gaelpol101:

Praying to Na Déithe is Aindéithe
(the Gods and Not-gods) is the foundation of any Gaelic Polytheist
practice. Study is important – whether of the written lore, the living
culture, or the archaeological record. But on an every day level, prayer
is the most basic practice of Gaelic Polytheism.

Most people
(particularly coming from a Western monotheist background) have a
particular idea of what prayer is: kneeling, hands clasped, eyes closed,
head bowed. Sometimes this image includes reciting a prayer from
memory, in a particularly deferential or reverent manner.

And
if that’s what you want it to be, it can be that. But it doesn’t have to
be. Prayer can be screaming at a storm as it rolls overhead. Prayer can
be a whisper on a walk through the woods. Prayer can be
conversationally updating a deceased relative about the latest family
news. Prayer is any way that you choose to communicate to the Gods,
Dead, and Sídhe. The important thing to remember is this: Na Déithe is Aindéithe can hear us, and they can and will respond.

Even
if you are not fully familiar with the Gods of Gaelic Polytheism yet,
every one of us has family or heroes that have passed on, and is
surrounded by the spirits of the world around them. The Dead and the
Sídhe are just as valid as subjects of prayer as the Gods, and are often
more accessible to beginners.

With that introduction, what might prayer look like? What might you say?

Many older Gaelic Polytheists have insisted that newcomers start with historical prayers (perhaps from Alexander Carmichael’s Carmina Gadelica)
to get a feel for the rhythms, themes, and imagery of traditional
Gaelic prayers. That can be a useful practice – doing so builds a strong
connection to the past, and it can be a particular pleasure to compose a
poetic prayer in a traditional style. Indeed, poetry was important to
the pre-Christian Gaels, as evidenced in the Lore. But to hold everyone
to that standard means that many of us will not begin (or continue) to
pray.

Instead, to start, simply pray from the heart. If you feel
called to it, you can work to build the rhythms, themes, and imagery of
traditional prayers into your own later. If you need it, try this
formula:

• Begin your prayers by addressing the being you are
  praying to. Get the being’s attention – compliment them, express
  affection if it’s there.
• Tell them why you’re praying to them.
  Are you giving them praise or adoration? Are you giving them a physical
  offering? Are you asking for something?  Are you thanking them for
  something they’ve done for you? Are you apologizing for something?
• When
  you’ve said what you wanted to say, clearly let them know that you are
  finished. You might thank them (though many caution never to thank the
  Sídhe), wish them good health (Sláinte Mhaith) or you can simply imply finality through your inflection.

That’s
it! It doesn’t take much, and can easily be expanded on with continued
practice and study. As you say your prayers, make sure you are open for
responses – in whatever form they may take. Responses from Na Déithe is Aindéithe may
be blatant & obvious, jumping out and grabbing your attention; or
they may be subtle, sneaking up on you over a long period of time. They
might happen as you are praying, or they might happen well after you are
done. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get anything right away – keep
practicing, and your prayers (and ability to discern responses to them)
will improve.

daughterofthewitch:

Hekate is a chthonic titian goddess

Minister of the Underworld

She assisted Demeter in her search for Persephone, and has become Persephone’s companion and guide every year when she returns to Hades

She is older then the Olympians, Zeus himself adored her, honored her, showered her with gifts.

“The son of Cronos did her no wrong nor took anything away of all that was her portion among the former Titan gods: but she holds, as the division was at the first from the beginning, privilege both in earth, and in heaven, and in sea”

She is the goddess of witchcraft, protector of oppressed women

She is a necromancer, she whispers to the spirits and they bow their heads in reverence

She helps the silent rise to their full potential, guides the unseeing in the dark

She is the goddess of crossroads because that is where spiritual offerings were left

She is there on the darkest nights, as the new moon rises in the sky, the stars crying out to her

I will always roar her name and raise her symbol, she is more then a goddess of magick, more then a goddess of crossroads. I will not stand silent as others whisper of her glory, unable to capture the pure radiance that is my goddess. She holds her head high and raises others up, holding them when they cannot hold themselves

She is the cry of protesters, the calm after a night of tears, the flickering of candles in the suffocating dark

She is not a crone, she was always depicted as a beautiful maiden until much later worshippers

Her full glory cannot be captured but I will try. Do not dismiss her as a minor goddess.

Give her the respect she deserves.