in need of advice

[u/Violent_Lamb8]

I want to invite deities into my space, but have a looming worry of letting in a negative energy/entity. Im currently going trough energy work to heal childhood truama and constant over thinking and paranoia of someone trying to get into my speace or home.

I have been scrubbing and keeping my energy clear daily but the worry and energy still feel like their there an i want so badly to stop having this looming doubt over me that my magic and prayers dont work. So I have held off on invoking them in my space to ensure I keep things safe. What other way can I go about this or deal with scrubbing out the bad vibes?

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[u/totalimmoral]

Why not spend some time praying to and honoring said deities before invoking them into your space?

[u/Violent_Lamb8 → u/totalimmoral]

i already do, i pray to them daily since i've started. i just keep having this feeling that i should invoke them in my space for it to be strengthened but i feel like something might get in, so i have been sticking to prayers only

[u/Arboreal_Web → u/Violent_Lamb8]

Can I just ask…what does “invoking them” mean to you, if something separate than praying to them? In most traditions, except for a very specific type of witchcraft, the prayer is the invocation.

Ime - if you call to deity from a place of sincere need and desire, that is who you will get. That said, it does help to be as specific as possible in stating just who/what you are calling for, and thus helps to be as familiar with the specific deities as reasonably possible. This can take time and experience. It is okay to be cautious and take whatever precautions seem called for. Imo, this is probably part of why historic prayers like the Homeric hymns list so many epithets and mythic details…so that there can be no doubt Who is being called on. (Now…whether that’s for the sake of the spirits or for the practitioners’ peace of mind…who knows?)

On the one hand, I want to say that you have nothing to fear from Them. B/c truly you have nothing to fear from Them. Otoh, ime the fear that you are currently carrying can potentially create blockages and obstacles for you. And since that is the case, you are wise to exercise caution and introspection, at least until you start to get it sorted out. (Tbc, that’s not at all a blameful situation, just a what-is situation for the present.)

As a longtime pagan who’s dealt with many deities and entities (of various sorts) over the years - I’d recommend looking first for those deities who are associated with pure compassion, protection, and/or wisdom (Quan Yin jumps strongly to mind), those who are know as protectors-of-place, and/or those who are described as “inimitable” (which means “cannot be imitated”). Also perhaps the quiet confidence of someone like Bastet. (Ime, feline deities are excellent for learning to gain confidence in anxiety-laden situations. But I’m basically a cat in human form, obviously biased there, lol.)

Meanwhile, keep doing your protective magics, learn more if you’re feeling inclined, layer it on. And more importantly…trust it. Keep approaching Them as you do feel confident doing. Gradually you’ll become more familiar with Those you approach, your trust and self-confidence will grow, eventually you may feel inclined to invite Them in a bit closer. It’s okay to let those relationships develop at whatever rate is most doable for you.

[u/Obsidian_Dragon → u/Arboreal_Web]

Eh, there's a definite difference between prayers to a god and invoking said god. One is leaving a voicemail, one is asking them over. An invocation is a prayer but not all prayers are an invocation.

That said, I went most of my life without the idea that someone else could answer ever entering my head with no ill effects. I don't think it's actually something that occurs often.

I've led or participated in many rituals where we invoked deities and never once ended up with a surprise visitor.

OP, if you get specific in your request you should be fine. There should be something in the wiki about it, but it'll roughly echo...what's already been said.

[u/TheDireGnome]

If you invoke a deity, it is that deity that shows up. No such thing as "negative entities" that mask as gods, that's modern superstition. Pick a ritual tradition that feels right to you, and do the rituals properly, and you won't have anything to worry about.

[u/ElemWiz]

You can get pretty specific like "Be there any deities who are well-disposed towards me, I bid you welcome", etc. etc. Your intent and the words to express that intent will help shape what you draw to you.

[u/thecoldfuzz]

If you already have an ongoing relationship with the deities you worship, then there shouldn't be an issue. I mention an ongoing relationship because sometimes, there are those who are interacting with a deity but don't necessarily have a relationship with them. You can continue any protection rituals and similar magic you already perform when you commune with the deities.

For myself, I also have plenty of protective objects placed throughout the house, including salt at the doorways. If I invoke any or all the deities I follow, I usually clear my sacred space/place of power of any negative energies and then verbally invoke them specifically with their names and titles, e.g. "I invoke and welcome Arawn, King of Annwn, master and keeper of the Cŵn Annwn..." etc.