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Author Topic: Did you choose your Pantheon?  (Read 9547 times)

Shadow

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #30 on: August 19, 2012, 01:30:04 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 
I am eclectic but I work exclusively with the Greek pantheon (for now, but there are a couple of Egyptian gods who may be trying to get my attention). When I started out in Paganism I tried to work with Celtic deities but didn't really have much understanding of the differences between Irish, Scottish etc. I felt these were the Gods of my ancestors so surely they were the Gods for me.... yea, not so much as it happens!

I was never rejected by this pantheon, I just got nothing from them and this pushed me in to researching different pantheons to see what else was out there. The Greek gods, at least the 3 I focus on, just seemed to spark something in me that felt right and so I went with it.

Ladywhitewolf

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #31 on: October 05, 2012, 07:44:04 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 I do lots of research and I thought long and hard about it.  I have felt a connection to the Egyptians and their culture.   I would have many dreams about the God, Set and other deities from that pantheon.  Often Set appears in my dreams the most.  I am eclectic, but I make sure that I read up and find out as much as I can about the pantheons I am drawn to.  With me I have felt a connection to the Norse deities but I don't consider them to be my pantheon.  I also have felt a calling from the Goddess, Morrigan, from the Celtic Pantheon.  I am a hard polytheist Pagan that believes each of the deities is a separate individual.
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DeletedUser

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #32 on: October 05, 2012, 11:24:46 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?


I think none of them. They were always been there before I realized it.

Reading so much books and stories about the pantheons from all over the world when I was searching my own place in this world where I really belongs to.

It took much time till I get the Edda. And while reading in that book there came a feeling of "home" to me. And I knew, that my searching ended.
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Green Thumb

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #33 on: October 12, 2012, 02:30:10 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 
One of the gods I chose is not from any certain religion since she is found in so many religions, but the basic Mother Earth. I am a gardener, have always been a gardener, and always will be. It just seemed right to honor her for the gift she has given us all that is below, around, and above us. The other god I worship The Green Man/Horned God, he sort of just recruited me I guess. I kept having dreams about this antlered man and this other man whose hair and/or body had plants growing from him. I then just kept seeing images of the Green Man for months after that (this was after I started to think about how other societies believe in different beings). It took me a while to figure out who it was, where he came from, and the background history of him (I am still finding more and more about him each time I pick up that project again in my free time)
~E

dionysiandame

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #34 on: October 12, 2012, 03:46:01 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?


I think I chose my pantheon when their "mythology" seemed more real to me than the stories I was hearing in the religion I was raised in. I didn't know this for a long time and assumed my affinity was just due to me being a huge nerd. :p

When I discovered there were people who still worshiped The Olympians, I remember being ecstatic and a little scared at the same time. I had a feeling the gods were/are demanding and would expect more from me than I was willing to give at the time.
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Chausette

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #35 on: October 14, 2012, 05:44:01 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 
It was a little of both, I think. I had always felt a lure to the Greek pantheon and Greek mythology, and although I looked into other pantheons that was the one I got the most 'response' out of in terms of feeling a pull towards it. I kept coming back to it.

Raven Rose

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #36 on: October 14, 2012, 05:57:06 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 
For years I've had a certain scene that plays out in my mind when I'm meditating. Randomly, one day I decided to interpret all these different symbolisms in my "meditation dream". They all pointed towards two different deities. I asked for clarification for one of the deities and the next day I received clarification. A few months later on Mabon I was doing a ritual and I had some strong visions. I interpreted these and asked for clarification in a dream and received information about Greece and places I've never heard of before, that's when my 3rd Goddess became clear to me.

BandShe

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #37 on: October 29, 2012, 10:49:52 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 
I didn't pick my pantheon at all. I seemed to click with Artemis and Hermes definitely picked me. As a Druid I felt ashamed for not feeling connected to any of the Celtic gods as much as I wanted to be. I still feel more closely linked to Druidism, but I love my Greek Gods.

sparrow

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #38 on: October 30, 2012, 01:04:53 am »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 
I never intended to work with gods at all when I first realized I was pagan, or when I entered into witchcraft. I started getting some contact from a few goddesses (Epona, a water goddess that I was never able to identify, and Eris) which I avoided at first. Epona (it took some time, research and communication to figure out who she was)
kept sticking around and hanging out, even after I explained several times that I would be too difficult to work with and that I didn't think I was ready to go into a relationship with a deity. After she continued to be incredibly patient, understanding, and persistent I began communicating with her and working with her, and I started leaving
small offerings on occasion. After I had been talking to her and working with her for some time she urgently asked me to dedicate myself to her. After communicating with her more, freaking out a bit, and asking for advice I decided to go for it. She's wonderful, I can't quite remember why I was so panicked about it. The whole thing
didn't take years and years or anything, but it took quite a bit of time, research, soul searching, and getting over a rather steep learning curve. :o

I had a brief back-and-forth with Eris, which was intense, but I just wasn't ready for it at the time even though I was intrigued and I could have used her help to initiate major changes in my life. After I had been hemming and hawing for a while about whether to try working with her or not, she appeared to me while I was out in the
pasture at night while I was doing a full moon ritual. She was directly behind me in the form of a beast (for lack of any better term) and told me bluntly that I had a month total to make up my mind. I think that left me a couple weeks, which in hind sight was actually really generous for her. I never contacted her again and she was gone
without another word.

I don't think it would be challenging to juggle gods from different pantheons any more than it would be juggling different gods from the same pantheon. *shrug*


Grimnir

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #39 on: October 30, 2012, 06:01:51 am »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 
Much research and study - oh who am I kidding? :P It was Old One-eye deciding I'd messed about enough and would I listen or was he going to have to insist? I didn't choose my pantheon, Odin chose me and I finally realised he was calling. Took me 7 years, during which I did read a lot, true, but mostly about other systems.
Kind Regards, Raven
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel! - Fate goes ever as she shall!

Phouka

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #40 on: December 14, 2012, 02:15:00 pm »
Quote from: sparrow;78746
I never intended to work with gods at all when I first realized I was pagan, or when I entered into witchcraft. I started getting some contact from a few goddesses (Epona, a water goddess that I was never able to identify, and Eris) which I avoided at first. Epona (it took some time, research and communication to figure out who she was)
kept sticking around and hanging out, even after I explained several times that I would be too difficult to work with and that I didn't think I was ready to go into a relationship with a deity. After she continued to be incredibly patient, understanding, and persistent I began communicating with her and working with her, and I started leaving
small offerings on occasion. After I had been talking to her and working with her for some time she urgently asked me to dedicate myself to her. After communicating with her more, freaking out a bit, and asking for advice I decided to go for it. She's wonderful, I can't quite remember why I was so panicked about it. The whole thing
didn't take years and years or anything, but it took quite a bit of time, research, soul searching, and getting over a rather steep learning curve. :o

This thread has been very interesting, so I'll add my voice.

I'd always been fascinated with mythology and archeology even as a young girl and had an extensive collection on mythologies of the world.

When I first stared exploring the pagan paths 40 years ago (Wicca was pretty much all I could find back then) I found I couldn't mesh the Egyptian pantheon to a Celtic-based spirituality. (Probably wasn't experienced enough and newbie).

I thought I was choosing the path I wanted. Didn't really work. Left Wicca behind but continued the search trying to fit Kemetic (Egyptian as I thought then) into my life.

Go along as a solitary eclectic for many years. Then comes a time when I realize that Epona has been with me for most of my life. She was quiet and extremely patient (as it took close to 20 years for my to recognize Her). Now, I was thwapped, gently, by Her and told that although I was Hers for NOW, She was to be more of a mentor and guide now that I acknowledged Her in my life. I started studying mainland Celtic practices and mythologies and created my own practice of worship for Epona.

Over the next few years, I kept getting signs and portents (how dramatic) that I was going to have to go thru a HUGE personality shift. From victim to survivor to guardian(various abuses over the years from childhood on).

Epona was there and supported me thru the worst of it until I was able to stand on my own and look back and be accepting of my past and forgive those who'd caused such soul splitting. And to be glad, grateful, happy, content (I can't find the right word), with my past as it is what has made me who & what I am NOW. Letting go of the past, enjoying the present and looking forward to the future.

During the end of this time is when I came into contact with Galina K. and her group. It was my final test. The good thing from this experience is that I came to acknowledge the part my abusive step-father had in creating the person I am and be thankful for it. The worst part of the experience was I had to recognize the abuse going on in the goup and stand up for someone in the group who was being pressured into something she did not want to do.

I passed the test and was cast out of the group with the curse: May Macha the Goddess you fear most chastise & punish you. Or something to that effect.

Well, I did fear Macha. As a powerful, strong, possbily overwhelming Presence.
After all, She represented Battle and Warriors and Death. What's not to be feared.

So I thought, until I got THWAPPED!! The curse (or as I recall it the blessing) came true. Macha in all Her Glory showed up and announced that She had chosen me to be Her priest. I'd passed Her Test and was now ready to BE a Warrior and Guardian of the helpless & voiceless. For 13 years I've belonged to Macha.

There's been chastisement and even some butt kicking at times (esp. about teaching...I DON'T think I'm good teacher material) but we (meaning I) eventually see the 'light' and do what is necessary.

Epona has never left me and never will, but She is my Rest. When Macha becomes a little too demanding or impatient with me (and boy, you don't want to be on the receiving end of impatient) Epona lets me take a breath and collect myself to go into the breach again.

Anyway, I hope this is helpful or at least informative. I don't think I've ever posted anything this long since I FIRST came to the Cauldron a decade (more or less) ago.

Phouka

PS so to answer the question: I chose A pantheon didn't get any real response and got thwapped then THWAPPED. I stick to the Mainland and Irish Celts.
« Last Edit: December 14, 2012, 07:57:46 pm by Fausta »

Sarkana-night

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #41 on: December 14, 2012, 04:34:26 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 
Long thoughts, but not so hard a decision as I thought it would be.

I was born in Mexico, but after struggling with some family problems, my parents decided to move to Denmark. (Where my mother is from. My father is from Mexico though). At that time, I was only about 4 years old.

As I grew older, I became more and more interested in my homeland and it's culture, so I researched a lot about ancient Mesoamerican cultures and quikly fell in love with the Aztecs. And finally, about three years ago, I decided (after long, but not far many thoughts, and after a long period of telling and explaining people that I was pagan) to become an Aztec polytheist (I don't like to call myself a recon, because it seems to give people the wrong associations).

I just recently moved back to my old hometown in Mexico, so things are quite new for me here, but I finally got a bit more space for my religion. :p

AthenaiiseSofia

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #42 on: December 16, 2012, 06:23:29 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 
I found my deities through a LOT of research. I pretty much tore into any information I could find. I started noticing that as I studied different deities... there was like this warm feeling in my stomach. I explored it a little, and realized that it just felt right with that deity. Not very glamourous, I know lol.

And, I am an eclectic. I work with many different deities. But to help "juggle", I first off, go with what feels right. I put a lot of time and thought into my rituals, so I usually end up making the right choice of deity to work with. Secondly, I see all deities as part of a larger picture, so if I'm ever in doubt, I simply call on the Goddess and the Allfather. =)
"Go then and make of the world something beautiful, set up a light in the darkness." - from Awakening Osiris by Normandi Ellis

MarieBay

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #43 on: December 16, 2012, 06:53:38 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 
It was a bit of both. I've always been very close to nature (by virtue of being raised in the woods), but it took a lot of time and a tonne of research to realize I am a pagan of some stripe.

Years of researching and experimentation have lead me all kinds of places. For a while I worked one or two deities from different pantheons, and it wasn't difficult to juggle Their differences. The places I've lived facilitated those relationships in weird, synchronistic ways.

My understanding of divinity has changed with experience. I mostly work with land and animal spirits these days, though a year ago I dealt with more recognizable deities.

SerpentineSorcerer

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Re: Did you choose your Pantheon?
« Reply #44 on: December 17, 2012, 01:08:56 pm »
Quote from: Ask-Embla;59878
Assuming most of you weren't born into the religion your currently practice, how did you find your gods? Was it a long thought, heavily researched decision, or just a logical "what else?" If you are eclectic, how do you juggle systems of deities from so many different cultures?

 
My search for the gods has been what I like to call "walking the road without realising I'm on the road until I look down and see the dirt".

In life I started out as Spiritualist, so I was exposed to a lot of neo-wicca ideaology and new age/hindu/buddhist/animistic beliefs early on. Then there was the whole talking to the archangels bit, which got me funny looks from my catholic side of the family. When I got older and made the commitment to go further and embrace pagan religions, I kinda found myself just exploring about.

I did some looking into eclectic wicca, saw a number of things from ceremonial magic which I had always studied since I could first understand dion fortune, and then drifted into Thelema. I also investigated more germanic/norse deities which funnily enough got me a hint from Wotan that said "You're close kid, but I the answer you seek has been in front of your face the entire time"....cue me trying to understand for a couple months until it hit me*, and I went into Kemetic religion full throttle.

*I have always had an intense fascination with Old Egypt since I was a wee one. It and Dinosaurs were the biggest things I was into as a kid. When I was fifteen and in that state of questioning everything you believe because hey, you're fifteen, I was doing a project on ancient cultures. I picked Egypt as it was something I could really get into, and had a lot of depth and variety. It was then I found a copy of Budge's Papyrus of Ani: Book of the Dead. After the initial awe factor of "Holy crap I found the book of the dead! Uh, this better not end up with me calling back age old mummy to kill me and everyone else in a swarm of sand and fleshing eating scarabs" I sat down and started reading it seriously. I felt this strong connection to the gods, though I didn't recognize it for what it was then, as I read the book. From then on until when I moved to a different town and a different high school, I always read that book every free moment I had. It was that book that had me seriously start poking around about Egyptian religion, and magic, which then snowballed into other magical practices and then into renaissance magic, then into magical orders like the O.T.O. and the Golden Dawn. From there, well the rest is history.


Recently, as I've matured in my understanding of the gods and my connection to them, I've found myself getting much more involved in a Greco-Egyptian syncretisied religious system as well as getting more into Thelema and Luciferian religion. It's an interesting ride to say the least, and I can't say it's been me just picking gods and going with it. It's just been following where I get the strongest feeling, exploring around it before honing in on the center of the strongest feeling so that I have a clear picture of just who or what is calling me.
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