Getting closer?

Lately I've been feeling like the way I "worship" is kind of silly.

When I go through my normal meditation, I call upon the god or goddess I've been drawn to lately. I thank them, or appreciate them, and that's that.

What I realized is that I'm not REALLY worshiping the god or goddess I do, BECAUSE they're a god or goddess---I worship a deity because of what they represent. For example, I worship Nyx a lot of the time because she's the personification of Night. Rather than going through the trouble of worshiping a deity I don't know much about so that I can call upon what she represents--and rather than having to go out of the way to look up what a deity for a certain thing is [not to mention all the pressure of trying to find an incense they like/are attuned to], there should be something MUCH easier and much more personal to do.

Why not get closer to the source, and simply worship what each of those deities represent?

Any suggestions, for someone trying to find a way to cut out the middle man in meditation? c:

I'm a "catch it in the moment" worshipper/meditator. I treat assorted gods/goddesses as separate, completely cogent individual aspects of a greater God/omniversal deity; I regard Metis (Resourcefulness, Cleverness, Pragmatism and Experientialism) as a sort of personal patroness in that regard. In her earliest recorded iterations, Metis was associated with cinnamon, owls, bees, and snakes, as well as handheld tools, knives, and implements. When I pick up a tool for practical use, or when I pack my bag with the day's resources and preparations, sometimes I burn a cinnamon candle or chew a piece of Big Red gum, putting myself 'in the zone' or 'in affinity' with the concept and her affiliated substance/scent/flavour/incense.

The way I break it down, instead of consciously giving worship, I'm simply dwelling in the moment that I enact the represented concept, taking part in it and making the most direct connection I know how- taking words and requests and stated praise out of the equation and just letting my actions display 'I acknowledge your presence in this moment'.

XD It's also an awesome study aid; when I smell or taste cinnamon, I recall what I studied, so I chew Big Red during exams to keep my memory sharp and resourceful. Everybody wins. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->

I guess what I'm saying is... if you're going to immerse yourself in that being's "element", and you're trying to cut out the middle-man in the form of the being-by-name... why not also cut out the middling factor of conscious, verbalized worship? You can be in a meditative state of mind without it being as concentrated, forced, and intentional as directed worship.

If i had ANY question as to whether the being was for real or not, I could not give an ounce of worship.

Just couldn't do it.

Maybe I should clarify~

I DO believe all of these deities exist. c: Without a doubt. However! Just because they exist does not mean I MUST worship them. ^^ I'd like to get closer to the source of what I want to appreciate and call upon for help--that's all. c:

Oh, I see... henotheism. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->

You believe any number of deities/spirits do-may-must exist, but you're selective about which ones you actively worship.

Monolatry would be more along the lines of... only one deserves worship and receives it, and all the rest exist but aren't worthy of it.

Heh, sorry, just musing over here. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->

That is a good point. Spirits/deities. What makes a spirit a deity?

I believe a number of things exist, but I don't believe them to be deity.