What Gods/Spirits do you enjoy invoking the most (which seem to excite and invigorate you)?

[DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan]

I can't list out all the options, but I'm open to hearing just about anything, and multiple, even if you consider them all one or aspects of one or different, but what I'm interested in seeing is if you invoke anything or bring anything to mind even (so even Atheists can contribute with inspiring characters from media that might inspire them or things they have thought of or imagined over the years which they find amusing to think about or mock pray to or bring up or which come up in their minds).

For those who invoke seriously, what is it that you think or imagine that you are calling upon and how do you think about the mechanisms or how it works or where exactly this thing you are calling is and what it is in detail and all the details about it, if it has an appearance, the whole thing described and elaborated upon as much as possible.

Can you rank how invigorated or excited you feel by using certain names or identities, what are names you used to call upon but maybe don't anymore, what caused the change, did anything ever happen? Did certain names or Gods seem to work better than others? Were some scarier and you stopped using or mentioning those?

You can mention spirits, demons, heroes, ghosts, ancestors, whatever at all you may have in one way or another invoked or brought to your mind or sort of felt empowered by, helped by, prayed to, whatever.

Are some very common and primary, others occasional or for certain events or certain things you are wanting or asking for or thinking about?

How seriously do you take it, how imaginary do you think it is?

You can include saints, angels, anything at all really that make you feel excited, happy, that you love, that you think are cool or interesting, that you would like to call upon or believe in or worship but have felt restricted from doing so, shy about it, or that it isn't real but you wish it were?

Do you have different practices related to each or the same where the name can easily be exchanged for any other?

What Gods or God-Names do you find particularly your own special ones, like patrons, that you are under the special protection of, that you relate to the most, that you are most fond of, that you really feel an affinity for, that you think really are the ones that come up for you most and almost seem real or which you are convinced are real.

What are some stories and experiences you've had with these names, even if you are not a believers or worshipper of God or Gods?

There are so many names of God that I use and think of very frequently, its hard to list them all, and they seem to come and go and return in the frequency which I think about them or use them, others have occurred very specifically and not very frequently or often but with powerful seemingly events attached to them or their use or some significant story connections or relevance.

Anyway, one major one for me probably is Avalokitesvara. Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra - Wikipedia for example.

I'll mention more throughout this thread most likely, but I'd love to hear about all your favorites, even if you've not given in to worshipping them, and why you like them, what has happened that has made you like them or how you found out about them, your whole story with them.

Even if there are certain symbols for you which are prominent, I'd love to hear about those all, and for me they might signal some affinity to some spiritual things or a God identity which you may not even be directly familiar with. Like, some people love skulls, some love dogs, cats, birds, others go after or surround themselves with certain colors, some people like certain characters from comics, films, horror characters, it can all be relevant to me. Like, if someone likes the Texas Chainsaw Massacre guy, maybe they would be associating secretly or unwittingly with Xipe Totec or something.

 

[The Hammer]

I can't list out all the options, but I'm open to hearing just about anything, and multiple, even if you consider them all one or aspects of one or different, but what I'm interested in seeing is if you invoke anything or bring anything to mind even (so even Atheists can contribute with inspiring characters from media that might inspire them or things they have thought of or imagined over the years which they find amusing to think about or mock pray to or bring up or which come up in their minds).

For those who invoke seriously, what is it that you think or imagine that you are calling upon and how do you think about the mechanisms or how it works or where exactly this thing you are calling is and what it is in detail and all the details about it, if it has an appearance, the whole thing described and elaborated upon as much as possible.

Can you rank how invigorated or excited you feel by using certain names or identities, what are names you used to call upon but maybe don't anymore, what caused the change, did anything ever happen? Did certain names or Gods seem to work better than others? Were some scarier and you stopped using or mentioning those?

You can mention spirits, demons, heroes, ghosts, ancestors, whatever at all you may have in one way or another invoked or brought to your mind or sort of felt empowered by, helped by, prayed to, whatever.

Are some very common and primary, others occasional or for certain events or certain things you are wanting or asking for or thinking about?

How seriously do you take it, how imaginary do you think it is?

You can include saints, angels, anything at all really that make you feel excited, happy, that you love, that you think are cool or interesting, that you would like to call upon or believe in or worship but have felt restricted from doing so, shy about it, or that it isn't real but you wish it were?

Do you have different practices related to each or the same where the name can easily be exchanged for any other?

What Gods or God-Names do you find particularly your own special ones, like patrons, that you are under the special protection of, that you relate to the most, that you are most fond of, that you really feel an affinity for, that you think really are the ones that come up for you most and almost seem real or which you are convinced are real.

What are some stories and experiences you've had with these names, even if you are not a believers or worshipper of God or Gods?

There are so many names of God that I use and think of very frequently, its hard to list them all, and they seem to come and go and return in the frequency which I think about them or use them, others have occurred very specifically and not very frequently or often but with powerful seemingly events attached to them or their use or some significant story connections or relevance.

Anyway, one major one for me probably is Avalokitesvara. Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra - Wikipedia for example.

I'll mention more throughout this thread most likely, but I'd love to hear about all your favorites, even if you've not given in to worshipping them, and why you like them, what has happened that has made you like them or how you found out about them, your whole story with them.

Even if there are certain symbols for you which are prominent, I'd love to hear about those all, and for me they might signal some affinity to some spiritual things or a God identity which you may not even be directly familiar with. Like, some people love skulls, some love dogs, cats, birds, others go after or surround themselves with certain colors, some people like certain characters from comics, films, horror characters, it can all be relevant to me. Like, if someone likes the Texas Chainsaw Massacre guy, maybe they would be associating secretly or unwittingly with Xipe Totec or something.

I'll respond later when I have the time to read the full OP.

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

The only thing I do that sort of qualifies to the notions brought up in the OP (given that I am an atheist, and a skeptic, and do not believe that there is anything "beyond the mundane" to be invoked), is daydream. I used to use this as a calming agent and, indeed, a sleep-aid all the time. Instead of thinking about my problems, appointments, school assignments, etc. when it was time for sleep, I would instead focus specifically on something that didn't matter in the slightest - daydreams. Most times I would grant myself unlimited power in these daydreams - usually on the premise that I somehow obtained 3 wishes, and wished as one of those, that my conscious thoughts would become reality. From there I would... well, I'd do whatever I damn well pleased. Hahaha.

In the end, I believe it much helped me become the person I am today. I don't tend to worry over things easily - it takes quite a lot of stress before I am actually affected by it. Also, as an agent acting with impunity in the daydreams, I often got the chance to contemplate things from the perspective of those I might be harassing or affecting, and also think on what the consequences would be of my acting in such manners. Lessons in morality and its derivations, if you will.

So, in the end, the thing I was "invoking" was a version of myself granted nearly unlimited power.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

You can mention spirits, demons, heroes, ghosts, ancestors, whatever at all you may have in one way or another invoked or brought to your mind or sort of felt empowered by, helped by, prayed to, whatever.

About half a year ago I started writing about my view of spirituality and would probably put it into a book once I organize it. It's a whole bunch of essays really. I don't believe in deities (gods/goddesses). I do believe in spirits of the deceased-not those walking around and having a good time, though. When it's raining, I'd light a candle for my aunt since she passed away two years ago and I really love her. Invoking? Sounds like something I'd hear in the movies. I guess prayer and dance would be my thing.

Are some very common and primary, others occasional or for certain events or certain things you are wanting or asking for or thinking about?

Mainly the day or week my loved ones passed away and under events that I most remember them like thanksgiving. I haven't been to the cemetery to visit my grandmother and aunt for about a year or so. I have my aunts ashes so maybe I'd talk to her once in a blue moon but not often.

How seriously do you take it, how imaginary do you think it is?

That's an interesting question. I don't see it as I think many others Pagan, Abrahamic, and otherwise may see it when it comes to physical gods or distinct entities. I think it's more of an experience, a feeling, or so have you. So how seriously I take it? When I do my thing, very seriously. Though I wouldn't consider it part of a religious lifestyle. I wouldn't say it's imaginary just something I don't put in the "need to prove" section.

 

[Jainarayan]

I pray primarily to Vishnu and Krishna (they are one and the same). He is the form of God I’m most drawn to. Actually for me, He is God. My daily worship ritual (puja) is to Him.

But I also pray to other deities for particular reasons:
To Saraswati for my music, for learning, and speech. I have recent developed a significant stutter, so I ask Her for help.
To Ganesha to remove obstacles, to let me see them so I can avoid them.
To Hanuman and Thor for strength.
To Lakshmi to help with finances, not to outright send me money but to give me ideas.

There are other deities I pray to from time to time, usually it’s for reverence and respect, especially Lord Shiva, not necessarily to ask for anything. They know what I need. But whomever I pray to, the prayers ultimately reach Sri Krishna. In the Bhagavad Gita He says that ultimately grants all requests and grace. There is a verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam that says:

ākāśāt patitaṃ toyaṃ yathā gacchati sāgaram ।
sarvadeva namaskāraṃ keśavaṃ pratigacchati ॥

“As the water that falls down in rain from anywhere in the sky finally reaches the Ocean, the worship of any deity ultimately reaches the Supreme Being.”

 

[Harel13]

I can't list out all the options

I think @DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan could. Hasn't been online in a little while, though.

 

[Salty Booger]

I can't list out all the options, but I'm open to hearing just about anything, and multiple, even if you consider them all one or aspects of one

I consider myself living within the Spirit.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I pray most to Heracles, Zeus and Athena. Other favored deities are Apollo, Helios, Pan and Poseidon. I go to whom can help me with my needs.

Non-Greek:
Kali
Mictlantecuhtli

 

[MonkeyFire]

As FAITH I place my devotion in family, friends, God, and Christ.

 

[DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan]

The only thing I do that sort of qualifies to the notions brought up in the OP (given that I am an atheist, and a skeptic, and do not believe that there is anything "beyond the mundane" to be invoked), is daydream. I used to use this as a calming agent and, indeed, a sleep-aid all the time. Instead of thinking about my problems, appointments, school assignments, etc. when it was time for sleep, I would instead focus specifically on something that didn't matter in the slightest - daydreams. Most times I would grant myself unlimited power in these daydreams - usually on the premise that I somehow obtained 3 wishes, and wished as one of those, that my conscious thoughts would become reality. From there I would... well, I'd do whatever I damn well pleased. Hahaha.

In the end, I believe it much helped me become the person I am today. I don't tend to worry over things easily - it takes quite a lot of stress before I am actually affected by it. Also, as an agent acting with impunity in the daydreams, I often got the chance to contemplate things from the perspective of those I might be harassing or affecting, and also think on what the consequences would be of my acting in such manners. Lessons in morality and its derivations, if you will.

So, in the end, the thing I was "invoking" was a version of myself granted nearly unlimited power.

I think this exercise you performed naturally is one of the thought experiments people should regularly perform and see where it takes them. That is really interesting! Were there characters you liked as a kid and liked to think about or think of yourself as even?

 

[DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan]

As FAITH I place my devotion in family, friends, God, and Christ.

Is God different from Christ?

 

[DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan]

I pray most to Heracles, Zeus and Athena. Other favored deities are Apollo, Helios, Pan and Poseidon. I go to whom can help me with my needs.

Non-Greek:
Kali
Mictlantecuhtli

How did you get into each of these and what are some of the things you think of when you bring them to mind? Have you had special things seemingly occur which you credit to certain names being used? How many years have you been at it? Was it difficult or were there issues or hesitations before trying them out, and what were the first ones you tried? I bet there is a lot of cool information and story background as to how you became interested in and attracted to each or how they came up to you. When I was very young, Athena was pretty prominent, but Apollo has been dominant now for a long time in a more direct spiritual way as a name I use and worship specifically, whereas Athena has always come up since childhood and I have lots of things that I connect back to the themes related to Athena. There was a drawing in some book when I was little that was of Athena I think, and I was really fond of that drawing and said I'd like to be married to someone with that sort of appearance, so that is kind of interesting too, married to Wisdom and all the things that Athena is associated with.

 

[DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan]

I consider myself living within the Spirit.

Are there any particular names you like, or just "the Spirit" is the only one you seem to prefer overall?

 

[DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan]

I think @DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan could. Hasn't been online in a little while, though.

That is me, I was wondering why my name changed to this. Maybe my log in account email I put in was different or wrong. One day I just logged in and my name had changed to The Artis Magistra and my picture was gone, so I just uploaded a new picture. Is that using some other email? I thought it was this email. Weird, I must have made this account before that account or something or used two different emails without realizing it. Please don't delete my posts under that account though, I don't even know what email I used for that one or how I ended up with this one.

I'm DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan, but I thought that was my username with this email that somehow switched to this username. The style of the writing is pretty much identical as well, so I thought people knew it was me despite the unexplained name change (I never meant my name to be changed either, but once I saw it was changed I just went with it anyway).

I think I might somehow have two accounts on accident, but my posts on that account are very interesting to me as well. I had taken a little break as I was busy and doing some other research (then my phone broke) and then when I logged back in it was with this new account (on a different device, a laptop) name somehow, I didn't mean to do it on purpose though or lose that account, I think I just somehow had an account already and logged into the one I thought it was or something.

I think Dagon had a more pleasant reputation maybe, but maybe it was the same, the red image and generally The Artis Magistra name tends to irritate people more maybe.

Same questions, same style, same writing, same interests, its me!

My apologies, I have no idea if that account was changed or how to log back into it, it must not have been the same account even.

I think the posts might be better or more important to me on that one so far though, I had been in the middle of writing some cool list of videos before it ended up logging me into this other name and I didn't continue writing that (because I also lost everything, all the list I had made, everything on that SD card).

I'm the same person, who lived in Vancouver, moved to Prince Edward Island, my email is [email protected] that most people know me under, have the same statements and ideas.

I had come to this website after being kicked off of another website with a similar name, or I typed this websites name on accident after having been on that one, on the other website my name was RelicWordShip. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe that was actually the email I used when I tried to log into this one? Maybe that is the Dagon account (unless this is the Dagon account somehow and the name just got switched)? I'm not too computer savvy at all, so I don't know what happened for sure.

I hope these are the only accounts here. I promise if I have two accounts it was an accident, not trying to play games or anything, its straight up me, DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan is the same person as The Artis Magistra and I thought that my email to log in here was [email protected] . If I have another account on accident, I don't know what the email for it is now, but I'm thinking I may have accidentally used the RelicWordShip email to log in here once which started the whole DagonVaruna thing, I had always thought the website was just glitchy and kept deleting my name and profiles or something. Anyway, sorry about that!

Maybe I'll try logging on to the other one. Another thing that may have caused the confusion is that I'm using a different device now, my Laptop and TV, whereas before I was using my Phone which then broke down but used to log me in automatically and where I also had been logging into that other website which kicked me.

 

[Salty Booger]

Are there any particular names you like, or just "the Spirit" is the only one you seem to prefer overall?

There are as many names as there are Gods. Pick one.

 

[DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan]

I pray primarily to Vishnu and Krishna (they are one and the same). He is the form of God I’m most drawn to. Actually for me, He is God. My daily worship ritual (puja) is to Him.

But I also pray to other deities for particular reasons:
To Saraswati for my music, for learning, and speech. I have recent developed a significant stutter, so I ask Her for help.
To Ganesha to remove obstacles, to let me see them so I can avoid them.
To Hanuman and Thor for strength.
To Lakshmi to help with finances, not to outright send me money but to give me ideas.

There are other deities I pray to from time to time, usually it’s for reverence and respect, especially Lord Shiva, not necessarily to ask for anything. They know what I need. But whomever I pray to, the prayers ultimately reach Sri Krishna. In the Bhagavad Gita He says that ultimately grants all requests and grace. There is a verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam that says:

ākāśāt patitaṃ toyaṃ yathā gacchati sāgaram ।
sarvadeva namaskāraṃ keśavaṃ pratigacchati ॥

“As the water that falls down in rain from anywhere in the sky finally reaches the Ocean, the worship of any deity ultimately reaches the Supreme Being.”

Do you consider Vishnu and Krishna the same, but Shiva, Saraswati, Ganesha, Hanuman, Thor, and Lakshmi to be different or do you consider them also other names and aspects and related to certain themes and powers of the same One, Vishnu/Krishna? Do you prefer the name Krishna most of all, or Vishnu more slightly? Do you use any more than the other? I pray to Shiva as a primary name of God that I use very frequently or think of very frequently, and for Avalokitesvara, I think I don't typically call upon that name in its entirety but use Isvara instead probably, and otherwise the one I have used probably even more frequently than Avalokitesvara, even though it comes up a lot in my mind and which I think of often and refer to a lot, is actually Amitabha which I also pronounce, even in my dreams I have pronounced it and chanted it, as one of the very greatest names of Power that I've ever used and continue to use regularly.

The names Indra and Shiva often might be mentioned, but appear too short for any satisfying chant or pronounciation, so I prefer elongating them as Indraya and Shiwaya and Indra-manya and Shiwa-manya. or Maha Shivaya, Maha Indraya, or even Indra Yamana or Shiva Yamana (referring to the constraining power or managing and controlling power being invoked), also Maha Kal, Indra Raja, Shiva Bhaga, Indra Bhaga.

I like three or four syllables, rather than just two. So I don't like "Allah" for example for chanting, but would prefer a three syllable version, like "Ya Allah", As-Sabur, things like that.

There are some two syllable words I'm fond of though, like Lotan (Lo-Tan), Fafnir (Faf-Nir), things like that.

Ahhh Meee Toohbf Hooo

 

[DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan]

There are as many names as there are Gods. Pick one.

Well this thread was made to find out which ones you might tend to pick or like and have used. There are many I bring up regularly in writing and think of, but less than the ones I bring to mind are the ones I actually pronounce.

Loptr (Lohfthrr)

 

[DagonVarunaMitraApolloZan]

About half a year ago I started writing about my view of spirituality and would probably put it into a book once I organize it. It's a whole bunch of essays really. I don't believe in deities (gods/goddesses). I do believe in spirits of the deceased-not those walking around and having a good time, though. When it's raining, I'd light a candle for my aunt since she passed away two years ago and I really love her. Invoking? Sounds like something I'd hear in the movies. I guess prayer and dance would be my thing.



Mainly the day or week my loved ones passed away and under events that I most remember them like thanksgiving. I haven't been to the cemetery to visit my grandmother and aunt for about a year or so. I have my aunts ashes so maybe I'd talk to her once in a blue moon but not often.



That's an interesting question. I don't see it as I think many others Pagan, Abrahamic, and otherwise may see it when it comes to physical gods or distinct entities. I think it's more of an experience, a feeling, or so have you. So how seriously I take it? When I do my thing, very seriously. Though I wouldn't consider it part of a religious lifestyle. I wouldn't say it's imaginary just something I don't put in the "need to prove" section.

So what do you believe happens to people that die exactly or how do they experience things after they are dead, and how did you come to such beliefs? Do you think they can in some way help you or influence things?

Invoking, the way I'm using it here, isn't any big ritual or anything, I just mean "calling upon". So like someone might say "God Help Me" and that would be "invoking God", calling upon God for something, or asking for something, or even just talking.

What kind of dancing do you do and have you ever recorded it? I like dancing as well!

I both bring lots of names of God associated to certain themes to my mind, and then also pray or worship or pronounce different names. So, I might bring to mind themes related to Ajax or Arioch (not as people but as bigger themes related to spiritual things), but I might more typically call upon different names than the ones I might frequently bring up to my mind or in writing, or when asking or praying for something or worshipping God, I might use certain names over others or more commonly find myself using certain names or preferring some over others based on the frequency with which I use them.

So one example of that might be how often I bring Avalokitesvara to mind, or Tezcatlipoca to mind, while I might instead end up pronouncing or referring to in a prayer some other name, like Vairocana or Amitabha instead of Avalokitesvara. Also, I might end up using a different version of a name for a prayer, for example I don't care for the direct translation or meaning so far for the word Tezcatlipoca, preferring instead some of the other epithets referring to Tezcatlipoca, or even a related theme set from some other culture, like Chaac instead of Tezcatlipoca.

Odin is another two syllable name that I prefer, even though I tend to like the names that are 3 or 4 syllables usually, rather than 1, 2, or 5 or 6 syllables which seem either two short or two long sometimes for enjoyably repeating in some forms of prayers, chants, meditations, mantras, whatever.

 

[Salty Booger]

Well this thread was made to find out which ones you might tend to pick or like and have used. There are many I bring up regularly in writing and think of, but less than the ones I bring to mind are the ones I actually pronounce.

Kermit...

I see the same Spirit in everything. Myself included.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

So what do you believe happens to people that die exactly or how do they experience things after they are dead, and how did you come to such beliefs? Do you think they can in some way help you or influence things?

Mother believes in spirits and says she saw spirits (and sees). She relay experiences with her friend, co-worker, real estate lady, and my father who all have some sort of witness (unfortunately, it skipped over me). We've always had some sort of belief in deceased loved ones. I actually didn't know leaving food at one's grave was not a universal thing. I wasn't taught these things, they just came natural.

I don't know what happens to people when they die and if they experience anything once they've died. It's always been what I've experienced and interpret from that experience. Since I haven't seen spirits before, I don't know.

Invoking, the way I'm using it here, isn't any big ritual or anything, I just mean "calling upon". So like someone might say "God Help Me" and that would be "invoking God", calling upon God for something, or asking for something, or even just talking.

What kind of dancing do you do and have you ever recorded it? I like dancing as well!

Oooh. I do that when I visit my relatives at the cemetery. Usually through dialogue, music, and such. No gods or anything like that.

I both bring lots of names of God associated to certain themes to my mind, and then also pray or worship or pronounce different names. So, I might bring to mind themes related to Ajax or Arioch (not as people but as bigger themes related to spiritual things), but I might more typically call upon different names than the ones I might frequently bring up to my mind or in writing, or when asking or praying for something or worshipping God, I might use certain names over others or more commonly find myself using certain names or preferring some over others based on the frequency with which I use them.

To be truly honest, that sounds weird in my ears. Even more so than I'm used to hearing when christians pray to invoke god and the holy spirit. Their definitions aren't entities in the sense Zues and Athena are. Ajax? Arioch? Who are they?

So one example of that might be how often I bring Avalokitesvara to mind, or Tezcatlipoca to mind, while I might instead end up pronouncing or referring to in a prayer some other name, like Vairocana or Amitabha instead of Avalokitesvara. Also, I might end up using a different version of a name for a prayer, for example I don't care for the direct translation or meaning so far for the word Tezcatlipoca, preferring instead some of the other epithets referring to Tezcatlipoca, or even a related theme set from some other culture, like Chaac instead of Tezcatlipoca.

I can't pronounce any of those. Ha.

Odin is another two syllable name that I prefer, even though I tend to like the names that are 3 or 4 syllables usually, rather than 1, 2, or 5 or 6 syllables which seem either two short or two long sometimes for enjoyably repeating in some forms of prayers, chants, meditations, mantras, whatever.

Are you focused more value on the names regardless if the person exists or do you believe Ordin exists and invoke him by his name?