A call to a god/ess?

[Pfeenix]

Though I have been practicing for about 10 years, give or take, I've never truly worked with a deity before. I've considered it in the past and have some knowledge as I have always been a bit of a culture/history/mythology buff, but I am a believer in the concept of the multiverse, and so believe that all things exist and yet don't in one realm or another. As I did not understand (and still don't) where I stood on the subject of deities regarding this realm, at some point it was was decided they were not a part of my path. Until recently (maybe?).

I swear there's a point here, and if this is not the place for this, I apologize

My question, for those of you who have been called by gods or godesses is how do you know? Is it simple, subtle things? Is the call ever blantant? I ask because if a recent experience of my own, which seem rather blatant.

I performed a pendulum session the other night with a new pendulum. My instincts in the shop said this is the one I should take - I'm not even certain of what the stones are, just that they reminded me of my Irish heritage – orange, white and green pyramids stacked upon each other. It was cleansed and blessed before the session, as was the space I worked in, and the board I used. I say all this because of what transpired.

I opened the session, as I always do, by calling to me the elemental spirits for guidance and protection. My style is very informal. I don't always cast a formal circle, but I cleanse my space and invite the elements to join, as I did here. I also like to draw a tarot card to help guide my thoughts during the session, and the card that night was the Tower.

My first question after those that establish communication guidelines is if the elemental spirits have any messages for me. Here I received a "yes", and when asked to clarify "n-y-x".  My only experience with Nyx has been through the House of Night book series (which I have read some of, but not anywhere recent enough for it to influence the session) and through the fact that I use some cosmetics by the same namesake. So, naturally, I googled her right there in the middle of the session. When I addressed Nyx directly, the pendulum's movements were far livelier than they had been before hand, and the air felt charged leaving my body feeling tingly and warm.

After closing out the session, the charged feeling did not leave, and even as I type this thread, I feel remnants of that charged energy. I felt like I had to know more. I found a few posts (including a couple from people here years ago) from people who work with Nyx, and the reasons why they felt drawn to her made sense to me based on how I feel.

Is this what it's like to be called to a goddess? Should I heed the call, if that's what this is?

Also, any information/experiences that can be given about Nyx would be greatly appreciated.

And I apologize for the length of this as well, but o felt like I needed to explain the whole experience.

[Snake-Bitten]

My question, for those of you who have been called by gods or godesses is how do you know? Is it simple, subtle things? Is the call ever blantant? I ask because if a recent experience of my own, which seem rather blatant.

...

Is this what it's like to be called to a goddess? Should I heed the call, if that's what this is?

 


For me, it's usually what I like to refer to as a "light bulb" moment. Totems, dream interpretation, even one of my spiritual names just sort of dawned on me.  "DUH. How did I not see this before? It's right in front of my face."
You should most definitely explore this. Don't worry about if you're doing something "wrong". You'll feel it if that's the case. Listen to your intuition.

[Jenett]

My question, for those of you who have been called by gods or godesses is how do you know? Is it simple, subtle things? Is the call ever blantant? I ask because if a recent experience of my own, which seem rather blatant.

and

Is this what it's like to be called to a goddess? Should I heed the call, if that's what this is?

First, we don't mind long posts here, as long as the text is broken into reasonable length paragraphs, like you did.
 
As to your questions - I'd consider what you describe to be more along the lines of "clear expression of interest" than a strong call, on the grand spectrum of such experiences. You were, after all, putting yourself in a situation where you were deliberately reaching out, asking someone or something to respond.

Here's some things to think about, though:

- You said you asked 'elemental spirits' to respond. Nyx is more commonly seen as a deity. Did you get other information that might clarify this for you? Is this a thing that matters to you? Were there any indications that it might be a being using the name Nyx who doesn't match up with other information about Nyx as commonly seen?

- Just because a being shows up and gives a name doesn't mean you have to do anything about it. Think of it like having a party, and someone bringing a friend. You might be fine having them at the party, but that doesn't mean you want or need or have to agree to a long-term interaction with them. You can wait until you learn more about them, or decide to go do something else, or whatever else makes sense.

On the research front, if you haven't seen Theoi.com yet, they have nice thorough information about classical sources about Greek deities and related beings including Nyx.

- Likewise, just a single point of contact doesn't give you a lot to go on. Research is good, but with deities, research usually isn't everything. My usual advice is to explore a deity in more depth, slowly, over a period of months. There's more on my website about some ways of doing that if you'd like some ideas. Learning about deities, building a relationship with a deity, and deepening a relationship with a deity.

I'd also recommend trying a variety of practices: specific questions, via pendulum, to get at the question of what kinds of interactions Nyx is interested, for example (framing these may take you some time to work out) but also trying things like Tarot, or meditation, or dreamwork or other techniques. Simple ritual acts - a brief offering, or in this case something like making a trip to a dark sky space (or the nearest you can get to one) might be appropriate.

- On that note, don't make long-term commitments yet: if you think you might be interested in a long-term interaction, start with committing to a short one (1-3 months of exploration and research, for example, followed maybe by 3 or 6 months of making some kind of regular offering that is small, simple, and easy for you to do regularly). If that goes well, make another 6 month commitment, perhaps going a little deeper or more focused. Only after you've done a couple of rounds of 6 or 12 month commitments should you consider committing to something longer-term.

Deities (and other beings) you want to work with will understand that. You're also welcome to try out other things (do more than you've formally committed to), but giving yourself the freedom to try a thing and have it not work is really important, I think, rather than tying you into a relationship or interaction that may turn out not to be what you want or good for you.

- Take good notes. Each time you have an interaction, or each time something comes up for you that you think is related, write it down. Keeping some kind of record of your general mood, how your body feels, how things are going in your life may also be helpful to you, in terms of figuring out if this interaction is good for you, good but with challenging aspects you need to spend time sorting out, or bad for you. (Or any of the many variants in between those three!)

[Pfeenix]

First, allow me to say that I appreciate the responses from both of you.

Totems, dream interpretation, even one of my spiritual names just sort of dawned on me... You'll feel it if that's the case. Listen to your intuition.

What you've said here makes a lot of sense, and I have experiences similar moments. It never hurts to be reminded to trust my intuition.  

Everything you've said here was a big help, so thank you. I also appreciate the provided links. A lot of good information there.

You are right, it could have been another being using the name, that's always a possibility. I didn't sense anything off, but I also, admittedly, didn't keep the session open long after. I was a little shook at the time, and for a few days after the fact. I think partly more so because of the tarot card pulled for the session.

I've never sought deities in my work, and I've never had them show up as passing interest, either. Or if they had, I was too oblivious to notice, so even the concept of one doing so in such a clear way was enough to floor me.

I'd also recommend trying a variety of practices: specific questions, via pendulum, to get at the question of what kinds of interactions Nyx is interested...

I haven't tried specific questions yet (I've been avoiding them so that when I do ask, I can do so with a clear, unbiased mind), but other, general tarot readings, meditations, etc. that I have done seem to keep bringing me back to it in the sense that I keep being told to trust in myself, find strength in what I know, and to go slowly, but be open to new experiences, opportunities, and chances for spiritual growth.