I encountered a goddess today

[brenainn]

Earlier today, my family and I drove to a river in the eastern part of our state. This river is near the site of a relatively minor battle from the War of 1812. Each fall, historical reenactors and vendors arrive for a battle reenactment and to sell really cool replicas of 18th and 19th century tech. For someone aspiring to "crash now and avoid the rush," this annual event always proves to be an informative and educational experience that contributes just a little extra knowledge of how to survive in a faltering industrial civilization.

But the river is my primary concern for this post. Last year, when I attended the reenactment and explored the various vendors' tents, I got the distinct impression that the deity of this river was making her (I think it is a goddess) presence known to me. I had this sense of a benevolent power touching me, and filling me with a sense of hope and purpose. I don't live near this river, so when I left for home, I did not think too much about this experience.

That changed today. When we arrived at the river, I eventually began to feel the benevolent presence of this river goddess. An idea that occurred to me during my time there last fall came back to me: to take something from the river back to my home and use it as part of a shrine or altar to worship this goddess. As I waded about in the water (we went there to swim and lounge on the river bank/beach), my feet began to feel out different stones that I sensed were "just right."

Eventually, I collected a few small stones, and my nieces and nephew also collected a few for me. I can't say why but I cannot shake the feeling that the goddess of this river would like me to use them as part of the shrine that I will build for her. I've even made my first offering to her: as we were leaving, I tossed a couple of coins into the water. It just seemed like the right thing to do.

I'm now thinking more about Unverified Personal Gnosis. I had not given much though to UPG until now. I have no idea what manner the local Amerindians would have worshiped a river deity or spirit. So, I'm not sure how this deity is used to receiving worship in times past (or present). But she seems quite benevolent and has been, so far, very patient with me. So, UPG seems like the sole means that I'll have to guide me as this relationship develops.

We'll see where things go.