Topic of February: Ramifications of Cross-Pantheon Worship

Ooohh, fun topic.

"What are the ramifications of worshipping multiple pantheons ...." -- One ramification or consequence is the realization of just how amazing and diverse the world really is. Polytheists like to accuse monotheists of being narrow-minded and absolutist, but I think polytheists can become ... well ... so ensconced in a single cultural worldview (Hellenic, Kemetic, Norse, et cetera) that it can a bit of a shock when one encounters another, different polytheist worldview. For example, the assertion that "the Sun is masculine and the Moon is feminine." Well, yes, in certain mythologies (Hellenic, Roman, et cetera) the Sun is linked to or considered a God while the Moon is a Goddess. But that is not the case in Canaanite, Japanese and various Baltic mythologies. And I think that shock, that eye-opening realization, can open one to a whole host of new perspectives, insights, experiences, et cetera.

"How does one go about it ..." -- Carefully. And as practically and pragmatically as possible.

"What is it like when there are multiple pantheons in a house hold ..." -- Hectic. Though I suppose it depends on whether one pantheon is dominant, and how/if/when holy days and obligations overlap. I've been Hellenic for a *long* time with a tangential interest in Egyptian Deities. Now, out of the blue, Odin and Frau Holle have shown up and I find myself setting up an altar to the Norse pantheon. *sigh*

"How about pantheons that don't see eye to eye (is this a problem for anyone) ..." -- Not a problem for me, but I am curious to hear from others. I was under the impression that it was more Deities within pantheons who had difficulties (family dynamics and all that) than Deities from different pantheons.

"And how does one handle honoring the Gods of the household when you have a polytheist and a monotheist living together?" -- Ah, that would be me. In our case, I have a room set aside for my altars and craft work. I also have "stealth" sacred spots all over the house, like the Hera icon in the living room; and my collection of polytheist literature is *everywhere*. Truthfully, it's not much of an issue for us -- maybe because my husband is a (mostly) live-and-let-live, non-church-going Christian.

I once tried to mix Roman and Greek pantheons with goddesses but it didn't work for me. I'm still considering sticking to my Christian pantheons but lately I've been thinking of adding Norse goddess Freyja to off-set some of the purity ramifications of the Christian pantheon. She, however, is the only Norse goddess I'm actually interested in learning about.

For me, it's more like Jesus and his mother Mary. I no longer see Jesus as God or YHWH, in fact I can't stand YHWH so I rather not worship him. I still pray to a God and Goddess in a sense but a more universal, loving god and goddess. I would be open to saints but the problem is, I'm not used to Catholic style worship although I've experienced some Episcopalianism while at my school. I find that they aren't very saint heavy and kind of Catholic-lite. I haven't incorporated Jewish tradition, although I'm interested in it. I was raised in a strict Baptist home with only some underground pagan influences from a relative who was also raised Christian like me. She did a mix of Wicca and chaos style magick. Basically a dark Wiccan. And she was very against the church and Old Testament style Christianity.