How did/What did you use to choose your patron Goddess and God?

[Freyja Witchsong]

Merry meet!

For years I've had trouble (as a solitary), selecting a patron Goddess and God to work with. How have you (you = others) selected your patron Goddess and God? Was there any method or tool you used to help you? I'd be interested to hear people's responses.

Thanks and blessed be,

[MonSno_LeeDra]

I did not choose mine they chose me. Artemis has been with me since my early youth. Over time she has grown to be greater than what my youth allowed me to experience, but it has not lessoned her for me only made her fuller.

Hecate has been there for years as well though at first I did not recognize her nor know her in all her facets. In fact at times I confused her with with aspects of Artemis until I encountered them seperately adn semi-together and came to know them apart. I say semi together for I was with one then the other and came to see them as the seperate goddesses they were.

Bast was the last to come to me and did so as a vision and dream while I was on ship off the coast of Africa on the MED sea. Ironically on that very voyage would I come to know all three clearly and be introduced to many facets of each as I sailed around Greece and the Black Sea.

So in that light I can not tell you how to chose for as I stated I did not chose or call to them they chose and picked me.

[MammaStar]

The same for me. I didn't choose her, She chose me. Astara came to me one night. I have been her daughter since. You'll know when they come to you.

[Freyja Witchsong]

I have always felt an uncanny attraction to Lilith and Adonis... I almost always work with them in ritual.

[Whitewolf]

The Gods/Goddess chose me. I'm a polytheist. I mainly feel drawn to the Egyptian pantheon. Set [my main God], Anubis, Bast and Sehkmet are the deities I connect with. Lately, I've been fascinated and been drawn to the Norse Pantheon [Thor, Freya].

[Sionnach le Fey]

I'm gonna second what others have said. Deities usually find you, not the other way around, and if they want you, they will have you. Aphrodite was very forceful when it came to claiming me as Her daughter.

[Kaliel]

I ended up with Deities not many people have heard of, and they chose me. Now I work with Titania, Methios and Talon . . . and have not found them in many books.

[YoungSoulRebel]

I practise Hellenismos, so I don't have a "Patron deity" in the way most Pagans typically think of it. There's primary worship of all Gods and Goddesses, at the right places, times, etc..., then there is cult worship, which not all Hellenes practise, and cult practises vary from God to God.

My primary cultus is paid to Eros, then Apollon, Hermes, and Dionysos, in that order. There are also some Theoi (Gods) and Heroes I worship alongside Eros, including Adonis, Hyakintos, Narkissos, Hermaphroditos, etc....

I came to Eros cultus mainly through "visions" in dreams I had beforehand. When I woke up, there was this intense feeling of "calling", sort of like what I remember nuns from my old Catholic school describing, but whether or not this was a case of being "chosen", eh, it's really not for me to say definitively. I know what I feel, but I also know Earth Logic, and having a strong ideal of Apollonian "moderation", balance, long before Hellenic polytheism, I strive to moderate my gut feelings and logic. Only the Theoi know for a fact if They, or even just one of Them "wants me", but the bond of kharis I've created with Eros has been one of the most spiritually fulfilling experiences in my religious life, so if that's proof enough, then excellent.

[Fiamma]

I ended up with Deities not many people have heard of, and they chose me. Now I work with Titania, Methios and Talon . . . and have not found them in many books.


Yup, never heard of them...except for Titania the fairy queen in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. I was curious and tried to google them...for Methios, all I could find was a bunch of World of Warcraft stuff. And a bunch of fictional characters named Talon. So are these...fictional characters you're talking about? If not, whose mythology do they come from? I'm interested in obscure mythology.

Thanks.

[YoungSoulRebel]

Yup, never heard of them...except for Titania the fairy queen in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. I was curious and tried to google them...for Methios, all I could find was a bunch of World of Warcraft stuff. And a bunch of fictional characters named Talon. So are these...fictional characters you're talking about? If not, whose mythology do they come from? I'm interested in obscure mythology.

Thanks.
Yeah, I haven't been able to find much else on those three. It seems "Methios" just just a player profile on Word of Warcrap fora, as well — I can't even find a popular fantasy novel with that name for a primary or secondary character (maybe a character on the periphery, but most sites don't tend to log those with their own character pages).

Depending on the path, I don't really have a problem with just making up new names for deities or deciding to "create" new deities wholecloth (I mean, hey, if The Church of the SubGenius can do it...), but I think it's dishonest to imply that a "new" deity of this sort is one that may be have a minimum of a single-line mention in a World Mythology Omnibus or something. "Not found them in many books"? Please give me the title of a single book, outside of A Midsummer Night's Dream, that at least has a passing mention of the God/dess Titania -- it can be out-of-print, even, just so long as it can be confirmed that the book has actually been in-print at one time.

[Sequoia]

I ended up with Deities not many people have heard of, and they chose me. Now I work with Titania, Methios and Talon . . . and have not found them in many books.

... :eyebrow:

[Nuadu]

I dont work with the wicca\druidry concept of duotheism but I have what amounts to something similar. Deities I am more dedicated to then others and I had to choose to pursue a relationship with them. [EDIT] I do that by studying the deities connected to my family history and our traditional territory, embracing my culture as much as I can and being the best most worthy person I can be. [End EDIT] I can definately relate to using your own names for a deity though.

My equivolent to the Patron is Nuadu.
He is the oldest associated deity with the Province of Leinster which is the smallest regional unit universally recignised in contemporary Ireland. He is mentioned in Leinster genealogies as our divine ancestor. The divine male deity is almost constant throughout the history of the tribal group where he is viewed as the most venerated and eldest member of the group and his mythological figure is used to justify the tribal groups dynastic ambitions. I would look to him as a psychopomp during meditation and I expect on my death I will travel to the otherworld where he will rule the family and territory.

The female deities change according to territory but play a more central role in the welfare of the group in life and death being viewed as the mother and Sovereign Goddess of the group who functions as the provider of fertility in crops, expansion in wealth and strength in battle. I would look to her for a blessing on new projects I might work on, to bless my search for work and help in defeating other competitors in sports.

There is a third part to our divine family. The divinely decended founder of our family who gives us our family name, the specific name of our territory. He functions as being the means through which the soveriegn Goddess is stimulated to provide for the people of the territory. He is viewed as the most venerated mortal ancestor and I would ask his blessing at family gatherings or things that are very earthly that I might have concerns in conveying to the fully divine deities.

Its with my families female deity that I have sympathy for people using their own names. The name of our female deity is lost. She is a sea deity of an earlier celtic example (most irish sovereign goddesses are land deities) and the name I use for her is The Mhaighdean Mhara because she is represented in medieval art as a Mermaid. Other local water associated sovereign goddesses have evolved humanized figures in folklore and have been given names people can use but ours seems to be lost. I havent read everything yet. Im hopefull but until then The Mhaighdean Mhara is my choice of name.

[Fiamma]

I dont work with the wicca\druidry concept of duotheism but I have what amounts to something similar.

Druidry is duotheistic? That's a new one to me.

[YoungSoulRebel]

... :eyebrow:
And the best I can find for "Methios" is a suggestion by Google of "Methos", a Highlander Immortal. I also have a suggestion from somebody else that Shakespeare pulled the name "Titania" from a relatively obscure piece of Italian lit from the 13th or 14th Centuries CE, but Rome and surrounding Italy had been thouroughly Christianised for about a millennium, at that point -- also, "Titania" is pretty obviosly a Latinised and feminised take on the title of "Titan", which is of Greek origin and used to define an older caste of Gods.

She's said in another thread that she "knows they're real", in which case I think it would be nice if she'd at least explain a little more about Them. Are these just the names that she prefers to call Them -- and assuming so, what are some of Their more common names? Has she discovered "new Gods"? Did she invent them wholecloth cos she liked the names?

These are all questions with answers that would be nice to know, especially as there is a post she made in the Druid/Celtic sub-forum back in January wherein she attempted to promote herself as a teacher of "The Druidic Tradition of Arda", but shared surprisingly little about this path. Now she's naming Deities that nobody else can find named (at least not as Deities) anywhere else, and again, is refusing to answer very basic questions about it.

[YoungSoulRebel]

Druidry is duotheistic? That's a new one to me.
Yeah, same here -- though I admit, all I know about Druid paths is from a few books I read in high school. Of course, there are also a lot of new Pagan paths out there being called "Druidic" (or somesuch), but are actually based only on popular media images of Druids, so, I dunno... I think this person just might not know any better.

Of course, I might enjoy seeing a "Druid" path based on the video to Spinal Tap's "Stonehenge". That would rock.

[FaeDragon]

To the OP;

I am kinda in the same boat with you on this one, though I have to agree, They will chose you and not the other way around. For me, it's trying to figure out if the ones I have had an affinity with for many years are the Ones that would be considered my Patron Deities.

Brighid / Freyja / Thor


They have all been in my life in some shape or form going back as far as childhood and as recently as about 5 years ago. Isis in may ways overlaps Them all, still trying to figure out what that means.

Good luck to you, I hope you find what it is you seek.

[Tanya]

I agree with the others.. she chose me....

what tools did i use to find that? for me... my hiking boots... but since my Goddess is of the forest... that's hardly a surprize...

one way or the other... by what ever method you best use to get into your "Zone" (paint brush, pen, hang glider, guitar, lover... what ever)in to the place you are most yourself... use it... and you will find her waiting for you.

[Kaneithren]

I didn't choose. They "found" me. Dreams, hints, symbolism kept popping up in recurring themes, and led me to those I consider patron/matron. :)

You may have someone trying to get your attention and not even realize it... a name that pops up in books, a figure or symbol in dreams, a pulled feeling toward something or other that is something in their particular genre.

If you don't, that is ok too... it's normal to want that specific connection, but sometimes the "right" one doesn't find us until we are really ready for them... they just help us where they can until we reach that point and are able to acknowledge what they are and how we connect. Respecting the general god/dess doesn't hurt - and it can help you to find that deeper more personal connection to the personal god/dess.

[~Belladonna~]

We don't choose, They choose us ;) as cliche as that may sound, it's true.

[Mors]

I suggest you, and other people who was looking for a patron/ness, to read this article:
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usks&c=words&id=13181

And I think, personally, you can choose your patron/ness. Why not?.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Sorry but the referenced link sounds like the requirements to become a stalker. You (collectively used) pull that stuff in real life and you'd go to jail or worse, to think it would make you connected to your god / goddess is really sad in my humble opinion..

It's sort of like masturbating, feels good for a moment, gives a false sense of achievement and connection but accomplishes nothing. But while doing it makes one think they are actually experiencing the real thing. But in the end nothing fruitful comes of it, other than the realization of failure when you finally do experience it.

[_Banbha_]

Druidry is duotheistic? That's a new one to me.

I don't know much about that either; but lets face it, Druidry can be taken to mean almost anything these days.

[/chagrin]

[Ariste]

I think Artemis has been my patron Goddess most of my life. I have always dreamed of her all my life..it seems though as soon as I finally recognize her as such she tells me to move on. The last very clear vision I had of her (and Apollo) was when I was pregnant with Kit. I think it was just a message of acknowledgement that my children are named for them, and their agreeing to watch over them. I have been just getting a pretty clear message that it is time to move on. I feel I am needing to walk with a darker diety for a time and I was assuming it would probably be Hecate, but then I saw this.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k247/Ariste01/Galler37.jpg

and something inside me just clicked. I've actually dreamt of that image every night since. And yes I know it's just an artist's rendering. So now I'm trying to research The Morrigan and see if anything comes of it. I don't know if that's a proper way of finding a patron, but it's the only way i got right now LOL.

[Rainbow]

Like some other people here I am not duotheistic, although I did just sort of wind up with a Goddess and a God... this was based on years of feeling like They were the right ones.

If you're having trouble, don't worry... it'll happen. There really isn't a "rule" when it comes to figuring out Patrons, it's just something you know.

As far as Them "choosing me," I don't really conceive of it as that... back when I did, it sort of struck me as apologetic... "Well, yeah, I worship this God, but He really chose me, not my fault...". It doesn't bother me when other people do (or come off as apologetically), but it's one of those things that would just feel awkward coming from me because, I mean, does it really matter if I chose Them or They chose me?

[~*Midnight Flame*~]

Anubis chose me as His daughter...I didn't choose Him. That came from many dreams of Him for quite sometime, until I finally "woke" up and accepted His calling. Plus, being a canine person...He is dual purpose for me.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q130/CryptMistress/Anubis_Painting.jpg

[Caitlin.ann]

Mine is a long confusing story. At first I worshiped Hekate thinking she was my patron and it was more like I chose her for a while so its not surprising that I haven't felt her for years. She stuck around for a little while and then was no longer around.

Cernunnos, however, has been around for years, for almost as long as I have been on the pagan path, patiently waiting on me to come to terms with what is and understanding my need to look everywhere and have my doubts. He has been very patient towards me and has never left. He more or less chose me.

Freya came to me in a dream, but thats almost the extent of what I've felt from her and I'm still not sure whats going to happen next there.

[Lilrodrigues]

Well, for starters, I read several mythologies and got acquainted with the gods and how they were portrayed. Then i purchased a few mythological dictionaries in order to have ready-made key-words, concepts and tales related to them and readily available. After i had built a consistent knowledge about the mythologies of the culture/s i was interested in, i meditated and went into a period of introspection. This happened about the same time as i was progressing in Franz Bardon's "Initiation into Hermetics" first degree. When i finally contemplated everything i could about myself, I chose deities that strongly ressonated with who i was/am, the things that drive me forward and the atributes i lack. I built quite a panoplia of deities, some from different cultures then my own but still closely related and that was the beggining of my "patrons".

[Pink_sheep]

I'm another "they chose me". I noticed a few things that seemed to connect back to Djehuty and I got as far as thinking "I wonder if..." before I got a great big "YES! AT LAST!" back!
I used to worry a lot about having a God but not having a Goddess that I really connected to. Now I don't. I keep my mind open and if I'm chosen, I'm chosen.
I don't see any real problem with attempting to make a connection with a God/ess you want to/feel you should work with - as long as you don't "force" it and stay respectful. YMMV of course. It took me a while to work out the connection to Djehuty - there were a few other deities that I thought might be my "patron" deity, but that "connection" wasn't there.

[Kaliel]

Sarcastically interested in what I have to say just isn't good enough for me.

I shared my answer, why everyone here feels the need to over analyze everyone else, I do not know. I prefer to just live my spiritual life, rather than sit here trying to impress people that a) don't give a damn about me in the first place, b) that don't help me in my spiritual quest, and c) that I don't care for in the least.

Enough Said.

[Caitlin.ann]

Sarcastically interested in what I have to say just isn't good enough for me.

I shared my answer, why everyone here feels the need to over analyze everyone else, I do not know. I prefer to just live my spiritual life, rather than sit here trying to impress people that a) don't give a damn about me in the first place, b) that don't help me in my spiritual quest, and c) that I don't care for in the least.

Enough Said.

If you don't care then why would you take the time to give such a defensive response and if you don't like any of us then why are you posting messages to us here? Or are you referring only to those you feel over-analyzed your posts?

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Sarcastically interested in what I have to say just isn't good enough for me.

Because someone or a few find the god/goddess you listed to be in question and comment on it seems to be a thing that should be expected.

In a spiritual setting where it is more often than not seen as a means to defy a parent or the establishment or a fad, it should be expected that when something comes forth that seems to support that, that it would raise concerns or inspire remarks.

I think most would not care who you worship, even if it be the all might goddess paperclip, if you respond when asked about it. Not to justify your selection but to respond about them.

I shared my answer, why everyone here feels the need to over analyze everyone else, I do not know.

In analyzing your answer we also analyze our own perspective. Maybe even to the point of seeing a reflection of ourselves in them and seek a deeper understanding of self by asking about yours.

Inversely, we also make the speaker look into the mirror of thier own truth. The problem there in is that they may not like what they see and find the reflector to be unfavorable vice actually looking into the reflection they see.

I prefer to just live my spiritual life, rather than sit here trying to impress people

Who asked to be impressed? You show PHD in your identifer, I'm sure you didn't get that going through life and just stating a thing without being asked about it or jusrifying your results or opinions.

To have faith in a thing is not to imply a blind faith in what we may encounter on our discovery to find it.

that a) don't give a damn about me in the first place,

Truthfully, upon what do you base that assumption? If you look at the number of people here who have opened up to total strangers and had them try to assist sort of proves your statement wrong.

There is also a considerable difference between carring about a person and carring about thier assumptions and beliefs. To have your beliefs and assumptions questioned in no way signals they do not or could not care about you as a individual person.

b) that don't help me in my spiritual quest,

Again how can you prove that? You do not know who may hold the clue you seek or provide the enseight that maybe the trigger or torch that lights your way.

If your quest be one of internal self journey then yes, your statement is true. If it be one of discovering your spiritual self then no it is not. Every quest has a path that must be trodden and items upon the path to direct, misdirect or influence the outcome.

and c) that I don't care for in the least.

Then your not on your quest of discovery your simply on a path of self appreciation. For it appears that unless it supports your notion of self then it is not worthwhile nor worthly of your consideration.

Enough Said.

I disagree, only when death has silenced our voice is enough said. Until that time words are all we have to guide us on our individual quests. Words to help us convey our idea's and concepts to those that we meet or encounter upon the walk of life.

[evergreen]

As I'm fairly new to paganism (two years or so), I'm still kind of finding what fits for me. The only goddess that has really stuck out to me so far has been Gaea (or Gaia). I don't know if she chose me specifically, but I've always felt a comfort when I think about her.

[MoonBreath]

Kaneithren pretty much took the words right out of my mouth! :) Most Definitely look for signs, coincidences and reoccuring themes related to a specific deity that keep popping up around you. Dreams are another indicator. For me, Isis is the form of the Goddess that has made her presence known the most and the longest. I've had more than one dream related to her, and more signs and coincidences than i can count! :)

[Sakurako]

I realized Gaia is my 'focus' Goddess about a year ago. It wasn't either one of us picking othe other, it was a realization of my beliefs that led me to her. I now realize that she was present in my life all along.

[Avalanche]

I didn't choose my patron. Don't really know if he choose me or if he was just bored. I want to say he choose me, but I really don't know. Kinda feels that way, but that doesn't mean much. But I kinda wish I could have picked my own. Might make things easier. Or not.

[Darth Brooks]

For the OP...I am sorry, but I am forced to echo what most everyone else has said. I didn't pick, I was picked. I can't really give you a good suggestion as to what to do, but I hope you are successful in your search! :thumbsup:


Sarcastically interested in what I have to say just isn't good enough for me.

Well you certainly don't have to share with us any more about your deities than you want to, though for future reference, you might refrain from ever mentioning Them by name again, if you would really like to avoid these kinds of confrontations. I am just trying to be helpful.


I shared my answer, why everyone here feels the need to over analyze everyone else, I do not know. I prefer to just live my spiritual life, rather than sit here trying to impress people that a) don't give a damn about me in the first place, b) that don't help me in my spiritual quest, and c) that I don't care for in the least. Why participate in a message board if the opinions of its members mean nothing to you? I mean, I don't exactly lose sleep over what people think on here (to be honest I don't have anymore sleep to lose), but I do genuinely care about what people here think, otherwise I would not bother to read what they have to say. The only other reasons I can think of for someone to be hanging around a message board are not exactly flattering so I will leave them unvoiced.

[David19]

Sorry but the referenced link sounds like the requirements to become a stalker. You (collectively used) pull that stuff in real life and you'd go to jail or worse, to think it would make you connected to your god / goddess is really sad in my humble opinion..

It's sort of like masturbating, feels good for a moment, gives a false sense of achievement and connection but accomplishes nothing. But while doing it makes one think they are actually experiencing the real thing. But in the end nothing fruitful comes of it, other than the realization of failure when you finally do experience it.

Are you talking about this link (http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usks&c=words&id=13181)?, if so, what's in it, that sounds like the requirements to become a stalker, maybe I'm just not getting it or I missed something (I'll admit I have read through the whole article in detail, just skimmed it), but, I'm not seeing those ideas.

[Calli]

My journey of discovery sounds similar to what others have said. I had misconceptions of who the deities were. I bought into their publicity too much, and rejected any idea of worshipping Aphrodite, because she was portrayed as selfish and egotistical. Once I cast off those ideas, and opened myself to knowing the real her, I recognized her. I had felt her presence my entire life. It was the same with Ares. They have always been with me.

A lot of people recommend researching deities. I don't. I have found that too much knowledge interferes with my ability to experience them. Once I get to know them, then I might do some research.

[Toki Wartooth]

You know, I'm not sure.

For one, I've never been interested or felt "called by" any deity that I didn't already know about in same vague way. For example, I had never studied any Mesopotamian deities up until I took Greek-Roman last Fall semester in college, and before then, I had only been interested in/called by deities in the Roman and Angelic pantheons (both of which I was already familiar with for years before I ever took Greek-Roman). So, I guess I see it like this: I didn't exactly "choose" because I didn't specifically find deities and pick out of a bunch, but I don't necessarily think I was entirely "chosen" either, because these deities I've been fascinated by/worked with/were called to were all from pantheons I had known about; therefore, it's plausible I could be called by them.

But, I do know some people have been called by deities and have to hunt to find out who it was. I, OTOH, have never had that problem.

So, basically what happens with me is that I find out about a deity, and somewhere along the line, I have a greater attraction to this deity as opposed to others. They essentially become my "favorites." Then I start learning about them, and sometimes, I even start working with them.

That's just me, though.

[YoungSoulRebel]

Sarcastically interested in what I have to say just isn't good enough for me.

I shared my answer, why everyone here feels the need to over analyze everyone else, I do not know. I prefer to just live my spiritual life, rather than sit here trying to impress people that a) don't give a damn about me in the first place, b) that don't help me in my spiritual quest, and c) that I don't care for in the least.

Enough Said.


I wasn't being "sarcastic" -- trust me, Fiamma can corroborate: I'm blunt, I've been blunt -- you'll know when I'm being "sarcastic" (which seems to be the word some people on Pagan fora use incorrectly when they think they're being polite about calling somebody a dickbag).

I'm with SacredSin on this -- if you didn't care, you'd not have come off as so defensive so long after the "offending" commentary. Of course, the tardiness of your reply may have nothing to do with anything -- I check this forum pretty sparingly, myself.




Originally Posted by Kaliel http://mysticwicks.com/enlighten/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?p=3918354#post3918354)
Sarcastically interested in what I have to say just isn't good enough for me.

Because someone or a few find the god/goddess you listed to be in question and comment on it seems to be a thing that should be expected.

In a spiritual setting where it is more often than not seen as a means to defy a parent or the establishment or a fad, it should be expected that when something comes forth that seems to support that, that it would raise concerns or inspire remarks.

I think most would not care who you worship, even if it be the all might goddess paperclip, if you respond when asked about it. Not to justify your selection but to respond about them.

Exactly! I'm not seeing where any of these questions have been, by any definition, over-analysing; they're simply an inquiry for explanation based, in part, on what you've stated here and in part on the fact that her claim that these Deities "aren't found in many books" has proved impossible to back up -- with the exception of Titania, a character in a play by Shakespeare.



Originally Posted by Kaliel http://mysticwicks.com/enlighten/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?p=3918354#post3918354)
I prefer to just live my spiritual life, rather than sit here trying to impress people

Who asked to be impressed? You show PHD in your identifer, I'm sure you didn't get that going through life and just stating a thing without being asked about it or justifying your results or opinions.

To have faith in a thing is not to imply a blind faith in what we may encounter on our discovery to find it.
I dunno, I have my suspicions about the PHd. A cursory Google quest brought up a diploma mill.



There is also a considerable difference between carring about a person and carring about thier assumptions and beliefs. To have your beliefs and assumptions questioned in no way signals they do not or could not care about you as a individual person.
Good call. If anything, it suggests the contrary. I'm reminded of that episode of _King of the Hell_ where Luann joined the cult where everybody was re-named Jane. Don't remember the details, but damn, if Hank didn't, you know, ask around and CARE about the poor girl, she would have drank the damned Kool-Aid.



Originally Posted by Kaliel http://mysticwicks.com/enlighten/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?p=3918354#post3918354)
and c) that I don't care for in the least.

Then your not on your quest of discovery your simply on a path of self appreciation. For it appears that unless it supports your notion of self then it is not worthwhile nor worthly of your consideration.

I think you not only hit the nail on the head here, but drove it in.

[Louisvillian]

How have you selected your patron Goddess and God?
I started with a long period of research into the historical perceptions of various deities, and seeing how they related to my personality and worldview. I decided on a concentration in the British and Gaelic pantheons since I have Celtic ancestry from both regions, and there were several that caught my eye.

Then I did extensive research into Wicca's early history, and looked into what deities the original groups worshipped. I feel that Wicca's ritual structure works best for me in the context of the deities it was originally built around, Cernunnos and Aradia (according to a few sources). Not that it can't be adapted for other deities- it is a versatile system; I'm just a very conventional solitary. :uhhuhuh:

Thus I actually made a decision, and chose the deities I worship; probably a rarity, since most people here seem to be saying their deities chose them. My ego would make such a thing quite difficult. :crown:

[Nesta]

Freyja and Odin both chose me. I have felt Freyja's presence my whole life. Odin contacted me with a challenge (as is His way) and I accepted, that was several years ago now.

I didn't know who Freyja was for a long time until I was sent a half joking, half exasperated message so that I could be in no doubt any longer.

Lovely experiences. :uhhuhuh:

[Windsmith]

I don't know that I "chose" Her; I don't even know that you'd call Her a matron in the classic sense - or even a deity. Gaia is my matron, my mother, in a fairly literal sense, and I "chose" her because, at this point in my life, she's all I can really believe in.

[Fiamma]

I don't know that I "chose" Her; I don't even know that you'd call Her a matron in the classic sense - or even a deity. Gaia is my matron, my mother, in a fairly literal sense, and I "chose" her because, at this point in my life, she's all I can really believe in.

How would Gaia not be a deity?

[Fiamma]

Thus I actually made a decision, and chose the deities I worship; probably a rarity, since most people here seem to be saying their deities chose them. My ego would make such a thing quite difficult. :crown:

Heh...I'm curious...do you mean that you need to have been the one to make the decision of choosing, or something else?

Just curious...this is a little different than what you usually see, where people are often saying that people who think they are chosen are the egotistical ones.

[Nesta]

I've never thought of it as being egotistical to have been chosen. Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all offended because I'm really not egotistical at all.

I felt a bit daft after years of Freyja trying to tell me who She was. Seriously, I was so slow on that one it's embarassing.

When Odin approaches a person yes it is a compliment but it's more to be viewed as a challenge. It's not a gift and there's no saying that the challenge will be passed. Also there is a choice whether to accept the path or not. It's hard work and something to be seriously considered. All Odin is saying is that you can give it a go but you have to vow to try your best to learn from the experience. It's a bit like I'm one of His experiments.

I have no idea why I was chosen and I don't really care. For all I know it could be because I'm just so hopeless I need extra help. lmao that's probably it.

[Darth Brooks]

this is a little different than what you usually see, where people are often saying that people who think they are chosen are the egotistical ones.

I haven't really seen too much of this myself, though I see what you mean.


I've never thought of it as being egotistical to have been chosen. Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all offended because I'm really not egotistical at all.

I think Louisvillian was actually making a crack about his own ego. :) I don't see anything "egotistical" about a person believing they really have no choice but to follow the Deity that has called them, anymore than I see anything "egotistical" about people who believe that meeting their significant others was an act of fate.

[Nesta]

I think Louisvillian was actually making a crack about his own ego. :) I don't see anything "egotistical" about a person believing they really have no choice but to follow the Deity that has called them, anymore than I see anything "egotistical" about people who believe that meeting their significant others was an act of fate.

I know, it just got me thinking :)

[Windsmith]

How would Gaia not be a deity?Because in my case I mean "Gaia" in the James Lovelock/Glenys Livingstone "Earth as one sentient organism" sense and not the Roman "goddess of the Earth" sense.

[YoungSoulRebel]

Because in my case I mean "Gaia" in the James Lovelock/Glenys Livingstone "Earth as one sentient organism" sense and not the Roman "goddess of the Earth" sense.

Except that "Gaia" is Hellenic. Her Latin equivalent is Terra (where we get English words like "terrestrial"). And no, They may be of equal domain and equal powers, but they're not the same Goddess -- just ask an Hellene or a Roman.

[YoungSoulRebel]

I haven't really seen too much of this myself, though I see what you mean.

You should encounter some of the same Hellenists that Fiamma and I have, then. Real eye-opener to how egotistical everybody but a certain very small contingent of Neoplatonists apparently are -- then in they next breath, they'll go on about how philosophers (including Neoplatonists) are the only people truly beloved of the Theoi.

Granted, their little screeds against everybody but them aren't without a good point thrown in -- in this case, that people should examine such mystical experiences as well as one's own life, just to be sure that it truly is what one initially thinks it is, and not a case of egomania or simple wishful thinking or even just a lack of realism. On the other, at least in my own case, examining life, the universe, and everything was what brought me to the conclusion of certain Theoi directly at work, among other things. Basically, things are what they are, and if somebody just wants to make a judgement call of egomania from an Internet convo, then I think that's a bigger sign of egotism or egomania than an examined spiritual life.

[Darth Brooks]

You should encounter some of the same Hellenists that Fiamma and I have, then. Real eye-opener to how egotistical everybody but a certain very small contingent of Neoplatonists apparently are -- then in they next breath, they'll go on about how philosophers (including Neoplatonists) are the only people truly beloved of the Theoi.

Admittedly I haven't spent much time among Hellenists, or Neoplatonists. Based off of what you've written here, I have a feeling I would piss them off way too much for anything productive to come of it.


Granted, their little screeds against everybody but them aren't without a good point thrown in -- in this case, that people should examine such mystical experiences as well as one's own life, just to be sure that it truly is what one initially thinks it is, and not a case of egomania or simple wishful thinking or even just a lack of realism.*nods* There is often some truth or validity in any given side, even if the rest of what it asserts is taken to some kind of ridiculous extreme.


On the other, at least in my own case, examining life, the universe, and everything was what brought me to the conclusion of certain Theoi directly at work, among other things. Basically, things are what they are, and if somebody just wants to make a judgement call of egomania from an Internet convo, then I think that's a bigger sign of egotism or egomania than an examined spiritual life.I concur, absolutely.

[Nesta]

On the other, at least in my own case, examining life, the universe, and everything was what brought me to the conclusion of certain Theoi directly at work, among other things. Basically, things are what they are, and if somebody just wants to make a judgement call of egomania from an Internet convo, then I think that's a bigger sign of egotism or egomania than an examined spiritual life.

Absolutely well said!

[David19]

Except that "Gaia" is Hellenic. Her Latin equivalent is Terra (where we get English words like "terrestrial"). And no, They may be of equal domain and equal powers, but they're not the same Goddess -- just ask an Hellene or a Roman.

Can I ask what the difference between is?.

[Windsmith]

Except that "Gaia" is Hellenic. Her Latin equivalent is Terra (where we get English words like "terrestrial"). And no, They may be of equal domain and equal powers, but they're not the same Goddess -- just ask an Hellene or a Roman.Typographical error; not actually intending to gloop pantheons together.

I'm not working with either one, either way.

[YoungSoulRebel]

Can I ask what the difference between is?.

You know, I don't know enough about pre-Hellas syncretism Roman mythology to explain the difference.



Typographical error; not actually intending to gloop pantheons together.

I'm not working with either one, either way.

OK, O/T, I know, but this is fast becoming a peeve of mine:

A typographical error (or "typo") is things like "teh" instead of "the" or "pwn" instead of "own". I'll even give some leeway for "there" when you mean "their", even though that's technically got nothing to do with keyboard typography. Things like saying "Roman" instead of "Greek" are not typographically related. If you misspoke, fine, say that -- it's a common enough misconception. If you simply didn't know, there's no shame in admitting that, either. But it's not a typo.

[Twinkle]

I do believe that certain Gods make themselves known more obviously than others when people first become aware of a specific religion.

I can honestly say that Hermes was very obvious to me at a certain point in my life, as was Aphrodite.

Whether that makes them patrons is a different thing entirely.

From a Neopagan standpoint I would say that there are many ways that Deity make themselves known as patrons - recurrent dreams, obvious signs and so on. Others believe that the Gods choose them with these same signs - some believe you're given the option to pass, still others believe that you don't get that option, once you're chosen that's it.

I used to think I had patrons - but in authentic Hellenismos it doesn't really work that way - and I had to re-examine what I believed was a patron.

What stands as rather egocentric is the idea that the Gods think so much of mortals that they have "special friends", "buddies" or something like that. It may be true in myth, but in actual cosmology and philosophy, not so much. That's not to say that another path believes otherwise. I respect that, even if I don't share the same view. I would question if a Hellenic Reconstructionist claimed it, though.

Everyone has access to the Gods, everyone can feel them, view their sphere of influence, notice them everywhere. I believe that the Gods have better things to do than to lead us around by the nose telling us what to do, how to do it, and so on. Ultimately, I believe personal responsibility is more important than what God is calling me and choosing me to worship them as my patron.

Signs from a God does not necessarily equal patron.

Regardless of my view, I'm certainly not going to be pointing the finger at anyone in particular and claim they are egocentric because they believe that have a special relationship with Deity. If that's their personal gnosis, then that's what it is. But at the same time, it does get annoying when personal gnosis is blasted everywhere. It's personal gnosis for a reason.

Then I question *why* it becomes so important for the internet world to know that Hestia told you (the general you)how special you are and how much she loves you.

I have had a few very personal, insightful, and moving experiences with Deity - but I do not think they chose me, I don't believe they are a special patron, and I don't believe that I need to share it - although I have in a few close circles.

[Malcolm]

A d20 and the table on page 218....

[Windsmith]

Things like saying "Roman" instead of "Greek" are not typographically related....But it's not a typo.Dude, what are you talking about? Those keys are right next to each other!!! ;)