I have had some interesting experiences with something known as deity shadowing. It is a form of deity channeling in which the deity's presence is with you and guides you through the ritual. I was unaware that this even existed until I discussed it with a friend here on the site.
My first experience with this occurred during a healing ritual. I felt the presence of my deity come through me, almost as if we were sharing a body and she was using me to direct the flow of the energy. My body felt calm, yet it was vibrating with energy. Even after grounding several times, I still felt this energy lingering for a few hours after. I have had several other experiences like this since then, and I absolutely love it. I feel it really brings me closer to my deity and it shows me that she cares about me as just as much as I care for her.
All that being said, I felt that I needed to share my most recent ritual experience with everyone. A short while ago, I did a ritual for my Goddess, Bastest. It was an offering ritual (I wanted to thank her for being part of my life and helping me and my family throughout our lives). During the ritual, I felt the urge to meditate as if she were telling me to so so. I laid down on the floor and allowed myself to drift off into a meditative state. Shortly after doing so, I found myself at the base of a large stone building that I assume was a temple of some kind. I ascended the stairs and I found Bast waiting for me just inside the doorway. In her hands she held a pink lotus flower. She handed the flower to me and gave me a slight nod as if to say, you know what to do with it.
I returned to my normal state and was slightly confused with the message she had given me. I'd never worked with lotus flowers before nor did I have any idea what one might mean. I looked it up and found out some interesting things.
The lotus (in regards to magical associations) is associated with love, protection, spiritual growth, and psychic awareness.
In ancient Egypt it represented/was associated with rebirth, death, and the sun. The pink lotus represents our state of mind. A closed pink lotus represents transcending to a path of spirituality. An open lotus flower represents enlightenment.
I believe that she was telling me that I am growing on my path and have a better understanding of not only myself and magic but of working with her and the Kemtic faith as well.
I feel that I have truly grown in my years of working with her and I truly love and respect her. She has done so much for me and my family and words can't express the bond that I share with her. It is something truly amazing.
I know some of you might find this hard to believe, but I felt I really needed to share this with everyone.
My question is, has anyone else had an experience like this before with their deity?