Ritual Summoning of the God/Goddess

[Aristoles]

Now,the question is,why you are speaking of this in the Magic section.
Oogah Boogah!
Whatever,keep this stuff to the religion part,mmkay?

[Blackstream]

Maybe he's speaking of it in the magic section because this is a magic spell that he's refering that that he wants to know what is going on?

[Aristoles]

Well
whats magical about summoning a would-be-god?

[James S]

The powers that the gods and godesses have are already within us. Asking their assistance is more for helping us find and release those powers. Also, because the changes that you might be intending to make through a spell or ritual will be made to the physical world, which they take responsibility in looking after. So it always pays to get their blessings first.

Regards,
James.

[Aristoles]

Even mentioning a god is in the wrong forum

There are no gods,now stay on magic track

[Silversunset]

quote:There are no gods,now stay on magic track

that is what he was doing. and who are you to tell people "there are no gods" - to you there may not be but to others there most certainly are.

anyways, two-parts that i can try to answer:

quote: Can anyone shed some light on Why one summons them and invites them into your body? I've heard that it is done for the ultimate spiritual joining, but it sounds dangerous to me.

one would summon the Godd/Goddess into their body as a form of ritual during certain magic workings, or as a way to be closer to the deity, or even to *gain power (* they don't really gain they understand, as James has pointed out, we just need a nudge in the direction.) The God/Goddess is used as an authority figure, therefore in a group (coven  usually) would be invoked by the high priestess, but it can be done individually (in practice most people need a second person to perform this with - usually of the opposite gender - but not always).

quote:What exactly are you tapping into, what natural force/presence?

ok. what you tap in to depends on the deity you have invoked. Most often (from what i have heard) people tap into the 'mother earth' aspect (basically the Goddess is the mother of us all yadda yadda..) and us it as an authority. Anyone who has the knowledge can tap into which ever aspect they want and draw that power into themselves (eh...see above, the note on "gaining" power). It really only matters on what you want to use it for.

[narfellus]

THANK you, Silversunset. I thought my question was appropriate enough for the Magic section. Summoning spirits uses magic right? My own research has turned up that Nature religions frequently revere Elemental beings, and these same beings have been known by many names and cultures throughout time. The Earth Goddess is probably an embodiment/aspect of Planet Earth. And to say there are no gods is...well, i suppose how one interprets "god" is important. For the purpose of my intial question, lets assume that "god" "an Entity to worship."

[James S]

Narfellus,

You've got it spot on!

A large part of the witchcraft I practice is elemental magic. It works on the properties of the four elements, combined with the fifth - spirit. When invoking the powers of the four elements in a ritual, you are in essence turning to the gods and goddesses of those elements for their help and blessings, as well as elementals themselves to grant you their power or blessing.

In the use of such magic, the true power comes not so much from the representations of the elements themselves, ie - salt for earth, feathers for air, and of course water and a candle flame, but the items bring about a respectful connection or awareness of the spirits linked to those elements, and it is the spirits (gods or goddesses) who guide, and bless the spells you are performing.

You are quite right that similar deities go by many different names, depending on whether you look at greek /roman, egyptian, celtic or norse traditions. Each deity that connects with an element will also connect with a particular emotion and season.

If you wished to use a spell or ritual for say, love (as seems to be one of the favourites []), you would be seeking the help or  blessings or guidance of Branwen (celtic) or Aphrodite (greek), and would look to using items that represent typically the element of water, which can represent deep enduring love.

Regards,
James.

[narfellus]

I'm actually going to a Wiccan meeting this Sunday, my first. I just want to see in person and ask questions. I tried to get my girlfriend to go but i think the idea freaked her out. You know, witches and black cats and all. [:O]

thanks James for your input. I don't know if i would be a wiccan persay, but i've always FANTASIZED as being a magician, back in the early roleplaying days. It just felt natural, that lure of the arcane and mysterious. And i love nature and the outside and animals so much, it is an easy setting for me to slide into.

Not sure about the casting spells for real though, but i have an open mind.

[Erik Jögimar]

Ok, i admit i just skimmed through it but as a wiccan i'd like to add a few things.

1, taking in the goddess OR god into your body is often called "Drawing down the moon" which is often used at important occasions when they wish to litterly "speak" with the goddess in a incarnation.

2, Can't remember who said that "witch's and black" but was the last reply at the time i started on this. Wiccan witch's, you have NOTHING to be afraid of if they really are wiccans. All wiccans are witch's (even if they don't call themselfs that) but not all witch's are wiccans.

[narfellus]

0h, i mentioned the witches and black cats Eric, i was just joking. Thanks for posting, i wanted a true wiccan to express their experiences and religious beliefs in an open forum.

Ok Eric, since you mentioned it, the "drawing down the moon," ritual...is the entity that you summon an aspect of nature, literally an elemental god? Or is it the Gaia, the spirit of the Earth? I've learned that all heavenly bodies have life and intelligence, just not in ways that we understand. Indeed, the universe itself is alive, being God in the grandest sense probably. How many entities do the wiccans have to pick from, and is the knowledge shared similar to someone channeling a spiritual guide? There seems to be very similar aspects to both, as they are mortals seeking higher truths though greater beings.

[narfellus]

I read that this is a practice of Wicca, and i'm sure it is much older than that. I know little about it. Can anyone shed some light on Why one summons them and invites them into your body? I've heard that it is done for the ultimate spiritual joining, but it sounds dangerous to me. Letting anything into your mind scares me. I've even read of rituals invoking Greek gods by name? What exactly are you tapping into, what natural force/presence?