Offerings, what do they do for Deity?

[Mikie]

I've been wondering lately: what do our offerings do for Deities?

I've read that they take the essence out of the food offerings. What about other kinds of offerings like alcohol, art, poetry, incense, energetic offerings?

What do they use the energies for?

 
I give Libations to Hades and on occasions food offering. I give it out of respect and so that we can have something together in the physical realm. He does not eat it nor does he gain any strength or nourishment. He accepts it as a symbol, as respect, as something we as mortals don't have to do, but we do it because we want to.

[Holdasown]

I've been wondering lately: what do our offerings do for Deities?

I've read that they take the essence out of the food offerings. What about other kinds of offerings like alcohol, art, poetry, incense, energetic offerings?

What do they use the energies for?

 
I personally think it does two things. Since the gods don't exist on this plane it gives them energy because they can't drink it for real. The energy is a gift for whatever reason your giving it. I also think it's like a candle or beacon. Done regularly from your home/or sacred space it's like a signal to the gods or beings, wights or ancestors that they are welcome in that space.

[Mikie]

I personally think it does two things. Since the gods don't exist on this plane it gives them energy because they can't drink it for real. The energy is a gift for whatever reason your giving it. I also think it's like a candle or beacon. Done regularly from your home/or sacred space it's like a signal to the gods or beings, wights or ancestors that they are welcome in that space.

Well said sir.

While I don't agree that they gain energy from the offering itself, I agree that the act is a transfer of energy! And I couldn't agree more that your offering does act as a beacon of sorts.