It’s a natural part of the Goddess journey.
For many of us, we enter a Goddess path because we feel the presence of that Goddess so strongly…we wonder if we’ve lost our minds!
Our lives may change radically. We may even feel that they are walking physically alongside us. Their presence is so strong that we may wonder why anyone would ever doubt our Goddess’s existence!
Then…silence.
The Goddess feels farther away. We may feel like we’re shouting into a spiritual void. The Goddess goes so silent we may question whether our previous experiences were ever real.
But silence is part of the journey.
There will be times when you won’t feel your Goddess as strongly as you once did. You may wonder if you did something wrong. But chances are you did not.
Consider the following:
- Some Deities are “chattier” than others. Many people who have experiences with Brigid note that they “hear” her voice frequently, but people who follow a Morrigan journey find there are long periods of silence. Brigid, especially in her Saint form, is not for wont of words. But the Morrigan only speaks in her myths when there is something dire to relay. It may be part of your Goddess’s identity to go quiet for a time.
- A cyclical nature of presence may be part of their nature. Hekate, for example, is tied to a season of descent—showing up for Persephone while she visits Hades. For many Hekate devotees, they feel her strongly during certain times in their life, but not all.
- Pagan Gods are not saviors. Many of us are raised with exposure and/or indoctrination to an idea of a “Savior” god who helps us through every challenge we face. But Pagan Gods are not like that. In some cases, a Goddess may swoop in and help us to our feet. But in general, they are beacons of wisdom to help us help ourselves. If we don’t feel them, they may be intentionally letting us figure things out, alone.
- Some are there for a season, not a lifetime. Also, unlike the Christian God, Pagan Goddesses do not necessarily demand lifetime devotion. If a Goddess goes silent, she may appear again for you…or your time together may have naturally drawn to a close. A new Goddess may appear around the bend!
Things to try if you feel your Goddess is absent:
- Change your expectations of what “feeling” is like. Not every experience with a Goddess will feel earth-shattering and humbling. Sometimes, a Goddess will show her presence through an environment of peace, joy, or even humor. Be open to what a different kind of “feeling” feels like.
- Slow down and notice. The Goddess may be revealing herself through subtle means, and it may not be through typical symbols. White cats are not historically associated with Hekate, but when one appeared immediately after I made a small pilgrimage to Hekate, I received it as a sign that she was present. Small signs through the appearance of animals, plants, or even the wind might be telling you that she’s there. Notice, notice, notice.
- Try a new routine. Perhaps you’ve gotten in a rut with your spiritual practice. If your routine is to light a single candle and say the same prayer every night, try taking a walk on your lunch break instead. Perhaps create a bath and offer a different prayer, there. Do an act of service for your Goddess. And see what changes you notice as a result.
- Embrace patience. The act of faith is the belief that something is possible without proof. Letting go of a consistent need for proof is not only a path for peace, but also a show of trust for your Goddess. Signs will return in time. <3