In answer to the question of why you should follow gods that call to you rather than ones you choose, I would say that either one works out. If a god calls to you then they have a good reason for it which may not be apparent at the time. The god may be trying to help/teach a lesson that you may not know you need to learn. However, I think we have all had experience with gods and goddesses that are not as forward as that. I am reminded of the story of Pwyll and Rhiannon. Just because your intuition is that you have chosen a god(ess) could be that that is simply their way of contacting you. By the same token, if you choose a god(ess) and they have no need of a relationship with you then, at best, nothing will happen.<br>
<br>Now to explain "being pissed".<br><br>I wrote that originally as nothing more than a snide joke, referring specifically to the "God fearing Christians". However, I have encountered a small hand-full of "god fearing Pagans". Though it was a joke, I have been thinking more on this. If you have no previous experience/calling/relationship with a particular deity, then I believe it would be rather odd to want to appease them for fear of their "divine pissed-offedness" (thanks Chris, love this phrase). Think of it like sending letters to Kim Jong Il. He is powerful and, in the right circumstances could do you serious harm, but why would he; and more to the point, why are you trying to keep his wrath away? A god(ess) that would be pissed off simply because I am not worshiping them is not a god(ess) I would want to follow in the first place. <br>
<br>But, if you have already established a relationship with a deity and then reject the tasks you have been given or up and stop "speaking" with them for no apparent reason then, yes, they will be mighty pissed and, buddy, you will not be able to run fast enough. Or worse, you may hurt them and they will stop speaking with you. "I'm not mad, I'm disappointed" hurts much worse. <br>
<br>P.S. I looked up the definition of "humility" and just for clarity's sake, it means "<span><span id="hotword"></span></span><span id="hotword"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">modest</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">opinion</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">estimate</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">one's</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">own</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">importance,</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">rank,</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">etc.</span>"</span><br>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 5:35 AM, Donna Miller <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:dmiller@faerealm.com">dmiller@faerealm.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
<u></u>
<div bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000">
I have to say that I have been taught a different definition of
humility than what you have. What I have been taught is that
humility <i>is </i>truthfulness about one's self and one's
abilities. What everyone believes as humility is actually a form of
self denigration.<br>
<br>
DSM<div><div></div><div class="h5"><br>
<br>
On 12/5/2011 8:48 PM, Kelley Forbes wrote:
<blockquote type="cite">I would not say humility was one of the values of the
pre-Christian Celts. Truthfulness about one's self and one's
abilities, but not humility.
<br>
<br>
Take pride in what you can, be honest about the rest, and don't
worry about 'being humble'.
<br>
<br>
-- Kelley.
<br>
<br>
<br>
Amanda Ochs wrote:
<br>
<blockquote type="cite"> I believe one may be humble, but retain
dignity. I realize that may seem like a contradiction in terms
to our cultural worldview, but genuine self respect seems to be
part of the Celtic tradition in what contact I have had with
those gods. </blockquote>
<br>
<br>
_______________________________________________
<br>
Community mailing list
<br>
<a href="mailto:Community@crodreoilin.org" target="_blank">Community@crodreoilin.org</a>
<br>
<a href="http://crodreoilin.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/community" target="_blank">http://crodreoilin.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/community</a>
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
</div></div></div>
<br>_______________________________________________<br>
Community mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Community@crodreoilin.org">Community@crodreoilin.org</a><br>
<a href="http://crodreoilin.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/community" target="_blank">http://crodreoilin.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/community</a><br>
<br></blockquote></div><br>