I’ll be the first one to admit that I’m no theologian. In my youth, those Big Questions–our place in the universe, the nature of the gods…all the mysteries that one sits around discussing at 3 AM in a dorm hallway, noshing on Ritz crackers and EZCheeze–well, frankly, there was a lot more room in my life to think about those sort of things back then.
The one question that I keep returning to, though, is why do the gods help us? Do they in fact help us? Sometimes it’s not even clear if they are helping us, or whether there has just been a massive set of coincidences that look like god-fingerprints to our pattern-seeking primate brains.
When I’m in more of a gods-as-archetype paradigm (which, for the record, is a place I do not enjoy), I wonder if we simply draw strength from the examples set forth in their stories? Taking this perspective certainly eliminates the question of why do they help us, since there is no objective “they” apart from ourselves. Yet I feel that this is sidestepping the question, avoiding potentially difficult answers in favor of the safety of psychological explanations.
Some believe the help of the gods flows from a natural, reciprocal exchange between humans and the unseen world. It’s a very Capitalistic way of viewing things: I pour out 12 oz. of mead and you’ll give me a new car, m’kay? No? How about 36 oz.? Ok, so I’m applying a touch of hyperbole here, but I do think this sort of exchange is not as cut and dried as it is often represented. A gift for a gift is a good rule of thumb, but sometimes divine aid comes for unasked, and sometimes human praise gives freely without expectation of reciprocation.
So why then? Why do the gods help us? Is it because they’re good? That’s the approach Christianity has taken. The notion of Grace is not one generally espoused in Neopagan circles, but in many ways, it neatly circumvents the “why” of a deity’s help. But there’s the sticky fact that polytheist gods are not always good. Maybe they are sometimes, yet our gods can be just as fallible, untrustworthy, greedy, and hate-filled as any human. If it is Grace we receive, then it is because our divinities are in a moment of Grace themselves–which then beg the question, who gave it to them?
Most often, pagans and polytheists state that the gods intervene because we are part of some metaphysical machination beyond our own understanding. I tend to feel that this is a much too human-centric, egocentric view of things, though I have certainly fallen back on this explanation myself. There has been at least one instance where I have perceived the direct intervention of deity in my life’s path. Aranrhod metaphysically bitch-slapped me back in 2005 in order to get me out of a potentially abusive situation. She may not have been the nurturing Mother that I wanted in that moment, but she was definitely the Mother that I needed. Why she chose to do this is still a mystery to me. I’ve asked her, but received nothing more than a knowing smirk.
Does any of this matter? Probably not, in the end. Yet I think taking the time to struggle with the question is an important part of any spiritual/philosophical development. The best I can come up with is this: Maybe, just like a person putting a baby bird back in the nest, the gods just want to help out a little bit. Maybe we will sing sweetly for them, maybe we will get eaten by a cat a week later, but in that moment, perhaps an act of kindness and compassion can be enough in itself. Both for humans and for gods.
The Druid's Well 
This relates very much to an experience I had this past week. Whilst on shamanic retreat I actually ended up physically retching with the release of old emotional pain until in my mind I’d vomited up a big black stone, like a neolithic axehead, which turns out was the offering They wanted in return for help. Not exactly 12 oz. of mead, but it did the trick.
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It’s interesting, isn’t it, how things that can be harmful to us can be beneficial to other beings? Sounds like a very powerful experience, thank you for sharing it.
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Hey, Cat, such a wonderful way to awaken to a glorious morning! I was just thinking about you helping me with the Word problems the other night….very goddess like…you had to struggle, it wasn’t simple, it was, instead, helpful. I guess that fits in with Jung’s ideas about the gods and our relationship to them….mutual evolution.
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Aww, thank you! Always happy to help out with all things editorial and word process-y. Thank you for an excellent supper!
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I’ve wondered about this too. I’ve wondered whether it’s a bit like when we try to help a creature of another species (ie. rescuing a hedgehog from the road or feeding the birds) or whether that’s reducing their thought to too human a way of thinking. One of the things I’ve contemplated is that everything’s connected and whilst the pagan gods aren’t omniscient they have an awful lot more knowledge and foresight than us and perhaps we are part of their larger schemes? Guess we’ll never know for sure. I’ve found it very rare to receive straight answers on such matters.
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What fun would a straight answer be? XD Yes, I agree, there are probably multiple layers of motivation. It’s important, I think, for us to try to understand what they are, as best we are able, since that is what can allow us to better serve them. Understanding the desired exchange in a relationship, at least in human terms, is fundamental to keeping it healthy and thriving.
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Reblogged this on The TOSSer By Temple Of The Standing Stones.
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I remember you liking my post about this subject, I’m still none the wiser. Your analogy is the best description so far. It makes me think of the Gods are very much like the spirit of Nature (which makes sense). One minute they are pleasant, the next they are rough. Not because they are capricious, but because, like the universe, they just are. Like cats. Now wait a cotton picking minute….
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Yes! I remember that post now! Must have been kicking around in my brain since you posted it back in…uh…whenever that was!
Speaking of gods and cats, if you haven’t read John Michael Greer’s A World Full of Gods, it has a wonderful analogy involving felines and multiple deities. There aren’t a lot of Druid theologians, but this guy comes pretty close.
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Oooohhhh ta very much!
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Good to see the gods discussed in terms other than beings we ‘trade’ with. While reciprocity is clearly a relevant term in this discussion the best analogy is with a close friend or family member for whom we do things simply because they are who they rather than in expectation of reward or favour or anything specific in return. Do they feel the same about us? It would be nice to think so.
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Exactly. Sometimes the exchange aspect just becomes too cut-and-dried for my taste. Sometimes, loving alone is reason enough.
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Hello Catriona,
I have no idea how I got here, however here I am.
An interesting post, and one that I have started myself many times, only to trash it after too much reflection 🙂
Thank you for putting these thoughts into words, perhaps one day we can converse on such matters?
Kal
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Hi Kal,
However you got here I’m glad you made it! I enjoy your blog greatly, though I don’t often have the time to comment as much as I would like. I would very much enjoy conversing further of these matters. :). You can always email me at thedruidswell at gmail dot com if you’d prefer to talk offline.
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