Brabantia – Goddess of Tidiness

April 27, 2019October 15, 2020 ~ Hannah ~ Leave a comment

Brabantia has the most immaculate temples, which have a place for everything and everything in its place. The walls are lined floor to ceiling with shelves of storage caddies full of utensils. The grounds are gaily adorned with rotary prayer airers, which spin gently in the wind. Perhaps the most striking feature of the temple is the collection of 288 waste bins.

Followers of Brabantia believe that carrying out mundane household chores induces a transcendental meditative state through which wisdom and insight may be gained. Sacred music is used to accompany these tasks, and help achieve the desired state of mind. Her most famous hymns are “Another One Fights the Dust” and “Killer Clean”.

Upon death followers of Brabantia have their cremated remains neatly stored within the temple. Families can choose between a Roll Top or Fall Front “Dead Bin” in Metallic Mint, Passion Red, Clay Pink or Daisy Yellow.

The vestments of the clergy are always immaculately laundered and pressed. Their cleanliness is inspected before each ritual by a group of 3 senior priests known as “The Ironing Board”. They’d better wear them right, a priest who fails to meet the standards will do penance on the “Dish Rack”. Despite the threat of this, many youngsters aspire to be priests of Brabantia. One key duty of a priest is to clean the temple mirrors, and this is something a lot of young people can see themselves doing.

There are various sub-sects of Brabantia. One notable order is a desert dwelling group who practice abstinence from alcohol. They are known as “The Dry Cleaners”. All the various groups are overseen by the current High Priest, the Most Hygienic Bruce Springclean. He has absolute authority amongst his flock, everyone knows he’s the boss.

Should you transgress in the faith of Brabantia, you may be put on trial. In these trials, the priest or priestess will hold up the accused for the assembled congregation to see and say, “Does this still spark joy?”. Should you be found guilty the congregation will reply “NO!”, and you will be sold in a charity shop.

Brabantia resides in the mythical citadel of King’s Laundering where she sits on the “Ironing Throne”. (When you play this game of thrones you spin or you dry).

The motto of Brabantia is “Don’t put it down, put it away.”

Thank you to Ken Page for suggesting Brabantia.

Idol Scribblings Volume Two
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If you have a suggestion for a deity, you can suggest it by clicking this link. Alternatively, get in touch over on Facebook or Twitter. All due credit will be given.

Chardonnay – Goddess of Awkward Work Socials

April 26, 2019October 15, 2020 ~ Hannah ~ Leave a comment

Shortly after the concept of employment began, way back in human prehistory, the excruciating torture of the work social began. In answer to a million desperate glances at watches, Chardonnay rose fully formed from the ashes of a barbecue to watch over all those hiding in the shrubbery and sobbing into their fourth cocktail. Chardonnay is always dressed smart-casual but is constantly desperate to take off her bra and slip into her pyjamas.

Worship of Chardonnay tends to take place in hired venues or outdoors. Any service you attend will somehow always also be attended by the same people you’ve had to put up with all week. The rites typically commence with lighting a ritual charcoal fire an hour in advance and then burning some sacrificial sausages on it. There will then usually be either a set meal (where no one can remember what they ordered 2 months ago) or a dry and curly buffet. There will follow a lengthy address by the Priest(ess) or “Boss”, who will desperately try to be funny. Throughout wine and ale will flow freely and worshippers must attempt to consume enough to lubricate their tolerance for the rest of the congregation whilst avoiding vomiting, crying or paralysis. The service will conclude with a sacred dance, usually to music from about 10 years previous. No one knows the correct moves to this dance, so they just stand in cliquey circles and jig on the spot awkwardly.

At special festivals, worshippers will draw lots to make a small, anonymous gift to a fellow worshipper that they could not give the tiny furry crack of a dead rat’s behind about. There are a few permanent Temples of Chardonnay. Their interiors are decorated with thousands of photocopies of bare bottoms. As you leave the Temple of Chardonnay a drunken wasp will be waiting to challenge you to a fight.

There are a few strange people out there who are genuinely enthusiastic followers of Chardonnay. Most people attending her rites are merely doing so out of a sense of duty, in an attempt at career advancement or to try and get “better acquainted” with Mo from accounts. These endeavours rarely end well.

Thank you to Gareth Wilden for suggesting Chardonnay.

If you have a suggestion for a deity, you can suggest it by clicking this link. Alternatively, get in touch over on Facebook or Twitter. All due credit will be given.

Candida – Goddess of Itchy Privates and Plain Speaking

April 25, 2019October 15, 2020 ~ Hannah ~ Leave a comment

Candida is a goddess with a very pale complexion and a constant expression of torment. If you are visited by Candida, unlike other deities, she will deliver her directions in no uncertain terms. She can sometimes be a little rash. You won’t get vague portents or metaphors from this goddess!

In her origin mythology she is said to have originally have been simply the Goddess of Blunt Truths. She was laid low by an attack from the furious Demon Bacterium (because the truth hurts). She was saved by the Goddess Penicillin, but was left with a sense of constant irritation and pH imbalance.

Her principle temple is located near Scratchy Bottom on the South Coast. Possibly due to the proximity to the sea, there is a distinct piscine aroma to the place. Her clergy move around the compound using the ceremonial walk, short steps with knees held together and fingers clenched. Any priest or priestess caught walking normally will be given a dishonourable discharge.

Throughout her services her devotees will sit on their hands with their legs crossed as they listen to a forthright sermon. The temple houses a particularly ornate mighty organ, which is decorated with an intricate relief depicting cavorting crabs. It is played at every service and the congregation must loudly applaud. The organist tends to get upset if they don’t get the clap every week. For some reason, peas are usually served at temple meals. One should never attempt to steal peas from a priestess’s plate. Those are her peas. Yogurt is also regularly served. Just not at meal times.

Candida is also known as “Throssel”, “The Beast from the Yeast” and “Lady Chalk of Billingsgate”. She was assimilated by the early Celtic church and Christianised as Saint Albicans. Thrushes are her sacred animals.

Thank you to Sarah Shepton @Afishoutofwtf for suggesting Candida.

If you have a suggestion for a deity, you can suggest it by clicking this link. Alternatively, get in touch over on Facebook or Twitter. All due credit will be given.

Drax – God of Power Stations

April 24, 2019October 15, 2020 ~ Hannah ~ Leave a comment

Drax is a huge, grey and imposing deity from Yorkshire. His most striking feature is that his skin is laced with and intricate web of blue-black coal dust tattoos. He is said to be one of the most powerful and efficient of all the gods. You might pray to him for the energy to cook your lunch, or for light to see your way in the dark. Initially he was not a very benevolent deity, raining his corrosive emissions on the just and the unjust alike. Then it was discovered that he could be somewhat pacified if they gave him plenty of scrubbers to help keep his flue nice and clean.

Drax was one of the later born deities and there was much speculation amongst the other gods about his paternity. They were all talking about his generation. Drax often thought of his unknown father and cried out to the heavens “Who are you? Who? Who? Who? Who?”.

The church of Drax is divided into two sects who work cooperatively. The Sect of Generation work to gain power for the organisation and the Sect of Transmission evangelise and spread the word. There are six levels of the hierarchy in the clergy of Drax, a structure that was established in the early days by the Viscount Weir-Wolfe. There is a single supreme head of the church “The 400kV” who ultimately joins all Draxians together. (The current 400kV is Daniel Ratcliffe, who succeeded Richard West-Burton.) The next step down are the 275kV High Voltage Priests or “Pylones”. They each serve a wide area and support and supply the lower grid of 132kV Priests who are responsible for serving smaller regions.

The lowest and largest order of the church are the faithful mass of domestic subscribers known as the 230V. Should you get the calling to serve Drax you have to complete three phases of training* as an AC-olyte and achieve harmonisation to become an 410V priest. If you are a powerful preacher, you might be “transformed” to become one of the 11kV priests who preach on an industrial scale. Recently, the Church of Drax was shocked by a scandal, when it was discovered that the AC-olytes from the Washington DC branch had been performing unsanitary acts for low remuneration.

There were many temples of Drax, but their numbers have dwindled to just seven in the UK. The principle, and largest of these temples is a mighty citadel called Khuling Towers, located conveniently just off the M62. Should you visit the temple to ask for a blessing, one must bring a sacrifice to burn. Skinflints might bring a sack of cheap lignite, but they should beware. Drax is likely to be displeased with this offering and make acidic emissions to show his chagrin. Should you be asking for something big, it is advised to not stint and bring a bag of finest anthracite (please don’t bring any coke, we don’t want him to develop a habit). For most everyday sacrifices, Drax is said to be happy with a nice bit of nutty slack. There have been recent moves towards sacrificing vegetable rather than fossil based offerings at rituals. These “Bio Masses” are increasingly taking over from the more traditional votives. During the rites one can enjoy the sacred music of Drax, much of which is composed by Brian Ferrybridge.

Temples of Drax are often surrounded by acres of Under-Glass horticultural industry. They use the second hand heat from the temple to ensure bumper crops. This agricultural anomaly is known as “The Greenhouse Effect”.

Occasionally Drax may do battle with the raging winds of the Sun God. The light from these battles sometimes illuminates the northern skies. Whilst he is engaged in battle, Drax may temporarily withdraw his power from our world. When these outages occur, worshippers of Drax will spontaneously light candles and engage in the impromptu fertility ritual called “Wellwehaventgotanythingbettertodo”.

The Sun God’s main weapon against Drax is Hydro the Renewable Dragon. Simultaneously a Water, Earth, Fire, Air dragon, it has multiple heads to accommodate this. It is said that the heads will regenerate if severed, making Hydro pretty much invincible. However, Hydro is not always around when you need them. Followers of Drax pessimistically believe that their God will eventually be defeated by Hydro, as his power will eventually run out before that of the Sun God. The previously mentioned Bio Mass experiments are an attempt to circumvent this prophecy and ensure Drax is there for years to come.

*you can complete these in any rotation.

Thank you to Pascal Harper for suggesting Drax and to Kate Karnage and John Kennard for further character development.

If you have a suggestion for a deity, you can suggest it by clicking this link. Alternatively, get in touch over on Facebook or Twitter. All due credit will be given.

Gelatine – Goddess of Wobbly Desserts

April 23, 2019October 15, 2020 ~ Hannah ~ Leave a comment

A Goddess set in a perfect mould. One is always certain when one has seen a vision of Gelatine – because Jam don’t shake like that. In her mythology she seduces allsorts of unsuspecting mortals to bear an army of children, known as the Geli Babies. She raises and trains these demi-god warriors to fight the demons Aspic and Vegan. She is not a goddess to be trifled with. When not procreating and waging war she resides on a remote dessert aisle.

Her temples are delicate architectural shells that are sometimes made of plastic, ceramic or glass. However, the highest of her churches are always made of brilliant burnished copper. The shapes vary, but interconnected ascending domes and sweeping arches are common themes. The altar is always laden with a display of delectable dessert offerings. The altar constantly gently oscillates by means of a cunning concealed mechanism. During a typical rite at one of Gelatine’s temples, one will partake of a communion of bread and wine gums.

Gelatine has a somewhat rubenesque priesthood. They will daily engage in at least an hour of meditative jiggling. This is said to be quite a sight to see. The High Priestess or Priest is known as “The Great Haribo”. The high priest has exclusive access to air travel in the church’s Jellycopter which can often be seen wobbling through the sky as The Great Haribo goes about the Goddess’ work. The current Great Haribo is called Mr Gerry Bean.

Gelatine the kind of deity one often finds where one least expects her to be. She is also a guardian of medicines and washing detergent. However, she not an all powerful deity. She is vulnerable to water, high temperatures and pineapples.

In pre-congregation times she was Christianised and later appropriated by the Roman Catholic Church as St Blancmange.

Thank you to Pascal Harper for suggesting Gelatine.

If you have a suggestion for a deity, you can suggest it by clicking this link. Alternatively, get in touch over on Facebook or Twitter. All due credit will be given.

Dave – God of Perfect Mates

April 22, 2019October 15, 2020 ~ Hannah ~ Leave a comment

Dave is a legend and top quality banter merchant. He is a deity who will always stand his round. He is the god you can call on at 3 am. The god who you know would help you with anything from moving house to hiding the bodies. Dave works in IT and he WILL fix your laptop.

In his mythology Dave is the wing man of the gods. Happily married to “Beckki – Goddess of BFFs”, Dave will happily introduce his single friends to the disappointed deities who approach him. He can also be pursuaded to remove his shirt on hot days in the Olympic Park to entice passing gaggles of Goddesses into striking up an idle conversation.

Followers will greet each other warmly with bone-crushing hugs, where the groins remain a respectable distance apart, and the words “How are you, you old bastard!”.

What happens in the Temple of Dave stays in the Temple of Dave. When a true devotee of Dave enters his temple, their wi-fi connects automatically. The temple has many attractions including; a superb collection of games consoles, a big-screen TV (Dave gets all the sports and movie channels), Pool Table, Luxury Coffee Machine (Dave is Italian by descent) and a Darts Board. There are no hard wooden pews in Dave’s temple. It’s sofas and reclining massage chairs all the way.

The grounds of the temple house a comprehensively equipped workshop where Dave’s priests will happily help a devotee fix their car or lawnmower. Next to this is a soundproof band rehearsal and recording studio with a collection of vintage guitars for improptu jam sessions. There is also a basketball hoop and enough lawn for a kick about (the congregation are shirts, the priesthood are skins). On visiting his temple, you may be asked to donate a tenner. Don’t worry. Dave will always pay you back.

The priests of Dave are renowned for being larger than life and excellent home-brewers. During communion with Dave the beer flows freely and worshippers consume this with “Friend Chips”. You can even take a six-pack of “Dave” away with you. If you imbibe, the priests will let you sleep over or see you safely home. Dave does not let his followers drive drunk.

Sadly, Dave has been barred from “The Virgin’s Arms” over a bit of a disagreement over the tab. His sacred animal is a slightly wiffy mongrel dog that cadges crisps by doing tricks.

Inspiration for Dave came entirely from Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni. Cheers Mick! Yer a true mate!

If you have a suggestion for a deity, you can suggest it by clicking this link. Alternatively, get in touch over on Facebook or Twitter. All due credit will be given.

Phararaoh Rocher – God of Petit Fours

April 21, 2019October 15, 2020 ~ Hannah ~ Leave a comment

Phararoah is the god of tiny confectioneries served after classy dinners. He was one of the rulers of the Rocher Dynasty. His tomb, a pyramid of golden balls, is an architectural marvel of the ancient world. After his death and apotheosis he became the ambassador of the gods. He is attended by a harem of affluent, elegant and accomplished goddesses to ensure he always comes in a posh box.

The Temple of Phararoah is located beyond the dessert. The temple itself is made of clear Perspex so that the sacred golden balls within can be seen from outside. Their “Hall of Petit Fours” is a place of wondermint. As you enter the temple, a sentient confectionery by the door will greet you and say something flattering. This surprising entity is known as the “Complimentary Chocolate”. Whilst usually benevolent, if incited he has been known to scream “Do you want a piece of me!” at the luckless fool who has upset him. Services rites and rituals in the temple of Phararoah are always held in the evening and begin after eight at twilight.

Surprisingly, a small shrine to Phararoah can be found in almost every petrol station and convenience store. These are provided for your convenience so that you can pray frantically for help in over 32,000 easily accessible locations when you realise you’ve forgotten Grandma’s birthday.

The priesthood of Phararoah dress in instantly recognisable, crinkly, golden, metallic robes. They wear brown pleated cup shaped shoes on their feet, and a small oval sticker on their heads. They are often comely, and are considered eye candy by some. The priests run a dating service for their followers. They are reputed to be excellent matchmakers. Their most recent success being the marriage between Elizabeth Shaw and Mr Bendick of Mayfair. The prospective groom will give the object of his affection a wafer thin chocolate mint in a tiny black paper envelope. If his suit is successful, she will return this envelope containing a secret note of her affection. The most renowned member of Phararoah’s priesthood from history was Mahatma Candhi, who was known for speaking powerfully and with confection.

Followers of Phararoah have their own lexicon. They will usually favourably describe things as “Mint” and one of their favourite sayings is “A waist is a terrible thing to mind”. If you have been a superlative host to your Phararoahian friend they will say “You are really spoiling us!”.

If you have a suggestion for a deity, you can suggest it by clicking this link. Alternatively, get in touch over on Facebook or Twitter. All due credit will be given.

Garnish – God of Superfluous Vegetables

April 20, 2019October 15, 2020 ~ Hannah ~ Leave a comment

Garnish is a purely decorative deity. He is particularly associated with any fruit or vegetable one would never normally eat on its own, such as parsley, lemons and radishes carved into the shape of roses. He crops up in slight variations in many pantheons, but is thought to have originally been a Romaine God.

In all traditions his consort is the Goddess Dirti Martini. She is a little salty. However, he is said to not always be faithful, and to have pursued mortal lovers. You will know if Garnish has amorous intentions towards you as he will send you a dick pickle.

Garnish’s temple is instantly recognisable by the paper parasol, pineapple wedge and sparkler sticking out of the chimney. It is always artfully presented and kept in mint condition. Adjacent to the Temple is a cemetery where the distinguished followers of Garnish are berried. Inside the temple, tiny offerings of artfully arranged foodstuffs are placed on the altar daily. They joke that one should never eat an offering to Garnish oneself, and it may be that many a true word spoken is ingest. Or maybe Garnish actually doesn’t grately carrot all.

Followers of Garnish will acknowledge one another with the greeting “Olive you!”. Every rite in his temple begins with the line, “Lettuce pray”. A common meditative aid used by followers of Garnish is to draw intricate Mandalas on oversized white plates using “jus” or “coulis”.

The current High Priest is called Elvis Parsley, his consort Rosemary serves as High Priestess. Together they are responsible for spreading good chives and delivering sage advice. They always make thyme for their congregation and love grows where Rosemary goes. Sadly, despite serving him with relish, all the clergy of Garnish have their wages deducted slightly each month.

One specialist sect of Garnish’s priesthood are researchers in Molecular Biology. They have succeeded in engineering several new species. The most popular of these may be the “Pimento Olive”. The genes of a pepper were spliced into a green olive tree so that a tiny piquant pepper grows inside each olive in place of the stone.

The first commandment of Garnish is: Avacadon’t.

Thank you to Kris Hudson-Lee @nomenloony for suggesting Garnish.

If you have a suggestion for a deity, you can suggest it by clicking this link. Alternatively, get in touch over on Facebook or Twitter. All due credit will be given.

Anaglypta & Artex – Gods of Failed DIY Projects

April 19, 2019October 15, 2020 ~ Hannah ~ 2 Comments

The patron deities of “structural decor”. These gods have been around a long time, and it is likely to be many more centuries until the last traces of them are removed. They were first appealed to by terrified Roman plebeians cowering in their ramshackle insulae.

The Temple of Anaglypta and Artex is a potential death trap, despite initially appearing neat and sound, though dated. Don’t let this fool you. Chunks of masonry or plaster may fall on you like blessings from above. The pews are held together with matchsticks rather than dowels, and will collapse conveniently beneath your weight to help you assume the correct prostrate position for prayer.

In mythology Artex and Anaglypta are husband and wife. Theirs is a passionate and stormy relationship, often fought in the aisles of B&Q. In the end Artex won dominion over the ceilings and Anaglypta won control of the walls below the picture rail. Now, in unison, they cover their realms to hide the cracks in the universe and hold up the lath of the heavens. Before marrying Anaglypta, Artex was linked with Asbestos, until Asbestos was banished from the realm by the COSHH.

Artex is a spiky, prickly character. A brush with him is likely to leave you raw and bleeding. Anaglypta always looks slightly tired, old and dusty. She sometimes flocks to hang out in Indian restaurants.

At the festival of Artex it is traditional for worshippers to get plastered. Sometimes things can get a bit rough between followers who favour Artex the most, and those who love Anaglypta. In the resultant fight, the followers of Anaglypta usually get pasted. Their most memorable hymn is “What Goes Up” by Gordon & Brown.

Thank you to Adam Broadhust and Rebecca Stothard for coming up with Anaglypta and Artex separately. I hope you don’t mind that I married them off.

If you have a suggestion for a deity, you can suggest it by clicking this link. Alternatively, get in touch over on Facebook or Twitter. All due credit will be given.

Euros – God of Money One Does Not Have

April 18, 2019October 15, 2020 ~ Hannah ~ Leave a comment

In his origin story Euros was created by Karma-Ron, who abandoned him shortly after his birth. He was picked up and raised by the mythical beast Mai-Botte, who tried to help him overcome his psychological issues of abandonment to grow up to be both strong and stable. However, despite her intentions, his guardian failed to take any real action to guide his development. In the end, hopelessly unprepared to face the world, Euros put off leaving home again and again.

Euros became a prodigal son who spurned his supportive wider family. He ambivalently rejected them when he was deceived into believing that the relationship cost him more than he gained from it by the demons Borriz and Gové. The argument over the terms of this separation continued for years, until the patience of his kin was exhausted and they threw him out with nothing. He was cast into isolation in the wilderness where he was taunted by the ignorant opinions of the three “Ghosts of Dreams that Never Were”. These three malevolent spirits are individually named “Pierced Organ”, “Hatie Cockpins” and “Jerkoff Greased-Hog”.

The temples of Euros ring with raised voices. They are of somewhat variable construction quality, and some wings are held together with strained red tape. Every time they try to conduct repairs, someone breaks it. On the altar sit 22 sealed and numbered red boxes which contain a deal of mystery.

During rituals at Euros’ temples, a libation of tea is poured in offering and then the remainder shared amongst the congregation. Tea is considered sacred to Euros because tea leaves. The liturgy will then be read out. This may seem to be nonsense at first, but don’t worry. The officiating priest will repeat it more and more slowly and increasingly loudly UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND. At the end of the rite the priest will bid farewell to his flock with the words “See EU later”. His sacred texts were displayed on the sides of political campaign busses, until people realised they were bollocks.

You can only join the priesthood of Euros if you have a protruding navel. You must also have a stoic philosophy and be capable of cussedly sticking with a course of action, even when everyone else can see that it is a path to destruction. Priests can be recognised by their head wear. They will sport either a fried egg or a pineapple ring on their heads. Vestments are very important to the priests, and each will have a changing cabinet to facilitate the necessary sartorial standard. Debating is a key skill for a priest of Euros to have. They are capable of arguing for years with nothing resolved. When not on duty, they do enjoy kicking back with a game of chequers.

Be very wary of incurring the wrath of Euros. When angered he is capable of raining a ferment of acidic bile down on his hapless target. These tempests are known as “Farages”. Sadly, Euros is rarely a wise or fare judge, and has often wrongly attacked the victim of the situation.

Thank you to Jen Titley for suggesting Euros.

If you have a suggestion for a deity, you can suggest it by clicking this link. Alternatively, get in touch over on Facebook or Twitter. All due credit will be given.