Not working with Gods.

[*GrumpButt*]

Ok....

I have been Pagan for about 6 years now. I have not felt a connection with any god/dess, or even a figure head, i.e. The Goddess, what have you.

I do however feel connected to a force, power, great flowing energy. I use this for my spells, prayers w/e.

I have done things to try to connect with a deity, but nothing so far. It does not bother me not to have someone/god to pray to, or worship.

I do believe there are gods out there.

I just seem to connect with the 'universal energy' more than anything else.

I am now starting to realize that instead of looking so hard for a god to connect with, that this great energy flow, which is loving and somehow I can connect with, and in some ways have a 'feeling to feeling' relationship/conversations on occasion, is what I should have been looking at. The is no real identity or way I can group this energy to any path or god. It is almost like an universal feeling. Huh

I jut have no clue as to what kind of Paganism, if it is, this may be. And I do not know where to begin looking.....

Any help would be great.

[mouseytalons]

Ok....

I have been Pagan for about 6 years now. I have not felt a connection with any god/dess, or even a figure head, i.e. The Goddess, what have you.

I do however feel connected to a force, power, great flowing energy. I use this for my spells, prayers w/e.

I have done things to try to connect with a deity, but nothing so far. It does not bother me not to have someone/god to pray to, or worship.

I do believe there are gods out there.

I just seem to connect with the 'universal energy' more than anything else.

I am now starting to realize that instead of looking so hard for a god to connect with, that this great energy flow, which is loving and somehow I can connect with, and in some ways have a 'feeling to feeling' relationship/conversations on occasion, is what I should have been looking at. The is no real identity or way I can group this energy to any path or god. It is almost like an universal feeling. Huh

I jut have no clue as to what kind of Paganism, if it is, this may be. And I do not know where to begin looking.....

Any help would be great.

I have been practicing paganism for 20 years (most of it in the "broom closet"), and I did have this very problem for years. Here is what helped me, I pray it helps you.
I started researching the many different beliefs both here in the U.S., and around the world. This can be a very difficult and long process, but here is a quicker way to do it than I did it.
1) Try the Encyclopedia of Mythology (this will give you a general overview of world myths), or wikipedia.org/mythology can also help in this capacity.
2) Talk to your friends and neighbours (especially the ones that don't identify with christianity, judaism, or islam). I asked a Satanist friend of mine about his belifs, he offered to let me read his satanic bible, and his scrapbook about the history of Satanism in America, and Anton McVeigh. He told me if I have any questions, not to hesitate to ask, as he would much rather have me informed, than ignorant.
These helped me along with digging back into my ancient history books, and reading anything and everything I could get my hands on about the subjects that caught my interest the strongest. The Greek Pantheon caused an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and understanding in me, this caused me to study even more about this. Everything from what the christian bible (my childhood upbringing's teachings), to the other materials written on the subject (which I quickly learned is extensive), to even now, internet searches.
As I studied more and more, and started meditating more and more, I let the gods and spirits show themselves to me. I have found I identify most with Aphrodite, however, I also find myself calling on others in this pantheon, and even some of the Egyptian paantheon (the next closest to my own), depending on my needs at the time.
3) The other thing to consider; How is it easiest for you to connect with the spirit world? For me it is prayer and meditation.
I hope this helps you.
Blessings on your journey.

[Windsmith]

Hey, WhiteDragon!

You might try bopping on over to the Pantheism sub-forum in the Paths section. I think you might find some things of interest to you there.

[herbal_legends]

Sounds like you're a pantheist.
I have similar beliefs and it was nice to know that there were many out there who felt the same.

[Shanti]

Its your kind!! I tried once to find a box I fit into and found the best one was my own. More freedom to to follow my own heart without the input of other ideals.
Create your own kind. You cant go wrong, I promise. ;)

[*GrumpButt*]

Thanks guys! Since I've had this realization,things are much smoother, and I don't feel like I'm just floudering anymore. :hi5:

[perceval23]

Having a system or two to draw on helps, if for no other reason certain symbols and archetypes are hardwired into our subconcious. There are some things, especially when dealing with spiritual matters, that are better communicated through Myth, poetry, song, dance, and ritual than mere words. Those symbols and archetypes represent things to us, and help connect us with Nature, the Infinite, and so on.

Religions, and the Myths and rituals associated with them, have always been about guiding us on our Path. They also, throughout history, have been about the day to day lives of the people practicing them.

So, trying to find a system independently from your daily life might be the problem. They're connected. What I find works is considering what myths, stories, works of art, music, even modern forms of art like films, especially resonate with you. What especially touches your soul? Are there any patterns, there?

Even look back to what especially touched you in your childhood. What were your favorite stories? Did Alice's journey into Wonderland especially enchant you, when you were reading it the first time? When Lucy in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, when she was moving further and further back in that wardrobe and felt the trees at her back, then discovered she had entered a magical land, resonate with you as a child? Did you find yourself especially drawn into Tolkien's world? If so to any or all of these, you'd just encountered the Fae, and now might be a good time to revisit them.

[Hermgirl]

I have similar feelings about it, I sort of feel most connected to Hermes, but he doesn't really feel as though he "needs" me to actively "worship" him, the way one would in the Christian church or something.

I've been a pagan for something like four years now, studying for longer than that, and I spend time on my practice, studying, meditating, doing solitary ritual, and I feel content to call out to "God and Goddess" or "Lord and Lady", and honor them that way.

When I call the quarters, I mainly address the "Powers" of those elements, or the angelic intelligences of same, and I feel as though I connect most of the time.

I've heard about people "aspecting" various gods and goddesses, or "working" with them, and I have to confess I don't know much about this side of things, and what little I do know leads me to believe that if one doesn't know what one is doing here, it can be dangerous.

My approach to this issue is to just keep studying, meditating, and working, and eventually, when the time is right, things will start happening, or I'll find the correct path to make them happen.

[phathead]

In a true Pagan way...you may be more aligned with an elemental or "force of nature" type of energy. These can manifest in certain deities or just be the "energy of the river" itself. I would focus on a more natural animistic viewpoint and pray to your ancestors and spirit guides for help and clarification......can't go wrong.

[~*Sacred*~]

Ok....

I have been Pagan for about 6 years now. I have not felt a connection with any god/dess, or even a figure head, i.e. The Goddess, what have you.

I do however feel connected to a force, power, great flowing energy. I use this for my spells, prayers w/e.

I have done things to try to connect with a deity, but nothing so far. It does not bother me not to have someone/god to pray to, or worship.

I do believe there are gods out there.

I just seem to connect with the 'universal energy' more than anything else.

I am now starting to realize that instead of looking so hard for a god to connect with, that this great energy flow, which is loving and somehow I can connect with, and in some ways have a 'feeling to feeling' relationship/conversations on occasion, is what I should have been looking at. The is no real identity or way I can group this energy to any path or god. It is almost like an universal feeling. Huh

I jut have no clue as to what kind of Paganism, if it is, this may be. And I do not know where to begin looking.....

Any help would be great.

That's what I was since I became a Pagan years ago. I didn't get any Gods until the fall of 09.

[mouseytalons]

Having a system or two to draw on helps, if for no other reason certain symbols and archetypes are hardwired into our subconcious. There are some things, especially when dealing with spiritual matters, that are better communicated through Myth, poetry, song, dance, and ritual than mere words. Those symbols and archetypes represent things to us, and help connect us with Nature, the Infinite, and so on.

Religions, and the Myths and rituals associated with them, have always been about guiding us on our Path. They also, throughout history, have been about the day to day lives of the people practicing them.

So, trying to find a system independently from your daily life might be the problem. They're connected. What I find works is considering what myths, stories, works of art, music, even modern forms of art like films, especially resonate with you. What especially touches your soul? Are there any patterns, there?

Even look back to what especially touched you in your childhood. What were your favorite stories? Did Alice's journey into Wonderland especially enchant you, when you were reading it the first time? When Lucy in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, when she was moving further and further back in that wardrobe and felt the trees at her back, then discovered she had entered a magical land, resonate with you as a child? Did you find yourself especially drawn into Tolkien's world? If so to any or all of these, you'd just encountered the Fae, and now might be a good time to revisit them.

I didn't realize it, but I was drawn to stories like Jason and the Argonauts, Alice in Wonderland, and other Fairy Stories. Thank You.

[Morrigan_Storm]

How strange that this thread was posted now. This has actually been something that has been on my mind a lot lately as well. I have been Pagan for 10 years now and have always worked with the elements. I have an issue with deity really. It's not something I can really trust or believe. It feels like I am just fooling myself. I have a rather scientific brain and tend to question a lot. I do believe in a universal life energy as well because it is the only thing that seems to work for me. However, I have a love for mythology and always have. But it's not something I could honestly believe in. I do believe it served it's purpose for those who believed in it long ago. But for me I just can't bring myself to do so.