Being "Called"

[DivineAthena]

I have, for quite some time, felt a connection to Athena, the greek goddess of War, Wisdom and Crafts. I think it started when I was 10 and was researching on greek mythology for a presentation in school. Back then I wasn't pagan. I wasn't religious at all really, I was just interested in mythology and things of that sort. I don't really remember why I started using the online name DivineAthena, but also that was from before I picked the pagan path of religion.

The thing is that I've never experienced being "called" in the way that most people write about it here. It's been more like a gradually growing attatchment brought on by subtle hints. For example a friend of mine and myself were discussing what totem animals we might have. She claimed that I reminded of a bird (and at first we thought it might be a budgie since I have one at home but that didn't seem to match). After much debate we still hadn't been able to think of one when suddenly, while waiting for the train to come, I had a "sunrise"-type feeling (you know, when you realize something but softly, like the sunrising, instead of harshly, like something dropping on you) and burst out;"I'm an owl.". My mate blinked and looked at me, then exclaimed;"You're an owl. Of course you're an owl! Why didn't I think of that before?". The owl being connected to Athena, it just felt natural that I in turn would be connected to the owl.

I guess what I'm wondering is whether or not it "counts" to be "called" without it happening through a ritual, or something very sudden and unexpected?

Sorry for the ranting.

[Goblin Market]

Of course it counts, though I doubt anyone is keeping a tally of such things. In my experience, and the experiences I've collected from others, I've come to believe that deity (or the divine or the gods or whatever you want to call them) contact us in the most appropriate way for us. It may not always seem like that at the time, it certainly didn't for me. But I know several people who have developed a slow growth relationship with a god or goddess, sometimes over years. You feel the connection, you know it is there and strong and true. That's what matters, not how it got there.

[Bix]

I was just doing a meditation on Samhain and pretty much asked for somebody to show themselves to me. The word Athena then Apollo came to my mind. Couple of night later while I was drifting off to sleep, I heard an owl hooting.

I've always liked Greek mythology as well.

It seems like you've been called my dear. Good luck with that.

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

I have, for quite some time, felt a connection to Athena, the greek goddess of War, Wisdom and Crafts. I think it started when I was 10 and was researching on greek mythology for a presentation in school. Back then I wasn't pagan. I wasn't religious at all really, I was just interested in mythology and things of that sort. I don't really remember why I started using the online name DivineAthena, but also that was from before I picked the pagan path of religion.

The thing is that I've never experienced being "called" in the way that most people write about it here. It's been more like a gradually growing attatchment brought on by subtle hints. For example a friend of mine and myself were discussing what totem animals we might have. She claimed that I reminded of a bird (and at first we thought it might be a budgie since I have one at home but that didn't seem to match). After much debate we still hadn't been able to think of one when suddenly, while waiting for the train to come, I had a "sunrise"-type feeling (you know, when you realize something but softly, like the sunrising, instead of harshly, like something dropping on you) and burst out;"I'm an owl.". My mate blinked and looked at me, then exclaimed;"You're an owl. Of course you're an owl! Why didn't I think of that before?". The owl being connected to Athena, it just felt natural that I in turn would be connected to the owl.

I guess what I'm wondering is whether or not it "counts" to be "called" without it happening through a ritual, or something very sudden and unexpected?

Sorry for the ranting.
go with your intuition. being called takes no one shape or form. we are all different. For me it was only a matter of finally realizing the gods that had always been in my life

[coyoger]

Nope, it's not uncommon. I started out that way with Anpu. I got intrested in Egyptian Mythology while in high school, slowly drawn to Anubis. But it wasn't until many years later that He got tired of waiting for me to wake up and dream-slapped some sense into me. I just had to get past a few hurdles along the way. Good thing about gods/goddess...They have the time to bring followers around. Just go with your gut and try and listen to what they are trying to say to you.

[MorningDove030202]

Being called can be a gradual realization or it can happen in ritual. I supose it depends on how much ritual you get to do. The Gods arn't going to waite around if you are a "I do ritual 3 times a year" kinda person.

Athena is my patron too, so as a fellow devote, Welcome!

Dove

[Pure Ahimsa]

Same here, drawn to Athena, though my beliefs is that the Gods and Goddesses are just apsects of exitence and facets of two yin and yang powers known as The Masculine Divine (The God) and The Feminine Divine (The Goddess) who are both of The Final Force.

[KEishin]

I'm called often in the same way. I need to learn to listen better however!
I *want* the movie magic visitations, but have to remind myself that they are just that - movies. My answers often come in dreams of subtle omens during my waking life. Things like seeing an image on a billboard, the TV and then having a friend bring up the subject, out of the blue. The Gods I work with seem to enjoy using modern communicatiosn (TV, radio, Internet) to get my attention.

Athena called to me early on in life, but she's been a temporary guide only. She's shooing me on now towards the Celtic pantheon. A kind of wordless "it's been fun, but you're not on My path." I get the feeling Blodeuwedd is crooking her little finger at me. Another owl goddess, go figure!