Discovering New Gods

A deity or god/goddess is a sacred supernatural being that is revered as being divine. They possess powers greater than mortals but choose to interact with humans. While that interaction may be positive or negative, a deity opens new levels of possibility and consciousness into ordinary human life. When most practitioners begin to study Wicca, they unlock the possibility of working with a variety of pantheons full of goddesses, gods, and everything in between. For many, the gods and goddesses embody various aspects of human nature and possess characteristics that help to harness our own individual magickal power.

As practitioners begin to work more deeply with a pantheon and their knowledge of Wicca grows, most practicing Wiccans will develop a relationship with a patron deity. This deity may be immediately known to the practitioner or grow as part of their practice over time. Or it is possible that a practitioner never feels more inclined to a single specific path over another. The beauty of Wicca and pagan religious paths is that practitioners can honor a host of deities (or none) equally. They can work with each of them to focus their energy on a specific ritual or spell despite the time period or cultural background.

While there are numerous goddesses and gods from antiquity, they are by no means the only ones available for veneration. At one point, they were created and named by someone to describe an inexplicable phenomenon such as: why does the sun travel only east to west across the sky? Or what causes the seasons to turn? Or why should we be kind to people less fortunate than ourselves? And throughout time, different gods and goddesses have morphed into and out of one another as cultures came in contact with one another through trade, war, and exploration.

There is no fixed set of deities. Gods and goddesses sprout forth through new religious movements, amazing and inspirational humans are escalated to the position of deity, and religions slowly meld with others throughout time. In each case, new gods and goddesses are brought forth to embody a character trait that we desire to see within ourselves as well as within the larger community.

There is a sustaining creative force within the Universe, and it allows us to create as well. Whether we worship the ancient deities of our ancestors or develop our own new pantheon of higher beings, in each case, we are connecting to the relationship with that being. We are developing a connection with the god or goddess within ourselves to help power our own internal magick. The power they hold is a force within each of us that can be unlocked as we focus and direct our energy.

It is not the deity's name that holds great significance in our work, rather the purity of the connection we have created with that divine aspect. Therefore, inventing a new god or goddess to honor within the Wiccan framework can be a natural outcome of a religion that supports working with various cultural deities. New gods and goddesses come to be from our need and desire to create them. Each deity holds a particular significance in our lives and thus a special place within our hearts and mind.

Why would we limit ourselves and our practice to only the ancient manifestations? And in that vein, who is to put a boundary on the timeframe of worshipable deities? Setting a limit on which gods and goddesses could be worshiped under Wicca or paganism goes against the very tenets of the religion itself. As practitioners, we are free to worship the god and goddess in any form, be it ancient, modern, or somewhere in between.

To create your own god or goddess takes time. It begins with thinking about what you want your goddess or god to embody. Are they the personification of a natural force or the embodiment of a character trait or an emotion that takes form? It is important to spend time meditating on the foundation of your deity rather than jumping in without forethought. Creating a deity means bringing in a new energy that is given its own power. This is not to be taken lightly!

Take some time to write down and sketch out information about your deity. How would they react in certain situations? How do they handle discord? What is their main goal in working with humans? What magick do they possess, and why is that an important quality to you?

Creating a deity begins by recognizing, identifying, and welcoming an aspect of nature or the self that you connect with on a deeper level. Figuring this out can be done in several ways, such as by entering into a trance-like state, going into a deep guided meditation, or merely journaling and working through the development over a long period of time. Welcome the energy of the new deity into your magickal practice and see how it feels to practice and connect with it. Allow time for the deity to take shape and develop through ritual and spell work.

Things you may also want to consider when developing your own god or goddess are how to worship them, whether they have a backstory, how to properly celebrate their being in existence, and any symbols that align to the deity. Just keep in mind that because you worship your own deity, other people do not have to follow suit. If you insist that others begin to worship your god or goddess, it is time to take a step back and reevaluate why you manifested the god or goddess in the first place.

Each and every one of us has the ability and creative license to create a new goddess or god. Whether it is a rock, flower, weather pattern, or character trait, the development of a new deity is a truly divine practice. The beauty of being a pagan is the capacity to invent gods and goddesses as we need them in our lives!