• A little bit of thougths about Pop Culture Deity Work:
Since I am in the perfect and safe space to do this... I want to share a little bit of my thoughts about this practice that I have been doing a lot of research and reflection of...
I have encountered TES deities and spirits that leaned me to study hard about this very interesting subject, thanks to Loki (one of my main patrons) and finally thanks to all of the TES pagan comunity here that allowed me to express myself and feel noticed when... I really don't know anything about this.
I am a traditional witch in all senses. I practice traditional paths, have traditional guides and bounds and I perform traditional spells and incantations. Started from green witchcraft and followed to Ceremonial Magic(k), Invocation, Conjures and Meditation, Spellwork, Spà/Spàe and more. So it is kinda strange to me to find that it is actually possible to connect with other kind of spirits and deities that are not created by a divine source (in the traditional sense), but it is created thanks to human imagination, intention, hard work and canon/non canon lore.
In the comunity that I am currently, this deities are called egregores... usually associated with not so good intentions at all. From my perspective, I wasn't in a healing space or in a good space the last five years... and today something came to my mind: why did I had to listen to the same people that did a lot of harm to me with their actions, bad use of magic and poor knowledge of something so sacred? People that are not in a good place in their lives and get their own space so dirty energetically and physically all the time. People that betrayed me and bullied me a lot inside of the comunity... are the same that tries to pretend that their witchcraft and magic is better than mine. So, a lot of mistakes and pride are in between the Hispanic comunity of witchcraft. The same that set rules that I followed for so long. In that spectrum I always have been afraid of being rejected by them (that happened anyway). And when I entered to this space I felt safe. Not just that, but I noticed that it is pretty common to PCD pagans to respect and support each other practices, educating in mental health too and sharing all of their knowledge to create a safe place for all.
Neurodivergent people in the comunity are the best, even if I only read posts and I am not actively talking with anyone... it is beautifully insane the amount of respect and love that they show, not just to us, but for their own deities too. So, this is a post about my questions, thoughts and conversations that I had with TES deities.
Enjoy the ride, dearies!
• ¿What is pop culture deity work to me? •
— This is a hard question to do, to me, today... For I am not always sure about me or my craft (I suffer from a very bad lack of self esteem and panic). So I will talk about the practical aspects of it first, then I will talk about my personal belief system from a very specific culture.
| Practical Aspect |
Pop culture deity work is based on two spiritual and magical systems;
† Animism: considers that every single thing, being and force has/is a spirit itself. With consciousness, power, intelligence and inherent wisdom to share. Animism is the base of witchcraft and the base of every spiritual practice that involves energy manipulation or energy work. So, in this aspect a stone, an herb, a cloud, a tree, the stars, the sky and the 4 elements are a spirit, ancient, alive, with eyes/ears/sensitivity. They are capable of communicate with us, perform a change on this earth and hold influences in us and in the cosmos. The second part sets that every object that exists... possess or is an anima. A spirit that can be awakened or it is awake. They can interact with us through ideas, symbols, emotions, signals and events. A knife, a cup, a crystal, a stone, a wand, a candle or even a house can be very alive. And awake their spirit through energy work and sacred chants. So, everything that surrounds you and me, breaths. Shamans, healers, witchers, sorcerers, etc. know this perfectly.
† The mind CREATES: you can change your world, reality or situation through the power of the mind and the good direction of your intentions and emotions. You can charge energy into something that you want. Give it form, shape their bases, construct the psyche of it and give it a name and a porpoise. We are made to create, preserve and destroy as humans (not gods or deities) in our little square of life. Like a shape-shifter, we can modify the aspect of things and the way that we do things with time, practice and being humble.
— So, with those basic principles (I know that pop culture deity work involves more than this) we enter to the concept of egregor. Settled in chaos magick by the 80' decade. Even if the concept was very well scripted in ancient cultures like Egyptian Hermetism and modern ones like the Golden Dawn comunity. Also I believe that the Greeks and Norse people settled their own construction about "guardian spirits". Platon says that we all come from a realm called "The Ideas Realm" or the invisible one, from up to down we awake our divine spirit in our path on earth. So, it is not weird to think that if our mind is divine (daemon greek concept), our ideas are inherently divine too. For, everything that we think and throw can make a severe impact in the astral realm and in the spirit world, connected to us.
That makes me think a lot. The egregoric form of a lot of deities and forces become independent from us, as the egregores of spirits, characters, ideas and more. An egregore is settled like an illusion, but a real one. An energy with a specific form feeded by the thoughts and emotions of a great comunity of people that believe in it, shaped the form, gave it offerings until they reached a higher state of consciousness and freedom to move away from their source and expand their spirit (anima) away from us. Reaching a new level of emotional experience in their interaction with the existence. Call it people, adoration group, things, animals, astral spaces or whatever. An egregor is not necessary bad or harmful, it depends on the energy and the way that it was formed... so, like they are bad spirits, they are also good ones! And here the pop culture deity concept arrives.
• A deity is inherently good, even if it's chaotic or presented as amoral or inmoral in a way. It doesn't mean that is going to do bad because of pleasure. It means that they understaning of the world is different and their concept change and evolves as the society does so. That it means, the ancient cults are not the same cults as we know here, in modern times. We can get close, very close! But it will never be the same in their nature.
A deity can be a guide, a mentor, a companion a teacher who provides hard but necessary lessons for own own evolution, learning and healing path. Even if it tough they remind me of this Buddhist Quote;
—Master, why do I feel pain?
—Because you choose the cure and not the anesthesia anymore.
So in this case, I think it applies.
1. If we associate a deity with wisdom, good, a high level, a high emotional intelligence and capacities... it is settled on the spiritual world, that we adore a spirit as a deity or we create a deity (even if we don't know that we do it) we are going to have a good experience (even if it not always comfortable, because hard work requires discipline and getting a little uncomfortable sometimes and that's okay). Also, they are not associated with harm to humans in any way, so everything that we consider divine is good for us (no matter if they are associated with chaos, dark, death, crossroads, light, sins or war), because it is not human. It is more, it is better, it is safe, it will makes us reach up a better level of enlightment.
2. With this, settled up. A pop culture deity is a form of energy that started being an egregor with with time they reached a higher level of divine consciousness and approach to humans/mortals, helping us with the path and the way of living to do it better. So, the kind of experiences are not always bad, but sometimes is different to we can experience with a traditional deity.
A. For example, I can be very close to Sheogorath but he understands that I am not ready to accept him fully because of my own ignorance (I am just starting in this). And he is going to be like, in a second plane and try to do things at his own way but in a comfortable pace. Not like Loki. Because I have another relationship with Loki and I accept him as a fully primordial god and my dear one. So, Loki is going to be more open than Sheogorath.
B. Probably the first signals of Sheogorath are not going to be just in an astral of energy form at first because I will think that I am delusional. The same happened with my main traditional deities at first. Since I suffered bad mental illnesses, the first step was connecting me with people that actually do this for me to feel safe. So, in that case first Sheogorath is going to introduce me to the social media comunity, teaching through posts, people, images and sending virtual signs. Not like my deities that can appear in dreams, send very physical signs and show in my astral plane or in my house very often.
C. My conclusion is: they are no difference in the sense of... interactions. Since Sheogorath is a good talker like me and other gods. So, they will have a different approach than traditional deities. Not because one is an egregore and the other is divine (this is absolutely relative and I will explain why), but because it is easier for us to connect in a virtual space than in a physical space (for the lack of information and books about this). And since our psyche is USED to see them as cartoons... at first , maybe we will have the feeling that we are living in a cartoon or fictional world. And the last things they take it so light and so well, but also can be uncomfortable... — until our brain take this as a reality. —and that last part is important.
With him, I sensed at first the thing of "theatrical" thing, for is a kinda eccentric spirit. Why the pop culture deities guides us with the social media? Because there are no official books or studies that can allow the practice like in blogs or pages on internet. So, here are the questions that I will be answering.
• 1 • ¿There is a difference between TES pop culture deities and traditional deities?
— DISCLAIMER: Look, I will be only talking about TES deities because I only had experiences with them. I thought I saw Grell from Kuroshitsuji once, but it was just once and I was walking in the street. I thought it was too much and it gone immediately. So. I can't talk about pop culture deities in general because I don't feel like I have the place to do so.
ANSWER: yes and no. The only difference that I found was the origin of their spirits. Since traditional deities have a more divine and cosmic origin and pop culture deities have a human origin. This means a simple thing: a human creates an idea, gives it a form, concept, personality and nature. The fandom around can change the same personality and add their own things. The funny real question is... when this spirit became a god? When it awakened as a god or as a highly intelligent figure? (So much more than we humans). I don't know, but in my belief system I believe that the gods did it, to make sure that we humans don't have a bad experience with the energy form, in their first developed. Like, the creator maybe was like: "Oh, I am going to create this fictional god called Sheogorath! It is going to be like this and it is going to act like that. His favourite food is... and his story, realm, personality is going to be like that, etc. So, we can say that, while the gods are a creation or other primordial forced or awakened before this earth was even formed... Pop deities was created by a human or a bunch of humans. And then, their own fandom made the rest, as the cosmic laws of correspondence, animism and chaos. As simple as that. Like, we don't even know who was the first magician to encounter Sheogorath and have a magical experience with him (the game is not that old as traditional deities who hold literally thousands of years).
In the sense of practical magic, emotional intelligence, divine essence and approach I see no difference between a traditional god and. TES god. Like, they are like the same high force but with different origins. Just that.
BELIEF SYSTEM: in my eastern philosophy I believe that everything that surrounds us is inherently divine. Not everyone and everything is a god, but all is certainly sacred and divine. If we humans can became divine, sacred, saints, angels or even daemon spirits and guardian spirits, protectors and we can literally evolve... so the mind, so the human mind creation. And I also believe that good and love is one of the main things that will give you the higher aspects the divine aspects and the power of change reality and have a soul. So, I also believe that any pop culture deity that can love, guard, guide and show empathy can develop a soul and also that gods can give a soul to a being that deserves it. To continue their path, interact with us and shaping the form to reach even more higher states.
• 2 • How is the TES pop culture deity approach and what is the difference with the traditional deities?
ANSWER: this is a very good question to make. For I see a very common difference... and that is the TES gods understand the limitation of the human mind. They notice when a thing it is literally too much to believe. So at first, they can be there and do literally nothing. Like, they wanted to me to be sure of their presence and to know that... their presence represents no risk to me or my mental health. It is pretty common that a lot of people can feel like they are being crazy/delusional. So a traditional deity (understanding that we literally normalized their existence) can be more abrasive. More open to us, more confident in the interaction with us, humans. In exchange, a TES deity at first is going to be quite, like a whisper, like an idea or an emotional. And I remember feeling a lot of nostalgic and connected with a lot of primordial forces. I sensed them a little bit shy, at first. But with time, they can be more open until you are ready. Not because they don't know how to approach to us. They know it very good; but because they understand that I don't know how, not always at least. And they wait until my brain is ready to accept their full existence and my nervous system feels safe at least.
a. A traditional deity is more open, more abrasive, more clear, more noisy in their signals, more warm and talker.
b. A TES deity (at first) stands there, studies your sistem, your beliefs, your mental state, your spiritual and evolutive level. Just making sure that you are ok and not talking to much.
b. A traditional deity literally takes Space, is confident, is there and you know it. A TES deity waits for you to give them space. And they settle when it is time to be and talk and when it is time to go and give the human brain space to accommodate oneself. And you Need that time and space, not forcing anything. In fact, they have been away for a long time because I simply wasn't ready at first and in my emotional state I took it to the extreme of overthinking and obsession. So they stopped and I was like; alright. No I understand that I need to work in the difference that I am creating.
c. A traditional deity can handle everything by their own, because you have faith and your brain has accepted the spirit or divine figure as a real god. A TES deity usually asked a traditional deity for help, to make sure that my own brain was accepting their existence as real gods, step by step. Like I don't know. Nocturnal is in my space, so Hekate is and she handles me while handles the situation and checks (thanks mother).
d. A traditional deity (in my case after years of connections, trust and practice) accepts my emotional feelings and love. TES deity says: calm, I know you admire me and want to be a devotee, your heart knows what your mind is not ready to process. So I am not taking this. Give it time.
For example: I am not even ready to perform a ritual with Nocturnal. I would not have an emotional bond with Lord Mora or accept a guidance from Lucien Lachance all at once. Because I couldn't handle, would start overthinking, etc. I perform witchcraft almost every day (it is my current work) but I am human and I need to respect my own limits.
The only differences that I note are that.
DISCLAIMER: this is only my experience and this it serves like a grimoire and like a good place to start if you are also in pop deity work.
— An advice is: "don't force your mind to process everything at once; even if your heart knows the path"
• 3 • Since you are a romantic and devotional godspouse, do you believe that is possible to have a romantic gp with pop culture deity work?
ANSWER: yes and no. It depends. Like, I wouldn't worship all of the fictional characters that I see because I have more appreciation for mental health and the energy and spiritual realm in the human unconsciousness is tricky as fuck. And my mind can change a lot to now until years ahead. But today, my answers is: it depends. It depends on your mental health, rooted scheme of your psyche, what it conveys you to your own good and the limits that you can handle and you cannot handle! TES gods never offered something similar to me (I am like a baby TES pagan so it has all the sense). But I know of a few people that had/has godspousing with Pop culture deities (don't know them personally or talked with them) (not TES deities).
If a pop culture deity is interested in you in that way (no matter the kind of gp, if its romantic/devotional/parenting/religious/platonic/etc.) it will wait until there is a solid bond between you and them. Like any other spirit. Because they can be gods and deities, but our brain maybe can't process that because their origin is very different. So. It is possible based on your own personal circumstances, understanding of life and spirituality. I believe that the first thing is trust and confidence. Not just in them, but in you! In your own skills, mental health, capacity to be a safe space for yourself and being absolutely nature with what you're doing.
For example: I was very confused at my very first beginning with Lord Hermeaus Mora. He is not like the... bunch of eyes and tentacles of the canon lore. No, he is like a Daemon in many aspects. Well dressed, well looking, with a strong presence, a lot of knowledge like an Ancient Spirit would have. And he was my mentor during my first encounters. But I was starting to feel confused because of attachment. I didn't receive any signals of him wanting to go beyond the "knowing" spectrum. But also I didn't felt rejection or uncomfortable feelings when he sensed my emotions and confusion. He didn't took a step back but also didn't made any approach beyond that.
What it also made me thing was... the energy between us shifted slowly. It was different, it was more close to Satan or Lucifer when I received my first court for gp. But with the passing days maybe decided that was enough and that I wasn't able to practice that and that, it was too much. Definitely.
• CONCLUSION: even if it's weird, maybe you can practice that but is totally personal. I wouldn't recommend that if you are a baby pop culture magician, witch or witcher. No matter how years you spend on godspousing and traditional magic.
• Every
• Single
• New
• Subject
• Is
• A
• Path
• That you start
• From Zero.
You become a novice, a child in the good sense, following the basic principles and understanding the same three or four concepts until your brain PROCESS them and you get to really know your deities and they get to really know you. So, wait until you are ready to accept those kind of sacred practices. Not just with godspouse, but also with Priest/Priestess, Oracle or Shamanic Charges.
It is possible? I don't know, I am not a godspouse. But it is, it requires time.
Is real? Probably yes.
It is recommended? It depends on you.
• 4 • Do you need a chaotic wizard/witch/witcher/magician to perform pop culture deity?
Yes... you need to be. In the specific case of TES paganism, it is not only chaos magick... but also folk magic of Nirn, literally. So, in that case you can learn Daedric Magic, Wizard College Magic, Nine Divine Magic and even follow the different cults. The Black Hand cult, the Mythic Dawn Cult, the different cults from the different Daedra. Create your own cult or practice, etc.
Like, I don't want you to believe that you are actually a dunmer, a khajjit, a nordic, etc. You will be human like everyone else. You don't live in Nirn and their provinces. But you will use the concept of the realms and follow their own culture while you adapt it to your own. Like, it is pretty common for chaotic magick you make you lose your sense of personality and you can harm yourself if you let the fantasy get it too much inside of you. Besides, TES gods absolutely don't want that. You can love something without letting that thing be corrupted at all. So. You will need to understand this.
a. Trust your gut: trust your gods, deities, guides or spirits in the folk magic of the fictional world. They know best than you, don't try to take the canon lore too literal (the same applies with the traditional deities). But first of all, trust in yourself. You don't have to change your identity or think that you need to imagine that you are from a specific race from a specific place. This is not a fanfic, this can be very real and very earthly.
b. Learn about chaos magic. Story, foundation, the people that discovered it, rules, what type of chaos magick is allowed for us humans to practice.
c. Learn about the lore, in this case, TES lore. Start with the simple, pages and fandom. Then go to the actual witchcraft community.
d. Learn to separate the game from the magic work... you can spend hours watching and gaming, but when it comes to magic is another thing. The astral realm is yours and the practice is yours. You can take things from the game and adapt them to you. But also, if you play games and don't practice witchcraft with them, but still want to perform devotional acts, gaming is a good way.
It is a way if you are not okay to perform witchcraft, is a good way to be devotional and connect with their personalities and it is a good way to have fun and enjoy the ride!
On the other side, The Magic Is Not The Game... so, it becomes a serious thing. With their own rules, methods. Blah, blah, blah. Not exactly as mine or other people, but as yours.
For example: I am gaming Skyrim and completing Lord Mora missions. Lord Mora character is not the same as Lord Mora guide and pop culture deity. So I don't expect real harm or manipulation. Another example. I am playing and completing Namira missions; so I don't expect that after that I need to eat people. You get me? The same with the others. I am completing Dark Brotherhood missions... well, I don't expect Lucien Lachance coming to me and saying: "Hey I have a contract for you, light a candle and slay this person".
Because that it is not going to happen!
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So... this is all for now! I hope you like the reading. If you got more questions about this topic I would love to start a debate with you, feel free to express yourself! Also, I am just starting. The next post is going to be about me sharing experiences with each one of them.
Plus: I haven't confirmed those kind of experiences with other witches or magicians...
So this is not a confirmed reality. This is just a diary with thoughts, experiences and practical studies that I have been done for myself and that only me confirmed. Since I don't have the correct space to do ask anyone else about this. But my best friend has been accepting of this in the past. If you know of someone that can sell services to confirm (a pop culture pagan) also feel free to share the contact.
Bless day!
