Art of Hephaestus as an offering to Him

To Lord Hephaestus for inspiration

Hear me, Ingenious Hephaestus,

Son of Queen Hera,

Father of the Kabeiroi.

He who forged armour for the greatest heroes, and moulded Pandora oh of clay,

Hephaestus of bronze, who’s glorious creations are unrivalled by all else.

If I have ever crafted in your honour, please accept this prayer, Famed worker Hephaestus,

I ask you to grant me with inspiration to create and to shape my creations with the guidance of your hands,

I ask for your favour with a token of my praise, I offer to you (offering)

Paganism and disability.

Sometimes it’s hard for me to cope with my disability, I think everyone who’s disabled can understand that feeling. Despite having been sick my whole life it still somehow feels so unreal. And if I’m being completely honest there are times I feel so much shame about needing aids, about not being like my peers, about everything else that comes with it, and that it will always be like this. I think it’s important to allow ourselves space to feel like this. Toxic positivity is a real thing and it’s so important to let yourself be upset sometimes. It is normal, it is understandable, you don’t need to constantly pretend you’re ok. And that’s something I have to remind myself of. But, at the times where I’m feeling the deepest shame, and the most difficult of emotions I’ve ever had to, I think about him.

I think about our divinity. I think about everyone like me from the past. I think about what it would’ve been like to be myself in ancient times, and seeing his temple in Athens, and seeing myself in the gods like I never thought I would be able to. I think about how in some ways I’m similar to him. We were both born with leg deformities, we both had to struggle to essentially force our families to accept us as we are, and force the world around us to see us and accept us and forge our own place to belong. I think about Hephaestus. I think about what he would say to me right now. And I feel like it would be something along the lines of:

who cares what anyone else thinks. They’ll either see your worth or they won’t. If they don’t, they don’t deserve your time or your tears, and if they do they would support you no matter what you need, not pick and choose because of their own biases or opinions. This life is short and there are plenty of things you could spend time doing. And you deserve to have what little time you have be comfortable and safe, with people who are comfortable and safe. You shouldn’t feel shame for doing what your body needs. And all that time spent in shame could be used to create something beautiful. Because people like us are beautiful. We are divine. We are worthy. And that is written in the stars just as much as anything else.

Allow yourself to have your emotions, that’s healthy, that’s human. But when you’re ready, turn that energy into something you would be proud of. Something to honor those of us who came before and those who will come after. We will be here, because we are meant to be, and we deserve to see ourselves written in the pages of history.

Hephaestus is a part of my brain and my bones

His hands guide mine as I connect circuits, His words of wisdom dance around my brain, pointing out errors with a gentle voice reminding me that mistakes are not the end of the world. He visits when I solve difficult numericals, reminding me that I am capable. My brain is vast, and I can solve any problem if I put my mind to it.

A supportive presence having my back at every turn.

divider

-Venus pulls complacently upon the end of Vulcan’s toga. Submerged in silks and finery by his own hand, Vulcan humors his lover a withering expression, but withheld himself from the direct threat of Venus’s smoldering gaze. As a mere glimpse of their stemming affections could undo him and any work in the fires stifles in silks.

-The forge was nothing in comparison to the sensation of Venus’s fingers across his shoulder. A slow, rhythmic tapping they established in drawing Vulcan’s attention; whom turned to obey. Instinctively drawn to the view passed his wife, in the direction of red blossoms crowning a head of wood colored curls. Their son deemed himself helpful under the gaze of his parents by persistently crashing Vulcan’s god-made arrow across the ground. His infectious amusement grew a scent of a summer’s meadow—-

I don’t own anything. I just love drawing when I have the time.

sometimes i wonder why 'modern greek mythology interpretations' tend to look at the Aphrodite's Affair situation and settle on 'it was so girlboss of Aphrodite to cheat on her husband with his literal brother' and make jokes about Hephaestus being 'cucked' or 'an incel' when memes about publicly humiliating cheaters are absolutely widespread on the internet, and in the myth itself Hephaestus basically just does the equivalent of the 'welcome home cheater' on the bedsheets meme, it's VERY weaksauce in comparison to what his mother usually does

then i remember Hephaestus is a disabled man and i realize exactly why.

joy and madeline percy jackson au* brain explodes

This is about Aphrodite telling Morpheus off and why they stopped being friends all those centuries ago.

Aphrodite:….

Dream:….

Aphrodite: Oneiros.

Dream: Aphrodite…I

Aphrodite: No, I don’t want to hear your excuses. You are going to hear me now.

Aphrodite: first, it was Nada a defenseless princess who fell in love with you, and when the sun punished her for being with you and killed her kingdom. She killed herself and when she refuse becoming Queen of the dreaming you banished her to hell?!

Dream: I-

Aphrodite: Then calliope! You two were great for each other! She made a child for you and her! When Orpheus beg you for help you denied him and left him for dead! He never forgave you! You drove calliope away, she was heartbroken!

Aphrodite: Titania, Alianora and Thessaly. Those women you abandon them when your “love” faded Thessaly saw through your lies and façade!

Dream: Aphrodite, you don’t-

Aphrodite: No! I’m not finished Oneiros. Our friendship, You never let me express my feelings! That is why we stopped being friends!

Dream:…I thought we stopped being friends because I said humanity is selfish and cruel.

Aphrodite: sure, that was bad but it was mostly because you were a shitty friend!

Aphrodite: Oneiros, you are so shallow, selfish, sexist, deceitful and you don’t know what love is!

Aphrodite: I always listen to you going on and on how you hated your siblings and how humanity was so selfish.

Aphrodite: But for a second when I express how I was unhappy in my marriage with Hephaestus, my relationship with my sons, Ares Arrogant, selfish attitude and Adonis death which shattered my heart.

Aphrodite breathes out on the verge of tears. Just thinking about Adonis and all her sins.

Aphrodite: you always cut me off and threw off it like it was nothing! I tried to help you with your happiness, love and friendship I have given you! But it was never enough.

Aphrodite: You treated me like dirt! Like I was nothing to you, I was your only friend and I stood up for you against your family and the gods!

Aphrodite: Its no wonder your family doesn’t like you! Or you don’t have any friends!

Aphrodite: at least, I acknowledge I was awful parent, lover, wife and goddess but you. Pretend it’s everyone else’s fault and not yours!

Dream, looks at Aphrodite with his glossy eyes as he tried to keep his composure.

Aphrodite: What makes this mortal witch, Y/n L/n any different?… all you’re going to do is break her apart like the others.

Aphrodite: What makes you think you’re worthy of love?

Dream:…Because I’m trying to be better. Aphrodite, listen more and ask for help more and that’s all thank to her.

Aphrodite:….

Dream: she accepts me for who I am. She doesn’t change me nor ask me of my past, she show me how humanity isn’t always cruel. She showed me ways to be better.

Dream: She’s different and…I deeply love her as she loves me, I’ve never felt this way about a mortal woman like her before.

Aphrodite looks at Oneiros for the first time in centuries with pity and forgiveness. Maybe they could put all this anger, sadness and betrayal behind them?

HOLY HEPHAESTUS WE HAVE OUR GOD OF THE FORGE

Lord Hephaestus

God of crafts

He who makes many things

Please be with me in this time

Where my body and pain keep me from my crafts

Please extend to me empathy and comfort

Please extend to me understanding and aid

Though I have little to give right now

Please accept this crude creation as offering

Please help me through this time of pain so that someday I might make crafts in your name

Hephaestus please lend me what aid you might have

So that I can create again

“In the Night” - The Sandman (Morpheus, Dream of the Endless x  female reader) Chapter One

If you’re a fan of Greek Mythology like me, this one should make you happy :)

Summary : During the day, you’re a young pansexual woman with a confusing past,  living with your bestfriend, Vicky, and her young daughter Cecelia. But when night falls, you work as a stripper, nicknamed the “Little Dream” by your faithful clientele... Somewhere else, The Dream Lord Morpheus has escaped from his century long captivity.  But what does this have to do with you  ? You’ll find out soon enough...

I’ll post all the chapters here. You can also find everything I write here.

(There’s just a bit of swearing in this, otherwise I’d say it’s pretty tame, besides the whole strip club setting... no need for a trigger warning I think.)

Chapter Summary : After a weird dream that leaves you completely  disoriented, a peculiar but attractive man you’ve never heard of before  asks for you.  

"Aglaea, are you listening to me ? Aglaea !"

The strikingly beautiful woman kept repeating this name. Aglaea. The anger distorted her graceful features, and you wondered what you had done to deserve such wrath. She spat the next words, without ever breaking eye contact with you, sending chills down your spine : "What are you doing ? Have you lost your mind ? They're going to find you ! And when they do, there's no telling what horrors they'll do to you. Can you even hear me ?! AGLAEA !" Another voice, coming from your right startled you. You weren't alone. "Thalia, calm down. She can hear you just fine." The other woman, equally as breathtaking as the first one, came closer to you. She wore a reassuring smile that concealed a certain nervousness. "We're just worried about you, sister. Think about what you're doing, for a second, would you ?" She kindly took your hands in hers, inviting you to sit next to her on a stone bench, invaded by climbing ivy.

For the first time, you looked around you. The view almost knocked the breath out of you. There were no words to describe the exquisiteness of your surroundings. It seemed like all of your senses suddenly came back to life, and you felt overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. Waterfalls, strange trees you had never laid eyes on before, firefly like creatures floating all around you... Even the smell was divine.

You knew this place.

Home. It felt like home. You felt a stab in your chest, looking at the face of your sweet sister, her hands still clutching yours. You remembered now; her name was Euphrosyne. She had always been the most patient and gentle of the two. You were the younger of the trio. It was all coming back. You were one of the Charites, or Graces, depending on who you asked. "Think about your daughters.", Euphrosyne said. Four daughters. You had four daughters with Hephaestus. How could you forget about them ? Before you could think too much about it, your older sister added even more problems to your already full plate :  "And what would your husband say ? Think about it. Oh, and Aphrodite ? You've always been her favorite ! You know how jealous she gets, when our focus shifts onto other deities. So if you were to leave..." She had barely finished speaking, when Thalia continued, her voice more bitter : "And that's not even everyone ! What about father ? And Himeros ? Or is he the one who got into your head ? He must have, because you talk like a mad woman, Aglaea !" Himeros. Desire personnified.  Could they be to blame for the unyielding strength of your feelings for Oneiros ?

You didn't remember talking before, but when you opened your mouth, the words floated so easily out of you, with no control over them whatsoever : "Of all people... Do you think I care about my husband, Hephaestus ? I can barely stand the sight of him !" Even in your trance like state, you could feel this was a poor choice of words. Hephaestus was just the tip of the iceberg. This seemed to enrage Thalia furthermore : "Do you hear that, Euphrosyne ? Our brave baby sister fears no one ! Don't you remember what he did, when he found Aphrodite in bed with Ares ? Or do you need me to refresh your memory ?"

Euphrosyne raised a hand to appease her sister, before adding : "Listen... I know you love him, dear sister. But the Dream Lord has a dangerous reputation... If you do not fear our family, fear HIM and what he could do to you, should you displease him." You stood up, without even thinking about it, filled with a stirring frustration. Your sisters would never understand : it was all worth it. A sense of impending doom suffocated you, but it was better than any of this. Of course you'd pay. Of course they'd come after you. But for an instant, you'd be free. Free to love the one you wanted to love. Free to live the life of your dreams. A small taste of eternity. You declared, before turning your back on your sisters, never to see them again : "You talk about their power. What they can do to me. But what about MY power ? THEY should be scared. Because I no longer want to be part of this. Dancing, and singing, and organizing stupid banquets ! Is that all there is to our lifes ? Being forced into marriage ? Fuck them. I know they can hear me. FUCK YOU ! ALL OF YOU ! And you my sisters, I want this for you too. Freedom. My daughters..." you trailed off, before catching yourself again : "I hope you'll find it in your hearts to forgive me someday."

You caught a glimpse of a tear on Euphrosyne's soft face, before hearing a strange sound. Everything around you faded to black, and the noise turned into a muffled voice : "Y/n, wake up." Who was y/n ? Your name was Aglaea, was it not ? But the voice became stronger, insisting on calling you y/n. You felt weirdly heavy, all of a sudden. It was too hot. You needed some air. Water too. You opened your eyes, and found yourself in a dark room. A woman was standing above you. "Finally, you're awake !" she said. Still groggy and disoriented, you asked in a throaty whisper : "Euphrosyne ?" The woman gave you a weird look, and laughed a little, before telling you : "Damn, that nap must've been hella good girl, 'cause what the fuck did you just call me ?" You didn't answer, and she shook her head, continuing : "Come on y/n, get your ass up. We're gonna be late." She left you alone, before you realised something.

At the corner of the room, you could have sworn there had been a man too, carefully watching you, just a second ago. He seemed more like a dark ghostly creature than human, but his presence made your heart flutter a little. He was right there. Where did he go ? You sat up on the couch, fully awake now. Vicky (Victoria, that was her name - how could you not remember your bestfriend's name ?) was right, that nap knocked the shit out of you. Your dream was slipping away now. It had been a long, looong time, since you last dreamed like that. You almost forgot who you were for a minute. Who the hell was Euphrosyne ? What kind of name was that anyways ?

You stood up, and recognized your surroundings. You were in the backroom of The Erotes, a strip club owned by a woman named Amy. Everyone called her Ma' though, because of her benevolent and protective disposition. Female owned strip clubs were rare, and you felt grateful for it. Amy made sure everyone felt comfortable, safe, and in perfect control of what they wanted to do. This place was the closest thing there was to home, in your book. You didn't remember much of your childhood, and your parents just weren't in the picture. It was almost like you didn't exist, before Ma' took you under her wing. There was a sense of strong sisterhood, amongst you and the other dancers. People loved to think of strippers as dumb, superficial and vulgar. Or as victims, before God forbid a woman could do something like that, and feel powerful. But the women you spend so much time with were some of the most interesting, clever and gorgeous creatures, inside and out, you had ever encountered. Vicky was one of them. You lived with her and her two year old daughter, Cecelia, who was the apple of your eye, in an nice appartment rented by none other than Amy. Life was pretty good, all things considered. You had reasons to be happy. And you were, to some extent.

But as far as you could remember, there had always been this quiet fear inside of you. This constant anxiety, that had grown even stronger the last couple of weeks. Something was going to happen to you. You didn't know how you knew it... you just did. You tried to open up to Vicky, but she was an optimist at heart : she didn't take your alarm seriously. "Babe, nothing is gonna happen to you, okay ? You're fine. Everything's fine. And if it's not, it will be", she would simply say. And then there was this odd feeling that something was just... missing. Something, or someONE was not there when it should have been. It was strange. To crave something or someone you knew nothing about. And then the anger... Where was all of this coming from ?

You were getting ready, but you weren't going to be dancing tonight. Maxxie, the bartender, had an emergency. You suspected it had something to do with his boyfriend. Nevertheless, you were one of the only ones who could fill his shoes while he was gone, so tonight, you'd be bartending. Vicky always marveled at how easily you managed to do pretty much anything. You just had this weird gift : you would try something once, and then replicate it perfectly without much guidance afterwards. "God, it's like you're not even human ! At least look like you're struggling a bit !" she would joke.

You were almost done, when one of the girls, Donna (the customers called her Red, because of her fabulous copper lioness mane) passed her head in the doorframe : "Honey, some handsome guy is asking for you." You knew you were popular amongst the club's clientele, but unfortunately for that handsome guy, tonight wasn't the night. "Tell him I'm not dancing tonight, Donna." you answered. But Donna looked a bit embarassed, and continued : "I know, I told him so, but he's insisting. He just wanna talk to you, I think." You stood up, put your shoes on, and asked : "Has he been here before ? You know him ?" She didn't. Said she'd remember him, because he was too damn cute to forget. This sparked your interest. You raised one eyebrow, and playfully retorted "Okay. Well, tell him I'll be here in a minute, would you ? Thanks, Don." She gave you a mischevous smile, and closed the door. You stared at your reflection in the mirror one last time , pretty satisfied, stood up, and went behind the bar to start your shift.

You made sure to arrive discreetly, to observe whoever was asking for you and not be taken too much by surprise. You greeted the twins, Rom and Remus, who were the club's bouncers and part of the family as much as anyone else. Vicky was on stage with a couple of the girls, dancing to "Desire" from Meg Myers, but it was hard to shine with her around. She moved with a snake like sensuality, swaying her hips and charming anyone who laid eyes on her in a hot second. Her eyes swiftly spotted you accross the room, her beautiful features illuminated by the pink, purple and blue neon lights, and you winked at her, earning a blinding smile in the process. No one talked about it, but everyone here knew the line between friends and lovers were often blurred between you and Vicky. Sometimes, things just happened. It didn't need to be adressed or labelled. It just... was. You shifted your focus on the rest of the large room, and saw a peculiar man wearing sunglasses inside. Donna was right, he had never been here before.

Swagger oozed out of him, and he quickly noticed he had caught your attention. He was indeed very handsome, in an almost dangerous way. He smiled at you, and came to sit on a bar stool right in front of you. You returned the smile, rested your elbows on the counter, and said  : "A little bird has told me you're asking for me. But I wonder... I've never seen you around before. So how do you know about me ?" The blond man chuckled softly, before copying you and resting his own elbows on the bar : "A friend recommended this place to me. Told me to ask for Little Dream. That's how they call you, right ? Little Dream ? He tells me you move so gracefully, like you're floating around, with such lascivious ease... Must be quite the show." He had a way with words, she had to give it to him. "Unfortunately, as my friend already told you, I won't be performing tonight. I can get you something to drink though, if you'd like ?" His sunglasses still on his nose, the mysterious man grinned again. You couldn't see his eyes, but you could've sworn he was staring right into your soul in this moment. "A woman of multiple talents, I see." Then, he continued, speaking more to himself than to you "Little Dream... ha, isn't that just perfect ?"

Growing a bit uneasy, you asked again : "So, what can I get you ?". He seemed to get out of his short trance, and channelled all his charms to smoothly ask you for a whisky on the rocks. Two other men ordered drinks, so you had to abandon Sunglasses for a while, but he kept observing you with keen interest. A larger groupe came right after, so Amy popped up to give you a hand. You shot Blondie an apologetic look, but he didn't seem to mind. After a while, things had calmed down, and Ma' seemed to notice something was going on with you two, so she smiled, and nodded towards him. "Who's the pretty boy ? Don't think I've ever seen him before." You looked over your shoulder, and he raised his glass in your direction. You laughed softly, before answering : "Don't know. He came especially for me, apparently." Your boss smirked at you before deciding : "Go on. I got it. If things get too crazy, I'll call you." You asked if she was sure, which she was, before heading back towards the gorgeous stranger.

You didn't have time to say anything, before he complimented you : "It's true what my friend said, you do move like you're on a cloud. It's quite enchanting to see. Dancing or not." You softly smiled at him : "You're quite intriguing, aren't you ?" He laughed a little, before answering in a teasing way : "Am I now ?" You rested towards the counter again : "So what's your name, stranger ? And most importantly : what do you want from me ?" He patted the seat next to him, inviting you to join him on the other side of the bar. Amy was busy with a customer, and the group had drifted accross the room, cheering for Donna and Vicky, who were now dancing to "Okay" from Chase Atlantic. You joined him, curiosity getting the best of you. Satisfied, he responded to your questions with other questions : "Tell me, Little Dream... How have YOUR dreams been lately ? Do you sleep okay ?" Confused, you hesitated : "Huh, excuse me ?" He smiled to himself, like this was a private joke only he could understand. "Our old friend is out again, you know ? It's clear to me you can feel it, too." You subtly backed away a little, taken aback by his words. He didn't make any sense. Did he ? This wasn't the first time you had to deal with a weird customer, but there was something about this one... He was getting under your skin, and you couldn't take your eyes off of him.

"I don't know what you're talking about", you said nonetheless. He shook his head : "Ah yes, that old trick the Gods have cursed you with. Still working, I see. No memory again. I wonder what it'll take, for you to break that malediction. Anyways, he must have visited you at least once, since he's free now. Hasn't he ?" You stared at him in complete disbelief, not understanding why his words didn't sound completely insane to you. There was something in there that resonated with you, and he saw it in your eyes. "Aaaah, I knew he couldn't resist seeing his girl again. It's been so long, after all." Was he talking about the shadowy figure you swore you had seen when you woke up from this strange dream ? He couldn't be. How could he know ? You didn't even know what you had seen for certain. He continued : "I know if you were mine, I couldn't stay away for too long... But our mutual friend has been a very good boy, those past centuries. The last one wasn't his choice, alas, but still..."

Something inside you woke up, and you felt the hair on your arms stand up. Was he the one who would precipitate her downfall ? Was this what you had always been worrying about ? "WHO are you ? What do you want ? And what on earth are you talking about ?" The man chuckled again, this time with something dark in the sound of his voice. He stood up, and before you could turn around, you felt him whispering in your ear "You may not fully understand now, but you will. I'll help you understand when you're ready. I'll be there when you need me, that's a promise. Until then, see you around, Aglaea."

Before you could react, he was already gone. Aglaea. The name sounded awfully familiar. Wasn't it how those women called you in your dream ?

Chapter Two in the making...

i've started wrath goddess sing and this book is just so incredibly confusing

#4960

Within the mountain Where flowing fire sprouts Like water from a fountain Is the lord of smithy. Hephaestus is his name, And forever is his tune To keep the earth tame Yet be alive for all of us. May his many creations Provide those of metals and gems The eternal inspirations That grants others joy.

WAIT but i have a new side muse for this blog..... taps my fingers together....

tag dump six ft. general charas part one !!

did anyone else ever find it odd how easily zeus offered percy godhood? and how it almost seemed like he secretly wanted percy to accept? well i did, and after thinking long and hard about it…

i don’t think percy understood what turning down godhood really meant

demigods do tasks for the gods because they don’t have to follow any rules. they aren’t controlled by anyone or anything. demigods are a strange hybrid - not god, not human. they are in between the laws of immortal and mortal. they are not supposed to exist. yet they do, which is what makes them so extraordinary.

percy is crazy powerful. of course, there’s the aspect of raw power. he has domain over air (storms/hurricanes), land (earthquakes and volcanic eruptions), and sea (monster waves, tsunamis, floods, basically anything that involves water.) he can control bodily fluids. he has super strength (with one hand, he held up an unconscious annabeth who was being pulled down by both arachne AND the forces of tartarus). he has super speed (he moves faster than bullets in TTC). no matter how badly you hurt him, he automatically heals and regenerates the second he touches water (an ability no other demigod has). he’s an extraordinary swordsman. very skilled in combat and warfare. he’s smart, and thinks of plans quickly. but he also has a great deal of social/poltcial power… i mean, he’s a leader and hero to both the greek and roman camps. if he says “attack,” all demigods, greek or roman, attack. no question. do you have any idea how threatening that is to the olympians? he’s also best friends and has an empathy link with the lord of the wild, which basically means all of nature is by his side too, including all land creatures. he’s also prince of horses, which means pegasi too (both of which are extremely useful in battle). and of course all sea creatures, including the mythical ones like krakens and leviathans. not to mention many of the gods really like him. hermes, hephaestus, athena, aphrodite, and dionysis have all gone out of their way to help him. artemis holds him in high regard, especially since he saved her. apollo literally considers him his friend! and poseidon - his dad, the god who is the biggest threat to zeus - is fiercely protective of him and cares about him a great deal. many minor gods also like him because he demanded them to be given more respect and for their kids to be welcomed at the camps.

percy unknowingly has more power, both physical and social/political, than anyone should ever have. he may have absolutely no idea, but it must scare the living daylights out of zeus. by accepting zeus’s offer to become a god, percy would have submitted himself to the control of zeus. zeus would be his king and ruler. zeus would then have complete control over him.

but percy said no. therefore, percy remains out of zeus’s control.

percy had no idea what he was doing. but thank the gods he made that choice. thank the gods he’s an incredible person. thank the gods percy jackson has no desire for power, because he has more of it than anyone should ever be able to have.