Offerings To The Holy Ones, It can be challenging! Options

Would anyone possibly have any good suggestions of offerings for Gods, specifically ones of Chaos, Destruction, and Darkness/Night? I would assume that aything personal or special to you, but of course I don't think a God of Destruction would appreciate flowers, am I right? Wine of course, would usually suffice, as would milk.. but I'm thinking more along the lines of solid objects. I guess the main reason is that: 1. I feel I do not respect/show my respect fully and 2. I would like to contact Them, but from what I've learned, It is unwise to approach such powerful Gods without some sort of offering.

And then contributing to the community, I've found Spirits and Gods of Earth like stones that you have found.. ones that just "clicked" when you saw them and you said "Oh my, that is one beautiful/powerful stone!" and simarly, those of Water appreciate daily offerings of pure water from a natural source.

The word sacrifice implies something that would be a sacrifice to you. In the old days, one of your cattle was a significant sacrifice because that was a source of food, wealth, more cattle, etc. The same went for the 'best third of one's crop', meaning that better portion went to God.

So, your sacrifice should be something that is precious to you, but not necessarily debilitating. Do not offer a blood sacrifice, unless you know that you are sacrificing to a god who specifically demands this of his/her worshipful. And even then... well, I wouldn't advocate a blood sacrifice in general.

Pages from a journal, of which there is no copy; love letters dearly cherished; gifts given that cannot be replaced; money; these are the kinds and qualities of things which are true sacrifices, in that they are precious and show one's desire to give of themselves. Not just those things, but that quality. Original artwork or other things which you are proud of. Your favorite pair of jeans or shoes. They seem trivial and one might wonder what a deity stands to gain from the sacrifice of worn and comfortable clothing but, if that is the kind of thing you invest your emotional self into then that is a worthy sacrifice for a God that demands your love above all else. Assuming it does.

Consider well the nature of sacrifice, and I think the appropriate nature of the gift, from you yourself, will become apparent.

peace

Right. so how would you go about offering. say a mask or piece of artwork you created? Would you just hang it up or place it on the shrine/altar? Thanks a ton. What would the Forums do without you?

Right. so how would you go about offering. say a mask or piece of artwork you created? Would you just hang it up or place it on the shrine/altar? Thanks a ton. What would the Forums do without you?

It depends on the deity in question. If you're making offering to gods of destruction, the sacrifice should be destroyed. For a god of chaos, perhaps twisted from its original design or intention (you might hang a mask upside down over the emblem of the deity, or use it in an otherwise un-mask like fashion; or you might cut up a journal page or poem in that case, and rearrange the words into a prayer for the deity).

If you intend to keep the offering with your altar, then you are not really giving it up - it becomes then very important that you commit that piece to the altar, and away from the eyes of the profane. You must never, ever take your offering back inadvertently by showing someone the piece thereafter, because then it is no longer the property of the deity as you have given it, but 'temporarily' yours again to show and receive praise for. That can be difficult, so I would personally suggest burning or otherwise destroying something. You might bury something for a deity of darkness/night. Throw something into a lake, leave it on a mountaintop. The more difficult and time-consuming the sacrifice is, the better.

peace

Just to share whatever knowledge I've acquired of her...

I have noticed that Hecate really enjoys it when I pour her a libation of honey, wine, and garlic cloves in the sacred mound in my garden. Every time I do it, usually for her sake and just to celebrate her, the day afterward is blessed. Excellent things happen. Lots of good little things here and there. Just an overall excellent day. I always do it under the cover of nightfall though. That's when it's best.

Sometimes I do it with an intent. Sometimes I do it just because I really like her and want to show her my devotion. But I think that either way, she ends up very pleased. A few days ago, I poured one, forgot I even poured it the night before, and I had the best day ever. The best reward is that which is done selflessly for your devotion to her. I don't like doing anything with intent too much. She's a busy dark lady.