Poseidon Rapes Medusa. Rape Is Evil. Therefore Poseidon Is Not A God. Correct?

Poseidon rapes Medusa. Rape is evil. Therefore Poseidon is not a god. Correct?

Not really.

There are many things implied with this logic. The first thing that's wrong is that it assumes ancient myth literalism.

Myth literalism is a normal thing in our society because of christianity's fundamentalism. The bible in christian traditions is read sometimes literally, and even if its not, the stories told there are of vital importance to the religion. However, this doesn't happen in all religions, specially in pagan religions.

The second thing that's wrong is that it assumes the specific context of the myth. We may have a myth that uses the element of “rape” as we understand it to mean something else. But what we today understand as “rape” in ancient Greece meant probably these two things: 1. Abduction, 2. Sexual relations without the consent of the parents.

The importance of not reading myth literally (I mean, not regarding the Gods' actions in myth as factual, or their behavior as true to their nature) is that of independence. Being able to interpret myth metaphorically helps us arrive at different conclusions regarding the true nature of the Gods, and it also influence us philosophically.

See, a God cannot make evil; Poseidon is a God; therefore, Poseidon cannot make evil (he cannot “rape” anyone). But if Poseidon cannot rape, then the actions of Poseidon in myth are 1. False, or 2. Symbolic.

If Poseidon's actions in the myth of Medusa are false, then the myth serves no purpose but to entertain. However, if Poseidon’s rape in the myth of Medusa is symbolic, then it is illustrative of the God's power: perhaps, in the temple of Athena, one could experience Poseidon's presence unwillingly.

Remember what some historians used to say about Pythia’s moment of invocation? When the Priestess got possessed by Apollo? That sometimes she would get seizures? That the possession was so powerful her body could barely bear it? I imagine this is what “rape” myths refer to; experiencing a God (specially a deity regarded as “male” traditionally, for some reason) in an overwhelming rapture, perhaps randomly, without expectation. But this is a mystical reading of the myth.

There are not just mystical readings. Doing them takes time and attention, but they're often very illuminative. However, moral readings also exist. And even natural or physical readings. For example, in a moral reading, we could say the myth’s lesson is to not have sex inside Athena's temple, because that's a holy place, and it belongs to a virginal goddess. On a physical reading, we could say that Poseidon represents the fury of the ocean, and that Medusa is perhaps the earth, getting moved and assaulted by the tides. Or anything of that nature.

Understanding those conclusions is better than reading myth literally and ending up thinking those gods are evil (and therefore are not gods, and therefore must be demons; which is indeed one of many christianity's premises regarding pagan religions. These types of premises, as you may understand, feed intolerance and supremacy).

Arriving at satisfactory and philosophical conclusions with myths is a hard task, but it's really worth it. Even in ancient times, these incorrect ideas about the gods were widespread, and it was the philosopher’s, and the priest’s, task to teach people how to actually understand myth.

So, in summary; no, Poseidon is not evil, because Poseidon is a God and therefore cannot rape; furthermore, Poseidon's myth with Medusa is symbolic of a deeper, more mystical truth.

Ultimately, the myth of Poseidon and Medusa is explicative of Athena's and Poseidon's power when it gets intertwined. Oh, and, I forgot; you can also make a historical reading about this myth, or at least how it originated. The Athenians, who first told this myth, used to be devoted to Poseidon on a city-state level, until the cult of Athena arrived, and they instead made her their patron deity, removing Poseidon (there's another myth that tells this story, in which Athena and Poseidon compete for the patronage of the city-state, and Athena wins). Often times different city-states would create infamous stories about another city’s patron god in a political attempt. There's a theory stating that in other city-states Zeus’ wife would be Dione, instead of Hera, but in Athens it was Hera, and so some athenian would find it funny to imagine the god cheating over Hera (as a silly explanation of why theogony differed accross Greece).

Often times, myths are incredibly ironical. Like all of Zeus’ myths cheating over Hera as I stated before; Hera is the Goddess of marriage, so it is laughable that her own husband would go around cheating on her with literally anyone. So it is clear here that the myth is implying something deeper than what's is being told. One might have to think and reflect on why the greeks would choose to portray their Goddess of marriage in such a light, and their God of morality too. Perhaps they were hinting at something bigger with the use of hyperbole and irony; Hera never cheats on Zeus. On the other hand, Zeus is the Big Papa. So basically the whole world is of his descendence, because he is the Father of humanity, and putting it that way the greeks were explaining this.

Conflicting things about myths have always been conflicting. The greeks didn't like their gods going around raping people and killing others in those stories either, but the stories existed nevertheless. So they wrote a whole ton of treatises trying to explain to themselves the deeper truths of those myths, one of them was On the Gods and the World by Sallustius, which I recommend a lot when trying to understand both the importance and the metaphorical narratives of myths.

Random Big City Greens headcanons cuz this show is underrated asf and needs more fandom content (some TW maybe?)

Bill can literally kick ass and won’t hesitate to beat up anyone who messes with his family.

Since the original Green family farm is in Big City, Bill and Nancy started their own farm when they got married and that’s where they raised Cricket and Tilly.

Cricket is ace, or possibly demi (we know he’s with Gabriella but like, it’s not a real relationship yet)

Tilly has intrusive thoughts.

Nancy’s father was abusive and controlling, so she would sneak out every night to stay with Bill (without Alice ever finding out).

Whenever Cricket and Tilly can’t sleep at night they talk to each other about random things, usually about how their day went and such.

Cricket and Tilly are homeschooled (since we never frickin see them at school) but when they get older Bill sends them to public school.

Alice became a lot stricter with Bill after his father passed away.

When Nancy meets Chip for the first time, he flirts with her in the most condescending way possible and she immediately hates him.

Tilly’s favorite Disney movie is Frozen (she likes the angst and songs)

Bill and Nancy first kissed when they were 14-15 and started dating in secret cuz of their parents.

Remy learns how to cook from Bill and Alice.

Nancy is bisexual (there’s no way she’s completely straight, just look at her)

Sometimes Gloria hangs out with the Greens at their house or the mall when she feels stressed out, oddly enough they give her a sense of calm.

Cricket grows up to be taller than his mom, while Tilly just barely reaches her height.

Both Cricket and Tilly get bullied in high school.

Nancy spends a lot of time with the family because she feels bad for missing out on so much already and she hates being alone sometimes (when she’s not there she’s at work)

Even though she changes the story every time, Alice actually did lose her leg in the war.

Cricket has insomnia (or some sort of sleep disorder).

Unfortunately Bill can’t afford to get the kids braces so they end up with crooked teeth until adulthood.

The Greens DO NOT support toxic masculinity. If Bill needs to cry, let him fucking cry. If Cricket wants to wear a dress, he’ll wear the dress and be confident doing so.

Nancy is actually a really bad driver and can only ride her motorcycle. One time she drove Bill’s truck and they ended up crashing into a lake (that made for an awkward date night).

Tilly goes through a lot of phases in high school, but ultimately ends up as a biker like her mom.

Alice goes to a shooting range often to let out her rage.

Remy’s parents kinda give off unsupportive vibes so if he comes out as LGBT they wouldn’t approve of it at first, but would learn from the Greens that they need to accept him.

When Bill teaches his kids to drive, he’s a lot less nervous with Tilly than with Cricket but he’s always reluctant to let them drive his truck.

^Eventually they actually do crash the truck, but even though Bill gets pissed he’s just glad they’re okay.

Nancy and Bill still have feelings for each other they just don’t realize it👀

Tilly goes to community college and tries a whole bunch of classes to see what career she wants. Cricket doesn’t go to college and instead travels around the country because he can’t be tied down.

Nancy joined the Stingers when she was in her early 20’s, before she married Bill.

Cricket and Tilly haven’t met either of their grandfathers :-;

Even though Nancy acts tough she secretly likes affection, not just from her kids but from anyone she’s close to (especially Bill ehehe)

Gloria sells her art online to make extra cash.

Since we didn’t see Nancy’s mom in Green Acres, I wanna assume she’s either deceased, lived somewhere else, or she worked a lot and had no idea about her husband’s schemes.

Tilly listens to Billie Eilish unironically.

Sometimes Cricket and Tilly snuggle with Alice while she does embroidery.

The Greens have movie nights every weekend and fall asleep together on the couch.

Alice is a hypocrite when it comes to swearing (she’ll tell the kids they can’t cuss and then later fills three swear jars when she stubs her toe).

^The first time Nancy swore around her, Alice literally stuffed a bar of soap in her mouth.

Bill and Nancy didn’t know their kids’ genders before they were born, they wanted to be surprised.

^Cricket was actually a surprise to them.

The Greens are very affectionate with each other (hugs, kisses on the cheek, hand holding, massages, carrying each other, etc)

Connor Murphy and Makeup Headcanons

-He starts out looking on YouTube for some sort of simple solution to a normal teenage skin problem

-Covering a pimple, covering dark circles, how to match eyebrows to dark hair

-Because that dark brown DEF comes from a bottle

-Connor’s a blonde baby but blonde hair doesn’t make him look tough

-But he sees a bunch of easy makeup tutorials for guys and gets Inspired™

-He sneaks into Zoe’s room and borrows her makeup

-He does his best for his first try

-It doesn’t look awful???

-He looks honestly, like, ethereal

-at least in his opinion

-But for real, he looks beautiful

-So he keeps doing it

-Keeps experimenting

-Keeps “borrowing” Zoe’s makeup

-She has to keep replacing products that are definitely being emptied too quickly

-And products that straight up “disappear”

-no one deserves to be forgotten

-And Connor is like “whaaaaat? that’s craaaaaazyyyyy” not that he actually cares or anything

-He’s too cool and tough for that

-But he is getting tired of Zoe’s crappy drugstore makeup she uses

-He buys her a bunch of high-quality pro makeup and brushes for Christmases and birthdays

-Uses those occasions as excuses to also buy stuff for himself

-Connor “Treat Yo Self” Murphy

-Zoe finds out by walking in on him one day

-She’s not mad, just shocked

-“How the hell are your wings so sharp?!?! Teach me!!!”

-“Only if I can keep using your makeup without you saying anything about it to Mom and Larry.”

-“Wait, you what?” “What?”

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scottymcalls

4 years ago

I finally started posting on twitter ♡ still in beginner phase, I’ll learn to adjust my editing to twitter soon

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scottymcalls

3 years ago

Connor Murphy: Hands Aesthetic Moodboard, Part Two

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scottymcalls

3 months ago

Helloooo! I'm quite new to your blog, but in answering an ask, The Pastel Priestess said that you were raised by Ares? I've been trying to getting into working with him (he reached out to me after I called out to him a long time ago when I was just starting out in Hellenic polytheism), and I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do, just in general :')

I figured that i should ask you about it since you have extensive knowledge on him.

Hi!

Yes! I made a few videos about meeting Ares: (LINK) (LINK) (LINK) (LINK)

While I'm not "The" expert on Ares (that would be the ancient Greeks for sure 😅), I am willing to share what I have learned from growing up and working with Ares, aside from his first order of business being to teach me "How to Hug Gods:" (LINK) because I was a little kid with nothing but hugs, candy and apple juice to give as an offering, so here I go:

Ares is a lot kinder than he seems but since he can be terrifying in front of his enemies, he is often misunderstood in the same way that pitbulls and doberman are misunderstood. He cares a lot!Children and marginalized people are his biggest weakness.

Helloooo! I'm Quite New To Your Blog, But In Answering An Ask, The Pastel Priestess Said That You Were

If war was a person, Ares would be the body while Athena would be the head. Because of this...

Ares can be described as the god of defending boundaries.

He's quick to anger when someone has crossed a boundary.

He killed Poseidon's son because he raped his daughter which crossed a boundary. He fought Hercules who killed his daughter Hippolyta which crossed another boundary.

Even war can represent the crossing and clashing of boundaries.

One of my favorite Ares moments in modern media can be found in the show "Blood of Zeus"

When Ares finds and complains to his father about crossing a boundary Zeus had set for everyone, including himself. "I thought we were not to intervene, or does that not apply to you?" (LINK)

Zeus clarifies that he never technically crossed the boundary. When Ares finds out that he was wrong about understanding where the boundary was, he tells Zeus he'll be sure tell everyone else so the gods are clear about where the boundary is, to which Zeus tells him not to say anything to anyone but judging by the end of this next clip (LINK)

Ares' need to define and protect boundaries won priority over the request of his own father. These scenes are excellent examples of who Ares is as the god of protecting and defending boundaries.

He is a body guard who stands outside of a party in order to protect the ones he loves so they can peacefully feast inside without worrying about getting surprised by the enemy.

Ares is also a father that has shown to prioritize the safety of his children over his own.

Last winter I was fortunate enough to visit Athens where I fell in love with the Areopagus (Greek: Areos Pagos - Ἄρειος Πάγος) or "The Hill of Ares" (LINK) This was a place where Athens held court cases regarding those who had committed crimes against humanity, the law, the gods, etc.

Legend has it that this is the rock where Ares was taken to court by Poseidon for the murder of his son whom had raped Ares' daughter. Poseidon wanted Ares thrown into Tartarus but he was eventually acquitted. Despite the threat of angering one of the three kings (a god whose status was above his own and equal to his father Zeus) Ares still killed Poseidon's son for crossing that boundary with his daughter.

So I recommend talking to him about boundaries you might need help with or personal battles you might be struggling with,

especially if they're systemic like racism, misogyny, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, etc because Ares is the god of challenging authority which is why in myth he was often said to be despised by Zeus for constantly challenging he who embodied authority.

Ares is also a survivor

and can help you find a safe place in the middle of a panic attack, a crisis or a PTSD attack.

As someone with PTSD, Ares has taught me a lot of grounding techniques that have helped me see the signs of a coming attack before it happens. He even had my spouse check on me while I was about to have an attack in a different building but was thankfully called by Sky who was able to guide me through the steps Ares had told them to use in order to get me home safely because he was unable to reach me (PTSD can create mental blocks that make it hard for the gods to reach you).

He is fluent in handling adrenaline and panic attacks because war is chaos and his instincts guide his moves so he can flow with the madness instead of being trampled by it.

This is also why his first lessons were dance lessons. He learned to dance before he learned to fight because much like fighting, dancing requires one to go with the flow while listening to their body and guiding their moves in split seconds that don't leave much room for thinking. Instinct guides the dance floor like it guides the battlefield. This is also why Ares presents himself to those whose lives have become chaotic and in need of guidance to help them crawl out of the battlefield and into safety.

Talk to Ares about what's bothering you:

What aspects of your life require boundaries?

What is making you angry and why does it make you angry?

What are you afraid of?

Do you have a complicated relationship with a family member?

What injustices in the world are pissing you off?

Why do you feel so small?

Who took your power?

Where is your balance? Etc.

Have a very honest conversation with Ares, look up his lore, and ask yourself why you wanted to work with him in the first place and be sure to start there for a clearer map of where you want your spiritual relationship to go.

I hope this helps!