Deity Witchcraft - Tumblr Posts
How to Discern Sign from Coincidence
I've noticed that in both on and offline witchy and pagan communities a lot of people's first question relating to deity work and communication is "how do I tell if something is a sign" so I wanted to share my perspective and how I vet something as being a sign or message from my deity or not. This is a pretty simplified 'checklist', but it's important to note that signs are not my main form of communication with my deity which is why I'm quite 'conservative' in identification of them!
How many times? Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence but three times may be a sign. This is a general rule I use for signs like angel numbers, specific animals or imagery or something similiar. Though it doesn't always apply - for example, if I see five crows on a nearby roof I don't see it as a sign because that is a very common sight where I live. But if I see three deer near my house in one day, that IS pretty mystical.
How unusual is it? If something 'makes sense' or can be easily explained by mundane reasons it is less likely to be a sign, and this can work in "levels". E.g. if I see a spider in the corner of my room, that's pretty unlikely to be a sign because that's just what spiders do. A spider running across a specific chapter in my book or tarot guide is still explainable but I'd probably check if it was meant to be a sign. And a sparrowhawk landing on my windowsill would almost definitely be a sign because they rarely come into the area where I live.
How does it make me feel? Sometimes I get a gut feeling that something is a sign or a message, even if it isn't unusual or has only happened once. This can easily be mistaken for 'wanting' something to be a sign so still vet and double check but the differentation does with time, experience and a growing relationship with a deity. Often, signs are clear that they are signs, because you're deity wants you to see them and so your intuition often drags your attention to the, and tells you that they're special somehow.
How do I confirm? I almost always vet signs and messages, typically it's just a quick tarot reading to confirm that something was a sign and what it might mean or represent. Often I'll also meditate or consider the sign to see what feelings or knowledge it inspires in me as well. Sometimes I don't need confirmation, I just know. But that has come with time and I would always check early in my relationship to my Mother Nature.
Important notes If something is just coincidence, that's okay, and it's still cool! So what if that crow wasn't a sign from a deity, you still got to see a crow! And so what if that fortune cookie message wasn't actually a message from your spirit guides, it can still be an inspiring and needed message! There is magic in the mundane and that's wonderful.
If you're new to paganism or witchcraft and want to work with a deity I will warn you to be wary and do a lot of research. Don't just assume: "I saw crows the other day, Odin must be reaching out to me." or "I found a bunch of rose petals on the floor so it must be aphrodite." Signs can mean a great number of things and if you truly believe it is a deity, vet and research source materials for that deity and pantheon. Ask for confirmation and take things slowly, it is very easy to trick yourself into seeing something you want to see.
Signs vary between practitioners and it's important to understand and respect that. What might mean one thing to you, means something entirely different to someone else - even if you're devoted to the same deity. While I always recommend checking original religious sources (if possible) for traditional omens and meanings, they will probably be quite unique to you!!
Tell me about some signs you've recieved from your deity or spirit guides (or whoever)! Mine tend to be animals or plants, which is definitely on brand!
I was inspired by this post by @windvexer about gestational spells and decided to give it a go as usually I release my spells almost immediately after they've been crafted.
I had some spare (dried) eggshells from a previous working and thought that they'd work well as a container for the spell, especially since they are literally gestational containers that help create and protect life.
I gathered my ingredients and began the small ritual, finishing with sealing them in the eggshells. I poured a lot of my energy into it, cradled it gently and asked Mother Nature to share her nurturing energy too.
I will continue to pour more energy in and let the spell grow and evolve inside the shell for 7 days, when I will help release and birth the spell.
Will update as the process continues!!!
☀️Deities☀️
I see so many people criticizing others over their relationships, or lack thereof, with their deities, so here are some reminders:
Not having deities is okay.
Having just a devotional relationship with your deities is okay.
Having a working relationship with your deities is okay.
Playing games with your deities is okay.
Harmless jokes with your deities are okay.
Doing fun things with your deities is okay.
Doing devotional offerings for your deities is okay.
Giving physical offerings to your deities is okay.
Not being able to do certain offerings for deities is okay.
Having an altar for your deities is okay, no matter the size.
Not having an altar for your deities is okay.
Laughing with your deities is okay.
Crying with your deities is okay.
Having genuine conversations with your deities is okay.
Being unable to hear/see deities is okay.
Being able to hear/see deities is okay.
Not being able to communicate through divination is okay.
Using divination as a key element in communication is okay.
Not calling on deities during spellwork is okay.
Asking deities to help during spellwork is okay.
Asking deities for help in general is okay.
This is your relationship with your deities in your practice. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. 🫶
It's 2am, please forgive me if there are any mistakes!
People who are like “Lucifer doesn’t love his devotees, the demons cannot love their devotees, they’re only there to get something from you and that’s all”
and I’m like “well, okay how did you approach him?”
and they’re like “I did a ritual from a grimoire and commanded him to give me money”
alright, well no offence, but maybe he doesn’t like you. As in, maybe he doesn’t act friendly with you because you never even bothered to establish a friendship with him… ?
“Lucifer isn’t a God. I contacted him and he’s only a demon”
oh, okay, well how did you approach him?
“I used an incantation from grimoire where he is documented as a demon and then I called him a devil and he responded”
oh, that’s cool. Have you ever tried approaching him in any other way? No? Huh. Well… how and when exactly was he supposed to show that to you if you never even considered the possibility…?
When you see your friend out in public wearing a blue shirt… do you just assume they only have one blue shirt and that they wear it all the time? And when you see a stranger call their partner baby, do you think you’re also allowed to call them that? Strange.
☀️Deities☀️
I see so many people criticizing others over their relationships, or lack thereof, with their deities, so here are some reminders:
Not having deities is okay.
Having just a devotional relationship with your deities is okay.
Having a working relationship with your deities is okay.
Playing games with your deities is okay.
Harmless jokes with your deities are okay.
Doing fun things with your deities is okay.
Doing devotional offerings for your deities is okay.
Giving physical offerings to your deities is okay.
Not being able to do certain offerings for deities is okay.
Having an altar for your deities is okay, no matter the size.
Not having an altar for your deities is okay.
Laughing with your deities is okay.
Crying with your deities is okay.
Having genuine conversations with your deities is okay.
Being unable to hear/see deities is okay.
Being able to hear/see deities is okay.
Not being able to communicate through divination is okay.
Using divination as a key element in communication is okay.
Not calling on deities during spellwork is okay.
Asking deities to help during spellwork is okay.
Asking deities for help in general is okay.
This is your relationship with your deities in your practice. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. 🫶
It's 2am, please forgive me if there are any mistakes!
To the Gods lost to time
We may have no way of knowing your name, but we do know you. We know you existed.
We may have no way of knowing what purpose you served in your pantheon, but we appreciate the work that you did, and the work you continue to do.
You may be older than what we think of as the first civilizations, you may be older than evolution, but thank you for being with our ancestors.
Thank you for holding their hands, teaching them how to hunt, which plants were edible, how to walk, how to develop.
It's because of you that humanity exists in the way we know today.
I'm sorry you've been lost to time.
As someone who's working with Aphrodite and worshipping Apollo and has been struggling lately a lot, I really needed to read this and be reminded of it
Your deities love you.
Haven’t tidied their altars in forever? They understand.
Don’t have the motivation to give them offerings? They get it.
You haven’t left bed for a long time? They still care about you.
Aren’t devoting time to them lately? They don’t mind
Forgot an offering? That’s alright. They forgive you.
Fucked something up? They’re not going to ditch you for your mistakes.
Decide to take a break from deity work? Totally cool, they’ll still be here for you.
Your deities understand your struggles. Even your mental health related issues. They get it, and they love you regardless. Just do your best for them, and they’ll appreciate it.