Finding Your Own Patron/Patroness

Let me begin this topic by telling on the outset that it is perfectly all right to never move beyond the aspects of the Lady and the Lord, or the Goddess and the God. Some witches prefer to do so (especially those of ecclectic nature). Yet perhaps you have heard more experienced witches talking about their patron/ess, and you are wondering what they are referring with patron God and Goddess.

According to the Merrian-Webster dictionary a patron or patroness is your "defender." It is the God or Goddess "chosen or named as special protector," the one who becomes an "influential supporter" in your magickal works. Many witches prefer to polish their skills and focus their religious energies in the direction of one or two Gods or Goddesses. In this way the witch and the Divinity forge a strong bond. The patron and/or patroness becomes involved every time you, the witch, starts a ritual or magickal work regardless of whether you call them or not.

Choosing your patron/ess is not a decision that you should do lightly. When choosing your patron and/or patroness, you must understand that the chosen ones must convey your character, qualities, energies, and known skills as a witch. Remember that you must work in tune with your patron and/or patroness.

It is wise that you only have a small number of patrons. Usually most witches have between two to four. Remember they all must be in harmony. Many witches will tell you that you must have a patron God and Goddess (meaning one male and one female to represent the balance). It is here where some traditions disagree. Dianic witches only accept patroness Goddess. It is up to you to decide on this issue.

First you must make a list of Gods and Goddesses. If you are of ecclectic nature, you will have a wider scope of Gods and Goddesses to look into. Although be careful. It is acceptable to choose a patron God and Goddess from different cultures. Just make sure that they are compatible. If you follow a specific path like Celtic and Norse, your scope is narrower. Those of you who are Dianic like me, then just make a list of Goddesses. It can be from all cultures or just a specific one, like me. I chose Rhiannon and Morrigu, both Celtic Goddesses. Once you have the list, do some serious research. Read as much as you can on them. As time goes by you will shorten the list.

Once you choose the patron and/or patroness, you must ask the deity to become your patron or patroness in a ritual written by you. You must establish a shrine in both the physical and astral world. Now you are ready to do meditations or magickal works under the guidance of your patron/ess.