Hail the Father Gods

Recycled from June 23rd, 2010. I’m still on my way to PSG! Wow, my writing has changed in a year! I’m not even certain I agree with this post anymore!

While God(s) as Mother is an important aspect of Pagan religions, I find the most satisfaction and meaning in Pagan views of God(s) as Father.

It’s been noticed by some of us that our relationships with our parents affect our relationship with the Gods. I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with my mother and don’t connect easily with Goddesses. My father was distant and often away from home, yet male Gods tend to call to my blood. Though I could not respond to the image of Yahweh as Heavenly Father, I became very attached to the Divine Father in Paganism.

The very idea of a Divine Father can raise our anti-patriarchal, feminist hackles. The idea of “father” in a religious setting is not a symbol of oppression and judgment in Pagan worldviews. Here is my view of the Divine Father archetype, and of fatherly Gods.

The Divine Father sends us out on adventures, journeys of discovery. The Divine Father gives us tools and teaches us the skill to use them. The Divine Father rewards honest effort, patience and persistence. The Divine Father protects us but does not coddle us. He insists we fight for what is just and right. He grants us gruff praise and blunt criticism. He teaches us to be strong without Him. He wishes us joy, prosperity, productive work and earthy lovers.

Manannan mac Lir and Hephaistos are fatherly Gods in my experience. When I am very upset they draw me away from drama, overwrought emotion and self-pity and push me towards strength, positive action and centering serenity. I find that to bring balance in my life I need to seek out the wisdom of the Divine Male, the Father Gods who draw me out of myself and push me to go farther and higher than I would have gone on my own.

This Father’s Day honor the fatherly men in your life, and take a little time out to also honor the Father Gods: Odin, Zeus, Dagda, Osiris and many others.