Choosing a tradition/pantheon to start working with as a neophyte

[Huckle]

I had already read a handful of books on magic before that, but after finishing the excellent "Elements of Spellcrafting: 21 Keys to Successful Sorcery", generously made available by @SkullTraill , I feel like I graduated from dabbler to proper neophyte. So, now, the question for me is choosing a main tradition/pantheon to work with.

I should mention that my primary goals for the time being are related to getting specific jobs and love interests (not planning to bind anyone, just have people be put in my way in order to facilitate things happening).

My first choice would be using the Sun, the Moon and the planets. It seems pretty universal, local-independent (in contrast with the Norse pantheon, as someone living in the southern hemisphere) and the fact you can actually look up and see them is reassuring to me.

I feel very fond of the Norse pantheon, but as I said, the location issue makes it a bit tricky. Or doesn't it? Feel free to correct me on anything here.

The Greek pantheon would also be fine to me.

Then there's Goetia. The pros are the massive amount of readily available PDFs with detailed information and how powerful it looks, but the cons are that I would honestly feel weird about asking Hebrew entities to protect me during banishments, since I'm a Christian apostate and don't hold a positive view of it or other Semitic religions, being quite honest. Even more relevant is the fact I have a relative living in the house next to mine who is a Kardecist spiritualist and regularly performs anti-goetia works targeted at our houses, which might get in the way of things (I love this relative though, so not planning to confront them about it or do anything against them at all). One possible solution would be just finding another place to perform the rituals.

Then there's the Brazilian pantheon of Orishas, etc. I don't have much knowledge about it and I'm not of any African heritage, but I'm based in Brazil and Jason Miller mentioned in his book that local entities can work stronger than the ones linked to faraway places.

Last but not least, there's the idea of just asking whichever entity might be listening to you to do your bid and then appear to you (in a dream?) and request what they want in return (of course, some caveats must be arranged beforehand). What do you think?

To conclude, any PDF links about any of those traditions would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

 

[Faria]

Your preferences are meaningless. What matters is what you are able to know and believe as truth. You don't actually believe in Norse deities, they are a set of characters you find interesting, but you have no real faith in them, same for the Orishas and other pantheons. You don't like Christian religion, fine, but your real organic personal belief is still God. Staring death in the face, you won't be thinking of Odin or Obatala.

Worshiping any entity whose existence is primarily in grimoires is just stupid, you will give that up after some time and have gotten nothing substantial from it. Why? Because you know that it's something you cooked up. Real faith sufficient to leverage change in yourself or in the world, needs to be real. You can invoke whoever you want and see where it goes, but your legitimate belief will be what you actually believe and not what you wish you believed instead.

Get rid of religion, if you must, but it's ineffective and counter-productive to replace it with something you design based on aesthetic preferences. Part of the power found in religion, whether it's Baptists or Voodoo or Buddhism, comes from the fact that you don't get to pick and choose. You adapt to it, not the other way around. Find what you actually believe is real and true, don't pick what you want to believe and pretend it's true.

 

[Lurker]

Find a path that really speaks to you, one that you can practice wholeheartedly, and put yourself into it. Don't let anyone else tell you what you can or can't do, let alone try to program you with their own limitations. It's your life, your being, and there is no more personal path than a magickal path.

The Greek pantheon would also be fine to me.

You might ask @HoldAll to re-upload

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book and see if you like it, as it comes highly recommended. It is a paganized form of planetary magick.

Best of luck with finding your own path.

 

[OberonFromTheHills]

You don't need to get a pantheon to do magick.

You can work with elements, planets, with your surronding, herbs, ancestors, stars, dirt, rivers....

As the other people say, forcing yourself to believe in something won't be helpful (unless you manage to get into the pure Chaos Magick experience and adopt/switch beliefs on purpose)

I personally don't work with deities. I can occasionally call for the "spirits of love", "spirits of health"... Or some of my ancestors.

Find your mojo.

 

[Lurker]

You don't need to get a pantheon to do magick.

You can work with elements, planets, with your surronding, herbs, ancestors, stars, dirt, rivers....

This is very true.

As the other people say, forcing yourself to believe in something won't be helpful . . .

She didn't say she was forcing herself. She wants to make a free and informed choice. There is a big difference.

Post automatically merged: May 7, 2025

Find your mojo.

I missed that the first time, but definitely, 100% right.

 

[AbammonTheGreat]

I had already read a handful of books on magic before that, but after finishing the excellent "Elements of Spellcrafting: 21 Keys to Successful Sorcery", generously made available by @SkullTraill , I feel like I graduated from dabbler to proper neophyte. So, now, the question for me is choosing a main tradition/pantheon to work with.

I should mention that my primary goals for the time being are related to getting specific jobs and love interests (not planning to bind anyone, just have people be put in my way in order to facilitate things happening).

My first choice would be using the Sun, the Moon and the planets. It seems pretty universal, local-independent (in contrast with the Norse pantheon, as someone living in the southern hemisphere) and the fact you can actually look up and see them is reassuring to me.

I feel very fond of the Norse pantheon, but as I said, the location issue makes it a bit tricky. Or doesn't it? Feel free to correct me on anything here.

The Greek pantheon would also be fine to me.

Then there's Goetia. The pros are the massive amount of readily available PDFs with detailed information and how powerful it looks, but the cons are that I would honestly feel weird about asking Hebrew entities to protect me during banishments, since I'm a Christian apostate and don't hold a positive view of it or other Semitic religions, being quite honest. Even more relevant is the fact I have a relative living in the house next to mine who is a Kardecist spiritualist and regularly performs anti-goetia works targeted at our houses, which might get in the way of things (I love this relative though, so not planning to confront them about it or do anything against them at all). One possible solution would be just finding another place to perform the rituals.

Then there's the Brazilian pantheon of Orishas, etc. I don't have much knowledge about it and I'm not of any African heritage, but I'm based in Brazil and Jason Miller mentioned in his book that local entities can work stronger than the ones linked to faraway places.

Last but not least, there's the idea of just asking whichever entity might be listening to you to do your bid and then appear to you (in a dream?) and request what they want in return (of course, some caveats must be arranged beforehand). What do you think?

To conclude, any PDF links about any of those traditions would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

So you'll find as you grow in magic that whatever pantheon you "select" is ultimately meaningless as the "god" will present in whatever godform it needs to in order to get the message across. You can be selective as in doing devotion and initiation into certain godforms but the ones that have something for you will reach out in whatever way possible.

I find the planets are easier as obviously the godforms have associations with the spheres and that's a good way to direct yourself towards the energy without being delineated or hardlined.

One of the common mistakes people make in their early years of magic is picking a "tradition" or pantheon and becoming a mundane religious pagan. This is extremely common within witch spheres and reconstructionists and what you get from this is someone who just practices religious devotion and prayer that has no problem praying to the gods for a curse or something. These people are all over occult spaces and are often confused as to why their magic isn't as effective as the magicians they hang around or just outright begin participating in religious dogma (just pagan flavored) and attacking occultists/magicians for not fitting in with their flavor of polytheism. So I think in order to avoid this you should let go of all ideas about rebuilding a traditional practice that needs to be within a certain pantheon and be more open to letting the gods come to you, while still of course following your intuition.

I, for example, consciously selected to initiate into Egyptian gods. My practice has some egyptian flavors but I do not participate in an exclusively egyptian pantheon. I have had Odin, Hecate, and Mars all come to me without selecting them or participating in their "religions" or "cults". The reason for this is because I use planetary spheres for theurgy, and this opens me up to receive whatever godforms need to lead me further down my path.

I would say that your affinity towards the Norse gods is probably an intuitive connection you have so go ahead and reach out the one you feel most drawn to. Don't worry about practicing a religion complete with a pantheon and mythology, just establish a relationship and ask to be received by them. A magician lets the gods teach them how to practice and listens for the ones that are calling to them, a mundane pagan is reliant on and following an established dogma because they haven't figured out how to talk to diety through mysticism and magic.

You will, however, find a godform or maybe a few of them that you are especially connected to and those ones will be with you for most of your journey. But you'll find them as long as you set the intention to.

 

[Huckle]

You don't actually believe in Norse deities, they are a set of characters you find interesting, but you have no real faith in them, same for the Orishas and other pantheons.

You're right.

your real organic personal belief is still God.

Right again. But my belief in God the creator right now is just an axiom based on my best guess. You probably know the drill, entropy, thermodynamics, intelligent design, etc. I definitely don't believe in the idea of a creator God who hears our prayers and intercedes for us from the perspective of a humane, compassionate father or anything like that anymore.

The structured approach of working with symbols, links, consciousness, rituals, etc, to enhance your chances of something happening seems more plausible to me.

Find what you actually believe is real and true, don't pick what you want to believe and pretend it's true.

I'm honestly not sure how much belief impacts our pragmatic results, but since it's advised according to most traditions, ok. Points to the celestial bodies then, since the fact you can actually see them and they seem very extraordinary compared to anything down here counts a lot to my current self.

It is a paganized form of planetary magick.

Sounds like exactly what I'm looking for right now. So, @HoldAll , please, if you can reupload it, I'd be of much help.

Best of luck with finding your own path.

Thanks!

You don't need to get a pantheon to do magick.

You can work with elements, planets, with your surronding, herbs, ancestors, stars, dirt, rivers....

As the other people say, forcing yourself to believe in something won't be helpful (unless you manage to get into the pure Chaos Magick experience and adopt/switch beliefs on purpose)

I personally don't work with deities. I can occasionally call for the "spirits of love", "spirits of health"... Or some of my ancestors.

Find your mojo.

Makes sense, thanks. What do you think of the "whichever spirit might be hearing me" approach? Sounds sloppy, but at the same time, no one really knows how this works so it's also appealing to me.

I find the planets are easier as obviously the godforms have associations with the spheres and that's a good way to direct yourself towards the energy without being delineated or hardlined.

True, celestial bodies it is for me then, at least to start.

One of the common mistakes people make in their early years of magic is picking a "tradition" or pantheon and becoming a mundane religious pagan. This is extremely common within witch spheres and reconstructionists and what you get from this is someone who just practices religious devotion and prayer that has no problem praying to the gods for a curse or something. These people are all over occult spaces and are often confused as to why their magic isn't as effective as the magicians they hang around or just outright begin participating in religious dogma (just pagan flavored) and attacking occultists/magicians for not fitting in with their flavor of polytheism. So I think in order to avoid this you should let go of all ideas about rebuilding a traditional practice that needs to be within a certain pantheon and be more open to letting the gods come to you, while still of course following your intuition.

So the "whichever spirit might be hearing me" approach is actually solid? Or am I extrapolating it and going too sloppy here?

I would say that your affinity towards the Norse gods is probably an intuitive connection you have so go ahead and reach out the one you feel most drawn to. Don't worry about practicing a religion complete with a pantheon and mythology, just establish a relationship and ask to be received by them. A magician lets the gods teach them how to practice and listens for the ones that are calling to them, a mundane pagan is reliant on and following an established dogma because they haven't figured out how to talk to diety through mysticism and magic.

It makes sense. While I don't literally believe in the Norse gods, they can serve as a symbol I resonate with for the celestial bodies and forces of nature being used to further my requests and intents.

You will, however, find a godform or maybe a few of them that you are especially connected to and those ones will be with you for most of your journey. But you'll find them as long as you set the intention to.

Thanks, I really liked your post. I think our desires, inclinations and intuition do matter a lot. They certainly feel truer than any externally imposed thing like religious dogma.

 

[AbammonTheGreat]

So the "whichever spirit might be hearing me" approach is actually solid? Or am I extrapolating it and going too sloppy here?

Kind of. You can intentionally reach out to a diety but not all dieties are going to like you or respond to you. Theres a few factors at play with what dieties will respond favorably if at all could be your astrological chart, ancestral blood, past incarnation work, or a necessity for them as part of your souls plan.

Since its pretty difficult to discern which diety is going to respond at the entry level you should be following your intuition and an open approach through the spheres gives room for diety to approach you. If you scream out to the void haphazardly asking for anyone to show up it might not happen at all or worse something malefic might respond. There are a few dieties that are good for initiation and they're the ones with historical initiatory cults or known for magic. (Isis, Thoth, Hecate, Mithras, Osiris, Apollo, it goes on). Typically, though, gods associated with Initiation into magic are tied to the Lunar Sphere. So if you feel a pull to a diety and its one that is responsive to initiation/magic just ask for it (with all belief and honesty) to receive you. Then start listening and it will guide you to where you need to be. Once the ball gets rolling and you get further down your path you'll learn how to recognize them, take signals from them, and they'll visit you in vision and dream.

So let's say you start by asking Luna to initiate you into her sphere, a few months later a fierce looking woman with wolves appears in a dream telling you to do something. Oh who's that? Hecate okay, checks out shes associated with the moon. Okay I will do what she says. Then the next year a large birdheaded entity comes to you through a vision and the next day somebody gives you a copy of the Corpus Hermeticum. Oh okay, looks like Thoth has some business with me. Ill invoke him and start listening to his messages. This is how these things are going to move along.

 

[Mannimarco]

I had already read a handful of books on magic before that, but after finishing the excellent "Elements of Spellcrafting: 21 Keys to Successful Sorcery", generously made available by @SkullTraill , I feel like I graduated from dabbler to proper neophyte. So, now, the question for me is choosing a main tradition/pantheon to work with.

I should mention that my primary goals for the time being are related to getting specific jobs and love interests (not planning to bind anyone, just have people be put in my way in order to facilitate things happening).

My first choice would be using the Sun, the Moon and the planets. It seems pretty universal, local-independent (in contrast with the Norse pantheon, as someone living in the southern hemisphere) and the fact you can actually look up and see them is reassuring to me.

I feel very fond of the Norse pantheon, but as I said, the location issue makes it a bit tricky. Or doesn't it? Feel free to correct me on anything here.

The Greek pantheon would also be fine to me.

Then there's Goetia. The pros are the massive amount of readily available PDFs with detailed information and how powerful it looks, but the cons are that I would honestly feel weird about asking Hebrew entities to protect me during banishments, since I'm a Christian apostate and don't hold a positive view of it or other Semitic religions, being quite honest. Even more relevant is the fact I have a relative living in the house next to mine who is a Kardecist spiritualist and regularly performs anti-goetia works targeted at our houses, which might get in the way of things (I love this relative though, so not planning to confront them about it or do anything against them at all). One possible solution would be just finding another place to perform the rituals.

Then there's the Brazilian pantheon of Orishas, etc. I don't have much knowledge about it and I'm not of any African heritage, but I'm based in Brazil and Jason Miller mentioned in his book that local entities can work stronger than the ones linked to faraway places.

Last but not least, there's the idea of just asking whichever entity might be listening to you to do your bid and then appear to you (in a dream?) and request what they want in return (of course, some caveats must be arranged beforehand). What do you think?

To conclude, any PDF links about any of those traditions would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Unfortunately there is no really reliable way to analyze your options beforehand and find your optimal path. At least i don't know of any. Divination should be the answer, but you need to formulate the exact right question, and without experience, a broad worldview, and a very clear idea of what you do and do not want, you're not likely to be able to do that. The path readings I paid for early on were utter trash that derailed me for years.

I've tried over a dozen systems and pantheons, and nothing has clicked 100%. I was, and still am, "drawn" to the Norse, even though they all despise me. They glamor themselves like crazy for recruiting.

I'd recommend everyone looking for a path to stick to the fundamentals, a daily practice of meditation, grounding, cleansing, banishing, shielding, inner healing, empowerment, energy work, spellcasting, psychic development, etc. If you are doing that, entities will show up wanting to work with you, maybe sooner, maybe later. The further along you are, the better position you will be in to work with entities. Or evaluate initiatory systems.

Best of luck!

 

[OberonFromTheHills]

What do you think of the "whichever spirit might be hearing me" approach?

This is the typical phrase that attract any spirit, similar to oui ja seances that goes wrong ahaha.

The wording is important when you call for spirits.

I always go for "Allies from Venus", "Friendly ancestors" "Guardians...." "Local friends....."

 

[HoldAll]

Sounds like exactly what I'm looking for right now. So, @HoldAll , please, if you can reupload it, I'd be of much help.

Reupped.

 

[Israel_Theli]

The names and symbols you use to contact deities and spirits are less important than the value you attribute to them. Do your research, experiment, meditate, and discover what works for you.

 

[Audiolog Edu]

I had already read a handful of books on magic before that, but after finishing the excellent "Elements of Spellcrafting: 21 Keys to Successful Sorcery", generously made available by @SkullTraill , I feel like I graduated from dabbler to proper neophyte. So, now, the question for me is choosing a main tradition/pantheon to work with.

I should mention that my primary goals for the time being are related to getting specific jobs and love interests (not planning to bind anyone, just have people be put in my way in order to facilitate things happening).

My first choice would be using the Sun, the Moon and the planets. It seems pretty universal, local-independent (in contrast with the Norse pantheon, as someone living in the southern hemisphere) and the fact you can actually look up and see them is reassuring to me.

I feel very fond of the Norse pantheon, but as I said, the location issue makes it a bit tricky. Or doesn't it? Feel free to correct me on anything here.

The Greek pantheon would also be fine to me.

Then there's Goetia. The pros are the massive amount of readily available PDFs with detailed information and how powerful it looks, but the cons are that I would honestly feel weird about asking Hebrew entities to protect me during banishments, since I'm a Christian apostate and don't hold a positive view of it or other Semitic religions, being quite honest. Even more relevant is the fact I have a relative living in the house next to mine who is a Kardecist spiritualist and regularly performs anti-goetia works targeted at our houses, which might get in the way of things (I love this relative though, so not planning to confront them about it or do anything against them at all). One possible solution would be just finding another place to perform the rituals.

Then there's the Brazilian pantheon of Orishas, etc. I don't have much knowledge about it and I'm not of any African heritage, but I'm based in Brazil and Jason Miller mentioned in his book that local entities can work stronger than the ones linked to faraway places.

Last but not least, there's the idea of just asking whichever entity might be listening to you to do your bid and then appear to you (in a dream?) and request what they want in return (of course, some caveats must be arranged beforehand). What do you think?

To conclude, any PDF links about any of those traditions would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

I live in Mexico and practice Mediterranean Greco Roman Magick, I am white so I think is in me to access this knowledge, I also feel atraction to Norse Pantheon, but I dont think I can connect with them because my blood is more Mediterranean than northern European (then again there is Chaos Magick), about what you said of Brazilian deities, according to the magick books I read, you can focus on your path but you can for example give tribute to Brazilian deities, I also read a little of Jason Miller and I often do one of J Millers ritual of giving oferings to local spirits, just so me and them be more at peace, it is true that for example I wont get full benefits of the Greco Roman Magick I practice, but then I do it from my heart and I think is better doing this way that going for the mexican pantheon which I dont connect or feel interested in.

 

[AbammonTheGreat]

I live in Mexico and practice Mediterranean Greco Roman Magick, I am white so I think is in me to access this knowledge, I also feel atraction to Norse Pantheon, but I dont think I can connect with them because my blood is more Mediterranean than northern European (then again there is Chaos Magick), about what you said of Brazilian deities, according to the magick books I read, you can focus on your path but you can for example give tribute to Brazilian deities, I also read a little of Jason Miller and I often do one of J Millers ritual of giving oferings to local spirits, just so me and them be more at peace, it is true that for example I wont get full benefits of the Greco Roman Magick I practice, but then I do it from my heart and I think is better doing this way that going for the mexican pantheon which I dont connect or feel interested in.

Don't let anyone tell you you need to stick to a certain pantheon or diety based off your culture or race. Initiation teaches us the reality of reincarnation, and when we uncover past lives we find that the things we are attracted to intuitively are often intertwined with past incarnations. Theres also the philosophic perspective of all spirit and diety being aspects/facets of a Divine Oneness or the perennial perspective that True Religion is revealed through every tradition and one must be familiar with the multiplicity to uncover it.

Anyone who tries to tell you that your magic is weaker because you practice outside of your culture, or that you are tied to your ethnic pantheon is A) Uninitiated B) Not read on classical philosophy and C) Unfamiliar with the history of magic/western esotericism.

In spiritual practice always follow your heart, the gods lead you to where you're supposed to be.

 

[Audiolog Edu]

Don't let anyone tell you you need to stick to a certain pantheon or diety based off your culture or race. Initiation teaches us the reality of reincarnation, and when we uncover past lives we find that the things we are attracted to intuitively are often intertwined with past incarnations. Theres also the philosophic perspective of all spirit and diety being aspects/facets of a Divine Oneness or the perennial perspective that True Religion is revealed through every tradition and one must be familiar with the multiplicity to uncover it.

Anyone who tries to tell you that your magic is weaker because you practice outside of your culture, or that you are tied to your ethnic pantheon is A) Uninitiated B) Not read on classical philosophy and C) Unfamiliar with the history of magic/western esotericism.

In spiritual practice always follow your heart, the gods lead you to where you're supposed to be.

Yes I am very new to magick, I dont know a lot yet, I do belive for example that if I practice Greco Roman Magick I will get better results than if I practice other stuff, is just that I dont know a lot so it makes sense to me that following your own culture is the way to go.

 

[Cleric]

I had already read a handful of books on magic before that, but after finishing the excellent "Elements of Spellcrafting: 21 Keys to Successful Sorcery", generously made available by @SkullTraill , I feel like I graduated from dabbler to proper neophyte. So, now, the question for me is choosing a main tradition/pantheon to work with.

I should mention that my primary goals for the time being are related to getting specific jobs and love interests (not planning to bind anyone, just have people be put in my way in order to facilitate things happening).

My first choice would be using the Sun, the Moon and the planets. It seems pretty universal, local-independent (in contrast with the Norse pantheon, as someone living in the southern hemisphere) and the fact you can actually look up and see them is reassuring to me.

I feel very fond of the Norse pantheon, but as I said, the location issue makes it a bit tricky. Or doesn't it? Feel free to correct me on anything here.

The Greek pantheon would also be fine to me.

Then there's Goetia. The pros are the massive amount of readily available PDFs with detailed information and how powerful it looks, but the cons are that I would honestly feel weird about asking Hebrew entities to protect me during banishments, since I'm a Christian apostate and don't hold a positive view of it or other Semitic religions, being quite honest. Even more relevant is the fact I have a relative living in the house next to mine who is a Kardecist spiritualist and regularly performs anti-goetia works targeted at our houses, which might get in the way of things (I love this relative though, so not planning to confront them about it or do anything against them at all). One possible solution would be just finding another place to perform the rituals.

Then there's the Brazilian pantheon of Orishas, etc. I don't have much knowledge about it and I'm not of any African heritage, but I'm based in Brazil and Jason Miller mentioned in his book that local entities can work stronger than the ones linked to faraway places.

Last but not least, there's the idea of just asking whichever entity might be listening to you to do your bid and then appear to you (in a dream?) and request what they want in return (of course, some caveats must be arranged beforehand). What do you think?

To conclude, any PDF links about any of those traditions would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Your physical location and race is of no consequence whatsoever. One of the most prolific and informed authors on Norse magic and european folk magic and beliefs is Nicholaj De Matos Frisvold, Norwegian born but living in Brasil. He has written on subjects like Quimbanda, Palo Mayombe, Obeah, Ifa, and he's a white norwegian guy.
The key to finding your religion, or system, is to let it find you. Of course, you are welcome to explore and inform yourself, but the choice will come from "them", ie, you will be chosen.

 

[Robert Ramsay]

I had already read a handful of books on magic before that, but after finishing the excellent "Elements of Spellcrafting: 21 Keys to Successful Sorcery", generously made available by @SkullTraill , I feel like I graduated from dabbler to proper neophyte. So, now, the question for me is choosing a main tradition/pantheon to work with.

I should mention that my primary goals for the time being are related to getting specific jobs and love interests (not planning to bind anyone, just have people be put in my way in order to facilitate things happening).

Magic requires a belief system, but it doesn't matter what system it is. As others in this thread have said, you just need to believe in it. The simplest belief system is to believe in your own abilities as a magician. No deities, spirits, planets, what-have-you required.