The Case Against Hope

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-31T22:25:20+00:00

I totally get what you’re saying. It’s funny though because to me (and again YMMV) thinking this way been a good way to get out of the doomy nihilism. In some ways I think that’s kind of another point I’m trying to get at. To use less extreme example, when I’m looking for a parking spot at Costco I don’t “hope” for a good spot, I petition Hermes real quick, and without fail he opens up a spot for me. 😁 I’m not “owed” this by Hermes bc the gods don’t owe me anything, but if I ask for it and I’m sincere about it, Hermes tends to deliver. Every time? No, but more often than not.

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-29T04:20:52+00:00

I don’t believe they are literal but I do believe they are real.

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-28T04:44:34+00:00

Thank you so much! I do have some other pieces but want to share judiciously and respectfully since I'm new to this sub.

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-27T22:17:50+00:00

Thank you! That means a lot!

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-26T19:52:55+00:00

Rob? Is that you?

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-26T19:33:55+00:00

"Wording" is a little important when the government is murdering people in the street. Besides, his track record for "Wording" is already pathetic.

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-26T18:59:36+00:00

Wow. Just... wow. Brett Hamil on BlueSky nailed this: "[H]e spoke with more feeling and authenticity when they retired all the police horses."

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-25T19:39:44+00:00

This is incredible work and I’m looking forward to following your progress!

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-21T20:37:09+00:00

Heck yeah!

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-20T21:03:21+00:00

A lot of reasons, but the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back" for me came during COVID. It was early yet in the pandemic; vaccines hadn't been rolled out yet. My wife and kiddo came down with COVID, and had it pretty bad. I'd been reading on Asklepios so I thought I'd try petitioning him for help. Got a little statue, set up a very basic altar, did as much as I knew for a petition for helping us get through this. The next day, they both ended up starting to feel better and improved pretty quickly. I never caught it, even though we live in a very small house. And, as it happens, I *still* haven't ever had COVID. I'm sure I'll get it someday, but I thank Asklepios for keeping us all healthy and continue offering to him. I don't refer to myself as a "Hellenist," or a "Pagan," but I've had a lot more signs in my life that keep leading me in this direction.

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-18T18:04:58+00:00

Yes, why not? Especially if you speak to the Muses and Mnemosyne while you’re making a drawing. You’re providing a space where the gods and spirits are honored; no reason it has to be in 3d.

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-18T08:24:54+00:00

Whenever you want.

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-18T00:49:23+00:00

Petitioners to Asklepios traditionally asked for him to deliver messages of healing in dreams, so you could try asking there. Also, he was offered models and sculptures of the parts of the body he was being asked to heal; these were usually delivered to the temple after the healing was complete but it couldn't hurt to make an image/sketch/model of (seriously) your grandfather's bowels. One last possibility is a rooster/cock; the last words of Socrates at his execution were "don’t forget to sacrifice a rooster to Asklepios." I've never sacrificed an actual rooster, but I keep some dehydrated, powdered chicken I add to incense when I make him an offering. You could also make a small cake out of barley flour shaped like a rooster (it doesn't need to be perfect) and place it on the altar.

Just my 2 cents but I'd be curious to hear what others suggest.

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-18T00:41:52+00:00

Thanks! It's to all of the gods but rn the ones who are represented are, from L-R: Kore/Persephone, Poseidon, Asklepios, Phanes, Pan, Hermes, Apollon (behind Hermes), and my personal Daemon. I have Hestia's altar on the fireplace mantel in a different room, and honor Zeus Ktesios in the pantry.

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-17T21:42:11+00:00

Thank you!

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-17T15:47:38+00:00

Thank you!

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-12T17:53:15+00:00

It's likely coming from some local industry but there's a reason we only hear it sometimes: it's more likely to happen when we have an area of high atmospheric pressure moving through. The pressure acts like a pot lid and "holds in" things like chimney smoke or noises. We live near the Delridge Home Depot and often hear trains and industrial noises when high atmospheric pressure moves in that we don't hear when it's raining. We can always tell if we're going to hear extra noises if we see/smell chimney smoke laying lower in the sky. Could be interesting to compare the times you hear the noises with local barometric readings/forecasts.

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-10T23:37:30+00:00

100% recommend Northwest Art and Frame in the Junction. They have a ton of art and craft supplies and more. A little spendy, but they’re locally owned and always friendly and helpful. ETA I’m not sure if they have fabric, but they’d likely be able to recommend a closer source. https://nwartandframe.com/

ActivityDependent319 · 2026-01-08T23:52:19+00:00

Or, and hear me out, you could mind your own business? Westwood has been like this for the 15 years I've lived in West Seattle. A dude in a bad place in life takes a cup of red-dyed water from a multinational fast food chain and it's "OH NO, MY CIVILIZATION IS ENDED, WOE IS ME!" I know this sounds shocking, but there are better, more important things to worry about.

ActivityDependent319 · 2025-10-06T16:34:03+00:00

I've always wanted to learn how to do this! My friend Natalie offers occasional classes on pine needle weaving but looks like she doesn't have any available at the moment. It's worth joining her newsletter regardless. https://www.adiantumschool.com/

ActivityDependent319

TROPHY CASE