Help Identifying a Deity!

[IdesofAugust]

Hey there!
I’ve been working on doing deity work and after a while of feeling things out, I attempted a deity identification spread (I used this one https://www.google.com/amp/s/blog.hellboundwitch.com/post/56308567253/so-i-made-a-spread-to-go-with-my-deity/amp) and used my pendulum to help clarify things (I’m not great at tarot).
However, despite my extensive research, I’m absolutely stumped! They’ve indicated that they are from the Greek Parthenon and that they are likely not an Olympian but still well known. I’ve ruled out Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Hypnos, and Dionysus for sure. (But if you’re certain I’m wrong on that, I’ll try again!)
I’d love some help identifying them and any insight you have!

My spread is as follows!
Card 1 (Who is the deity?): Daughter of Swords
Card 2 (negative trait): Three of Swords
Card 3 (positive trait): Ten of Cups
Card 4 (What the deity rules over?): The High Priestess
Card 5 (Associations and symbols): Ace of Cups

Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!

[Eastling]

Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!

I find that it's virtually impossible to identify a deity by Tarot alone. The cards are broad archetypes, and they're also a symbol set not actually associated with any pagan gods to begin with. They strike me as the wrong tool for this purpose.

This is especially true because often, if you can't figure out the name of a deity, it's usually because they don't want you to know yet. Think about it: once you have the name of a god you can dig up all kinds of dirt on them in academia and on the internet. Maybe they're not ready for that step yet--and if they're not, they're probably not going to let you figure it out from the cards (especially if, as you say, you're not very good with Tarot).

What led you to try Tarot as a method of identification?

[IdesofAugust]

I find that it's virtually impossible to identify a deity by Tarot alone.

This is especially true because often, if you can't figure out the name of a deity, it's usually because they don't want you to know yet.

What led you to try Tarot as a method of identification?

That’s good to know that tarot isn’t necessarily a good method for this! Tarot was the only method I’d seen recommended for deity identification when you’re having a hard time identifying obvious and telling signs. I figured I’d try it out since I wasn’t confident in my ability to ask the right questions with just my pendulum.
 
Do you have any ideas for better methods of getting closer with this deity and gaining their trust without knowing their identity? I want to gain their trust but I’m not sure how to without knowing what they like.
Thanks for your response!!

[Eastling]

Do you have any ideas for better methods of getting closer with this deity and gaining their trust without knowing their identity? I want to gain their trust but I’m not sure how to without knowing what they like.

That strikes me as a place Tarot would be useful to give you some broad ideas of what kind of worshipful gestures they prefer. Your reading above suggests a couple things to me immediately. One: the presence of swords tells me that something based on words, breath, or thought would be a good idea. Maybe a daily ten minutes to half an hour of meditation of some kind (there are several, not just the standard "sitting quietly" kind) dedicated to this deity, or some breathwork exercises, or some mantras. Two: the presence of the Ace and Ten of Cups suggests this deity wouldn't mind offerings of water, either plain or charged with energy via breathwork.

Fortunately, most deities tend to have some fairly common basic preferences--they like offerings of scent/perfume, they like offerings of liquids (water, wine or beer, milk), they like honey. They like prayer and meditation in their honor. All this would certainly apply to a Hellenic deity, and if you happen to get something wrong (like using the wrong incense), I doubt they'll smite you. You're doing your best, and the gods know that mortals make mistakes.

In my experience, you learn more about your Powers by actually engaging in regular practice of some kind dedicated to them than you do by trying to divine their identity and preferences by magic from the start.

[IdesofAugust]

That strikes me as a place Tarot would be useful to give you some broad ideas of what kind of worshipful gestures they prefer. Your reading above suggests a couple things to me immediately. One: the presence of swords tells me that something based on words, breath, or thought would be a good idea. Maybe a daily ten minutes to half an hour of meditation of some kind (there are several, not just the standard "sitting quietly" kind) dedicated to this deity, or some breathwork exercises, or some mantras. Two: the presence of the Ace and Ten of Cups suggests this deity wouldn't mind offerings of water, either plain or charged with energy via breathwork.

Fortunately, most deities tend to have some fairly common basic preferences--they like offerings of scent/perfume, they like offerings of liquids (water, wine or beer, milk), they like honey. They like prayer and meditation in their honor. All this would certainly apply to a Hellenic deity, and if you happen to get something wrong (like using the wrong incense), I doubt they'll smite you. You're doing your best, and the gods know that mortals make mistakes.

In my experience, you learn more about your Powers by actually engaging in regular practice of some kind dedicated to them than you do by trying to divine their identity and preferences by magic from the start.

Wow! Thank you so much for all of your help! I’ve been doing some general meditation but I’ll take your advice and try some more specific and intentional meditation!
I’ll definitely try out those suggestions! I really appreciate all of the input you’ve given me!!

[Nuummite]

They’ve indicated that they are from the Greek Parthenon and that they are likely not an Olympian but still well known. I’ve ruled out Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Hypnos, and Dionysus for sure. (But if you’re certain I’m wrong on that, I’ll try again!)

The deity could be Circe. Disclaimer: I have not worked with her, so the identification is very uncertain.

• Daughter of Swords = acute, pointed, knowledgeable, truth-teller, independent
• Three of Swords = has faced many disappointments
• Ten of Cups = something to do with bliss?
• The High Priestess = magical mysteries, spirituality that is private, altered states of consiousness
• Ace of Cups = Literally a cup or other vessel (take a look at some paintings)