I am posting this with general interest in any branch of Paganism or the Earth traditions, not just the ones with 'gods' per se - how do you interact with your lwa / guardian spirits / daemons / orisha / saints / angels etc? (I also don't mean to say that I think the former classifications are all the same thing - the / is there for convenience).

For example, I have quite an intense relationship with my spirits; they get a little miffed if I don't keep giving them attention. Some people might not be comfortable with this as it reeks of superstition and being 'p*ssy-whipped' (both suggestions are routinely thrown at the Vodou path). I don't mind, though I know it's not for everyone; for me the spirits exist very much in the real world and are not 'archetypes', they are just as individual as you or me, and like a close friend they can get annoyed if you don't call them every so often!

I would like to work up to doing something every day - at least feeding my ancestors a bit of coffee - but for now, I do try to always recognise my spirits on their special days for example Legba on a Monday, Baron Samedi on Friday/Saturday and Ogoun on a Wednesday. This involves giving them something they like (rum, beans, sweeties, a lump of raw flesh etc) and can prove to be rather expensive in the long term, but I think it's worth it. In Vodou it is believed that they are strengthened by being fed - so it's in the pracitioner's best interest to keep them well fed. However, if they stop 'working' for us, then we stop feeding them because the relationship should never be parasitic.

Anyway that's my example, I would love to hear how you interact with/feed your spirits!

Each persons relationships with their deities is different, I meet my gods on a level, I respect and honour them, but I am not beyond having a good swear and rant at them on occasion if I feel that it's warranted.

If I want a favour of the gods, they have respect for me and my efforts otherwise they will not be interested, in my expeience the gods will only deal with those that have earned their respect, I know that they are going to require payment of some kind from me and that I have to negotiate in detail as to what I am prepared to give in return for their assistance.

Storm Raven

I bow to them every morning, and burn incense now and then.
They bow back to me. Once in a while they ask me to do something.

Mine seem to like alcohol. They all have specific tastes, though some are more picky - or more off the wall - than others. (WHich reminds me: I owe one some absinth. )

They're pretty much the same gods as Storm Raven's, so we negotiate, argue, chat, discuss things and play games. The games tend to be of the sort where they drop hints and I ask them just to tell me outright, but they expect us to be intelligent and sort it out for ourselves.

And yes, they'll offer help, but it's taken for granted that I won't use them any more than I expect them not to use me, so the gift giving is reciprocal.

I presume the absinthe is for our friend Loki, they do like to play games and tricks.

Storm Raven

Now, whatever would give you that idea?

He has some strange tastes. In all sorts of things.

Lately after years spent as a confirmed Wiccan style duotheist (despite also practising Druidry) I had a sort of slow motion conversion experience which took about 2 years. Now I try to embrace the Mystery of life and the sacred without seeking to categorise unnecessarily. Currently this is taking the form of 'praying' (by which I mean cultivating a 'feeling' of connection and love) to diverse manifestations of nature like the Stars, the Wind the Earth and my fellow humans.

I'm not expecting anything back from these forces, but its a pleasant process that seems to bring a calmness and sense of safety and belonging in the world beyond that which I was expecting.

Particularly the last one, I should say.

I refer to them a guides or helpers, with some of them we kick around together alot, helping and working with one anther where needed, but always with respect. Others come and go only on occasions when they or I need one anther.

As for offerings or tokens of thanks, each one is an individual and I treat them as such. One prefers me to go plant something on the land when ever we work together as a mark of respect. Others are around so often they don't ask for anything more than a word of thanks or to be remebered in a perticular way at specific times.

This can be food or alcohol related as these were spirits that we knew well in life as well as in the current form. My OH has a guide who love a glass of decent red wine and a smoke, on a perticular this is what she get's. Neither of us smoke but she has a box of her own cigerets and one is lit for her and left until it expires naturally.

My own personal guide who I knew very well in his life time and who was a fully working medicine carrier, still helps me when and where I need it or reminds me if I have forgoten something. He's a character and makes it very clear to even the most thick skinned people that he is about. If he want's to with him it's a challange and a game. But we have a very deep mutual respect for one anathor, and neither over step the mark. For him it's good food, good wine and a gallop once in a while on a fast horse. I ride one and lead anather beside me in respect for him. It's all he ask's and that I always respect.

Siksika

I tend to ignore them. Not from stubborness but from genuine disagreement. I never asked for any guides or deity, accept some stuff and do deals (I would be stupid to deny the sometime necessity or guidance). For example I found out after many years that my 'conscience' was actually my grandmother (passed over). I don't want her conscience, and I disagree with much of her 'morals' or ethics. I do accept the input and weigh it up. Sometimes she is dead right (lol) and I can feel that despite my personal wishes, I bow to her wisdom. So after ignoring her and other guides, even deity, in the end I do offer love and gratitude. That costs me nowt and helps the worlds go around eh?

Loki, strange tastes, never.

He's into all sorts of weird and wonderful stuff, I think he's the one behind some of the strange drinks I've encountered over the years, M&Ms being the least dangerous and weird.

Storm Raven

Now that's what I call Guede humour...