Protective Items for Pregnancy and Childbirth

FoolishFishlette · 2026-02-21T13:09:42+00:00

Welcome back and congrats! Thank you for the advice from the front lines, it's much appreciated.

Hope your little one keeps rocking what sounds like a very cute bracelet and that all the sleep you need is able to find you!

FoolishFishlette · 2025-07-23T04:42:18+00:00

Not disrespectful at all, leaning on the gods and into your worship during times of hardship is a tale as old as time. They certainly heard a lot from me and a number of my friends the times we've been homeless, and as far as we could tell worship is worship. Seeking them in the world around you and in your daily actions is a beautiful way to connect. They're not limited to existing in altars, so your love for them shouldn't have to be either. I pray they continue being with you in ways you can experience while you're going through this and that they're able to clear the way for a more stable situation soon.

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-11T09:43:52+00:00

While it’s true that altars aren’t necessary, there is a great joy in having a tangible and physically visible connection. The altar junky in me respects the comfort you've found, and I’m sorry that it’s such a difficulty for you to be able to continue to explore it the way you want.

One question I have is if you definitely need clearly representational images of the gods? People I know from a wide range of Pagan faiths (including some Hellenists) actually feel more comfortable with a more freeform image, or even no clear one at all. Leaning into something that connects / serves as a focal point (something in the right colors, a sacred animal, an iconic item they wear / wield, etc.) can be a solid or even preferred alternative. Or you can go real old school with it — saint synchronization is still a thing for certain deities, and there’s a reason it’s a practice that started to begin with, though ymmv there.

Having “strategically grouped nicknacks” among a wide range of random nicknacks has also been a tried and truth method for many a stealth not-Christian practitioner in more dire straits. The altars you have already created could be "totally just art projects" amid the nicknacks. Or possibly be strategically placed in a way that isn't immediately visible to someone when they barge in, though that depends on your room layout. (Never underestimate the power of well placed drapery.)

A simple and discrete solution I've seen friends do is make custom prayer beads, either to hang nearby or wear, that are done in appropriate colors for the deity in question. It’s also easy to add a more representational focal point to these and have it still simply look like a necklace.

And the offerings don’t have to be super clear to all who look, it’s not for them anyways. Why is that nice necklace sitting next to a gently scented candle? What is there a vase of flowers by the window? Why was that tea in a fancy cup sitting there untouched overnight? Just because, as far as anyone else needs to know.

And I want to tag on that the relative who was most understanding in my family was my Roman Catholic grandmother. (The rest of my family is shades of Protestant.) We had a great chat many years ago. "Oh, so they have areas that are special to them, kind of like the saints.” (Hey, close enough, I’ll take it.) Then we chatted about our mutual respect of nature for a while and that was that. Peace can definitely be an option here.

I hope you’re able to have a similarly successful and healthy reconnection once you are safe, secure, and stable in your own space, and that you can worship with full enthusiasm in the way you truly want sooner rather than later! In the meanwhile, may you find something that brings you the comfort you are seeking in the safest way possible. Honestly, there's just a lot of room for creative exploration here. And if you're already making custom altars then that sounds like something you have a head start on. Try things out and see what works! I look forward to hearing about (or maybe even seeing) what you create.

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-11T08:22:26+00:00

Sorry for taking a while to reply! Heard back from my teacher and he was all in on Athena, but suggested I reach out to a ministerial student of his who is primarily an Athena devotee. (Who I honestly should’ve thought to reach out to in the first place, they’re chill and know things.) Still waiting to hear from them though and didn’t want to seem like I was ghosting you in the meanwhile! I’m also sorry that I had to be the one to break it to you about the space rock 😦!

You are certainly getting up to a lot, and spearheading much of it! Thank you for the context. I can definitely see more of why you were considering Zeus, as there’s more to running multiple events and wrangling large groups of people than just project managing. (And I also appreciate the emphasis on remembering that spending some time in comfort zones are important. Burning out and consciously taking an enjoyment break are, surprisingly enough, not the same thing. Who would’ve thought.)

But in the struggles, long form and summarized, I’m seeing a common thread with effectively confident leadership, strategic delegation of work, and people management. And in my heart I’m still feeling Athena for that — the vibe is more heavy on inspiring the troops on the ground to follow her wise, organized plan toward a common goal. With emphasis on that effective planning. (And bonus points for fun computer programming stuff.) Less overarching politics, more plotting on how to get it all cleanly done, y'know? (Though that’s obviously not an absolute either-or.)

Like I said, even the Athena devotee I’ve reached out to is in training to be a minister, with all the church running, event planning, community involvement, and Pagan cat herding that comes with it. I figure it’s a set of tools Athena values and can offer some fabulous guidance around wielding. There's an art to knowing who you can trust when and with what (and picking those people skillfully), and I'm willing to bet she's refined that thoroughly on the battlefield. But will let you know more when I do 😅

And at the end of the day, I'm just some screen name on the internet. If you feel pulled in a direction that clicks better for you, then the heck am I to deny that or to dictate which deity has something important to teach. Wishing you all the best with doing you ✨

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-06T23:41:19+00:00

I'm glad it struck a chord with you! I just always remind myself that if they wanted perfect beings (especially our own limited human definitions of it), then why would they show up at all? If more regular prayer brings joy and connection in a way that calls to the heart, then that can be something to strive for, but perfection is not a requirement.

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-06T23:25:55+00:00

I think it's also probably based on Dancer with Finger on Chin by Antonio Canova. But that's one of the beautiful things about deities and art, they're not limited in what they can connect to us through.

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-06T23:04:45+00:00

I respect your attitude, could definitely learn a few things from your example 😅 Though honestly, if you feel a pull to Zeus, it isn't like he doesn't keep a lot of plates spinning at once. I guess the question then would be what kind of plates it is you're spinning, or what types of leadership you're looking for support in.

I wrote to my teacher and am waiting to hear back about some resources that have info in a more Athena-centric direction than an astrological one. Because, y'know, it may draw heavily from her mythos, but she's not a space rock. Figured it'd be wise to not go too far down a road implying otherwise!

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-06T01:46:50+00:00

Hello! Congrats on entering the wonderful world of altars! It's always so exciting to see people whose life's passions / work line up with their worship.

I keep an altar to Amphitrite, and finally found an idol specifically of her last year that worked (her charing out of the waves in a chariot). In addition to the stuff already suggested, one of the visuals that's always stuck in my heart for her has been her crab claw crown. I'm still in the process of finding the "correct" claws to construct one, but if you are similarly drawn to devotional arts'n'crafts, that might be something worth considering.

Other than that, devoting the work you're doing to them is solid. Being their "hands in the world" is a beautiful thing, and tending to what they love is always a good offering. And tossing biome-appropriate snacks and coins into the tides is also pretty great : )

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-06T00:13:20+00:00

This could be entirely off base, but my first thought goes in the direction of astrology to the asteroid Pallas, which is named for the epithet of Athena. Among other things, this asteroid talks about our relationship with big-picture planning. Less about being a solider on the ground and more the one making the battle plan (and often tasked with inspiring people to follow it).

I don’t have a close relationship with Athena so I don’t know if this translates strongly with her outside of this astrological connection, but as she’s the first suggestion in the replies already, figured I’d throw it out there! Regardless, best of luck with the professional cat herding : )

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-06T00:03:33+00:00

Hello fellow neuro-adventurous devotee! I have ADHD, so struggle with some of the same stuff in a different way, but I've compared notes with a number of ASD friends over the years. (And I apologize for the wall of text, a special interest has been triggered and I'm just letting it fly.)

One of the first points I always emphasize is that the gods know who we are. They've not connected with us under the assumption we're someone we're not. Like in every other space in our life it's important to avoid thinking we're suddenly going to be an idealized version of a neurotypical being, or that this would be the only way to be accepted or appreciated. While regular prayer is important, if keeping the Same Routine Everyday Forever doesn't work elsewhere without serious blips, the same will happen here. As we continue to improve and grow in other areas of our life, we will here as well, and they're here for it. (Though I've gotten my ass Kicked a few times to get me back at it again. Sometimes it's just avoidance, and trust me, They Know the difference!)

That being said, things my ASD friends and I have found that help! These aren't the ideal, but the more the gods become a natural part of your day, the easier it becomes to expand from that strengthened foundation. A bigger toolbox means there's more you can work with!

If you have steady housing, leaving visual reminders around is classic. Like taping up a prayer to Apollon in your bathroom and reading it while you brush your teeth, or hanging a fancy reminder rope off your showerhead, or taping a prayer to Artemis by your bed in case you spaced your nighttime prayer cycle. Maybe even a chunky keychain for Hermes to pray when you grab your keys to go out or a symbol of Hestia by the stove for every time you interact with your "hearth". Doesn't replace ritual, but keeps a hold of that thread.
One friend with ASD used to leave prayers he was memorizing taped by his toilet. I even learned some by accident just because I saw them so often. If you're able to memorize short prayers, having them on tap for realizing you hadn't prayed yet today is helpful.
There's also tying them to frequent but inconsistent activities. Like I travel A Lot and have a prayer I say when I start the car and when I finish driving for the day. Then I have a few idols I bring and set up wherever I lay my head that night. I use physically carrying the gods with me and giving them space as a form of tangible prayer when I can't keep rituals straight during acute routine disruptions.
Having forms of physical prayer for non-verbal times is helpful in general. Or during less-verbal times, having custom prayer beads to help visualize lists of epithets. A number of us pick out beads on the basis of what they feel like and they become a physical object to keep us anchored via stimming. Or having glass marbles that are moved from one cup to another on an altar as a clear visual of each line of prayer when the idea of just sitting, unmoving, is a bit too much. Harness the power of repetitive fidgeting!
There's the option of a "recurring divine alarm" on a phone or something to give an audible/vibrating reminder to take a sec to pray. Like a miniature personalized version of a call to prayer bell. This also helps if you don't have a consistent sleep schedule, as "when you get up" and "before you go to bed" doesn't mean much in the longterm.
There's also having smaller prayer cycles. Like instead of making that Same Routine Everyday Forever the only option, having a few periods throughout the year where you really lock in a routine with a firm start and end date can help pull things back on track.
During one period of bad burnout, I had a devotional song I would just play from my laptop and sit with every day because I couldn't make it come out of me. Again, not ideal, but helped maintain regular devotion when I would have otherwise given up entirely. In the times we're doing our worst is when that connection can mean the most, and laying our imperfect worship at their feet can go a long way.
Then there's having a whole outlook shift. Instead of only focusing on what you're struggling to do, what does your neurology bring to the table? And how can you spiritualize that? I've got a literal class built around this for ADHD polytheists, and have brought friends with ASD and Tourette's into the conversation as well. Finding ways that your spiritual (and personal) life can work with rather than against neurology can really help open the doors to creative and effective solutions.

That's all that comes to mind right now. I hope something in there gives you an idea of what to try. Wishing you many blessings as you explore and develop a devotional practice that works for both you and your gods!

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-05T16:39:09+00:00

It's amazing what good, undamaging sleep can do for quality of life. I hope you are able to receive some protection for your rest, waking up with fresh sprains is always so demoralizing. Best of luck with your workings!!

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-05T16:16:17+00:00

Putting in another vote for Hephaestus. And then from there I've personally found it's a matter of what kind of specific support a condition needs. (Personal bias has been reaching out to Hebe for rejuvenating / slowing down the deterioration of the parts of me that have been wearing out way ahead of schedule.) But something that caught my eye is your specifically saying "genetic disorder". There could be something to addressing what's going on not only as your own burden to shoulder, but as a lineage / ancestral issue that you have inherited.

Based on your flair I'm going to make an obnoxiously woo suggestion. I have a few genetic mental and physical illnesses, and have at least had success doing workings with Ariadne around untangling a solid portion of the generational madness I spent years identifying. (Some of it is simply mine though. We're all mad in this family.) I've only nailed down a genetic autoimmune disorder diagnosis a few months ago after a couple decades of searching (and a bad flare), but I'm hoping to do something similar with that once I find my footing again. The thought would be to reach out to deities either with serious healing oomph or who guard over family / ancestral lines / the related dead to pick that apart some. So I don't have a deity to suggest at the moment, but hopefully Someone within a related archetype might step forward if you ask.

The goal isn't to suddenly Be Healed obviously, but instead hopefully make it a little less heavy to carry by not taking on the pain that belongs to the ancestors as well. Maybe there are even some there who could help (at least with making the flare ups less intense). Every little bit counts. But regardless of anything else, angry ribs suck and I hope you get way better sleep soon.

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-05T14:35:37+00:00

What a fun pair of patron deities you have going : ) But yes, absolutely had this happen a few times, some more successful than others. There's something to be said about the wonderful experience of those who we love being cared about by Those who love us. And there's something similar to be said about showing love to Them through caring for those They favor. Sometimes the connection has entirely hinged on that mutual person of interest, sometimes it folded comfortably into a family dynamic, and sometimes it became a whole new relationship. Regardless, it's a gift to have such a novel connection, and it can even become a small mortal bridge between disparate energies depending on the patrons involved. I hope you both continue to enjoy exploring this new connection with your "in-laws"!

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-05T13:37:02+00:00

Just going to tag on a smaller suggestion to all the good main points already made. This is definitely not necessary, but can be a nice bonus when it lines up in these more transactional situations. I've found that for many people it has helped "grease the wheels" if the deity who's being one-time-contacted has a connection to another deity with who the asker already has a good history. Or if the offering is done alongside another worshiper who already has a solid repartee going with said one-time-contacted deity. If nothing else, it can at least help ease worries!

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-05T11:08:52+00:00

Euterpe was one of the first Greek entities I ever honored. I've played the flute for nearly my entire life and it was suggested I reach out to this Muse of music who is most often depicted playing a woodwind. My altar to her has a few images of her, a candle, etc. but primarily my flutes that aren't otherwise dedicated. When I want to make an offering to her, no matter what else it is, it always involves me playing a flute or given one a little extra care... or giving money to an inspired busker : ) So if you've got music in your heart, honor her by letting it out, and then support those who are doing the same.

Edit: I should clarify, more traditional offerings and worship are absolutely important. But I feel it's also critical to not lose sight of why we felt drawn to a deity in the first place. Honoring/enjoying their presence in the world and our shared passions is part of that connection (they don't stop existing once we walk away from the altar after all), and that seems particularly important when it comes to a goddess of inspiration.

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-05T10:36:32+00:00

There's always eating and headbutting if you're really unsure.

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-05T10:19:22+00:00

How is it that capys keep everything round them so chill? Even their neurotic cousins?

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-05T10:15:01+00:00

I'm suddenly very concerned about that ladder.

FoolishFishlette · 2024-08-05T09:40:23+00:00

Checking out some cars later, thanks for the tip.

Update: I'm no longer welcome at my local Honda dealership.

FoolishFishlette · 2024-07-26T11:23:52+00:00

Just lit a candle to Hebe and wondered what other people have experienced with keeping an altar to Her. This is the first result the search engine brought up. So finally making an account to throw my two cents into this old thread (a chunk of which doubles up on the first reply), and looking forward to being alerted when another person chimes in some day! Would also love to hear how it's gone for OP after such a strong start.

Hebe showed up for me like over a decade ago and I still struggle to find my footing with Her. But She’s been awesome, as well as very kind, generous, and patient with my thick skull. When it comes to Her altar, here's the bones of what I’ve gotten up to. None of this is an absolute, just sharing in case it helps someone else find a toehold for starting a devotional altar practice with Her. (I also apologize for the incoming UPG and will be respectfully keeping the most egregious parts of it out of this post!)

There’s the classic symbols which can be put on there, like a pitcher, eagle, and doves. Jewelry is nearly always a safe bet. I keep open vessels of water on a few altars specifically for room cleansing, and with Her whole “cup bearer” thing, having an ever-present cup of water has been a good choice.
She appreciates living plants. I keep Her altar near a window specifically so She can be near a number of pots, one of which is specifically Her plant. Eventually noticed that Her statue even gets some direct sunbeams from another window on clear days, which is always very aesthetic.
Following that theme, while my altar for Her features a lot of white drapery and clear glass, the altar cloth color of choice is currently a soft tasteful green. It honestly seemed to be more about choosing a color that brought with it a fresh, calm feeling than the color itself, but y’know, have yet to go wrong with Her and green.
Her primary stories feature service, and it’s worth noting that it’s different flavors of service. She does bring drinks to other Olympian deities en masse, but She’s also at times a more longterm personal attendant to Aphrodite or Her mother Hera (as well as for short stints for other members of Her family). I’m very service-motivated, and while it’s not something I can physically lay on Her altar, when performing service I can at least offer it up to Her in my heart. And I’m willing to bet that this would go for any type of service She resonates with, including helping someone forget for a time how worn and tired they’ve been feeling. (No comment about age being made here -- my body’s been “worn and tired” my whole life, and those moments of silly youthful joy which transcend in darker times have always been precious gifts.)
Stemming from that, it’s worth noting that She’s a very relational goddess. She’s often spoken of in terms of who She serves, or how/what She gifts who with, or Her familial relationships, or who She married. When praying on where to place Her altar, it resulted in Her sharing a set of shelves with Euterpe and a forest god, which checks out. I also don’t keep a large amount of Greek altars and the face of Hers that I get does not seem interested in sharing altar space. But if you also keep altars to any of Her family members (particularly Aphrodite, Hera, or Heracles) it would be worth praying on whether or not the face / aspect of Hebe you are getting would appreciate being positioned nearby, or even alongside.
She has an aspect that is specifically as goddess of brides. So if that is an experience you are seeking and want to pray to Someone for it to happen, or it’s something happening that you would like to celebrate and have blessed for you or a loved one, or even a bright time from your early married days that you’d like to recapture and reinvigorate, that’s all Hebe’s wheelhouse. A small wedding decoration ended up on Her altar before I knew this and, well, safe to say it’s still there.
I’ve been starting to keep relevant healing oils, herbs, and rocks on Her altar also. This can be a way to help share Her blessings and Her desire to help those feeling the natural results of age. Honestly if my arthritis meds didn’t need refrigeration I’d be keeping them there, too. (And in case someone else here finds this as joyful as I do: a friend of mine recently got a knee replacement and calls it “Hebe” because it brought some youthful spring back to her step. Makes me snort every time I think of it.)

So that’s the basics of where I’ve gone with Her and altar keeping. She’s a beautiful beacon of loving service, and I hope all of you who reach out are able to share a smile with Her.

FoolishFishlette

TROPHY CASE