Earlier this year, I found myself in a very public conflict. 

Styx and Bones Podcast attacked my work, questioned my character, and made accusations about me that I knew were completely untrue. 

My first instinct wasn’t to fight. 

I reached out. I tried to have a conversation. I offered opportunities to discuss what had happened and resolve things peacefully. 

None of it worked. 

Eventually, I realised that staying silent wasn’t peace anymore. I needed to stand up for myself, protect my reputation, and fight for what I believed in. 

Most of us grow up knowing Ares simply as the Greek God of war. But the deeper I’ve researched him, the more I’ve come to understand him as the God of conflict. 

War is one expression of conflict, but Ares represents something much bigger: that raw, instinctive power that rises within us when something needs to be confronted. 

Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do for yourself or someone else is fight. 

There are moments when diplomacy works. There are moments when Athena’s wisdom and strategy are exactly what we need. 

But there are also moments when every peaceful option has been exhausted and we need the courage to say: No. This stops here. 

Interestingly, that conflict earlier this year eventually created something beautiful. It inspired a bigger conversation around native ancestral voices, brought Elyse Welles and me closer together in this work, and became part of what eventually led to the Living Hellenism podcast. 

Conflict created expansion. 

And that’s one of the things we explore in this month’s episode of Living Hellenism. 

October is connected with Ares and Heracles, two divine figures whose teachings invite us to explore courage, bravery, purpose, and what it really means to become the hero of our own life. 

We talk about the ancient festival of Heraclea, Heracles’ journey from human hero to God, and why his trials can be understood as a spiritual path of developing virtue and evolving the soul. 

We also explore an important distinction between bravery and courage. 

In ancient Greek philosophy, bravery is connected with the soul: knowing who you are, recognising what you’re here to do, and being willing to follow that calling even when the safer option would be to settle. 

Courage is what happens next. 

It’s taking that calling and actually doing something with it. 

Taking the risk. 

Having the difficult conversation. 

Making the change. 

Standing your ground. 

Following the path even when fear comes with you. 

As we move deeper into autumn here in the Northern Hemisphere, this is also a beautiful time to turn inward and ask yourself: 

What is my heroic journey right now? 

What have I been through this year? 

What has it taught me? 

Where am I being asked to become braver? 

And what part of my purpose am I finally ready to stop hiding from? 

In the new episode, Elyse and I explore all of this, along with the deeper theology of Ares, his relationship with Aphrodite and harmony, why the ancient Greeks sometimes ritually restrained his energy in the pursuit of peace, and what Heracles can teach us about spiritual ascension. 

Click here to listen to the episode and learn more about how to connect with Ares and Heracles.

You can also download the free Living Hellenism Starter Kit to follow the Greek Wheel of the Year and practise alongside us each month. 

If you’re ready to take your manifestation practice to the next level, be sure to get my book Ancient Manifestation Secrets, teaching you a brand-new method of manifesting with the energy field.  

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