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 Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:56 pm
I'm definitely not experienced with the gods. Not with the singular, dual, or multiple. My visions and senses of deity have always been vague and centered on energy and its manifestations.
But I've always had a love for elephants. I have little sandstone families of them, drawings of them, but not in a crazy way. I like them, is all.
As a random chance, I was in a flea market and asked this man about a little wooden elephant he had kind of off from his stall and not on main display. I didn't even ask him the price, but rather where he got it. He said that he just found it himself in a box and then just gave it to me without me asking for it at all. It only had one tusk, and he said that if he ever found the other (they're TINY), he'd give it to me. Haven't seen him since, nor do I mind. I love the little wooden elephant the way that he is.
A friend (who is much more read on deities) got ridiculous excited at this story and suggested that I might have some connection with Ganesha of the Hindu pantheon.
I'm totally out of my depth. Suggestions on whether this makes sense and/or how to proceed? Reading, of course (though personal thoughts on him would be nifty as well).
Edit: I also add that I'm vaguely weirded out by a possible affiliation with a male deity. Even when I have spoken or prayed to a deity, it's nearly always been female if any particular gender at all.
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:01 pm
Ask Ganesha?
It seems like you like elephants- and that's why it came to you, at least, that's how it looks to me. But you can always ask him, right?
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:04 pm
Esiris Ask Ganesha? It seems like you like elephants- and that's why it came to you, at least, that's how it looks to me. But you can always ask him, right? Super stupid question, but how would you suggest doing that?
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:05 pm
My take? Elephants are cool and so are people who like them. My dad worked with elephants for a number of years and has a great love and respect for them. Because of this, he's gained a massive collection of elephants figurines and nick-nacks. He even has a few statues of Ganesha. None of this means he has any connection with Ganesha.
Yes, deities can call you, and some are even rather subtle about it, that doesn't mean every interesting encounter is a god trying to tell you something. My recommendation is to treasure the little carving and do some research on Ganesha and Hindu faith and culture if you're really interested in pursuing that route. That's about it.
edit: From what I can remember, your friend might be getting all excited because Ganesha is depicted as having only one tusk.
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:06 pm
Is it an African or Asian elephant?
As an aside, elephants are some of the most amazing creatures on the planet. They have empathy for other species, they have death rites, they have emotions and they are self-aware. Elephants are awesome.
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:12 pm
Lirael Super stupid question, but how would you suggest doing that? I'd start simple. If it were me, personally- I'd mix a bit of milk and honey and strike up a conversation. "Hey- Ganesha? Are you interested in working with me in some kind of personal way? If you are- can you provide me with something very unmistakable?" Go into it without any preconceptions- without the desire for it to be one way or another, and that's the hard part. Sanguina Cruenta Is it an African or Asian elephant? As an aside, elephants are some of the most amazing creatures on the planet. They have empathy for other species, they have death rites, they have emotions and they are self-aware. Elephants are awesome.And they really are afraid of mice. I wonder why.
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:15 pm
Elephants have rather sensitive (though not overly fragile) feet. They like to know what they're stepping on. Mice are small and fast and difficult to keep track of and easily stepped on. This is a problem.
They're also rather clever and capable of forming plans. At least based on my dad's observations.
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:16 pm
CalledTheRaven Yes, deities can call you, and some are even rather subtle about it, that doesn't mean every interesting encounter is a god trying to tell you something. My recommendation is to treasure the little carving and do some research on Ganesha and Hindu faith and culture if you're really interested in pursuing that route. That's about it. That was my thought. I figured I would ask since I know there are people here who work with or speak to deities who also can look at this chance event more impartially than my friend who, while not pressuring me to become more deity-conscious, seems to think it will happen anyway. Sanguina Cruenta Is it an African or Asian elephant? Well, it's got the smaller ears that curve more in the "India" shape, the bump on the head, and the smallish tusks like the Asian. On the other hand, the trunk seems to be portrayed as having more rings like the African. And I'm glad you agree that they're awesome smile
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:16 pm
Esiris And they really are afraid of mice. I wonder why. Well, I'm afraid of spiders. Maybe they just think they're creepy. Or maybe they're worried they'll step on 'em. Or maybe there's this elephant myth about the Evil Mouse.
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:17 pm
CalledTheRaven They're also rather clever and capable of forming plans. At least based on my dad's observations. The best-laid plans of mice and elephants....
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:19 pm
Lirael I figured I would ask since I know there are people here who work with or speak to deities who also can look at this chance event more impartially than my friend who, while not pressuring me to become more deity-conscious, seems to think it will happen anyway. Don't know if you saw my edit, but I think it's the single tusk that got your friend excited. Ganesha's only got the one.
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:20 pm
Lirael CalledTheRaven They're also rather clever and capable of forming plans. At least based on my dad's observations. The best-laid plans of mice and elephants.... I meant the elephants there. I just realized it could be read either wy. Drat. I must be getting tired. Time for bed then. Good luck!
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:25 pm
CalledTheRaven Don't know if you saw my edit, but I think it's the single tusk that got your friend excited. Ganesha's only got the one. I'd agree smile And I didn't see that - thanks for pointing it out! And I read your post as referring to elephants, but it still made me think of the Burns (I think?) line. Esiris Go into it without any preconceptions- without the desire for it to be one way or another, and that's the hard part. I'll see what I can do - I think the first step in doing this last part about expectations and preconceptions would be to try to identify whether I really do have a desire for it to go one way or another and which it is. Oy.
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 7:24 am
Sanguina Cruenta Esiris And they really are afraid of mice. I wonder why. Well, I'm afraid of spiders. Maybe they just think they're creepy. Or maybe they're worried they'll step on 'em. Or maybe there's this elephant myth about the Evil Mouse. awww man. Now I want to learn Elephant mythology.
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 7:36 am
Esiris Sanguina Cruenta Esiris And they really are afraid of mice. I wonder why. Well, I'm afraid of spiders. Maybe they just think they're creepy. Or maybe they're worried they'll step on 'em. Or maybe there's this elephant myth about the Evil Mouse. awww man. Now I want to learn Elephant mythology. Why not write some?
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