Patrons; how did you know?

[Cinnamon1991]

So, everywhere on MysticWicks people talk about Patrons and that they 'knew' when one chose them, or they 'felt' it or 'got signs'.
This all confuses me greatly, and I'd like to know:
How did you know, what did you feel and which signs did you get?

So, what's your story?

[Zephyrstorm]

She first got my attention by throwing her symbols in my path repeatedly. Everywhere I went someone was talking about crossroads, dogs, keys, locks, gates, thresholds, or her name herself would come up.

The Potnia Theron got my attention in a dramatic way. It started with bees. Everywhere. I had bees landing on me anytime I was outdoors, whether there were flowers near or not, and irregardless of my lack of perfume or use of it. When that didn't work, I dreamt them. When that didn't work, a colony of them set themselves up inside the wall of my apartment, and I found myself having to release them all day long.
and it all settled a good bit when I started to research it - I started googling bees and then bee goddesses, and then finding connections between the Patron I had and the one that was trying to get my attention.
I'm still trying to figure it out. The only thing that's changed is that I've realized who was sending it, and that those that I practice with have had similar moments with bees since it started.

[Brigid Rowan]

She said...literally..."Hey you, listen up!" And she hasn't stopped being a presence. And a few other dieties joined her, after a time. And they just, stayed..~shrugs~ They are family now.

At first, I was worried I was going insane. I had not gotten any female voice telling me "hey, I got stuff you need to learn about" (roughly) before in my life. But hey, she proved herself by telling me a riddle, of sorts, that very much came true, and was far too clever for me to have thought up. So I figured I wasnt insane. :)

[Cinnamon1991]

She said...literally..."Hey you, listen up!" And she hasn't stopped being a presence. And a few other dieties joined her, after a time. And they just, stayed..~shrugs~ They are family now.

At first, I was worried I was going insane. I had not gotten any female voice telling me "hey, I got stuff you need to learn about" (roughly) before in my life. But hey, she proved herself by telling me a riddle, of sorts, that very much came true, and was far too clever for me to have thought up. So I figured I wasnt insane. :)

Oh my god so I'm not going crazy! A few weeks ago, I had a test. I was learning very hard and It was around 11:30 PM when I was in my bed, reading in my textbook, when all of the sudden, I heard a female voice saying:

"Boy, if you're not going to bed now..."

I gasped because I was kind of startled and the voice stopped after 'now'. It was in my head but I'm sure I wasn't thinking it myself. I still don't know who/what it was.
I don't know how to describe the voice, it was quite 'queenly' or 'firm'.

[Against The Tide]

Me and the Morrigan have a very healthy relationship, apart from the fact she killed me several times in my dreams (one where she downed me, my ONLY drowning dream, I actually woke up gasping for air, having stopped breathing in my sleep) and that I am moving away from diety worship onto more eastern philosphical practices mean little between us.

She is a very testing lady, she pushes me hard (watched out for TWM by making me a 'good boy', whether I like it or not!) but has always looked out for me.

How did I know? Well I've been seeing the signs all my life. The dreams in particular but other things aswel, ravens and crows, conflict, spears... I didn't know what it meant until an older lady who I know and respect told me I had Morri watching me (she was into Greek patheon herself, so she wasnt just pulling everyone she spoke to into Celt worship) and then it all seemed to click into space.

Some nights I'd see the shadow of a woman carrying a spear cast on the wall of my bedroom and I could hear her in my head. Normally advising me how best to serve her/TWM and stuff.

Since the first time I visted TWM she and I have spoken less, but that is ok because we arer both secure and we would not waste each others time unless need was dire. I give offerings to her every time I envoke her for spellwork and I've only prayed and asked for her help once, and yes - she helped me :D

[Tanya]

for me it was subtle. I realized I look like her, and a move like her, I like to go where she goes, I'm interested in what interests her, wood craft, environmentalism, herbalism, and parenting..... for a long long time (10-15 years) I felt drawn to her animal (and had met it many times in my ranbles)... and then I bumped into her name and it was like putting on a well worn hiking boot. (and even the fact that I think of comfort in TERMS of hiking boots...lol) let me know I belonged to Andarta... the bear goddess..Now I wear her mark... some people say their tattooing surprizes them when they see it in a mirror at first.. but mine feels like it should always have been there....

someday, she will not be my patron.. someday I will probalby follow the crow and the dark moon.... but for now... it is just what fits.

[Sethserpenthus]

I like to think I chose my Patron and Matron and that They accepted that... and I chose Them because they resonate with me, pure and simple. I identify with Their stories. I identify with the way They are.

[Stoirmeacha]

IMO, Patrons/matrons choose us. When some of us come into our religions and spiritualities we feel drawn to a certain god or goddess and then we proclaim them as our patron. Some feel that they chose their god and that they were accepted, but my view is that the god chose us and that is why we felt connected to them in the first place. Kinda like they inspired us to call upon them as our Partons/matrons.
Again, just personal belief.