How/When do you honor your Patron?

[Shadowsong]

Another one of those, let's-see-what-everyone-else-does threads! Lol! I'm just curious, if you have a Patron (or a deity you work with more often than others) when/how often do you honor them and how? Just thought it might be interesting since everyone's path is different.

[SandStorm]

I follow mostly Brigantia, I use to burn some oakmoss incense and bee wax candles, I began with them at first and by pure intuition, and it seems she liked them :fpeace: .
I honor her in special times, when I feel I need her for something, when I feel she has helped me in something and in some random times... :bouncysmi

[Aidron]

Another one of those, let's-see-what-everyone-else-does threads! Lol! I'm just curious, if you have a Patron (or a deity you work with more often than others) when/how often do you honor them and how? Just thought it might be interesting since everyone's path is different.


Daily and numerous times within a given day. I am a bit more slack when I wake up (takes me quite awhile sometimes to become coordinated and fully functioning), but I do try to bow to my altar and greet them (along with a few other beings such as my grandmother, my totem animals, etc.). I also repeat the process when I go to sleep, bowing to my altar and telling them goodnight or good morning (my sleeping habits are chaotic).

I will often burn incense in a brief ritual form to honor and thank them, especially at times when I am sitting at my altar and working on something that is not a ritual, spell or something of similar nature. In these cases I stick to stick or cone incense, as it's not so important in my eyes what the incense is made of (though if I had my choice I would certainly select incense created from plants that are sacred to my patrons, but that isn't an option so far). I even created a burner just for this type of incense (as opposed to my ritual censer); a metal vase filled with tiny pebbles as I've never liked the idea of using sand. A pain to clean out and you have to keep re-filling the container. The pebbles I can merely rinse clean in running water. In the end it looks like something you might see in a buddhist or Shinto temple, often full of several sticks of incense burning all at once.

I speak to them quite often and I am not shy about thanking them during those times either, for whatever I feel I should thank them for (a blessing, guidance, security, a specific boon, etc.).

Other than that I do have set times I make offerings, sacred days to them and so forth.

[Mercedes]

I honour them whenever it's necessary and whenever I wish. It's often quite a few times a day. I mainly do prayers and speak with Them.

As for how I do it all...well, I'm mainly a talker. I don't speak aloud, but I speak a lot inside. From my experience, Apollo and Athena have liked this. I am guessing They enjoy conversation. :) My communication often consists of prayers, but I also just ask questions, express hopes and fears, &c. Just whatever. It's a mischmasch of all kinds of things.

Beyond that, I've done a few little rituals to Them both. So far, it's mainly consist of burning incense and giving a few offerings that I try to relate to Them, e.g. a golden apple for Apollo. I've also done 'tarot exercises' focusing on the Magician and Justice cards. When I meditate, I tend to use Their names to help me focus, along with any imagery I associate with Them.

I think that's about it thus far.

[Ishtara]

My main Gods and Goddesses are Djehuty (Thoth), Ma'at and Yinepu (Anubis). Being on a Kemetic path, I try to honour Them like the ancient Egyptians did. The emphasis is on "try" because, even though most of the ancient Egyptian texts we know are funereal ones, there is still much left to interpretation and extrapolation.

I have daily rituals, but they are very simple: I take a ritual bath in the morning (I use Egyptian Temple essential oils in my bath but I intend to make the modern equivalent to natron pretty soon), then I open the curtains that cover the images of the Names of Netjer I pray to. The framed images and curtains are the most convenient alternative to a sculpted image and a naos I could come up with. If I owned my place as opposed to renting, I would love to have niches in the wall and sculptures in them.
I light some incense and say a quick prayer because I am always late in the morning no matter how early I get up ;)
Then I walk away from the images while still facing them. I come back just before leaving for work to remove the incense burner.

It is pretty much the same in the evening, except that I take more time to pray and talk to Them and that I replace/supplement the incense offering with edible offerings, or ink and paper for Djehuty :)

I will also honour Them throughout the day by thinking of Them or talking to Them if anything happens that I should be thankful for.
Sometimes, when I really need support and/or help, I will pray to other Names. For example, a friend of mine died of cancer today and I just said a prayer to Wesir (Osiris) and Nebet-Het (Nephtys) for guidance in the afterworld and comforting for him and his family.

[Mercedes]

Oh, I forgot about holidays and the like. I have a huge list of old Roman holidays and other days sacred to Roman and Greek deities. During one of those days, I tend to spend some time honouring whatever Gods/esses that day. If I can do something that relates to the God/ess, such as giving an edible offering, then I'll do it.

[AmbivalentMirage]

I try to live my life in a way that honors the Goddess I serve. I make little signs of respect during the day as I do mundane things. Prayers, songs, wishes... Sometimes when I'm cooking, I will bless the food in the name of the Goddess. Othertimes, I simply will stand at my altar and speak a thank-you, thinking of something that has really touched me.

Otherwise, there is shabbat which comes every week - a perfect opportunity to set aside some time to reverence the Goddess and her presence in our lives. Then there are holidays...! 8O

[zilith]

Every thursday(I try to do it every thursday) I give Thor an offering of some sort of alchohol.

It's not much but I try.

[Gyda]

I spend more with the Cofgodas, they get milk and honey or mead once a week, and the ancesstors, I light a candle to them once a week as well as keep the Idesa in mind when I do embroidery. The Gods tend to get the high days or a blot when I feel its time.

[Raintreewolf]

Well....for one, I love them....Hathor is so easy for me, I create all the time, I sing and play music, I write poetry...cook....make offerings of milk to my cat from her ( this is sorta of interesting and important to Hathor, I feel ). All these acts are sacred to her.

I pretty much take her everywhere I go, I'm pretty mindful of her most the time ( accept sometimes like when I'm focusing and driving or dealing with a stressful sittuation that requirs all my attention ) outside of that I just set my heart a blaze in Praise of her constantly at the slightest breeze that arises to caress my cheek.

I dance inside of me with her and I see her in all things around me at the same time. Actually I do not do anything formal for her at all....she does not require it of me....she never has....she has been with me my whole spiritual journey and I have just recently become aware of her....She is the best goddess I have embraced or been embraced by yet.

I have big plans though ( she knows this ) and with great joy I will create as the artist she supports in me will make her a temple worthy of her ( oh, how I love her ). I have already made several virtual temples for her....but soon I will make a physical one and then.......ahhhh

Amun-Ra brings me counsel, guidence, direction and inspiration and seeds all things that honor Hathor.

For both of them acts of love is a ritual performed in thier honor!

I also love Pita and Nut...they are in my nightly devotions or deep subconcious...whereas Hathor and Amun-Ra are by day for me or concious workings.Like Day of my Soul and night of my soul. If that makes any sense.

It's a personal journey with varying rituals that defines itself as I travel.

I do pour libations out for them...leave offerings whereever and whenever I feel I want to. I praise them for my health, food, security, quality of life I have been blessed with ( which is very good!) and I eat of them and for them ....if that makes sense.

It is a daily and nightly thing the worship of them at the alter of my soul...my heart.

My latest poem ( along these lines )

Aspirations



i open my chest and expose the soft pounding tissue

It is red

Alive

Mothers honey pot in me


A blanket of seed stars cover me

Vessels of aspirations in me....

Dance the dance of this expansive Sun

Know nurturing a Solor System in me

Risk it's becoming

Dance in me

Sing my Family

A blanket of seeding stars.


~ Rain Tree Wolf

[Raintreewolf]

Sometimes, when I really need support and/or help, I will pray to other Names. For example, a friend of mine died of cancer today and I just said a prayer to Wesir (Osiris) and Nebet-Het (Nephtys) for guidance in the afterworld and comforting for him and his family.

:bothsides for your friend and his journey home!
I'm sorry you lost your friend.

[Shadowsong]

No kidding, I'm so sorry Ishtara!
Thanks for all the replies! I just find it so fascinating to see how peoples' practices vary. *laughs* Honestly I remember when I first started on my path (which really wasn't too long ago at all) I was so scared at doing something wrong, particularly because my Goddess came to me before I chose Paganism as my path. Lol. Now it's so much easier, but I can't help but look back and laugh.

[Viseux]

Whenever

and

However

They tell me to.

Blessings,
Viseux

[Raintreewolf]

No kidding, I'm so sorry Ishtara!
Thanks for all the replies! I just find it so fascinating to see how peoples' practices vary. *laughs* Honestly I remember when I first started on my path (which really wasn't too long ago at all) I was so scared at doing something wrong, particularly because my Goddess came to me before I chose Paganism as my path. Lol. Now it's so much easier, but I can't help but look back and laugh.

LOL, I know what you mean about that, too. It has taken me years to become comfortable about my own actions concerning worshiping and correct actions.

I think if people just relax and follow teir intuition about such things ( as this is what I found anyways ) that it all flows smoothly and nicely.

[SilentDreams]

LOL, I know what you mean about that, too. It has taken me years to become comfortable about my own actions concerning worshiping and correct actions.

I think if people just relax and follow teir intuition about such things ( as this is what I found anyways ) that it all flows smoothly and nicely.

Yeah I know the feeling.

Um I don't do anything at the moment. Things are just not right for any type of honouring rituals etc.. But I try to give thanks daily.

[BlackMagicalCat]

Another one of those, let's-see-what-everyone-else-does threads! Lol! I'm just curious, if you have a Patron (or a deity you work with more often than others) when/how often do you honor them and how? Just thought it might be interesting since everyone's path is different.


I sing to mine,and try to follow what he tells me,he is pleased with obedience,and wants me to spread his love.He wants me to honor what he says by remembering his word in my heart,and he wants to live in me,and rule my life,so I try to let him,and thats how I honor him.

But sometimes I dont always do like I should,but he is very forgiving and patient thankfully,and willing to give me chance after chance,.My Patron is the Lord :steppy: :halohead:

[XanderAmon]

I generally give thanks at the end of every day, but I do a more official ritual once a month. Or whenever I feel the need to speak to them. :)

[Shadowsong]

I'm so happy for you, azzeenasman, that your God is so forgiving! Eh, mine's the Morrighan, and boy if you p*** Her off, She let's you know! But once you get things straightened out She's always there, always a rock to lean upon, if you will... I like the lantern in the dark metaphore better, because it describes Her really well I think.
Eh. I'm rambling.
What I love is the bond you deveolpe with your God/dess. Before I realized I was meant to follow the Pagan path I was a huge atheist and didn't really believe one could feel the presence of a divine being. But now I cannot imagine my life without the Morrighan!

[instinct]

Hi :)

Us Kemetic Orthodox types have a daily shrine rite called Senut. (I'm hopeless and don't get round to it every day though. doh)

It starts with a ritual bath to purify using home made natron. Words are said over the natron and water before they are mixed in a bowl and then added to bath water.
I wear clean white cotton or linen when I go before my shrine. Generally Senut involves lighting incense and candles and just spending time with the gods. I make offerings of cool water, food, drinks and pressies..

And then I just sit and 'chat'. :)

Other than that I think about Them a lot during the day. Say random prayers.

my Dad (Yinepu) in particular is rather chatty and always around if I have a problem (or just want someone to ramble at). He tends to lurk a bit, eheh. :2G: :T

Also, recently, Bast has been EVERYWHERE. She loves pretty sparkly things and everytime I go shopping and come across something She likes it's all "BUY ME THAT! want THAT! MEOOOWW!!!"

It's sometimes a bit trying to keep all four of Them happy... Bast is very "me me me me me!" (especially at the moment). Mut is quite the Queen and likes Her luxury.. and Uncle Set.. well... I had to get statues for Mut and Set and couldn't for the life of me find a statue of Mut that would work (few and far between, they are). Mut was quite happy to settle for a beautiful framed papyrus for now "as long as the frame is gold and expensive". But Set would have none of this papyrus stuff... "If that Dog gets a statue..." (refering to Yinepu of course). :crylaugh:

They keep me busy. lol :p

[Raintreewolf]

Hi :)

Us Kemetic Orthodox types have a daily shrine rite called Senut. (I'm hopeless and don't get round to it every day though. doh)

It starts with a ritual bath to purify using home made natron. Words are said over the natron and water before they are mixed in a bowl and then added to bath water.
I wear clean white cotton or linen when I go before my shrine. Generally Senut involves lighting incense and candles and just spending time with the gods. I make offerings of cool water, food, drinks and pressies..

And then I just sit and 'chat'. :)

Other than that I think about Them a lot during the day. Say random prayers.

my Dad (Yinepu) in particular is rather chatty and always around if I have a problem (or just want someone to ramble at). He tends to lurk a bit, eheh. :2G: :T

Also, recently, Bast has been EVERYWHERE. She loves pretty sparkly things and everytime I go shopping and come across something She likes it's all "BUY ME THAT! want THAT! MEOOOWW!!!"

It's sometimes a bit trying to keep all four of Them happy... Bast is very "me me me me me!" (especially at the moment). Mut is quite the Queen and likes Her luxury.. and Uncle Set.. well... I had to get statues for Mut and Set and couldn't for the life of me find a statue of Mut that would work (few and far between, they are). Mut was quite happy to settle for a beautiful framed papyrus for now "as long as the frame is gold and expensive". But Set would have none of this papyrus stuff... "If that Dog gets a statue..." (refering to Yinepu of course). :crylaugh:

They keep me busy. lol :p

Hah hah hah...very fun. Sounds as if you sure do have a time of it.

Your comments make me think on my Egyptian Dieties that are comming forward in my life. In a certain light, I suppose they are quite willing to waite for just the right sort of temple, statues of themselves etc to occure. They do put some pretty big ideas in my head, ones I can not possibley do...LOL, so there is some negotiating that goes on with them. I just can not buy all that gold stuff they want....But I'm woking on it...I'm just a baby Kemetic. :achug:

[Shadowsong]

This is so much fun to discuss... sorry, I'll quit being random!
That's interesting you bring up the Egyptian deities implying to you they want stuff. My Goddess usually lets me know if there's something specific She likes or doesn't on Her altar, but doesn't give me any specifics. I'm sure it must vary from deity to deity, though.
Fascinatingness! (Go on, say it five times fast! Lol!)

[Raintreewolf]

LOL Fascinatingness Fascinatingness fascinatingness...I said...it was hard and really hard to type!

Instinct mentioned her Dad....I hope it is okay to mention this about relatives....I just want to follow a line of thought on this note in this thread because relatives do have to do with my shrines and spiritual practices too. My mate's, Dad passed last year ( very awsome guy, just loved him myself) He gets in touch with me too and my mate....lol.....I can sense him if I'm in the kitchen cooking or making one of his favorite dishes, I gotta go get his picture and set it in the kitchen with me or make him a plate of food too. I use to do this only on Halloween for passed relatives but with Jim, my honey's Dad is is a very frequent thing. I should just move his butt and shrine into the damn kitchen...teee hee heee!

Thats all.

[instinct]

sorry to confuse.. when I refer to my "Dad" with a capital letter then I'm refering to Yinepu. He's Dad.

I don't talk about my biological father much. heh.

and I'm sure most of the kemetic deities wouldn't mind a gold plated temple and 50ft high 24 carat gold jewel encrusted obelisk...

I do what I can. lol

wouldn't have my little divine family any other way though _cloud9_

[Raintreewolf]

sorry to confuse.. when I refer to my "Dad" with a capital letter then I'm refering to Yinepu. He's Dad.

I don't talk about my biological father much. heh.

and I'm sure most of the kemetic deities wouldn't mind a gold plated temple and 50ft high 24 carat gold jewel encrusted obelisk...

I do what I can. lol

wouldn't have my little divine family any other way though _cloud9_
Doh...
Hah hah hah.....that is a new name to me, I know of Anubis. :idea: Hey, your Dad must know my Dad (well, Jim, my honey's Dad is my Dad too and knows my Dad, they both visit actually but Jim more and brings messages from my Dad as well)! LOL

No, Seriously...your Dad (Yenipu) must know my Dads! teee heee heee.

:alol:

[Shadowsong]

Wait, I think I'm beginning to follow.
Yeah, when I talk about my Goddess I don't really know whether to refer to Her as that or as Mother, because She's been both, but if I say Mother most people think I mean my Mom... Heh. *laughs*
Here's an idea: does anyone honor/feel the presence of their Patron by writing about them? Like your thoughts on them or whatever? I'm thinking of doing that as a way to connect with my Goddess because my folks aren't too keen on the altar. *shrugs*

[Raintreewolf]

Yes....it is all valid....

[Katya]

i talk to them and ask them things whenever i feel the need to. i say greetings to the morrigan every time i see a raven or a crow, which is a lot as they like to follow me around. every time i burn incense or a candle i say tidings to whomever the color/type of incense is associated with.