In Wicca, Deity is more than just knowing which pantheon a certain God or Goddess belongs to and what they are purported to do or represent. It’s all about building a relationship with them — a lasting relationship, so that you really get to know your deity and they become an integral part of your life.
It’s a relationship that grows with attention, ritual, offerings, study and communication.
But first, how do you get into a relationship with a deity in the first place, and why should you need to?
In Wicca, you don’t have to be a devotee of any God or Goddess; indeed, some Wiccans don’t. Remember, we have no dogma, and there is no right or wrong way to practise. It’s just that a great many Wiccans do find themselves drawn to certain pantheons and particular Gods and Goddesses. Some feel called by a deity, while others use them to help with a certain task or to get through a particular stage in their lives. The deities may show us the work we need to do on ourselves — where we need to improve or the things we need to leave behind.
In Wicca, we do have a God and Goddess of the Craft whom we acknowledge, and they are fundamental as we move through the Wheel of the Year. We build a relationship with them as we become more experienced.
They could be described as archetypes representing the natural order of the seasons. Some believe that they are actual, powerful beings; the choice is yours to make. However, we do have the privilege of experiencing the Gods in a ritual setting. This can enhance our experience of encountering Deity and deepen our devotional practice.
Wiccans, however, tend to have their own personal Gods and Goddesses as well as the Gods of the Craft. Some are drawn to honouring a particular divine presence. They may have qualities that you want to draw on, or perhaps you would like to cultivate a deeper understanding of your place in the universe.
Meeting Your Deity
(Just one way of doing it, it’s not set in stone.)
Find a place where you can be quiet and undisturbed and simply ask out. Ask the universal energy to point you in the direction of a deity. You could ask for one that may help you with a particular problem, or you might simply be interested in gaining a particular virtue.
The key to this is building a relationship.
You may then find yourself noticing synchronicities or dreams. A name may pop up several times, or you may find someone talking about a country and something will resonate with you.
Then the rest is up to you. You may find out as much as you can about the deity. You may find yourself wanting to have an altar in your house, or you may find images or draw them yourself. You may simply say, “I’m interested in getting to know you.”
Look at the legends and myths. Do they have sacred animals, colours and plants? You could just light a candle to them and ask for some insight.
They might surprise you.
They are fully rounded, with faults as well as good points. Their relationships with each other and with humanity can be amusing and tragic, as well as very dark. They reflect human beings — or do we reflect them?
But the more you put in, the more you get out.