Ganesha

[witchymoonchild]

I'm new to wicca and the other night I asked the universe to send me a sign from a god/goddess that wanted to work with me on my new journey. I was expecting Diana because since I was a child, I've been drawn to the moon, but in my dream I was looking for a Ganesha statue. Could this be a sign from him? The interesting thing is, I never really knew anything about him. I knew he existed, but just as the cute elephant god that I saw sometimes in my life in like stores or on shows/movies, but I never knew what he was the god of or anything like that. I googled to see what he was about and it really fits (new beginnings and good fortune I'm going through some things that I could really use him for. It's a long story.) what I'm going through right now. I also read that sometimes gods/goddesses who you don't know anything about can come into your life. I want to think it was him giving me a sign. Like I said, I'm new to this, so any help would be grateful.

[Ashmire]

I'm new to wicca and the other night I asked the universe to send me a sign from a god/goddess that wanted to work with me on my new journey. I was expecting Diana because since I was a child, I've been drawn to the moon, but in my dream I was looking for a Ganesha statue. Could this be a sign from him? The interesting thing is, I never really knew anything about him. I knew he existed, but just as the cute elephant god that I saw sometimes in my life in like stores or on shows/movies, but I never knew what he was the god of or anything like that. I googled to see what he was about and it really fits (new beginnings and good fortune I'm going through some things that I could really use him for. It's a long story.) what I'm going through right now. I also read that sometimes gods/goddesses who you don't know anything about can come into your life. I want to think it was him giving me a sign. Like I said, I'm new to this, so any help would be grateful.

Welcome to the forum!  I'm no expert on Ganesha myself, though I remember reading a children's version of his story when I was little,  but I believe we do have a Hindu or two around the forum who might advise you better.  I definitely relate on gods you didn't expect showing up, though.   

[Dynes Hysbys]

I'm new to wicca and the other night I asked the universe to send me a sign from a god/goddess that wanted to work with me on my new journey. I was expecting Diana because since I was a child, I've been drawn to the moon, but in my dream I was looking for a Ganesha statue. Could this be a sign from him? The interesting thing is, I never really knew anything about him. I knew he existed, but just as the cute elephant god that I saw sometimes in my life in like stores or on shows/movies, but I never knew what he was the god of or anything like that. I googled to see what he was about and it really fits (new beginnings and good fortune I'm going through some things that I could really use him for. It's a long story.) what I'm going through right now. I also read that sometimes gods/goddesses who you don't know anything about can come into your life. I want to think it was him giving me a sign. Like I said, I'm new to this, so any help would be grateful.

IIRC Ganesha is a "gateway" deity - he acts as a guide and introducer.  So yes he may well have been giving you a sign. I'd run with it for now and see what happens.

[Jainarayan]

IIRC Ganesha is a "gateway" deity - he acts as a guide and introducer.  So yes he may well have been giving you a sign. I'd run with it for now and see what happens.

You are correct on all counts. Ganesha (pronounced Ga-nay-sha, not Ga-neh-sha, as commonly mispronounced) is the first deity worshiped in any ritual because he is the Lord of Obstacles (one of his names is Vignaraja). He removes them as well as places them as teaching devices if someone needs to be reined in. I don't remember the exact story, but after an incident with another deity Ganesha was given the honor of being worshiped before any other deity. Many Hindus pray to him before leaving the house, I do. We pray to him before any venture, trip or undertaking of any kind. Along with Maa Saraswati he's worshiped at the beginning of studies, the school year, tests, etc. They are both deities of wisdom, among their other attributes. Ganesha is the deity closest to our plane of existence. If one is having difficulty contacting or getting a response from another deity, usually because they're either busy or we just don't use enough energy and devotion to reach them, he'll get their attention for us.

[witchymoonchild]

IIRC Ganesha is a "gateway" deity - he acts as a guide and introducer.  So yes he may well have been giving you a sign. I'd run with it for now and see what happens.

Thank you so much. <3

You are correct on all counts. Ganesha (pronounced Ga-nay-sha, not Ga-neh-sha, as commonly mispronounced) is the first deity worshiped in any ritual because he is the Lord of Obstacles (one of his names is Vignaraja). He removes them as well as places them as teaching devices if someone needs to be reined in. I don't remember the exact story, but after an incident with another deity Ganesha was given the honor of being worshiped before any other deity. Many Hindus pray to him before leaving the house, I do. We pray to him before any venture, trip or undertaking of any kind. Along with Maa Saraswati he's worshiped at the beginning of studies, the school year, tests, etc. They are both deities of wisdom, among their other attributes. Ganesha is the deity closest to our plane of existence. If one is having difficulty contacting or getting a response from another deity, usually because they're either busy or we just don't use enough energy and devotion to reach them, he'll get their attention for us.

Oops I was pronouncing his name wrong. Wikipedia lied to me. This is very helpful. I think I'm going to pray to him because I could really use his help right now in my life. Especially with what he stands for. Thank you for replying.

[Jainarayan]

Thank you so much. <3

You're welcome.   

Oops I was pronouncing his name wrong. Wikipedia lied to me. This is very helpful. I think I'm going to pray to him because I could really use his help right now in my life. Especially with what he stands for. Thank you for replying.

He'll be happy to help. Everyone mispronounces it. Even I did in the beginning. Sanskrit doesn't always transliterate well into English.

[Darkhawk]

Like I said, I'm new to this, so any help would be grateful.

So I'll give you links to three twitter threads about Ganesha by a Brahmin (Hindu priest) who likes to educate people about Hinduism.

A festival and origin story:

ok! as promised yesterday, time for a Hindu thread! today's the first day of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival so let's chat about the Elephant!

— Shivam Bhatt (@elektrotal) August 25, 2017

Why does Ganesha have a broken tusk?:

So one of the iconic traits of Ganesh is that he has a broken tusk. But why? pic.twitter.com/h119oGOHyT

— Shivam Bhatt (@elektrotal) September 7, 2017

Ganesha and the unshareable mango:

The #hinduthread i was going to do today was kinda boring, so i'm going to tell a story instead. I told this to my son last night, and i remembered how much i genuinely enjoyed this story, so i'm going to share it with all of you. It is a Ganesha story.

— Shivam Bhatt (@elektrotal) July 19, 2018

[Hariti]

I knew he existed, but just as the cute elephant god that I saw sometimes in my life in like stores or on shows/movies, but I never knew what he was the god of or anything like that. I googled to see what he was about and it really fits (new beginnings and good fortune I'm going through some things that I could really use him for. It's a long story.)

That sounds a lot like how Kali came into my own spirituality. I was looking, but I as looking in a very different place and expecting someone very different to answer. I'd heard of her, but only from pop culture, and didn't really know much about Hinduism at all, let alone Kali specifically, other than that she was kinda scary.

I do believe that, if you ask for help from the divine, you might get an answer from a benevolent being who you weren't necessarily looking for or calling upon.

[Hariti]

Many Hindus pray to him before leaving the house, I do. We pray to him before any venture, trip or undertaking of any kind. Along with Maa Saraswati he's worshiped at the beginning of studies, the school year, tests, etc.

I couldn't have put it better myself. He's basically the God of helping people, and he helps his worshipers to get through difficulties and uncertainties.