PDA

View Full Version : Sacrifice



kelmh
July 21st, 2008, 12:44 PM
My girlfriend's ex-roommate had a cat, Mishka, who didn't get along with her cat, Simon, so the roommate put Simon out of the apartment, and then she moved out with Mishka. He disappeared for about six months, coming back randomly to say hello. I felt horrible that he was outside because he'd come back and want to come in. We'd leave him food and water, but we couldn't allow him inside because Sammie, Q-Tip and Tori (the three new cats, my two and her new roommates one) were there. We didn't want him to give them anything if he'd gotten FIV or something else bad.

Well, he came back at the end of the six months. We've had a really bad drought, and he'd lost a lot of weight. He basically looked like death warmed over. Mandie, my girlfriend, rushed him to the emergency vet. They tested him for everything, he came back negative. He was really anemic, and they wanted to keep him overnight, but Mandie and I couldn't afford the 700+ dollar bill that would result, so they gave him fluids and we took him home.

He was still really weak, and I wasn't really sure he'd make it through the night. I knew I'd be up pretty much all night with him to take care of him and make sure he'll live. Mandie was really upset, and I knew she had to be at work early the next day, so I sent her to bed. I said a prayer to Ubasti to help me take care of him and to watch over him. She told me that she'd help me and that she would do what was best for him, which I knew meant that if it was better for him to pass, she would let him pass quickly, without anymore pain.

I thanked her and took care of Simon. He lived. And now he's thriving, we're getting him fixed this week and getting his shots, so that he can rome with the rest of the cats and not be locked up in quarantine.

My question is: the past week, I've been hearing Ubasti say, "Look, I have helped you and helped Simon. The best thank you that you can give me is to adopt a kitten. The best sacrifice you can give is one of your time and money." I'm waiting to take this step until we have more space and Simon is completely 100% okay and mixed into the pack.

Has anyone else had this type of experience? Or do you do any type of sacrifice or offerings to your deities?

patch
July 21st, 2008, 04:10 PM
I've never ever had an experience like that. But reciprocity is a fundemental priciple of my path, so I can understand that. She gives and you give.

Because reciprocity is so important to me, I offer things to my deities all the time.
I offer hymns, incense, flowers, food, and various votive objects. But mostly my offerings are a simple libation.

Teresa
July 21st, 2008, 04:21 PM
The same principal Patch mentioned is also a normal custom when working with the Loa and Ancestor Spirits. The relationships are very similar to ones held by friends in real life. They do something for you and you give something in return. The old saying one hand washes another comes to mind. I give regular offerings anyway and offer up special things occasionally as needed. If the spirits move me to do something specific I try my best to honor that request.