Polytheism: General or focused?

For me part of the focus is due to how my framework works. There are just some gods that either literally cannot exist in said framework or which need to be heavily dethroned. I feel it's easier to just go "Zeus isn't real" than go "Zeus is real, but he's specifically a deva who rules a Heaven that was called Olympus". Cosmologically a being like Zeus just doesn't make any sense in Buddhism. A being like Lugh, however, does make sense. I don't actually believe in all gods. I simply believe in multiple gods.

Another part of the focus is due to these specific gods proving themselves to me, so to speak. They're individuals that I've come to respect heavily. Not because they're gods but because of what sort of people they are. They're honorable and wise. That's worthy of respecting. Especially when some of them have helped me out in particular. Lugh for example has specifically helped me pull myself out of a crisis. That sort of thing means things to me. I focus on Lugh in part because I respect him and in part because I am indebted to him. Also in part because I do sincerely love him. The way a child loves a father.

Which relates to what I mean when I say god. Usually I'm referring to either a specifically Gaelpol or a specifically Buddhist definition. With the Gaelpol thing god is less a type of being and more a title of respect. The line between hero and god is very thing in Gaelpol. It's not so much what you are. It's what you make yourself and what you do. So theoretically you or I could become gods. It's unlikely, but it is possible. Gods can be humans, fae, fomoiri. They can be lots of things! But they got to earn that shit. They've got to get the divine knowledge of Truth. The Buddhist conception of god meanwhile is a specific species of being. So you've got humans, dogs, cats, beetles, and gods. As a result gods aren't at all special inherently in Buddhism. You don't just respect any random person on the street after all. So why respect a random deva or asura? Because they've got laser eyes? Well, that's nice but laser eyes aren't going to stop them from dying and they aren't going to keep me from being reborn. So bring it laser eye boy. Vaporize me. You aren't getting offerings from until you do something that shows you're worth it.

So in a way my Buddhist conception of god rolls back into my Gaelic one. The gods who get my offerings are the gods who proven themselves to be gods in the Gaelic sense. They might not be eternal and they might not be all powerful, but they are wise and worthy of respect. They have earned it.

So we have gods as a species (well more three distinct species of devas, asuras, and brahmas) and gods as a title of respect in my thing. So Mara the Prince of Desire is a god in the Buddhist sense. In that he is specifically a deva and therefore a god. However he is not a god in the Gaelic sense because he is a cowardly, dishonorable malicious piece of shit. It will be a cold day in hell before I take his advice.

As far as whether or not only Buddhist or Gaelic gods have poked at me. I'm not really sure, though these are the ones that interact with me the most and which I interact with back. It's very much a relationship. One that was broached and one that I've followed up on and worked on. It's similar to why I don't consider every person ever my friend, I suppose may be a way of looking at it. Which leads back to Mara, I guess. In that he is an example of a god that I know has poked at me before but who I do not wish to interact with. I don't like him. His advice is terrible and he basically just bugs me to be a fucking asshole. Because that is his M.O. To be a massive asshole.

Many polytheists who focus on a particular culture or pantheon have encounters from other pantheons/cultures. (Particularly I notice from gods associated with border-crossing & tricksters) When visiting someone else's home, we might honor their household gods, likewise in visiting different countries or regions. There are also polytheists who practice historical or modern forms of syncretism, or practice dual or multiple traditions separately. There are also pantheons that aren't tied to any one culture, but to a particular tradition- ex: Feri, Otherfaith etc. daoineile.com/

I do think it is generally a good idea to start with a particular focus, so you don't end up scattered all over the place. Specialize in something, then branch out from there after you feel more grounded. I would start with a deity, mythology or religion with which you are most familiar or attracted to, and further explore that and see where it takes you.

You can also go with a philosophical framework or practice- ADF Druidry for example has a particular ritual structure, set of ethics & ideology that is still pretty broad, and includes the Indo-European cultures, which includes most of the commonly known (in the West) mythologies, with the exception of the Egyptians.

Buddhism, as mentioned above, Wicca, Feri, Thelema for some examples can all include polytheistic viewpoints.