Your Questions Get Answered: The How To's of Meeting the Divine

I want to start by saying that all the advice in this article is based totally on my experience. What you believe or experience might be totally different and that’s OK. Differences in experience are part of the magic of humanity and I fully embrace it. I hope you do too.

First I'd like to tell you a little bit about my practice. I’m an eclectic pagan who worships deities from the Hellenic (Greek) and Norse pantheons. I define being an eclectic pagan as being someone worships deities from multiple different traditions and takes elements from each practice to combine into something unique to them. Personally, I mainly worships Ares, Hephaestus, and Fenrir at the moment but I have worked with 16 Hellenic deities and 8 Norse deities in some shape or form in the past. Now onto the question!

1. How do I know what deity to work with?

I usually answer this question with another question. Who are you drawn to? Who do you want to worship? If a name immediately springs to mind great start with them and see where that path leads you. If

no one comes to mind do some research, read about the deities of whatever open religions you can. If you have the means and opportunity find teachers that can show you how to worship in closed faiths if you feel drawn to them. If the practice is closed and you find no teachers willing to induct you move on and find something else from an open practice that resonates with you.

2. How do I know if the deity I want to work with wants to work with me?

Fortunately for all of us this question has an easy answer, ask. It can be as simple as a prayer you speak only in your mind or you can involve divination if that’s part of your practice. In my experience a deity that is interested in you they will tell you loud and clear but you have to ask. Also, deities who don't have anything to teach you at the moment will be equally clear. Don't be discouraged by what will feel like rejection, just move on and find the deity that has the lesson you need now. you never know what might happen in the future as you grow and change.

3. I know who I want to worship! Where do I start?

I always recommend introducing yourself. It can be a simple as prayer or as complex a ritual as you want to create. I also recommend including an offering when you do this. I’ll describe what I do here but know that this in one way out of thousands that you can introduce yourself to a deity. Do what you are lead to do and more importantly do what you are able to do. You don't need expensive offerings or perfect alters, those things are nice but what a deity wants is you and your worship. That's all that's required.

When I introduce myself to a deity I first spend some time doing research about them. I write any important information about them in my deity journal. I usually look for any titles or epithets they have, traditional offerings, any animals or plants that are sacred to them, and any symbols that generally represent them. I will then prepare an offering, usually food, drink, and a candle. Once those are on my alter I’ll read a hymn or a hail that I’ve written myself and invite that deity into my space to receive the offering and have a chat. Then I do divination and ask questions as I feel lead to. When we’re done chatting I’ll thank the deity, consume the edible parts of the offering, and blow out the candle.

4. What if I don’t seem to get a sign or a message from the deity I introduce myself too? What did I do wrong?

Its ok, calm down, you probably didn’t do anything wrong. Effectively communicating with deities, or any spiritual being, takes time and practice. You may want try your introduction again or just go ahead with trying to create a relationship with your deity, continue to offer things to them, invite them to spend time with you, learn as much as you can about them, and just think about them and send them love and positivity. I find that doing small acts of service is what really strengthens the bond I have with my deities. Treat them like you would a very important, very powerful friend, respect them but don’t be too afraid of them. You're trying to create a relationship and no good, strong relationship is based in fear.

5. How can I be sure if this is a sign from my deity?

The short answer is you don’t know and you won’t ever be sure. Faith is a part of every religion. If you think it's a sign from your deity then that’s all that matters. Trust your intuition and move forward. If you’re wrong you’re wrong. Your deity will correct your course as they see fit and unless you are being willfully stubborn or rude they’ll probably do it gently. If you’re right then congrats you successfully interpreted a sign!

Let me know if this helped you in any way or if you have any more questions for me to answer. I'd love to do another one of these about lots of different topics.