Dedication To A God / Goddess Options

I've dwelt in many prior religions and found that some of them (Christianity, Satanism, Setianism, Pantianism, Some forms of Ancient Paganism, etc...) deal with a dedication to a God for aid, and this acts as a mutual relationship and moreso like a business, for similar (if not exactly the same) purposes/ outcomes.

I've thought about doing research on Gods and other spirits to see which correspond with my beliefs and purposes, and to dedicate myself to one or two? of them.

Any ideas? Could this be possible with just any spirit?

I have my own beliefs about the afterlife, the human soul, etc... and they hold necromantic and dark spiritual beliefs, and thus there are some Necromantic Gods who would correspond with my beliefs, would it be a good idea to dedicate (initialise) myself withone or two them (as their own)?

And how would I go about doing thus?

Has anyone experienced with this? And would I be able to have a God and Goddess (or would this dedication consist of only one?).

And what about heirarchies? Should my God/Goddess who I choose have his/her own Hierarchy or are there solitary Gods I can dedicate myself to as well?

Thank you for taking the time to answer to these questions.

-DS-

This post has been edited by DeathStalker: Dec 17 2006, 06:37 PM

I'm coming at this from a wiccan viewpoint. We normally do dedications to the gods collectively ie, all the gods. Then we do initiations to become part of a group. But we don't have a formal dedication to any specific deities. We general adopt or are adopted by patron and matron deities. We generally have a spiritual experience which binds us to that deity. But it isn't a formal ritual, nor have I heard of a formal ritual dedication to one particular deity. There might be something of the sort, but I haven't heard of it.

I'm coming at this from a wiccan viewpoint. We normally do dedications to the gods collectively ie, all the gods. Then we do initiations to become part of a group. But we don't have a formal dedication to any specific deities. We general adopt or are adopted by patron and matron deities. We generally have a spiritual experience which binds us to that deity. But it isn't a formal ritual, nor have I heard of a formal ritual dedication to one particular deity. There might be something of the sort, but I haven't heard of it.

A patron and matron is what I'm looking for, a Goddess and God that I will initiate myself to. A God and a Goddess which resemble me and my reasons and path.

But what I meant as an initation rite like followed by that of Baptism. Essentually, what I mean is, a rite which is just like that done primarly with Chrisitans and Satanists to their "God" or "Satan", but with my personal God and/or Goddess instead.

Am I sounding confusing? I'm kind of having a hard time trying to explain this for whatever reason it seems.

Really and truly, you don't just walk up to a stranger and say "Hello. I'm going to be a member of your family, but don't worry, because I'll only worship you from afar" - They'd call the police on you.

What I've found is that either gods/goddesses will seek you out for your deeds and spirit, or you can simply approach them, respectively, and pray. Tell them that you wish to be subverted to them and be as a servant unto them. This may take months, years, or decades... But either way, if they want to listen, they'll listen. And you don't want to try and force a deity to accept you as a full-fledged worshiper, or touched by them, as it were. If they don't want you, you can try to earn their trust through meticulous worship over time, or through sacrifice, self-discovery and wisdom, or a myriad of other things. If you find a deity you wish to adopt and have you adopt as a give/take relationship, which is almost always the case, then you should find cases where your essences might overlap. This is why we feel a sense of kinship to our god(s)/goddess(es)... In essence, things we think are the same as them, and therefore, we appreciate them more. After all, it's much easier to discuss things with a friend and equal when you understand their points of view, where they come from, and can openly tell them if you have a grievance.

That's what I've seen, heard, and experienced in my time, anyways. Hope it helps. And, I don't suggest you take people's suggestions of deities unless you do your own extensive research and what you conclude feels right and easy to dedicate yourself to. Then again, this is a suggestion, but something people most often fall victim to. "My friend said that this dude was pretty cool, and he's got a neat symbol, works for me" - In rare cases, this works, based on a mutual feeling for spontaneity, randomness, or simply naivete, but not often. If you find someone that you care deeply for, you recognize as an established spirit, wants you as a worshiper, and you could honestly see yourself being a worshiper, son/daughter, knight, and priest for... Then I say go for it. Follow your heartstrings - They'll tug you in the right direction.

Good luck.

Edit: Forgot something important. Silly me. If you wish to become initiated into the following of a specific deity, then ask them what they want you to do. After all, there's nothing more personal than a direct, established, watched-over baptism to a new life, than to have it overseen by your God/Goddess. If they ask a task of you, you should feel blessed, because they're acknowledging that you're worth listening to, responding to, and giving a task to - A task which they could full well do by themselves, but deign to give to you for any number of reasons.

This post has been edited by Isaiah: Dec 18 2006, 01:06 AM

If you find a deity you wish to adopt and have you adopt as a give/take relationship, which is almost always the case, then you should find cases where your essences might overlap. This is why we feel a sense of kinship to our god(s)/goddess(es)... In essence, things we think are the same as them, and therefore, we appreciate them more.

That's exactly what I meant, I've felt "touches" by a spirit or two, and I know they call for me, but the problem is that I just don't know who they are. I'm trying to find and understand them and who they are by mythological research and in any ways I can, and when I do find them, which I believe they are a patron and matron, I will seek to speak with them and initiate myself to them.

It's just confusing and difficult to know that there are spirits who you "belong" to, yet cannot see them or understand who they truly are.

Thank you.

Greetings DeathStalker,

I think you are on the right track. You sense the essence of the deities touching your heart, but are looking for the details. Can I share with you something that made a difference to me? As I was going through old dusty history books in search of my deity, I was initially confused by the fact that I was looking at the deities as they were thousands of years ago. The deity touching me today has changed, as the world she is intimately tied to has changed as well.

The Ereshkigal I am getting to know stems from the classical version to be sure, but has survived the dramatic spiritual upheavals of Yahweh coming to power in the West, the shattering of the Underworld into a number of realms, and the defection of Nergal to the ranks of the Christianized god/demons in medieval sorcerous traditions. In no way do I wish to push my version of this deity on others, I bring this up to suggest that as you research your personal deity, you might consider whether you think they may have changed with the times. I'm suggesting that historical mythology only gives us a snapshot, a static and still picture, of an ever evolving goddess.

I think whether you need to adopt an entire pantheon support structure for your deities depends on their personal relationship with that pantheon, and whether you think the Pantheon is still vital and powerful today.

Anyway, just my thoughts.

Hagetaka Kuro

Greetings DeathStalker,

I think you are on the right track. You sense the essence of the deities touching your heart, but are looking for the details. Can I share with you something that made a difference to me? As I was going through old dusty history books in search of my deity, I was initially confused by the fact that I was looking at the deities as they were thousands of years ago. The deity touching me today has changed, as the world she is intimately tied to has changed as well.

The Ereshkigal I am getting to know stems from the classical version to be sure, but has survived the dramatic spiritual upheavals of Yahweh coming to power in the West, the shattering of the Underworld into a number of realms, and the defection of Nergal to the ranks of the Christianized god/demons in medieval sorcerous traditions. In no way do I wish to push my version of this deity on others, I bring this up to suggest that as you research your personal deity, you might consider whether you think they may have changed with the times. I'm suggesting that historical mythology only gives us a snapshot, a static and still picture, of an ever evolving goddess.

I think whether you need to adopt an entire pantheon support structure for your deities depends on their personal relationship with that pantheon, and whether you think the Pantheon is still vital and powerful today.

Anyway, just my thoughts.

Hagetaka Kuro

Actually i've come closest to believe that my MOther is Ereshkigal. I have had a billion clues that piont me to her.
Personality is a major one (all her personalities are mine).
The essence I feel is another one.
And another is when I was seeking my magickal name, I asked: " mother please name me, help me find a name ". And whilst I was meditating, a Spirit came and told me "Ereshkigal" and it was written on the floor; I never knew who she was in the beginning nor had heard that name, so I took it as my own, and recently I realised that the spirit may have directed me to Ereshkigal (thus my Mother) to find my magickal name.

I've been doing so much research and meditating, it does point out to her. But I'd like to make sure... and what about my patron figure?

Ps. Very good advice thank you. I'll keep that in mind.

This post has been edited by DeathStalker: Dec 18 2006, 06:15 AM

DS, if you haven't yet, read my blog, the first entry describes how Ereshkigal called me.

In short, I didn't know who I was looking for and had initially looked into Kali, and done some work with a priestess of Kali. One day, I was reading through some old books and the name Ereshkigal just jumped out and grabbed me. I asked around and there was very little anyone knew of Her, and even though there is quite a bit of surviving knowledge on worship of Inanna, there is little to none about Ereshkigal. So, I just started praying to Her and sacrificing to Her, and She called me.

DS, if you haven't yet, read my blog, the first entry describes how Ereshkigal called me.

In short, I didn't know who I was looking for and had initially looked into Kali, and done some work with a priestess of Kali. One day, I was reading through some old books and the name Ereshkigal just jumped out and grabbed me. I asked around and there was very little anyone knew of Her, and even though there is quite a bit of surviving knowledge on worship of Inanna, there is little to none about Ereshkigal. So, I just started praying to Her and sacrificing to Her, and She called me.

She is most probably my Matron (Mother), as she called me through mediation (her name appeared when I had never even heard nor seen it anywhere before, and the relevance was just so incredible).

Do you think I would have a Patron (Father) figure too? It would make more sense...

Not necessarily, although it is certainly possible.

Remember these are spirit beings we are dealing with. They manifest as they do for their own reasons. Ershkigal could have just as easily chosen a male form, but Her personality aspects more easily relate to us as feminine. I've met wuite a few men since I've started down her path who are also called by Ereshkigal, so it's not out of line.

If you really think you do, or at least should, have a father figure, perhaps consul Nergal, as He is Ereshkigal's husband and consort. As She rules the realm of the dead, He rules the realm of warfare.

Not necessarily, although it is certainly possible.

Remember these are spirit beings we are dealing with. They manifest as they do for their own reasons. Ershkigal could have just as easily chosen a male form, but Her personality aspects more easily relate to us as feminine. I've met wuite a few men since I've started down her path who are also called by Ereshkigal, so it's not out of line.

If you really think you do, or at least should, have a father figure, perhaps consul Nergal, as He is Ereshkigal's husband and consort. As She rules the realm of the dead, He rules the realm of warfare.

It very well may be possible, say If my patron figure would have been another deity, would my relations with Ereshkigal (or the matron figure) cease?

If your matron and patron are at oods, you're in for a wild ride. Just read some Greek mythology to see the fighting between gods (especially Hera and Zeus) whent hey have a common child.

FWIW, I don't think you'd have two gods claiming you at once.

If your matron and patron are at oods, you're in for a wild ride. Just read some Greek mythology to see the fighting between gods (especially Hera and Zeus) whent hey have a common child.

FWIW, I don't think you'd have two gods claiming you at once.

Let's say the calling is from Ereshkigal or another goddess... She becomes my matron. Would it be wise to "choose" a patron too? Just for the balance of a matron and patron figure. By researching I can find a patron figure that resembles everything.

And of course, I love mythology of all sorts, and will look for a patron figure that has no conflicts with my Mother.

Thank you greatly for your help DarkGoddess.

Let's say the calling is from Ereshkigal or another goddess... She becomes my matron. Would it be wise to "choose" a patron too? Just for the balance of a matron and patron figure. By researching I can find a patron figure that resembles everything.

And of course, I love mythology of all sorts, and will look for a patron figure that has no conflicts with my Mother.

Thank you greatly for your help DarkGoddess.

I don't think we do so much choosing as we think we do. I think they choose us, so it really depends on if any "male" god has chosen you or not. I think at this point, I would concentrate on Ereshkigal, if a patron figure chooses you, you'll be made awarem just as you were made aware of Ereshkigal.

I did with God Enki four to six time because I thought one is not enough but he refused Four times plus one girl I think it's his ally said "I should never be here"
so five times I was denied so I give up in the end because I realized that I was not welcomed there I was and idiot really XD

If you do that be carefull for fakers they will suck your energy out
just like with me they seperate me and Enki alot and I think they lied me about him so I think
this is when he showed me that im not welcomed exept once one girl said welcomed but then just no, well
i think something went wrong of course im not the only human who wants to see him there are alot others but
i hate that someone tell a lie of him which is not true he could easly said this to me or something ,or he is waiting some kind of apology hm :/

he said 5 times out even when i still trusting him and then I said two times bye but it was not necessary because he was already gone
long time ago.

YOU can trust Enki but but be carefull of posers.

What i want to tell is be carefull of imposter when you devote yourself to favorite God or Goddess thats all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Commitment you dont need to do I was naive well i still im an idiot and i now that hoho (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
so i dont have any papers any more im just a human now no Enkist anymore

But still I'm loyal to Lucifer like i was before this change nothing Enkist or not end. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I did commitment to Enki but I could done to Seth and be Setian or Mardukian ..........But for Lucifer I didnt beacuse you dont need its up to you thats all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)