Experiences with a deity

[Ben Gruagach]

I'm interested in hearing about experiences people have had with deity - what happened, was it part of a ritual or during mundane activity, did you know that it was a specific god or goddess and how you knew? Was your experience a one-time thing or have you had more encounters with the same deity? Have you had encounters with just the one deity, or have you encountered others? Have you ever had an experience when you knew there was more than one deity there, and did you know who They were?

[Myst]

Hey Ben I think this would be more appropriate in Gods & Goddesses

[silentbreeze]

Can't honestly say I've had "experiences". I've prayed to the Christian god, I've prayed to non-Christian gods, I've prayed to anything that might happen to hear me, and I have prayed to nothing, and got all the same results.

Basically, zip. I must be a loner for this ride, it seems, because if gods exist, they ain't talking to me.

Not that I mind, I prefer to follow my own mind and go it on my own, so I don't really feel the need for a god to answer prayers.

[Eeluna]

I had a very intense, hyper-real dream in which Aphrodite appeared to me. She said her name and gave me a gift, then disappeared. Afterwards I would have sworn I was awake at the time, but I remembered the encounter being in a different room, so I concluded that it had to be a dream. It was an utterly amazing experience that has not been repeated. I have had wonderful meditations and other dreams that are meaningful but nothing that was so indescribably powerful as that dream.

[Myst]

I guess I should answer this too :D Hekate and Isis have spoken to me from the back of my mind but that's about it so far ;)

[Ben Gruagach]

I had a dream years ago which I've interpreted as likely being a meeting with a Goddess.

In the dream, I was in a cabin on a mountainside, all by myself. I heard a noise outside. I peeked out the door and saw a dragon out there, coiling and uncoiling, waiting in the clearing just outside the cabin. I knew it was female somehow although I'm not sure how you're supposed to tell with a dragon that doesn't have external gender features. Anyway, She knew who I was and was calling me by name.

I was afraid and tried to stay quiet inside the cabin, hoping the dragon would not notice me and would go away. She kept calling to me, telling me that it was time for me to learn how to come out of myself and learn a bit of what I was capable of. I was still too afraid, fearing that if I stepped out the dragon would eat me up and that would be the end of me.

She kept calling to me, beckoning, and told me that I could come out in any form I wanted if I was afraid that my current form was too weak. She told me it was up to me to decide what I was. She suggested that I could be a dragon like her if I wanted, or something else that suited me.

She told me to look inside myself and nurture what was there. Then as it grew stronger, let it out.

I wondered about this. I thought, "if I have to come out and face this dragon, maybe I should try and be something that would be strong and could defend itself if it needed to." The form that came to mind was one of a huge eagle, a phoenix really, flaming and powerful. I thought about it, feeling it flame and grow inside me, and in a flash I had transformed into that huge flaming eagle. I burst out of the cabin to meet the dragon face to face.

She congratulated me, and then we rushed around the clearing and up in the air, dancing for joy. The feeling of being something else was exhilerating. And the dragon told me that I could be a phoenix, or a dragon, or whatever I wanted. It was up to me.

That's all I remember of the dream, but it was very comforting even though I was uneasy at the start of it. It's stuck with me for years now.

[WhiteCat]

I had a dream/vision (not too sure exactly what to call it) a few years ago when I first started learning about pagan/wiccan spirituality. The Goddess appearded to me, at the time I thought it was the Goddess Diana ( some how I just knew) and she showed me a vision of myself, in my own home, performing a ritual of some sort. I remember asking for guidence as to which path I should take, Pagan or christian or other. This dream was the response I recieved, and a powerful one at that.

I got the sense that she was showing me that I had a choice, and just what would be possible if I choose the pagan path. She did not speak but some how I just knew what it was she was giving me.

It was a wonderful experince! and having recieved no response of any kind from the Christian god, I chose the Pagan Path, and have had no regrets at all!!!

BB,
WhiteCat,
BroomRider

[callalily]

I've had at least one vision, and several dreams, and a definite sense of connection, like being in a telephone conversation. Ecstatic and frightening at the same time, you know?

[widukind]

Not so much with a deity as with the Nwyvre (life force). The following is from a previous post.
When I was fourteen, around April, I went to camp in Spain, in a remote tourist village between sea on one side, mountains on the other, and forest on top of those mountains.
I shared a bungalow with four other people, who were all older than me - the youngest was eighteen. One day, when we didn't have much to do, we sat down, lit some incense and started meditating. One of those guys, Tom, told the rest of us to close our eyes and 'go beyond' the darkness we saw.
I began to see something. It was vague at first, but then I saw it clearly - stone henges in the middle of a forest clearing. What's more, I din't only see what I saw, I heard it too: the sound of birds singing, the wind blowing through the trees, etc. It remained still for a while, and then the view shifted. It started moving right, to where a green vortex had just appeared. I felt it vibrate with life's energy, colours of green and white, twisting and turning. My view shifted and went through the vortex. In an instant I was at the other side, feeling refreshed.
I saw a big square in front of me, inlaid with beatiful mosaic, and to the left there were mountains.
In the middle of the square was a three layered fountain made of shiny metal, and the highest layer there was a flower bud, made of the same metal, and from its top sprung the fountain's water. The metal flower started to bloom, unfolding its petals gradually, to reveal a thin row of sharp teeth on the petals' edges, and the flower bud resembled a shark maw.
It's the most intense vision I've had so far and if I close my eyes I can still recall it - without sound and smells though.

[ChelleOfShadows]

I have never had more than visions and dreams from my Goddesses. I have never heard voices either in or out of my head that were not from someone human. Only in dreams or meditation do my Goddesses talk to me.

I have however had up close and personal experiences with the elements. The first time I called upon my element (Earth) the geraniums in a pot my grandmother had brought bloomed. This has happened many times since. I have seen rain come from nowhere in only the sacred circle. I have lit candles from the center of my circle. I have stirred the wind. Called upon the Thunder Brothers for a storm and water and fire for rain and lightening!

[Ryhla]

My only experiece that I can really recall was just after I started to walk my path. I was beginning to wonder if I was taking the right path or not. In the midst of all the thoughts in my head, I heard this female voice ask me "Did you come on your own?" I said out loud "Yes." The barrage of thoughts in my head quieted down and the female voice answered "Then welcome child." I haven't questioned my choice since.

[Mnemosyne]

BUMP

:boing:

Three Feathers, I think that you might be interested in this thread.

[KissMeImIrish!]

I have a special place that I meet the goddess in during meditation, usually when I have a problem and such she will help me. I have seen her there in three guises. once she came to me as the dark/light goddess, to explain how she looked would take too long but let's say one second she was dressed as a 'dark' goddess with long black hair, a light purple tinge to her skin and a large black headdress. Then, that vision flickered, and in her place stood the goddess clothed in white, with blond curling hair and the light of the moon on her brow. At the time I met her there I was having a major inner battle, and she helped me defeat it by handing me a spear, and telling me it's name. She said whenever I felt I was losing the battle inside, to envision wielding the spear and fighting off the demons. I used this visualization whenever I felt myself sinking into the old habit, and after a while it worked. I no longer felt that way, and I didn't have to fight a battle with myself all the time anymore. Sorry if this was long, but it was an experience that helped my life for the better and i thought I would share it.

[Mnemosyne]

Like many of you, I have had experiences with a goddess through meditation and dreams.

I believe that the Goddess is always with me- through good and bad times. However, I feel her presence more during troubled times. Well, last night, I was a bit disturbed and couldn't sleep even though I was tired and worn out after a long day. Right before I was about to fall asleep, I felt a warmth around me as if the Goddess was tucking me. I feel like she was there trying to tell me that she is with me.

[dhardas]

I was pretty much dragged to a retreat that was conducted by a female monk of the ancient enlightened community Satyaloka in the South Indian Mountains. She was a very powerful siddha and open some channels in some of the attendees to experience a reality beyond the 5 senses. The chant alone and some of the diksahs that were given can be used to heighten awareness of other realms. Here is one from my journal:


“Om”


The crystal clear bell-like voice of monk, Sri Lena Bhagavad Dasa rang through the large meeting hall. “How curious, a female monk,” I mused, shifting in my seat and glancing at the rapidly accumulating snow outside the window. The 2 day yajna had just begun and I was a long way from home. Already thoughts of the return trip home through such a storm were on my mind.


“Sat Chit Ananda”


I stared at the people sitting on the floor at the front of the room-all Indians-and marveled at how they could sit so still, in apparent comfort, and so close to one another. Some of the women were dressed in gorgeous saris, and they looked like delicate flowers in a winter garden. I felt big and stiff and awkward, somehow alien and out of place in my old, faded jeans, cowboy boots resting by the door. I was relieved to have on matching socks without holes in them, as removing one’s shoes was the custom.

I squirmed again in my chair and yawned, turning my attention once again to the blizzard outside. “This is going to be a very long weekend,’ I thought. “I wish I was home.”


“Parabrahma”
“

The ancient Sanskrit chant rose in power and clarity, almost visibly shimmering in the air, considerably brightening and rippling the energy of the room. Suddenly, and with quite a jolt, I realized that I was no longer in the Community Center of Murrysville, Pa, but had somehow been miraculously transported to a very small cave at what appeared to be the very edge of the Universe!

As far as the eye could see-above, below, and beyond, was an infinite, star studded void. I turned around and examined the tiny cave. It appeared to be made of flesh: part of a living, breathing organism, perhaps. Amazingly there was no fear, and I realized that with just one small step forward, I could forever become a permanent part of this glorious starscape.


““Purshothama”
“

I turned again, half expecting to see the room that I had so suddenly vacated. There was no change. I was still standing at the edge of the Universe. I began to laugh. Joy came. Bliss followed. My heart was exploding with feeling. Should I jump, step, dive, somersault, or cartwheel into infinity? I wondered, rocking with laughter. What is proper? I was delighted.


““Paramathma
“

“No! This can’t be real! It’s only a meditation. No wait! You’re dreaming!” Like a great winged beast, my mind swooped down, cawing and shrieking. Talons flexed, ready to snatch me up to carry me from that place. The moment fractured into a thousand fragments. The starscape began to ripple and tear. A legion of doubts buzzed before my face. “Just open your eyes and this will all be gone,” they giggled an hissed.


““Sri Bhagavathi Padmavathi Sametha”
“

So I opened my eyes. What else could I do? I had to know. I was still standing in the cave, the Great Beyond before me.


““Sri Kalki Bhagavathe Namaha”
“

“My God, this is real! I’ve come home!” And I wept with relief.


““Om”
“

And that was the beginning of the journey for me. Much like a blind pig finding an acorn, I had stumbled onto the elusive and seldom discovered Path of Transformation & Enlightenment.

During that weekend vara yajna, many questions that had been puzzling me were answered. I saw my conception, birth and first seven years of life. Then through a series of chants, prayers, mystical experiences & Divine intervention, corrections were made. Childhood hurts and traumas dissolved. Old baggage was shed, and while some pain was still there, my load had lightened considerably.

I experienced my last death, and saw how I had gotten caught up in the cycle of births and deaths for so long. I discovered what it is that keeps one reincarnating on this plane, and what learning (unlearning) has to occur to enter higher realms.

During an amazing past life experience, I experienced a state of repentance for an incident. As a result, a chronic health problem of 20 years vanished. We were then taken 50, 500, and 5000 years into the future on an eye opening and haunting vision quest. Mankind must be enlightened. There is no other way. I saw my destiny and the agreement that I made before coming here. I was sheon the true condition of my heart and while choking back tears of shame followed by relief, I watched as my heart was slowly purified.

And I saw God.

When I left that place, nothing was ever going to be the same. The ground rocked. Single moments became infinite. The senses were clearer. It didn’t matter if I was slicing vegetables, cleaning the sink or watching a sunset-there was pleasure. I felt very much alive for the first time since childhood-I had somehow been salvaged. I traveled through the following weeks watching an extraordinary course of events unfold before me.

Life had become somewhat like a George Burns/John Denver movie, “Oh God”. Supreme consciousness had taken a form that I could hear, see, and touch, and appeared from time to time turning the most mundane event into a mystical experience.......

http://skyboom1.tripod.com/index28.html

[mydemand]

BUMP...

Because I'd love to hear more experiences. Do share. :)

[blackroseivy]

I had a bout with my illness (bi-polarism), & in it, I heard the voices of many Gods & Goddesses. In particular, however, I had Suilis come to me (the Goddess of Bath) & she had a beautiful voice like falling water. I don't remember now much of what she said, except that she was somehow surprised at being worshiped again, I think. This was close to 2 years ago now.

Lately, I have picked up paving stones from Her sanctuary in Bath that I saved all the way back in 1989; I have been getting in touch with them, I had an experience with them that I posted under the "Druidic Lessons" thread. They spoke to me so strongly, that I felt I *had* to start using them more actively, not just have them sit on my altar neglected. I have made "Sulis water" by using pure water from out of the ground at my parents' - this has no "vibes" on it from the supermarket, etc.! I have put the stones in the water. Since I have done this & mean to create a shrine to Her, She has been strongly with me: She loves my incense, I can always sense Her presence when I burn it.

When the little shrine is finished, I thought I'd post it here in this forum somewhere!

Keep the stories coming - I love ta read 'em!

[Windsmith]

Less than a week after the name "Shapshu" first resonated a deep chord in me, I went on a trance journey to ask if she was willing to enter into relationship with me. I had barely reached my place of power when, BAM! A vision of a huge sun (similar to its depiction in Aztec art) with a small body presented itself to me. Not al all the way the Phoenicians depicted Shapshu (to them she was a strong, bare-armed woman who held a torch and wore the sun on her head like a crown), but I knew immediately that it was her. She said quite forcefully, "Restore the prisoner of Apollo," and I jolted instantly out of trance. It seemed utterly bizarre, a Phoenician goddess giving me instructions having to do with an Olympian, but I assume it's some sort of quest I'm supposed to be undertaking. As a test, maybe. I'm still trying to work it out! :spinnysmi

Shapshu's celestial counterpart, Yarikh, has been a little harder to pin down. In the terminology of relationship with Mystery, we're still at Seeing - looking at each other & deciding if this relationship is what we want. But he's been testing me, too.

One night at WitchCamp, I went to make an offering to Yarikh. Cloud cover obscured the moon, but I went into a stand of trees near our cabin, and could see it just fine by the way the moonlight illuminated the branches. I made my offering and did my best to convince Yarikh that I did want this relationship. Then I went to the evening ritual.

That ritual was the low point of Camp for me. It hit all my major emotional buttons: fear, anger, protectiveness, indignation, guilt...you name it, I cycled through it - in about 15 minutes. I chose to leave before the "meat" of the ritual (or the tofu, as one of my vegetarian friends likes to say) properly got underway, sobbing harder than I had in years. As I walked out of the lodge, I looked up as a bank of clouds passed, and there was the moon. And I heard the message, clear as a bell, "If you want a relationship with me, this is what you get." That's when I understood that our own cultural associations cannot always be separated from ancient ones. To the Phoenicians, the moon had precious little to do with emotions, but to us that's one of its main associations, and, for me, those things will be inextricable. Forming a relationship with a moon god will mean working with my deepest - and sometimes scariest - emotions. It's going to hurt like a mofo, but I'm ready. I've lived in my head too long.

[John_Mischief]

I've had a few, but some are very personal. I've had gods appear to me in dreams, and I've seen signs that I've interpreted as being from the gods. When I'm very upset, or stressed, sometimes I can sense them around me, likewise when I'm having a lot of fun.

[argento_occhi]

And here's my horrendously long reply. I've been working on it for the last coupkle of hours. Do enjoy. :D

EXPERIENCES WITH DEITY
I’ve never had visions of the Gods, nor any dreams. I’ve heard Them speak to me a few times, but nothing beyond that. But, I feel Them around me much of the time. It’s been an interesting 4 years. There have been times when we’ve been close, other times when we’ve been distant. I’ve cherished every moment though. (I apologise if you’ve possibly read this before. I’m trying to get this down in one place finally.) And I apologise that it’s so long. I wasn’t expecting it to be so long. I know it’s kinda tied into Their personalities as well as my own experiences, but I feel it’s as equally valid. I feel that the personality They show me is also a kind of experience, hence why I’m spending some time detailing it.

DJEHUTI
Djehuti’s been the most fun, I have to admit. Despite other claims, He can be a surprising amount of fun, especially when He’s near chemicals. He really enjoyed my chemistry labs. He was almost as bad as our lecturer, wanting to experiment with everything and generally getting very excited. I've never really experienced the quiet side of Djehuti, though every now and then I can hear Him laughing at something I’m reading on any of the forums I go to, and occasionally, He smirks at me. And He keeps telling me to finish my stories. It's no use saying, "But Djehuti, I have to study!" He'll just tell me to keep writing. Hence, I’ve been obsessed with one story since January last year. It's now 127 pages long and it has the makings of a sequel in the works. *shakes head* I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll ever finish my degree. He's never satisfied with my stories. And I’m certain He's responsible for the story that so preoccupied me last year. Its like, “Right, I’ll do as much as I can til semester starts, then it's not getting touched til the end of semester. I can't fail any more units, ok? I don't need those distractions. So, please, Djehuti let me concentrate on my studies this semester. Then, I’ll finish the story, ok?” It’s the beginning of the third week of semester, and thankfully, hardly any inspiration. But, I am busy practically every day. There’s not much time to write. Plus, I’ve got a few assignments to finish. I suppose I’ve had the least amount of direct experiences with Djehuti, or at least, not the type of experiences I’ve had with Aset and Sebek.

Oh, wait. I forgot one. About a week ago, He decided I required a trip to the emergency ward, even though I’m completely healthy. Somebody decided that even though the small pain I had in my chest wasn’t serious, it was best to go anyway, just in case. So mum and I spent three hours there. I had an ECG and some chest x-rays. The doctor pronounced me “disgustingly normal” and sent me home. I’m still not entirely sure why I was supposed to go, but if Djehuti’s satisfied… *looks mystified*

ASET
Aset, on the other hand, feels like a huge power, something beyond a Goddess, if that's possible. She feels so great and so powerful. I get an immense sense of Her magic. She's BIG. That's what first struck me about Her. But, She's also very loving, though not someone you want to get mad. You get the feeling that She has a nasty temper. And now Aset wants some more written about Her. She has healed me many times. She's very patient, but can be impatient if you're not getting what She's trying to tell you. I get that sometimes. Christmas was fun as I spent an awful lot of time contemplating the links between Aset and Mary. Not sure I’ve completely figured it out, nor am i hoping to.

Christmas Eve, I got a metaphysical slap in the face from Aset/Mary about me not going to church anymore. I’ve obeyed. I'm not gonna risk another near fainting, as much fun as it was Christmas Eve. I suppose it started on the 23rd Dec. I woke up with gut cramps, yet again. It wasn't too bad, and I figured it'd go away after a few days or so, as usual. The next day, it was worse. I pressed on anyway, you know, cos it was Christmas Eve and all. It got to about 9-10 pm, and I almost considered not going to Midnight Mass at the Cathedral, but I figured it was just innocent gut cramps and I'd go anyway. It was hot and humid, awful weather to be trapped in a cathedral with so many other people. I usually don't have any problems with the cathedral being so packed, but as the service started, I was beginning to feel awful, like I couldn't breathe properly. It was so hot. My head was feeling light and dizzy. Half an hour into the service, I collapsed, and mum helped me out of the cathedral. Before I pseudo-fainted, I heard a female voice tell me not to go to church again. When we were outside and I had a drink of water, I told mum, "I can't go back in there," but somehow I knew I wasn't just meaning to go and finish the service. I didn't tell mum about the voice though because I knew she wouldn't believe me. I don't know who the voice was. It could've been Aset, but Mary comes to mind. Whoever She was, it was almost a confirmation of what I had suspected: that I'm entering a new phase in my life. It feels weird, but good. My dad's changing jobs, I've turned 21, my mum 50, my brother 18. It's all sorta happening right now. I've taken a new name in honour of this: Khenmetaset. It seems right. It fits. I won't use the others now. Just Khenmetaset, though Satsobekre may turn up every now and then. Now all we have to do is wait and see how this year pans out, hey? Who knows?

And if you always recite Her morning prayer first and one morning in three years you screw up and say Djehuti's first, She'll make you drop your toast, run out of milk and margarine and generally give you a bad day. I'm NEVER making that mistake again. Aset first, then Djehuti, Sobek and Bast. Change it and risk problems. Retrospectively, it wasn't so much a bad day as a bad morning. And I did drop my toast. Smashed into the doorframe into the dining room and sent my toast flying. Managed to hang onto the plate, but I didn't have as much time for breakfast as I had to make another set of toast.

Don't get me wrong, She has Her good aspects and not-so-good aspects. She'll near faint you to get her point across but She means well, and it was really something I needed, because I've been pagan now for nigh on four years and was still occasionally going to church, Evensong, Christmas, Easter, etc. It was time for me to let that path go, and Aset, thanks you, got Her message through loud and clear.

SEBEK
Sebek feels very ancient, old and wise, and very powerful. He has lots of solar energy, almost like a midday sun, bright and hot. He has the ability to be cruel and kind, I think, though cruel may be the wrong word. Yes, cruel is the wrong word. Anger might be closer, or possibly impatience. I don’t know how to explain it. He has a temper that's quick and furious, but doesn't seem to last long. Long enough to get His point across, I’d wager. He makes me feel very calm and safe, like He won't let anything harm me. I get the sense He cares about me A LOT, and that He's willing to do anything to protect me. He’s fiercely protective; I definitely get that from Him. He's very beautiful to me, croc-headed and all, and i feel a lot of raw, solar, sexual energy from Him. He's a calming presence though, constant and calming. I can feel Him now as i write about Him, cuddling my 33 cm polyresin croc with added gold markings around His feet, neck and eyes. I can't express how much i can feel Him around now, and how much love i can feel from Him. He's fearsome, yes, but gentle and protective. I don't know what it is about crocodiles I find so comforting and attractive. I really believe they're the most beautiful creatures on the planet, while my mum thinks they're hideous. That makes me sad, that I can't find anyone else who thinks crocs are beautiful apart from me.

I went to the Perth zoo one day with my family, and went straight to this 4m long male crocodile – whose name I now know is Simmo – without knowing before hand where he was. I knew I had to find him, though. He was a majestic creature. I thought he was the most beautiful crocodile I’d ever seen. He was just floating in the water, his nostrils at the surface, his back legs and tail touching the bottom of the enclosure. He just sank down to lie on the floor, stayed there a while, and then rose again to have his nostrils at the surface. His eyes were calm and peaceful, and he seemed to smile at me. I looked at this croc and thought, ‘there’s something special about this croc.’ His eyes spoke to me in a way I never understood at the time, but I felt this was more than just a crocodile.

It was a special moment for me. I knew instinctively that there was something special about this crocodile. At the time, I wouldn’t have said divine, but looking back, it’s the right word. I felt that we were one being, part of each other. He never spoke to me, but it was as if there were unspoken words being said, rather than us actually speaking. I felt peaceful. He was speaking to my heart, not my mind. It was only months later that I read the name Sobek, and saw an image of him as a crocodile-headed God. It all became clear, and I heard Sobek calling me. I had never thought of Sobek. But I couldn’t doubt what had happened that day. Not that I told anyone. I feel Him by my right side as a crocodile, protecting me against harm. I feel calm and safe when I think about Him.

I’ve seen Simmo a few times since then, and he still has that effect on me. I could sit there and watch him for hours. And I want to feed him one day. Apparently, you can get a chance to feed him. Costs a bit, but that’s not a problem. That would be so much fun to feed him.

But, I’m rambling on now, considering this is already two pages and I’m sure I’ve covered everything.

Bright blessings,
Argent

[zilith]

Just recently (4 days ago) I tried to make a ritual offering to Thor. I thought I failed miserably. I fumbled at trying to think of what to say and while saying it, and felt really horrible afterwards. But then 2 days ago I got together with my one friend, who I've known for a while now. It just sort of happened and now I am happy happy :smile:.

I know that Thor helped in some way. :viking:

[seekerofknwoledge]

when i was first beginning to practice magic i devised a small protection spell that called on the three-fold goddess (in my view that's artemis, selene, and hecate). one night feeling in particular need of protection, i set up the crystals and said the spell. the only way i can describe what happened next is being held by goddesses. i felt their presence, thier warmth all around me. i was utterly safe and protected in thier embrace. that is one of the most intense experiences i've ever had with the goddesses to date.

[Paracelsus]

Hmmm...
When travelling in Southern India, I visited the Shiva temple at Halebi, near Mysore. This is a fairly low slung structure, covered in intricate carving (I mean, really world class stuff). The inside is almost totally pitch black, particularly after the blinding sunlight outside, and you almost have to feel your way along the interior walls, which are also covered in the most amazing detail.
At the centre is the Garbhagriha (womb house), where the major murti of the temple is kept. In this case it is a simple and ancient linga (phallic symbol), although when we arrived the stone door was shut. When this was opened to give us darshan, it revealed a very simple sight - the linga sat there, garlanded with Jasmine flowers, and smeared with a Shiva tilak of three horizontal sandalwood paste lines. Lit by a single diva (butter lamp). However, as I stood there, as the door opened, I felt like I was standing in front of a glass-blower's furnace - there was an incredible sensation of power - not heat, but that is about the only way that I can articulate it, and that doesn't do it justice. I stood transfixed in silence, with waves of this awesome wonderful darkness washing over me until the door was closed once again, feeling again like it was being closed off. I use the analogy of the glass blower's furnace as it is a comparable experience - the door opens and something intangible pours out, and then stops when the door is shut.
Om Nama Shivaya.

I have had other experiences since I started praticing ritual regularly, some are comparable, but none occured spontaneously like that, and I suspect that it is the spontaneity that you are looking for.

BB

[mydemand]

Whenever I smell rose incense, even though I haven't lighted it, I know Lilith is there.