Early this morning I was visited by Cernunnos & Danu!!

[blackroseivy]

This is exiting to me because I was begging for help in a *very* heavy matter with which I *badly* need assistance. Cernunnos was hugely frightening in a green wood; but he HUGGED me, said a couple of words - I really *wish* I could remember what, exactly, other than that he would help! - & then sort of turned into a monstrously dark cloud which expanded & became 1 with the forest itself. Danu was like a great mound on the ground, there but somehow identified with the earth itself. I couldn't see either one's faces at all; Cernunnos was like a human-shaped shadow, Danu had a bright smear for a face; but she let me lean against her & somehow conveyed that it would be all right; this was REALLY a dream for "the books", as they say!! :D :D :D

Any comments?

(P.S. I feel like I have an "in" with them!! ;D) _twohorns_

[Taurwen]

Incredible :)

[KellyP]

Wow, it sounds like you had quite a nice experience with two very major deities. I am envious to some degree. Though I will openly admit that I have not truly opened myself to visits from the Otherworld.

I would be interested to know more so as to understand your experience better.

I was begging for help in a *very* heavy matter with which I *badly* need assistance.This "begging" that you refer to above, have you submittied offerings to Cernunnos and Danu specifically? Just praying without offerings? Or just walking around wondering how in the world you were going to make it all work? Perhaps you hadn't specifically asked Cernunnos and Danu but just sought the help of the gods?

he HUGGED me, said a couple of words - I really *wish* I could remember what, exactly, other than that he would help! - & then sort of turned into a monstrously dark cloud which expanded & became 1 with the forest itself.You were embraced by Cernunnos and comforted. How excellent! When he spoke to you, were these words audible to your ears or was it one of those "words formed in my head" sorts?

this was REALLY a dream for "the books", Absolutely! You will definitely want to capture this in your dream journal, book of shadows, or your equivalent. Do you feel there was anything about this special time that perhaps made you more receptive to the gods?

I am excited for you and glad that the gods came to comfort you in your time of crisis. It shows that you are not alone though you feel troubled.

Kelly
pot-bellied druid of the prairie

[-Sky-]

This is exiting to me because I was begging for help in a *very* heavy matter with which I *badly* need assistance. Cernunnos was hugely frightening in a green wood; but he HUGGED me, said a couple of words - I really *wish* I could remember what, exactly, other than that he would help! - & then sort of turned into a monstrously dark cloud which expanded & became 1 with the forest itself. Danu was like a great mound on the ground, there but somehow identified with the earth itself. I couldn't see either one's faces at all; Cernunnos was like a human-shaped shadow, Danu had a bright smear for a face; but she let me lean against her & somehow conveyed that it would be all right; this was REALLY a dream for "the books", as they say!! :D :D :D

Any comments?

(P.S. I feel like I have an "in" with them!! ;D) _twohorns_

Wow very wonderful!And it seems symbolic and breath-taking.I know how excited you feel about this vision but lately I've been receiving visions like these too!
The weird thing is that I neither remember what the deities exactly say to me but their words are always comforting and reassuring.
Cernunnos is my patron God and his presence is also so..breath-taking.I usually see him as a tall man in a forest dressed in leaves and wearing antlers(if this is the correct word).But sometimes I don't see him,i just see him running in the forest.
Congrats on your wonderful experience!
-ADD-
Seeing a deity hug you is very good!I've seen Artemis and another Goddess hug me.
~Anna

[blackroseivy]

Yeah, this was like a *major* visitation! I have been (for KellyP) praying pretty specifically; I saw in the literature for Arn Droicht Fe`in that choosing 2 specific deities - especially God & Goddess - was highly recommended: since these were the 2 I seemed to identify the most closely with, I chose them. This was a little while ago - perhaps Oct. I recently had this issue resurface & this has caused me to say prayers. I begged for their help in the dream; that's when they became so reassuring! :) I got *chills* in my sleep when Cerna (his Irish name) disappeared & enveloped the forest!! I guess I heard words, but a dream is in your head anyway, so it's hard to tell. Danu said more than Cerna.

Anything else? :D

[Morgandria]

Interesting pair you chose. Not a traditional pairing....

[blackroseivy]

For some reason, they felt right to me. It's a gut-instinct thing. I'm not really sure I'd know a traditional pairing if I saw it, anyway! ;)

[KellyP]

Anything else?
Nope you described it all very well. Thanks for responding to my questions. I don't mean to be a nuisance but I am not one to experience the gods so directly. As a result, I try to collect all I can from the experiences of others.

I am not sure how much experience you have with mediation or directed dreaming but you might make some direct offerings in thanks for your dream visions, then see if you can interact with them again. They made a direct attempt to communicate with you so you are important to them.

You mention ADF. Are you a current member? I believe they have a seer's guild and probably an email list you can join to discuss things with folks there.

I look forward to hearing about any further meetings between you and the gods.

Kelly
Unsubstantiated personal gnosis welcome here!

[KellyP]

The weird thing is that I neither remember what the deities exactly say to me but their words are always comforting and reassuring. Do you suppose Cernunnos and the other deities feel you might not understand their words and so speak through images or emotions?

Seeing a deity hug you is very good!I've seen Artemis and another Goddess hug me/I dunno, there's always a chance you might get cooties from the Otherworld. :flowers:

Kelly
Going now to get a flea collar in case I am visited by the gods.

[blackroseivy]

Hahaha!!! :D I'm not a member yet, being indigent. (This is one of my issues, fer sher!! :( ) The sheer *volume* of stuff I'm missing out on out there is staggering...

I now have a question for you. Can you help me out with the concept of "sacrifice"? What it is exactly, how one goes about making it? I know that it *can* be incense, but surely there's more I can do!

Thanx!! :D

[KellyP]

I now have a question for you. Can you help me out with the concept of "sacrifice"? What it is exactly, how one goes about making it? I know that it *can* be incense, but surely there's more I can do!Sacrificing is a wide-open issue. So, let me start by giving the general disclaimer: Anything I say is from my personal experience and many others will have many different views.

If you are new to your paganism, it is probably best to think of sacrificing as a gift given in hopes of a gift returned. Or a gift given, in recognition of a gift received.

To follow along with the troubles you touched on before, let me give an example of how I might proceed. I would carefully consider the problem troubling me and which deity might best offer guidance. For you, your patrons are good starting points. I have no patrons, so I ask help from many sources. Then, find some information from others on what types of offerings your deity has accepted in the past. Or research what types of sacrifices might have been offered historically. However, don't let things get out of hand. Obviously, if white bulls were historic offerings, you might be out of your league. Simple offerings like a libation of morning coffee or evening beer is often as workable as any other. Even food from your evening meal, set aside in offering to your deity shows that you are giving something of your own to the gods. Offer a little prayer as you give the sacrifice specifying which god you are making the offering to and that you seek guidance on a specific issue. If you have time to sit quietly in contemplation while you are making the sacrifice great. If not, make a point of resting your mind later and opening yourself up to new feelings. You never know when your deity might respond (even in your dreams).

There are many formal rituals you can observe or course. But truly, any act you can make a habit of and dedicate a moment to the chosen entity is valuable as a ritual and sacrifice. Sweeping off the walkway while thinking of how you are cleaning the debris away from your housewights can make them happy. I sometimes stop as I am leaving the house and give small prayer of thanks to the guardians of my entryway for keeping the home safe. If you pour a cup of morning coffee, make an extra cup and walk to the back door, pouring it on the ground and saying a small prayer asking Cernunnos or Danu to accept your gift. Simple things like that will bring you closer to the gods.

All this is off the cuff but I hope it helps. Do not be afraid to PM me if I can be of more help.

Kelly
geek druid wannabe

[-Sky-]

Interesting pair you chose. Not a traditional pairing....

I never work with a "traditional pairing" too.It's only because I may be attracted to the Goddess and not the God of the pair or vice versa.
But like Danubhe said they feel right to me.And if you pay respect to both of them and honour them as a couple I don't think they will be offended.Lately for example I've been working with Cernunnos and Brigid.I don't think they are a traditional couple but I've found that their energies combined make a wonderful result and aid my magic.Another example:last beltane my deity couple was Artemis(a greek Goddess of the Hunt) and Cernunnos.They may be from different pantheons but they still worked perfectly.

~Sky

[-Sky-]

Do you suppose Cernunnos and the other deities feel you might not understand their words and so speak through images or emotions?

I dunno, there's always a chance you might get cooties from the Otherworld. :flowers:

Kelly
Going now to get a flea collar in case I am visited by the gods.

lol No I definately won't get cooties.I believe that when a deity hug you or have physical touch with you means a deep bond.I would say there is an equality hidden in a hug but it's not exactly the meaning of what I want to say...Anyway it's a good sign.
I understand what they say,most of the things,but after the visions is like my memory is blurred and I don't remember the exact words.You are right though,they talk to me a lot with emotions,images and symbolism.

[blackroseivy]

Wow, thanx for all the feedback! :) I will attempt to make more "God'n'Goddess" moments for myself. A funny thing: For a long time I had Cernunnos paired with Brigid too; but I feel a little closer to Danu. It was a toss-up, though! ;)

[Nitefalle]

I'm trying to work with Mannanan mac Lir and Sila na Gig right now, it just seems right. They are both gatekeepers and, I feel, appropriate for this time of year. I've been experiencing a lot of death (of pets and distant relatives) in the past week so I think these two are helping to keep me grounded right now. I'm on vacation currently, but when I get home tomorrow, I'm going to do some heavy meditation.

~N~

PS - Congrats Danubhe!!! That sounds awesome and I hope the relationship continues to grow so strongly.