This week we are talking about Saints, Guides and working with Deities. The most frequently asked questions for many starting their spiritual journey are- How to work with Deities, which ones to choose, how to know if they want to work with you etc. So here are my thoughts on the subject – mostly we are drawn to certain Celestial beings because of our own backgrounds, religion, beliefs etc.
CONNECTING WITH DEITIES
Sometimes working with Deities is not what we would expect it to be. They can reach out to us too, be it in dreams, meditation, or more physical ways like leaving signs such as feathers or seeing certain animals crossing your path. If this is the case and you feel specific or even multiple beings are seeking you out, then these are the ones to work with.
If however, you have a connection or curiosity with one that you’d like to build into a relationship, it’s great to pursue these too. There is no right or wrong way to reach out to these beings as long as you’re respectful and do your research. The worst thing that happens is they do not respond… In that case, you tried, you learned and it may be an opportunity to work a bit harder to further explore them (maybe you missed something) or it’s time to move onto someone else.
Just like us, these powers are not going to get along with or be the best fit for everyone. They too have their own personalities, likes, dislikes, and preferences when choosing a person they want to work with or assist in this life. A lot of the time it also comes down to our own soul contracts and who we made agreements to work with while we are here now.
WORKING WITH DEITIES: HOW TO GET STARTED
For some, choosing who to work with is the hard part as they may not be specifically drawn to one being or they have no background history on the subject thereby not being aware of their likes, strengths, offerings, etc.
Working with a Deity, Saint, Angel, Guide, God or Goddess is just like forming a relationship with another human being. If you want to have a good connection then you must put in the time, effort, and respect to get to know them, just as they will be getting to know you and learn how to work with / best assist and communicate with you. It’s a two-way street after all.
The interesting thing here is usually when trying to find the right Guide for ourselves, we find one we like, latch onto that image, name, face, and other tiny details but we don’t realize that’s not their only persona. Many Saints, Deities, and ‘otherworldly’ beings are either linked with others in different religions or they actually are represented by more than one being.
SAINTS, GUIDES & DEITIES: WHO’S WHO
Example – If you are seeing signs of being drawn to/ sought out by Anubis but your background or belief system is more Catholic/ Christian based so you can’t quite connect to the Egyptian / Underworld side of him- an option would then be to possibly pursue Saint Peter or Archangel Azrael. On the Hoodoo side of things, you’d be calling on Papa Legba or Baron Samedi. Witchcraft/ Occult would be Hecate and so on.
These beings all have one major connection – they are all Psychopomps (Guides/ Gatekeepers) between this life and the next. By no means are they the only ones, of course; each religion has its own version. So when you feel drawn to any of these beings ask yourself; What is it about them that you are particularly attracted to? You may already be working with / seeing their counterparts without even knowing it.
DEITY WORK
Below I have crisscrossed some deities and their counterparts, interlinking a mixing pot of beliefs and religions so that you have a few options when picking who you want to work with for what reasons. I have broken down the Who, What and Why so that all you need to do is get started and form a beautiful spiritual bond!
*This topic will be broken up into parts in order to fit in relevant info on each category and give you enough time to explore and connect with these beings – This post is exploring Psychopomps as well as Love and Fertility Beings.
Enjoy!
WORKING WITH DEATH GUIDES AND PSYCHOPOMPS
As stated above these guides are present in every religion, we all have our own version of Death and who will come for us. Aside from death, working with Deities like this on a daily basis can assist us with other areas in life too such as –
- Providing healing and comfort to the terminally ill, or those who suffer from chronic illness
- Transformation, change, new beginnings, recognizing outdated beliefs and patterns
- Binding or releasing negative people and influences in your life
- Shadow Work
- Spiritual Protection
- Finding clarity & direction
- Finding and realizing your truth, and so much more!
Let’s explore some of these Guides/ Deities and their similarities –
EGYPTIAN DEITIES: ANUBIS AND OSIRIS
Both of these Deities have been portrayed as a God of Death and the underworld. Anubis is also Associated with mummification, embalming, resurrection and weighing the scales to see who moves on after this life. He is a Judger of souls and protector of gravesites and tombs.
Osiris is the God of fertility, the underworld, and agriculture. Working with Deities of this magnitude requires respect and humility. A little effort goes a long way with these powerful Egyptian Gods.
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
(Anubis) – Dogs and Jackals. (Osiris) – Bulls
OFFERINGS
(Osiris) – Bread, Beer, Wheat, Fresh harvest, Ostrich feathers, Fresh flowers.
(Anubis)– Cypress Oil, Wine, Beer, Pottery, Embalming equipment, Water, Sand, Fresh flowers.
GOOD TO KNOW
- (Anubis) colours are black and gold.
- Gemstones – Hematite, Obsidian, Tiger’s Eye
- (Osiris’) Colour is green.
- Gemstones – Hanksite, Lapis Lazuli, Gold.
GREEK GODS & DEITIES:
HADES AND PERSEPHONE
Hades is God of Death and King of the underworld. When working with Deities such as this one, it is not advisable to keep his altar in your home. It is best kept outside your front door or in a quiet place of your garden where he has his own space. Being the Lord of Necromancy: divination involving receiving information from the dead, including seances and the use of Ouija Boards are under his domain.
Hades, together with Persephone, may be propitiated when seeking consultations or visitations with the dead. Persephone is his (abducted) wife, She facilitates communication with dead souls and is often invoked for a painless, peaceful death.
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
(Hades) – The Screech Owl / Barn Owl, Serpents and Black Rams.
(Persephone) – Bats, Black Rams, Parrots, Monkeys.
OFFERINGS
(Hades) Cypress, Amber, Pomegranate, coins.
(Persephone) Pomegranates, Wild flowers, Lilies, flower wreaths, Mint.
GOOD TO KNOW
- (Hades) Colours Black, gold, and silver.
- Gemstones- Garnet and black stones.
- (Persephone) Colours are green and gold.
- Gemstones- Peridot, green Tourmaline, Dioptase, Citrine, Topaz, Gold.
HERMES AND HECATE
- Hermes is the Guide of souls to the underworld.
- He carries the Caduceus which serves as a magic wand, enabling him to act as an intermediary between our realm and the Divine.
- His partner is Hecate, in ancient times they were known as The Lord and Lady of the Crossroads.
- As Queen of the Night, Goddess of Witchcraft, and among the Rulers of Spirit World, Hecate patrols the frontier between life and death.
- She serves as an intermediary between spirits and humans and owns the ultimate skeleton key that unlocks the gates to all realms.
- Much like St Peter and Papa Legba.
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
(Hecate) – Snakes, dragons, cats, dogs, bats, toads
(Hermes) – Cattle/oxen, turtles/tortoise, hawks, roster, rams, birds of omen, hares, snakes, and guard dogs.
OFFERINGS
(Hecate) – Seashells, Cinnamon, Honey, Mugwort, locks and keys, Lavender.
(Hermes) – Coins, Honey, Wine, Strawberries, Olives/Olive Oil.
GOOD TO KNOW
- (Hecate) – Colours Black, Silver, Purple.
- Gemstones – Obsidian, Jasper, Quartz, Moonstone, Sapphire.
- The eve of Hecate is November 16th.
- (Hermes)- His colours are red, purple, silver, gold, copper, and black.
- Gemstones – Amethyst, Quartz, Silver, Gold, Copper, Iron.
HOODOO & VOODOO DEITIES: PAPA LEGBA AND BARON SAMEDI
- Papa Legba is The Keeper of the gates, the Lord of the hidden road between life and death and The Crossroads.
- He is your first point of contact in the Voodoo faith when reaching beyond the veil.
- He will meet you at the crossroads (just like Hecate) and may just grant your wish if you leave offerings there for him.
- Papa Legba is also associated with the Catholic Saints Peter, Lazarus and Anthony.
- The Baron is the ‘King’ of the Ghede Loa‘ – These are the Ancestors and Spirits of the Dead.
- This group of Loa love a good party!
- Both have a strong fondness for children, because of this, The Baron is often called to intervene if a child is to pass before their time.
- He is also able to assist those with chronic illness and aid them with healing.
- The Baron decides if one’s grave is to be dug or not, so it is a good idea to stay within his good graces.
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
Papa – Black Cat, Black Rooster, dogs.
DAYS TO WORK WITH THEM
(Papa)- Monday & Saturdays.
(Baron)- Saturdays and his Feast day, 2nd November (Fet Ghede/ Day of the Dead).
OFFERINGS
- Sweets /candy, black coffee, red peppers, chillies, kids toys, Rum, tobacco, and cigars.
- (Papa)– keys.
- (Baron) – Graveyard dirt, wrought iron crosses.
- In these faiths they make use of a Veve as others make use of sigils. Using the deity’s Veve will enhance your connection to these beings.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Working with Deities in the Voodoo pantheon is like working with a new group of friends. They can be very welcoming and receptive, however, there are some characters to watch out for.
- Both deities have trickster sides to them (Met Kalfou is Papa Legba’s dark brother who often pretends to be him at the crossroads tricking people into selling their souls.) And will prey on the disrespectful and naïve.
- When calling on The Baron you will need to specify him as Baron Samedi (Baron Saturday) who is only one of four Barons and they don’t like to be mixed up.
- The others being; Baron Kriminal, Baron La Croix, and Baron Cemetiere who are a bit more wicked and sometimes aggressive in their dealings.
- They are all personas or different versions of the same entity and can be called for their expertise in different areas.
ARCHANGEL AZRAEL AND ST PETER
- Azrael features in Jewish and Christian texts although, he only really takes on the role of Psychopomp in the Islamic faith.
- His role is transporting the souls of the deceased from death to the afterlife as well as comforting those who are grieving.
- Azrael is represented by the following other deities in religions and traditions around the globe: Thanatos, Janos, Osiris, Sekhmet, Janus, Ganesha, Anubis, Hel, Hecate, Hades, Death.
- Working with Deities in this group can be a very rewarding experience as there are so many personalities and traits one can find to connect with.
In Catholic and Christian faith, St. Peter stands at the gates of Heaven judging the souls that arrive, he decides who may enter. He holds the keys not only to the pearly gates, but he is also the gatekeeper between this world and the next.
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
Feathers, Doves. (Azrael) – Scorpion / Fox.
OFFERINGS
Keys, fresh flowers, water, lighting candles, holy objects.
GOOD TO KNOW
AA Azrael’s colour is red.
FEAST DAYS
- February 22 (Chair of Peter)
- June 29 (St. Peter and Paul)
- November 18 (Dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul).
MORRIGAN AND THE BADBH CATHA
Irish or Celtic origin. Morrigan is the Goddess of shapeshifting, life and death, motherhood, sex, shadows and shadow work, destruction, magick, transformation, love and battle.
- This war Goddess is often associated with crows and therefore with Badbh Catha (The Battle Crow), some feel they are the same entity.
- Apart from being known for her assistance and strategy on the battlefields, The Morrigan is also Psychopomp. Guiding the souls of those worthy to the next life or world beyond ours.
- Like Hecate, she’s also identified as a Triple Goddess.
- The three names associated with The Morrigan are Badb, Macha and Nemain.
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
Crows, ravens, eels, wolves and cows. She has also been known to appear as an old woman.
OFFERINGS
Mead, red wine, storm water, crow or falcon feathers, a knife, traditional Irish / Celtic décor, milk, honey, artwork and poetry.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Her colours are red and black.
- Call on her when you need healing, protection, and love.
- She is a fierce protector of women, children, and animals.
LOVE AND FERTILITY BEINGS
When we think of love and Deities often our minds have a few “go-to’s” such as Aphrodite, St Valentine and Cupid. These don’t always resonate with some, and that’s ok. If you’re looking at working with Deities of Love, here’s a list below you can call on to assist in the following areas;
Love, passion, fertility, romance, marriage, relationship trouble, finding the right partner / your soulmate, self love, your children and your relationships with them, friendships and other relationships you may be having trouble with, anger issues, bringing peace and love into the home, and tapping into your own Divine Feminine energy etc.
ROMAN DEITIES: CUPID AND VENUS
Cupid is the son of Venus the Goddess of love as well as being the Roman incarnation of Eros – the Greek God of Love, passion and desire. Although we know him as a matchmaking cherub these days… he was once thought of as much more.
Venus is the Roman equivalent of Aphrodite and is a Goddess of love and beauty. We can also call on the planet Venus for assistance in this area.
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
(Cupid) – Hare.
(Venus) – Goat, elephant, sheep, pheasant, sparrow, dove, pigeon and swan.
OFFERINGS
Anything that represents love, fertility and sweetness. Such as roses and other fresh flowers, wine, incense, Mint, milk, honey, apples, grapes, sweets.
GOOD TO KNOW
- (Venus) – Colours are white and green.
- Gemstones- Diamonds, Emeralds, green Jade, Rose Quartz.
- (Cupid)- Colours are red, white, pink.
- Gemstones – Rose Quartz, Rhodonite or Rhodocrosite, Ruby.
THE GODDESS BASTET/ BAST
Egyptian origin. Goddess of felines, love, protection, perfume, beauty, and dance. This Deity is also Patron to mothers, healers, magicians, diviners, dancers, and musicians.
She rules over physical and spiritual domains including, protection of the home, women, children and cats, marriage, sexuality and war.
SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Cats, lions.
OFFERINGS
Frankincense and myrrh, cat related objects, catnip, milk, honey, perfume, Ankh and other Egyptian symbolism.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Her colour is black.
- The Ankh is one of her symbols, which represents eternal life.
- She’s the daughter of RA and (some say) the wife of Anubis.
- She is one of the only Goddesses to be associated with both the Sun and the Moon. Bast is also a Psychopomp.
- Gemstones- Sunstone, Agate, Jasper, Pyrite, Cats Eye, Tigers Eye.
ST. RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
St. Raphael The Archangel is known for being the Angel of healing and the preferred Saint for love matters.
He works with and opens your heart chakra and is also the Angel to call on for healing of any kind of fertility issues.
Being the Patron Saint of lovers, you can also call on him for assistance in troubled relationships or when searching for a new romantic partner
SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Feathers, Doves.
OFFERINGS
Roses, fresh flowers, anything you associate with love and healing.
GOOD TO KNOW
- His colour is green.
- His Feast Day is September 29 for celebration together with Archangels / Saints Michael and Gabriel.
TOPIC JUMP!
*For those interested in learning more on St Raphael and other Archangels, take a look at my article below.
Or simply keep scrolling.
HINDU DEITIES: PARVATI AND SHIVA
Parvati was the consort of the Hindu God Shiva, and is known as a Goddess of love and devotion. She is one of many forms of Shakti, the all-powerful female force in the universe.
Shiva is one of the supreme beings who creates, protects and transforms the universe. Some say that the worship or devotion of Shiva is useless without also including Parvati. Shiva is also known for his ability to remove obstacles and shake things up around you. If you are looking to bring about some change and transformation, Shiva can assist.
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
(Shiva) – Serpent. (Parvati) – Lion, Tiger.
OFFERINGS
Pomegranates, skull themed items, gold jewellery
GOOD TO KNOW
- The couple is celebrated during the Teej festival, which is held during the Hindu Month of Shravan (Mid-July to Mid-August). It serves to welcome the Monsoon season.
- This festival commemorates the marriage of Parvati with Shiva.
- It is believed that unmarried women who are fasting during this celebration will quickly find a suitable husband.
- While married women doing the same will find a renewed and strengthened love for their current husband.
NORSE DEITIES: FREYA AND FRIGG
They are often seen as the same deity or a different manifestation of each other. Freya is the Goddess associated with love, beauty, fertility, magick and witchcraft, sex, war and gold. She appears as a strong woman in a chariot drawn by cats, often accompanied by her Boar or wearing her cloak of raven or falcon feathers. Freya is also a Psychopomp and presides over the afterlife realm Folkvang with the Valkyries. This Goddess remains among the most beloved and widely venerated Pagan Goddesses today.
Frigg is the patron of marriage and motherhood as well as the Goddess of Love and fertility. They are the wife of Odin. This powerful Goddess also aids in wisdom and foresight. It is said her home is within the wetland halls of Fensalir. Known also as Queen of Asgard and the highest of the Goddesses in Nordic traditions, working with this Deity is certainly a rewarding and empowering experience.
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
Ravens, boars, rabbits, cats ladybugs, oxen, falcon.
OFFERINGS
Honey, mead, fresh flowers, Mugwort, flax, jewellery, perfume, ale, barley, pork and apples, Runes and Nordic or Viking-related symbolism.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Her day is Friday and any Friday the 13th.
- Freya is a master of the Elder Futhark Runes, a Norse or Germanic alphabet and divination system.
- By learning the runes you can learn to communicate with her.
- The runes Berkano and Ehwaz are sacred to her.
VOODOO & HOODOO DEITIES: ERZULIE FREDA AND OSHUN
THE BLACK MADONNA
- Erzuli Freda is the Haitian African spirit of love and all things beautiful. She is frequently invoked to help find a lover, or renew a love relationship.
- She wears 3 wedding rings to symbolize her 3 marriages to Damballa, Agwe and Ogoun. Similar to Hecate who wears 3 faces.
- This Loa loves to flirt and has very expensive taste! (Keep that in mind with her offerings.)
- She goes by many other names you may recognize such as; Mater Dolorosa (Our Lady of Sorrows), The Virgin Mary and The Black Madonna.
- This Loa is often depicted as crying, some say this is due to her own heartbreak at being so lonely. Others say it is because of the state of our world today.
OSHUN; WATER ORISHA
- Erzulie relates to Oshun, the Yoruba (West African religion) Goddess of water, purity, fertility, love, sensuality, gold, and femininity.
- This Orisha is an important River Deity to the Yoruba people and is also connected to destiny and divination. Within their religion, Oshun is recognised as one of the most powerful Orishas.
- She does have a dark side too though and can become very jealous or spiteful if she feels threatened. Also exhibiting qualities of vanity.
- So, when working with this Goddess be sure to honour her correctly and regularly in order to stay on her good side.
DAYS TO WORK WITH THEM
Oshun – Saturdays.
Erzulie Freda -Tuesdays and Thursdays.
OFFERINGS
Erzulie – Gold jewellery, perfume, sweet cakes and liqueurs, Champagne, fresh flowers.
Oshun – honey, sunflowers, oranges, cinnamon, and pumpkin. Peacock or Vulture feathers.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Erzulie’s symbol is a heart, her colors are pink, blue, white and gold.
- Oshun’s Colours are yellow, gold, coral, amber.
- When working with Deities, it is important to remember that some, like people, do not play well with others. When they are working with you, they want your full attention and devotion.
- She is one of these personalities.
- So be sure to give her own altar and not put her on one that is already devoted to someone else.
- It is also sometimes necessary to do research on whether these deities have others they specifically dislike or will not work with. Pairing the wrong personalities with each other will affect you and your workings with them.
CONCLUSION
Thanks for reading this week’s post on Saints Guides and Deities- Part 1. I hope you enjoyed it and found some interesting material to get started on working with Deities and spiritual beings of all backgrounds. Remember to keep doing your research and allowing your spiritual wisdom to expand.
You won’t resonate with or incorporate absolutely everything into your craft or daily practices, but each article or book you read is another step on your quest for knowledge. Another lesson learned for your own empowerment and spiritual growth.
Love, Light and many Blessings to you, Cheyenne.
This article was originally written & published – 20.11.2020
WORKING WITH SAINTS, GUIDES & DEITIES FAQ
What is a Psychopomp?
Psychopomps are Death Guides. These are the beings that come for us when we leave this realm, and provide us with companionship or safe passage to the next. There are many Psychopomps recorded and recognised in various religions and traditions around the globe. Some of the more well known include; Hades, Azrael and Anubis. This article explores a few lesser known Psychopomps from around the globe.
What Deities focus on Love & Fertility?
Aphrodite is possibly the most well known Deity of Love & Fertility in history. Other popular ones include, Cupid, Venus, Freya and Parvati. Although there are many more. This article explores some of the lesser known Love & Fertility Deities one can connect to and work with.
How Do you Start Working with Deities?
If you are being called by a specific Deity or Celestial being, start with them. Research them and start to connect and build your relationship with them. If you are not sure who to start with, do some research on beings that resonate with or speak to you. Find out what they like and how to call on them. There are a multitude of Saints, Guides and Deities to work with.
I am Being Called by a Deity but I do not Resonate with Them?
That’s okay. Deities will not take offence as we do. These beings go by many names and they come in different forms in different religions or traditions. If you are not resonating with a Deity, try and find what they represent and what they may be trying to teach you/ share with you. This way you can find another who has the same mission or traits that you are comfortable working with.
How do I Deepen my Connection to my Spiritual Guides?
The Guides, Angels and Deities we work with are always around us. Sometimes to deepen your connection with them means to simply recognize this as fact, and recognize their presence. Talk to them as you go about your day not just when you need something. Form a real connection with their energies. Meditation and prayer will also assist in forming a clearer connection with these beings so you can better hear and understand the messages they give you. Trust is key.
FURTHER READING
For more on Deity Work, take a look at Part 2 below.
Or, for other interesting topics go straight to my Spiritual Blog page.
Thank you for reading, if you enjoyed this article and found it helpful please spread the light and share!
