How does one connect with a newly-found god/dess?

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[LadyVagabond]

I'm a recent walker on the path of paganism. My biggest question was one of a name--who am I supposed to worship? Inanna welcomed me as her child within days of my asking, "Who are you?". I've seen enough posts on here to know that a fair number of people have to struggle with their deities to get a name, so I'm grateful.

That's not really why I'm posting, though. The question I have as a new pagan is, how do I connect with her? I was raised Catholic, so my primary interaction with divinity was through the mass and the priests. I'm enthralled by the prospect of having a close, loving relationship with my goddess (and my god, once I figure out who he is) but I have no idea how to do it. To be honest, it's a bit of a terrifying prospect. If you have any pointers, in general or specific to Inanna, please let me know.

[Firaza]

If you have any pointers, in general or specific to Inanna, please let me know.

Read Her mythology. Do research on the culture and people that worshiped Her, to get a better sense of what She's like. UPG can factor in, of course, but it's always good to start with the facts.

[Juniperberry]

. I'm enthralled by the prospect of having a close, loving relationship with my goddess (and my god, once I figure out who he is) but I have no idea how to do it. To be honest, it's a bit of a terrifying prospect. If you have any pointers, in general or specific to Inanna, please let me know.

I don't know much about Inanna's myth but there's always the possibility that a deity you chose isn't the type that you can have a close, personal relationship with. I absolutely agree with Firaza's advice, and following it should help you decide if Inanna is a goddess that you can connect with in the way that you want.

[LadyVagabond]

Read Her mythology. Do research on the culture and people that worshiped Her, to get a better sense of what She's like.

I'm working on that. I'm having trouble finding information on the internet... time to hit the bookstore! 

I don't know much about Inanna's myth but there's always the possibility that a deity you chose isn't the type that you can have a close, personal relationship with.

Hmm, hadn't considered that. Thank you for pointing that out, I will definitely keep that in mind!

[SatAset]

I would do research on Inanna first.  Her myths and some cultural background.  I'd also do research on how she's honored today such as Sumerian Reconstructionism or Goddess worship or Insert Another Way to Honor Her Here. 

You could construct a shrine to Her and start a relationship with Her by leaving offerings for Her.  Keep it simple and see if you want to pursue a relationship with Her. 

I also found a book on Inanna on Amazon you may want to check out at your local library or bookstore: http://www.amazon.com/Inanna-Queen-Heaven-Earth-Stories/dp/0060908548/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296885714&sr=8-1

[spoOk]

Read Her mythology. Do research on the culture and people that worshiped Her, to get a better sense of what She's like. UPG can factor in, of course, but it's always good to start with the facts.

here's some things I found:

http://www.equinoxjournals.com/POM/article/viewArticle/1322

http://womenshistory.about.com/od/womenwritersancientworld/p/enheduanna.htm
gotta go I will add more later.

[LadyVagabond]

I also found a book on Inanna on Amazon you may want to check out at your local library or bookstore: http://www.amazon.com/Inanna-Queen-Heaven-Earth-Stories/dp/0060908548/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296885714&sr=8-1

here's some things I found:
http://www.equinoxjournals.com/POM/article/viewArticle/1322
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/womenwritersancientworld/p/enheduanna.htm

Wow, thank you both so much! I will definitely check those out. I've found some copies of Enhenduanna's hymns online, and I'm looking forward to reading through them.

[LadyVagabond]

You could construct a shrine to Her and start a relationship with Her by leaving offerings for Her.

I put together a little shrine on my bookshelf--nothing fancy, just a little wooden plate with some shiny things and a little battery votive candle (for some reason, ankle bells seemed appropriate.) I've been putting little chocolate-dipped cookies (what woman doesn't like chocolate?) and a small cup of water there for the past couple of nights. Actually, when I did this last night, my cat freaked out, for no readily available reason, and kept staring over my shoulder. It could just be my cat acting weird, but considering that she does this whenever strangers are in the house, I have a feeling that my offering was accepted.

[NibbleKat]

Wow, thank you both so much! I will definitely check those out. I've found some copies of Enhenduanna's hymns online, and I'm looking forward to reading through them.

Also, books.google.com is a great search engine-- it's like going to the library without doing the footwork.

[LadyVagabond]

...there's always the possibility that a deity you chose isn't the type that you can have a close, personal relationship with... *snip* ...decide if Inanna is a goddess that you can connect with in the way that you want.

Thank you again for this advice, because on further thought, I have realized that Inanna isn't really a goddess that I feel I personally can connect to... I'm going to keep a little altar for her on a high shelf in my room as a thank-your for her patience, though.

[Aster Breo]

Thank you again for this advice, because on further thought, I have realized that Inanna isn't really a goddess that I feel I personally can connect to... I'm going to keep a little altar for her on a high shelf in my room as a thank-your for her patience, though.

Just for future reference, there are several threads on this topic in the Paganism for Beginners folder.  So if you find yourself in this situation again, you might want to glance through them for ideas.  (I don't mean to suggest that you shouldn't post your questions -- of course, you should!  I'm just pointing out a potential resource.    )

~ Aster

[stephyjh]

Thank you again for this advice, because on further thought, I have realized that Inanna isn't really a goddess that I feel I personally can connect to... I'm going to keep a little altar for her on a high shelf in my room as a thank-your for her patience, though.

Inanna popped in to say hi a while back, when I'd walked away from the goddess I'd been working with previously but hadn't found a permanent spiritual home yet. Just because she comes around to keep you from having a void in your spiritual life doesn't mean she's your permanent one-and-only. There's nothing to say that you won't do like I did and find your permanent home on a path completely different from the one you're on now.

[Juniperberry]

Thank you again for this advice, because on further thought, I have realized that Inanna isn't really a goddess that I feel I personally can connect to... I'm going to keep a little altar for her on a high shelf in my room as a thank-your for her patience, though.

I'm glad I helped, I'm just not sure it was in the way I meant to. Sometimes I see that pagans have an idea that all pagan deities are going to be their divine bestie, when that really doesn't suit the personality of the god. What I meant in my original statement, in the matter of having a personal connection, is that that might not be possible with some deities and that you'd have to honor those ones from afar.

I hope I didn't stop you from feeling connected to Inanna. If you feel connected to her then by all means feel free to explore that, but it may never be at the level of closeness that you desire.


{Edit: And I really don't 'know' Inanna, that's just an example.}

Hoping that made sense.

[LadyVagabond]

I'm glad I helped, I'm just not sure it was in the way I meant to. Sometimes I see that pagans have an idea that all pagan deities are going to be their divine bestie, when that really doesn't suit the personality of the god. What I meant in my original statement, in the matter of having a personal connection, is that that might not be possible with some deities and that you'd have to honor those ones from afar.

I had a feeling when I read it that you meant "connection" more on the deity's side than mine. I guess advice doesn't always work exactly like we hope... What happened was that when I delved deeper into her mythology, I realized that she seems to be a lot more passionate than I could ever think of being. I've had friends who were like that and while I liked them, it was difficult for me to get close with them. I'm kind of new to having gods with human-like emotions, but I should think it would be similar.

Not completely on-topic, but I'm beginning to get the feeling of being an orphan looking for the right parents to adopt me... is that a normal feeling to have?

[NibbleKat]

I had a feeling when I read it that you meant "connection" more on the deity's side than mine. I guess advice doesn't always work exactly like we hope... What happened was that when I delved deeper into her mythology, I realized that she seems to be a lot more passionate than I could ever think of being. I've had friends who were like that and while I liked them, it was difficult for me to get close with them. I'm kind of new to having gods with human-like emotions, but I should think it would be similar.

Not completely on-topic, but I'm beginning to get the feeling of being an orphan looking for the right parents to adopt me... is that a normal feeling to have?

I will say that I, too, had a brush with Inanna. I, too, felt she was too wild for me. So, I politely said thank you, but no, and kept looking.  Three or so years later, I am still struggling with finding that "right one"... and funny enough, I believe the one female deity I was looking for has actually become two separate ones. I feel less like an orphan, really, than a dumbed down version of myself casting about in the dark, trying to figure out the personalities of these goddesses.

It takes time. Don't get discouraged. And read! Read lots and lots... and don't trust all sources. Some are just fluff bunny.  Folks like Miranda Green are good to go to for historical info, for example.

What kind of deity are you looking for? What qualities would you like to have in them that could help you improve what you have in yourself? 

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