Methods?

[Upaya_Path]

Recently, after hammering out (or perhaps being awakened to would be a better phrasing) a few additional elements of my spiritual path, I've come to the decision to work formally with a specific God and Goddess with whom I might grow in skill and understanding. Like most others branching out in such a direction, I imagine, I have also run into the issue of trying to determine which divine figures are to be my patrons along this journey. There are a few questions that I have in mind which might serve to shine some light onto the subject if you guys don't mind indulging me in this respect.

First, I'd like your opinion on the following: one of the ideas that I was entertaining for coming into contact with my patrons was to simply make offerings to the general personages of the Lord and Lady while humbly requesting them to reveal themselves to me in forms that are most beneficial to the trail that I walk. With what I hoped would amount to strong nudges on their part, I would have a fairly concrete notion as to whom I am best suited. Would this be a worthwhile ritual?

What have you guys done personally to come into contact with your patrons? What suggestions can you throw my way based on your own experiences?

Have any of you ever been drawn to a "forbidden" pantheon and, if so, how did you manage such an attraction? I ask because I am strongly attracted to the deities found in Tibetan Buddhism, but I'm also aware of the empowerments that have to be in place for one to successfully work with them (thus making them forbidden to me at this point).

Thank you all ahead of time for your patience and willingness to help a fellow seeker!

[Symandinome]

I think that what you are suggesting is a great idea. For many the "specific" god or goddess will apear in dreams or visions while others discover their patrons by investigating an pantheon that they feel closely connected to. I think doing the ritual you are suggesting in conjunction with further investigation to the pantheon that you feel closely connected to will allow for the answer to you question to come to fruitiion.

Good Luck to you.

[Upaya_Path]

Thank you for taking the time to offer your response, Symandinome!

I think that what you are suggesting is a great idea.

I definitely appreciate the vote of confidence. Looking back over the ritual design itself, I'm satisfied that I've touched upon all of the essential parts of the working that would make my call to the God/dess at least functional; but it certainly doesn't hurt to have other, knowledgeable people of the craft to sign off on the proposed act.

For many the "specific" god or goddess will apear in dreams or visions while others discover their patrons by investigating an pantheon that they feel closely connected to. I think doing the ritual you are suggesting in conjunction with further investigation to the pantheon that you feel closely connected to will allow for the answer to you question to come to fruitiion.

This former method of revelation is what I'm banking on in terms of what I expect to result from the offering. I've written an opportunity for scrying into the ritual fabric, and I hope that the God and Goddess see fit to lend themselves to me in such a visual manner. A part of me thinks that they have already made themselves at least partially known to me through the latter method of research and the feeling of affinity with a given pantheon. Another part of me doubts because of the somewhat unique nature of the Tibetan pantheon itself, but it isn't enough to deter me from the operation !

Good Luck to you.

Many thanks.