Everyone needs a little Magick in their life.
The ancient Pagan Goddesses and Gods have made their way into most of the Magickal traditions of today... Wicca included.
Yes, some of them have been "redefined" over the decades (and centuries)... but it's always important to know where the things you believe in originated.
Are you a man or a woman?
Let's talk about Wiccan deities first, and then delve into the Pagan origins.
The "Moon Goddess" is one of the most important deities in Wicca. It changes form from maid (the waxing moon), to Mother (the full moon), to Crone (the waning moon).
Of course, the Sun is also looked at as a deity...though subordinate to the Moon Goddess...the Great Mother. (The Sun is looked at as the "son" of the Moon.)
The Sun also goes through a "life cycle" throughout the year as well. It is reborn every year after the Winter Solstice. This is when the wheel of the year starts anew.
During "Imbolc" in the spring, is the celebration of the rebirth...the retun of life after the "dead of winter" has passed.
Beltane happens towards the beginning of May and is a celebration of fertility. This is where the Moon Goddess and Sun God are looked at as the Queen and King...and their union.
During midsummer, the Sun becomes "regent" to the Moon Goddess who now carries their son in the womb.
Samhain is when the Sun God has completed his long journey through the wheel of hte year, and now becomes the "Lord of Death" offering hopes of rebirth.
The Sun and the Moon are only 2 deities out of many! There are too many to count...it would take me awhile. :)
Some of them have strange names, but it's important to know they exist and do some research on your own to find which ones appeal to you...so you can start integrating their powers and energies into your spells.
Here's a list of Pagan Goddesses And Gods that have been adapted for many Magickal traditions, including Wicca:
The Goddesses
Aphrodite
Venus
Cerridwen
Inanna
Ishtar
Astarte
Freya
Diana
Artemis
Isis
Hecate
Athena
Minerva
Bridget
Demeter
Ceres
The Gods
Cernunnos
Herne
Pan
Apollo
Dionysus
Bacchus
Hermes
Mercury
Thor
Osiris
Odin
Poseidon
Neptune
So...before you sit down to cast a spell, think about what you are trying to accomplish and research this list of Pagan deities. Find a few you like that can bring a certain type of energy into your spell.
The more belief and energy you're able to build up in your spell, with the help of the Gods/Goddesses of your choice...the better your results.
Are you a man or a woman?