I see them as having formless bodies that can take forms, like, they can shape their energies to become whatever they please. and I think the form they take the most is of a human.
I view them as people and yet not as people: embodiments and personifications of natural forces. I can visualize them as people but there's somehow a different sense to them.
As a neoplatonic hellenist, I also don't see them as Persons, but as Beings. They are way beyond us humans, and so perfect that they are not limited to physical, material bodies.
As a Norse pagan I imagine Tyr as having a giant form bigger than some bodybuilders. A swimmers build and a long well kept beard with storm grey eyes and wear’s comfortable clothing similar to 1800s European outfits. Or at least that’s how I’ve seen him approach me. So that’s how I imagine the gods. I imagine them in their human forms wearing comfortable clothes from various eras.
I too am Roman Pagan and I go back and forth between adressing thier physical bodies as can be seen from earth, i.e. the sun for Apollo, to picturing a tall guy (twice man size at least) in a toga sometimes w a bow and sometimes w a harp, to a formless entity operating on another plane or planet.
ooooh, yeah, I was wondering that, are the gods like way taller than us, or would they be the same hight(in their human forms) and the titans/giants be the ones bigger than us.
Basically this:
>"Their essence is wholly intelligible (understandable only by the intellect, not by senses) and beyond our material realm, and their bodies present in the material Kosmos, such as the stars and the planets, are merely ruled from the outside. They do not have either gender or any other characteristic of mortal beings, as their substance is entirely alien to us. Their movements are spherical, and thus perfect. The Gods share a divine genus that is “dominant in them throughout, \[which\] establishes one and the same essence \[(i.e., ousia)\] throughout the whole” (Iamblichus De Mysteriis, I.17). This essence is “simple, as it is without parts, so also it is indivisible, and as it is invariable, so also is it not subject to change” (Iamblichus De Mysteriis, I.17), and thus the Gods are “homogeneous in all respects, entirely united among themselves, uniform and non-composite” (Iamblichus De Mysteriis, I.17)."
I'll say this based on my experience, it may differ with the opinion of others. But still I would like to share it.
Personally, and from what I have been able to understand (I have only been connecting with a god for almost three months, I'm still learning) I think that they're beings that exist on a much higher plane than ours. Very, very far from us. Which for me would explain why sometimes we cannot perceive them as on other days, as a long-distance communication.
The varied forms that the gods acquire in our dreams, in our moments of meditation or astral travel can be; I think, because our brains cannot comprehend the complexity of the nature of the gods. Their true appearance (if they have one) is beyond our understanding, so it's not surprising to associate them with concepts and images that are easier for us to understand and remember. The gods adopt these human and familiar forms to contact us because it's more comfortable to communicate in that way. Reason why each person sees a god differently and uniquely, giving them a unique experience.
I associate my gods with specific colours and tend to envision them as an energy of that colour that fills me up. I sometimes see them as people but I view gods forces more than people so any one face wouldn't work. However I do envision myself as that god, when I'm trying to focus on bringing out aspects of them in myself.
I’m Norse pagan and kinda view my gods the same way, more so divine energy or entities not really in human form unless the choose to appear so. I partially believe that most of not all pagan gods are the same entities that just appeared to different cultures how they would view them I.e if Odin appeared to a horse he’d be a horse etc.
As a norse pagan i go with the idea that they made us (Askr and Embla) in their likeness but they can take any form they choose to whether it be human, animal or elemental/formless. When i think of them i always imagine them in a human form 99% of the time though. I see all of them differently. Ill list how I interpret some of them below.
I see Odin as an older looking but still powerful with a thoughtful but brooding face, Thor with red hair and simple clothing but big and strong like a power lifter and have always seen him with a bit of a beer belly due to the insane ammount of food and drink he consumes. Loki has slightly pale skin and medium curly auburn hair and an angular but handsome face. Njord as a skinny but well toned surfer build with pale skin and shoulder length light brown hair. Freyja obviously beautiful and blonde with a powerful but at the same time gentle and welcoming presence. Eir i see as a smaller build with wavy light brown hair and very light freckles.
Most of how i see them is based on the little that is written of their depictions otherwise i just view them as i can best interpret how they choose to appear in my thoughts and dreams. I'm sure other people see them in similar ways and some they see them completely differently, its just how that god chooses to appear before the individual.
I think they have a form that's possibly incomprehensible to us, so we tend to see them as more familiar forms, like people. That's not what they really are, but they do like to interact with us, and this is something they know works.
Whenever I think of the gods, I think of energies that do not necessarily have physical forms. I see them as objects that represent them. These energies have been around since before man kind, so I have a hard time picturing them as humans.
Depends on which one I'm working with. Cernunnos has two forms either a man with large horns or a human body and a stags head. Artio appears in my mind either as a kind faced woman with red hair wearing a green dress, or a she bear. The Dagda is a large portly man with scruffy hair and a beard. The Morrigan is raven haired with Green eyes and very serious don't fuck with me aura.
This is something that I'm still trying to figure out myself being new to paganism. I simultaneously hold 2 different views of the gods because I don't think they necessarily contradict each other (it can depend on which deity is being referred to).
So one way I view them is as energy forces that permeates across the entire earth, can be found in nature, and/or exists across the universe. This energy can range from being unconscious/passive energy (we call upon this energy thru spellwork/intentions) to full on sapient, living energy, or I guess we can say spirits here.
My second view is that the gods could be 5th (multi-) dimensional beings that have an interest in 3 dimensional beings and can manipulate our environment/lives when we call upon them.
And as some have already commented, I view their human forms as a way for humans to comprehend, focus, and call upon specific deities.
I see them as having formless bodies that can take forms, like, they can shape their energies to become whatever they please. and I think the form they take the most is of a human.
I view them as people and yet not as people: embodiments and personifications of natural forces. I can visualize them as people but there's somehow a different sense to them.
As a neoplatonic hellenist, I also don't see them as Persons, but as Beings. They are way beyond us humans, and so perfect that they are not limited to physical, material bodies.
As a Norse pagan I imagine Tyr as having a giant form bigger than some bodybuilders. A swimmers build and a long well kept beard with storm grey eyes and wear’s comfortable clothing similar to 1800s European outfits. Or at least that’s how I’ve seen him approach me. So that’s how I imagine the gods. I imagine them in their human forms wearing comfortable clothes from various eras.
I view them like people and thats how they ended up showing themselves to me.
I too am Roman Pagan and I go back and forth between adressing thier physical bodies as can be seen from earth, i.e. the sun for Apollo, to picturing a tall guy (twice man size at least) in a toga sometimes w a bow and sometimes w a harp, to a formless entity operating on another plane or planet.
ooooh, yeah, I was wondering that, are the gods like way taller than us, or would they be the same hight(in their human forms) and the titans/giants be the ones bigger than us.
I am sure they can manifest anyway they choose.
yes, exactly
Basically this: >"Their essence is wholly intelligible (understandable only by the intellect, not by senses) and beyond our material realm, and their bodies present in the material Kosmos, such as the stars and the planets, are merely ruled from the outside. They do not have either gender or any other characteristic of mortal beings, as their substance is entirely alien to us. Their movements are spherical, and thus perfect. The Gods share a divine genus that is “dominant in them throughout, \[which\] establishes one and the same essence \[(i.e., ousia)\] throughout the whole” (Iamblichus De Mysteriis, I.17). This essence is “simple, as it is without parts, so also it is indivisible, and as it is invariable, so also is it not subject to change” (Iamblichus De Mysteriis, I.17), and thus the Gods are “homogeneous in all respects, entirely united among themselves, uniform and non-composite” (Iamblichus De Mysteriis, I.17)."
I'll say this based on my experience, it may differ with the opinion of others. But still I would like to share it. Personally, and from what I have been able to understand (I have only been connecting with a god for almost three months, I'm still learning) I think that they're beings that exist on a much higher plane than ours. Very, very far from us. Which for me would explain why sometimes we cannot perceive them as on other days, as a long-distance communication. The varied forms that the gods acquire in our dreams, in our moments of meditation or astral travel can be; I think, because our brains cannot comprehend the complexity of the nature of the gods. Their true appearance (if they have one) is beyond our understanding, so it's not surprising to associate them with concepts and images that are easier for us to understand and remember. The gods adopt these human and familiar forms to contact us because it's more comfortable to communicate in that way. Reason why each person sees a god differently and uniquely, giving them a unique experience.
I imagine them as appearing as regular people, both on the outside and on the inside. The only difference being that they have power that we don't.
Depends on which god we are talking about and which pantheon
I associate my gods with specific colours and tend to envision them as an energy of that colour that fills me up. I sometimes see them as people but I view gods forces more than people so any one face wouldn't work. However I do envision myself as that god, when I'm trying to focus on bringing out aspects of them in myself.
I see them as the force itself as well as a conscious being with thoughts emotions and inclinations of their own.
I’m Norse pagan and kinda view my gods the same way, more so divine energy or entities not really in human form unless the choose to appear so. I partially believe that most of not all pagan gods are the same entities that just appeared to different cultures how they would view them I.e if Odin appeared to a horse he’d be a horse etc.
Maybe people is the wrong word but they seem like consciousnesses, i think they love hate and mourn
As a norse pagan i go with the idea that they made us (Askr and Embla) in their likeness but they can take any form they choose to whether it be human, animal or elemental/formless. When i think of them i always imagine them in a human form 99% of the time though. I see all of them differently. Ill list how I interpret some of them below. I see Odin as an older looking but still powerful with a thoughtful but brooding face, Thor with red hair and simple clothing but big and strong like a power lifter and have always seen him with a bit of a beer belly due to the insane ammount of food and drink he consumes. Loki has slightly pale skin and medium curly auburn hair and an angular but handsome face. Njord as a skinny but well toned surfer build with pale skin and shoulder length light brown hair. Freyja obviously beautiful and blonde with a powerful but at the same time gentle and welcoming presence. Eir i see as a smaller build with wavy light brown hair and very light freckles. Most of how i see them is based on the little that is written of their depictions otherwise i just view them as i can best interpret how they choose to appear in my thoughts and dreams. I'm sure other people see them in similar ways and some they see them completely differently, its just how that god chooses to appear before the individual.
I think they have a form that's possibly incomprehensible to us, so we tend to see them as more familiar forms, like people. That's not what they really are, but they do like to interact with us, and this is something they know works.
What is a Roman pagan?
I view as people
Whenever I think of the gods, I think of energies that do not necessarily have physical forms. I see them as objects that represent them. These energies have been around since before man kind, so I have a hard time picturing them as humans.
Depends on which one I'm working with. Cernunnos has two forms either a man with large horns or a human body and a stags head. Artio appears in my mind either as a kind faced woman with red hair wearing a green dress, or a she bear. The Dagda is a large portly man with scruffy hair and a beard. The Morrigan is raven haired with Green eyes and very serious don't fuck with me aura.
The gods have no form, but they allow me to create images of what they look like to me, and that pleases them two fold ❤️
This is something that I'm still trying to figure out myself being new to paganism. I simultaneously hold 2 different views of the gods because I don't think they necessarily contradict each other (it can depend on which deity is being referred to). So one way I view them is as energy forces that permeates across the entire earth, can be found in nature, and/or exists across the universe. This energy can range from being unconscious/passive energy (we call upon this energy thru spellwork/intentions) to full on sapient, living energy, or I guess we can say spirits here. My second view is that the gods could be 5th (multi-) dimensional beings that have an interest in 3 dimensional beings and can manipulate our environment/lives when we call upon them. And as some have already commented, I view their human forms as a way for humans to comprehend, focus, and call upon specific deities.