From Modern to Ancient

Proclus Hymn to Aphrodite We hymn the many-named series of Aphrogeneia and the great royal source, from which all immortal winged Erotes have sprung up, of whom some shoot with noeric arrows at souls, in order that, having taken the upward-leading goads of desires, 5 these long after seeing the fiery courts of their mother. Some, because of the evil-averting wishes and providential acts of the Father, wishing to increase the infinite universe with birth, aroused in the souls a yearning for the earthly existence. Others again always supervise the multifarious 10 courses of the wedding songs, so as to produce an immortal race of much-suffering men from mortal stock; and all care for the works of the love-producing Kythereia. But, goddess, for you have a far-hearing ear everywhere, whether you envelop the great heaven all around, 15 where, as they say, you are the divine soul of the everlasting cosmos, or dwell in the aether above the rims of the seven orbits while pouring unyielding powers forward into your series, listen, and may you steer the toilsome course of my life, mistress, with your most righteous arrows, 20 while putting an end to the chilly impulse of unholy desires. Recommended reading for the next week: The Allegory of the Cave v

“I judge you unfortunate because you have never lived through misfortune. You have passed through life without an opponent—no one can ever know what you are capable of, not even you.” —SENECA, ON PROVIDENCE, 4.3

"Hope and Memory have one daughter and her name is Art, and she has built her dwelling far from the desperate field where men hang out their garments upon forked boughs to be banners of battle. O beloved daughter of Hope and Memory, be with me for a while." - William Butler Yeats in The Celtic Twilight

Everything is Energy One of the deepest truths of our path is that everything is energy. Every thought, every word, every action carries a vibration that ripples outward into the world. These ripples do not simply vanish, they reach those around us, and even those we may never meet directly. It is easy to forget this when we are caught in daily life. Words spoken behind someone’s back are not harmless; they are energy sent toward that person, and on some level, they will feel it. The same is true for our inner dialogue, the words we speak to ourselves carry power, shaping our bodies, our spirit, and the way we walk through the world. Vril, is the life force that flows through all things. To guard it, to strengthen it, and to direct it wisely, we must be mindful of the energy we send out. Let our words be a reflection of our truth, our thoughts rooted in wisdom, and our actions in harmony with both. Our lore reminds us of this truth. The Norns carve fate with runes, weaving energy into the threads of our lives. Galdr, the spoken and sung magic, shows us that words are never just words, they carry force, shaping the seen and unseen. Heimdall, the ever-watchful, can hear the grass grow and the wool on a sheep’s back, teaching us that even the smallest currents of energy cannot be hidden. And Eir, the healer among the goddesses, reminds us that balance and well-being are not only physical but also the harmony of life force itself. This is why alignment is so important. When heart, mind, and word are in harmony, the energy we put forth is strong, clear, and life-giving. When they are divided, that energy becomes scattered, weakening both ourselves and those around us. We must be authentic in all we do. ✨ This week, I invite you to pause and reflect: Where is your energy going? Do your words match your heart? Are you authentic in the things you say, do and in who you are. Does your mind support the direction of your spirit? Everything is energy, and in becoming more aware of what we give, we begin to live more powerfully, more authentically, and more in tune with the sacred web of life. Hail Raven Folk United! Hail The Gods and Goddesses! -Harvala Heathor Clinkenbeard ⚡️ ravenfolkunited.org