Patron... Matron???

[Scarlet]

.

[Raven Reed]

I use matron for female deities... Although the term does not have strictly the same connotation as patron.

[shenanigans]

Personally I don't use either word. Matron to me sounds like an old woman, and patron sounds like a customer at a restaurant.

[Theres]

Main Entry: pa·tron
Pronunciation: 'pA-tr&n, for 6 also pa-'trOn
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin patronus patron saint, patron of a benefice, pattern, from Latin, defender, from patr-, pater
Date: 14th century
1a: a person chosen, named, or honored as a special guardian, protector, or supporter
b: a wealthy or influential supporter of an artist or writer
c: a social or financial sponsor of a social function (as a ball or concert)
2: one that uses wealth or influence to help an individual, an institution, or a cause
3: one who buys the goods or uses the services offered especially by an establishment
4: the holder of the right of presentation to an English ecclesiastical benefice
5: a master in ancient times who freed his slave but retained some rights over him
6: [French, from Middle French] : the proprietor of an establishment (as an inn) especially in France
7: the chief male officer in some fraternal lodges having both men and women members
- pa·tron·al /'pA-tr&-n&l; British p&-'trO-n&l, pa-/ adjective

[Wolf O Volos]

Well Scarlet... I think a lot of folk use the terms to mean different things. To me, when I speak of Patron and Matron, it signifies the Primary God and Goddess in my Pantheon. Volos being my Patron, and Divanna being my Matron. Although if you were to look into Russian theology, Dhazhbog and Myesyets may be considered the primaries... I just have a much stronger connection to the affore mentioned dieties. Just the way I look at things personally. Hope it helps to explain your question a touch.

[argento_occhi]

maybe it's because i've been hanging around the HoN boards too much, but i prefer to call them my parents, mother and father. it seems to make much more sense to me than patron, which sounds more like a sponsor to me than a God i have a close relationship with.

[Pandoras]

I use Patron (from the Latin pater or father) and Matron (from the Latin mater or mother).

[Gede]

MM~
I use patron for both male and female deities.

Namaste, Gede...

[Verthandi]

You could always use patron for a male deity and patroness for a female.