”

The Clear Recital; Teachings; The Mantle: 1

On the Waves II by Sue Schlabach

Devotional moodboard for Aphrodite- Ocean themed 🐚

Deos fortioribus adesse.

- Tacitus

The gods are on the side of the stronger.

I had a dream about a forest, far away. I heard the gentle running of water and when I reached the open space behind the trees, I saw a stream. Water rushing, glistening in the light. When I looked beyond it, I saw a statue of a woman. I stepped into the stream, sharp rocks pressing against the soles of my feet. The water was cold up to my ankles. As I crossed the stream and stepped onto the rocks, I felt the cool wind blowing against my wet skin. It was even colder than before, and for a second, I knew I'd felt steadier in the water. I approached the stone statue and kneeled before Her, bowing my head and closing my eyes, listening, to the water and the wind. I stood up once again, the gravel leaving an imprint on my knee. I never looked at Her, but instead pressed my hand against Her. I could've sworn I felt a heartbeat through the rough texture of that cold stone exterior. And I knew to turn back. I felt the earth underneath my feet. It whispered to me. I stepped back into the water, and it felt like coming up for air. And so I followed along, down the stream. Everything was still and serene. Except for the gentle rushing of the stream. And the sound of water falling.

(Credits to @Pulse.fm on Tiktok for coming up with this originally)

Anyways, enjoy my probably terrible rant about Aphrodite and her connection to Girlhood and that great feeling of childhood innocence!

(Yes I should be asleep, how did you guess?)

The first time I saw this, I didn't think much about it I see a lot of this on my Pinterest regularly. But I stumbled upon this again while working on something else and it really resonates with me.

Probably, because yeah, I relate to this. I went through puberty very, very young and I didn't know what was happening and it wasn't explained until those awkward talks at school did I actually learn what was happening.

And every day since I actually became aware I'm growing up, I've wished I could go back. I still do. I wish I could be a little girl again, but I can't, I don't have the option to go back. I can do things, that make me feel like a little girl again but I will never be a little girl again.

I think this is something every girl can relate to, growing up too fast. We were always expected to grow up fast and be the mature ones at school,

"Girls mature faster then boys."

It's not just a coincidence or a random thing people say, we do because it's expected of us. Girls are expected to be responsible somewhere around elementary school, boys don't have to care until middle school, because that's the appropriate time to grow up.

I think this entire thing allows girls to connect with Lady Aphrodite. She probably understands, growing up too fast, being forced to take on the weight. Struggling with a new changing body, a new world, eyes staring from every corner, aware, and unable to be a little girl again.

She understands that struggle, she understands that we can't go back to being little girls, but she wants you to help feel like a little girl again. She gives you the feeling again.

When you find a cute stuffed animal, when you do a new makeup look for fun, when you rediscover a picture book you used to love, when you play in the bath... Anything that makes you feel like a little girl again.

She's there and she understands

She loves when you feel that childhood innocence again, when you experience childhood joy again, when you go back to that feeling of innocence, that's what she loves!

Sorry this was so long, I should be asleep but this just made me so passionate that I felt like I needed to type this up now. So anyway what do you guys think about this? Also please remember this is my personal interpretation based off of the photo at the top.