There are probably tens of thousands of known deities to choose from when you become a polytheist. It’s no wonder that ‘baby witches’ get so overwhelmed when it comes to choosing a deity to worship. This post is going to correct some common misunderstandings about the gods and then talk you though the early stages of finding and worshiping a deity when you decide you would like to do so.

I would like to start with a brief comment on the idea of being chosen by a deity: let’s face it, we all want to be chosen. How cool would it be to know that a god wants to have a relationship with you? And it is cool! And some people are called. But it isn’t necessary, and it isn’t necessarily better than choosing a deity just because you like them. I suspect that a large part of this idea–that you must be chosen by a deity before you can worship them–is rooted in fear. Low self-esteem runs rampant in our culture, and this leads to an acute fear of rejection. I believe this reveals a deep-seated misunderstanding about who the gods are and their role in our lives. So lets have a discussion about the nature of Deity.

Who are the gods?

The gods are mysterious and beyond human understanding, so it feels a bit silly to be telling you who they are, as if I know. However, I would like to express my own (limited) understanding of who the gods are. I am by no means an expert, nor do I speak for the gods. These are my own opinions at this current time. They are likely to change and evolve as I learn and grow as a Pagan.

Much of my current opinion on the nature of deity was formed by Michael Greer in his book A World Full of Gods. He has the best (and only) defense of polytheism that I have ever seen. I highly recommend reading it early on in your journey as a Pagan.

Are the Gods Good?

Greek mythology is full of murder, rape, mercilessness, and all manner of immoral action, all done by the gods to human beings and to each other. Do we need to fear offending the gods lest we be stuck down or turned into a spider? I would argue, no. Absolutely not. I believe all of the gods (yes, even Ares) are moral. I don’t think there is any such thing as absolute moral goodness so I wouldn’t call them perfect, but I would trust any deity to make way more ethical decisions than the best humanity has to offer due to their vast wisdom and freedom from the limitations of the body. So what does that mean about the nature of myth?

What is the Nature of Myth?

If the gods are good, then why are they so mean and petty in the myths? If we accept that the gods are good, does that mean we must dismiss the myths are pure fiction?

No, not at all.

The myths are designed to be understood spiritually, not literally. If you interpret the myths literally, you miss a substantial reservoir of wisdom and understanding about who the gods are and how they influence our world.

An Example of the Power of Spiritual Interpretation

Syrinx was a nymph and a follower of Artemis, known for her chastity. Pursued by the amorous god Pan, she ran to a river’s edge and asked for assistance from the river nymphs. In answer, she was transformed into hollow water reeds that made a haunting sound when the god’s frustrated breath blew across them. Pan cut the reeds to fashion the first set of pan pipes. Wikipedia

Literal Interpretation: Pan once tried to rape a nymph, but failed because she was turned into a plant. Pan made the pan pipes in order to posses a female who did not consent to his advances. Pan is a dangerous deity who will take what he wants. Pan and nymphs are physical beings who had this interaction a long time ago.

Moral Interpretation: Chasing after something that does not belong to you will only end in despair.

Historical Interpretation: Arcadian goat herds enjoyed playing rustic musical instruments. They therefore imagined their patron deity to be half-goat god who invented the pan pipes.

Metaphorical Interpretation: Pan is a metaphor for spring rains which encourage the growth of new plant life each year. The nymph Syrinx is a metaphor for reeds and other plants. Pan chasing her is a metaphor for rain falling on the earth and watering seeds so new plants can grow each spring.

Spiritual Interpretation: Pan is the masculine energy that brings new life to the earth each spring. The Nymphs are spiritual beings intimately connected to nature (aquatic flora, in the case of Syrinx), and the spiritual interaction between Pan and the Nymphs (metaphorically represented as sex) leads to the generation of new biological life here on the physical plane. Pan’s creation of the pan pipes represents another aspect of his character: spontaneous emotional expression.

Spiritual Interpretation as Key

You can see that in the spiritual interpretation, the myth is taken seriously but not literally. It is assumed that the myth expresses a truth about real beings who interact on a spiritual plane of existence and influence the events of the physical world in concrete and non-linear ways.

It is through this sort of non-literal interpretation of myth that Pagans may accept two seemingly contradictory myths as equally true. Because the truths a myth tells are spiritual, a contradiction in the literal facts of the story does not matter as long as they both express a different, but equally valid, spiritual truth. This sort of understanding of myth is not obvious or easy which is probably why it is so often overlooked, but without it we lose out on a rich source of wisdom about the deities we venerate and the spiritual nature of reality.

A Summary of My View

Based on this spiritual interpretation of myth, Mr. Greer’s book, conversation with other polytheists, and my own personal experience of the gods, this is how I see them: I see the gods as powerful, though limited, non-embodied spiritual beings with fluid individual identities. I believe the gods are interested in our welfare and ultimate good but are not necessarily overly-concerned about our momentary comfort. I believe the gods have their own independent existences separate from human beliefs or worship, but I also believe they voluntarily make themselves more accessible to us by presenting themselves in a way that is compatible to our culture and worldview. I believe that we can receive special help and attention from the gods by building a relationship with them, and I believe they are generally willing to help us accomplish our mundane and magical goals if we ask them for assistance. I believe the gods can sometimes be busy and not as available to pay attention to us. I believe we can increase the amount of attention a god gives to us in a particular moment by gifting them things that they enjoy (just as you are more likely to get a friend’s help with a project if you provide them with free pizza and beer).

On Being Called by Deity

So, now that we have a basic idea of who the gods are, we can discuss callings. I do believe that the gods sometimes take particular interests in people. In my opinion, the gods tend to draw close to those who need them.

For example, I am a rather up-tight, type A, introverted, logical person. I have always loved Athena and admired her for her stoic demeanor and tactical brilliance. She is my ideal – the god I most desire to emulate. But when I meditated with the intention of finding a Greek deity to devote myself to, it was Pan who came to me. Pan! My exact opposite! The lover of parties and loud noise and ecstasy and wild displays of emotion! Pan didn’t choose me because I was better than anyone else or because I was more deserving of his time and energy. He chose me because I lack what he is. He has something to teach me and I need more of him. He chose me because his influence in my life is what will balance my personality and make me a more well-rounded human being.

On Not Being Called by a Deity

If being called by a deity is no badge of honor, then not being called by one is no badge of shame. That said, there are a few things you can do to help you decide which deity to focus your attention on:

Ask a deity to volunteer as your patron (see below).

as your patron (see below). Narrow it down to one pantheon . Decide which mythologies seem the most interesting to you or which culture you most enjoy learning about. Then dive deep into that pantheon. That is not to say that you can’t worship gods from multiple pantheons eventually, but if you are trying to pick your first deity then you have to narrow it down somehow.

. Decide which mythologies seem the most interesting to you or which culture you most enjoy learning about. Then dive deep into that pantheon. That is not to say that you can’t worship gods from multiple pantheons eventually, but if you are trying to pick your first deity then you have to narrow it down somehow. Pick a deity that interests you from that pantheon and initiate the relationship with a prayer and offering. You can always shift your focus to a different god if you don’t click with the first one you try. I suggest spending at least a month making regular offerings (at least once per week) before you decide that the deity either isn’t interested or is not the best match for you at that time.

from that pantheon and initiate the relationship with a prayer and offering. You can always shift your focus to a different god if you don’t click with the first one you try. I suggest spending at least a month making regular offerings (at least once per week) before you decide that the deity either isn’t interested or is not the best match for you at that time. Pick a deity that sounds like your exact opposite from that pantheon and initiate a relationship.

How to Ask for a Volunteer

This is a meditation you can do to try and connect with a deity who would be a good match for you. It is best if you specify which pantheon you would like the deity to be from or else it can be more difficult to tell which deity volunteered. I am assuming for this meditation that you have chosen to work with the Greek pantheon but it can be easily amended if that is not the case.

Sit in a quiet spot at a time when you will not be disturbed. You may sit on the floor, on a cushion, or on a chair. Whichever is most comfortable for you. Wear loose fitting clothes and play soothing music in the background if that is your preference. I suggest you perform katharsis and lay out a simple offering of water and/or bread for any guest who might visit you.

Below is an invocation to do before you meditate. I suggest you use it as an example only and call out to the gods in your own words.

“Oh gods of Mt. Olympus, hear me! Gods of Hades, gods of Arcadia, gods of Greece! I beseech you, hearken to my call! I am searching for a deity of the Greek pantheon to welcome into my life and heart. I pray that I be visited today in a vision. May I learn today the name of a deity who would be a good match for me at this time in my life. Please guide me to the right choice of whom to worship that I might become a better version of myself.”

After this, close your eyes and focus on your breath. Feel it at the tip of your nose. Notice how it changes throughout the breath cycle. When you feel calm and focused, imagine yourself diving down into a warm ocean. Despite being underwater, you can breath and each breath carries you deeper. The water gets darker and darker the further down you dive until all is warmth and darkness around you. With each breath you count down from 10 to 0. When you reach 0 you find yourself on the ocean floor. You are now in a deep state of relaxation. You find a place to rest and wait.

Remain in that state of waiting either until you get bored and want to leave your trance or until a deity visits you.