Pagan Religion:
Deity Concepts

Who is the God or Goddess?
A whole novel could be written on the deities of Paganism. Deities vary by tradition and individual. For example, some religions are monotheistic (worshipping one god), and others are polytheistic (worshipping multiple gods). Some traditions follow one pantheon, or group of gods (most Kemetic Wiccans worship exclusively Egyptian deities), while others mix pantheons (worshipping, for example, some Celtic gods and some Egyptian gods). Some traditions worship gods and goddesses, while others worship only one gender of deity (Dianic Wiccans, for example, generally only worship a goddess or several goddesses, but not a god).

The tradition I follow is a sort of "polytheistic monotheism", where all Gods are one God, but we worship different aspects of Deity (for example, Brigit is considered a Celtic Goddess of poetry-- and when I do a specific ritual for Brigit, I'm actually calling on the Brigit aspect of God). For more on the concept of different aspects of one deity, click here.

Did Deity create us?
In most traditions, the answer is a resounding yes. Most traditions believe that humans are the children of or creation of Deity.

How does Paganism define Deity?
This definitely depends upon tradition. Most Pagans (but not all) view Deity as the creator of all things. Deity is the "higher power" that brought everything in to being.

How does Deity mainfest him/herself to humans?
Generally speaking, in everything around us! Diety manifests in the song of the birds, the wind in the trees . . . Most Pagans believe that Diety is present in everything around us and uses these things to communicate with us. Deity also often appears in dreams and meditations to communicate with us.

Is Deity always watching?
Since most Pagans believe that Deity is a part of everything, the answer is yes, Deity is always watching. But most traditions don't interpret Deity as "watching to pass judgment", but more as "watching to provide guidance and divine intervention when needed." Deity is seen more as "protector/nurturer/teacher" than as a deity that passes judgment on his/her children.

Does your God have a gender?
Again, depends on the tradition. Most Pagans work with either male gods or female goddesses, or both. My tradition believes all Gods are one single deity with many aspects (include male and female aspects).

What is the underlying theme of your religion?
Most Pagan traditions consider themselves nature-based, so most teach a respect and reverence for nature. Virtually all are "humanitarian" based, teaching that all humans are equal and deserve to be treated with respect, compassion, and tolerance. Both of these can be summed up in the main "Law" of Wicca, which is "An ye harm none, do as ye will." Although this is a Wiccan belief, many pagans follow it to some degree (my tradition is "do the least harm, the most good")

Where do you believe your Deity exists?
Most traditions believe Deity is everywhere. There is no set "home" such as heaven or Mt. Olympus in most traditions.

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