Hi all,

What goddesses and/or gods do you resonate with and why?

You don't have to necessarily worship a deity. I'm just curious as to what stories from mythology you resonate with. Of course, if you work with a particular pantheon or set of deities, by all means include them!

I love learning about different goddesses and gods and why individuals are drawn to them. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I guess you could say I work with all Goddesses as I view them as different facets of the same divine feminine spirit.

Well sure, I understand that.

But are there any goddesses that you seem to recognize in yourself more than others? Like, when reading mythology growing up, did you see parallels between yourself and a particular deity--either through the lens of personality traits/patterns, what happened to them, life circumstances, etc.?

For example, in Goddesses in Everywoman by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., she discusses various goddesses and how they correlate with particular psychological and personality patterns. Some are "virgin" goddesses (complete in themselves) others are more relationship oriented and so on.

See what I'm getting at?

I do notice that when I look at my altar, more of the Goddess figures are Maiden or Crone aspects.

I guess the fact that I have certain icons and figures shows that I identify with those Goddesses more. My Lilith I know I specifically sought out to have. I have Bast and Sekhmet. I have a large statue of the Virgin Mary, that belonged to a friend of mine who passed away many years ago from AIDS.

I have a two large, cloth dolls that a friend of mine from grad school made and gave me. She came named Devi, and she's a total fantasy goddess with an appearance that is multi-ethnic and multi-armed. Plus she's got body piercings, tattoos and henna designs on her. The other I named, after a goddess whose true name was never spoken, so I can't say it here. She has large feather wings and is dressed in a black leather outfit. She's got tattoos and piercings too. Those two seem like embodiments of some of my own energies and a variety of the materials they are made out of were given to my friend by me.

Rae those dolls seem wonderful! I have just started making some goddess type dolls myself!

As far as the goddess who I feel most connected with I would have to say Athena is the one. Her rationalits and wisdom in the face of conflict is inspiring and her aspects of patron of craft (especially textile craft) appeals to the artist in me.

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Wonderful discussion topic. I've often wondered the same thing.

Personally, Sister Moon draws most of my attention and devotion so most of Her associated deities are close to my heart. Also, I have always had a special fondness and closeness to Hecate; She's guided me safely through some very tough and confusing choices, and has always seemed close ... right from the first I read of Her.

Having come from a Christian family/background, I still tend to lean heavily toward the Goddess deities, but, as time passes and healing occurs, balance is slowly seeping back in. I've found myself impulsively sending special prayers toward dear Odin (Runes are important parts of my practice and I have a fascination with Yggdrasil). I have made a point to always keep a God represented on my altar ... helps to remind me that I must eventually return to balance. Now He gets equal devotional altar-time <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again for opening this discussion.

How is it that you equate a Christian family background with goddess deities? There are no goddesses in the Bible. Only God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Precisely, dear "Heart". The Christian faith is often oppressively male-dominant, even misogynistic in many ways, especially down here in the southeastern United States. That's one of the main reasons it's taken me so long to find a comfortable balance with full trust of both the Lord and Lady <g>. Goddess has patiently guided me toward enough emotional maturity so that I can now open my heart and allow old hurts to "be gone".

That's not to say that there aren't wonderfully inspiring and powerful women in the Bible and the history of Christianity! There most certainly are! It's just been my experience that Christianity strips women of their intrinsic and natural strength and power through it's refusal to recognize (or even to "see") the female aspect of the one Great Spirit. One can speak of the "Mother of God" in Christianity ... yet she is merely human ... go figure <g>. She (Mary, the Blessed Mother) is one of the catalysts that brought me to my Pagan path because her Divine Nature spoke so very clearly to me ... even through the imposed silence of Christianity. In fact, it is Her little figurine that graces the Goddess position on my altar <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Blessings.

I have an altar on which I have The Divine Mother, which was represented as a statue of Mary, but I see her as the Goddess,a statue of Bast, representing IsIs, a small statue of Sacred Jude, whom I believe to be a powerful aspect of the Divine Energies, pictures of Jesus, who I feel is God come to earth in one of His manifestations,(I do not see Jesus in the same way as Christians do), picture of Jude, the Divine Mother, and the Little Flower, Sacred Therese,another Divine Energy, who has sent me roses as a sign when I most needed them.

I am a Pagan and the images are representations of the Divine and my strong beliefs in God and Goddesses. Ancient Roman, Egyptian, and Celtic spiritual beliefs are my chosen path. I see Jesus and Mary as more Pagan than anything else.

My mother was Catholic, which I feel is one of the most punishing of all religions towrds women, even to sanitizing the Divine Mother and making Her sexless. My Dad is Church of England but very much into the styudy of the ancients Gods and Goddesses. My step-mother was raised Church of England but is a Pagan.

I respect all religions and belief systems but I don't feel comfortable with only male dominated religions.

God has strong warnings against paganism. It is idolotry and leads to spiritual death. Your pagan gods( with a little "g")do not exist. You worship powerless wood and stone. I respect all PERSONS but not all beliefs and ideas. You are my brothers and sisters but your beliefs in goddesses are false and lead you away from the truth. What has made you turn from Christ? Tell me and perhaps you have some misunderstandings that I can help clear up. I will not condemn you but reach out in love and kindness. Ask me for the truth and I will give it to you.

Ok, gang, this is Rae, your Pagan Editor.

I am locking this thread as I do not like the tone that it is taking.

My goal is to have this forum be a safe and welcoming space for Pagans. If anyone wants to talk about how their own spiritual beliefs are somehow "true" or the "one" way or something, that is going to have to happen somewhere else.