 |
| My Patron Deities |
| I am an eclectic Pagan. I am no longer Wiccan, because I don't feel that term describes my beliefs. However, I do not adhere strictly to one pathenon. Usually I work with deities from the Celtic panthenons. My patrons are the deities I have chosen, or been chosen by, to worship in a more traditional manner. When worshipping my patrons I try my best to worship them in the traditional manner; or I try to worship them as my ancestors (had they worshipped them) would have. These are not the only deities I work with, they are simply the ones I honour in my ceremonies and during their festivals. |
| Aphrodite: Aphrodite was one of the first deities I began to work with. In classical mythology see may seem very one-sided and even petty however, to me she is neither. In my research I have found a darker side to Aphrodite as well. She is also known as Melanis (Black One) and Androphonos (Man-Slayer). She is most well known for her associations as the goddess of love and beauty but she also presides over fertility, growth, sensuality, and female sexuality. Dionysus: Dionysus is a Greek feritily god and the god of wine. He is also associated with chaos, death and rebirth, and many other things. His cult was one of the mystery traditions at Delphi. Often times wine was used in this ceremonies usually in the manner mushrooms were used in the worship of Diana. Some believe that he was a deity introduce from the north and another theory states that he comes from Asia Minor. However, I believe that the correct theory may be connected with Crete and Minonan civilisation making him a much older Greek deity than first suspected. Pan: Closely identified with Dionysus, he was a lusty fertiltiy god and king of the Arcadian satyrs. Pan was favoured greatly among the common folk of the Mediterian. Horned gods of feritlity and lust like himself usually had the greatest following among the lower classes of people, perhaps they felt closer to him as he was also the guardian of the fields and wildlife. Pan was also a god associated with male sexuality. The Morrigan: The Morrigan is an Irish triple goddess of Construction and Destruction. She is death and rebirth. In her maiden form she is seen as Ana, a feritlity maiden, Badb as the mother and guardian of the boiling cauldron, and finally as Macha, the death crone and war goddess symbolised by the raven. It was the Morrigan who cursed the dying Cu Chulainn and many believe that the Morrigan reappeared in Celtic mythin in Arthurian legend as Morgana Le Fay. Those who are devoted solely to the Morrigan usually walk the warrior path. She is a feirce goddess; the perfect goddess for the Irish temper. She is must in her element as a warrior goddess of fear and rage. We can learn much from her, but her lessons are hard and fierce and to risk her wrath is foolish. She is a member of the Tuatha De Danann and "morrigan" literally means "Phantom Queen." Brigid: Brigid is a Celtic goddess of Fire, Blacksmiths, Healers, Springs, Wells, and Poets. She brings inspiration and teaches her crafts. She is also sometimes seen as the divine virgin and at others as the mother. She is also associated with childbirth and midwifery as well as witchcraft. She is seen as the main goddess of Wales and Ireland. It is in her name that Imbolc is celebrated in Februray. She is a more gentle goddess than the Morrigan, but her lessons are no easier. Dagda: He is an Irish god of the Earth, Father, and leader of the Tuatha de Danaan. On new years, the Dagda mates with the Morrigan. A gifted warrior he was reputed to be able to eat the most and satisfy the most women. He also possess the cauldron of plenty, a harp which controls the seasons, and a staff that can kill nine men with one end and bring them back to life with the other. The cauldron is also known as the cauldron of death and rebirth and from him one has much to learn. Lillith: Lillith is both a demoness and Jewish mythological figure. She is also a goddess associated with the Babylonian Inanna. She is a spirit of unrestrained female sexuality and the power of sexuality. She was believed to be a baby killer and a succbus. She was both sterile and mother to thousands of demons which she kills many of daily. As a goddess under Inanna she gathered me to the temple for sexual rituals however in the Jewish myth as the First Eve she refused Adam and the missonary position. Kali: Ma Kali is the divine liberator. She is both abstract and literal. She is the creatrix and destroyer and a gentle, loving mother figure at the same time. She appears terrifying but is a loving and devoted mother to her children. She is also a symbol of feminine sexuality and energy. Freya: Freya is a Norse goddess of fertility, love, and childbrith as well as a goddess of female sexuality, beauty, and Norse spellcraft. She is also the ruler of the Valkyries. She is also a battle-goddess who rides on a boar called Hildisvini (Battle-Swine). She is a passionate, impulsive, dynamic goddess who is always agressive. She is a teacher of magick as well and many can benefit from her knowledge |