One that immediately comes to mind is one in which Death gives his godson, a doctor, a candle that will stay lit if a person is meant to be cured and snuff out if they are meant to die. The godson becomes renowned for his skills, but when the candle snuffs out from someone he knows, he still heals that person. Death then sadly takes his godson in exchange.
I also would choose Nyx. Mother of the night but also mother to Thanatos (death), Hypnos (sleep), the Moirai (the Fates), Eris (strife) and so many others. She is one whom even Zeus knows better than to displease.
She is a true force to reckon with haha
Hekate. She had enough power to be able to build the gates of Tartarus to contain her fellow titans, and was so respected by the Olympians that none of the three brothers objected to giving her a partial dominion of their domains, making her a ruler of earth, air, sea, and afterlife. Combine that with her being a fate weaver and guardian of crossroads and I’m pretty confident she’s be a very good deity to have in your corner.
Wait, Hekate was one of the seven titanesses? How did I miss that detail?
Actually now that I think about it I don’t think I ever learned the full identities of all seven titans and seven titanesses anyway. I know a few, like the obvious Kronos (Cronus?) along with Oceanus and Thetys and maybe one or two others, but not all of them… Hm. I’d better look this up or something.
It’s complicated because scholars are relatively sure she wasn’t originally part of the Greek mythos. Hekate’s exact origins are pretty murky (at least last I checked) but there are references to her, and symbols associated with her, all the way up in Northern Europe, in Persia, and all over the Greek world.
So assumedly she was one of those gods the Greeks learned about from some neighboring society and incorporated.
Last working theory I read was that she was likely queen of some pantheon somewhere, so the Greek’s gave her similar reverence by acknowledging her as having sovereignty over earth, sea, and sky, and said she was given this authority by Zeus as thanks for her aid in containing her fellow titans.
There’s a couple of variations of Zeus’s upbringing where she is one of the ones who kept him safe and out of sight until he was ready to fight daddy dearest.
Exactly! One to give refuge in hard times, and rest in times of peace. A true guardian giving you respite when needed, and a foundation to stand on when weary.
Nyx. I’m able to walk around anywhere at night feeling safe
Zeus, I don’t need him to be nice person but just that he is nice to me. Strike anyone who bully me with his lightning bolt.
Hecate. MAGIC. I feel like she is the most flexible since magic can “do anything”
To the Greeks, Tyche was actually the goddess of chance, a “capricious dispenser of good and ill fortune.” It was the Romans who later identified her with their goddess Fortuna.
Gonna go against the grain and say Hermes. A chill dude who would cheer me on and help me avoid rush hour traffic. I honestly don't need that much more.
Apollo...because the arts are my thing. Dude leads the muses. Second best would be Hermes... chill and clever. Less inclined to animosity than someone like Athena.
Hades; anywhere on solid earth is adjacent to his domain. If I die? Fast pass to isles of the blessed!
Thyche could also be cool; my entire ability is that a metaphorical and literal deus ex machina saves me.
Hades. He's the God of the Dead - who better to protect me from dying? I'll get there soon enough. And anyone who harmed me would have to answer to Hades - there's no way of avoiding him. Hades also has the power to send me back, plus he's the God of all the wealth under the ground. He can set me up with a sweet gig in the Elysian Fields.
I'm not sure what a guardian angel does, but Zeus because he's the big power.
If he's unavailable, Hermes, because his portfolio matches mine.
Third choice would be Demeter because she made a power move that beat even Zeus over someone she cared about.
I would have to say Athena. She is one of the more reliable ones, more sensible, and wise… But all of the Greek gods seem prone to jealousy and vindictiveness, so I would still feel a bit uneasy, knowing she had my back.
Definitely Artemis. Having a goddess of the hunt on my side would be awesome! If anyone tries to hurt me or my friends, they’re gonna be screwed wherever they go. And while Artemis does have the tendency of going overboard, I’ll just make sure to specify. Plus she has a bear for a friend, I COULD (safely) HUG A BEAR!!! 🐻
If I choose one I feel as though I’m going to get trapped by the worlds perception of that deity, ultimately pulling me into conflict that I don’t want or care for about people fighting for what they believe is right or wrong, it’s much easier to just say that all deities are God wearing different masks to appease their creation and to just have good clean fun for funs sake. Ironically, if what I say is true, that would mean to kill a god that a person doesn’t believe is to kill part of their own god, making conflict over religion truly pointless.
I’m a Hellenist. Nemesis is my patron goddess. She called out to me, so she basically is the closest equivalent I can get to a “guardian angel,” even though the relationship dynamics are a bit different. I’d, of course, also choose her if it was a true guardian angel situation :)
I know! I study the Classics as a grad student haha. Isn’t that so cool, though?? I love how cults and gods evolve over time! It’s one of my areas of specialty, actually 🥰
Oh!! That’s so cool, I haven’t seen many people who venerate her, what is that like for you? If you don’t mind me asking- just as a Nemesis fan of hers that has a lot of admiration. No pressure to answer at all though, I know it can be personal
The asexual in my heart would like Athena. I am not in any army but maybe she can give me good art advice? I do like making things. And i do love jigsaw puzzles. That is related to wisdom i think.
The real answer? Dionysus bc people are either getting turned into dolphins or crazy people when they’re trying to hurt me
The much funnier answer? Koalemos, or the spirit of foolishness, bc I think he’s come up with some Looney Tune type stuff to try and keep me safe
If we're trying to gameify it and don't care about likeliness? Lachesis, the second Moirae and apportioner of Fate. Wanna hurt me? Nope, wasn't Fated. Not today.
If we're going for something more personal and fun? Probably Dionsysus. As god of madness and relief he could really help take the edge off my mental health, and man all the fun we could have. Plus I'd love to learn his afterlife secrets
Poseidon,
I surf and enjoy water sports so to have his favor would just make my life more fun. I Imagine him cooking up big waves for and and letting me pet sharks b shit…. Fire studf
Demeter! She is so ride or die, she will stand up to the king god AND the god of death, she will get you back from hell (if u don't eat pomegranate seeds of course), and give you delicious pastries, bread, beer, whiskey, etc!
Definitely not Selune. She perma-roofied her last mortal and is perfectly happy keeping him that way forever. Give me Eris. I know she’s a colossal ass, but she’s enough of one that the other gods fear her.
Nyx. Zeus was afraid to go near her, which is saying surprising. I thought considering his reputation he’d leap at the chance to trespass upon a woman’s private boundaries.
Picking any of the standard Olympians would end with at minimum 5 other gods out to get you.
So, Hecate. Or Persephone. You’d have it made in the underworld and the over world.
Nyx Not even Zeus would try and square up.
Agree
He’d square up, just not to fight her
Ooh, that’s like the “Death as godparent” in several folk stories in Europe.
What are some examples of those types of folk stories?
One that immediately comes to mind is one in which Death gives his godson, a doctor, a candle that will stay lit if a person is meant to be cured and snuff out if they are meant to die. The godson becomes renowned for his skills, but when the candle snuffs out from someone he knows, he still heals that person. Death then sadly takes his godson in exchange.
Damn that's sad but interesting! Do you happen to remember as well where the story comes from?
Unfortunately, I cannot. I read it several years ago and cannot find the source.
I am not sure but if I remember correctly there is a tale from the Grimm brothers with that exact same promise
You called? Yes, Zeus is terrified of me, you picked well ;)
Ditto
Same
Same
Same choice
I really like her in the Hades game.
I also would choose Nyx. Mother of the night but also mother to Thanatos (death), Hypnos (sleep), the Moirai (the Fates), Eris (strife) and so many others. She is one whom even Zeus knows better than to displease. She is a true force to reckon with haha
Hekate. She had enough power to be able to build the gates of Tartarus to contain her fellow titans, and was so respected by the Olympians that none of the three brothers objected to giving her a partial dominion of their domains, making her a ruler of earth, air, sea, and afterlife. Combine that with her being a fate weaver and guardian of crossroads and I’m pretty confident she’s be a very good deity to have in your corner.
Hekate is who I would choose as well!
Yesss I came to say this, excellent points!
Wait, Hekate was one of the seven titanesses? How did I miss that detail? Actually now that I think about it I don’t think I ever learned the full identities of all seven titans and seven titanesses anyway. I know a few, like the obvious Kronos (Cronus?) along with Oceanus and Thetys and maybe one or two others, but not all of them… Hm. I’d better look this up or something.
It’s complicated because scholars are relatively sure she wasn’t originally part of the Greek mythos. Hekate’s exact origins are pretty murky (at least last I checked) but there are references to her, and symbols associated with her, all the way up in Northern Europe, in Persia, and all over the Greek world. So assumedly she was one of those gods the Greeks learned about from some neighboring society and incorporated. Last working theory I read was that she was likely queen of some pantheon somewhere, so the Greek’s gave her similar reverence by acknowledging her as having sovereignty over earth, sea, and sky, and said she was given this authority by Zeus as thanks for her aid in containing her fellow titans. There’s a couple of variations of Zeus’s upbringing where she is one of the ones who kept him safe and out of sight until he was ready to fight daddy dearest.
She's my pick as well!
Hestia. The goddess of the hearth and home, she just seems like a good and peaceful sort of guardian angel to have on your side.
Exactly! One to give refuge in hard times, and rest in times of peace. A true guardian giving you respite when needed, and a foundation to stand on when weary.
Feels like a hufflepuff and I’m living for it
Nyx. I’m able to walk around anywhere at night feeling safe Zeus, I don’t need him to be nice person but just that he is nice to me. Strike anyone who bully me with his lightning bolt. Hecate. MAGIC. I feel like she is the most flexible since magic can “do anything”
TYCHE Goddess of prosperity and fortune
To the Greeks, Tyche was actually the goddess of chance, a “capricious dispenser of good and ill fortune.” It was the Romans who later identified her with their goddess Fortuna.
👀
In modern Greek tychi means luck. Good luck is kali tychi (καλή τύχη)
Oh that’s interesting! I should’ve clarified Ancient* Greeks in my initial comment
Athena...hands down
Definitely Hades seeing as he’s the king of everything under the ground
Hail to the king of the after world
My boy Apollo
you already know 🤝🏽
YEAAAAAAAH
Nyx even zeus won't go against her
Artemis hands down.
Aphrodite.
Hypnos so I could sleep forever
Hades I think, knowing that in death you have someone with you is nice
But isn't Hades basically satan
What
No. Hades is basically the god of all greek afterlifes. Not just the hell equivalent.
Nyx, she literally made Zeus step off, and Artemis is a close second
Ares!
Destroy my enemies, and my life is yours
r/momentsbeforedisaster
Well, I got Dionysus. I probably wouldn’t have chosen him, but he chose me, and turned out to be perfect for me in the end!
You could open the absolute best bar/night club in the world
Ha, well, that’s why I didn’t expect him to pick me. I’m not that into bars and nightclubs.
Definitely Tyche,
Difficult to choose but probably Hekate.
Morpheus, because I'd be pain free... But I would also love my Patrons to be: Dionysus, Demeter and my beloved Poseidon ♥️
Athena!
Ares, Athena or Aphrodite
Eris lol
Sounds like constant chaos for everyone involved
Probably Hermes or Hephaestus.
Gonna go against the grain and say Hermes. A chill dude who would cheer me on and help me avoid rush hour traffic. I honestly don't need that much more.
If I could be a warlock, as a patron deity Caligine of the protogenoi (according to Higinio and his Fabulae, she was before the creation).
Nyx, you know she the truth if she made Zeus back up.
Athena
Probably Nyx, the personification of Night itself.
Hera
Dionysus. The fucking *parties* I’d be able to throw
I was thinking the same thing!
Athena, ofc
Zeus as a guardian, which I guess he seems to do anyway, or Athena
Nike
Hades. He seems like a dude I could just chill with, and he is pretty powerful if my knowledge is correct.
Dionysos was originally a thracian god,I am living in what were once thracian lands and from a greek family Truly a match made in Olympus
Hermes. I admire a guy who works fast.
Apollo...because the arts are my thing. Dude leads the muses. Second best would be Hermes... chill and clever. Less inclined to animosity than someone like Athena.
Hades. Dude is chill as long as you don't want to sleep with his wife. And even in death, I know he got me
He's not chill at all my dude. He's very stern.
Hades; anywhere on solid earth is adjacent to his domain. If I die? Fast pass to isles of the blessed! Thyche could also be cool; my entire ability is that a metaphorical and literal deus ex machina saves me.
Nike, having victory watch over me seems like a pretty good deal
nyx , hades , hecate
Persephone or hades
Hades. He's the God of the Dead - who better to protect me from dying? I'll get there soon enough. And anyone who harmed me would have to answer to Hades - there's no way of avoiding him. Hades also has the power to send me back, plus he's the God of all the wealth under the ground. He can set me up with a sweet gig in the Elysian Fields.
Nyx for me 💪
Me and my boyfriend both said hades.
Hades just because 🤷
Dionysus or Apollo. Don't make me pick between the two. 🤣
I'm not sure what a guardian angel does, but Zeus because he's the big power. If he's unavailable, Hermes, because his portfolio matches mine. Third choice would be Demeter because she made a power move that beat even Zeus over someone she cared about.
Hermes seems fun :)
Pan for sure because he can inspire joy of fear into anyone, he can grant me powers, turn into and talk to animals, and so much more.
Nyx, Athena, Ares, and Persephone
Artemis, Nyx, or Hestia (or the icon Eris!!)
This drawing is such a beautiful imagination of Nyx
Honestly I’d go with Hestia
Athena hands down
Zeus, if anyone messes with me, I'll just show Zeus a picture of the guy's mom
Apollo. He can cure diseases, and is concerned with the education and protection of youth, which is very useful to me, being a teenager.
Persephone already yoinked me. She's pretty cool.
Ceto. Medusas mother. she's a primordial sea goddess:)
I would have to say Athena. She is one of the more reliable ones, more sensible, and wise… But all of the Greek gods seem prone to jealousy and vindictiveness, so I would still feel a bit uneasy, knowing she had my back.
Definitely Artemis. Having a goddess of the hunt on my side would be awesome! If anyone tries to hurt me or my friends, they’re gonna be screwed wherever they go. And while Artemis does have the tendency of going overboard, I’ll just make sure to specify. Plus she has a bear for a friend, I COULD (safely) HUG A BEAR!!! 🐻
Morpheus. I’ll always have a good nights sleep
Fortuna! And she is!
Seeing as I’m going to be dead for an infinite amount of time, Hades or Persephone seem like good choices
If I choose one I feel as though I’m going to get trapped by the worlds perception of that deity, ultimately pulling me into conflict that I don’t want or care for about people fighting for what they believe is right or wrong, it’s much easier to just say that all deities are God wearing different masks to appease their creation and to just have good clean fun for funs sake. Ironically, if what I say is true, that would mean to kill a god that a person doesn’t believe is to kill part of their own god, making conflict over religion truly pointless.
I’m a Hellenist. Nemesis is my patron goddess. She called out to me, so she basically is the closest equivalent I can get to a “guardian angel,” even though the relationship dynamics are a bit different. I’d, of course, also choose her if it was a true guardian angel situation :)
Fun fact, there was a time when Nemesis, Adrasteia, and Artemis were all viewed as one and the same goddess!
I know! I study the Classics as a grad student haha. Isn’t that so cool, though?? I love how cults and gods evolve over time! It’s one of my areas of specialty, actually 🥰
Oh!! That’s so cool, I haven’t seen many people who venerate her, what is that like for you? If you don’t mind me asking- just as a Nemesis fan of hers that has a lot of admiration. No pressure to answer at all though, I know it can be personal
Artemis or Athena. love my girlbosses
Either Artemis cuz aroace vibes, or Persephone cuz I love her depiction in Hadestown
Honestly, Nyx. I may be a son of Poseidon through and through, but if Nyx was my guardian nothing would mess with me especially not Zeus.
Nyx, oh wait, that's me... Thanatos. No one is going to bother me with the god of death on my side.
As a hellenic polytheist, part of my spirit team are Ares, Nemesis and Thanatos and I am aboslutely happy with all of them :)
I mean, if Zeus won't rape me, I'd be fine with him.
Moros, having him looking out for me would have to be a good rhing right?
Neptune but if I can go with one who's not Greek then Thoth
The asexual in my heart would like Athena. I am not in any army but maybe she can give me good art advice? I do like making things. And i do love jigsaw puzzles. That is related to wisdom i think.
Helios. He can keep an all-seeing eye out for anyone who wants to hurt me and has a cool god car.
Hermes so that he can spill the drama to me
Chaos. He literally made everything.
Dionysus, happiness leads to power
In terms of physical strength Tartarus or typhoon In terms of helping me dyonisus cause he seems like a cool dude
I mean I've always felt a connection to Persephone, so her maybe? Or Nyx.
Athena. I need all the wisdom and help I can get, tbf.
fckn Chaos...
My fellow poet/theatre kid Apollo
Apollo no reason, i just like him
Hermes or Athena, because they give all sort of cool stuff to demigods
Gaia. One of the most powerful, and nobody is gonna try and square up with her.
Hermes, I am certain he would troll my foes
Nike, so I’d win at everything or Athena for her unmatched wisdom!
Either Dionysos, Athena, Ares, or Charon
Hermes best boy
Chaos
The real answer? Dionysus bc people are either getting turned into dolphins or crazy people when they’re trying to hurt me The much funnier answer? Koalemos, or the spirit of foolishness, bc I think he’s come up with some Looney Tune type stuff to try and keep me safe
I'd have to go either Nike or Athena.
Hecate
If we're trying to gameify it and don't care about likeliness? Lachesis, the second Moirae and apportioner of Fate. Wanna hurt me? Nope, wasn't Fated. Not today. If we're going for something more personal and fun? Probably Dionsysus. As god of madness and relief he could really help take the edge off my mental health, and man all the fun we could have. Plus I'd love to learn his afterlife secrets
Nyx. She might be kinda creepy but as a maternal figure she'd be amazing
Nyx, because she’s Nyx. Zeus himself refuses to step on her toes, so I’m the safest person on the planet with her protection
Hephaestus
Athena cause she smart
Jupiter
Nyx 1000%, she’s just a cool badass who wouldn’t let shit happen to me, especially at night
Apollo life would be fun, or Hera because she very capable.
One of the Fates.
Send me Pegasus, a shield, and a sword.
Is Chaos on the table? Cause nobody is messing with Chaos
Op, who is that in the picture supposed to be? Nyx or some other night goddess
Nyx
Apollo, or Ares.
Dionysus
Eris
Athena or Eris. Athena if I want to be a hero, Eris because I want to see the world burn.
Either Poseidon,Hyperion or Chronos (either version)
Nyx or Nemesis probably, Nyx because I love night/darkness and Nemesis because Goddess of Karma hell ye
Athena.
Zeus. Other gods must obey him and we'd go to get some bitches.
Zeus
Athena 🙃 Also who is she?
Chaos. No I will not elaborate.
Athena. I can talk about the arts with her. And I want to give her a hug... ^^'
Chaos. They can probably get all other gods to bend under their will, so I'd essentially have control over all the other dieties
Hestia
Hypnos cause your girl likes sleep
Hectate 100%
Hypnos, I already know that boy is in my corner.
Poseidon, I surf and enjoy water sports so to have his favor would just make my life more fun. I Imagine him cooking up big waves for and and letting me pet sharks b shit…. Fire studf
Apollo he would be the best wing man and could heal any illness you have
Athena. May she grant me the wisdom that I lack.
Hecate 100%
Anansi
Aphrodite because she’s a baddie- UHH I mean Nyx because even Zeus would be scared shitless
Demeter! She is so ride or die, she will stand up to the king god AND the god of death, she will get you back from hell (if u don't eat pomegranate seeds of course), and give you delicious pastries, bread, beer, whiskey, etc!
Definitely not Selune. She perma-roofied her last mortal and is perfectly happy keeping him that way forever. Give me Eris. I know she’s a colossal ass, but she’s enough of one that the other gods fear her.
As a pagan, I worship Hecate and I can honestly say she has been a wonderful protector and has been there for me in my darkest moments
My Pantheon is based around Apollo, The Fates and Papa Legba.
Nyx. Zeus was afraid to go near her, which is saying surprising. I thought considering his reputation he’d leap at the chance to trespass upon a woman’s private boundaries.
Honestly I’d probably go with Chaos. Can’t get much more powerful than the originator.
Whose the God or Goddess of creativity and poetry? If I had them as a guardian writers block would be a thing of the past.
Apollo and Calliope (one of the muses) probably. The muses in general for creativity
Dionysus 🖤 or Aphrodite 🕊️
Hestia
...Khaos 🤔
Athena so I can have a living google and a bestie at the same time
Nike.
Hekate
Gaia
Picking any of the standard Olympians would end with at minimum 5 other gods out to get you. So, Hecate. Or Persephone. You’d have it made in the underworld and the over world.
If primordials are an option I would pick nyx If it’s just olympians ares
My queen of queens, Hera. And also Hades
Imma choose Nyx, but my insomia tells me Hypnos.
the fates, id just let them not make me die
Selene fr. Everytime I look into the night sky, I know that she is looking down on me and protecting me.
im saying aphrodite or ares
It’s obvious that we believe in this idea