Essay Pages

Finding your own God or Goddess

(Patron or Patroness)

By Lisa Morgenstern

Many Wiccan Witches have specific Gods or Goddesses that they work with, in a coven setting. The thing that is interesting is that most it not all of these gods, unlike YWH, or the God of Abraham, are not jealous Gods. They are willing to allow you to work with other Gods. Of course, the individual relationship you develop with your God or Goddess may be different from what I am describing but I recommend, if you are ever interested in joining a coven, that you consider carefully before oathing (promising) to any God or Goddess to worship them alone and no other God or Goddess. The gods you find when you first start working may not be the ones you end up working with the most. Some gods seem to be a gateway to other Gods and Goddesses, once they have set you on the path; they are content to let you go the way you need to head.

Research Gods and Goddesses. Learn about them. Not just from books that have been published in the past 50 years or so, but from scholarly resources. If you look on the web or the internet, make sure you are visiting sites that are hosted by universities or that give references from which the information comes. Also, because there are so many fantasy and role-playing sites out there, sometimes when you look for a site you may find one that is made up by a role player. Be careful when looking on the web. Once you have found some gods or goddesses that interest you, find out what they did and what is considered sacred to them. You may consider making that a part of your daily life.

Sometimes seekers will have dreams or visions of a god or goddess and will need to do the research to find out whom it is that they are seeing or hearing speak to them. Regular mediations, and journaling what you hear/see/feel/learn, are a good practice to begin for someone who is actively seeking. Spend time getting to know the God or Goddess. Usually, if you have been called by one, it will be unmistakable. It’s very difficult to describe but if you have a chance to talk to others either online or in person, ask them what their individual experience was, when they ‘knew’ that they were meant to work with a god or goddess. Every ones’ experience will be different but in some ways the same.
For many who find Paganism or Wicca, it is a knowing and a “coming home” feeling for them. They discover the path and realize that it’s the right one for them, or the one they have been seeking, and for many, one that they have always been on, on some level but perhaps did not have a name for it.

Working with your God and Goddess may become some of the most meaningful things you will do. Once you have identified the name of your Goddess, it’s good to learn more about them, about what they represent and how they can help you in your path. Many times they will make requests of us, it might be to help others, it may be to teach, and sometimes they just want you to spend some time with them regularly in meditation. Whatever is asked of you, remember that the relationship is reciprocal. When you work for them, they will work for you. They need us on some level as much as we need them, and while they may be on another plane, they can still affect this one in many ways.

Guides- I believe that there are a number of things that need to be clarified. We all have guides of some sort. Many of us know the guides and work with them. Others do not believe and ignore gifts of insight given them from time to time. Others may say that they are psychic and that they do not use guides. We all have guides for different purposes. Within the framework of Wicca many Wiccans believe in the Mighty Dead, that is to say, those Witches who have lived before but remain in our realm as guides to help and assist. Many of us are reborn again to be with our friends and family, but others may choose not to incarnate in order to assist more people from the other side. Many covens may have guides or witches who are specific to their tradition that assist in teaching new members.

Regardless of the purpose of the guide, it is good to learn the difference between a guide and your god or goddess. Once you have experienced both you should be able to tell the difference. A god or goddess can put you in a complete sensation and feeling of awe, and the feeling from a guide is more a knowing or telling.

As witches we work with both, and at times the gods work through us as Priest and Priestess. We control how much or how little control we give over to our Gods in circle. The Priest or Priestess may completely give over or may maintain a light trance while ‘carrying’ god or goddess. This type of work is best learned with an effective teacher and not done alone, ever. It is also something that simply cannot be learned from a book. It must be done, ideally with supervision of someone qualified who can help bring you back.
Finding your patron or patroness is but one step on a path towards a rewarding relationship and service to your God or Goddess (es).

Blessed Be!
© 2008,Lisa Morgenstern All rights reserved.

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