From: radzy@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Lynne Radzykewycz)
Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 01:47:52 GMT
Subject: Re: Pan and other (male) gods

hatcher@mtb.und.ac.za (Mr Brendon Hatcher - PG) (Hawaan) writes:
> Being fairly new to paganism, I have been concentrating on the
> Goddess aspects of my religion as I felt that I had the most to
> learn there.  Now I have reached the stage where I recognise the
> need for balance and I would like to work with the male aspects, in
> particular, Pan (dunno why, but it feels right).

-and-

> So, I would love to hear other people's experience of the God and
> the methods they used to come into contact with those beings.
> Basically any 2 cents (american or otherwise ;-) ) will be
> appreciated.

Here's the method that I use for getting to know any deity better.  I
clear a space in a room in which I spend a fair amount of time (can be
bedroom or living room, just not a spare room or somewhere you don't
often go).  In this place, I _start_ a shrine to that deity; that is,
I put down a placemat/tablecloth to mark the spot, and maybe a symbol
or two that I feel is appropriate to the deity.  Then over the next
months (or years) as I study about that deity and work with him/her, I
add objects to the shrine.  These can be natural objects (pine cones,
rocks), statues, pictures, drawings, candles, whatever.  Just so that
each object is a part of what the deity is to you.

I may place one of the objects on my working altar as a reminder.  The 
shrine is _not_ an altar; I don't leave offerings there or do workings 
there -- the shrine is to express and explore a relationship, not 
to worship.  If I want to do that, I'll use my altar.  I should note 
that that's my practice, YMMV.

--Lynne

lynne@hpnst.mayfield.hp.com