![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/1239\/2019\/08\/diya-2918628_1280.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Over the last few years, my feelings about working with the gods, or worship of them, have been \u201csticky\u201d.<\/strong><\/h3>\nI\u2019ve written about this struggle in\u00a0Religious Not Spiritual, Spiritual Not Religious<\/a>. For me, the crux of the matter comes down to the issue of sovereignty, a concept which was never encouraged in my former religion (although there may be those who disagree). In my experience, devotion in Christianity has been defined as submission of personal identity and will to that of the deity served.<\/p>\nSubmission of will. Sacrifice of self.<\/strong><\/p>\nTherefore, the willingness to devote myself to the worship of other deities has been a struggle. Many others who come to witchcraft, Wicca, or some other form of Paganism have told me they feel the same. In fact, Car has mentioned he\u2019s not sure he will ever be able to have a personal devotional practice as a Druid.<\/p>\n
Restoring capacity and willingness for devotional practice has been hard for me. But I can say, the journey to where I am now has been rewarding, allowing me to stretch as a Witch and spiritual being. And in recent months, devotion to the goddesses with whom I work has taught me how to retain\u00a0 personal power and will through small acts of devotion.<\/p>\n![\"My](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/1239\/2019\/08\/20190814_112613.jpg\")
Hail Frigga. I honor you. Image provided by author.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nI do not have to lose myself in relationship to deity. Space for devotion taught me that lesson.<\/strong><\/h3>\nFor a long time, I worked with a couple of goddesses when I had a magickal need. Yes. We have altars set up around our home for the Earth Mother and plant allies,\u00a0 the public altar where I have a statue of Brighid and an ancestors altar. But I never made a habit of going to deity unless I needed extra oomph for a spell. However, I did begin attending Full Moon and other rituals at Artes and Craft<\/a>.<\/p>\nAttending public rituals allowed me to observe devotional\/worship practice without pressure of participation or feeling as if I had to sacrifice myself to be there other than my time and attention. Then one day, I got hold of a book called The House Witch<\/a> by Arin Murphy-Hiscock. In the book, she recommends setting up a \u201chearth\u201d altar. A place to represent the center of the home. This idea appealed to me as the keeper and manager of our home.<\/p>\nBuilding an altar on my kitchen window ledge became a satisfying activity but something was missing. My heritage is German, Norwegian, Danish, and English. Frigga is a deity to whom I\u2019ve been drawn for many years. So, when I found a little statue of her at Artes and Craft, I bought it to add to my altar.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d been lighting a candle in the window every morning as a pleasing asthetic. It didn\u2019t take much effort to begin saying \u201cHail Frigga. I honor you\u201d as I put flame to wick. Over weeks and months, it became a habitual act of devotion even though I never approached Frigga for any other reason. Now, I feel connected to her and this morning practice has become deeply meaningful. I\u2019ve added a special candle to the main altar so I can now devote myself to Brighid in a similar fashion.<\/p>\n![\"Connection\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/1239\/2019\/08\/portrait-3216948_1280.jpg\")
<\/a>Making a connection. Image by Stefan Keller via pixabay.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe point is to provide mindful space and opportunity for connection.<\/h3>\n
Simple acts of devotion, such as lighting a candle, can go a long way to building connection with deity. For me, a morning chanting practice of Hekate\u2019s name and epithets has brought me to a powerful level of devotion to her. There are many ways to build a connection to the gods and goddesses with whom we work. Meditation, walks in nature. Cooking or artistic endeavors.\u00a0The possibilities are determined by one\u2019s own interests or imagination.<\/p>\n
For myself, restoring devotion to my path has also assisted me as a solitary practitioner. Being the person who determines the course of my path and practice has it\u2019s benefits. I enjoy being a Solitary Witch<\/a>. However, there are times when I am just not \u201cfeeling\u201d it. Living in the mundane world is just that. Mundane. And it does have an effect on our spiritual barometer\u00a0 from time to time.<\/p>\n
Submission of will. Sacrifice of self.<\/strong><\/p>\n Therefore, the willingness to devote myself to the worship of other deities has been a struggle. Many others who come to witchcraft, Wicca, or some other form of Paganism have told me they feel the same. In fact, Car has mentioned he\u2019s not sure he will ever be able to have a personal devotional practice as a Druid.<\/p>\n Restoring capacity and willingness for devotional practice has been hard for me. But I can say, the journey to where I am now has been rewarding, allowing me to stretch as a Witch and spiritual being. And in recent months, devotion to the goddesses with whom I work has taught me how to retain\u00a0 personal power and will through small acts of devotion.<\/p>\n For a long time, I worked with a couple of goddesses when I had a magickal need. Yes. We have altars set up around our home for the Earth Mother and plant allies,\u00a0 the public altar where I have a statue of Brighid and an ancestors altar. But I never made a habit of going to deity unless I needed extra oomph for a spell. However, I did begin attending Full Moon and other rituals at Artes and Craft<\/a>.<\/p>\n Attending public rituals allowed me to observe devotional\/worship practice without pressure of participation or feeling as if I had to sacrifice myself to be there other than my time and attention. Then one day, I got hold of a book called The House Witch<\/a> by Arin Murphy-Hiscock. In the book, she recommends setting up a \u201chearth\u201d altar. A place to represent the center of the home. This idea appealed to me as the keeper and manager of our home.<\/p>\n Building an altar on my kitchen window ledge became a satisfying activity but something was missing. My heritage is German, Norwegian, Danish, and English. Frigga is a deity to whom I\u2019ve been drawn for many years. So, when I found a little statue of her at Artes and Craft, I bought it to add to my altar.<\/p>\n I\u2019d been lighting a candle in the window every morning as a pleasing asthetic. It didn\u2019t take much effort to begin saying \u201cHail Frigga. I honor you\u201d as I put flame to wick. Over weeks and months, it became a habitual act of devotion even though I never approached Frigga for any other reason. Now, I feel connected to her and this morning practice has become deeply meaningful. I\u2019ve added a special candle to the main altar so I can now devote myself to Brighid in a similar fashion.<\/p>\n Simple acts of devotion, such as lighting a candle, can go a long way to building connection with deity. For me, a morning chanting practice of Hekate\u2019s name and epithets has brought me to a powerful level of devotion to her. There are many ways to build a connection to the gods and goddesses with whom we work. Meditation, walks in nature. Cooking or artistic endeavors.\u00a0The possibilities are determined by one\u2019s own interests or imagination.<\/p>\n For myself, restoring devotion to my path has also assisted me as a solitary practitioner. Being the person who determines the course of my path and practice has it\u2019s benefits. I enjoy being a Solitary Witch<\/a>. However, there are times when I am just not \u201cfeeling\u201d it. Living in the mundane world is just that. Mundane. And it does have an effect on our spiritual barometer\u00a0 from time to time.<\/p>\nI do not have to lose myself in relationship to deity. Space for devotion taught me that lesson.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a>The point is to provide mindful space and opportunity for connection.<\/h3>\n
![\"Devotional](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/1239\/2019\/08\/incense-2850962_1280.jpg\")
<\/a>