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Your God and Goddess.
Topic Started: Mar 1 2008, 08:49 PM (314 Views)
Soulless
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I'm interested in how Pagans and Wiccans choose their God and Goddess. I've seen posts on Y!A that say that X god is their favourite, or Y goddess is their favourite. Are they all simply representations of the one God and Goddess? Or are they separate entities that you choose from (or perhaps they choose you?)?
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Willow
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That's a very interesting question :). My beliefs such as they are right now are a little unusual in that aspect. I'm not Wiccan, so I don't believe in there being "one god and one goddess" with everything else being aspects of them.

I do, however, believe in a supreme deity whose nature is to some extent unknown and unknowable. This deity is neither male nor female, but has aspects of both. I believe this is evidenced by the prevalence of certain archetypes across various cultures - such as the green man and an earth/river goddess (e.g. Danu or Don).

I believe in multiple other deities who have separate characteristics. They're better known and more like us so they are easier to understand and communicate with. I compare it a bit to the Catholic idea of saints and angels - which I actually believe was likely derived from pagan cultures.

I honour Danu as the earth goddess in Irish tradition. I also honour Brigid and Airmid. I do feel that I was perhaps called/chosen by Brigid and Airmid. I'm creative and have an interest in the arts. I also have a strong interest in healing. I think that is why I feel a connection with them.

My beliefs are still very much being defined as I'm fairly new to paganism (2 years).
Edited by Willow, Mar 5 2008, 09:23 PM.
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Soulless
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So did you research the gods and goddesses and choose the ones that seemed closest to your own personality and abilities, or do you feel you had little to do with the decision and you were led to your chosen deities?

I'm curious because though I'm atheist, I have often felt I'd 'like' to believe and wondered how others came to their decision. Thanks for your answer.
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Willow
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I would say a little bit of both. It wasn't so much me looking for a personality match. At one point I very much needed to ask for healing for another person, so I did my research on which Celtic gods and goddesses would be appropriate.

After that - it just kind of stuck. I had already started studying topics like healing herbs (still a lot of learning to do there), and I've been a "healing" person as long as I can remember. So it felt natural to continue to ask Airmid and Brigid for guidance in this.

So it really was a combination of personal choice and research, plus a feeling that it just "fit".
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Gods and Goddesses
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I really am very eclectic in most everything i do, but for my Divinity, I try to research (as much as the internet allows) my dieties. I have felt a connection to Hestia and Vesta ( different cultures same goddess) and Aphrodite and Eros, at times and also to the Norse Gods. I have Irish ancestors and English ones and well as Mexican and Native american (told you I was eclectic!)
I have at the moment tried to close in a link to the ones I feel drawn to. (Hestia and Epona) but that makes a very wonky altar!

I am Seeker of Truth on Y!A
and welcome all to message me!
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Soulless
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Thanks for your reply, SoT, and welcome to the forum. Hopefully it won't be just the three of us. :)
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Rhonda
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I have a question, Willow, and I'm not trying to disrespect you in asking it. It's an honest question I've had since my sons and I studied Greek mythology in homeschool.

I see that you recognize a supreme deity, but I have wondered what the point is to honoring "lesser" gods. It seems to me that they are naught but humans with extraordinary powers. I know there are some that are reputed to be wise and charitable, but the majority of gods that I've studied are fickle and exhibit the worst of humanity.

I'd really like your thoughts on this.
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Willow
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Rhonda
Mar 20 2008, 04:10 PM
I have a question, Willow, and I'm not trying to disrespect you in asking it. It's an honest question I've had since my sons and I studied Greek mythology in homeschool.

I see that you recognize a supreme deity, but I have wondered what the point is to honoring "lesser" gods. It seems to me that they are naught but humans with extraordinary powers. I know there are some that are reputed to be wise and charitable, but the majority of gods that I've studied are fickle and exhibit the worst of humanity.

I'd really like your thoughts on this.
Certainly - and I take absolutely no offense. It's a good and valid question.

There are several reasons why I honour "lesser" gods. Honouring ancestors is a very big part of my religious traditions. I still do not know if the Irish gods are truly "divine beings", or if they could be our distant ancestors, who after passing into the afterlife gained extraordinary powers. It's a point that is much debated among Celtic historians, whether the invasion accounts were to explain groups of human peoples, or whether they were believed to literally be "gods".

Now, as for why I communicate with these "lesser" deities as opposed to a "supreme deity" - it's fairly simple. Since I feel that so much of the nature of the supreme deity is unknowable for humans, it would be impossible, and even disrespectful, to try to communicate with her/him. For example, the Christian/Judaic god has very specific rules as to how he should and should not be worshipped, and transgressing those rules angers him. If I don't understand the nature of the "supreme deity" nor how s(he) would wish to be honoured, I wouldn't want to risk causing offense.

But, the nature of the "lesser deities" is fairly well known. I don't "worship" them as one would worship a supreme deity. I honour them, and it's a reciprocal relationship. They get offerings and energy from me, they listen and aid me in my requests. I also believe that they are in communication with the "supreme deity".

Yes you're right that they're quite "human" in nature and that they have varying characteristics. I would disagree that they represent the "worst of humanity"...they simply exhibit their own natures and the nature of humanity. They are open in their sexuality, but openness in sexuality is not only tolerated, but encouraged in many traditions. The gods don't smite humans for not worshipping them, nor do they send floods to wipe out the world. (I'm not trying to disrespect your beliefs, I'm simply creating contrast to show that what I would view as the "worst nature" is different).

I hope that made sense as I'm very tired today and the brain isn't functioning at its best :). If you need that clarified or have more questions, I'd be happy to answer.
Edited by Willow, Mar 30 2008, 07:47 PM.
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Soulless
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Willow, I was wondering about the daily worship practices you use. I'm going to assume that not a lot of information is available as to how the gods were worshipped historically, so are there rites and ceremonies that have been preserved that you follow or is it more a matter of learning as much as possible about the customs and beliefs of the culture and trying to work out what fits with what you have learnt?

I'm also going to assume that some of the gods could be insulted or angered if they perceive you to be doing something wrong in your ceremonies and rituals. Is that a problem and if so do you just trust to their understanding and use trial and error to come to some sort of ceremony that is acceptable? And just to satisfy my curiosity have you ever had an experience with an angry or upset god?

I hope none of this is too personal or intrusive. I know some people take their rituals and worship as between them and their gods so just ignore me if I'm out of line. :)
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Willow
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Well I don't always conduct "daily personal rituals". Some days I do, some days I don't. I always go by the rule that if my heart's not in it that day, there's really no sense in doing it.

You're right there isn't too much information on how the gods were worshipped historically. However, some of the information that we do have is that offerings were given and that divination was used to determine if the offering was acceptable. Traditionally this would have been done with ogham, but I prefer a pendulum as it's more direct. Presumably if the offering were acceptable then a request could be made.

That pretty much describes any daily ritual I do. Sometimes I add a bit of a dance or song. As for knowing what kind of offering to give, I do research on a particular deity to find out his or her personality, what the likes and dislikies might be. For example, Airmid as a deity of herbs and healing tends to like sweet smelling things (e.g. flower essential oil) and anything related to herbs/nature.

I've never encountered a truly angry deity. Just once I've received an answer that my offering was not acceptable, so I simply concluded the ritual.

Also I don't believe that any angry deity is going to "smite" you or any such thing. They just might refuse to work with you for a time, in some traditions it's believed they might play a couple tricks on you depending on the deity. I can't really say I believe that last point, but then I've never experienced it.

I have more lengthy rituals for the sacred days and sometimes I engage in public rituals on those days.
Edited by Willow, Apr 16 2008, 11:24 PM.
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