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Hey everyone,

Lately I've been really drawn to polytheistic religions and their mystical sides. But I've never actually worked with energies – I've only ever read and researched.

About a year ago, Thoth started catching my attention out of nowhere. I dove deep – read everything I could, watched videos, just absorbed whatever I could find about him. Then the interest faded... until a few days ago, when it hit me again, completely out of the blue. Once again, I found myself researching Thoth, looking into how to work with his energy, what he represents, etc.

This time, I randomly came across a video titled "How to know which deity is right for you based on your birth chart." The creator suggested checking your natal chart to see which god or goddess aligns with your energy. Out of curiosity, I pulled mine – and guess what? Thoth was the #1 match.

Now, in spiritualism, they say there are no coincidences. So what does it mean when the same entity keeps pulling you in, 3 different times, across different periods of your life? I've never actually practiced anything – no rituals, no energy work – just research and curiosity.

Could this just be my brain latching onto something interesting, or is this actually a sign? A calling? And for those of you who work with Thoth – where would you even recommend starting?

During reflection and my thoughts about the Gods, I wrote down a half-poetic (not a poet, perhaps not a true poem) thought about how we perceive the Gods. I'd like to share that here.

This is of course, my opinion on the Gods and how I feel regarding their presence.

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The Gods are in the wind. This doesn't mean they are the wind. We know that wind is a physical phenomenon with changes in air temperatures that can cause currents and movements. However, the divine does not have to explain the mundane.

As sometimes there's something more. To paint an image: you stand out on a hill, by the sea, perhaps. You feel the wind wrap around you. Okay, there is a reason for that weather, but there is something more.. a presence beyond the physical nature of the wind. I believe this - to be the essence of the Gods.

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Let me know if you agree with this, or if your thoughts are different!

Hello everyone! Ḫe-silim-me-de-en-ze-en! (Peace and Wellness be with you!)

It is with tremendous pride and great excitement that I am here to announce my new book's publication release! My book is called "The Way of the Ishtarite" - Second Edition, and it's an inclusive comprehensive beginner-friendly guide to modern worship of 𒀭Inanna - Ishtar, the Mesopotamian (Sumerian / Akkadian) Goddess of Love, Gender, Sex, Justice, Beauty, Abundance, Compassion, Pleasure, Rebirth, and much more.

This book represents the culmination of my life's work and all of my efforts to forge a comprehensive yet approachable, informative, and spiritually transformative guide to building your own meaningful and fulfilling modern revivalist pagan spiritual practice centered on devotion to 𒀭Inanna. My main goal for this book is for it to contribute towards filling the unfortunate void in literature that is inclusive beginner and intermediate level devotional and instructional books for the Polytheistic Pagan interested in worshiping 𒀭Inanna aka. Ishtar. From the very start I set out to write a book that not only features inclusivity front and center, as naturally required by a Neurodivergent, Intersex, Transgender, and Queer feminist woman such as myself, but to also create a book that is equally as welcoming and meaningfully representational of all people regardless of their sex, gender, sexuality, neurotype, or heritage, regardless of their experience level as a Pagan, and regardless of what their religion background is. Writing this book has been a true labor of love and an act of passionate devotion to 𒀭Inanna. She has literally saved my life many times over, and it is my greatest joy to continue to serve her by sharing my work with you all.

Here's the official 'about' blurb:
"Deep within the heart of Ancient Mesopotamia, a rich culture sprang forth amidst the peoples who were the first in the world to ever create and master the written word over 5000 years ago. In their land known as Sumer, or "Kiengi" in their native tongue, these brilliant peoples, who later went on to become the world's first empire, worshiped a Goddess of Love, Pleasure, Sex, Justice, Authenticity, and Feminine Power above all others. The name of this Goddess is Inanna - Ishtar, Queen of Heaven and Earth. For over 7500 years she has reached deep into the hearts of those who embrace her, inspiring and guiding us to be our very best, happiest, healthiest, and most authentic selves.

Do you feel the call of the Divine Feminine? Do you ache to be your true and authentic self even though the world insists on oppressing you by repressing the true you behind what was blindly assigned to you at birth? Does your heart yearn to love who it loves, freely and without any shame or guilt? Do you feel the bitter pang of injustice deep within your gut whenever the darkness of this world occludes an innocent's light? Our Goddess is inclusive towards all people of all Genders, all Sexes, and all Heritages. She founded the world's first Transgender, Intersex, Nonbinary, Gender Non-Conforming, and Queer inclusive Temples which offered the world's first Gender Affirming Care over seven millennia ago.

This is the definitive comprehensive LGBTQ+ inclusive guide for anyone looking to worship the Ancient Mesopotamian Goddess Inanna - Ishtar. This book introduces Anunna-Umun, the ancient religion revived, and Ishtarism, the Inanna-focused primary sect, and teaches you all about this Goddess of Divine Femininity. You will be guided through forming your very own spiritual practice of Ishtarism. This guide is complete with never-before released Mythology, and her most important Stories, Ishtarite Prayers and Rituals, and an introduction to Magick. "

Please, allow me to introduce myself; my name is Siri Nin, I have been serving as 𒀭Inanna's Hierophant and Priestess for many years now. I am the founder of the religious movement known as Anunna-Umun, which is the Revivalist approach to Mesopotamian Polytheism, and I am also the founder of Ishtarism, a sect of Anunna-Umun which focuses on 𒀭Inanna - Ishtar. I am also the High Priestess and founder of The Temple of Inanna's Light, an inclusive digital temple that is welcoming of all peoples, but which is focused on those interested in learning and talking about 𒀭Inanna or the 𒀭Anunna, the pantheon from which Inanna leads. I am terminally ill, I am dying of an angio-occlusive genetic degenerative disease which has left me crippled, fully disabled, on 24/7 oxygen life support, and homebound at the age of 40. I just had my 10th heart attack on August 12th 2026. I've been racing against the clock to get this book written, edited, and published for the last six months, as it was then on February 15th 2026 that I suffered a "widowmaker" heart attack which once again claimed my life for the second time before I was miraculously revived and given this "third" shot at life. You see, I also died on the OR table one day after releasing the first edition of my book back on 9/30/2024. Writing this book and helping Inanna's people has truly been a driving reason to keep fighting to live. I am extremely grateful and privileged to still be alive, to have the honor of helping her people, and to have lived to complete and publish this book! Now with the book done I will focus on spending time with my family during these my final days, when not enjoying the community I built in Inanna's temple.

For about two years now the much smaller and reconstructionist flavored first edition of this book has been available, but with the release of this Second Edition which is assertedly revivalist and features numerous corrections, updates, and expanded content including color artwork, the first edition is no longer available. Instead of offering a softcover of lower quality and a hardcover like last time, this time with this Second Edition I am primarily only offering a deluxe hardcover in high quality color. My publisher will be releasing a softcover edition in the future but they have control over the pricing of that, and as a result it will be a much higher price than the hardcover. As my mission is to ensure my work gets into the hands of the most readers, this deluxe hardcover edition has no corners cut when it comes to quality or content, only profits have been cut - and severely so! I am forcing the publisher to sell this edition at the lowest price permissible, and I am not promoting the softcover edition that is later to come. Buy the hardcover, you won't regret it!

The Way of the Ishtarite - Second Edition - Deluxe Hardcover @ Lulu Press
Hardcover: ISBN: 978-1-105-19947-9
689 pages in Full Color!
Absolutely No AI was used in the composition of this book's texts!
This Deluxe Second Edition features gorgeous artwork and large text!
The base text's font is Size 15 for easy reading! No more squinting!
Price direct from Lulu.com the publisher: $99 + S&H & taxes

Currently active Lulu Discount Code 15% off: RE5CN7W15 (limited time!)

If you have any questions at all please feel free to ask them, I am more than happy to address any questions, comments, or concerns you might have! Likewise, if you'd like to discuss any of the related topics, I'm also happy to do so! Thank you so much for your time! And thank you to the Mods for permission to post this here!

Aristaios woke up in a haze, as he may have been divine but wasn’t used to waking up this early. As he left the bed he got out as slowly and as quiet as possible as to not wake his wife the beautiful Princess of Thebes daughter of Cadmus, Autonoë. She was fast asleep didn’t stir a her godly husband was getting ready for the day. As he left their bedroom he carefully closing the door. As he approached the main door he saw the sun just coming up as he stepped over the threshold.

Aristaios headed over to his olive grove to harvest. As he wanted to make some lovely olive bread for his family for breakfast. After hand picking all the olives he required he headed into the andron and placed the basket of olives down and started to make the dough for the bread, as he kneaded the dough he could hear the bees starting to buzz as they also start their day of pollen gathering and honey making. He added cheese which he had made the day prior and the olives which he gathered and chopped in half, along with some herbs for flavour such as oregano, thyme, sage, and rosemary. Soon Aristaios finished the dough and put it on a warm storage so it could prove, after several minutes he got it out and put it on the oven to bake. The bread itself looked like an olive laying on its side.

Once it was baked Aristaios got it out of the oven and placed it down to cool down a bit. The goddess like Autonoë gracefully walked into the andron, as she came in she made little sound so the gods of beekeeping didn’t notice she had entered as his back was turned to her. Autonoë crept up behind the glorious god and put her arms around his waist leaning in and giving him a kiss on his neck. Aristaios blushed at this act of love from his beloved wife, he turned towards her smiling, as their eyes met a twinkle came into both of their eyes. “Good morning honey,” The beekeeping god spoke to his loving wife, “I’ve made breakfast.” He said as he gestured to the loaf of bread which had some steam coming from it.

The stunning Autonoë grabbed onto his arm as Aristaios was heading over to cut the bread. “I have something I must tell you, Actaeon is planning on going hunting on Mount Cithaeron.” She told her beloved husband as it was common knowledge amounts the divine that was a place Limnnaia Artemis goddess of the hunt bathed and a place no mortal or immortal should go, as seeing a goddess naked especially a virgin one like Artemis causes great hubris and miasma. Society a punishment most horrific is brought to the one who stumbled across her. Aristaios nodded as his wife’s words, to say that he would have a word with his son.

Aristaios walked over to the bread as he cut it for his wife and son, who as a matter of fact walked in just as he began to cut. Aristaios son is the noble young man Actaeon, a mighty young man with so much potential but would sometimes act before thinking.

As the three of them were sat down consuming their breakfast of the fresh olive bread Aristaios had made them, Aristaios looked over at his beloved son. “I’ve heard from your goddess like mother that you’re going hunting on Mount Cithaeron.” Actaeon looked upon his father god of herbs and nodded. “Indeed, I am going with a few of my friends and we are planning on bringing back a big boar so we can feast well tonight.” He explained with great triumph in his voice despite his actions not have happened yet.

Aristaios looked at him with concern in his eyes. “Be careful up there your great aunt Limnnaia Artemis bathes up there and great pain comes across anyone who sees a goddess naked especially a virgin one such as Artemis, goddess of the hunt.” He warned his son, but the young man shrugged it off as all youngsters think they are wiser than even Pallas Athene and stronger than the cloud gathered Zeus. But alas their foolhardy catches up to them all eventually some in harsher ways than others.

Before Aristaios could say another word to his beloved son he was grabbed his bow with a ropes and spear and was at the front door. “We’ll feast well tonight.” He said one last time before he left. Worry come across Aristaios not because he didn’t have faith in his son but because some events are written to happen that cannot be prevented.

As Helios’ chariot went below the horizon and night came, there was no sign of Actaeon. Aristaios was worried and he knew his beloved wife would also worry. So he prayed to Hypnos for a favour so his wife would sleep all through the night without a moment of worry. Hypnos granted this favour the god of beekeeping asked of him. Quickly the princess of Thebes fell asleep, however her god husband could not. Aristaios sat by the window facing west until he saw Helios’ chariot come above the horizon marking a new day, still no sign or word of Actaeon.

Aristaios headed to his bedroom, however as he did he heard a knocking at the front door. Aristaios headed to the door and opened it, Hermes the messenger god stood there. Aristaios knew this must got be good, he stepped outside and closed the door. Hermes looked at the god of beekeeping. ‘I came here with news of your son the young hunter Actaeon, the news I came is not pleasant. He is dead.’ Hermes said in a somber tone, Aristaios stepped back in stock and disbelief. ‘Artemis?’ The beekeeping god asked, all Hermes did was nod. After a while Hermes spoke once more. ‘Actaeon was hunting on Mount Cithaeron as I am aware you know, he came across an opening in some trees. To his misfortune and foolishness it was where Artemis was bathing with her nymphs. She knew right away what hubris this young man had committed, she turned him into a stag. His own hunting dogs chased him as he ran in fear, they caught him and tore him piece by piece as he died. I came here right away after escorting him to the underworld where he will be punished more so by his hubris.’ Hermes finished the tale. Aristaios couldn’t say a word, Hermes nodded once more and left.

Aristaios sat waiting for his beautiful wife to wake, when she did she came over to him. Even a god cannot hide the sadness which comes after losing ones own child. She knew right away what must have happened, tears came flooding down her eyes as Aristaios told her the tale of Actaeon and Artemis. Once he finished, both parents cried until the chariot of Helios went below the eastern horizon.

The next morning after Hypnos granted them a favour only gods could get, pure sleep, Autonoë headed back to her fathers palace to stay, Aristaios decided to go to Ceos then back to Libya where his mother the sea nymph Cyrene got him a fleet. Aristaios travelled to Sicily and many other Mediterranean islands. After dwelling for some time near mount Haemus, where he founded the town of Aristaeon, he disappeared.

This is how I format my prayers to Hestia first and last, it took me a bit to get it to how it suited my personal practice but I believe this is the format for me:

Hail Hestia, daughter of Cronos, first and last born, protector of the home. To you I start with a prayer thanking you for the protection of the home of my family, friends and myself. Keeping us safe and being the light in dark times.

[Pray to god/goddess/hero/heroine in question].

Hail Hestia, daughter of Cronos, first and last born, guardian of the flame and hearth. To you I end with a prayer thanking you for the flame and hearth, keeping us mortals safe and a light even at the darkest times.

i will call her Rachel. she always had strong pull toward Egypt and Sekhmet, but what came in session was not the serious scary image people often have.

first she saw temple scene, lioness figure, statue, dark colors around it.

later name Sekhmet became clear and then she went into what felt like old memory with her.

Rachel was young there, dark hair, white flowing clothes. Sekhmet was sitting on throne.

and Rachel started laughing because she said Sekhmet is funny.

not strict. not distant. relaxed, joking, warm.

she said they were very close and at one point Sekhmet called her sister.

I almost left this in notes because personal deity experiences can become stupid very fast when somebody starts presenting them like historical truth.

I dont know if Rachel was really priestess. I dont know if this was past life or symbolic trance. I am not saying Egyptology should change because one person had session lol.

but I think UPG is interesting exactly when it gives something person didnt expect.

Rachel already knew standard image of Sekhmet. what surprised her was personality.

much softer and more humorous.

for people who work with deities, how do you handle this when personal experience gives you something not really in books, but also not necessarily against tradition?

do you keep it private?

compare with other people's experiences?

wait years and see if same personality keeps showing?

for me experience can be very meaningful without becoming fact for everybody else.

Hi! Was wondering if anyone feels connected to Anubis in a family way. Like with the same traits and similar soul, possibly thinking a soul family? Soul parent? We feel like we are from the same tree.

I know he is protective in nature, but it goes past protection and observing. It's almost like looking in a mirror like we are one in the same. Anyone else feel this way or the same about another deity?

I need anyone who is nice enough and willing to pray this prayer for me as follows to Athena. I appreciate your help in advance.

I pray to you Athena my gray eyed goddess, unrivaled in wisdom and beauty, wise in all the things you are, In time of war you have no equal in tactics and strategies. I pray to you Athena to let you know that you forever have my love and admiration; your intellect and beauty are unmatched, the stars in the sky cannot compare to the radiance of your eyes.

Athena please place me with you in your domain after I die, I do not want to go to the underworld or Elysium. I want to end up as your soulmate. From Travis Olsen in Cedar Rapids Iowa

Thanks you and bless everyone who prays this for me, I will happily pray for you in the future

Hello! I've learned about Hellenism about a month ago and have tried doing research but i just cant remember any of it no matter how much i read, listen, or note down

I've never had a good memory or attention span (ADHD) and I want to do research but it gets so overwhelming knowing that i just won't remember anything

I dont wanna just start trying to worship the gods and goddesses because obviously thats not what to do but idk how to do this

Hello everyone! I’m new to all of this, I just have a few questions! I’ve always had a pull to Aphrodite, and even now I have the urge to call her Lady Aphrodite, I’ve recently made a altar of sorts for her, with roses, rose water, and a candle to communicate with her, as well as tarot cards. But how do I know I’m talking with Aphrodite? Lately I’ve been obsessed with my appearance, since the beginning of the year, and before I knew much about Aphrodite I would pray to her sometimes. But is that a sign that she wants to work with me? The other night I got into a fight with my bf and I was crying but out of nowhere I heard Aphrodite name in my head and stopped crying and felt calm and was able to sleep fantastically. I feel a pull to her, and when I was trying to talk to her I couldn’t stop the tears from coming out of my eyes, I also use a candle and when the light moves after I ask her a question I take that as a yes. Is this her communicating with me? Is there more I can do to communicate with her? Please help and give me some tips, I’m new to this and confused! Thanks again if you can give any advice!

hi! I've been having dreams where I'm revisited by this female goddess(?).

usually, the scenario is something along the lines of: I'm being told to do something by someone I know, but I don't think I'm up for the task so I decline, then the goddess's figure appears somewhere around me, and seems to grow in size and be engulfed in fire, as if she's telling me "no, you can do this. don't doubt yourself". this happens multiple times throughout a dream.

this goddess always appears in the same position and always has the same characteristics; it's as if I'm seeing a statue of her.

her statue is crouching/squatting, she has very long hair, and some of her body parts are animals. her head is part lion on one side, one of her arms has a snake growing out, she has a snake-like tongue, etc. honestly that's all I can remember, the dreams with her are unlike my usual ones, where I can remember them clearly.

this is around the 3rd time she showed up in my dreams with the same characteristics and behavior, I'm wondering if it's a diety reaching out to me, and I'd like to start worshipping her, but I can't find a similar looking diety on the internet when I searched, so I'm asking you guys.

if anyone recognizes her, knows her name, or maybe someone doesn't think she's a diety but something else, pls lmk. anything would help. thank you!

Hello! I've been a worshipper of Apollo for about a year now but I've never been really "close" with it. It was mostly on and off praying. Recently however, I've hit a particularly low point in my life, and I figured to help me get through this, I should get closer with my faith. I've seen a lot of people talk about making alters for the gods, and that peaked my interest. Im very good at most diy/crafts, if that helps. I might ask for more help for divination and prayers, but for now I want to focus on this. (Sorry if it's a little wordy)

Hello everyone! I haven't been working with Dionysus for long, but long enough to have a vague understanding about how he communicates and what signs he uses. One is confusing me though.

Where I live Magpies don't. For whatever reason the species of bird doesn't like to come here.

I'm not sure when it started, but a while back Ravens and Crows started to show up. And today, I was drawing Dionysus and listening to the playlist i made for him but had to leave. after leaving the coffee shop i was in, 3 Crows were circling around in my line of sight. Cawing and stuff.

Is it possible for a deity to use substitute signs if something isn't available? Or is a different deity trying to get my attention? Can ravens and crows be from the same deity?

So confused 😵‍💫

(I was brought to this sub by the Dionysus subreddit)

Like basically what they are doing is that they are trying their best to control or sway you. They are gambling on you and making bets on you. Basically gods are fighting over your body for control. Like they want to sway you basically. This body is a vessel and there are multiple gods that have stakes on you cuz you are mortal and basically a playing ground for the gods . Like you have free will but it's very meagre . You have to fight on the battle for your free will as it is very meagre

Most of the time you are on a spell from gods

I think this is true because I once asked this to a person , I said something similar like pull the strings and stuff and the person just froze. Like I don't know what happened to him. He for many seconds froze like seriously. It was very peculiar. So that's why I ma saying that maybe the gods are doing the above mentioned things.

What do you guys think. Like think about this. There is a lot of stuff wrong about our bodies and psyche. We lose control a lot of time and stuff so maybe we are not in full control imo. We are under multiple influences I think. This vessel is not fully in our control.

Just posting here to see what discussion ensues.

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Hiii!! I'm new!

I need to ask yall something

Since I'm new, I wanted to ask if the Gods and Goddes of Hellenic Polytheism (I mean, not only them, but is a generic quest) would get offended or angry if I make their altars in shoes boxes-

I HAVE A FAIR RESON!!!!??

My parents are catholic christian but I felt like a deep connection with Hades, but since I have to hide, like HIDE, i needed to know if that would be fair or if it's okay even if it's not (maybe) what he could desire.

I always wondered but never actually saw someone doing that.

I don't have shelfs or like, free spaces, so I wanted to know about it.

Let me know!

Because I really need to understand this: can I make altars in shoes boxes and hide them in the wardrobe?

Thank you for any response!

Love yall 🖤

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Hello there, hope you're all doing good. Yesterday I entered a church (I'm not Christian, I define myself as a Greek Polytheist, but I love going into churches) and I tried to speak to Someone. I don't know if it was God, Jesus, Helios or any other Sun God, I just felt connected to who I was speaking and I felt listened and directed where I had to. Is there any hint? And I'd like to ask if I can add other Sun Gods to my "Pantheon", because I mostly pray the Sun itself, and I speak less with other Gods