How to go about communicating with deities?

[flyingparachute]

Hello everyone. :)
I'm kind of new to paganism, and was wondering, how do you get a relationship with god/dess? I don't know where to start. Do I pick a certain god/dess that I find interesting and do a prayer/ritual, or do I kind of try to communicate with just the gods in general? I also don't know how to communicate, as in what to say. As I said, I'm quite new (I've been studying for a long time, but am just now really starting to practice). Pretty much, I just want a starting point with this.
Sorry if this doesn't make sense, or has been asked before. Thank you to anyone who answers me. :)
Blessings♥

[Xander67]

Confidence, Thanksgiving, and praise.

you dont need any fancy schmancy prayers, the less formal the better..
you want the diety you are adressing to feel loved and apreciated, and also respected,

Know your prayer is being heard,
Remember to praise and give thanks in advance for answering,

also, always always always, ask for divine will to be carried out.

[Twinkle]

Communication with Deity really is a tough gig (imo). Usually when a Deity wants to communicate, they instigate it, not the other way around.

That being said, trying to build a relationship with Deity can be done through ritual and worship.

I know my son is trying to forge a reciprocal relationship with Apollo...so he wrote him a poem and lit some incense for him, and then prayed using the Traditional prayer stance, used his epithets, and so on.

Whether that relationship will result in a UPG or communication is unknown, but I personally don't believe that we can compel the Gods to talk to us.

I do believe that right action (worship) will bring correct response (a relationship).

[Xander67]

I do believe that right action (worship) will bring correct response (a relationship).

This too,
I forgot to add in offering up incense, and praise.

[flyingparachute]

Thank you for your answers! :)
However, I'm still wondering: Do I just find a deity I feel drawn to or interested in and pray/do a ritual? Or wait until they contact me?

[Twinkle]

I've never been really comfortable (or truly understood) this being "drawn to deity" thing people talk about.

If there is a God that interests you, it certainly wouldn't hurt to research that Deity and then give an offering.

[U-we-tsi-a-ge-ya]

I Had a hard time with picking my deity,and then once i did decide on one i was utterly stumped on how to communicate with her.Eventually i just got really fed up with myself for being so shy about it,And then on the first day of school that day i got an idea from one of my classes.We had all gathered together in a circle and stated our names,age and a short story about ourselves.I did a very simmilar thing that night.I lit candles and called the 5 elements to my circle and I Introduced myself to my goddess and i just took baby stepps from there.One of the things that also helped me communicate w/ my goddess is having a special word or phrase that's a secret between me and her,It really helps to have this because it can be really calming in alot of stressful and upsetting situations.But all in all,Just be true to you and no matter what always belive that your deity is with you,Even if it doesnt seem like it sometimes.

Anyways,Hope this helps a little,:)

[Caelestis ♥ Raven]

I think it depends greatly on how you view your deity.

Such as Twinkle and myself have a bit different views so we would approach it differently. Is one way right or wrong? I don't think so, just different and unique and that is ok.

My Goddess is always with me. She hears me when I utter obscenities as I stub my toe and when I whisper thanks for a blessing. I don't feel that I need any special way to communicate with Her. She knows my thoughts and hears my words and sees into the deepest parts of my soul even before I realize it myself!

That being said I think sometimes and even more so when you are first learning to listen to Her voice it is nice to have a moment of focus I think.

I like to go somewhere private and quiet either outside or sitting at home with candles lit. To just sit eyes closed and listen. And once you feel you are ready just talk openly.

It can be that simple or if you wish you can make a huge ritual out of. create an altar/shrine for a specific deity, candles, incense, prayers written, etc...


However, I'm still wondering: Do I just find a deity I feel drawn to or interested in and pray/do a ritual? Or wait until they contact me? I don't think you really have to wait, if you already feel drawn to a specific deity then I would say go with that. If not then you can just got with a general God/Goddess until you find one.

I'd say you can't go wrong just following what feels right to you :)

[Allytria]

All these are good ideas. You can contact Them on your own, after all. I shared a little bit of this experience in another post. I feel that the "calling" from deity to supplicant is a mutual experience. You might also find that who you work with will change depending on what is going on in your life at that time. I know it's happened to me. We are forever evolving and learning. So are They, at least in my experience.

[7 of Swords]

I would add to this discussion: reading and a good amount of study.

Sort of put some initial feelers out there and get an idea of what interests you. Once a specific deity/path piques your interest look into it further, there is all kinds of good literature out there that can help.

Remember to go with your gut, if you feel intrigued by a certain deity than perhaps that is a sign for you. Don't "think" about it too much, don't try to find a deity who matches your personality, or one you'd like to have a beer with (;)), but the deity that "makes sense" to you. One you respsect and can learn from.

Just my two cents, for what's it worth.