Ritual: Getting to know your Gods.

[wildhunt]

Is there a small ritual that can be performed wherein one may ask the god and goddess to help identify themselves to you? In other words, to help you find your patron deities. Can someone point me in the right direction for one?


Thanks,

RSG

[Finduilas]

I do not know of any, mainly because I was always taught that unless a patron deity specifically comes to you (through dreams or meditation) then it is best to leave the subject alone.  It seems that having a set of patron deities is becoming somewhat of a trend these days, even though it's not strictly necessary.  Why is it that you feel you must find them?  The Great Goddess and Great God serve the same purpose.  Before you go trying to find patron deities, consider carefully whether or not you actually need them, and the reasons why you're trying to find them. 

[wildhunt]

Well, actually, I did have a dream visitation. I just can't figure out who it was. It was either Odin, or someone of that archetype (robed, long white beard, etc...) But I don't recall a missing eye at all, so I'm kinda screwed. And this was a dream that meant something, it left an impression. Other than, that, I thought I saw the Green Man smiling at me from a tree outside my window once. sigh.

[McGoonagle]

Could also be Merlin.

[wildhunt]

I know. And it probably was.  I have always loved the Arthurian/ Merlin/ Celtic thing. But more Viking admittedly. But at the time....coulda been Merlin? But what the hell would that mean?

[Ken Ra]

What do you love to do that you are good at?  Find the Deities who are in charge of that area. Pick one and ask them to instruct you.  If you share the same love as they do you are halfway there and have something to offer them.

[wildhunt]

YEAH. tHAT'S A GOOD WAY TO GO. i KNEW THAT, i JUST THINK i WAS BEING SUBCONSCIOUSLY STUBBORN. LO. THANKS!

oops. Hit the caps lock....sorry

[FireSong]

Merlin is a fictional character; he is an amalgamation of several people that may or may not have existed, and was initially documented in a pseudo-historical account of Britain's history written in 1136.  Said pseudo-historical account has long been regarded, generally, as fiction.

So no, it probably wasn't Merlin.

I never personally picked a pantheon - I worshiped a God and Goddess from which all others are derived in their various forms and incarnations.  (I have since moved from that to pantheism, but that's a whole different ball game.)  As far as a ritual is concerned, perhaps, before you meditate or go to sleep, you could simply ask this deity to show him or herself to you?  It may take more than one try, I hear, but I imagine when this deity feels ready to reveal him or herself, he or she will do so.  I don't imagine, however, that there would be harm in respectfully petitioning said deity.

[Ken Ra]

I saw a TV documentary that showed the Church where Merlin was buried. A lot of Merlin looks like the Celtic version of Hermes/Mercury.  Historians can argue worse than Republicans and Democrats.