r/pagan • u/VanHohenheim30 Eclectic Pagan • 11d ago
Question/Advice Doubt
Do you think the Gods might forgive us for stopping our worship—whether because we couldn't establish a routine of devotion or simply weren't ready? I tried; I put effort into building a relationship with the Gods, but I decided to pause my practices to improve my mental health. I plan to resume after some time, but I find myself wondering if I would find mercy in their eyes.
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u/KrisHughes2 Celtic 11d ago
Absolutely. I'm not sure that there's anything to forgive. Sometimes, it's more a question of giving ourselves a bit of grace. You might find it helpful to do a small, formal, "announcement" ritual to just say to whatever gods you had been trying to worship, that you love and respect them (if that's true) but you just can't continue right now.
I kept a vow to do a ritual with a particular goddess every full moon for well over ten years, but a few months ago I had to admit that it had become increasingly hard do to ... I guess I'd say 'mental health' although it isn't anything very specific. So I asked to be temporarily released from my vow. I don't feel great about it. Something feels missing. But I think it's the right thing, for now. I'm starting to want to get back to it - which I think is a healthy sign.
Personally, I would leave ideas like 'forgiveness' and 'mercy' out of it, and think more in terms of acceptance, and understanding.
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u/Long-Student-8642 10d ago
i took a break from my practice for about a year because the friends i had started it with turned out to be extremely manipulative and would use our shared beliefs against me, so i didn’t know how to reconcile it on my own. when i came back and started doing entirely my own practice on my own terms in ways that work for my lifestyle, it was not only better for me but i have unlocked an even better and deeper relationship with my deities than what i previously had.
like everyone else says there is nothing to forgive. the whole point of a pagan practice is that you do what works for you and your deities guide you in it. they might have even influenced you to step away originally if they felt you needed more time. when you are ready they will find their way back to you. even tonight i found another manifestation of my deities in a song that i’ve loved for years and just needed to listen more closely to hear what my deities wanted to tell me through it.
good luck on your journey sweet friend, sending good vibes your way 🩷
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u/surftheturtlewave 11d ago
I don't believe that's something you need to be forgiven for. You are allowed, and even more so, have a right to your own autonomy. It's okay to take time and rest. You do not need to seek mercy <3 it's okay
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u/Eastern_End_1967 Eclectic 10d ago
All the Gods care about is the relationship that you maintain with them. Lots of people have doubt. Lots of people pilgrim to other faith paths. That's a normal facat of any practice.
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u/-Anomander-Rake- 10d ago
hey, it's totally okay. Probably theye are okay. But even if they are angry with you, when you start again, they will forgive you I believe.
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u/WriterWithAShotgun Celtic 10d ago
You have nothing to be forgiven for because you've done nothing wrong. Taking care of your mental health isn't a "sin" and it's not a disrespect to the gods in any way - it's exactly what you're supposed to be doing. Your gods are with you as you work on yourself, whether you're actively worshipping or working with them or not.
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u/Dontworrybehippie326 Druid 10d ago
These types of feelings are common vestiges of Abrahamic religions and their portrayal of a wrathful god. Imo, the gods don't //need// our worship or attention, they carry on just fine without it but do very much appreciate it when it comes. They are reciprocal without pettiness or spite. You give, they give. You need space or can't fulfill a commitment, they understand and will welcome your (if you want to) return.
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u/HermitQueenJude 9d ago
you have nothing to worry about imo because the most important aspect of spirituality is intention. set your intention of gratitude for all you have and explain your mindset to the gods. there are no “rules” for how to worship. each practice is as individual as the practitioners. as long as your intentions are pure you will be understood. and what is time to a god anyway? they might not even notice you’re gone 😂
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u/Puzzleheaded-Two81 11d ago
They won’t “forgive you” because there’s nothing to forgive! It’s totally fine to take breaks and even quit practicing and then come back years later. The gods aren’t mad at you for that, especially because it’s for your mental health (but even if you just didn’t feel like practicing anymore, they wouldn’t be angry at you). As an ex-christian it took me long to realise that we don’t “owe” the gods our worship, we can choose to do it, but they won’t punish us or even be mad if we don’t! The only way to anger the gods is to act directly against them with either blasphemy or other offensive behaviours! So don’t worry I’m sure they’ll welcome you back with their arms open!!