For the polytheists here, do you feel the gods are always listening?  Do they take an interest in our everyday lives?

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I don't think that they are constantly hanging around waiting for us to pray or interact.  That hasn't been my experience.  I do think that if the need is legitimate the gods hear us when we reach out to them. Whenever I was really down or struggling with life, depression, or whatever, I could reach out and there they were.  No, they didn't fix my problems.  That's my job!  They have often given me the support or encouragement I needed to do what was necessary, though.

My gods have taken an interest in my everyday life to an extent; I doubt that the routine humdrum tasks of my day-to-day existence are interesting to them.  They certainly aren't interesting to me!  I always got the sense that they were there whenever I was going through the important things, or working on something that would have some major side effects in how I see myself, my purpose, or the world.  I often feel them close by when I pour libations, make offerings at my altar, or dedicate a task or project to them and then go about doing it. 

Your mileage may vary, this is just my own UPG.

I don't think they sit there listening in all the time, but I do think that if we call to them, they listen. They might not always choose to respond in a way we can understand, and they might not do anything in particular to help us, but I think they do listen. As far as taking an interest in our everyday lives, I think they do to an extent. Some of the stuff we do isn't relevant to them, but some is. I kind of see it as like a friend reading your Facebook feed. They might ignore the silly memes, or skip over the long rants about some TV show that they don't watch themselves, but they'll take the time to read the post where you're wondering aloud if you should consider looking for a new job because you're not happy where you are. Maybe they'll click "like," or maybe they'll offer advice, or if they don't know much about the situation, they might not say anything--but they'll read and they'll care.

As Eis and Bad Seed have stated, I think they may listen when addressed, but not everytime and certainly not always. 

As far as them taking interest in my life - I really hope not. Often in the mythos, when a god takes an interest in a mere mortal like myself, things go reeeeaaally poorly for the little human. I like them to function right where they are, doing their thing while I do mine, and if I say "Hey, thanks," they just nod and go about their way. 

I think spirits, my ancestors, and any other little things that share space with me interact with me far more than a god ever would (hopefully it stays that way). 

Hmm... very good point! I have had my life shaken up when serious stuff was going on and I was sure as the sky was blue that they had an active interest in how things shook out. It's always worked out (thus far!) but I can't help but be reminded about the crying person on the skydiving plane who has to be shoved out the hatch because they suddenly realized how terrifying this whole Thing they assumed they wanted to experience actually is! I have been that person, and Hekate or Cerridwen have been there to shove my ass out into free fall.



Bryn Judysdottir said:

As Eis and Bad Seed have stated, I think they may listen when addressed, but not everytime and certainly not always. 

As far as them taking interest in my life - I really hope not. Often in the mythos, when a god takes an interest in a mere mortal like myself, things go reeeeaaally poorly for the little human. I like them to function right where they are, doing their thing while I do mine, and if I say "Hey, thanks," they just nod and go about their way. 

I think spirits, my ancestors, and any other little things that share space with me interact with me far more than a god ever would (hopefully it stays that way). 

LOL! I'm glad you keep landing on your feet after such ordeals. 

Eis said:

Hmm... very good point! I have had my life shaken up when serious stuff was going on and I was sure as the sky was blue that they had an active interest in how things shook out. It's always worked out (thus far!) but I can't help but be reminded about the crying person on the skydiving plane who has to be shoved out the hatch because they suddenly realized how terrifying this whole Thing they assumed they wanted to experience actually is! I have been that person, and Hekate or Cerridwen have been there to shove my ass out into free fall. 

Most of the time I doubt they notice us and sometimes I have the depressing thought that they are no longer interested in humans, after all we abandoned them and the old ways so why should they want to interact with us.

Nevertheless, I believe my gods pulled me out of my spiritual apathy and I'm an optimist so I will continue to call, praise and offer to my gods in the hope that they hear me and look upon me kindly.  At the very least in my small way I can let them know they are not forgotten and that there are some who seek their way back to the old customs.


Same applies to my ancestral figures, they have every right to be feel neglected so it's not a relationship that I take for granted, I nurture it; a gift for a gift or we look after them and they look after us.

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