Windy
Newbie
Posts: 31 
Pronouns: She/Her
Religion: irish polytheism
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Post by Windy on Mar 23, 2015 10:08:34 GMT -6
I am having a problem. I have been focusing on one deity a lot. I have thought about reaching out, but the only time I did, I scuttled back to my original deity. Every idea I have had about actively worshipping different deities remains an idea only.
I feel like, while I am a polythiest in thought and philosophy, in practice I am still monotheistic.
And now I think another deity is reaching out to me, but i am tied up in an anxious knot because I don't want to make my other deity jealous, even though they are both reputedly the kindest nicest goddesses around, and both from the same pantheon.
Has anyone else had this problem? How did you deal with it? I want to move forward, but I am so worried and afraid, it's almost impossible.
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Post by Intaier on Mar 23, 2015 11:50:16 GMT -6
If they are from the same pantheon, is there really a big problem?..
Try to ask your first deity first...
And as far as I see it, it's totally okay to give some deities more attention than others. Someone might be your favorite, your "best friend" or divine teacher and parent... and you may make a special dedication/promise to honor them first.
But this is not required. :)
When I got some signs that some of the goddesses would like more attention from me, I was open, but I said from the start, that I have "Djehuty first". And that I'm not signing up for priestly service for them. However, I may make specific rituals in their honor more often, and do other kind of devotional work (such as translations of hymns and poetry, I'm always doing these). And I may obtain their images and put into shrine space, and they will be invited to partake in the offerings made "for all the netjeru" on regular basis.
But then, I have special dedication and commitment to Djehuty. If you have not done special promises, it would be easier for you to negotiate with all gods who approach you :)
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Post by Allec on Mar 23, 2015 13:28:23 GMT -6
I just moved two gods off my main shrine space so that Lugh had more room. What makes you polytheist is the belief in many gods. Not necessarily devotion to multiple gods. And the worry you have that you are being disloyal to your Goddess will hopefully go away with time, and hopefully some assurance from her as you go that you aren't doing anything wrong  |
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veritywhitethorn
Junior Member
Posts: 60
Pronouns: She/her
Religion: Celtic polytheist
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Post by veritywhitethorn on Mar 23, 2015 23:21:46 GMT -6
Allec, that was such a helpful way to put it. I also struggle with feeling guilty about moving between gods/'putting away' some in order to honour others... Right now I have a general altar to na Dé ocus anDé (spelling? Is it Déithe?)/household gods and one to Cerridwen/Taliesin and that is working for me. I end up feeling vry bogged down and overwhelmed if it seems like I have to have altars/offerings to every Deity I've ever thought about, just in case They get cross and smite me... But on the other hand they are probably too busy doing Their thing and basking in the attention they get from their proper devotees to pay too much attention to me |
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Post by Intaier on Mar 24, 2015 2:56:24 GMT -6
What makes you polytheist is the belief in many gods. Not necessarily devotion to multiple gods. I just love how you said it! :) Will go to my fav quotes list. |
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Windy
Newbie
Posts: 31
Pronouns: She/Her
Religion: irish polytheism
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Post by Windy on Mar 24, 2015 7:03:41 GMT -6
Thanks guys! Everyone here is so helpful and kind... |
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Post by Allec on Mar 24, 2015 12:12:20 GMT -6
Allec, that was such a helpful way to put it. I also struggle with feeling guilty about moving between gods/'putting away' some in order to honour others... Right now I have a general altar to na Dé ocus anDé (spelling? Is it Déithe?)/household gods and one to Cerridwen/Taliesin and that is working for me. I end up feeling vry bogged down and overwhelmed if it seems like I have to have altars/offerings to every Deity I've ever thought about, just in case They get cross and smite me... But on the other hand they are probably too busy doing Their thing and basking in the attention they get from their proper devotees to pay too much attention to me (Déithe is the Modern Irish spelling of "Gods" so you aren't wrong! Dé ocus anDé is the Old Irish) -nods- I know what you mean! A way I have my shrine setup right now is that I have a table to the Gods, Ancestors, and Spirits that also has special items for certain deities that I have and may interact with. So I have a Brighid plush and a candle to Manannán. But then I have a separate area just for Lugh, because I'm especially devoted to Him. I also have a shelf for the sea and forests, and another shelf for my Hearth (next to my hearth.) But I haven't been smited for how my set up is, and unless you contractually told one of those deities that you were going to hold them a special space... I agree that they are busier with other devotees to notice |
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Post by saintfelicity on Mar 24, 2015 20:10:40 GMT -6
This is something I'm working on a lot too! It's difficult. I think a useful thing to keep in mind is how our gods were worshipped historically, where some might be devoted to one, or (probably more commonly) someone might pray to X about one thing and offer to Y about another. That's something I try to keep in mind when I need a little perspective, because I have a similar kind of thing sometimes where I'm like wait, I'm allowed to do this? OR on the flipside, when I've wanted to approach someone new, being worried that they're going to think I'm "adding them to a collection," or some sort. That said, I've started rather successfully incorporating specific words for Brigid, Flidais, and Goibniu when I sit down for proper "shrine time" haha, but I say my bedtime prayers to Brigid. |
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Skywalker
Newbie
Posts: 17
Pronouns: They but I don't really mind he or she either
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Post by Skywalker on Mar 25, 2015 1:24:31 GMT -6
I used to feel that way a lot, like I couldn't pray to or make offerings to gods other than the first one I knew. I think I just needed to have some time to adjust to the whole polytheist thing and get comfortable with the idea of gods who aren't jealous and don't really care all that much about what I do or who I'm talking to. At some point, I guess it just went away on it's own? Or maybe it finally got through my thick skull that sometimes, I got to talk to Thor about certain things instead of Loki. I think it probably took me three or so years before I really felt okay about that. And now, I even wander out of the pantheon although it's more like just saying hi to Ukko or Lugus rather than proper offerings or anything. None of my regular gods seem to care.
Also, I think there was some nudging from Loki that it was okay to talk to other gods. So besides giving it time, it might be helpful to ask your original deity how they feel about the situation.
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