:triple_moon_goddess: Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Deities & Deity Worship

[BryWisteria]

Merry meet!

Thank you once again to all those who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Consecration

After exploring the art of making things sacred last week, it’s time to call upon the sacred Themselves, in whatever form the divine takes for you and your practice!

The theme for this week’s challenge was suggested by the wonderful @MeganB and is…

Deities & Deity Worship

What form does the divine take in your practice?

Deities, higher powers, guardian spirits, angels, demons, and more- there are many possible forms for the divine to take. Not all witches choose to work with deities, and not everyone worships in the same way- and that is perfectly okay! This week’s challenge invites you to explore this popular topic in a way that best suits your beliefs and personal practice.

Whether you worship a specific deity, multiple higher beings, nature, the Universe, or all or none of the above, you are invited to join in and share your personal divine practice with the Coven this week!

For additional inspiration and information, feel free to explore the Coven’s entries to previous deity-themed challenges: Dealing in the Divine (2020) and Working With Higher Powers (2021) as well as the deities tag

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This week’s challenge is all about deities and deity worship - but as always, how you do so is up to you!

So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

From Spells8: The Goddess Hecate

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STEP 1 : Deities & Magick

This challenge is all about deities - but how you choose to take on this theme is up to you!

Still not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are a few ways in which a witch might approach this challenge.

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Deities in a Magickal Practice

For those new to deity worship who are interested in working with the divine, a great place to begin is with research. As your entry this week, consider exploring ways to begin or to further enhance your work with the divine and your devotional practice.

Deity Worship: How to Honor Pagan Gods and Goddesses

How to Create a Deity Altar: Offerings at Home

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Share About Your Deity

Do you have a patron or matron deity in your practice? Are there any deities, angels, or other higher beings that are important to you? This week for your challenge entry, consider sharing:

• About your deity(ies)
• About how you found and came to worship Them

(And if you haven’t already, consider adding your name and deity(ies) to the Coven’s informational list of Who Works With Who )

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Explore the Divine

No deity? No worries! For your entry this week, consider learning more about a higher being that interests you. There are many out there to explore!

Wiccan Deities

The Goddess’ Temple: Divine Feminine Deities

The God’s Temple: Divine Masculine Deities

Deities and Guardian Beings of Hearth and Home

Dark Goddesses

Goddesses of the Forest, Wild Animals, and Nature

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Reaching Out

For those currently without a deity in their practice who wish to connect (or those who feel a new being may be reaching out), why not try to connect? For your entry this week, consider reaching out to the divine via spell, offering, tarot, or other- if the time is right, the divine may reach back out to you.

Signs a Deity is Calling You: How Does a Goddess Choose You?

How to Identify Your God or Goddess - Tarot Spread

Video: How to Find Your Patron or Matron Deity

Signs From Your Spirit Guides: How to Find and Meet Them

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Devotionals & Prayers

A popular way to connect with the divine is through devotional prayers dedicated to Them. Consider reading a devotional to a deity or being of your choice, or, as an extra special offering, consider writing a devotional prayer or spell of your own!

Egyptian Deity Devotional Collection

Roman Deity Devotional Collection

Greek Deity Devotional Collection

Celtic Deity Devotional Collection

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… And More!

The suggestions above are just a few ideas to help kickstart your creativity- if you feel called to explore deities and deity worship in another way, please feel free to do so!

As always, all witches are encouraged to embrace their own unique practice with how they explore the challenge theme

From Spells8: Altar with Aprohdite’s Bath Salts

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STEP 2 : Share Your Experience

Click here for a note about challenge inclusivity

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you!

That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.

Getting Your Credit

In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it!

Where Should I Share My Entry?

Click here to learn where to share your challenge entry

You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!

Alternatively, you could create a new post in the forum (this is good for when you have a lot to share and/or would like to discuss aspects of your entry not related to the current theme)

Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you!

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Deadline

This challenge will close in 6 DAYS

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, October 10 at 7:00 AM EDT (Eastern US Time)
2023-10-10T11:00:00Z

(Note that the time zone is ET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)

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Prizes

For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize!

Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.

After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.

From Spells8: A Tribute to the Horned God

A warm reminder that the challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice

If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team.

And for those new to challenges- welcome! Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways

From Spells8: The Goddess Morrigan

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Know Them by presence or know Them by name-
Be They gentle or firm, They love you the same.
O’er your shoulder or in mind as you wander and explore,
May They watch over and guide you,
For now and ever more.

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Blessed Be!

[Nixi]

You’re just ticking away at my to-do list. Diving a little deeper into deity work is another on my Do/Do more with list but I swear there are things on the list that require a little less brain power. Just sayin

I really hope I’m able to do this one

[tracyS]

What can I say

[starborn]

Ohh, I remember the conversation that started this! It was in that post, Deities & Worship Poll - Who Do You Work With?

I will share my questions that followed, in case they inspire anyone:

@starborn

And I was thinking of some possible fun follow up questions.

• What is one thing you love about them?
• What is one memorable way in which they impacted you this year?
• What was the moment that made you sure of who/what they are or their importance to you?

[tracyS]

@starborn Nice

[Artemisia]

Yay, looking forward to this challenge. As someone who’s always had a deity (but maybe never realized/admitted it until recently), I’m still learning to work with and honor her so this is a great chance to do just that.

[starborn]

After three hours spent in a trance-like state, writing furiously, I’ve successfully rambled my way into a completed challenge entry!

Hekate, Lilith, and Me

Continuing the discussion from Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Deities & Deity Worship: As I began adding photos, I realised my post was growing quite lengthy. To avoid overwhelming the thread, I’ve decided to share it separately. It’s safe to say I’m incredibly excited about this challenge! Also, my apologies, as I may unintentionally reiterate some of what I’ve shared elsewhere. It can be a bit challenging to keep track of what I’ve already discussed publi…

[tracyS]

CHALLENGE ENTRY LOKI

I’ve shared so much already about my journey with Loki, so I decided for this challenge I would take a more practical approach and let you in on how Loki and I interact with each other.

First, I call him My Handsome Beastie, or just Beastie. This is quite a common practice amongst Lokeans to give Loki a nickname that’s personal. He’s pretty down to earth so you don’t need to break out into skaldic poetry. So why this endearment? It just happened, I used it, he responded, we bonded over it. Simple. I think the beauty of having a god like Loki by your side is that he comes with chaos, so it’s very relaxed. No set rules and regulations, no set rituals, no set offerings, no set spells. If you feel it, pray it, spell it, dance it, fall flat on your face and make a big mess with it. That’s Loki worship, it’s different everyday.

So what does he look like? Does he look like Tom Hiddleston , if that’s what you like, I’m sure he can accommodate, he’s is a shapeshifter afterall . But to me, Loki’s appearence depends on his mood and what type of Loki you’re getting . He’s always a very tall, lean and strong male figure. He’s always dapper (as in stylishly dressed). He’s slightly intimidating but I’ve got used to that as he’s never dangerous to me. However, His facial features change and hair colour changes depending on his aura, as does his energy. When he appears as godlike, he’s dressed more Norse and magical with fire red long hair and piercing eyes (the colour changes)
As a warrior, he appears in visions to me in my meditation as a hooded shadowy figure that fly’s fast over stormy weather.
When he’s not happy about something he appears serious and dressed entirely in black, black hair, black eyes, this image of him is the one that gives me chills, this is the reminder that despite all the chaos and fun, he’s a demon and not to be messed with. Thank the gods he’s on my side
When he’s trickster he appears well dressed but in a wacky way, and his energy is playful.
His face is sometimes clear, sometimes not. He’s changed as I get older so who knows what face or persona he’ll show me in the future. All I have come to learn is that with Loki, each personality comes with its own unique image and energy, so I can easily identify which Loki I’m engaging with. So this is my beastie, my skin walker, my shapeshifting god/demon/witchfather/the devil/fallen angel/fire/trickster/mischief maker.! That’s the ones he’s shown me so far, I’m sure there’s so much more.

So what’s it like to worship Loki? Well he likes to hang out with you. So I get up, have a coffee, I light my altar, and give him a coffee and we chat. During work in the car between clients, we chat. And at the end of the day, when I come home, I light my altar, incense and I have a tea, he has a coffee and we chat. At dinner, he has some. I think I drive him nuts with my chatting, but I still chat, and I’m still here, so he’s loves me

So how does he answer? Sometimes through reaccuring dreams, sometimes I get a flash image of the different Loki’s depending on which one is reaching out, mostly it’s via my radio.
So the radio. Well spirit likes tech, it messes with frequency’s alot, so how do I know it’s Loki on my radio. Simple. I tested it.
My radio plays BBC radio 2, that’s where I set it. However when Loki wants to let me know he’s here, he’ll switch the channel and put on the travel news. And he’ll turn the volume right up from my 5/6 to his 22! It’ll start bang on time, and switch off the minute the travel news has finished. Could this be random, well yes, the first couple of times. But it’s difficult to put this down to a technical hitch when, day after day, month after month, your radio, all by itself, raises the volume and switches channel at the exact point the travel news is on, then switches you back to your station the exact moment the travel news has finished, it’s weird how he’ll prove its him by giving me travel news on a station in Wales when I challenge him, but I live in Bristol. Or he’ll make my clients jump when they’re happily listening to one of my CDs in the car, and he’ll switch it off and put the radio on, then switch the travel news on, then switch the cd back on. How do I explain that to them? Well I don’t

So how did I find him? I didn’t, he found me. How has he impacted my life? That I’m still figuring out. One thing I’ve learnt about Loki is there’s always more to learn about Loki You never fully know him. And now through my sigil discovery on @starborn post, Loki’s been organising all sorts of things in my life possibly with the help of Mr Lucifer (Arch Angel Lucifer, yes he has an endearment name too) and maybe Asmoday and Alu (night demon). So I’m surrounded by these wonderful beasties and for the most time, I didn’t even know it. What a didst!

So now, I’m going to end this challenge with my latest journey with my lovely Loki and get to know his friends and maybe boss (I don’t know how they all rank ). Am I scared. Well I was, but then I figured, they’ve been doing all sorts anyway, so why not say hello. So I’ll be offering a prayer to my beastie tonight, and then I’ll offer a prayer to Mr Lucifer too. When I light my altar tomorrow, there will be an extra coffee for Asmoday. And my lovely night demon Alu, well he pretty much comes and goes as he pleases, and has done for years, so maybe I’ll just leave that as it is.
So there’s my patron deity Loki, and his family of demons and angels that have all taken an interest in little old me. I ain’t done nothing special, can’t quite figure out why? But I’m embracing them and will see where they take me.

Night night for now. It’s time to see Alu the night demon (he clears away all the bad dreams for you ) Blessed be

[starborn]

@tracyS

I ain’t done nothing special, can’t quite figure out why? But I’m embracing them and will see where they take me.

I think you just answered your own question.

You’ve been doing something special this whole time, my dear!

You’ve opened your mind, heart, and soul. Not all would.

You’ve challenged yourself, embraced everything that comes your way as a means to grow, and you’ve sacrificed for and supported others. Look at your story with discovering these spirits and what they’re saying to you.

And your journey to learn more and share it? Sounds very light bringer to me.

You’ve done a lot that’s special already, and your path ahead looks as though it’s paved with even greater things.

Shine, @tracyS. You’ve more than earned it.

[tracyS]

@starborn aww thankyou, you touched my heart Lovely

[ArcticCharm]

Hello All!
I have enjoyed reading about all of the deities thus far! In my own small world, I have felt a strong pull from the Lady Brig almost since I started this journey. She is such an amazing presence in my life. Powerful, but also comforting. I started researching her right here on Spells 8 -special shout OUT to Tending Brighid’s Flame here in the Sacred Space.

How do I know we are connecting? Well, she has sent some signs -usually in candle magick or nature. I feel her ancestral pull as my ancestors were Celtic (With a lil’Viking action to add a Norse flair, according to my Ancestry DNA test) I have always been drawn to woodstoves, fireplaces, campfires -essentially hearth flames. When my arthritis made it difficult for me to run, I asked Lady Brig and she sent a sign to swim instead (which makes sense as she is known for her sacred wells)

I don’t have a permanent altar for her yet, but whiskey, bread, coins have all been offerings to her on my main altar. Whenever I am working with her, I place her goddess oracle card in a small holder to keep her in view.

This past weekend, I went to a workshop and handmade 2 altar brooms. One of which I dedicated to Brig. (see photo)

I also now keep seeing crows… I thought initially The Morrigan? But then the other day, my podcast jumped out of queue and landed randomly on one about Freyja. It has been stuck in my mind ever since. Another witch asked me at the broom workshop if I worked with Freyja out of the blue. So…crows/ravens/Odin/Freyja?? Is she reaching out? Is it Loki just trying to borrow her feather cloak again? (That one’s for you @tracyS )

All I know is that I hope the Lady Brighid tells my hubby that I want her beautiful statue from my local witchy store for Yule!!!

[korvo]

Challenge Entry - Guanyin & Guangong

I’m not sure exactly how to approach this, so I will start by saying that my deities found me–and drew me to the east through a series of events that cannot be attributed to coincidence. Without them I would not have the life and experiences I enjoy today.

As I was drawn toward the east they began to appear and influence my thoughts and life–in different aspects and in various forms (just as I needed to see them). They were ubiquitous throughout my time living in the east. I found Guanyin in Buddhist temples, in Taoist temples, in homes, in jade, in the forests, in tea groves, in sunflower patches. Guangong was just as pervasive, standing firmly in place as a protectorate. When I returned to the west my home gradually acquired elements imbued with eastern richness: fu dogs guarding the main entrances; sigils protecting doorways; the layout of the kitchen, how the house faced the street, and so on, influenced by elements of feng shui.

My affinity with the deities is that they represent to me the core traits of how I imagine enlightened humans should carry themselves. Guanyin is the goddess of compassion and wisdom–unconditional love. Guangong exemplifies strength, resilience, and courage. To me they represent the wisdom and compassion I would hope to cultivate combined with the strength and courage to walk my path, regardless of how others perceive it.

I celebrate sabbats with libations, which are offered to the earth god: Tu Di Gong. He represents fertility, growth, the harvest, and land. And I call upon Mazu a goddess of the sea for safe travels and protection.

In my observations there seems to be an almost direct overlay between aspects of Wicca, nature, and esoteric Taoism and folk religion. This overlay creates a perfect fusion that suits me well. As an outsider, I observe and grow in a culture which is replete with powerful symbolism, magic, history, language, and many wonderful artifacts, and my relationship with the goddess Guanyin and the god Guangong gift me with better understanding of the cultural origins of my spouse, daughter and family.

[Jeannie1]

Tracy,
I admire your diety
Loki, you said he was a Norse god. I admire that you have a masculine diety. Me I think finding a masculine diety to honor will be incredibly rewarding!

@tracyS

I have come to learn is that with Loki, each personality comes with its own unique image and energy, so I can easily identify which Loki I’m engaging with. So this is my beastie, my skin walker, my shapeshifting god/demon/witchfather/the devil/fallen angel/fire/trickster/mischief maker.!

He seems to help you with any obstacle needed be. I learned recently, He also is connected to Samhain!
And is connected to Capricorn
Rune : As
Number 2
Solar system Mercury
Connect with ivy
Animal: Coyote
He seems to give you the support you need! I am glad to hear it.
Jeannie

[korvo]

@tracyS

So the radio. Well spirit likes tech, it messes with frequency’s alot, so how do I know it’s Loki on my radio. Simple. I tested it.

I love it. Tech-savvy sprits!

[tracyS]

Ooh how exciting. Keep us posted.

@ArcticCharm

But then the other day, my podcast jumped out of queue and landed randomly on one about Freyja

Maybe she is reaching out. What an honour. If it is the beastie, welcome to the family. He’ll let you know it’s him lovely entry.

[tracyS]

Thankyou for this. More info on my beastie and with Samhain soon. Yeay. Looking forward to your entry too lovely

[tracyS]

@korvo

To me they represent the wisdom and compassion I would hope to cultivate combined with the strength and courage to walk my path, regardless of how others perceive it.

This is beautiful

[Jeannie1]

I decided for this challenge to take a different approach. I wanted to pull out my oracle decks The Dark Goddessand see what would come up. Low and behold…… I got my first and Greatest Mother of all Hecate!
I do believe my eyes she still holds the keys of my truth for the soul!
Then I decided to pull out, The Key Tarot and pull what Hecate wants to say to me! This is going to be an interesting week as we dive into diety, really! We are getting closer to Samhain
I made this cauldron for her as an offering this last time to burn some fear that has been holding me back! She is the Triple Goddess that protects me through all of the phases of the moon The Dark Mother that holds me in the darkness! She holds up her tourches up high! Lampadious
Kleidoukhus keeper of the keys!
Skotia- Shamman
This is just a couple of her epithets!

What Hecate wants to say!! The World Card
It looks to me as so something is ending and I’m stepping into a new beginning it is definitely exciting and new. I have some Aquarius energy and some. Scorpio
Taurus
Leo
So I am excited for this new chapter in my life ! I feel like her dogs are protecting me as I unleash my fears so I can live a beautiful life!
I just love my cauldron it’s so hot
I am burning of all that blocks and binds
Jeannie

[tracyS]

@Jeannie1

@Jeannie1

I am burning of all that blocks and binds

I love this. Live it with your beautiful Goddess by your side.

[stavroula]

Ah, jeverybody has so many nice things to share about their deities I do aspire to have a connection with them like you do as right now my relatonship to them is more worshiping them than working with them.

But I do have to say that I always remember myself turning to the greek pantheon even though I was born and raised christian orthodox. I believe I was around 17 years old and I found my self out of the blue picking a statue of goddess Athena and without realising asking for her help for the exam to get into university when the rest took pens to the priest to bless them

I’ll be back later with my challenge entry with pictures of altars and stories of the dieties that I have a relation now, as so much to say but in my mundale life noone really to share with