As is common today, quite a few Wiccan traditions do not study or worship gods of a specific culture. Wicca has explosively branched into a multi-cultural embracing spirituality that can often leave a person confused or unsure on how to pursue their Craft.
General "Wiccanizing" of different Gods and Goddesses into a ritual structure that is common to Modern Wicca (insert god or goddess de jour, ... etc.), can lose the essence of connecting with those deities outside of their cultural context. Bouncing from pantheon to pantheon does not allow the student to really get acquainted with those gods they have called. If you keep switching from week to week, how can you build a worthwhile relationship? The term so amply coined, "Plug 'n' Pray", type of rituals are often flat and lack focus. Not to mention that some gods are not familiar at all with the modern use of ritual structure, and some cultures may not identify with that structure.
Too common a question I hear amongs Neo-pagans are "What Goddess should we call tonight?" ... or worse... "What God can we 'use' for a healing ritual?" That is an insult! The idea of calling a god is not for them to do your bidding, it is with honor that you beseech them, and ask their aid in your purpose. Do you find it fitting to ask a god for something then turn around the next week and go to some other god of another culture for things you want manifested? ("Well, Jesus didn't hear me so maybe I'll try Buddha!") Do you really think that They would want to help you if you really are not all that sincere to them? They may just be as confused about you, as you are of them.
Often when people are just starting out, the idea of spell work is really what has attracted them in the first place. Typically research is limited to the work they wish to perform, since they haven't had much chance getting ready to know the spirits of nature, gods and goddesses etc., the deity falls under that "use" umbrella. I can not tell you the e-mail that I receive on a regular basis asking, "What is a good goddess for... (insert need here.)?"
This is a strong reason why research is needed with the community. A New Age or "fuzzy-bunny" approach to Wicca only demeans what we do and waters down the sanctity of the work. Different traditions have contrasting beliefs on this subject. Some stay within their boundaries and call upon a couple of the gods, or work with an entire pantheon. However, they have restricted themselves to that particular culture, and act in accordance (or at least reverance) with empathy for that culture. While others have a tendency to leaf through a book on the generic "God's and Goddesses of the World" and think it would be neat to call this one tonight, and that one later down the line.
One of the most common errors in today's Modern Pagan movement, is the calling of a goddess and a god from different pantheons all together, ... example: Diana (from the Greek pantheon) and Thor (from the Norse). Just because they're gods does not mean that they all get along, quite the opposite, even among their own they sometimes don't like each other much at all.
It is important when setting about to perform ritual work that you have a firm idea on who that it is you are calling. Preferably you feel akin to Them and wish to know Them better. The recent New Age approach (flooding our bookshelves) to Wicca bypasses this "getting to know you" by calling the Great Father and Great Mother of All, by no specific name... just hoping one of 'them' out there will listen. This type of theology is very close to that of the Jeudeo-Abrahamic religions (that most - not all - of us had a background in before coming to Wicca), the "All Father" concept is somehing that new people feel very at home with. This is understandable, and I am not saying that it is wrong, but there comes a time when we need to delve further into our Craft and wishy-washy theology must give way to further research.
When I speak of boundaries, I am not speaking of rigid walls that contain only one thought procees. We, as humans, need boundaries or the ability to define and pigeon hole what information we receive. If we didn't have this type of discernment, we would be all over the road, and totally goverened by chaos. When I have mentioned the New Age approach to Wicca, I mean the all-over-the-road theology that picks a little from here, then picks a little from there... and "do what you feel" approach to spirituality, which is an important element to growth, but it must be balanced in order to be effective.
To invoke a god or goddess is to honor them, and ask their help in a particular situation. By understanding their likes and dislikes, and by feeling kindred with them, your Craft will only benefit from this association.
How can one begin to reach out to a particular pantheon? Well, there are a couple of different ways:
1.) Attend a couple of open circles and allow yourself to be involved in the ritual. (By this I mean, allow yourself to go in the ritual so you may benefit from the ritual, let it sweep you up, and you drink in the imagery. If it doesn't ring true in your heart, or you see nothing, try again.)
2.) Meditate. Sit still for at least a half-hour to an hour, let what images come to you. You could even write a small ritual that deals with a sacred place. (Example: if Stonehenge draws you... may be worthwhile looking into the Celtic deities, be it Irish, Welsh or Continental.)
3.) What are you attracted to? Do you like items that come from the Greek Islands? Celtic Knotwork? Norse steins? ... Whatever. Find what draws you, look at your jewelry, what do you like wearing?
4.) Pay attention to your dreams. After you have experienced a ritual, or read something that rings true in your heart. Echoes often are reflected in our dream state. If you come across people or symbols in your dreams, write them down upon awakening, and research them. This will often leave really good clues on who may be calling you. If it is a person that has come to you, try to notice the wardrobe or jewelry they may be wearing. If you receive symbols... what culture does it reflect? It's worth delving into.
5.) Most importantly... ESPECIALLY read the myths with an eye for symbolizm that you identify with. As you research different cultures keep in mind the morality and ethics of that culture, if you can appreciate them, understand them, and most importantly, if you can live within those same morals and ethics you may have found a place you can call home.
No one can promise you instant magic. That's not how all this works. It takes years to develop and it is a life long journey of discovery. Often in the haste of our modern world, we are looking for that magic pill that can provide instant gratification. Yes, change can happen instantly, just by changing the way you view things. However, it does take time before it manifests in this world... not to mention the years of crap it needs to filter through in your own psyche.
By calling upon a deity to aid you in your work, you are setting in motion the task of co-creation. You have asked for the help, but you also have to help yourself. By sitting on your duff, and not acting on behalf of your desire, you are not going to reap the benefits inherent of the ritual you performed.
The Club - Blackangel