God/Godess aspects

[Saggitario]

Im still carving out my solitary tradition, and I seek the great wisdom from the members on this question(s)
Let me start off by saying that the path I am clearing for myself is based off of simplicity. I am a simple kind of guy. (Simple doesnt mean stupid, at least not in my case.) Anyway, t keep it simple, I beleive in an ultmate power (Spirit, The All, the One, whatever yu wish to call it), which is devided into God and Godess. I dont worship any specific Gods or Godesses.

So, my first question is:
I know the Godess has 3 main aspects:
Maiden
Mother
Crone

What would comparable aspects for the God be?

Second question: I was thinking of callin on the aspects of the God and Godess in my workings, as opposed to specific entities, and was wondering if anyone had any advice as to the appropriate "usage" for each aspect. For example: When would it be best to call on the Crone, as apposed to the Maiden. I think I have some ideas, but I dunno how well they would work. Maybe:
Maiden- New Beginnings, Getting rid of something Negative
Mother- Bringing prosperity and growth
Crone- Wisdom and knowledge

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
Saggitario
:colorful:

[Kadynas]

For the God aspects, you could use Youth, Father, Sage (kinda a wise old man :) )

I think you've got the right idea for the Goddess aspects and what they represent, except I'd put banishing ("getting rid of something negative") in the Crone stage, since she rules over the waning moon... Waxing for increase, waning for decrease. For the Maiden/New & Waxing Moon phase it's best to focus on what you /do/ want, not what you don't want. :)

[Saggitario]

Thanks alot for that Information!
What about the Mother? Would that be nurturing something that is already there (I.e a relationship, job, schooling)? or how about protection?

What about using the God Aspects? Would the same General rules apply? Any way t tell when you would call the God aspect, instead of the Godess aspect?

Sorry for all the questions, but your post got me thinking.....

Thanks again,
Saggitario

[Theres]

apples and oranges... i can't compare them directly like that.

[Saggitario]

Can you clarify what you mean, exactly, Greenman?

[Kadynas]

If you're using the phases just for magic, the Full Moon could be for just about anything... it's the "in-between" so to speak of the waxing/waning cycle. :) But yes nurturing and protective type things would be a good fit. I guess you could use the God aspects that way... I never have though. If you look at the Wiccan celebrations, the Sabbats and Esbats are played out as the cycles of the God and Goddess, represented by the cycles of the Sun and Moon. The God follows the sun part of the cycle, which isn't as obvious as the moon's... Personally I work with them both based on their astrological signs at the time. :)

[Saggitario]

Ok, I think I see what you mean. Also, I guess there is no reason why I couldnt combine the two for a general working, like adressing "Youth and Maiden" or "Crone and Sage". Im just trying to figure out when it is appropriate to separate them and use one or the other, if that make sense. I get the feeling that if I refer to them collectively all the time, then That would b the same as monotheism. Im just kinda confused right now.... :(

Thanks for the info though, Ill take it all into consideration.

[Theres]

Can you clarify what you mean, exactly, Greenman?

well, we've had this discussion many times before, in different guises. and it always seems that everyone tries SO hard to cram the God into a Goddess mold.
the fact that She may (or may not, i'm not convinced) have three aspects doesn't mean that, in order to be 'balanced', He must also.
ergo, apples and oranges.

[Saggitario]

Wow!
That makes alot of sense! Women do have extra.....erm....cycles, so it really fits in.
Thanks for clearing that up.
*starts thinking some more*

[Theres]

;)

[Alexandra Asinine]

There are many trads that do recognize the aspects of the God. Especially with retrospect to the wheel of the year, as he grows and eventually sacrifices himself to give to his people.

[Kadynas]

well, we've had this discussion many times before, in different guises. and it always seems that everyone tries SO hard to cram the God into a Goddess mold.
the fact that She may (or may not, i'm not convinced) have three aspects doesn't mean that, in order to be 'balanced', He must also.
ergo, apples and oranges.
I agree...I was only giving what I had heard from others. But if you check out Dorothy Morrison's thread called Sun Magic (in the author's circle), towards the last couple pages, she gives /5/ aspects for the God which she plans to go into detail with her next book. Should be interesting... :)

[Theres]

yes, and that sounds like an interesting book.
in fact, i think i made the point in another thread that we could just as easily see Him as having 8 aspects, one for each of the solar sabbats.

but this whole 'aspect' thing has me wondering... does it matter? is it even relevant?
i'm starting to leave the entire concept behind, and just take the Gods as they are rather than identifying them by their relation to some other 'aspect'. for instance, my sister isn't an aspect of my mother, and my niece isn't simply an aspect of my sister.
it is (for the most part) a modern concept anyway, and the more i delve into the actual practices of the ancients, the less this idea relates to any of the Gods as i see them.

[Kadynas]

True... I pay attention to moon phases and the like when casting spells (on the rare occasions when I do! :lol: ) but my matron, Athena, for example... I don't put her into some box that says "Maiden Goddess". I focus more on their particular energies and symbolism... :)

[IvyWitch]

When I first started on my own pagan path I was also really obsessed with the aspects of each and making sure it was balanced (because to me then, that's what it was all about). I've come to my senses a little bit since then and now I choose to focus on attritbutes rather than aspects.

They don't always have to be balanced, like greenman said. Think of it in terms of specific deities, Artemis and Apollo are the sun and the moon, but thier aspects are certainly not equal opposites.

Don't drive yourself crazy. ^__^