Hawk’s Cry

Mixing Pantheons, Part II

In a past life, five years ago, I wrote an article called Mixing Pantheons. It discussed some of the challenges involved with mixing deities of different pantheons together in the same ritual.

During the last week, I learned about another challenge with doing this at a workshop by Steven Posch at the Sacred Harvest Festival. Here is what I learned, both from Mr. Posch’s teaching and my own insights.

One of the primary forces in the Universe is that of relationship. One physical manifestation of relationship is in the form of gravity, which simply is the attraction between two or more objects and is determined by the relationship between them (in terms of both distance and size).

Relationships are more than just gravity. They determine how different people will interact with each other (or not). They determine how different objects will work together. Babies learn early-on that they must understand relationships to function. This is why they put things in their mouths, asking “What are the relationships between me and the object in my hand?” It is why they like to bang things together, asking “What are the relationships between the two objects?”

Spiritually, everyone asks similar questions at various times in their lives. What are my relationships with Nature, the Gods, etc.

What many eclectic Witches and Pagans don’t understand is that not all relationships involve you. The Gods have relationships with each other, just as the animals, plants, stones, etc. do. If you mix, for example, Odin and Osiris in one ritual, you might not be respecting the relationship between Them. There might not be any direct relationships between Them, or they might be very weak. Or the relationships might be negative for the working.

On the other hand, inviting the Finnish Gods Ukko and Rauni into the same circle does respect the very strong and intimate relationship between those married Gods. As a result, the energy produced by Their presence in the circle or the blessings They confer together will be much more predictable and harmonious.

One important way to learn about the existence and nature of the relationship between any Gods is to look into their stories. What do the stories say about Them? Naturally, Demeter and Hades do not get along, because the stories tell of how Hades abducted and killed Demeter’s beloved daughter. To use the two together in a ritual could be a spell for disaster.

Not all relationships between the Gods are recorded, however. And many of the stories may have been lost over the ages. It is important to do your own research, meditation and prayer. Asking the Gods Themselves will tell you how the stories may be in accurate, or something that is not available to you via published sources. The ritual I wrote in the previous article would be helpful for this type of research. I reprint it here:

1. Set aside as much time as is needed where you will be undisturbed. A half hour is probably good to start.
2. Ground and center, using the method of your choice.
3. Banish all negative energy from the space using the method of your choice.
4. Cast a circle of protection.
5. Call to the deity you wish to learn about. Ask the deity to come into your circle and help you learn about Him or Her relationships with the other deity you are considering. Say that you are asking them with an open mind, and make sure your mind is truly open to receiving Their wisdom.
6. Light a candle to focus on. The flame of the candle can represent the energy of presence of the deity.
7. Focus intently on the flame with all of your being. Let all outside distractions disappear and be meaningless. If your mind wanders to other thoughts, acknowledge them and let them go.
8. You might see images, hear words or music, feel energy, or all of the above. Remember it. Feel it. Take in as much as you can.
9. When you are finished, thank the deity for their presence and teaching, extinguish the candle, and take down the circle using the method of your choice.
10. VERY IMPORTANT! Write down your findings in a magical journal as soon as possible after the conclusion of the ritual. You may even want to have a pen and notebook in circle with you so you can write it before you take the circle down. If your findings are not written important parts will be forgotten.

When you mix Gods in your rituals or your “Personal Pantheons” without regard to Their relationships with each other, the only relationship between Them is you. It means that you see yourself as the center of the universe, since the Gods you worship form a spiritual framework for your being. It tells Them that They are not as important to you as you are. Instead, it is better to put Them at the center of the universe and conform your relationship to Them.

If you have any thoughts about this, or disagreements, feel free to comment.