I'm an absolute noob. And I'm just feeling my way through this thing. I don't know a lot so feel free to inform me but do be kind please : ).

I still live at home and got pretty limited space but I made some room on my windowsill. In either corner of it I put up two altars.

The left one too Odin, the right one to Aphrodite. It felt right, the left feels more intelectual whilst the right is more souly and emotional. I made sure to leave some room in the middle to give them their personal space.

To both i gave a small plate on which i leave my offerings. On Odins side i placed a statue of a raven holding a light bulb (i think it's originally a lamp, it work like one); the raven, Odin, god of knowledge, lighting the way. As well as the various covid feathers that have made their way to me.

On his plate I left a master key I got working as a janitor last summer, that they didn't bother getting back form me. A few different coins form different countries. A keychain I bought when I traveled to Finland. As well as I scout badge I got way back in the day.

On Aphrodites side I have a few white rocks. (Because I they're pretty). And a bottle of nail polish. I want to get a birth of Venus statue too. On her plate I left a few rings that I don't wear but think are beautiful. A heart shaped pin and a pretty stone from a necklace. As well as a few rose petals.

I know it might be an odd paring the too. I'm swedish myself, and we've always had a sort of connection to Odin in my family. At least me and my dad. When it comes to Aphrodite I love her domain of love. And what it represents. And it something I want to welcome into my life.

I put a little something between them. I found a queen of diamonds playing card the other week. It was just laying in the school corridor. But I noticed it. I think it represents confidence, wisdom and resourcefulness.

I haven't bought anything for them. But I'm an accumulator of stuff in general. So I suppose its more like I've given them things. Things that felt right.

Thank you so much for reading my post. I am still very new to this all. Thank you.

I’ve been really struggling with depression lately and everything is overwhelming. Even when I’m well, I don’t fully believe in the gods’ existence, so when depression makes it hard to believe anything, and I have so little energy, it’s hard to find a reason to keep practicing.

When I’m well, I know that my practice gives me a lot of comfort and happiness. I want to keep practicing in this period because I want the comfort and sense of identity it brings me. But I can’t bring myself to do anything without an immediate reward and I feel like I don’t have a sense of self to bring forward. It feels futile. It feels like a waste of precious energy, but at the same time, I miss it.

Does anyone have any tips for this? Is there anything I can do to feel connected to the gods, and to feel like I’m keeping in my practice, when I don’t feel like myself and can barely get out of bed?

Hello all, I'm looking for a good introductory book for Norse paganism to gift to a family member. He likes Norse mythology and might be interested in learning about Norse paganism. Ideally I'm looking for something that discusses both historical Norse paganism as well as modern-day practices/how to start practicing yourself. I don't think he knows anything about paganism or neopaganism so preferably a book that doesn't assume that the reader has any general knowledge about those things.

I also want to steer far clear of anything with fascist/white supremacist associations.

Thank you in advance!

I will be hosting a couple of friends for a pretty simple winter solstice this year. I am thinking that it could be nice to have a nature art/craft activity for each person to do. But

- I'm not allll that creative

-it is only 3 weeks from now, and I have an unfortunate number of stressors right now, so I don't want to aim too high

Which made me think that it could be a good idea to get kits (even though, yes, it would be more fun to all go find materials as long as they aren't buried under snow). My first thought was to make terraria (there are plenty of options for kits); you can also get a kit to hang art of living moss.

What other projects (and kits/links) have flexibility so that each person's can be different, are appropriate for adults rather than kids, and fit in with nature- for-solstice?

Thank you!

I’ve been looking around at local pagan events and things in my area and there isn’t much. And what’s there is either:

-Far enough out of the way that it’s hard to get to by car.

-Connected to political ideologies I don’t want to get into.

-Focused on specific traditions like Wicca that I’m not necessarily interested in committing to.

At the same time, I live in a university town with a decently international character, and not too far from our much larger capital city. I find it extremely hard to believe there aren’t any pagans locally. I think it might just be a case of people not finding anything established and therefore remaining solitary. At the very least, getting something local going seems like it’d be worthwhile to try (and everything had to start somewhere). So I’ve been thinking of trying to start something lowkey, like a regular meet-up at a pub for anyone local. Something that’s open to people of different traditions and focused more on networking, socializing and discussion rather than ritual per se.

I think it should be possible to get some advertising going via social media, putting up some posters/stickers, etc.

But I wanted to ask, to anyone who’s tried to set things up locally, what did you learn from that? What worked/didn’t? What are important things to keep in mind?

(PS: I'm not in the US. Just wanted to mention that, since often US things like CUUPS get recommended in response to stuff like this.)

I thought that I’d share.~

Ostara

The waters awake beneath the ice,

the ground awakes beneath the snow,

the winds are warmed

by the rousing of Mother Earth,

the trees awaken

and their leaves start to return.

The heart of spring is in the air, warming all

and awaking every hibernating animal with sunlight.

Spring is awakening.

Litha

The sun lights up the earth,

returning from its slumber,

reminding us of its power

yet also of its warm kiss.

Let light and fire be present in your heart

for it is the sun of summer.

Mabon

We live in a painting.

It is the time of year that leaves change colour,

and orange, yellow and red fly on the wind with the birds,

and apples are ripe for picking.

We are living in this beautiful painting that we call autumn.

Yule

Snowflakes dance down from the sky

to the glistening snow, blanketing the slumbering trees.

In the clouds, you can see the Deer Mother,

carrying the Sun across the sky in her antlers,

bringing light to the land.

All of winter sparkles

and my heart glows.

I understand everyone's experiences are different, but I'm curious if anyone else has had at least similar experiences.

Whenever I meditate, or do deity work, I'll occasionally feel a presence that I've come to associate with certain deities. That presence also will occasionally come with a voice. I do understand that everyone has different experiences, but I'm curious if I'm alone in this (if I'm making sense at all 😅)

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to go for this sort of thing but it's the best I've come up with.

I've been interested in paganism for probably 5 or 6 years, and I've (VERY lightly) dabbled in certain practices here and there. I've read about Greek, Norse, and Celtic pantheons, but never super in depth. I do have a general idea of who the major gods are, but not much beyond that. The reason I haven't is because of mental health issues I won't go super into, but essentially (trigger warning) >!when I start to worship gods in a theistic way, or think too deeply for long enough about doing so, I very easily spiral into psychosis and with all due respect that is not something I want to experience.!<

So far, though, I've had success with one thing. I've been taking (mostly Greek, as I'm most familiar with it [thank you Percy Jackson]) mythology and thinking about the Gods as metaphors for the human experience. This is not to say literal belief is worse, it's just not something I can do safely, and I do really enjoy the ritualistic and worship parts of religion.

Here's my question: is there a term for this? I've tried looking up "self worship" and "worshiping metaphors of gods", but all that comes up is Christian websites. When I add the term "pagan", theistic paganism comes up. I'm not sure what I can search to look into this.

Thank you!

Hi there! I'm new in paganism and I have a question I'm wondering. I read something about creating my own belief system on a pagan website. Is that true? Could it be our creativity, our faith? (I talk about my process of understanding nature and the universe and their sacredness).

I've tried a few different gods but don't really resonate with them. Can I create my own?

ok so, I'm very new to all of this (and also uncertain about my religion, I would like to explain myself better but I don't want to make this post too long, i already make a post so if someone can pass in my profile and help me I would be grateful 😭)

and I would like to know if it is possible to use the tarot to talk with the gods, a friend of mine uses the "yes and no" (I don't know the name of the technique) if the card comes out upside down it is no and if it comes out straight it is yes, but I didn't find the source and even though I searched on the internet I didn't find anyone who explained how to do it or other methods

Hi all. I don’t know any other way to explain this other than to say Astarte called to me this evening. It’s the strangest thing because for the past two weeks I have been grieving over the discovery that the man who raised me is not my biological father. I did discover that my biological father, however, came here from Lebanon. I really know next to nothing about Lebanese culture or traditions, and honestly had only ever heard about Astarte maybe a handful of times in my pagan journey.

Consider how shocked I was, then, when I was driving home tonight listening to an audiobook about working with deity and how people discover their patron/matron deities and literally out of nowhere the name Astarte came forward very strongly in my mind - literally mid-stream of consciousness. Loud and clear…There was no mistaking it. Granted, I know very little about her, so as soon as I got home I did some research and discovered she originated near the area my biological paternal family is from. How crazy is that??

So, all that to say that I’m interested in hearing how others work with her, and any advice y’all can offer about starting my journey with her. Because I really felt tonight that I heard from her and that there is a connection with her I need to explore. Thanks to everyone for your open-mindedness and for listening. ❤️

My husband took his own life his Halloween. His was Scottish and we were humanist leaning toward pagan. I've been think about the significance of that date? Is it coincidence? Is there a spike in suicides on this date. Makes me wonder is all. Thoughts?

cave-dwelling bearer of poppies,

serene ruler of our sleeping hours,

blessed Hypnos, son of shadowed Erebus and watchful Nyx,

i praise your rejuvenating gift of slumber.

protector of those who rest in your cathartic gaze,

your soothing power flows deep and wide,

guide of the Lethe's placid yet purgative embrace,

accompanied by the Oneiroi, messengers of the starlit sky.

twin of Thanatos, of gentle death,

and partner of youthful, meditative Pasithea,

all of your natures equally as compassionate.

sacred occupant of the underworld,

your soundless sanctuary adorned with opium flowers,

i ask to be liberated from my restless nights.

may your essence guide me to much needed relief,

shelter from the agitating waking hours.

your ethereal touch bringing respite to the weary,

may your river cleanse my soul from restlessness.

graceful Hypnos, mellow patron of sleep,

i praise you on this blessed night.

i really hope that you all enjoy, and feel free to use for your own practice!! i haven't actively worshipped Hypnos before today, but recently i've felt a big calling towards him and his brother Thanatos (who i have briefly worked with before). this was very enjoyable to write and i hope if brings you the same amount of joy it gave me <3

First up, I am not a pagan, but I thought you guys might enjoy this one.

I am very interested in German folklore/sagas and today i had the urge to compile the ones I have found that mention the old gods.
Unlike Scandinavia, the German regions basically had most of their pagan oral tradition destroyed before it could be written down, so very little remains. So I hope you guys enjoy this little sliver of pagan legends I managed to compile.

Pagan stories in Germany - Google Docs

I live next to (2min walk) an old Druidic fountain, built by the Gauls. I can't really find any information on the cults of the time with these fountains. Anyway, if you have any ideas for something I could do other than meditate, I'm interested.

Odd question. Offerings. I like to offer alcohol to my spirits and deities. But currently I am out, the only thing I have left is a bottle of Pink Whitney that I bought. 😭 It’s completely fine, but no one in my house is drinkers so we won’t drink it. I also don’t want to waste it, so is Pink Whitney an okay offering? 😂😂 (Ps. I work with Apollo)

Hi all! Very new to paganism so bare with me :) I'm thinking of trialing some yule decorations (dried oranges with cinnamon etc) but I was wondering if I can use limes instead? I have no oranges atm and a ridiculous number of limes... Do they have completely different spiritual properties? Does that matter? Thanke:)

I was planning to Celebrate Yule on 21st this year, as it begins, but some things came up and I won't be able to this Year, as I live with my grandparents who don't celebrate Yule, and when I mentioned making the Yule log cake, my grandmother asked me to make it for her birthday, which is on December 15th, a few days before the Solstice. So, since I won't have enough time to bake twice, I was wondering if I could move the celebration to the 15th for this year, since my family will get together and have dinner together anyway (My grandma isn't big on celebration, she just wants to have something to serve the guests, there's no candle blowing or birthday songs). My other option is combining Yule with Xmas, but my family celebrates Xmas on January 7th (Orthodox christmas), which is again AFTER Yule and would be a bit late.

Hey all! I'm just curious on other people's take on lab grown stones compared to those found in nature. I personally prefer lab stones because I know for a fact that they are ethically sourced, which you truly can't be sure of if they are mined from nature. In my practice I usually just use stones I can source myself like river stones (those call out to me more than others.) But if I need or want to use more precious stones and crystals, I find myself leaning tword science because I know how materials are sourced plays a big part in their power. I would love to hear others thoughts on this subject.

Have a blessed day!

What did you experience while worshipping Aphrodite? I'm still trying to get to know her and I want to identify any signs she might give

Greetings everyone. While in the state forest, I acquired a stick that makes a perfect staff and walking stick. It's very strong, not at all easy to break. Perfect length and so smooth. I'm not sure about the historical use and significance of staffs in traditional paganism and magick, as opposed to wands. I was wondering if anyone knew of what I could decorate it with and how I can essentially bond with the staff? Put my energy into it and truly make it mine. Also, how are staffs used in general pagan tradition such as rituals, divination, etc. BTW I'm a Hellenic pagan (minor in Norse paganism).

Looked through past posts and couldn't find this question. Hey all, I'm curious if there are other ways I can use my (many, too many to burn them all) stash of incense sticks. I've seen people crumble them & put them on herb bundles to burn, put them in drawers to freshen up linens or items. Have you heard of any other ways people have used them?

I'm considering trying to infuse them crumbled up in oil and then using that on a candle, though I'm worried of potential reactions. Otherwise I might put some in a dry spell jar.

Thanks!

Hello everyone,

Just asking for book recommendations that are good for someone who is beginning their journey into Norse Paganism.

I did read Norse Paganism for beginners by Silvia Hill. I found it really nice and brief but I'm very much interested in finding out more about the Norse deities when it comes to ritual space set up and offerings. I enjoy Norse stories and mythology, however I'm seeking for books that have a more practical approach.

Thank you so much in advance, I really appreciate it.

Hello All,

I want to preface this that I mean no disrespect to Christianity. That is no where I am coming from. My interest in “dechristianizing” my worldview comes from the fact that Christianity is not my tradition, and I am Pagan.

Given that Christianity has shaped many of our worldviews as children and as a “secular” society at large, I’m interested in learning 1) What those unexamined assumptions that come from a Christian worldview are and decolonizing them, and 2) Learning about Pagan values and worldviews to replace them to build a strong Pagan foundation for my Paganism.

Not here to disrespect, and this is not a place for rude and hateful comments towards Christians. I’m just looking for factual information and resources that can help me develop the worldview that fits my being Pagan.

Any resources, authors, thoughts?

Hi! I have a catholic mom and she was surprised to learn that most of her religious practices can be traced back to paganism. She’s very open minded and wants to learn more, so I’m wondering if any of you had any good book recommendations. Not looking for an encyclopedia, but something light that covers the basics. Thank you!

Hello everyone. I recently saw comments about some pagans who fear Lady Athena, so they keep their distance from her. I was surprised, because I worship her and, despite feeling her strength, I did not feel any level of fear. I understand that each person has their own relationship with gods, but I found it curious. What do you think about this?

So Yule is Dec 21 to Jan 1. Mother’s night is Dec 20. But every list I find of the days has mother’s night listed as day one. However, ITS THE NIGHT BEFOR YULE STARTS. I need help, can someone clear this up?

I remember reading in Germania that Tacitus claimed the Germanic tribes used signs from birds to tell the future and determine what action they should take on a particular matter.

Does anyone have any guides, articles, books or whatever on how we could do this practice nowadays?