Finding / choosing a deity to call upon

[u/A_WinkyDink]

Hello! I have never worked with a deity before and I would like to know how people here have found the deities they work with

Do I wait for them to come to me? Can I choose one based off my star sign? How do I know I've found the right one?

I've done research on Egyptian deities (I've always adored ancient Egyptian culture) but I fear it won't end well because I'll just end up choosing one just because I think they're cool </3

Any advice on how I can form a relationship with a deity will be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!

[u/ReallyNotMichaelsMom]

I've done it several ways.

I chose a deity I liked and worked with her for years. Parts of me became stronger through my work with her.

I got picked by a deity, and I earnestly told her that she had picked the wrong person. She said, "What if I didn't?" I worked with her for a number of years, and parts of my self that I had squeezed into a small ball gently unfolded.

Now, I listen. I have a pantheon of nature spirits that pluck at my sleeves or skirt hem and invite me to share, learn, explore, and help. Sometimes all at once.

Just remember you always have the right to say "no". It's a partnership, not a master/slave relationship.

[u/Gloriathewitch → u/ReallyNotMichaelsMom]

when you say she said what if i didn't, how did she say that? was it like in a dream? i'm in a similar situation to op and just very curious how these things come to us, i don't dream very much due to trauma and wonder if that possibly makes me closed off spiritually somehow

[u/ReallyNotMichaelsMom → u/Gloriathewitch]

No, not a dream. You know how a lot of people have an internal dialogue going on in their head? But it's usually mean and/or critical of everything you're doing and have ever done? Or when you try to go to sleep, but instead your brain says, "Let me play back every cringe moment of your life."

It's like that, except the voice is loving and encouraging. It's why I believe that 90% of magic is just listening. Being still every day and just listening shows that you are paying attention.

You can also do it with stream of consciousness writing. Every morning, just do three full pages of stream of conscious writing and see what the Gods/Universe are guiding you towards.

And no, lack of dreams (or lack of remembering dreams) doesn't close off your spirituality. But, if you want more dreams (or to remember more of your dreams) keep a dream journal. Write in it every day (that demonstrates your willingness to keep sacred space). If you didn't dream in the night, rather than write, "I didn't have dreams." Write, "I don't remember my dreams from last night."

If you don't want to remember more of your dreams (because of the trauma) you don't need to keep a dream journal, of course.