For those "unclaimed": question on continued contact

[Elizabeth]

I was reading a thread on the old boards about godly attention: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=12815.15

For those non-god bothered folks such as myself, at what point do you step back from making contact so as not to push it with Them? There has got to be a point where our unanswered inquiries become rude, but how does one know an inquiry is unanswered if in general, we haven't been "thwapped" or otherwise claimed?

[quarks]

For those non-god bothered folks such as myself, at what point do you step back from making contact so as not to push it with Them? There has got to be a point where our unanswered inquiries become rude, but how does one know an inquiry is unanswered if in general, we haven't been "thwapped" or otherwise claimed?

 
I don't know if it would be considered rude to honor a God with Whom you want a deeper relationship.  I haven't been thwapped by Anyone.  I do feel like I get responses from some of the Gods that I approach, but that is only through tarot and my subjectivity.  There is a God that I'm honoring that I don't feel has really responded to me yet, but I still feel pulled to honor Him.  I think if you're feeling like it's an empty relationship, then it is totally okay to drop it and perhaps see if Someone Else resonates with you.  However, I wouldn't consider not getting thwapped as an outright no.  It seems to me that most people don't get that honor/curse.  If you want Deity in your life, it is totally your choice with Whom you want to spend your time.  I understand the ache to be close to Deity, to want to be chosen.  I do think you can create a fulfilling relationship with a Deity without hearing anything back.  It doesn't mean that They aren't listening.  Perhaps through research you could find Someone that you respect enough to honor, or Someone who embodies the concepts by which you want to live your life.  You are always free to put feelers out.  Maybe something will just feel right.  Good luck.  Sorry if this turned into rambling.:ashamed:

[RandallS]

I don't know if it would be considered rude to honor a God with Whom you want a deeper relationship.

That's how most of the humanity does it -- and I haven't heard of any deities who strongly object to it. Deities selecting people and actively recruiting them is really fairly rare.

[beith]

I do think you can create a fulfilling relationship with a Deity without hearing anything back.  It doesn't mean that They aren't listening.

 
This is a timely thread for me, and this response.  I have started honoring Sekhmet and was trying to feel out the relationship via ogham divination.  The first time I did it I got what I thought were positive results, including that Sekhmet approved of my attempts and would be a present, guiding force for me.  The second time I did it, well, it seemed like a firm no, we are not having a relationship, which confused me in the light of my first reading.

I think it's entirely possible (likely?) that I'm just too new to divination to be any good at it/interpret anything meaningfully, but I was still worried that continuing to honor Sekhmet after a perceived strong "no" would be...wrong.  "Trying too hard will screw you up" is another thing I saw in the ogham, so perhaps I just need to press the brakes gently and keep a slow approach.

Again, thank you for your response to the thread quarks, it gives me some comfort.

[LadyBug]

For those non-god bothered folks such as myself, at what point do you step back from making contact so as not to push it with Them? There has got to be a point where our unanswered inquiries become rude, but how does one know an inquiry is unanswered if in general, we haven't been "thwapped" or otherwise claimed?

 
I don't think I ever have stepped back. I tend to worship the idea of a Goddess and God instead of specifics from the past. Its kinda like dumping the extremely varied worship into a communal pool accessible by everyone to use and admire as they like. This does include a little extra work on my part, adding little bits and pieces that would, could and might appease everyone I am aware of and extras for those I don't know of (thread, wine, pebbles, a little bit of my last meal each day[admittedly, after this is done on the offering plate it usually goes to the pet ratties to avoid waste], bits of technology, offerings of pure collected energy contained in quartz or crystals, handmade poppets, bits of gold, silver and jewelry offered for blessings of protection or luck... anything really so long as it seems appropriate for the day and whatnot. I work off feelings for this stuff) but I find it is very worth it and hey! Its works for me anyways :3

 I think it gives a little more freedom for specific Ladys or Lords to contact me if they decide I have something they need me to do or offer up (if there are multiples to begin with, I mean there could be just the one or there could be a hundred or thousands as in Hinduism). I leave it all open because anything and everything is possible and it leaves me with a very small distance to fall(disappointment wise) in case I am never thwapped.

[Elizabeth]

 
Not rambling at all!

I know that most aren't thwapped and it is more of an anomoly than it appears on here.

I suppose if one were to bother a deity enough they would thwapp them to tell them to cut it out! I just feel like I don't get anything from the deities in terms of confirmation, so I never know if it means they don't want to be bothered with me, or if I am just one of those radio silence people.

[Redfaery]

That's how most of the humanity does it -- and I haven't heard of any deities who strongly object to it. Deities selecting people and actively recruiting them is really fairly rare.

 
Huh. I didn't realize that. I guess because I've had one goddess REALLY RESPOND to me...She's become my patroness. In a way, that's reassuring, because I was feeling discouraged in my attempts at working with the other deities.

As to the OP, I'm reminded of an old joke:

Mrs. Feeny: "why does Mrs. Jones have everything she wants when she never goes to church, and has committed every sin in the book? I do everything right and go to church every Sunday, but I'm having a terrible time!"

God: "BECAUSE MRS. JONES DOESN'T BUG ME!!!!"

.....which is kind of the opposite of the point I want to make.:hdsk:

I honestly think you should continue honoring the deities you want, as long as you want to, until something happens. That could be them "thwapping" you, but more likely I think it would simply be that you find you want to try something else.

[veggiewolf]

This is a timely thread for me, and this response.  I have started honoring Sekhmet and was trying to feel out the relationship via ogham divination.  The first time I did it I got what I thought were positive results, including that Sekhmet approved of my attempts and would be a present, guiding force for me.  The second time I did it, well, it seemed like a firm no, we are not having a relationship, which confused me in the light of my first reading.

I think it's entirely possible (likely?) that I'm just too new to divination to be any good at it/interpret anything meaningfully, but I was still worried that continuing to honor Sekhmet after a perceived strong "no" would be...wrong.  "Trying too hard will screw you up" is another thing I saw in the ogham, so perhaps I just need to press the brakes gently and keep a slow approach.

Again, thank you for your response to the thread quarks, it gives me some comfort.

 
From what you wrote here, I get the sense that Sekhmet is all for being worshiped by you but does not want more than that.  Most people out there never hear directly from the gods they worship but continue to honor them nevertheless.  To my mind, moving forward with the notion of "worship but no more" makes complete sense.

Just my $0.02.

[AineLlewellyn]

From what you wrote here, I get the sense that Sekhmet is all for being worshiped by you but does not want more than that.  Most people out there never hear directly from the gods they worship but continue to honor them nevertheless.  To my mind, moving forward with the notion of "worship but no more" makes complete sense.

Just my $0.02.

 
I agree with this. Worshiping, without pushing for an intense devotional relationship, is okay, and it's more of the norm. (I'm seeing more people talk about it every day!) And the gods want many different kinds of devotees and worship (imo), so there's nothing wrong with 'worship but no more'. Going slow also helps you develop better discernment and other necessary skills. (Which - I'm very glad I had time to build those up, since they've come in handy in more than just religious situations.)

[beith]

To my mind, moving forward with the notion of "worship but no more" makes complete sense.

 
Thank you for this.  I think I might be projecting some of my personal issues/hang ups onto the situation and conflating it into rejection.  I'll work on being more respectfully patient.

[herenow]

I agree with this. Worshiping, without pushing for an intense devotional relationship, is okay, and it's more of the norm. (I'm seeing more people talk about it every day!) And the gods want many different kinds of devotees and worship (imo), so there's nothing wrong with 'worship but no more'. Going slow also helps you develop better discernment and other necessary skills. (Which - I'm very glad I had time to build those up, since they've come in handy in more than just religious situations.)

 
I'm not sure what is meant by "unclaimed" in this thread.
Unclaimed by a particular god?
I have continued contact with old 'things' and new ones as well. I don't know if they are gods - I think of them as land spirits or spirits of the woods.
Is this the same type of contact talked about here? Reaching out to new (gods, spirits, whatever)?

[Elizabeth]

I'm not sure what is meant by "unclaimed" in this thread.
Unclaimed by a particular god?
I have continued contact with old 'things' and new ones as well. I don't know if they are gods - I think of them as land spirits or spirits of the woods.
Is this the same type of contact talked about here? Reaching out to new (gods, spirits, whatever)?

 
Yes, unclaimed by a particular god. Having a relationship with them, being a devotee due to a strong connection.