I'm not sure who might need to hear this but healing looks different for everyone and it isn't always herbal baths, green tea, and journaling. For some people the process of healing is:
Uncontrollable crying
Meeting parts of yourself you've kept hidden.
Doing what feels like never ending shadow work only to find yourself back at the same trigger that initiated your shadow work in the first place.
Allowing yourself to feel anger towards others for giving you burdens you didn't deserve to carry while simultaneously feeling bad that you're angry with them.
Realizing it was never your fault, then having to forgive yourself for making choices that were heavily influenced by the weight of those burdens placed on you.
Working with your inner child to let them know they are safe while still trying to maintain your sanity to deal with day to day life in the present.
Having to figure out new coping mechanisms during a time when you wish you could just rely on the old ones because you already know the relief they give you. But at the same time understanding that the relief they provide is only temporary and will lead you into a never ending cycle of despair and self loathing.
With this being said, do not ever feel bad if your healing starts to feel more like regression than progression. That is all a part of the process, if you are still choosing to continue on the path to healing, despite any feelings of stagnation you may have. That is in fact, you still working on healing, not giving up on yourself or your ability to heal. You are amazing for recognizing your need to recover and I sincerely pray that you find peace and restoration as your reward for taking this path. 💗
- Erika, The Clumsy Witch
Hades 101- part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5
Hades 102- part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5
A guide to worship of Hades - cheat sheets
Hellenic cheat sheets
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Wolf moon (January) also known as cold moon, air
Inner power, insight, assess your journey, protection, personal developement
Ianna, Freyja, Skadi, the Morrigan, Hecate
Wolves, foxes, coyotes, blue jay, pheasants
Hematite, ruby, selenite, moonstone, opal, garnet, jet, onyx, obsidian
Black, white, silver, violet
Snow moon (February) also known as storm moon or hunger moon, air and water
New starts, ambition, change, creativity, reflection
Brighid, Diana, Juno
Otter, eagle, chickadee, unicorn
Amethyst, jasper, moonstone
Purple, light blue, yellow
Worm moon (March) also known as seed moon, water and fire
New growth, set intentions, renewal, balance, prospering
Mars, Tyr, Athena, Isis
Cougar, bear, hedgehog, sea crow, sea eagle
Aquamarine, bloodstone, jade
Pale green, red, violet
Pink moon (April) also known as hare moon, fire and earth
Rebirth, discovery, fertility, goals, openings, opportunities
Aphrodite, Venus, Hathor, Kali, Rhiannon
Bear, wolf, hawk, magpie
Diamond, quartz, emerald
Pale yellow, pink, gold
Flower moon (May) also known as fairy moon, earth and air
Abundance, gratitude, romance, maturity, intuition
Bast, Artemins, Pan, Cernunnos
Cats, lynx, leopard, swallow, dove, swan
Emerald, sapphire, agate
Pink, green, brown
Strawberry moon (June) also known as rose moon, air and water
Harvest, manifesting, dreams, love, good health, clarity, communication
Juno, Hera, Isis, Neith, Cerridwen
Monkey, butterfly, frog, toad, wren, peacock
Pearl, moonstone, citrine, blue lace agate
Yellow/green and orange
Buck moon (July) also known as hay moon, water and fire
Inner fire, long term goals, leadership, divination
Hel, Athena, Lugh, Khepri
Crab, turtle, dolphin, whale, starling, swallow
Ruby, carnelian, green calcite, peacock ore
Blue, gray, silver
Sturgeon moon (August) also known as barley moon, earth and air
Freedom, perseverance, cleansing, reaping, gratitude, peace, harmony
Demeter, Ceres, Hathor, Nemesis, Ganesha, Vulcan, Vesta
Lion, phoenix, sphinx, dragon, crane, falcon, eagle
Periodot, onyx, bronzite, green sapphire
Gold, yellow, green
Harvest moon (September) also known as corn moon, earth and air
Harvest, gratitude, balance, reflection, psychic work, home and hearth
Demeter, Ceres, Thor, Thoth, Persephone, Freyja, Isis
Snake, jackal, ibis, sparrow
Peridot, sapphire, bloodstone, chrysolite
Brown, yellow, amber
Hunters moon (October) also known as blood moon, air and water
Strength, protection, endurance, rebirth, ambition, ancestral work
Cernunnos, Hecate, the Morrigan, Osiris, Astarte, Ishtar, Lakshmi
Stag, jackal, elephant, ram, scorpion, wolf, heron, crow, robin, owl, raven
Opal, tourmaline, citrine, rose sapphire
Red, orange, deep blue, black, dark green, brown, gold
Beaver moon (November) also known as snow moon, water and fire
Preparation, security, grounding, fidelity, new beginnings, release
Cailleach, Circe, Sybele, Hel, Holda, Kali, Bast, Osiris
Unicorn, scorpion, crocodile, jackal, owl, goose, sparrow
Topaz, obsidian, onyx, apache tear
White, purple, gray, sage green, black
Cold moon (December) also known as oak moon, fire and water
Completion, renewal, reflection, shadow work, transitions, peace
Dionysus, Athena, Attis, Ixchel, Neith, Wodan, Osiris, Frey
Deer, mouse, horse, bear, snowy owl, robin, rook
Blue zircon, turquoise, serpentine, lazulite, smoky quartz
Blood red, green, white, black
- letter to a parent (hurts so good when you have mommy/daddy issues)
- letter to your younger self (bonus points for pre transition self if that applies to you)
- letter to your childhood pet/pets
- letter to your childhood best friend
- listing out your insecurities and then complimenting said insecurities
- listing everything you’re grateful for,, even if it’s just a few things
- letter to your ancestors or just all ancestors in general (i like doing it for all ancestors that way no one feels left out)
Slow dances to your favorite tune alone or with someone you love
Random and unexpected hugs
Handwritten letters
The smell of books and the sound of turning pages
Hearing the phrase "I love you"
Compliments from strangers
Returned smiles
Someone playing with your hair
Sunrises and sunsets
Handwritten notes found in old books
Cardigans, big sweaters and knitted socks
The taste of food after a long, tiring day
When you finish reading a great book and you feel like you've lost a good friend forever
Feeling the cold wind caressing you skin and hair
When you're at the beach and you close your eyes to listen to the sounds of ocean waves crushing against the shore
Playing with children and hearing them laugh
Making lists
Long, meaningful discussions with someone who means a lot to you
Slow kisses
Being brave enough to do the right thing
Hearing "this made me think of you" and "I miss you"
Playing with animals on the street
Visiting your grandparents
Long peaceful baths
unexpected car trips
No homework
The excitement of new beginnings
Waking up after remembering a nice dream
Lately, there has been a surge of newcomers to Hellenic polytheism circles, and there is definitely a vibrant discourse about Hades. It’s hard to tell whether it’s Rachel Smythe’s Lore Olympus webcomics or the SuperGiant Hades game, there are so many new practitioners making their first steps towards Hades nowadays.
Which is amazing.
Surprisingly, I couldn’t find a lot of guides, not on tumblr, not on reddit, tiktok is a dumpster-fire of misinformation, and youtube is a weird rabbit hole you'll easily get lost in.
This series of posts will hopefully help those who are making the first steps in getting to know Hades. We'll cover who he is, a bit about the context of Hellenic polytheism (because some of you might not be coming from that direction, or just starting out with this path as well), and some info about rituals, offerings, and devotional activities. I plan to end this series with a list of sources (not necessarily academic).
So just a few points to remember when reading this series:
There is no one true experience or one way of doing things. If you’re a revivalist Hellenic polytheist your practice will look different than a non Hellenic witch’s practice. You make your own choices, you claim your own titles.
There is a context though. Whether it be a historical context or a modern context, it’s important to know those. Myths are stories connected to actual cultures, what people say on social platforms is heavily affected by modern-day ideas.
Think critically but have faith. I know it sounds contradictory but it isn’t. Think critically about your experiences, what others say, what you read even if it’s academic material, and on what you believe in. But at the same time, allow your logic to rest sometimes. Not everything has to make sense, not everything is evidence-based. That’s the nature of faith. just make sure you walk between those two states and not stay stuck on one side.
It is what you make of it. there are no rulebooks or perfect recipes. Each of us is an individual, a tiny world of its own. One of my UPG’s (unverified personal gnosis) is that Hades appreciates individuality, meaning what you make yourself will probably be more special to him than what you take from someone else’s. It’s also not about elaborate rituals and extra formal prayers. but we’ll get to this.
On the next post: who is Hades
General wards
Sigils
Moon water
Run water
Rain water
Holy water
Grave dirt
Salt
Crystals
Burning protective herbs
Growing protective herbs
Oils
PSI balls(around what needs protecting)
Spell jars
Personal Wards
Enchanted jewelryÂ
Pendants
Most glamor magick
Witches bottles
Poppets
Herb satchels
Spatial wards
Circles
Candles
Incense
Hearths
Outdoor decor(sigils, etc)
Nature
Waterways
Stones
Trees
Herbs
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/531565562272684814/
Khthonic deities are of the earth or ‘under’ it so offerings were made outside on low altars (escharai) or into specially dug pits.
For libations wine was replaced with water, milk, honey or blood.
Animals sacrificed were black in contrast to white, which were reserved for Ouranic (sky) deities.
Rituals were traditionally performed at night.
Seeing as animal sacrifice is frowned upon nowadays and not feasible for most practitioners, votive offerings can be offered instead, i.e. black animal figurines, predominantly sheep and rams.
Other offerings may include coins as traditionally an obol or oboloi (plural) was used as currency in Hades.
Epithets were used more than plain names.  Persephone  - Kore (Maiden,) Carpophorus (Bringer of Fruit), Despoina (Mistress), Praxidice (Exacter of Justice). Hades  -  Aidoneos (The Hidden), Necron Soter (Saviour of the Dead), Eubouleus (Good Counselor), Necrodegmon (Receiver of the Dead), Plouton (Wealth), Polydektes (Receiver of Many Guests), Theon Khthonios (God of the Underworld).
Any food offerings were wholly burned or buried (holocaust), none of it was shared with the ritual attendees as with Ouranic offerings.
Gods associated with or make the Underworld their home includes Hades, Kore, Hekate, Hermes Khthonios, Kerberus, Erinyes (Furies), Kronos, Thanatos, Charon, Hypnos, The Moirae and Nyx, among a myriad of others.
Heroes and ancestors were also worshipped in this manner, thought to exert great power from their tombs and the Underworld. F’ex, Asklepios and Herakles.
Caves or deep chasms were also thought to be gateways to the Underworld though mortals were discouraged from venturing there before their time.
Disclaimer - This is solely from personal research and in no way indicative of how everyone should approach Khthonic ritual. Feel free to omit or adjust anything you see fit.
(THIS IS NOT A GUIDE, THIS IS JUST WHAT I DO)
Made them all a Pinterest board of their aesthetic
Made them all a separate Pinterest board for things of their choosing
Made them playlists
Play him songs on my ukulele
Play video games with the sound up
Read poetry to him
Write him poetry
Bitch about people to him
Honour him while I take my medication
Practice self-care
Practice self-love
Honour her while I masturbate
Make an extra cup of tea whenever I have one
Sit in the shower and relax
Gush about my crushes (If Applicable)
Take walks around my local park
Pick up rocks that I find
Drink herbal tea
Use all natural face-masks
Honour her while I work
Tell her all the things I learnt in class
Use pomegranate washing up liquid
Honour the dead by preserving animal bones
Offer hospitality to anyone that enters my home
Honour him while I take a day for myself
Take walks when I am feeling down
Sit in my garden at night
Stream calming games on a discord server for people who can't sleep
Use pomegranate washing up liquid
Use mint shower gel