Mixing Pantheons
No, I'm not planning a ritual in which I call on Odin and Kali as the Lord and Lady. That's just silly.
But I am having some deity trouble. Some background:
I am an eclectic Pagan. Have been practicing for nearly 12 years. What I do is very low-brow magic and ritual. Kitchen witchery stuff and celebrations of Sabbats with an emphasis on their agricultural roots. I am more likely to read a book on anthropology before writing a ritual than a book on Wiccan magickal correspondences. I have never had a specific patron Deity, I call on the faceless Lord and Lady.
Recently, I have been "pestered" by a few deities. My first reaction was that I was either dreaming or hallucinating, but then they became insistent. First was Hecate, telling me that I needed to choose a patron and that it should be her. She had all sorts of good reasons, but there were a lot of strings attached, such as daily meditation and more focused ritual work, neither of which I have much time for.
Then, I was approached by Bast and Anubis together, with Bast doing most of the speaking. They also informed me that I needed to choose some patron deities, and that it didn't really matter who I chose, but they wanted me to know that there were there if I needed them.
I recently became pregnant, and initially Hecate made a few comments about how I needed to thank her for it. Instead, I set up an altar to Bast and left her offerings of sandalwood, milk, and catnip (I have absolutely no idea what offerings should be left to an Egyptian Goddess... my own felines helped in the decision). It wasn't meant out of any disrespect to Hecate, I just felt that Bast was more influential in these matters.
Since then, Bast is the only one talking to me. The problem I have is that I don't want to follow any Egyptian-flavored version of Paganism. I like what my religion has evolved into for me. Following an 8-Sabbat Wheel of the Year works well in my Upper Midwest home. Plus, it appeals to my heritage: a long line of English, Scottish, and Irish farmers. My cousins and I are actually the first generation of my family not to spend any part of our childhood on a farm. Most of us did grow up in farm country, though.
So, I think my question is: Does anyone else have patron Deities of a pantheon that does not coincide with your day-to-day spiritual path? And how do you make it work without coming off as a fluffy "pick-and-choose" freak? And does anyone know what a really good offering would be to Bast, because I think my cats just want me to put milk and catnip in a place where they have easy access. :-)
But I am having some deity trouble. Some background:
I am an eclectic Pagan. Have been practicing for nearly 12 years. What I do is very low-brow magic and ritual. Kitchen witchery stuff and celebrations of Sabbats with an emphasis on their agricultural roots. I am more likely to read a book on anthropology before writing a ritual than a book on Wiccan magickal correspondences. I have never had a specific patron Deity, I call on the faceless Lord and Lady.
Recently, I have been "pestered" by a few deities. My first reaction was that I was either dreaming or hallucinating, but then they became insistent. First was Hecate, telling me that I needed to choose a patron and that it should be her. She had all sorts of good reasons, but there were a lot of strings attached, such as daily meditation and more focused ritual work, neither of which I have much time for.
Then, I was approached by Bast and Anubis together, with Bast doing most of the speaking. They also informed me that I needed to choose some patron deities, and that it didn't really matter who I chose, but they wanted me to know that there were there if I needed them.
I recently became pregnant, and initially Hecate made a few comments about how I needed to thank her for it. Instead, I set up an altar to Bast and left her offerings of sandalwood, milk, and catnip (I have absolutely no idea what offerings should be left to an Egyptian Goddess... my own felines helped in the decision). It wasn't meant out of any disrespect to Hecate, I just felt that Bast was more influential in these matters.
Since then, Bast is the only one talking to me. The problem I have is that I don't want to follow any Egyptian-flavored version of Paganism. I like what my religion has evolved into for me. Following an 8-Sabbat Wheel of the Year works well in my Upper Midwest home. Plus, it appeals to my heritage: a long line of English, Scottish, and Irish farmers. My cousins and I are actually the first generation of my family not to spend any part of our childhood on a farm. Most of us did grow up in farm country, though.
So, I think my question is: Does anyone else have patron Deities of a pantheon that does not coincide with your day-to-day spiritual path? And how do you make it work without coming off as a fluffy "pick-and-choose" freak? And does anyone know what a really good offering would be to Bast, because I think my cats just want me to put milk and catnip in a place where they have easy access. :-)