2007-09-02 11:53:11 · 17 answers · asked by Anthony 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are SO many deities...how do I respect them all without actually worshiping them ALL?
2007-09-02 11:57:54 · update #1
No, but good question, since so many Wiccans insist they worship all deities. No one seriously worships all deities. The religions of the world knolwedge millions of different beings. You cannot possibly honor even a fraction of that! In fact, Wiccans are not required to even acknowledge that they all exist. Personally, I know my patrons exist because I interact with them. I have no idea if others exist because I don't deal with them and its not my business.
Wiccans generally have a patron god and goddess who they honor and work with. Some also work with additional deities. That is up to them. It is important, IMHO, that you only ask favors of those you work with. Some people think you can just call on Venus anytime they have problems with their lover, even though they never pay her an ounce of attention any other time. That's just rude, quite frankly, and not terribly functional.
2007-09-02 16:23:26 · answer #1 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. Just because they exist doesn't mean you MUST worship or even honor all of them. Just be aware that they are there, and worthy of honor, when and if you encounter them. Honestly, there is such a bewildering variety of deities out there, I don't think it's possible to actually do all of them justice.
So just stick with the ones you are most comfortable with, and research the ones you may need to call on when the situation calls for it. You will not be any less Wiccan for it.
2007-09-02 21:07:00 · answer #2 · answered by Jewel 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wicca is a specific practice of paganism. I think you may be confusing the terms. Do some reading up on Wicca and that should answer your question better.
And, by the way - needanewstart.com guy - MEN wrote the bible - not god. Of course they would say all of the REAL old religions were a sin - if people continued to practice those instead of the new religion of christianity, they would be out of business, now wouldn't they? No pagan religion EVER said that terrible things would happen to someone if they didn't follow their religion.
2007-09-02 19:05:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Traditional Wicca has two (three actually) very specific deities.
While newer forms encourage more direct routes, the idea of worshiping all gods is not in Wicca. The idea of Patron and Matron gods is only about 20 years old....it comes from the same tradition I do...
Where did you get that idea, by the way?
2007-09-03 01:20:54 · answer #4 · answered by LabGrrl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can be respectful of them all and align yourself in prayer and worship with the deities best suited for your purpose. For example, say you are facing a court battle...you might align yourself with Aries to have him fight with you. Most people find that there is a group of dieties that they work with the most. You will find yours after some work and study....Blessings!
2007-09-02 19:04:13 · answer #5 · answered by Native Spirit 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Whichever ones you identify with most. :)
I prefer Theia and Hyperion from the Greek pantheon, as well as Loki from the Norse, and Morrigan from the Celtic. Mixed a bit eh? :)
Just because you don't WORSHIP them all doesn't mean you can't have respect for them! :)
Good luck and blessed be!
EDIT: Dude... does "Needanewstar" have that answer SAVED somewhere so he can just copy and paste it?? I just read it in another question asked like 5 minutes ago?!
2007-09-02 18:57:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm almost afraid to try my hand at this as I'm Christian, not Wiccan...but be kind, I'm not meaning any offense at all so please take it in the spirit in which it's offered.
I thought that Wiccans worshipped the Goddess and sometimes the God and Goddess aspect --- respecting any earth spirits.
2007-09-03 11:29:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
of course not. Most Wiccans do honor the Goddess and her consort the God, but for many they stand for all goddesses and all gods. You pick the ones you feel drawn to and also the ones who have some trait you need in your life so they can help you out. As long as you dont DIS respect any god they shouldn't bother you.
2007-09-02 19:01:52 · answer #8 · answered by Ms. A 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
i personally don't "worship" anyone, but i "work with" Hathor, have discovered Heqet because she kept calling me, and more recently have been learning about Ganesha the remover of obstacles...he'll have his work cut out for him the way my life has been going! I also frequently call on Bast because i love working with cats. There are far too many gods and goddesses to worship them all, you'd exhaust yourself and some would be jealous of the others, so i would say far from being required it would be foolhardy.
2007-09-02 19:44:29 · answer #9 · answered by robin s 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lots of wonderful insights given here. I hoped that they all helped. I choose to work with the Gods and Goddess' of Ancient Ireland. That is personal to me. But I respect and pay reverance to the rest. So your options are limitless. Follow your heart. They will present themselves to you. You dont even really have to put names to them. Simple Lord and Lady during ritual if you arent comfortable with naming them yet. continue to study! Then let your heart guide you.
BB
2007-09-03 01:10:47 · answer #10 · answered by Erie_Irish 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋