Deities worldwide?

[Fear-farsain]

Apologies for the rather vague title, but I thought this might be the best place to ask this.

Some people may worship/venerate principally Celtic deities in America, or perhaps practice Native American paths in the UK. How do people stand on the subject of venerating deities in a place far from the deities homeland? Do they feel that the distance/correspondance means little, or lots? Can deities assist those people in a place where other deities are apparent, or do those beings/pantheons conflict?

I'd appreciate people's thoughts and ideas on this, and in a similar fashion, places of different spirits.

[Mithrea]

Honestly I don't think physical distance has anything to do with it. The only distance that matters is how close you feel to the deity in your heart.

I am almost 100% Scotch-Irish and I live in the United States but the only deities I really resonate with at all are all Greek. I don't feel distant from them at all.

[MammaStar]

I live in the U.S. too. I'm of Irish/British/Italian decent. When I first started on to learn to see if this Path was indeed what I wanted, the first place I looked was toward the Native American Path. However, the more I read, and studied up on, the less comfortable I felt. Call it "white" guilt or what have you.

I've always been drawn to the Celtic side of things. Even though the Italian was very strong influence on me. (was mainly raised by mom who's 100% italian). Doesn't make me feel less disconnected in anyway being here in the US. There's a LOT of Celtic descendants here. :D

[Emaleth]

I'm 100% of Slavonic origin, but I never felt much connection with Slavonic deities. I've never really learnt about them, in schools in Poland we learn about Greek mythology, but nothing of our own Gods.

When I started studying paganism I was much drawn to Celtic deities, as well as anything else connected with the Celtic culture:) And it is like that today, the Gods I invoke are the Celtic ones.

And the distance? I never really thought about it as some obstacle, after all, the names we call our deities don't matter as much as the connection we feel with them.

Blessed Be

[cherrywind]

I'm with Mithrea (and everybody else :)), I don't think distance has anything to do with it.

Although I can't REALLY speak from experience considering that I'm Scottish/Irish and I am very close to the Celtic deities.

[phoenixsong]

I'm, as far as I know, all Irish for generations, and living in Ireland, but I've never really felt a strong connection with the Celtic deities. I'm interested in Norse, Greek, Egyptian pantheons - almost anything but Celtic. I think it's because I still kinda see them as 'fictional' from the 'Celtic' storybooks I read as a child.

[Fear-farsain]

Thanks for all the replies! I didn't expect them all so quickly. I'm still looking into it all myself, but that was one question I was asking. Personally I have a strong feel for Greek deities, possibly from my love of ancient Greece as a child. I'm also very interested and intrigued by the gods of Egypt.

I was born English, but come from Irish/Scots descent, so I would like to look more into the native deities of Britain. Its all very exciting and full of mystery, and I look forward to it!

Back to your replies; so its a ethereal connection (for want of a better description), rather than a physical, place bound connection for what seems most of you. What would you put this down to? Ties of blood (as in your ancestors were possibly from those regions/deities you feel closest to), or just that deities call to people from across the world, regardless of their background? Or would you put it down to past life experience etc?

Sorry to bombard people with these questions, hope I'm not pestering anybody!

Many thanks and kind regards

[cherrywind]

Well, I think the deities do call to different people from all over the world, and I think it's a very personal choice.

For me, it has a lot to do with ancestors and family ties. It's almost as though the Celtic beliefs and pantheon are running through my vains. Ever since I was a kid, before I realized how deeply rooted my family in Scotland was, I always had a huge interest in the Celtic's and their beliefs and practises. For me, it's always just been the natural thing for me to be drawn to :).

[Ganga]

I tend to think that past life experience has something to do with it, although it's always possible to turn a fresh leaf and get acquainted with new people (ie. deities) if one has a strong desire.

I'm from Finland (and feel some blood-ties to Finnish mythology, particularly nature-gods/goddesses), now live in Canada, but feel most close to Indian (Hindu) pantheon.

One thing I've been thinking, though. I know that rivers such as Ganges and Sarasvati are really goddesses, but what about the ordinary rivers that run through our cities here? I had a talk about it with my husband; his opinion was that only certain rivers are sacred. Well, I could agree with that, yet I still think that each river has its spirit/guardian which I tend to think of as female. So if not sacred goddess, then at least a living entity guardian of the river. How do you feel about this?

[Fear-farsain]

Whereas this isn't based on any fact that I know of, I guess I do see most rivers as female. I think its to do with my general association of water with women, with their biological link to the tides and what not (lunar cycle). That is possibly from a book I've read somewhere along the way.
The closest rivers to me are polluted from the industry that was established during the Industrial Revolution, and that has continued since. There have been various clean up operations, yet they still have a blue tinge and algae. Whereas I tend to hold to the belief of living places having spirits, I wonder how the spirits of the rivers near me are feeling :(

Thankyou all again for your replies. :)

[Mnemosyne]

Ok, I was wondering the same question as you were, fear fasain. I am from California. Because of my location, I was wondering if I feel a connection with the Greek pantheon since both Greece and southern California have a Mediterranean climate. Hhhmmm. Deep down, I know that there is more to it than location. After reading the responses of others, I am sure that you have thought about this belief also.

It's interesting that you associate water with goddesses. For some reason, I think that gods are more in charge of the rivers while the female goddesses are in charge of the earth. Hence, the title, "Mother Earth."

Well, to answer your final question, I don't think that the spirits in the polluted rivers near your home are feeling too happy. Maybe they will get cleaned up one day. :)

[Fear-farsain]

No, the spirits probably aren't! There have been more clean up operations planned (or so I've heard), but I think it takes specialist techniques.

I think female deities work well for me with water and earth, many other elements. Some rivers I see as male, possibly because their surroundings have hard angles to them. Its all variable however, as I'm living and learning.

[Mithrea]

I was searching through some old stuff and found this thread . . .
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2075&highlight=celtic