How did your patron say hello?

[Mercuria]

I found the other thread about everyone's patron God/dess interesting.

Anyway, I was wondering about how your patron came to you. Did they visit you in a dream, come to you in a vision, or did they just make their presence known to you in general? When did you know that they were your patron?

I've always been interested in how God/desses manifest themselves in people's lives, and would love to hear your stories.

Mercuria

[Twilight Garden]

I honestly don't remember how Hekate came to me... I'm going to go through some of my notes to see if I wrote it down anywhere. Zeus was introduced to me by Hekate. (Fairly recently in the scheme of things.) I always had a preconceived notion that his energy was kind of untouchable or something because of all the myths and I don't personally know anyone who has worked with that energy. But during one ritual, Hekate basically "said" I should also be working with another kindred energy. I was kinda freaked by this, since at the time I thought I was only concerned with the Hekate energy.

[Ganga]

Personally, I work with the East-Indian pantheon. (I wonder if there are others like me here?) I first found God (Krishna), and much later Goddess (Radha). It's been an interesting journey, and only lately I've understood what the people in the holy town of Vrindavan (India) mean when they say, "We love Krishna only because He is loved by our Radha." The reason why I consider Them my Divine Worshipable Couple was purely logical to start with (I logically concluded that They are the Supreme after I had read about Them in Indian scriptures), but later also emotional (I feel love for Them).The reason I've come to this discussion-forum is that I really find all the Old Religions fascinating. The Celtic religion in particular (for me, anyways) appears to be Hinduism (which is, of course, a name given by outsiders). They are both just the same religion. The similarities are amazing: both revere cow as a sacred animal (that's what I've read), both perform spells (even though in India they are called sacrifices, rituals and mantras), both respect the Sun and the Moon and Mother Earth, etc.

[Mercuria]

For long time I had felt that Mercury/Hermes was my patron, but was unsure. So I did a little ritual inviting Him to say hello or give me a sign if He was indeed my patron.
My magick/rituals tend to be slow working, so after I did it I forgot about it. That day I had to go to to the library to pick some books up, and when I was waiting in line at the borrowing desk, a book caught my eye. I'm almost embarrased to say what it was- "The complete idiots guide to writing poetry". On a whim I grabbed it. On the way home, I wondered why I borrowed it, as I'm not really into writing poetry and I try to avoid those complete idiots guide/for dummies books. When I got home, I picked the book up and without thinking opened it up somewhere near the middle. On that page there was an invocation, and in the first line were the words "O Mercury, Patron of thieves". I just thought, "wow, this is one quick God". The next night I found out that Mercury was the patron of poetry before Apollo and the muses came along.

So of course I read the book, and wrote a poem honouring Him.

Mercuria

[astrokaiju]

Originally posted by Ganga
Personally, I work with the East-Indian pantheon. (I wonder if there are others like me here?) I first found God (Krishna), and much later Goddess (Radha). It's been an interesting journey, and only lately I've understood what the people in the holy town of Vrindavan (India) mean when they say, "We love Krishna only because He is loved by our Radha." The reason why I consider Them my Divine Worshipable Couple was purely logical to start with (I logically concluded that They are the Supreme after I had read about Them in Indian scriptures), but later also emotional (I feel love for Them).The reason I've come to this discussion-forum is that I really find all the Old Religions fascinating. The Celtic religion in particular (for me, anyways) appears to be Hinduism (which is, of course, a name given by outsiders). They are both just the same religion. The similarities are amazing: both revere cow as a sacred animal (that's what I've read), both perform spells (even though in India they are called sacrifices, rituals and mantras), both respect the Sun and the Moon and Mother Earth, etc.


it seems to me that all religions are really the same religion, just different flavors.

and to answer your question as to whether there are others like you here: although not exclusively, i work with the Hindu pantheon a lot. i've always been very drawn to Vishnu in all his/her forms.

[Astreon]

Well, lets see, the way i found Pan was through a dream actually, when i was about 8 or 9 (im 15 now) i had a dream about my self side by side with what i now realize was Pan, normally i wouldnt have thought much of it, but it was a vivid dream and i had yet to forget it when i turned 15 and shortly after learned about who the man in the dream was, as to what exactly we were "protecting" i have yet to find out, but i imagine ill find oput when the time is right, but anyway, for now im off.

*runs off playing his pipes* BB all!

[mato]

I have always played with the leafy green dude, as a kid I would find him in the forest (his face in rocks and trees and vegitation formations) and enjoy a bit of inspiration. But he made it clear that he was God when I was ten and saw him through a pair of binoqulars (sp) across the street.
Guadalupe popped into meditation and presented the challange of "Find me..." I, not being one to let such a challange (from diety or human doesnt matter) go by sought her name, books and stuff on mythology left me cold as I didnt feel her and then as I happened by a particular book I got that feeling and picked it up. Sure enough behind the mary veil was Goddess!

[Armitage]

Mine showed in a dream, as a young man in black with a black wolf. I'm not sure what His name is, so I call him Dark.

[Melysande]

Long story.....

Hera picked me, originally. Two summers ago, while I was still at my last job, I had been debating for a couple weeks about what pantheon would work best for me and who would be the best goddess for me to devote myself to. I was thinking I would probably choose Epona because I love horses. Hera had other ideas. One day, it had been a terribly hot outside, and about a half-hour before I was going home, there was a huge thunderstorm. When I got outside to go to my car, it was already sunny again, and there was a gorgeous double rainbow. (Iris, goddess of rainbows, is Hera's messenger.) And then I got into my car and started to drive home. I'd only gotten a little way when the weirdest thing was crossing the street in front of me. A living, breathing, feathery, beautiful peacock. (Hera's bird.) There aren't all that many peafowl here in Massachusetts. That had pretty much decided me on Hera. And so I chose the next full moon to dedicate myself to her. On that day, a peahen crossed my path on my way to work. A not-so-subtle reminder, I think.

And so I've been in Hera's care since then. But now, this past summer, I'd begun to notice that more and more often Egypt seemed to be popping up everywhere I looked. About the same time, I had to write an article on my new company's Accounting department for an internal newsletter. The people in Accounting are all very lovely people, but what they do for a job just isn't very exciting. Time was running out and I still had no real way to make the article interesting. Two nights before the article was due, I prayed for a little divine inspiration. I got it, that night. Woke right out of a sound sleep because in my dream, I'd gone to one of my old college history books and found what I was looking for. So, I got out of bed, wandered over to the bookcase, pulled out the book from the dream, and opened right to the page, paragraph and sentence that I needed. Royal Scribes, the accountants of Ancient Egypt. The story was a huge success thanks to that "hook".

The story didn't end there, either. Now I was more curious than ever about Egypt. So I started learning, and somehow, I stumbled across a reference to Seshat, The Female Scribe. (She's a lesser known Egyptian goddess.) I KNEW it had to be her doing that I'd had that specific dream.

But I still didn't want to believe that I was swinging away from what I'd dedicated myself to. So, I spent some time on eBay (a fun thing I do), looking for statues of Hera, and statues of the Holly King (who is my Patron deity). Hera items were easy enough to find, but for the Holly King, I thought images of Santa Claus would work best. But I didn't want them with traditional red suits. I wanted one in green robes. Or at least with a holly crown. But when I typed in "Holly Crown", I got an item exactly like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1081107983

(Just to show you I'm not making it up.) It refers to the "holly [sic] crown" of Osiris.

For those that don't want to click on the link (or those that see this thread a week from now when the auction has ended), I've attached the image.

Seshat is the one to the far left.

After that, I was pretty much convinced that the Egyptian gods and goddesses want me to keep them company. (At least for the foreseeable future.)

[Melysande]

Here you go.

[mydemand]

My story's a little scary o_O

Once I figured out that Lilith was trying to get my attention (through random sightings of her name), I did a little ritual telling her about myself and what I hoped to learn from her.

That night, while I was getting to sleep, I felt this SUPER STRONG FORCE engulf me, and I thought someone was trying to attack me. Lilith was in the back of my head at the time, but I was extremely scared, and I was praying that I be protected. It took a while before I could get to sleep properly.

I talked to other people about it, figured I just couldn't handle the energy (I've had experiences with "energy hangovers" before - too much energy for me to handle) and I needed to take things slow.

A couple of days later I saw her (kind of) and I knew she was there when I was trying to send an invite to a friend on my phone and it didn't get through - I then realized that my friend probably couldn't honour the invite anyway and that Lilith was giving me a hint. XD

B*B, Tiara

[WinterTree]

I know who my patron goddess is, but I haven't met her yet.....
Maybe I just need to meditate more...

[Ron]

My matron, Her High Grace Dôn, told me that it was her will that I honour her first guardian, Math, in until the Moon is full. One might say that currently my patron Deity is, Math (Keeper of Sorcery and protector of the Great Mother) - although it is possible that that will change. As a rule, only Seers and Priests of the Order have patron deities. Yet, tis my story of meeting.

[Avalon]

Everywhere, to the point that they seemed to be following me, were little black birds - iridescent with bright yellow beaks. I had no idea what they were until I got out my bird book and discovered they were starlings, a bird sacred to Branwen. I had been feeling Her pull for a while, and this only cemented it for me.

[DebLipp]

I had a vision. It was...really something actually. The whole next week people were saying things like "did you lose weight?" "did you get new glasses?"

It's why I tell people not to trouble about seeking a patron. Lots and lots of people practice Wicca & Paganism without a patron, and if Someone wants you, They'll let you know.

[Theres]

i met mine through meditation.
but i didn't know She was my 'patron' (i hate that term) until a couple of years later when She removed my soul, reshaped it to Her liking, and then crammed it back in, and rather harshly too!

but i agree with DebLipp... actively seeking a patron deity can be fruitless and discouraging. or, as Robert Crumb said, "Meatball doesn't work that way". :D

[Karmendi]

Mine was actually kind of funny,
I kept seeing a red headed black winged woman in my dreams, she was guiding me but I didn't quite know her name. After about a week I felt close to her. Then one day I was at a friend's house, she was showing me a picture by Jessica Galbreth and I jumped back about two steps, tripped on her coffee table and landed on my butt. It was the woman in my dreams. My friend told me that she was Lilith and after reading the tale of Lilith she was reminded of me. So I did my reasearch and as it turns out I do have quite a bit in common with Lilith. Then I started my meditations and it became quite clear Lilith was claiming me. So there you go every one, you can easily be claimed and not know it!

[HorseCrow]

My matron kept popping up everywhere around me- in books, in conversations, on the net, on TV and so on... and then she had a 10' sculpture of herself erected in a park 200 m from my house... at which point I finally caught on:)

[AngelEyes]

I was in a meditation when I saw Goddess's Bridget and Cerridwen. Bridget appeared to me looking like a bride and Cerridwen a beautiful mother type woman, loving and calm and warm women. I was not scared I was just happy and I knew that I was safe and protected by These ladies.... :flowers:

[farm girl]

My very first serious experiance with Paganism was in Hinduism. My deities were Ganesha and Saraswati. When I went into the temple, they just spoke to me. They were so special in my heart. When I was drawn out of Hinduism, I began to read various books on general paganism, wicca, and witchcraft. The Green Witchcraft books by A. Moira were especially inspirational. We had gone to the shore for the day (as we often do) and the day seemed different. I was more aware of the ocean and the other natural surroundings. Driving home through the Pine Barrons, I kept close attention to the deer, the trees, the birds.... That's when I decided the Great Horned God/ Green Mother were calling me. They have remained with me, ever since. :)

[Strega Del Vento]

Angitia has actually been with me ever since I can remember. It wasn't until I was about 11, that it was completely evident to me. As a child, she could come to me in dreams and every day visions. At 11, I had endured quite a bit of misfortune, and many wrongs had been done to me. I remember the ritual where she formally made her presence known, it was one of the most wonderful nights of my life. I was doing a regular ritual, trying to honor, and communicate with my newly departed Stepfather. I was extremely angry, as I had been very close to him. Clear as day, she came to me, sat by my side, and I could feel her hands resting on my shoulders. From that moment on, all my anger about the situation had been lifted. I no longer had the urge to lash-out.

Ever since, I've been well aware of Her at my side. When things happen that I feel I can't handle, she's there to keep me grounded and rational.

[CaitrionaMorgaine]

My little brother had just been diagnosed with a brain stem tumor, and I was doing a healing charm for him...charging a bloodstone for my stepmother to carry in his diaper bag (at the channeled instructions of a friend). While I was in trance, I had a vision of three birds. The clarity of these birds stayed with me and I began doing research. Eventually, I found the Goddess Rhiannon, and dedicated myself to her not long after. Although she is not the only deity I work with now, she will always remain important to me. That's the story of how she made her way into my life.

Avalon's Blessings, ~Rhiannon

[argento_occhi]

i was drawn to Aset almost from the time i started looing into wicca/paganism/etc. i don't remember her ever calling to me, as such. I don't remember Djehuti calling to me, either, but i always felt drawn to him, cos he's all about writing and i'm so into writing... Sobek-Re is a different matter. I've always loved crocodiles, escpecially Simmo, the 4.6m salty at Perth zoo. I remember being at the zoo one dy after a new wetlands exhibition had opened. I went in and pretty much waked blindly to Simmo without really knowing where i was going. I remember looking at this hige male croc and just 'connecting' with him. there was something in his eyes, the way he was kinda smiling at me. it was very calming and almost meditative. Only when i looked at a book on egypt and saw a picture of Sobek and realised he is cro-headed, did i realise that he'd guided me to Simmo. I went back to the zoo last new years eve and got the chance to see him again. i just stared at him, watching him mfloating up and down in the water, smiling at me. I felt like he was speaking to me, ut at a much deeper level. It was awesome to see him again. I remember seeing the pic of Sobek and it all just came together in a big 'duh!', like "hello? i've only been calling for how long?". yeah. crocs rule!

[mucgwyrt]

Very gently.
He sort of 'loitered' until I was ready to see him, and to be honest I accepted him into my life without much of a conscious decision. It was all very subtle!
Ing is fantabulous though. He isn't condescending like a lot of Gods out there; I feel like an equal; he expects nothing from me and I expect nothing from him. We just 'are', you know? :smile: It's a nice kinship.

[Sleet]

I follow my Lady, who I simply call the Goddess (I don't know her name). I think I've been following her long before I acknowledged my People tendencies, as when I practiced Catholicism I had a sincere reverence for and devotion to Mary the Blessed Mother. I think that was my Lady dressed in Christian garb. As for why, I don't really know. Perhaps it's the rather romantic notion of the honorable knight going forth to do his queen's bidding. I love the idea of the strong man unafraid to acknowledge a woman as his God(ess).

[Fideal]

Ducks. Mannanan sent two ducks to the small and dirty creek that runs through the woods that I frequent. After my first encounter with the ducks, I kept having dreams about storms at sea, and seeing waterfowl everywhere.

[Mab]

She came to me in hints, a long time ago.....the name in books....

but mostly, there was a weekend.....shortly after I started practicing...

My cell phone began acting up, it felt warm, and kept beeping funny....

Then, as I was cleaning the house, my dog began barking at the glass door off my kitchen. I went to see what was up (b/c Jake's sometimes like an annoying car alarm that gets set off by wind), and just outside--about, oh, 10 feet from my patio--directly across from me, in a baby tree, was the BIGGEST freeking crow I've ever seen. I mean, this bird had to be at least 1.5 tall, with a wingspan of 3+ feet! He looked at me & just sat there for a while, then flew off. I went to the window to follow its flight--and it was gone.

Shortly after that, my cell began REALLY acting up--it got HOT--and it wouldn't hold a charge for more than a couple of hours (and it was a fairly new phone). It totally drained itself just sitting on the counter.

so....that's my story. Since then, I see crows whenever something's up, or about to happen, or when I need a cosmic thump on the head.

[Theres]

... the BIGGEST freeking crow I've ever seen. I mean, this bird had to be at least 1.5 tall, with a wingspan of 3+ feet!

sounds like a raven to me.

[Mab]

might have been. I'm not quite an expert on the differences at first glance.

[Mithrea]

Ducks. Mannanan sent two ducks to the small and dirty creek that runs through the woods that I frequent. After my first encounter with the ducks, I kept having dreams about storms at sea, and seeing waterfowl everywhere.

For me he came with dreams of Seahorses and Mermen.

[Mithrea]

might have been. I'm not quite an expert on the differences at first glance.

Now you can be! http://www.shades-of-night.com/aviary/difs.html

[Mithrea]

My Matron simply appeared standing beside my altar one evening while I was meditating. I suddenly felt like there was someone else in the room. I opened my eyes and there she was--this beautiful young woman in a navy dress, with Black hair and silver jewelry. She told me her name and (ha!) I ran like hell and hid. It was my first every "experience" of that kind. After that she came to me in dreams and in other subtle ways, until I was ready to see her again. But if she hadn't come to me that first time, the way she did, I would have never picked up on the clues she sent later :)

[Mab]

Wow. Cool. Well, then it was definitely a raven that visited. And I seem to see one that I think is a raven--one in particular that's been showing up & sort of following me around lately. Though I have crows that are around a lot, too. It makes it even more curious to me when ravens do show up b/c I live in a large city.....hmmmm.....

[dreamingshaman]

Mines just made me chase them through my dreams for a few months before they stopped running. Not very exciting as manifestations go but hey we cant all have them dropping godbombs on us.

[FornSidr]

why i choose Freyr:


He is a fertility God, one of the most important types of Gods
He is the God of joy, yet He is also a brave warrior
He too happens to be a gemini, along with His twin sister, Freyja
He is of Vanir decent
He's God of the light alfs!


other Gods i connect with are Odin, Thor, Skadi, Njord, Freyja, Heimdall, Baldr and Frigg... one God i could never nor will ever connect with is Loki. Tyr is also a hard one, although i would like to try to.