Is this normal?

[Cottage-Witch]

Hey all!

I have a question: Is it normal to want to follow goddesses and gods from different pantheons? I just seem drawn to different deities from all sorts of places in the world. It doesn't make sense! I don't, for some reason, don't feel drawn to any gods at the moment, just goddesses.

I am drawn to:

Kuan Yin
White Tara
Athena
Vesta
Aphrodite (she seems to have picked me out)
Ceridwen

And while I am drawn to these goddesses, I feel drawn to the Celtic path. O_O This is so confusing to me! Should I look for the Celtic equivalent of the goddesses listed who are not Celtic and call them by that name, or should I just go on calling them by the names listed? I do believe that all the goddesses are faces of the one Goddess, so I don't know if changing the name I call them will impact anything.

Thanks to anyone who can help! ^_^

-CW

[Twinkle]

It's normal for *you*, so what does it matter how anyone else feels about it?

[Cottage-Witch]

It's normal for *you*, so what does it matter how anyone else feels about it?

You're right! I never really thought about it. Thank-you for saying that. :)

[iron_bandit]

commonly many people decide to use different gods or spirits to empower

their works weather spiritual or otherwise,
it is therefore not uncommon for you to feel drawn or not drawn
to any particular god/goddess
different gods or goddesses have different attributes and so it is wise to no which god or goddess you wish to follow,
at that time it will make sense for now its a matter of soul searching

[Cottage-Witch]

commonly many people decide to use different gods or spirits to empower

their works weather spiritual or otherwise,
it is therefore not uncommon for you to feel drawn or not drawn
to any particular god/goddess
different gods or goddesses have different attributes and so it is wise to no which god or goddess you wish to follow,
at that time it will make sense for now its a matter of soul searching

Thank-you for the help. I'm glad it's a common thing, but like Twinkle said, it doesn't really matter if it's normal for someone else, but for me. :) I get worried easily and want to fit into the 'norm', but I guess as a Pagan there is no norm! XD

[iron_bandit]

their is never a norm for anyone because everyone is unique,
meaning that everyones perceptions are different and therefore valuable
and so if it suits you use it lol :) and glad i can help

[Gaudior]

If you are comfortable with it, it's fine :) What others think should not matter to you at all. I think that so long as you are respectful to the Deities, they will reply in a positive manner.

[sparrowspirit]

while it is normal to you, and how you feel.... what if you tried finding what these Goddesses have in common and take it from there?

I was drawn to Buddhism and Green Tara about four years ago, and I still have my Green Tara statue on my alter, because she brings me comfort and peace, and I feel calm and relaxed seeing her there as I enter my home.

That being said, I am currently a devotee of Hekate, and while right now I'm researching all I can, She is patient with me in my findings.

So I guess it is possible. It's all up to you.

-Kristina

[Cottage-Witch]

Thank-you to everyone who has helped. ^_^ It means a lot to me. I have decided to find Celtic equvilants to the goddesses I am drawn to and I got the same feeling from them in Celtic 'form' as I did in the other versions. Thanks again!

[skilly-nilly]

Is it normal to want to follow goddesses and gods from different pantheons?

I have noticed in reading many posts that choosing from many pantheons seems to be quite common (ie"normal") but I can't see it myself. I believe that the Gods and Goddesses are a part of the cultures that worshipped Them. Not that the cultures 'made' Them or They the cultures, but that the cultural perception of the Deity Who communicated with them is very important. The Greek, Roman, Welsh, and Buddhist cultures are quite different. You can address those disparate Goddesses all at once, but I can't see how you can stir together those clashing cultures.



And while I am drawn to these goddesses, I feel drawn to the Celtic path. O_O This is so confusing to me! Should I look for the Celtic equivalent of the goddesses listed who are not Celtic and call them by that name, or should I just go on calling them by the names listed? I do believe that all the goddesses are faces of the one Goddess, so I don't know if changing the name I call them will impact anything.

There isn't really a "Celtic" Path. There are 5 languages, nations, and cultures in the Celtic group and they can't (imo) be stirred together any more than a bunch of unrelated Goddesses can.

Without any doubt at-tall, none of the Celtic cultures believed that there is only one Goddess. So if you believe that, none of the Celtic nations' religions will be a good fit with your beliefs.

What it seems to me that you are saying here is, "I believe in one Great Goddess and those aspects of Her I best connect with are...and then your list."

[woodnymph]

Kinda in the same boat, seems Artemis is the only one that calls to me. I kinda had Athena on my mind but nothing concrete (though I'm told she is like that). Friends are telling me I need a god and a goddess..or opposite goddesses for balance. So I'm all freaked out about being out of balance. but honestly none of the men have really "spoken" to me. and Artemis seems to be the only one bothering. So I guess if I'm ok with it, and she does doesn't mind it. it's all ok. lol Eventually I'm sure someone will point themselves out. but right now I'm at a loss. So I sympathise with your confusion.

Lara

[Cottage-Witch]

Kinda in the same boat, seems Artemis is the only one that calls to me. I kinda had Athena on my mind but nothing concrete (though I'm told she is like that). Friends are telling me I need a god and a goddess..or opposite goddesses for balance. So I'm all freaked out about being out of balance. but honestly none of the men have really "spoken" to me. and Artemis seems to be the only one bothering. So I guess if I'm ok with it, and she does doesn't mind it. it's all ok. lol Eventually I'm sure someone will point themselves out. but right now I'm at a loss. So I sympathise with your confusion.

Lara

Isn't it confusing? I wouldn't really worry about what my friends said, because I learned last night on here what matters to you is what matters(Thanks Twinkle!).

I can really feel Athena calling me. Last night, I kept seeing her mentioned either on the TV by people saying her name or talking about big statues of owls. O_O On the others I've listed, I feel a 'little calling', like they are willing to work with me, but the only one besides Athena I really feel a connection to is Bridig. I have no idea why I didn't list Bridig. I've been having slight interest in her for months now, and then she just keeps popping up. Imbolc is coming up soon, so I'm trying to learn all I can about it. :)

[Xentor]

Alright. Time for a different perspective. I'm about to hurt someone's feelings in this post.

What does it matter to you, what other people think is normal? Since, after all, you are unique in your very own special mind of way?

Well, it matters because though you are unique, you aren't alone. You and the people around you form society. And members of a society put great effort into teaching each other about what they can and can't do. That way, they can work together, sharing a common interest, agreeing to the same terms.

So if you step out and go, I don't need no frikkin' society, chances are they'll react similarly and kick you out, or worse.

This is true within the much more confined realm of Paganism too: there are traditions that disagree rather vehemently with people mixing and matching their own ingredients... Not because traditions disapprove of ecclecticism or individual and critical thinking, but because more often than not, those that did mix and match wind up turning around claiming to rpresent a better version of the original tradition. Now that gets people pissed off.

So, why does the opinion of others matter? Because you chose not to live in a hermite's solitude.

[Garm]

Pantheonic package deals are more the exception than the rule

Their resilience in current time probably has a lot to do with how aternative religions are being taught

Callings from individual deities don't often take lines of affiliation in to account

[Herumetem]

Pantheonic package deals are more the exception than the rule

Their resilience in current time probably has a lot to do with how aternative religions are being taught

Callings from individual deities don't often take lines of affiliation in to account

^quoted for truth.


It is common in that many people do it. I do it.

It can also be frowned upon, and many people have a problem with pantheon mixing.

But please, pay them no heed. It's the Gods you should be asking. Still, try to understand their worship and role from a cultural perspective. Seems the more respectful thing to do.

[Wildhope]

Kinda in the same boat, seems Artemis is the only one that calls to me. I kinda had Athena on my mind but nothing concrete (though I'm told she is like that). Friends are telling me I need a god and a goddess..or opposite goddesses for balance. So I'm all freaked out about being out of balance. but honestly none of the men have really "spoken" to me. and Artemis seems to be the only one bothering. So I guess if I'm ok with it, and she does doesn't mind it. it's all ok. lol Eventually I'm sure someone will point themselves out. but right now I'm at a loss. So I sympathise with your confusion.

Lara

While I'm sure your friends were trying to be helpful you don't necessarily need a God now or even at all (in my humble opinion). I've been on this path for over ten years and eight years into it I finally found my God. It will happens when it happens and it will be more meaningful when the right one finds you. Kinda like having a boyfriend now that I think about it, lol. :toofless:

As to deities from different pantheons I see it as normal. I worship Gods from both the Hindi and Greek pantheons. While I see the appeal of wanting all your Gods to pertain to your Celtic roots personally it wouldn't work for me to be called by Aphrodite and decide to worship Freya instead just because of the attributes. History, stories, personalities are all distinctive to each God/Goddess, but I really believe it's all up to you and what you feel works for you. :)

[RubyRose]

I used to follow solely Welsh Deities, until The Morrighan showed herself to me.

[aluokaloo]

well of course it is, whether they are there to stay or there briefly, a deity chooses the person they want to contact. :)