Deity Work 101
An Omnist’s Guide to Deity Work
For beginners, skeptics, or the spiritually curious
Created by The Omnist Altar
Written by: Raine Corrado – July 11, 2025
Section One: Introduction
Author’s Foreword
I remember when the deities first appeared in my life. I was raised Catholic, and after a long stint of atheism, I began rediscovering my spiritual self through energy healing, meditation, and manifestation practices.
“I don’t need religion or gods!” I told myself. “I’m in control of my own life! They’ll only complicate things. I don’t have the energy for worship anyway.”
Despite the excuses, I couldn’t shake a nagging feeling deep inside. One day, during a particularly deep meditation, visions of the Kemetic goddess Isis flooded my mind, unlocking childhood memories of being utterly fascinated by her and by Bastet, the cat goddess. I even recalled a conversation years earlier when a client told me that deities sometimes reach out first when they want a relationship.
Immediately, icy fear gripped me. “No!” I thought. “The gods aren’t real—I’m imagining things!” Yet, at the same time, the fear that they were real—and that I was disrespecting them—felt stronger than anything.
Fortunately, this story has a happy ending. After two weeks of resistance, I finally sat back down and, with an open heart, invited them in. I said out loud, “Okay, if anyone’s around, now’s the time. Show yourself!” After a pause, an overwhelming wave of love swept over me, so infinite and powerful that I burst into joyful tears. It felt like meeting the family my soul had been searching for. The gods weren’t scary—they were powerful, yes, but also loving, supportive, and sometimes, really funny.
Since that first meeting, my practice has evolved, and so has my understanding of them. I’ve had profound experiences that erased my doubt, and moments afterward where I questioned my sanity again. If you’ve felt doubt even after powerful spiritual experiences, know this: it’s normal. The ebb and flow of faith is a necessary part of spiritual growth.
So, What Are Deities?
A deity is a being of pure energy who is accessible to more than one person. In this guide, “deity” refers broadly to any divine being, not just gods or goddesses. This includes spirits, ancestors, archetypes, or energetic guardians—you can work with all of them in similar ways.
Simply put: deity work is the practice of forming a personal relationship with the divine.
Some resonate with mythological figures, while others feel called to ancestors or elemental spirits. Start wherever you feel most curious, and remain open to new experiences until you find what fits best. Your practice is yours alone—differences in experience do not mean you are wrong. It only means that experience was for you and you alone.
Section Two: Exploring Relationship Styles
In this guide, deity work is presented in three main categories: Casual, Devotional, and Ceremonial.
Your practice is your own. Mix, combine, or adapt as needed. Some deities may prefer casual connection, while others respond best through ceremonial practice. There are no wrong answers—the greatest honor you can give is acknowledgment.
Style 1: Casual Deity Work
What It Is:
A relaxed relationship with the divine. No altars, no offerings, no formal structure—just presence. Low-pressure and low-maintenance, it works especially well for those with limited time or energy. Think: companions, visitors, friends.
Common Practices:
Mental conversations or daydream chats
Meditation sessions where they “drop in”
Spotting synchronicities (numbers, signs, animals)
Asking for advice on daily tasks
Sharing music or “leaving a seat open” for them
Examples:
“I was at the thrift store and saw something that reminded me of Bastet. I thanked her and sent love.”
“I invited Odin to join me while I took a break from my computer.”
“Xochiquetzal loves music, so sometimes I invite her to listen with me.”
Personal Notes:
Some deities interact only casually. Hermes, for example, never responded to me through ritual, but when I approached him as a friend, his presence came through clearly. Now we mostly connect through music, numbers, and casual conversation.
For me, casual deity work provides love, protection, and comfort without the energy demands of ritual. It feels equal—like mutual friendship rather than me trying to earn favor.
Pro Tip:
Even casual relationships require boundaries. An “open door” policy can lead to fatigue and burnout. Set limits for when and how you want to engage.
Resources:
Your greatest resource here is your own experience. Keep interacting and asking directly. If you want or need extra guidance, you can book a live session with me or buy a channeled letter from your deity at TheOmnistAltar.com.
Style 2: Devotional Deity Work
What It Is:
A practice of intention and offerings. Devotion is not servitude—it is love. Offering time, energy, and creativity in meaningful ways are the main avenues of devotional work. This style deepens connection and intimacy.
Common Practices:
Building altars or shrines
Lighting candles or incense
Dedicating meals, songs, or hobbies
Writing poetry, creating art, or praying
Celebrating feast days or festivals
Examples:
Dedicating a yoga session to Shiva for guidance
Giving the first bite of each meal to queer ancestors
Lighting a silver candle for Selene each Monday and leaving moon water on the windowsill
Personal Notes:
Devotional work has made me more mindful. When a sip of tea becomes an act of devotion, everyday moments turn magical. Devotion also motivates me—sometimes more than doing something “for myself.”
The physical act of offering brings connection that casual work cannot replicate. Feeling a deity respond to your actions through the energy around you is profoundly moving.
Pro Tip:
Avoid possessiveness. It’s natural to seek your deity everywhere as your love deepens, but unhealthy attachment can lead to burnout. Appreciate the connection in the moment and let it go when it is time to return to your day-to-day life.
Resources:
Study religious practices across traditions for inspiration, or read up on other people’s devotional practices. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t. If you need a place to start, The Omnist Altar offers deity confirmation bundles that include both a one-of-a-kind hand-drawn sigil charged with your specific devotional bond to your deity (for use in rituals and/or on your altar) as well as a channeled letter from your deity detailing what they would like from you and how to connect with them.
Style 3: Ceremonial Deity Work
What It Is:
This formal style invokes deities for wisdom, guidance, or power in ritual and spellwork. It is often transactional, with offerings required for interaction. Ceremonial work resonates with paths of witchcraft, servitude, or archetypal reverence.
⚠️ Caution: This path requires respect and clear consent. Do not invoke what you are not ready to honor.
Common Practices:
Invoking deities in spells or rituals
Making food or perishable offerings
Formal prayers
Creating charms, talismans, or oils
Using ceremonial language
Examples:
Lighting a candle to Amun-Ra daily with prayer
Invoking Poseidon during ritual: “Hail Lord Poseidon, great and mighty ruler of the seas… Please accept this offering as gratitude for your aid.”
Personal Notes:
Though I rarely practice ceremonial deity work, I appreciate its depth. The structured language creates a unique energy distinct from casual or devotional practices.
Resources:
Queer Rituals by Enfys J. Book
Eternal Egypt by Richard J. Reidy
Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today by Tony Mierzwicki
A Book of Pagan Prayer by Ceisiwr Serith
Deepening Witchcraft by Grey Cat
Your Path, Your Way
There is no hierarchy—only what resonates with you.
You might…
Start casually, but grow devotional with one deity
Reserve ritual for special occasions
Be devotional with one and ceremonial with another
Stay casual with an entire pantheon
Examples in Practice:
Casual with Hermes, but invoke him formally for protection while traveling
Ceremonial in rituals, but devotional with Lilith through a necklace worn daily
Building Your Practice – Reflection Prompts:
Who has been showing up for you?
What kind of connection do you want to build?
What offerings or actions feel natural?
Are you drawn more to ritual, meditation, art, or something else?
Can you commit gently, without pressure?
Final Thoughts:
Deity work is about relationship, not performance. Whether quiet company, radiant devotion, or co-creating magic, your practice is sacred. Let it grow with you. You are not alone—your deities walk beside you.
FAQs
How Do I Get Started?
Simply reach out! Put on calming music, close your eyes, and say: “If anyone is there, please show yourself now.” Then wait. You may meet a deity immediately, notice signs later, or feel nothing until the right moment arrives. Intention matters more than money or elaborate setup.
Are There “Bad” or “Evil” Deities?
In my experience…no, none. Some are more tough to handle, but when you work with energy, everything comes back to you. Any beings intelligent enough to have an identity are not dumb enough to do harm because the repercussions are not worth it. Furthermore, they also only have as much power in your life as you give them, so do not be afraid to set boundaries and be stern about what you will not accept from them. Your word and intention is law with the divine.
Do They Control My Life?
No—you always have autonomy. Deities guide and support, but you remain responsible for your own choices.
How Do I Know They’re Reaching Out?
If you suspect they are, they probably are. Look for synchronicities—names, symbols, repeating patterns. Trust your intuition. Tools like tarot or pendulums can help, or if you need assistance, you can book a reading — I recommend a pendulum reading (if needing a simple yes/no confirmation), deity identification reading (if wanting to identify multiple names/presences), or deity confirmation (if wanting to confirm and begin your practice right away).
Claiming vs. Invoking
Claiming: When a deity reaches out first, creating an immediate deep bond.
Often, you will feel as though you resemble them in some way as well, as if they are family to you. Claiming is an incredibly personal experience and is very much a “when you know, you know” type situation. They will make it clear.
Invoking: When you call upon a deity through ritual. They may not respond if it’s not the right fit for you.
This often refers to attempting to get the attention of a deity through offerings and worship, and it should be known that this does not always succeed. You may request the presence of a deity who never replies – but rest assured, this only happens because they are simply not a good fit for your growth at this time, and they know better than us how compatible we will be with them. Try to open yourself up to new experiences and energetic partners if this happens.
How Do I Build an Altar?
Define its purpose (general, specific deity, element, etc.).
Fill it with meaningful items—intention matters more than cost.
Keep it clean, physically and energetically.
Is There a Limit to How Many Deities I Can Work With?
Nope!
What Is “Godspousing”? Can Deities Love Humans?
“Godspousing” is a specific type of oath or spiritual marriage with a deity for deep devotion. It also may or may not be sexual in nature. This is quite a controversial subject, but I wanted to include it in here as I have a few thoughts.
Simply put, yes, in my experience deities can feel all the emotions we can – including falling in love. Even so, there is no one type of connection that is more or less sacred than others. God-spousing is simply one style of connecting with the divine, just as is taking on a matron/patron or feeling as if you are your deity’s child. Your experience and the experience of others are valid, and if it’s not doing harm to yourself or others, then feel free to own your truth and your experience with the divine in every form. No one knows the divine more than another, in the end. We all live out our own truths.
How Do I Know I’m Not Making It Up?
You don’t! Deities appear in forms tailored to your perspective. What matters is not how they look, but how they make you feel. If your practice brings peace, wholeness, and love, it is real and valid.
Click here for a free downloadable PDF of this guide to use at your leisure. A gift from me to you as a thank you for visiting my altar ♥
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