Me When I See A Character That Is Cool And Religiously Ambiguous

what do you do to include judaism in your daily life?

i’m looking for suggestions of ways to include little jewish things, behaviours, and practices in my daily life! i’m atheist leaning, i’d say? so it’s a bit of a struggle- but i’m still more than happy to hear about suggestions that involve Hashem!

(i’m asking around jumblr (so you might see this ask on other blogs))

Hello!! Thanks for the ask!

I’m not sure how much value someone who is atheist leaning would get out of these things, so I apologize if this isn’t what you’re looking for, but here’s how I include Judaism in my life!

- Lots of Torah study and Jewish readings

- I’m involved with two Jewish organizations through my college and engage with their MANY events

- Learning to make and/or eating Jewish foods

- Making copious amounts of challah

- Saying the Shema twice and day and relevant brachos if I know them! Also frequently learning new ones! Like I recently learned there’s one for seeing a strange animal for the first time! A great resource for this is https://www.brachos.org/

- Keeping kosher (mostly! I’m working on it!) or at least eating with intention

- Trying to learn Hebrew but I’m really bad at languages :/

- Reading a page of Talmud a day through the Daf Yomi emails from https://www.myjewishlearning.com

- Touching the mezuzah on my doorpost every time I come home

- Studying the history of the Jewish people

- Learning and participating in new traditions

- Learning traditional hymns and songs

- Tzedakah

- Trying to be Shabbat observant but it’s a work in progress

- Having Jewish decor in my home

- Being intentional with my words and actions and considering how they may impact myself and others

- Feeding my pets before I feed myself

There’s probably more things I’m forgetting but this is all I can think of right now!

I hope this helped!

If there’s anything you specifically want more information on please feel free to ask!

If you feel confortable sharing, tell us one of your experiences with the Gods

There's a ton of small insignificant things but recently one that truly made me laugh was when I was planning the Apatouria. The festival was meant to start on nov. 5th in the evening and I usually do my grocery shopping in the weekend. So it was in my plans to buy what I needed for the feast the weekend before, on Sunday. I had chosen to make Moschari Kokkinisto (essentially a type of beef stew). It can be served with anything, but the recipe I had served it with very thick and hollow long pasta, which is known as pastitsio noodles in Greece or ziti in Italy. I live in Finland and since that's a very specific type of pasta I wasn't counting on finding any and had planned to just fall back on regular spaghetti.

Anyway, on the Saturday morning I forced myself to go out to fetch a package that was dropped at my local small shop, which is like a 5 minute walk. I wasn't planning to do groceries, just grab a bottle of milk to make hot chocolate as a treat when I get back home and get the package. So I go to the furthest part of the shop for the milk carton and walk by a random aisle to go pay. It was the pasta aisle. Something catches my eye and I see a bunch of packs of pastitsio pasta. It took me a solid few seconds to fully register what the fuck was happening and almost started laughing in the shop because how?

I'd put it on capitalism if it was just a random find in a big supermarket, but really that shop is not a big supermarket, just a small neighborhood market. But hey, I can't complain since I got exactly what I needed at the most convenient time. In the end, it's just pasta but I'm still dumbfounded at the circumstances around it all.

Why the gods would care so much about pasta is beyond me, though.

“Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”

— Mark Twain

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”

— Jack Canfield

Asteroid Aphrodite (1388): Love you like a love song (part 1)

| credits to Wikipedia & Mecca of Mysticism + @venusfun has a post about Aphrodite in the signs, and other interesting notes about it which I find interesting so go check her out! |

!Please note that this is my own interpretation and other people might have a different stance on this subject. I respect everyone’s opinions and beliefs regarding their interpretation and take constructive criticism.!

So, for starters, who is Aphrodite?

Aphrodite is the ancient Greek Goddess of love, beauty, lust, pleasure and procreation (sometimes presided over marriage). Allegedly born in Cythera and emerged from the foam created after Cronus had cut off Uranus’ testicles and fallen in the sea (ok Cronus wtf). Others say her parents were the Titaness Dione and Zeus.

People would pray to her and ask for guidance when it comes to love, marriage and fertility blessings or sex related issues. It was believed that Aphrodite can inspire, control and shift the feelings of gods and mortals to work in her favour. That’s why she was deemed as the goddess of the sea/sea shore, goddess of war and victory. Her symbols include myrtles, roses, doves, sparrows and swans. People would offer Aphrodite small terracotta statues representing her or were burried with her statues if they were her worshippers.

The thing that stands out about Aphrodite according to mythology is her free-spirited, shallow, confident and impulsive nature.

The main interpretation astrologers give to Aphrodite is aesthetic beauty and the type of woman a person can be attracted to, or the femininity expressed by the native. I personally think there’s more layers to her than just volatile love (we have other asteroids for that such as Cupido).

Aphrodite was worshiped in the ancient times due to her ethereal beauty and the blessings she offered to couples and singles alike. She’s quite extra and dramatic. She wants to be desired and desire others freely to see others being in love and to be sexually satisfied. She is confident that she’s the true beauty among gods and mortals.

Her competitive nature is shown when her beauty is being challenged in this never-ending race on “Who is the fairest of them all” and when she feels desire for someone. Mere mortals aren’t allowed to compete with her, unless they want to have a taste of her wrath.

The same traits can be applied to the astrological interpretation of this asteroid in the natal chart. Furthermore, Aprhodite represents expectations one has in love, expectations which feed the imagination of the native and pushes them to idealise their love interests.

If you're attracted to women, they might have these traits which you find irresistable. Let’s not forget that Aphrodite was always surrounded by admirers and suitors. This can be applied as how the native’s beauty affects admirers and suitors.

Aphrodite vs Venus

I mentioned this in one of my first asks about Aphrodite, I think she symbolises the good and the bad of the feminine energy. I would say this celestial body is here to let us know who we are when we are in love and what we expect of it, what our fantasies are and what our divine beauty is really like. Aphrodite is who we are without the restrictions of the real world which Venus has to deal with. Aphrodite is the teenage dream amongst the gods while Venus is the accomplished and loving woman among mortals.

As an asteroid, she is an energy. Any planet that comes in contact will influence the power that Aphrodite has in the natal chart. Aphrodite itself represents a divine energy that makes you sparkle in the eyes of others. She will influence the aura of the native. Planets can amplify or minimise the her energy. Masculine planets such as Sun, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Pluto can intensify and add a bold direction to Aphrodite’s energy. These planets influnce the suitors that surround her as well. Her suitors are more masculine, dominant, posessive and take the traits of these planets. While feminine planets (Moon, Venus, Neptune) will amplify the already existing traits of the asteroid.

Aspects to Aphrodite

- Sun / Aphrodite: makes the native shine from their core, making it hard for people to not notice them. They radiate a sun-like beauty which outshines everyone else in the room. The native’s confidence can make others feel insecure. Very ego driven, conceited and wants to be seen as divine. Harsh aspects (square, opposition) can bring insecurities and make the native shy away from the spotlight. Suitors are confident, boisterous and ego driven.

- Moon / Aphrodite: Comfort is very important for this native. Emotional attachments to their crushes are very likely to happen, with squares/oppositions aspects the native might hide their emotions or neglect themselves due to a lack of healhty examples of love from their mother. The native might be really harsh on themselves and prone to emotional outbursts. The native could use their emotions to play as the victim.

Otherwise the native is very loving and might even want to care for their love interests. Suitors are really protective and emotionally open towards the native. They might even overshare with the native bc of their soft and comforting aura.

- Mercury / Aphrodite: The native’s youthful presence and intellect pulls people in here. Aphrodite here is driven by knowledge and she might make the native prone to ask questions and express curiosity as a sign of interest. Might attract younger and energetic suitors who will talk their ears off lmao. Squares/Oppositions bring shyness and immaturity + gossip and lies used against the native.

- Venus / Aphrodite: Very lovely connection if positive. The dream-like presence of Aphrodite meets the eartlhy influence of Venus. Aphrodite’s dream of a fulfilling love story can become a reality. Basically Aphrodite’s and Venus’ energy is aplified as an earthly goddess. Careful with conjunctions tho, the expectations of the native might be wayyyy too high here and might be prone to delusion. But the native’s love here is guaranteed (you don’t have to question whether this person loves you or not).

Squares can indicate an unrequited love scenario, where the native will have strong feelings for someone but will fear being rejected. The native could repress their creative talents and overspend their money recklessly as a coping mechanism. The native could also try to lure in suitors or love interests with money to win their affection. Oppositions amplify the hedonistic side of the native, making them hard to pin down and break some hearts in the process. People might try to force them into a box. Very hot and cold with their suitors, who are always left guessing about the native’s true feelings. Speaking of suitors: they’ll have this ethereal energy to them and more likely to exceed the general beauty standards. Could have lots of admirers flocking around them.

- Aphrodite / Mars: COM-PE-TI-TIVE. Very passionate lover in and out of the bedroom. Flirty and usually well liked. Sex appeal is turned to the max. Mars here fuels the fire and mixes in passion and determination to Aphrodite’s aura. The native is more determined to reach their goals, and use both their intelligence and sex-appeal to get what they want. Might be really popular with the opposite sex.

Suitors might resemble Ares (Aphrodite’s classical lover), impulsive, dominant and quite self-centered.

Squares makes the native vindictive and selfish. Their anger could blind them from what’s truly meant for them, and their ambitions might be fueled by spite, impulsive wants and a desperate need to win. Oppositions might make other feel possessive, violent or hostile over the native.

- Aphrodite / Jupiter: Larger than life aura around the native. Similar to Mars, Jupiter might give player tendencies to the energy of the Goddess. Jupiter can make natives be beautiful and likeable inside and out. The native might confuse suitors since they act the same way with everyone. Harsh (conjunction, square, opposition) aspects can indicate cheating or cause the native to be confused about their feelings. Others might think the native is “too nice” even (lmao) or amplify the jealousy of others. Careful if you’re having sex bc Aphrodite’s fertility isn’t just for show, so wrap it up.

- Aphrodite / Saturn: Has an “Old Hollywood” aesthetic to it. The native might have a more traditional view on love and romance, and be attracted to more mature partners. Suitors might hold onto appearances and not be vocal with their feelings, they might take a while to court the native + their approach might be unromantic but very loyal and persistent (for harmonious aspects). 

Harsh aspects (conjunction-in this case, square, opposition) can be challenging since the native might act needy and bratty around mature figures or attract indivisuals who wish to “tame” them. Suitors might be overbearing and stoic, which might push away the native to seek for freedom away from them, then come back.

- Aphrodite / Uranus: the native might be hard to pin down aesthetically (there’s a love here for different aesthetics, for combining them) and romantically. The native might not have a type and their romantic fantasies revolve around different types of people and non-human beings.

Similar to Jupiter, their suitors always have to break a sweat when keeping up with the native’s feelings. Harsh aspects might make the native feel inadequate or too eccentric for other people to accept (conjunction, square, opposition). These aspects might push the native to rebel against traditional expectations of love.

- Aphrodite / Neptune: Harmonious aspects (trine, sextile) give a youthful, fairy-tale like appearance. Soft in nature and very giving. Very observant and sweet. Usually well liked.

With conjunction the already hedonistic side of the Goddess is being amplified by Neptune, bringing unrealistic expectations. She becomes the ultimate fantasy. The native can go all Beyoncé Partition and be like “~the kinda girl you like is right here with me~” bewitching everyone and every camera. Prone to extremes and sacrificinng themselves (especially their looks) to please others.

Squares will bring inner conflicts on whether the native should showcase their beauty and their creations. Might struggle to be more serious when it comes to love, or avoid/exchange the reality of love for fantasies. Oppositons lure people in but get disappointed or feel like they’ve been conned by the native when the fantasy they projected doesn’t match with who the native is. Suitors are dreamy but unclear about their feelings, might be prone to making promises they can’t keep or ghosting.

- Aphrodite / Pluto: Very discreet but intense. Aphrodite is pulled in the deep end, which could drive her to fear love or obssess over the search for the deeper meaning of love. If afflicted, the native can become vindictive and manipulative towards love interests, spread lies to deflect others from their crush. Harsh aspects can be similar to Mars, the native might have a desperate need to win. Their beauty can deceive and their hunger for power never cease.

Suitors here have an intense aura (especially their stare and presence), might be fearful when it comes to expressing feelings. Powerful and demanding individuals who might hide their true intentions or be really reserved.

Something I want to say:

- Harsh aspects between Aphrodite/Moon/Venus attracts the jealousy of other women. The native might feel like they need to repress their beauty and the way they express love in order to avoid the hostility of other women. The native needs to realise that they can’t please everyone, that other women’s jealousy isn’t about their beauty specifically but it’s merely a reflection of their insecurities. What I want to say to these natives is that life’s too short to give a f*ck about other people’s insecurities, that’s not your issue, be your beautiful self and live freely 💅🏻💗💗

<In part 2 I’ll be delving into Aphrodite in the houses, since I couldn’t fit everything in one post>

🏛Hellenic cheat sheets🏛

In construction

Here are some cheat sheets with general information about the Greek Gods which you might find useful in worship but not only!

There is plenty of information I did not include. These are just simple cheat sheets. I could not fit everything in there but this might come in handy if you’re just starting out or want to get to know the Hellenic Gods.

For more information about them, I highly recommend you check out the websites or books I listed in sources!

PSA: Some of the things listed in offerings and associations section are more modern, thus could be regarded as UPGs/SPGs

⚡ The Olympians ⚡

Zeus

Hera

Poseidon

Demeter

Athena

Apollo

Artemis

Ares

Hephaestus

Aphrodite

Hermes

Hestia

Dionysus

Mount Olympus - Home of the Gods

🦴The Underworld🦴

Hades

Persephone

Hekate

Hypnos

Thanatos

Erinyes

House of Hades & the Afterlife

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A Small Glimpse Of The New Year 2022

Pile 1 - Flames

There will be a material blessing reaching you in 2022. This could be an (expensive) gift, a raise in salary or the use of money (like a holiday trip) which will help you a lot and give you a sense of security.

I sense a lot of feminine energy, implying the year will more require you to react than to act, this can be a welcome change, especially if the last year(s) forced you to do many things you usually don´t like.

It will be quite a calm year for you, which might make you worry a little if this is the calm before the storm but it isn't! You will have a stable, lovely year full of serenity, do not worry about it!

Pile 2 - Forest

I have the feeling the last year(s) made you feel stuck in one place, this energy might reach over the next year but please do not worry, this will only be like this at the beginning of the year, then things will change.

I see a strong change actually, maybe you will move, maybe you will get in a relationship or you will find a new job or maybe all of this! You will definitely break out of the old routine of the last year(s).

It might be difficult at first to get used to it but in the end, you will love it, I promise. You will feel a complete change in your life and your own way of perception.

Pile 3 - Moon

At the beginning of the year, it almost seems like someone is betraying you or trying to do something behind your back, so you better watch out for that. It might break your trust in this person.

This might cause you to leave this person, this environment you´ve been living in for now. For some of you, this also indicated a move to another city. It could also indicate you leaving a certain group of your family or friends behind.

At the end of the year, you might still be looking back and wondering if you´ve done the right decision but you did, do not worry and then you will be happily moving toward.

Pile 4 - Candle

You will be making a decision in the next year which will very much influence your life and maybe even those around you. You will be the judge of something and people will follow your lead but do not worry, you will know what you´re doing.

This decision will turn your life upside down but in a very good way. It will be the change you needed all those years but maybe did not even notice.

In the end, you will be ruling your life in a way you never experienced before. You might also be leading some other people, which might indicate work as a teacher or something in that direction.

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“You were unsure which pain is worse: the shock of what happened or the ache for what never will.”

— Simon Van Booy, Everything Beautiful Began After

“A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will ask himself at least four questions, thus: What am I trying to say? What words will express it? What image or idiom will make it clearer? Is this image fresh enough to have an effect? And he will probably ask himself two more: Could I put it more shortly? Have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?”

— “Politics and the English Language,” George Orwell (1903-1950) English writer

when we are together, i feel brave in a way i never thought i would. i hold you close in public when we linger in window displays, kiss you goodbye when i drop you off at work, and hold your hand whenever and wherever i can. i am the lesbian i needed when i was younger, visible and strong, and it’s all because of you.