AhhhhhhhHHHHjldfkjlfd More Cheek Holding Stop Theyre Too Cute

Local heartthrob (allegedly) finally realizes how many love rivals he has.

Remember when creating new (healthy) habits, that you are replacing the bad ones. Adding new things to your life will absolutely feel tiring and time consuming. But it is because you are looking at it based on how you operate now. The goal is to replace. New, healthier habits will require different things from your lifestyle. It will also expand your mind, change your perspective and open you up to new interests and way of living.

i’ve loved mlb since i was 14. i’ve sat through the repetition, the cringe, the plot holes, and defended it too. but that season 5 finale was truly awful. they tried to conclude so many storylines at once that they ended up fumbling every single one. not to mention completely back-seating adrien. imagine not knowing how to utilise one of your main characters. how the hell are you going to call a show “les adventures de ladybug et chat noir” and then not include chat noir in the biggest finale so far.

i had a shred of hope left for this show, at least for this arc, and it was for naught.

Things I wish I had read in "beginner" sewing tutorials/people had told me before I started getting into sewing

You have to hem *everything* eventually. Hemming isn't optional. (If you don't hem your cloth, it will start to fray. There are exceptions to this, like felt, but most cloth will.)

The type of cloth you choose for your project matters very much. Your clothing won't "fall right" if it's not the kind of stretchy/heavy/stiff as the one the tutorial assumes you will use.

Some types of cloth are very chill about fraying, some are very much not. Linen doesn't really give a fuck as long as you don't, like, throw it into the washing machine unhemmed (see below), whereas brocade yearns for entropy so, so much.

On that note: if you get new cloth: 1. hem its borders (or use a ripple stitch) 2. throw it in the washing machine on the setting that you plan to wash it going forward 3. iron it. You'll regret it, if you don't do it. If you don't hem, it'll thread. If you don't wash beforehand, the finished piece might warp in the first wash. If you don't iron it, it won't be nice and flat and all of your measuring and sewing will be off.

Sewing's first virtue is diligence, followed closely by patience. Measure three times before cutting. Check the symmetry every once in a while. If you can't concentrate anymore, stop. Yes, even if you're almost done.

The order in which you sew your garment's parts matters very much. Stick to the plan, but think ahead.

You'll probably be fine if you sew something on wrong - you can undo it with a seam ripper (get a seam ripper, they're cheap!)

You can use chalk to draw and write on the cloth.

Pick something made out of rectangles for your first project.

I recommend making something out of linen as a beginner project. It's nearly indestructible, barely threads and folds very neatly.

Collars are going to suck.

The sewing machine can't hurt you (probably). There is a guard for a reason and while the needle is very scary at first, if you do it right, your hands will be away from it at least 5 cm at any given time. Also the spoils of learning machine sewing are not to be underestimated. You will be SO fast.

I believe that's all - feel free to add unto it.

Don't laugh at people or mock people who are "childish". People are allowed to like things that are considered "childish". Toys, kids cartoons, anything like that can be a valuable source of comfort for the people who like them. It's important to have things in life that make you happy, and without them it gets miserable. Wether that thing is stuffed animals or cooking or writing lyrics, what's important is that others don't ridicule and belittle them for it. There shouldn't be such judgement for the things that make people happy.

Have you written a general guide about khernips? All I do is extinguish a wooden match in water because snuffing a flaming brand has been referred to in mythology, but some people on Tumblr have very different ideas like incorporating all kinds of herbs or mixing ashes into it. I'd love to read your take on what was done in antiquity.

I haven’t, but I can! Because the concept of khernips is so linked to ritual purification–because khernips is the method through which we become ritually clean–we will also discuss the practice of katharmos and the notion of ritual pollution: miasma. 

Within Hellenic practice, miasma describes the lingering aura of uncleanliness in regards to a person or space through which contact is made with the Gods. Miasma occurs whenever the space or person comes into contact with death, sickness, birth, sex, excessive negative emotions and bodily fluids. It also comes from a lack of contact with the Hellenic Gods. Not the actual acts of dying, sex and birth cause miasma but the opening up of the way to the Underworld (with births and deaths) as well as contact with sweat, blood, semen, menstrual blood and urine pollutes us. Miasma is an incredibly complicated and involved practice and it’s often misunderstood. The most important things to remember about miasma is that it holds no judgment from the Gods, and that everyone attracts miasma. It’s a mortal, human, thing.The practice of purification is called katharmos (Καθαρμός). The process of katharmos is elaborate because the process not only involves the physical but also the emotional, mental and spiritual. In modern practice, it usually starts with a shower, but this is not a historic necessity. Step two is the preparation and use of khernips. Beyond the practical, there is a large mental component to katharmos. It means leaving behind negativity, worry, pain and trouble before getting in contact with the Gods. The greatest barrier in understanding miasma and katharmos, to me, is our modern frame of mind. On the one hand, we know too much about personal hygiene, about the human body and about science as a whole, on the other hand religion has become something separate from life in general. As a result, we colour ancient Hellas with our ‘hygiene brush’. Secondly, not everyone has faith, our society does no longer revolve around it, and as a result, we–as modern religious people–struggle for a mindset of simple, all-encompassing, unquestionable worship. There might be a few remnants of ‘Original Sin Thinking’ lodged in there as well.

After a lot of research into the workings of miasma, I have come to the conclusion that miasma is linked to distraction. Anything that takes your mind off of the Gods during ritual can be considered miasmic. For example, the ancient Hellenes agreed that murder causes miasma (when not committed as part of a war, soldiers were not tainted with miasma for killing their enemies), but only once other people became aware of the fact that you had committed an act of murder. As such, if you were exiled and you travelled to another town where no one knew what you had done, in essence, you were not miamic to the rites and people around you. We all incur miasma, every single day of our lives. It has nothing to do with sin, shame or guilt. Miasma is a consequence of living. We breath, make decisions, come in contact with others, and along the way, we become too human–for lack of a better term–to petition the Gods. The divide between the purity and cleanliness of the Theoi and our human mortality and imperfection keeps us away from Them. Miasma is not about being physically dirty, although that is a part of it, and katharmos is not about becoming physically clean, although that is a part of it as well. Katharmos is devotional. It not only helps you get in a ritualistic mood, it prepares the room and your body for it. Even if you do not understand the use, it’s a vital part of Hellenistic worship.

Khernips are the traditional way to cleanse yourself from miasma. As far as basic information goes, khernips is created by dropping smoldering incense or herb leaves into water. When throwing in the lit item, one can utter ‘xerniptosai’ (pronounced 'zer-nip-TOS-aye-ee’) which translates as ‘be purified’. Both hands are washed with khernips and you can wash the face as well. The vessel holding the khernips is called a khernibeionas (Χερνῐβεῖον). 

Artwork has taught us that khernips was often applied just outside the temenos, with hands being washed in a bowl or water poured out of a jug while the supplicant washed their hands. The water was collected from a moving source of water, which could be a natural spring, a river, or even the sea. Moving water was considered sacred, and often viewed as an extension of the body of a stream/river/sea God(dess). For my video tutorial on how to prepare and apply khernips, go here.

As with anything concerning miasma, most books on ancient Hellas and/or Hellenic religion don’t mention khernips at all, or under a synonym. As with miasma, I am going to assume this is because the evidence of its existance is so flimsy besides a resounding 'it was used and important’. My rather vast collection of scholarly material is silent on any details beyond the basic information already provided. As such, I am forced to speculate based upon what I know. Personally, I tend to mix tap water with sea water into a large vessel from which I take a measure every evening to use throughout the day. I drop the smoldering firebrand (a match when traveling, a bit of burning wood or herbs when home) into the measure poured our, not the vessel itself. So, in short, I prepare the base in advance but the actual mixture on the spot. I only use one measure one day, after that, I dip it out onto the earth and replace it with a fresh batch before my evening rituals.

Khernips is important, and it’s important they are properly prepared, but in the large scheme of things, I feel it’s more important you actually perform the ritualistic motions without a specific part of it than skipping it altogether. So, no, you can’t make khernips without dropping something smouldering in, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wash before ritual and improvise a little. Drop herbs into the water and wash with that, drop essential oils in it, if you don’t have herbs. Find something to make the water special, and then use it to cleanse yourself. Just go through the motions and focus on the rites ahead. That is its function and it should be used as such.

A little collection of late autumn abundance to keep you warm through the darker months ✨️🐓

I cannot believe the garden year is almost over, but I am also ready for some inside time, painting and reading by the fire.

Basic Hellenic Supplies

As requested, a list of basic tools! Don’t feel obligated to use any of this, as you really only need yourself to worship the Theoi :) These are just some things I use and find helpful.

Incense: Incense, resins, etc., are all great to have on hand. Manna was the traditional incense used, which is thought to have been frankincense or something with frankincense. As such, having some is an easy way to have a low-energy offering ready. Along with the incense or resins, you’ll need somewhere to safely burn it, like an incense holder or fire-safe bowl, and you may want a few charcoal discs.Sometimes you can find incense burning kits, complete with the burner and everything else. I’ve seen them at walmart recently.

Bowl and Pitcher: In the Ancient Hellenic religion, there is a method of cleansing using what’s called ‘khernips’. It’s usually a mixture of sea/salt water, spring water, a burnt match or herb, and a prayer for a Theos’ blessing over it. You cleanse your hands and face with it, and as such, using a pitcher to make and transport your khernips can be quite helpful. This can be easily stored or decorated as you wish, and it keeps water from getting everywhere. Also, keep a towel handy for when you’re finished!

Table/Shelf Space: To create an altar or shrine. you can use a shelf or table. Usually, you would have it high up if you can, but when it comes to Underworld or Earth Theoi, you would normally worship them closer to the floor. I personally like having my Kthonic shrines and altars on trays and platters to move around more easily. That way, when I need to give an offering outside, I can simply move the tray and not one thing at a time. 

Candles: The hearth-fire was a huge part of everyday life in Ancient Hellas, but it wasn’t the fireplace we know and love. A heart-fire was typically surrounded by stones, and was fairly large, It was in the center of the bustling lives of old. It was where people cooked, got warm, and entertained guests. We don’t really have an equivalent, but we can use symbolism to try and recreate the effect. I try to recommend candles to beginners who face the modern challenge of not having a permanent fire going to Hestia, whether they be real candles or electric ones. They can be found fairly cheap at places like walmart, or even the dollar store. In home decor and crafting stores, there are usually nice electric ones that will last a long while. My Nana gave me an old one of hers, and it works perfectly. It’s nearly as old as I am, so I can testify for their durability :)

Bowls/Cups: When it comes to giving offerings, burning things, and just worship in general, bowls are really awesome. If you wish to give a libation in a very traditional way, you can try to invest in a bowl shaped like a phiale, linked here. Or, if you’re more modern and like to fill your altar space with lots of quirky things, try finding a fancy libation cup to use specifically for rituals. Here is my personal favourite (due to the punny nature it holds) and another great one. But if you’re like me and are low on funds or are trying to remain a secret worshiper, then any cup or bowl will do. I find candy dishes to be quite beautiful and discreet, as a sidenote. 

Urn/Vase: Iv’e seen this more often recently, and I absolutely love it. I use a glass bottle keep my incense ash and burnt offerings in, and then later dedicate them to Zeus Ktesios at the end of each month on the Deipnon, but you can use an urn, a pot for a plant, an ornate vase, a jar, or a simple glass bowl to keep them in. Just make sure it isn’t flammable, since ashes are known to start fires when not properly disposed of. Along with this topic, you may want to consider finding a sealable container to potential make your very one Kathiskos :)  Here are two links for that: x and x.

Box/Place for Votive Offerings: I personally use a closable box for votive offerings, and I call it my “vault”. In the temples of Greece, there were vaults where you could leave offerings to a Theos. Similarly, this is what the box would be for. It’s for non-perishable things. I have used a bowl before, and a cup as well. When I need to get a bigger container, I put the offerings together in a shoebox, and then I have more room. Whatever works best for you will do. If you don’t usually give votive offerings, I wouldn’t worry about getting anything to keep them in. 

Representations of the Theoi: This is more of an optional thing, but a lot of people enjoy having a representation to focus on while worshiping. It can be a statue, a drawing, a symbol, or even a framed hymn or prayer. If it helps you feel more connected to a Theos, you can use it. I’m working on drawing (it’s not very good) the Olympians to hang near my household altar.

Barley: Although how barley is used is debated throughout the community and within scholarly circles, we do know it was used. Some say it was used to make a ritual drink, and others believe you would “scatter” it, meaning you would throw it around your altar to cleanse it. I am working on getting some barley to have in a vase just to cleanse my altar space a bit more, though I don’t plan on literally scattering it.

Hellenic Text: Having copies of things like The Odyssey, The Iliad, and the Homeric Hymns are all great. I can provide a few resources as to my personal favourites if you need any as well. Reading and studying literature from the prime example of Hellenismos will help build a quality understanding of who you’re worshiping and how you do it. I learned so much just by reading through The Odyssey, and it really helped strengthen my connection with the ancients as well. What you read doesn’t have to be religious, necessarily, it could be something like the poetry of Sappho, or a Philosopher’s study of the world around them.

Notebook/Online Cloud Storage: You will learn so much as you begin your journey. Taking notes, saving articles for further review, or just as reference, and documenting what you need to is awesome. Evernote, Google Drive, and Dropbox are all good things you can use to organize and combine your knowledge, but a good ole spiral notebook or binder works just fine. I like to keep my sacred texts in the physical copy, but I also have several online versions for easy access. My kindle also houses a couple things for when I’m on the go.

Miraculous in-universe memes

@kumalimited’s excellent ml memes inspired me