What attributes do you love most in the Goddess? (worship, God)

[Grian]

The Maiden abolishes judgment. The Mother replaces it with compassion. The Crone brings us timeless wisdom. The All Goddess accepts us into herself and gives us Completion.

[bflydad]

I see the Goddess as the giver of all things. I also cherish her nurturance and acceptance. I often feel like she is scooping me up and pressing me to her breast or enfolding me into her womb.

[Katzpur]

Okay, non-pagan with a stupid question here. I hope it's enough on-topic for me not to have to start a new thread. Feathers, the title of your thread implies that there is a single goddess. I thought all pagans were polytheistic. Do you believe in just one goddess or many? If you believe in many, I'm confused by your use of the words "the Goddess." Could you explain, please?

[Grian]

Not all Pagans are polytheistic, but it is possible to be both poly and mono at the same time. You could believe in a gazillion different faces, names, interpretations, etc. of Deity, but still believe it is one deity. Think of those prism crystal things that make rainbows when the light hits them. There are many lights radiating from the prism, but in actuality there is only one which is the source.

[Gentoo]

While I don't know Feathers' reasoning, since I'm not her, but I can give an answer to one of those questions if that's okay.

Originally Posted by Katzpur

I thought all pagans were polytheistic.

Not necessarily. I'll use myself and Guitar's Cry as examples 'cause I know he won't mind I'm polytheistic, I believe in a God of life and a God of death (I don't have a goddess, yet at least). He used to believe in a God and a Goddess, but recognized that they came from a single creative source. He saw this creative force as more powerful (of sorts) than the God or the Goddess, and went straight towards that. He was monotheistic. We are both pagans. Does that help?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Grian

Not all Pagans are polytheistic, but it is possible to be both poly and mono at the same time. You could believe in a gazillion different faces, names, interpretations, etc. of Deity, but still believe it is one deity. Think of those prism crystal things that make rainbows when the light hits them. There are many lights radiating from the prism, but in actuality there is only one which is the source.

LOL! Well, as a Christian who can't even grasp the concept of the Trinity, (much less believe it) multiplying that concept by a gazillion is just too much for me to even fathom. I'm assuming, from your explanation, that you are more or less talking about a concept similar in nature to the Christian Trinity, though. Am I right?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

While I don't know Feathers' reasoning, since I'm not her, but I can give an answer to one of those questions if that's okay.



Not necessarily. I'll use myself and Guitar's Cry as examples 'cause I know he won't mind I'm polytheistic, I believe in a God of life and a God of death (I don't have a goddess, yet at least). He used to believe in a God and a Goddess, but recognized that they came from a single creative source. He saw this creative force as more powerful (of sorts) than the God or the Goddess, and went straight towards that. He was monotheistic. We are both pagans. Does that help?

Yes it does. You and Grian have both cleared up a misconception I had about paganism. Thanks to you both.

[Grian]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

LOL! Well, as a Christian who can't even grasp the concept of the Trinity, (much less believe it) multiplying that concept by a gazillion is just too much for me to even fathom. I'm assuming, from your explanation, that you are more or less talking about a concept similar in nature to the Christian Trinity, though. Am I right?

Yes, as a matter of fact I believe in a Trinity of the Goddess that equals a single Deity - much like the Christian Trinity. I'm glad we've been able to clear up a few things for you. Thanks for wanting to know.

[NCBarbara]

Personally, I believe the Goddess is the Mother God Azna. She is the Mother to all of us. She is the emotional counterpart to Father God, who is intellect. [The doesn't mean Azna has no intellect *grins*].

Goddess: loving, compassionate, protective, nuturing, a warrior, a mother.