when I started my current devotional practice, I was unsure how to proceed.

I had a strong connection with my guardian angel and had been introduced to several gods, but wasn't sure how to cultivate a daily relationship with them outside of the intense gnostic states where we had met.

I'd read advice about theurgy and a consistent suggestion was to make offerings. listen/feel for response as to what works and doesn't. what is pleasing.

I was making tea in the morning, matcha, in a beautiful tea bowl my brother made me during his post-college pottery phase.

so I started spooning tea into another small tea cup and offering it at my little altar table.

I started just sharing with my angel, then with a small set of spirits who had drawn close to me, either emerging from consecrations I had done or just showing up on their own.

eventually, I did a formal working to invite a specific goddess to enter an relationship with me. she assented and we consecrated a ring as a physical manifestation of this bond.

it feels weird to talk about, maybe too instrumental or reifying, but I had developed a set of goals I was working towards. these goals started quite concrete, detailed, with deadlines and success criteria.

but gradually they sort of expanded and became longer term, open ended. areas of life.

I came to associate specific goddesses with each of these areas. to consider my work in these areas as offerings to them. I asked them for help with my work.

a small pantheon assembled around me. all goddesses.

though a couple of masculine gods have shown up, they haven't stayed. they've been honored guests. and I maintain relationships with them outside our pre-dawn tea time.

here was the key for me: xenia. gratitude

before I asked for help, I shared tea. and sometimes a snack like mochi or a little cookie or jelly beans.

I share food and drink and offer thanks.

I thank the goddesses for being with me. in the moment. and for gracing my life with their presence.

I thank them for their help, their protection, their guidance, their friendship.

I thank them for their good company.

I offer my friendship, my company, my work, my life to share.

as was, as is, as is to come

sometimes I do ask for help, but mostly I thank them for the help they are already giving me. have always been giving me.

they are eternal. not that they are of infinite duration? but that they are woven through the past, present, and future, that they are elements of time's structure, of life, of the World.

so I share how it's been for me as an example of how it can be for you, if you're not sure how to start, to proceed. to connect with the divine, with gods, angels, spirits. you can offer hospitality. you can share tea. you can have an intimate conversation. it can be how you are with your closest friends.

it doesn't have to be a big deal. you can just start.