Yes, from what I’ve seen most Hellenic Polytheists identify as Pagan

The best you can do quickly and for free is to close blinds to let a small amount of light in when its hot, and when it’s below 20°, open windows and have as much ventilation as possible. This is easiest and I find that in some rooms it can cool them significantly.

Planted some native plants in my garden, been taking care of that more, growing my own veggies and helping in a community garden, donating old clothes I don’t need any more and repairing clothing and apparel, sharing plants with friends.

I literally couldn’t name many things more solarpunk than that

Sadly, yes. All of us in the Heathen community are all too aware of the presence of far-right people and their beliefs. There are certain organisations that are “Heathen” while also being white nationalist (like the AFA). Most people in the Heathen community, like myself, despise those people and actively try to fight against that by being vocal about inclusive beliefs. White nationalism, racism, nazism, and other hateful ideologies have zero historical basis in the religion.

It sounds difficult to explain to conservative Christians the fact that other interpretations and perspectives exist. I can only imagine what that argument and others similar must be like.

I am someone who hates the taste of peanut butter, but I’ve never had crunchy before, and I am now curious so I choose crunchy.

One day I got curious about old Germanic gods and decided to research that subject. Further research led me to discovering reconstructionist Heathenry and I eventually decided that I just wanted to do that. I can’t quite remember everything about that but I suppose it just felt right. It sure is very annoying considering that a lot of what we have is guesswork due to the large lack of good sources on so many vital aspects of the religion, but despite that it gives me joy so I’ve continued with it.

I honour some gods of the old Germanic pantheon. The three biggest would be Thor, Odin, and Týr. Thor has the domain of thunder and rain and storms as well as protection and strength and of course war, Odin for wisdom and poetry and frenzy and war and a lot of other things. We know less of Týr despite archaeological evidence pointing to him having been a very central deity in antiquity, but victory and justice and war and bravery seem to be things associated with him.

That is completely fair and understandable

How did you even learn about it at that age?

Glad they’ve stopped proselytising. I’m curious to hear their reactions 😂

In my experience, I find that talking about it can actually lead to a lot of good conversations and friends. One of my close friends I met during a discussion of religion, and I have another great friend who is Pagan and we have been able to bond over that, though I do also understand the wish to keep it private and respect that preference 100%.

Edit to add: community was also extremely important in a lot of pagan traditions and being open about it can help one find others to practise with.

Woden and Thunor (Odin and Thor) are the gods that I worship most often, though I also worship Hel and have prayed to other gods.

Honestly, yeah, a bit. Reconstructionists know to not take the eddas too seriously because they do have a lot of Christian influence, but being a reconstructionist comes with mostly researching. The eddas aren’t the only source, but they are a good one.

Your mum’s house, I presume.

Not much, really anything. Worship of the gods is not because of an obligation but of choice. There are of course some general morals important to old Germanic society like keeping oaths and being a good host to guests that are a good idea to follow but nothing is really asked of us.

Of course, thank you for asking!

I do believe that this is true and that gods and other spirits do exist, but it’s not something that I am very steadfast in believing in, I just choose to believe. I would describe this best as agnostic theism; I do not believe it is possible to prove or disprove the existence of gods or spirits.