Can't find the right one!

[Helmsman_of_Inepu]

The advice here is good, but I just wanted to mention that having a "personal" relationship with a deity isn't necessary for a meaningful pagan practice.

 
I'd second that. I think there's a tendency for people with a lot of personal contact to talk about  it, so it's easy to get the impression that it's the only way it happens.

There's also no requirement that you (worship, work with, honor...) only one or two deities. It makes sense for some people, doesn't for others.

If I was looking at different pantheons, I'd also consider things like the cosmology and the roles of humans in it, how the philosophy interacts with yours, etc.

[Maps]

I agree with this and thank you for your answer. What's the difference between a practioner/worshiper/devotee?

 
SkySamuelle beat me to it.

People have different names they call themselves, so there's a billion different labels out there, but those were just the 3 at the top of my head.

Helmsman also mentioned a good point as well-- that gods of different pantheons interact with humans differently. Some of them have a greater tendency to be intimate with their followers and some don't (like mine).

[Juniper]

There are many different types of relationships that a deity and practitioner/worshiper/devotee can have. And none of those relationships are any less meaningful or important or fulfilling than another.

I agree with this. Just because your relationship with your deity perhaps isn't as (for lack of a better word) blatant as other people's, it doesn't mean that it is any less significant. It took me a while to figure that one out.

[Shine]

I agree with this. Just because your relationship with your deity perhaps isn't as (for lack of a better word) blatant as other people's, it doesn't mean that it is any less significant. It took me a while to figure that one out.

 
Everybody's relationship with the divine is slightly--or greatly--different. And that's okay.

[Ginko]

I'd second that. I think there's a tendency for people with a lot of personal contact to talk about  it, so it's easy to get the impression that it's the only way it happens.

There's also no requirement that you (worship, work with, honor...) only one or two deities. It makes sense for some people, doesn't for others.

If I was looking at different pantheons, I'd also consider things like the cosmology and the roles of humans in it, how the philosophy interacts with yours, etc.

 
I don't mean to butt into a conversation here, but didn't know how to start a new thread with a quote from another.

I must admit to being somewhat confused.  While making a decision to acknowledge my being Pagan, it never occurred to me to worship, work with, honor... one or more deities.  I do not exclude the existence or worth of other deities coming from a Christian background, just never thought of it in those terms.  Rather more of an acknowledgment in the worth of other beliefs (which inherently includes deities).  This is one of the reasons I have for considering myself Pagan.  Is this what you mean by cosmology and the roles of humans in it?

[Helmsman_of_Inepu]

I must admit to being somewhat confused.  While making a decision to acknowledge my being Pagan, it never occurred to me to worship, work with, honor... one or more deities....  Is this what you mean by cosmology and the roles of humans in it?

"Pagan" is a very broad term, almost broad enough to be meaningless. Since the question was about gods, the responses mostly came from polytheists. Here's one blog post that discusses the difference: http://tessdawson.blogspot.com/2011/06/two-winding-rivers-changing-face-of.html

[yewberry]

"Pagan" is a very broad term, almost broad enough to be meaningless. Since the question was about gods, the responses mostly came from polytheists. Here's one blog post that discusses the difference: http://tessdawson.blogspot.com/2011/06/two-winding-rivers-changing-face-of.html

Nicely put.  Bookmarking for the next time someone asks me about the distinction.

Brina

[Juniper]

"Pagan" is a very broad term, almost broad enough to be meaningless. Since the question was about gods, the responses mostly came from polytheists. Here's one blog post that discusses the difference: http://tessdawson.blogspot.com/2011/06/two-winding-rivers-changing-face-of.html

Brilliant. Thankyou for the link.

[Ginko]

"Pagan" is a very broad term, almost broad enough to be meaningless. Since the question was about gods, the responses mostly came from polytheists. Here's one blog post that discusses the difference: http://tessdawson.blogspot.com/2011/06/two-winding-rivers-changing-face-of.html

 
Thank you!  I'll be sure to take a look.

[Phouka]

"Pagan" is a very broad term, almost broad enough to be meaningless. Since the question was about gods, the responses mostly came from polytheists. Here's one blog post that discusses the difference: http://tessdawson.blogspot.com/2011/06/two-winding-rivers-changing-face-of.html

 
I found this truly enlightening. Thanks Helmsman.

[Ariadne]

"Pagan" is a very broad term, almost broad enough to be meaningless. Since the question was about gods, the responses mostly came from polytheists. Here's one blog post that discusses the difference: http://tessdawson.blogspot.com/2011/06/two-winding-rivers-changing-face-of.html

 
Really interesting and helpful. Thank you!
And thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to my thread.

[Helmsman_of_Inepu]

I found this truly enlightening. Thanks Helmsman.

 
It can be very interesting to read the Canaanite recon stuff, both because they're just getting started, and they have less popular culture influence to deal with.

[Thorn]

But, I don't know where to start from! I mean, I feel that some deities appeal to me more than others, but is this enough? For example, I have a strong feeling for Dionysus. Is it because my name's Ariadne?

 
Everyone's advice is really good.  I just wanted to add - have you tried approaching Ariadne Herself?  Given that you're named after her, she might take an interest in you.  Not everyone is devoted to a "big name" deity.

And I wanted to add my compliments to everyone elses - I never would have guessed that you weren't a native English speaker.  Except maybe that your English is a bit better than most of ours...  :p

[SkySamuelle]

Everybody's relationship with the divine is slightly--or greatly--different. And that's okay.

True and fortunate. Plus there's the saying - no deity wants just one kind of follower.

I just wanted to add - have you tried approaching Ariadne Herself?  Given that you're named after her, she might take an interest in you.  Not everyone is devoted to a "big name" deity.

I am shamelessly partial but... Ariadne is incredibly wonderful and a love goddess of a different kind, with all  due respect to Golden Aphrodite.

[Ariadne]

Everyone's advice is really good.  I just wanted to add - have you tried approaching Ariadne Herself?  Given that you're named after her, she might take an interest in you.  Not everyone is devoted to a "big name" deity.

And I wanted to add my compliments to everyone elses - I never would have guessed that you weren't a native English speaker.  Except maybe that your English is a bit better than most of ours...  :p

 
Thank you! :p
I've never thought about trying with Ariadne, to be honest. You gave me a great idea.

I am shamelessly partial but... Ariadne is incredibly wonderful and a love goddess of a different kind, with all  due respect to Golden Aphrodite.

So I guess I should worship her as a Goddess of love, like Aphrodite? I also read that she was associated with the moon and the stars (Corona Borealis) on this site. While I was reading, it gave me chills (in a positive way). I knew her myth and everything, but I had totally forgotten than she was worshiped as a Goddess when Dionysus made her his immortal wife.

So do you guys think it would be a nice idea to try and approach Ariadne? Because I do:lub: