Paganism 101: Connecting with Your Patron Gods

A patron god or goddess is a particular deity we feel an affinity for that we choose to honor as the main influence in our lives. Many Pagans believe that all gods and goddesses are representations of the one life force.

Others believe that each deity is a god in their own right. Regardless of which philosophy you ascribe to, having a patron deity can be a powerful way to interact with the divine in ourselves and creation.

Even the most self-assured Pagan can be a skeptic when it comes to a personal relationship with the divine. Many will say they did not choose their patron. Instead, they were chosen. Sometimes this choosing wasn't in the most pleasant of circumstances. This isn't always the case, and the gods can also enter our lives as gently as a summer breeze.

Aspects of the gods can be what initially draw us to them. If you are a writer and follow a Celtic path, then maybe the goddess Brigid, a goddess of poetry and inspiration, will be who you feel most attracted to.

If you're a soldier and follow a Greek path, then Ares, the fierce warrior god, is who you will feel is your protector and patron. One of the many goddesses skilled in the art of magic such as the Norse Freya might call to you.

We tend to have preconceived notions of the deities. You might find however that once you attune to them, you will most likely find there are aspects to their character and personality you didn't know of before.

Below is a simple meditation to achieve this attunement with your patron god. It's written for those who already have an idea of who their patron is but can be adapted for those who are still trying to find theirs. Just use a representation of a character trait you're looking for.

A picture you've drawn or a poem you've written can be used if you're trying to find a patron to inspire your creativity. Another example would be military paraphenalia if you're a Pagan in the armed forces and want to connect with a patron of war or deity of protection.

• Find a comfortable spot where you will not be disturbed for a few minutes.
• Light a candle and incense and put on some music to get in a relaxed mood.
• On a table in front of you, place either a statue or other representation of your patron.
• Start to concentrate on your breathing. Counting beats is helpful for this. The four-count breath is a popular and effective technique. Inhale to a count of four, hold your breath to a count of four, exhale and hold both to a count of four. Do this for several breaths, then stop counting and breathe naturally.
• You can either focus your eyes on the symbol of your patron or close your eyes and see it in your mind's eye.
• Think about why you feel attracted to this deity. Ask the deity why it has chosen you. If you are meditating to find out who your patron is, try to focus on what characteristics in people you are drawn to. What are those personality traits you greatly admire? Accept the answers you receive and record them in a journal, preferably one devoted to your Pagan practice.

Not all Pagans will relate to the concept of a patron god.  Some are more pantheistic or panetheistic and prefer to visualize one great creator of the universe or see nature itself as their spirituality.  But you don't have to be a hard-core polytheist to gain benefit from working with patron deities.  Some Pagans see the deities as archetypes of universal truths and relate to the gods in that sense.

Whatever your personal beliefs are, the simple technique above can be practiced once or frequently to help you come to a better understanding of the relationship you have with the gods.