From: cortese@netcom.com (Janis Maria C. C. Cortese) Subject: being called to a particular deity Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 05:32:05 GMT I recall someone talking about a feeling of being called to a given deity, and how to know this was for real, and how to go about making it Signed and Official(tm) and all that . . . I thought I'd give out with few (yeah, right) words as to my own experiences this way. I'm pretty much a believer in the notion that a person is best serrved by following their natural inclinations on some ways. I found my own Craft name this way -- I just sort of waited until I found the "right" name. I waited until I got a handle on what I was like at that time (it may change in the future) and at that point, saw the name as the proper noun that described what I was, the word for my inner nature. It's not a name in any but the most basic sense -- a description of what I *am*. It's no more a "chosen" name that an apple "chooses" to be called an apple. It's simply the name we have for the thing. Finding a deity figure is similar, and the one that fits you is often different from time to time. Don't look for one that you like and say, "I want to dedicate myself to that one." Look inside yourself and see what's there -- and don't lie or hide anything. Honesty is needed here. Know yourself, and then see if you can find a deity matchup for what you see. This is what I mean by seeing what your own natural inclinations are and then going with them. Oftentimes, the deity will just sort of fall into place with no effort, like a dewdrop rolling off a leaf. It just finds the proper time and bango -- it happens. Very zen, actually. This is similar -- if you relax and just know yourself, the deity will fall into place with no effort. Well, enough effort to read books and research so that you'll be able to know him or her when you see them. But research isn't effort -- it's fun! My own deities are a bit odd -- the moirae from the Mycenean/Greek pantheon are good, as is the Minoan god Kouros. (Never let it be said that your deity has to be the same gender!) Anyway, the only advice I can give you is to know yourself and then when you see your deity you'll recognize him or her as the right one. Choosing one that isn't a good fit is a bad idea. Blessings, Janis