How were you chosen?

[-Sky-]

While i was posting in other threads around MW i noticed some people saying that they were chosen by their deities and some people say that they chose their deities but they have not been chosen back.

-So how each of you were chosen?
-And what do you consider choosing?
-Does the sign of the Gods come when you ask for it or is it unexpected?
-And what if you feel really drawn for a deity,does this mean that you were chosen?

[Morr]

While i was posting in other threads around MW i noticed some people saying that they were chosen by their deities and some people say that they chose their deities but they have not been chosen back.

-So how each of you were chosen?
-And what do you consider choosing?
-Does the sign of the Gods come when you ask for it or is it unexpected?
-And what if you feel really drawn for a deity,does this mean that you were chosen?


I was chosen by the Irish Gods through The Morrigan. She came to me first, and the Tuatha De Dannan followed. I was reading Irish folklore, after exploring a few other mythologies and pantheons, and her name immidiately made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Like there was something different about her. I started researching her and something just felt RIGHT. So I meditated one night, made some offerings to her and invited her to join me. She did, and she told me she's glad she's caught my attention.

I think that when a Diety is interested in you, or chooses you -- They light a small spark of intrest within your soul. Ya know how you read something and the name of a Diety intrests you or stands out more than others? Or how some sort of animal crosses your path suddenly, you research it on Pagan terms and you find out a certain Diety is associated with it, and it suddenly "makes sense"? That how I think Dieties make it known that they chose you. I'm sure there are other ways too, but I think these ways, and dreams/visions, are the more common ones I've heard.

A sign comes from the Gods when you ask for it, if its the right time for it to come. If they think you're ready for it. I've heard many stories of people seeking a specific God, and a totally different one shows up and turns out to be the more fit God to aid a person at the time, or to be their patron. Dont be afraid to seek the Gods though, because they WILL answer in one way or another, even when you've lost all hope. But dont expect there to be fireballs, sprinkles, etc. The signs from the Gods can come in the most subtle ways, and sometimes you only realize and see these signs in retrospect.

If you feel very drawn to a Diety, that doesnt mean that they chose you, but it could mean that they are seeking you because they have something to teach you. So I suggest to research that Diety, read all of their myths and stories, and when you're ready -- Try to communicate with them. From my experience, when you feel drawn to a specific Diety, its for a reason. Even if its a brief lesson they have to teach you. I worship the Irish Gods, but I've also worked and been drawn, and have a special bond with Odin, Hel, Mother Mary and Anubis. I honor them because they each teach me something different, they each called me for a different purpose (even if its just to have a drink -- That was Hel, believe it or not).


But my view is a very Hard Polytheist's view. These are my opinions only. Someone else may have TOTALLY different opinions and thoughts.

Good luck!

[Malcolm]

If Loki ever comes around, you'll know it. Trust me.


edit: I forgot to answer the question.

I've always felt a kind for affinity for Loki. I don't think there has ever been a time I can't remember him. I used to avoid him because of the stigma attached to him. After awhile I just got curious and started reading the eddas and sagas and what not. Eventually it became pretty clear that he and I had a great deal in common.

I can't really call myself a worshiper or follower of his. Its more like partners in crime half the time. Anyway, thats just how I see things. He feels more like family than a god.

[Morr]

I can't really call myself a worshiper or follower of his. Its more like partners in crime half the time. Anyway, thats just how I see things. He feels more like family than a god.


The Irish Dieties, Tuatha De Danann, feel like my family as well. While I worship them and grant them the honor they deserve as Dieties, Heros and Ancestors -- I still feel as part of their clan, their daughter.

Its a feeling of "at home" that I get from them.

[Malcolm]

Its a feeling of "at home" that I get from them.

Exactly

[xstarE_nitex]

Many things in my life pointed to ancient egypt... very vague I know... just one of those things.... I began to have dreams of ISIS... I would be on the ocean at night with a full moon out and she would come to be I would hear her name wisperd gentley to me... she was pregnant and I then I had the same pregnant belly... strange dreams... but I believe that it was a calling from her...

[Evelline]

yes, Epona did that wtih me. I was looking at dieties, and I just fell in luve with Epona.

[seekerofknwoledge]

While i was posting in other threads around MW i noticed some people saying that they were chosen by their deities and some people say that they chose their deities but they have not been chosen back.

-So how each of you were chosen?
-And what do you consider choosing?
-Does the sign of the Gods come when you ask for it or is it unexpected?
-And what if you feel really drawn for a deity,does this mean that you were chosen?

I was "chosen" by both my patron/ess in obvious ways (although they weren't obvious at the time). Artemis was the first one to guide me out of my "dark wood" (subliminal Dante refference there...), and the first one to clearly call to me. Thanatos on the other hand was a tad bit more subtle, and went through His brother Hypnos (I've often used the analogy of a blind date or that Hypnos "fixed us up"). However, both of Them claimed me quite firmly.

I don't know if you could really consider a sign expected, and like I said above, it wasn't really obvious at the time (although in retrospect it is now).

I think that you can feel drawn to a deity without being completely "chosen," but it depends on how intense the feeling is.

[Tadrith]

Flipping through a tarot deck, I came up to a card that had Lleu on it. I was absolutely fascinated by the card and who Lleu was. Ever since then, he's felt like a father.

Tad

[Philosophia]

While i was posting in other threads around MW i noticed some people saying that they were chosen by their deities and some people say that they chose their deities but they have not been chosen back.
-So how each of you were chosen?

I was chosen because they resonated to me via dreams, images, and reading.
When Seshat called to me, it was via my love of books and writing. Minerva came to me via my love of technology, science, etc..

-And what do you consider choosing?

Choosing is when the Deity makes themselves presented to you via a connection of some sort.

-Does the sign of the Gods come when you ask for it or is it unexpected?

Usually unexpected.

-And what if you feel really drawn for a deity,does this mean that you were chosen?

Sometimes. It really depends on the deity themselves and how they feel when they "choose".

[Elfwitch]

My patrons made themselves known through animals oddly enough. I looked into the lore surrounding the animals in question and when I hit upon the answers I did had a bit of a shock.
But it felt right, and still does.

I think Gods choose you. I have a much stronger connection with the ones who chose me than I ever did with the ones I chose.

Elfie

[CheshireEyes]

While i was posting in other threads around MW i noticed some people saying that they were chosen by their deities and some people say that they chose their deities but they have not been chosen back.

-So how each of you were chosen?
-And what do you consider choosing?
-Does the sign of the Gods come when you ask for it or is it unexpected?
-And what if you feel really drawn for a deity,does this mean that you were chosen?

Not something I typically talk about, so I'll censor myself on the more personal points I do not feel comfortable sharing in general.

I was chosen before being born, generationally, both sides of the family do as requested by the gods. As I grew up, the gods instructing me in the old ways along with the teachings of my family. Died three times, and they sent me back three times (obviously) because I am not done what was requested of me (this will be where I'm censoring myself b/c it was a personal experience b/w my gods and myself). I have tried running away from what was requested but I am drawn back b/c to stand before them and see even the slightest disappointment is more than I can bear. They have granted me certain (censoring myself again) to aid and protect.

And every time they come to me, they always call me by my soul name, and it just fills me with such happiness and joy that I cannot deny them. But there are times, there are definitely times, when I just want to live without the responsibilities, but I am called and I obey. Blessed be.

[-Sky-]

Very interesting everyone!And thank you for sharing your experiences!

It's just that usually i feel insecure about the signs a deity gives me.Things that might be considered signs happen but i am not sure if they really are signs.And other times,i ask for signs and i don't receive them or maybe i do but i don't realise them...Some times i've been told by deitites to be patient when waiting for signs.And i don't think i've ever had dreams with deities,only visions.When i asked to see dreams with them,i had random dreams.So i am confused.

If Loki ever comes around, you'll know it. Trust me.

haha True!I consider a friend of mine to be Loki's son but he is not pagan or a polytheist.

I began to have dreams of ISIS... I would be on the ocean at night with a full moon out and she would come to be I would hear her name wisperd gentley to me... she was pregnant and I then I had the same pregnant belly... strange dreams... but I believe that it was a calling from her...
Wow,that sounds like a beautiful dream.Isis is said to give very intense and magical dreams to the ones she wants to embrace.

I find your answer very insightful and helpful Morr.:)

They light a small spark of intrest within your soul.
I definately agree with that!Lately i've been reading a lot about celtic legends and deities and i found so many signs that connect me to them.There are little things but for me they stand out,they are important.I guess that i will have to work more with the deities and be patient.

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

While i was posting in other threads around MW i noticed some people saying that they were chosen by their deities and some people say that they chose their deities but they have not been chosen back.

-So how each of you were chosen?
-And what do you consider choosing?
-Does the sign of the Gods come when you ask for it or is it unexpected?
-And what if you feel really drawn for a deity,does this mean that you were chosen?

It took me about 20 years for me to realize that I had been chosen by both Bast & Ullr. I started out just looking around at different gods & goddesses..i started with artemis, while i like her, and felt drawn to her, she wasn't quite right for me. I then came to bast, and finally realized she had been with me all along, especially in the form of my dearly departed cat Kitt, i truely believe she was sent by the goddess to be my guide & gaurdian. I think to some extent all my cats were..i've never really been w/out one..and i wouldn't have it any other way. It took me a little while longer to realize my draw to Ullr. My interest in him first started when a local mountain advertised thier "ullr fest" promotion. So i started to research Ullr. At first i wasn't sure, i felt a connection, but wasn't sure...then it hit me one day, much the same as it had with bast, just the sudden realization that I was his, and had been for sometime now...no wonder some of my best times had been skiing, and why i love the snow so much ^_^ So i think when it comes to being chosen by gods, i'm a little slow to realize it...right now i'm feeling drawn by a darker goddess associated with ravens...not sure who, tho...no goddess i've looked up has seemed quite right.

[Ishtara]

For most of my life, I had absolutely no interest in spirituality. Both my parents were atheists, I might have been a bit more of an agnostic, but I definitely was not looking for a spiritual path.

Two years ago, Ma'at, Djehuty and Yinepu started showing up in my dreams. Often. Very often. They would also manifest Themselves through a string of "coincidences" that were a little too many and too powerful to be just that, coincidences.
At first, I was very reluctant to accept that something was going on. I thought I was being delusional. But They were so insistant that I eventually threw up my hands and asked "OK, OK, I get it, now what do You want?!?" :lol:

I am very happy that They were that persistent :smile:

[WitchCraftWeaver]

-So how each of you were chosen?

I had been looking into several Goddesses. Being of a Celtic Irish/Scottish background I knew the Celtic Gods/Godesses were where I belonged. I too had a "coming home feeling". I had looked at the histories/lore of several Goddesses with no real "feeling". Then one day I ran across Arianrhod. Things began to click... I have a deep love of Astronomy and her Castle is in the circumpolar stars (that's the north star and its companion constellations). One of the names for the Auroras is Caer Arianrhod. Just so many things that clicked. So, I meditated on the matter and just knew...Its very hard to explain, as its a very personal thing to me, but I just knew.

With my God it was much easier.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

Oftentimes I feel a wee bit out of place at the Wiccan Church of Canada, because so many people seem to have patron deities. An awful lot of those patron deities are Dark Goddesses, particularly Hekate and the Morrigan.
I do not, to my knowledge, have a patron or matron at this point in time. I confess I like Anubis (to the extent that a statue of him was the first icon of a god I bought for my altar) and have as long as I can remember. I think a lot about making a special shrine for Anubis, because I feel a connection to him, but I have absolutely no idea if it's a two-way thing. Time will probably tell.
Now, I also really, really like Isis. I tend more towards the Egyptian, solar Isis as opposed to the Roman moon-Isis, I'm not sure why - I know moon-Isis appeals to me, but I think I may view moon-Isis as a vague perversion of solar Isis. Not to say that Dion Fortune's novels haven't had an effect on me (and so has the Golden Ass). I don't know. Whatever, time will tell.
I'm not going to go around telling people that so-and-so is my matrom/patron until that so-and-so makes it *quite clear* to me that they want me.

[Garm]

When I was a child I used to have this very intense but hard to define seminostalgiac feeling whenever I heard the wind rustling through the tops of trees.

I was reading about Odins sacrifice as described in Havamal ["nine nights hung on a wind blown tree"] when I realized what I had been experiencing was a sort of preset mnenomic trigger.

In my early twenties I was troubled by nightmares which had a necrophiliac type of imagery. When I thought about the trigger which I had identified with Odin I realized that this was much the same thing but comming from Odin's opposite number the Goddes Hel.

From these first two connections I learned to expand my base by trial and error.

[Shanti]

Well I dont console with any deity. Thats because I dont want to. I like my realm with no deities in it.
I enjoy mingling with plant spirits very much, and animal spirits, mineral spirits and with totally unique spirits from lord knows where :), but deity just isnt my cup of tea.

I am happy without any deities and I think they never tipped toed into my realm cause they know I am happy just the way I am. :)

[AkashaW]

-So how each of you were chosen?
-And what do you consider choosing?
-Does the sign of the Gods come when you ask for it or is it unexpected?
-And what if you feel really drawn for a deity,does this mean that you were chosen?

That's a l-o-n-g story. My mother was a Theosophist in her youth, so I was raised with a certain atmosphere of spirituality. In fact, my older sister and I both had 'baptisms of fire' (and no, I don't know what that entailed, seeing as how I was only a few weeks old at the time). What I DO know is that my mother was told at the time that she was to watch me for signs of mediumship.

Skip ahead to adolescense. I was hit by puberty like a ton of bricks and began to have visions and hear voices and such. At the time, I knew nothing about my mother's message regarding my potential. I thought (as did everyone else in 1965) that I was going crazy. Went to a shrink for several years, until he convinced me to shut up about what I was experiencing or run the risk of being put away.

I became something of a religious fanatic, concentrating on my father's Lutheran heritage until I realized that I couldn't accept its contradictory teachings (I mean there are no gradiations of 'sin' and the thought is the same as the deed, so thinking about stealing a pencil is as bad in God's eyes as killing my mother. WTF?!?!?)

Being somewhat disillusioned with Christianity, I began investigating other paths - and found something called Paganism which damn! if it didn't tally really closely with what I believed but didn't have the words for!

I began attending rituals, after many years became a Priestess, began performing rituals - and started hearing the voices telling me to "be the bear." Through many months of experiences, I came to know that I was indeed 'called' by the spirit of the Bear Goddess of Old Europe.

For the most part, the Gods will come when I call, and leave when I ask Them to - but They also have come uninvited and unannounced when They needed to impart something important.

And finally, I have no idea if being drawn to a deity means that you are chosen to be His/Her Priest/ess. I certainly never had any particular affinity for bears. But who am I to say that the REASON a person is drawn to, say, ravens isn't because the Morrigan are calling him/her?

[Azul]

While i was posting in other threads around MW i noticed some people saying that they were chosen by their deities and some people say that they chose their deities but they have not been chosen back.

-So how each of you were chosen?
-And what do you consider choosing?
-Does the sign of the Gods come when you ask for it or is it unexpected?
-And what if you feel really drawn for a deity,does this mean that you were chosen?

I was raised Christian, but i was never happy with it, it left too much there unanswered, and i was never content with that. I'm a deepthinker, and some things just didn't feel right for me. For a short time i was atheist, but as time went on i moved into my own way of thinking, and when i explained it to a friend she told me i was pretty much a pagan, and i had a :idea: moment and read up on paganism.

For the most part, my beliefs are completely my own, i know few that share them. I observe nature, and the world around us, and certain things are a metaphor for our existance on a higher level, and trying to explain it i realize how hard it is.

I am constantly adapting my beliefs as they evolve, but there is a solid foundation there. I dont have any names to the deities, but i believe they are there, for so many differant aspects of our existance there is a counterpart. And i guess i had a calling, but just to nature, to realize what the earth was trying to tell me.

[BohemianMare]

Though I am always open to new aspects of God/dess coming to me, I will always feel closest to the Egyptian pantheon. My first brush with the thought of something beyound the Catholic upbringing I had was in fourth grade, when we were given a magazine to read about Mummies and Ancient Egypt. When I saw the pictures of the Gods, something hit me. I remember looking up each indiviual God and Goddess in the encyclopedia during reading time the next few days. ANd I wondered why did people forget Them? It's always been my favorite time period and something I've read alot on as the years have passed.

At 17, I was introduced as a jaded late teen to Wicca by a friend who had her life turned around by the faith. And the last seven years have been a scary and wonderful journey. :)

I'm pretty sure that Sekhmet has chosen me. I have alot of dreams about her, including calling the 'lions of Sekhmet' when in danger and they seem to be fierecly protective of me. I've also had a dream that I was in Kement, being decorated as a Priestess of Sekhmet. I also seem to notice her in the past year much more then I ever noticed her before in the pantheon.

I also feel a strong call to Hathor, though she's only been present in my dreams a few times. The times that I have seen her have been when I've needed it the most. So I also think she's calling me as well. Makes sense considering Hathor and Sekhmet are connected, I guess.

And now last night I dreamed about being a underground type temple with many statues of Bastet, including one that started to speak to me in a language I don't know, then the dream melded into me being at school. I'll see if she calls again, but since she is also connected to Sekhmet I think it makes sense (?)

I'm waiting for that final sign from Sekhmet where she says 'you are mine' in a way that is impossible to misinterpet. I think my path is really breaking down to a blend of Wicca and Kementic faiths, since I see the Goddess as Mother of all, but also all Gods/Goddesses as part of something bigger.

Rambling....headaches do that to me. :P

[Vigdisdotter]

-So how each of you were chosen?

With a knife punched into my chest and the words "you can be so dense!"

-And what do you consider choosing?

I'm not sure I understand the question. Who is doing the choosing?

-Does the sign of the Gods come when you ask for it or is it unexpected?

Both. But you may not necessarily notice that which is unexpected. Like the title of the book that fell on your head when at the book store.

-And what if you feel really drawn for a deity,does this mean that you were chosen?

No. I was very drawn to the Celtic deities when I started out. They never once said a peep to me. But it might be a place to start looking/researching.

[Evelline]

It CAN mean you where chosen. I was VERY drawn to Epona, and I have amazing bond with her now.(she chose me, but well, she's rather defensive of me). I'm feel sorta as if it a more mutual thing that just worship inbwtween Epona and I. I do her fofferings, she gets me help.

[Cain]

I wasn't chosen as such...more won in a village raffle.

[Amythyst]

I was chosen by the Irish Gods through The Morrigan. She came to me first, and the Tuatha De Dannan followed. I was reading Irish folklore, after exploring a few other mythologies and pantheons, and her name immidiately made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Like there was something different about her. I started researching her and something just felt RIGHT. So I meditated one night, made some offerings to her and invited her to join me. She did, and she told me she's glad she's caught my attention.

I think that when a Diety is interested in you, or chooses you -- They light a small spark of intrest within your soul. Ya know how you read something and the name of a Diety intrests you or stands out more than others? Or how some sort of animal crosses your path suddenly, you research it on Pagan terms and you find out a certain Diety is associated with it, and it suddenly "makes sense"? That how I think Dieties make it known that they chose you. I'm sure there are other ways too, but I think these ways, and dreams/visions, are the more common ones I've heard.

A sign comes from the Gods when you ask for it, if its the right time for it to come. If they think you're ready for it. I've heard many stories of people seeking a specific God, and a totally different one shows up and turns out to be the more fit God to aid a person at the time, or to be their patron. Dont be afraid to seek the Gods though, because they WILL answer in one way or another, even when you've lost all hope. But dont expect there to be fireballs, sprinkles, etc. The signs from the Gods can come in the most subtle ways, and sometimes you only realize and see these signs in retrospect.

If you feel very drawn to a Diety, that doesnt mean that they chose you, but it could mean that they are seeking you because they have something to teach you. So I suggest to research that Diety, read all of their myths and stories, and when you're ready -- Try to communicate with them. From my experience, when you feel drawn to a specific Diety, its for a reason. Even if its a brief lesson they have to teach you. I worship the Irish Gods, but I've also worked and been drawn, and have a special bond with Odin, Hel, Mother Mary and Anubis. I honor them because they each teach me something different, they each called me for a different purpose (even if its just to have a drink -- That was Hel, believe it or not).


But my view is a very Hard Polytheist's view. These are my opinions only. Someone else may have TOTALLY different opinions and thoughts.

Good luck!

I couldn't explain it any more eloquently than Morr did. She defined something that is indefinable.

[TaysatWesir]

Aset-Serqet choose me thru dreams I never would have picked her on my own.

[Tanya]

I can't believe we are 'chosen ' by dieties. We are at a point in our lives where we feel a certain connection to a diety. Saying you are chosen implies:
1. dieties are literal
2. They give a crap about us.

I belive our ideas of dieties are figuritive expressions of a suite of experiences and natural forces that we personify as a diety.

These elemental forces of nature care nothing for the individual. To even say 'care' personifies them.

Personally, I am a devotee of Brigid, the Bear Mother. Once I was a Diana girl, but then I grew up, got married and now.. where I am, and what I do.... makes me identify with healing nurturing and protecting.

Someday I will be a crone and my focus will change with my changing age and responsibilities.

[Vigdisdotter]

1. dieties are literal.

Oh, they can be in my experience :)

2. They give a crap about us.

Those that have involved themselves in my life certainly seem to "give a crap."

By the way, I'm a hard polytheist, so I don't' go for the "natural forces that we personify as a deity" bit.