Can I practice high magick and work with pagan gods at the same time?

[Strix]

Hello, so I am actually new to this forum. So I am going to introduce myself a bit.
I'm from Easter Europe, my family were atheists. I stared practice LaVey satanism when I was 14. I soonly understood I didn't liked it. Then I decided that I will try theistic satanism. I felt like it wasn't my way either. I  became to atheist, but I kept some practices that I learned (meditation and lucid dreaming).So,one night I called my Holy Guardian Angel into a lucid dream. I believe he/she actually came (Angel looked like a really strange white formless smoke). Later multiple synchronicities leaded me back to occult. So I looked for a path of magic(k) that would somehow include a belief of HGA.I like High magic(k) but I am not sure if I like worshiping Jehova. I'm also trying to work with greek gods. So I wonder, can I do high magick and work with pagan gods at the same time?
P.S. Sorry for my English (not my native language obviously).

[RandallS]

I like High magic(k) but I am not sure if I like worshiping Jehova.

High magic need not necessarily involve worshiping any gods. Gods can be seen as thought forms, for example -- very powerful thought forms because of all the people who have believed in them over history, but still not true deities.

[Strix]

I was thinking about this for a few days. I feel like a have a bit of guilt about my ''satanist'' past and that's why I feel uncomfortable doing something that involves anything similar to christianity. Also I am a bit scared of what would occur if I would blend different deities that are contrary to each other, would that harm me? Back to my ''satanism'' days I tried to do envocation but nothing much happened except for my decision to leave satanism because of my constant anxiety of being attacked, dragged to hell or something similar.
I am older now, more mature as well, I sill have some doubts about spiritual path of magician, but I now I have more control over my thoughts and feelings.

[Darkhawk]

A Reminder:

Hi Strix, Just a quick note:  Please remember to quote, even if you're just replying to the first message in the thread.  It makes the discussion easier to follow, and it's required by our rules. (If you're using tapatalk on a phone, please hold your finger down on the message you wish to reply to until the quote function pops up.) This isn't a formal warning, just a reminder. No reply is necessary, but if you have questions or need clarification, please feel free to contact a member of staff privately. Thanks! Darkhawk, TC Forum Staff

[Darkhawk]

Also I am a bit scared of what would occur if I would blend different deities that are contrary to each other, would that harm me?

I don't see how it would; I don't see how you could "blend" nonconsenting powers, for one.

[Strix]

I don't see how it would; I don't see how you could "blend" nonconsenting powers, for one.

So the main advice for me is too see deities rather as a power sources than an actual personalities. Just to make sure: if  I decide that today I‘m using archangels for my magic but tomorrow it‘s Hecate who will assist my rituals no god or goddess gonna cut my throat for being heretic ?

[Darkhawk]

So the main advice for me is too see deities rather as a power sources than an actual personalities.

Main advice from where?  Is that a high magic thing?

Just to make sure: if  I decide that today I‘m using archangels for my magic but tomorrow it‘s Hecate who will assist my rituals no god or goddess gonna cut my throat for being heretic ?

Generally speaking I wouldn't recommend "using" entities for one's magic at all.  It seems rude to me.  I mean, do you "use" other people, too?

But no, if you conduct rituals with the assistance of an assortment of entities, as a general rule they're not going to give a shit.  You might at some point run into someone who says "If you work with me, I don't want you to invite them to the same party", you might run into someone who says "If you work with me, I don't want you to work with them at all ever", you might run into someone who says, "If you work with me, I don't want you working with anyone else without my permission", and then you get to decide if those are deals you want to make.  You don't have to make those deals, but if you don't make those deals you probably shouldn't be trying to work with the entity that wants 'em.

But for stuff like the invocations of the archangels that have been used in stuff like the Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram for approximately forever?  Whatevs.

[Jenett]

So the main advice for me is too see deities rather as a power sources than an actual personalities. Just to make sure: if  I decide that today I‘m using archangels for my magic but tomorrow it‘s Hecate who will assist my rituals no god or goddess gonna cut my throat for being heretic ?

Pretty sure that Darkhawk is using 'powers' here as a general term, rather than suggesting using them as a power source and not as actual personalities. 
(Source: extensive reading of Darkhawk's other past posts on the topic.)

That was not, actually, the question you've been asking, so it's probably best to not assume that's the answer you're getting.

There are forms of ceremonial magic practice where including deities would not be a problem.

There are people who practice ceremonial magic, calling on the relevant entities (or powers) there, and have a separate religious practice.

There are people who swap between much more fluidly.

In all three cases, the question becomes what commitments you take on, what relationships you decide to build up and develop, and what your goals and comfort with risk is.

Think of it like this: it is possible to have two jobs at the same time (and two bosses or people you report to.) In some cases, this works great, and the two jobs enhance each other. You learn skills at one you can apply to the other, you have more money, you make more connections to people doing things you like. Whatever.

Sometimes it doesn't work well - you find yourself exhausted because you're trying to keep up with two different schedules and sets of demands, and your two bosses don't care that they expect different things from you (not just your work, but style of communication, what things you decide versus what things they decide, etc.) That can still work out, but it's probably not a great experience. And probably not one you can do for years.

And sometimes it's just not possible. You make commitments to one boss, and then the other one is (not unreasonably, maybe) annoyed because you can't do things for them. You have a really busy day at one job, and you're exhausted when you get to the other. They may want your full attention and commitment at the same time. Sometimes, they might have directly different requirements - one requires a high ethical standard or set of behaviours, the other wants you to not report some things, or is on the shady side of legal, or comes with a lot of social stigma.

In that case, you don't have a lot of choice but to pick one - but even having done both to that point can seriously damage your relationships with the people you work with in at least one job, your future opportunities, etc.

So, it's hard for people here to tell you what's okay - both because you haven't given much detail of what you'd like to combine, and also because we're not right there, seeing what commitments you're directly making (and implying).

We're probably individually not fully aware of all of the possibilities in both the sets of practices you're looking to combine (or at least, most of us aren't, because many of us are knowledgeable about multiple paths, but maybe not those two.) We can't give you permission, anyway. We can only tell you 'here's some things to think about'.

[Goddess_Ashtara]

So the main advice for me is too see deities rather as a power sources than an actual personalities. Just to make sure: if  I decide that today I‘m using archangels for my magic but tomorrow it‘s Hecate who will assist my rituals no god or goddess gonna cut my throat for being heretic ?

There are many perspectives about gods and there are many ways to include gods in one's life.  Different people here may have different advice for you.

I utilize gods, and I allow gods to utilize me.  Whether you embrace gods as an extension of who you are, or as some intradimensional extraterrestrial machine gods from another plane of existence, or something else,  I suggest you do and experience what you feel you are most drawn to, deep down. 

If it is your Will to embrace and utilize forces Above and forces Below to achieve the same goal, do it.  Do not ask for anyone's permission.  If it is your Will to embrace and utilize some goddess that has been worshipped in some ancient culture, as well as some archdemon or archangel revered in another culture... then do it.  Do not let people command you otherwise.

Consider people's advice here but I do not suggest you just blindly follow it.  Take control of your own present and create a future of your choosing, and embrace whatever gods you Will.  If an existing spiritual-religious system does not reflect who you are, who you wish to become and what you wish to experience, then forge your own.

[Strix]

Pretty sure that Darkhawk is using 'powers' here as a general term, rather than suggesting using them as a power source and not as actual personalities. 
(Source: extensive reading of Darkhawk's other past posts on the topic.)

That was not, actually, the question you've been asking, so it's probably best to not assume that's the answer you're getting.

There are forms of ceremonial magic practice where including deities would not be a problem.

There are people who practice ceremonial magic, calling on the relevant entities (or powers) there, and have a separate religious practice.

There are people who swap between much more fluidly.

In all three cases, the question becomes what commitments you take on, what relationships you decide to build up and develop, and what your goals and comfort with risk is.

Think of it like this: it is possible to have two jobs at the same time (and two bosses or people you report to.) In some cases, this works great, and the two jobs enhance each other. You learn skills at one you can apply to the other, you have more money, you make more connections to people doing things you like. Whatever.

Sometimes it doesn't work well - you find yourself exhausted because you're trying to keep up with two different schedules and sets of demands, and your two bosses don't care that they expect different things from you (not just your work, but style of communication, what things you decide versus what things they decide, etc.) That can still work out, but it's probably not a great experience. And probably not one you can do for years.

And sometimes it's just not possible. You make commitments to one boss, and then the other one is (not unreasonably, maybe) annoyed because you can't do things for them. You have a really busy day at one job, and you're exhausted when you get to the other. They may want your full attention and commitment at the same time. Sometimes, they might have directly different requirements - one requires a high ethical standard or set of behaviours, the other wants you to not report some things, or is on the shady side of legal, or comes with a lot of social stigma.

In that case, you don't have a lot of choice but to pick one - but even having done both to that point can seriously damage your relationships with the people you work with in at least one job, your future opportunities, etc.

So, it's hard for people here to tell you what's okay - both because you haven't given much detail of what you'd like to combine, and also because we're not right there, seeing what commitments you're directly making (and implying).

We're probably individually not fully aware of all of the possibilities in both the sets of practices you're looking to combine (or at least, most of us aren't, because many of us are knowledgeable about multiple paths, but maybe not those two.) We can't give you permission, anyway. We can only tell you 'here's some things to think about'.

Thank you,very decent answer.
I am looking to combine some elements from apparently Golden Dawn tradition (lesser banishing of a pentagram, rose cross ritual,  etc.) and a bit of paganism ( mostly invoking godesses Hecate and Seshat). Talking about commitments I have totally broken ''pact'' with Lucifer, two oaths to HGA, small commitment ( not dedication) to godess Seshat.
 I actually got my questions answered, so that's all I guess.

[Jenett]

I am looking to combine some elements from apparently Golden Dawn tradition (lesser banishing of a pentagram, rose cross ritual,  etc.) and a bit of paganism ( mostly invoking godesses Hecate and Seshat).

That kind of combination is a very common combination in strands of Western Paganism - especially the lesser banishing ritual of the pentagram, which is widely used in a bunch of witchcraft religions which also do extensive work with various deities.

(I was taught it in my religious witchcraft tradition as 'you will see people do this to clear space and set up for magical activities all the time, so we want you to be familiar with it' - it's not a key part of most of our tradition's actual work, but they were right it's very common in the broader community. I prefer not to use it because of the explicit names and identities from Christian magical tradition, but I appreciate the history, and it's definitely quite effective.)

[Strix]

There are many perspectives about gods and there are many ways to include gods in one's life.  Different people here may have different advice for you.

I utilize gods, and I allow gods to utilize me.  Whether you embrace gods as an extension of who you are, or as some intradimensional extraterrestrial machine gods from another plane of existence, or something else,  I suggest you do and experience what you feel you are most drawn to, deep down. 

If it is your Will to embrace and utilize forces Above and forces Below to achieve the same goal, do it.  Do not ask for anyone's permission.  If it is your Will to embrace and utilize some goddess that has been worshipped in some ancient culture, as well as some archdemon or archangel revered in another culture... then do it.  Do not let people command you otherwise.

Consider people's advice here but I do not suggest you just blindly follow it.  Take control of your own present and create a future of your choosing, and embrace whatever gods you Will.  If an existing spiritual-religious system does not reflect who you are, who you wish to become and what you wish to experience, then forge your own.

I like your attitude, but I feel I still have too little knowledge and experience so I'm open to hear what other people think about my path problems.

[drgong]

I like your attitude, but I feel I still have too little knowledge and experience so I'm open to hear what other people think about my path problems.

As someone with 20+ years of High Magick (JEEZ, I am getting old!    ) I do not think that will be a issue.  Once you "Get" some unwritten things, it will be clear that it not a issue.