Polytheism in Paganism: The Many Gods, Goddesses, and Sacred Traditions That Shape the Craft
Polytheism is at the heart of paganism—an ancient yet living belief system built around honoring multiple gods, goddesses, spirits, and forces of nature. Today, millions of modern pagans still follow polytheistic traditions, maintaining devotional relationships with deities through ritual, offerings, and lived spiritual practice.
Whether you’re a beginner just stepping into the world of paganism or an experienced practitioner looking to deepen your devotional work, understanding polytheism in paganism is essential. This guide explores the origins, meaning, and practices behind polytheistic worship—and the herbs, foods, and offerings traditionally used to honor the gods and goddesses.
What Polytheism Actually Means in Paganism
Polytheism simply means believing in or honoring multiple deities. But in paganism, the concept is much richer—and more nuanced—than most people realize.
Modern Pagans Understand Deities in Multiple Ways
Some pagans view the gods as literal, independent beings.
Others see them as archetypes, spiritual forces, ancestral energies, or masks of a larger divine source.
There is no “correct” way—polytheism allows multiplicity in both deity and belief.
Polytheism vs Monotheism vs Pantheism
Paganism often includes elements of:
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Polytheism: many gods
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Soft polytheism: gods may be aspects of a greater whole
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Pantheism: the divine is in everything
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Animism: spirits inhabit all things
Most modern pagans weave these views together organically.
Why Polytheism Defines Pagan Practice
To be pagan isn’t just to believe in many gods—it’s to engage with them, honor them, and develop a personal or cultural relationship with their stories, symbols, and energy.
It’s active, living devotion.
The Role of Gods and Goddesses Across Pagan Traditions
Every pagan path has its own deities and mythic cycles, but all share a reverence for divine multiplicity.
Celtic Deities
Brigid, Lugh, The Morrigan, Cernunnos
Associated with fire, sovereignty, smithcraft, inspiration, war, and the wild.
Norse Deities
Odin, Thor, Freyja, Freyr, Loki
Linked to storm, wisdom, fate, magic, fertility, and transformation.
Greek / Hellenic Deities
Hecate, Artemis, Apollo, Athena, Dionysus
Connected to magic, moon, prophecy, harvest, arts, and ecstatic rites.
Egyptian / Kemetic Deities
Isis, Osiris, Hathor, Ra, Anubis
Tied to rebirth, order, sky, the Nile, afterlife, and ancestral power.
Wiccan God & Goddess
Often represented as the Horned God and the Triple Goddess, embodying cycles of nature.
How Pagans Honor Their Gods: Rituals, Offerings & Sacred Acts
Deity worship varies widely, but core practices remain consistent across pagan cultures.
Daily Devotion & Altars
Most pagans maintain a shrine or altar containing:
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A bowl for offerings
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Water or wine
Traditional Offerings Used to Honor the Gods
Offerings are meant to show respect, gratitude, and connection. Common offerings include:
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Herbs (mugwort, rosemary, lavender, rowan berries)
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Foods (bread, apples, grains, pomegranate seeds)
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Liquids (mead, ale, wine, milk, honey)
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Incense (frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood)
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Flames or candles
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Handcrafted items
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Seasonal foods, fruits, or baked goods
These offerings appear across nearly every pagan tradition—from ancient temples to modern apartments.
Seasonal Festivals & Deity Rites
During Sabbats and equinoxes, pagans offer seasonally aligned foods:
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Imbolc: dairy, seeds, oatcakes (Brigid)
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Beltane: honey, flowers, wine
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Lughnasadh: bread, grains, berries
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Samhain: apples, pomegranate, ancestral food
These offerings echo ancient harvest cycles and agricultural traditions.
Herbs, Foods & Sacred Correspondences in Polytheistic Traditions
Each pantheon has its specific herbs and offerings. Here are just a few:
Celtic Traditions
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Rowan berries for protection
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Hawthorn for fae and liminal rites
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Mugwort for divination
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Mead & oat bread as offerings to Brigid and Lugh
Norse Traditions
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Evergreen branches for resilience and the Aesir
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Oak leaves for Thor
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Ale or mead for Odin and many others
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Roasted barley or grains for harvest deities
Hellenic Traditions
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Honey & milk for nearly all Greek gods
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Pomegranate for Persephone and underworld rites
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Olive oil for Athena and household blessings
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Frankincense for Apollo and prophetic work
Wiccan & Eclectic Pagan Practices
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Moon herbs (jasmine, chamomile, mugwort) for the Goddess
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Red wine, apples, and bread for the God
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Sabbat-specific herbs (rose for Beltane, cinnamon for Yule)
How to Build a Modern Polytheistic Devotional Practice
Polytheism isn’t just history—it’s a living path.
1. Create a Deity Altar or Shrine
Your altar may include:
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A deity statue, symbol, or image
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Candle colors associated with them
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Herbs or plants sacred to their mythology
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An offering bowl or cup
It doesn’t need to be elaborate—only intentional.
2. Choose Appropriate Offerings
Offerings can be:
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Herbal (burnt or placed fresh)
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Food-based (bread, fruit, sweets, grains)
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Liquid (wine, tea, water, mead)
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Symbolic items (keys for Hecate, feathers for Odin, flowers for Brigid)
3. Write Your Own Prayers or Invocations
Deities respond to genuine intention more than perfect poetry. A simple invocation such as:
“[Deity], I honor you with this offering. May my actions reflect your teachings.”
is enough.
4. Recognize Signs of Deity Contact
Common signs include:
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Recurring symbols
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Dreams featuring animals or colors associated with a god
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Sudden interest in mythology
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Repeating numbers or names
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Strong intuitive impressions
Deity work requires discernment, grounding, and respect—but it is deeply transformative.
FAQ: People Also Ask
Can you worship gods from different pantheons?
Many pagans do, especially eclectic and modern practitioners. Harmony depends on the deities’ domains and your respectful approach.
Do pagan gods require physical offerings?
Not always—but offerings are a longstanding tradition. Many pagans give offerings symbolically (lighting a candle, reciting a prayer).
What if you stop working with a deity?
You can respectfully withdraw from a devotional relationship. Offer thanks, acknowledge the transition, and close the altar space if needed.
Part 2: Offerings by Pantheon: How Modern Pagans Honor Their Gods & Goddesses
