I love Pagan Blog Prompts! If you can't think of something to write about, then you can always go there and they have some really good suggestions. So, this week's topic is Matron and Patron deities and I figured that it was a good topic to discuss my often strange relationship with my own main deities.
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For a long time now, I have been a worshiper of Hekate and Ares. They are my main deities on this pagan path I walk. I have written about how they came to be in my life, so I don't think that it is important to re-hash those stories, but I do believe that it is important for me to discuss my relationship with them in the broader sense of my own practice.
There are those who believe that to have a Matron and Patron deity means one must worship them exclusively. While I am sure that there are deities out there who refuse to let their adherents worship 'interloper' deities, mine have granted me a measure of latitude with this. We have an understanding, of sorts, that I may work with deities who approach me, but if I am to approach another deity, then I must ask permission of Hekate and Ares first.
The first deity to take a shining to me was Artemis. She comes to me as a young warrior maiden, 16-18 years old. While she is quite serious and ready for battle, there is also a playful air about her. She is quick to laugh and make a bit of silliness, but always on guard. She often likes to hum or sing when she is experiencing joy, but that melodic voice turns to a growl when it is time for battle.
When the young maiden goddess approached me for the first time, it was with Hekate. My Lady gave us both a warning, "You may cavort and even make war, but remember who you, dear Daughter, belong to."
Artemis laughed and bowed deeply to Hekate. "She is yours, Lady, until such a time that you say she is no longer yours." I, too, bowed and thanked Hekate for allowing me this particular experience. It wasn't long after, that Athena began hanging around, too.
Since then, she has come into and out of my life. The sacred weaver was not brought to me by Hekate, but came alone and with her blessing. The goddess Brid also hangs around in her Maiden form. She approached me a couple of years ago during a Moon Lodge, where I was gifted Her flame and some water from Her well.
Brid often reminds me of my roots. She reminds me that no matter how many generations removed I am from the Isles, there is a part of me that always has a home there.
After Brid, comes the Dark Goddesses, the Morrigan, Kali, and Hel. I 'rode the road to Hel' and back when I was but a wee, baby pagan via a journey I took. She was the first of the Dark Goddesses I worked with, and she has stuck around all of these years, in the background of my worship, not really asking anything of me, but not giving me anything either. I believe that I may be a curiosity to Her, one worth watching. Either that, or I am like a train wreck and she simply can not look away.
Kali is in my life much in the same way Hel is. She stands in the background, watching. I am quite sure that if she were to be unleashed in my life, it would be traumatic, yet the best for me.
The Morrigan, however, has an interesting tale in my goddess journey. As Dark Goddesses go, she has taken a liking to me. Hekate gave me the same warning with the Morrigan as she did with Artemis and I have always respected that boundary. However, I think, sometimes, the Morrigan pushes it. She comes through to me as strongly as Hekate some days, poking me with her staff, giving me messages, and giving me warnings. Hekate is there, usually silent, waiting in the background. She gives me a nod and a wicked smile, as though the two are working together.
The Gods in my life have been less transient and strong. Cernunnos appears at certain times and, often bids me to find wild spaces. Ares smiles and gets a particular light in his eyes. The two of them seem to push me to recharge when I simply forget to do so.
I feel fortunate that my spiritual life is so rich with the wisdom of the Otherworlds. The gods often remind me that I am not super-human and that my trials and triumphs are what make this life and they are integral to my growth.
Brightest blessings, Friends!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For a long time now, I have been a worshiper of Hekate and Ares. They are my main deities on this pagan path I walk. I have written about how they came to be in my life, so I don't think that it is important to re-hash those stories, but I do believe that it is important for me to discuss my relationship with them in the broader sense of my own practice.
There are those who believe that to have a Matron and Patron deity means one must worship them exclusively. While I am sure that there are deities out there who refuse to let their adherents worship 'interloper' deities, mine have granted me a measure of latitude with this. We have an understanding, of sorts, that I may work with deities who approach me, but if I am to approach another deity, then I must ask permission of Hekate and Ares first.
The first deity to take a shining to me was Artemis. She comes to me as a young warrior maiden, 16-18 years old. While she is quite serious and ready for battle, there is also a playful air about her. She is quick to laugh and make a bit of silliness, but always on guard. She often likes to hum or sing when she is experiencing joy, but that melodic voice turns to a growl when it is time for battle.
When the young maiden goddess approached me for the first time, it was with Hekate. My Lady gave us both a warning, "You may cavort and even make war, but remember who you, dear Daughter, belong to."
Artemis laughed and bowed deeply to Hekate. "She is yours, Lady, until such a time that you say she is no longer yours." I, too, bowed and thanked Hekate for allowing me this particular experience. It wasn't long after, that Athena began hanging around, too.
Since then, she has come into and out of my life. The sacred weaver was not brought to me by Hekate, but came alone and with her blessing. The goddess Brid also hangs around in her Maiden form. She approached me a couple of years ago during a Moon Lodge, where I was gifted Her flame and some water from Her well.
Brid often reminds me of my roots. She reminds me that no matter how many generations removed I am from the Isles, there is a part of me that always has a home there.
After Brid, comes the Dark Goddesses, the Morrigan, Kali, and Hel. I 'rode the road to Hel' and back when I was but a wee, baby pagan via a journey I took. She was the first of the Dark Goddesses I worked with, and she has stuck around all of these years, in the background of my worship, not really asking anything of me, but not giving me anything either. I believe that I may be a curiosity to Her, one worth watching. Either that, or I am like a train wreck and she simply can not look away.
Kali is in my life much in the same way Hel is. She stands in the background, watching. I am quite sure that if she were to be unleashed in my life, it would be traumatic, yet the best for me.
The Morrigan, however, has an interesting tale in my goddess journey. As Dark Goddesses go, she has taken a liking to me. Hekate gave me the same warning with the Morrigan as she did with Artemis and I have always respected that boundary. However, I think, sometimes, the Morrigan pushes it. She comes through to me as strongly as Hekate some days, poking me with her staff, giving me messages, and giving me warnings. Hekate is there, usually silent, waiting in the background. She gives me a nod and a wicked smile, as though the two are working together.
The Gods in my life have been less transient and strong. Cernunnos appears at certain times and, often bids me to find wild spaces. Ares smiles and gets a particular light in his eyes. The two of them seem to push me to recharge when I simply forget to do so.
I feel fortunate that my spiritual life is so rich with the wisdom of the Otherworlds. The gods often remind me that I am not super-human and that my trials and triumphs are what make this life and they are integral to my growth.
Brightest blessings, Friends!
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