Local Gods for Local People?

[Blackbird]

Take a look at the iconography and epigraphy of British Gods left to us from 'Roman' times, and you will find a vast array of names. For the most part, the stories of these Gods have been lost, though we can deduce a little from their names, from their location and perhaps from a personal encounter.

So my question is this - do you have relationships with local or relatively unknown Gods? Have you had any experiences with land-spirits, or had a name flash into your mind? Or are you involved only with the well known Gods of myth and legend?

[Brochfael]

Oooohhhh Yes!

The local spect of deity is, for me, one of the most attractive aspects of Brythonic traditions.

I went to Llyn-y-Fan Fach (about 15-20 miles away) recently to pray for healing for a friend.

[branynos]

I believe, (as in I've interacted with her when walking in the otherworld) that the local forest spirit here has been completley forgotten, name story everything.
Having spent ages using normal methods to try and identify her, and pretty much failed. From talking to her between us we've found a name and some 'identifying' features from other forest spirits that she feels comfortable claiming.

I like to have a connection with the local spirits, it seems rude not too, even if most of the contact I have is with the 'big' names

[Craig]

Hi Blackbird ;D

As a feral druid this is one of the few areas I can comment upon with a little certainty.

For the past 25 years I have been building a relationship with the spirit of The Mawddach (an estuary in mid-Wales and my childhood home). I also work with Sabhrina, the spirit of the Severn River. She flows only a couple of hundred yards from my house.

As for gods, the one with whom I am most closely associated is Bridey. She is my constant companion and guide.

I would disagree with on your choice of words. No Gods are ever 'lost'. They no more go away than the mountains do. We may lose contact with them through our own ignorance, but they remain for us to rediscover and we release our minds in this new age.

Blessings,
Craig /|\

[Midori]

I work with the local Spiritsand Ancestors, wherever I am. None so far have identified themselves to me. I don't try to impose a God or Goddess name on them as I am not sure they work well out of their 'home' area.

From a different perspective, if I were a local deity and someone came to my area and called upon a deity from elsewhere, I would not be best pleased. This is my personal opinion though.


BB Midori

[Craig]

A wise perspective Midori, and one I also follow.

I have been fortunate enough to visit Japan on a number of occasions and have made contact with several Shinto Priests. Once they understood that I came in respect and from an animist path they welcomed me and allowed me to spend time in their shrines. There I perceived many spirits - 'kami' they call them - and began a journey of understanding I still walk today.

Blessings,
Craig /|\

[Blackbird]

To point out where I'm coming from on this... the longer that I am alive, the more important locality becomes. There is little that is more important than place, in a specific sense.

Agreed with the comment, Midori. I have attended far too many rites where this has happened.

Having said this, there are some Gods who are not tied to locality in the same way. My Patron goes where he will in his bull-yoked chariot. There are still certain places here at which the honouring of him is appropriate, but he is not essentially part of those places.

One God who intrigues me very much is Braciaca. The sole surviving dedication to him was found at Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, not far from me. His name is related to Bragi - ie. mead (Something always close to my heart). Flippancy aside, I have come to believe that this should be understood as 'intoxication' or even 'battle frenzy', rather than of brewing per se.

I have also had contact with a river Goddess near to my home. I wrote something in her honour... and shall post it into the bardic bit if I haven't done so already. I received a name straight away, but have never found this name written anywhere, nor can it be explained with any etymology. I have no idea if she was previously known by this name, nor if she has been honoured by humans at all in the past. It's enough that I acknowledge her, and take offerings down to the place where the water falls down the red rocks.

[Craig]

I have put a poem I wrote for the Mawddach on the Bardic Forum.

Blessings,
Craig /|\