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Offerings for Deities: The Basics

6/29/2019

30 Comments

 
Picture
An older version of my Wiccan altar.
It’s been a while since I’ve made a post. I’m going to address one of the most frequently asked questions I receive: How do I give offerings? For some reason, many beginner books don’t dive into the specifics of this religious practice which many are unfamiliar with. Hopefully this will help.
General Rules:
  1. Offerings are given as thank-yous, as little gifts to say that you appreciate the deity’s existence. They don’t have to be expensive, but they should be special in your eyes. For example, I often offer donuts or wine simply because I don’t buy those two things often.
  2. Offerings should be appropriate for the deity you’re giving them to.
  3. You’re allowed to get creative with offerings–in fact, the Gods even prefer that you do!
  4. How often you give offerings in accordance to your practice is up to you.
  5. You may give apology offerings for any offense you think you may have made.
  6. Prayers, songs, playlists, and there intangible gifts still count as offerings.
  7. You do not need an altar to give offerings. You can give offerings anywhere, at anytime.
  8. Simply saying “This is for you” makes the object an offering.

Food Offerings:
  1. Most food offerings are eaten after being offered. The main exceptions are Greek chthonic deities, and ancestors, in which case you do not eat the offerings. Research your specific pantheon to make sure if eating is appropriate or not.
  2. There is no set amount of time to leave out food offerings. In fact, many worshippers will eat said offerings right after they offer them.
  3. If you do not eat food offerings, you may throw them away, saying something like, “Though I discard these physical offerings, the spiritual offering remains”.
  4. You may also bury the offerings. Make sure that the offerings will not harm the surrounding environment or animals. Do not bury them in a jar or plastic bag.
  5. If you offer herbs, you may either burn them using a charcoal block or cauldron, or you may throw them out/bury them. While burning is certainly traditional in many pantheons, do not feel the need to if you will be bothered by the potent smoke or handling fire.

Liquid Offerings:
  1. Liquid offerings are handled in the same way food offerings are, with the exception of oils.
  2. You do not have to drink oils after offering them. (Drinking straight olive oil is pretty gross, and please DO NOT drink harmful essential oils!) I recommend pouring them into the ground outside, or into the trash can.
  3. You may pour liquid offerings into the offering bowl, or, you may keep the liquid offering in a cup. I have a special teacup that I often use for offerings such as tea, but any regular teacup will do. After all, you are offering the liquid, not the cup.

Incense and Candle Offerings:
  1. According to tradition, these offerings must be left to burn out on their own. I recommend lighting small tea light candles for these offerings, as big candles burn for a long time. However, some modern Pagans may blow, rinse, or snuff them out early to prevent a fire hazard.
  2. Make sure to be present while the offering is lit, and make sure nothing catches on fire.
  3. If you are bothered by incense smoke, using an essential oil diffuser or unscented candle works fine.
  4. Although many Pagans recommend incense as a general offering, you do not have to offer it, or any candles, if they bother you.

Plant Offerings:
  1. If you offer a plucked flower, you may leave it on an altar or table until it withers. Afterwards you may throw it away. Basically, you handle it as any other friend would had you given them a plucked flower.
  2. If you offer a growing or potted plant, tend to it as you would your other plants. If it dies, that’s okay. Simply discard it as you would normally. The Gods understand that plants die, and They appreciate the beauty of plants while they last.

Other Offerings:
  1. For objects such as stones, shells, or family heirlooms, keep them on the altar or somewhere else special. Ideally, you will not need to throw these away. If they get damaged somehow, and if you cannot repair them, you may throw them out, but give an apology offering and try to replace them.
  2. For artworks or crafts, place them on the altar or hang them somewhere. Don’t sell your offerings; they are gifts you gave to the Gods and not yours to sell.
  3. For songs, play or sing them anytime you’d like to connect or give something to your deity.
  4. For writings, you may keep them, or some people might burn them to “send” to their Gods. Whichever way is up to you.
  5. For e-shrines or other technological offerings, keep them saved in their own folder, keep them nice and up-to-date.
  6. For magical tools, such as grimoires or wands that you dedicate, feel free to use them as normal. Just take care of them, and remember to thank the deity you devoted them to once in a while.
  7. For daily or private actions, such as cleaning, giving to others, etc., simply think “This is for you” or send your energy to the God, and finish the action.
  8. You may say prayers out loud, write them down, or simply think them in your mind. All are perfectly legitimate.
​
I hope I got all of this. Feel free to reblog or message with corrections, since I know I don’t know everything about every pantheon. Have a beautiful day, and have fun worshipping!!
30 Comments
Vix
12/15/2019 02:53:05 pm

This is so organized and helpful! What a useful resource and well-written, too

Reply
Yunan Kirkbride link
3/17/2020 11:18:55 pm

Thank you Vix! I'm glad it helped!

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Ruvel
1/6/2020 12:39:19 pm

So, I leave water and some type of food, usually something like toast or seeds, with a note under it and a sigil I made dedicating it to spirits without anyone to honor them.

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Yunan Kirkbride link
3/17/2020 11:19:56 pm

That's a brilliant way to leave offerings! Water and bread are very traditional offerings, and the sigil gives it a personal touch.

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Vernal
4/23/2020 04:38:10 am

I usually leave a glass of water and some nuts and dried fruits on my altar, then water some plants with the water and give the nuts and fruit to the local birds.

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Yunan Kirkbride link
4/23/2020 05:58:30 pm

That's very smart! Nature deities likely appreciate that nothing goes to waste.

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possibly.lunar
6/1/2020 07:09:57 am

This was so helpful! Thank you for sharing this!

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Morgan
7/1/2020 01:49:46 pm

This was very useful! Especially for a new wiccan like me.

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Evan Zamora link
1/20/2022 05:35:48 am

Im a new wiccan myself and this was helpful but i see a new wiccan in the comments and its from two years ago so i was wonder do you have any advice for me? I got into wiccan on christmas 2021.

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Lumi
11/16/2020 10:35:00 pm

this helped me alot!! thanks

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Teagan
1/29/2021 06:33:00 pm

Hello! I have one question. Is there a way to know if the god or godess accepts you offering? Thank you!

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elijah
2/3/2021 05:01:03 pm

hi, what about blood? i mean, my own blood. i know some Gods like them, or at least i know for sure that mine likes blood offerings. what should i do with it after offering?

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Nikita
8/27/2021 04:08:16 am

Yes in the an ancient times people did use blood offerings mostly to Ares but I don't recommend for sanity reasons

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Witchy_Moon
1/17/2022 07:29:33 am

I wouldn't offer your own blood, yes, in ancient times they DID offer blood, but this is modern times, and its not sanitary. Please, don't cut yourself to offer your own blood! Theres so many different options for offerings

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elliot gunton
12/28/2022 09:09:53 pm

yes i believe you can offer blood, but definitely shouldnt do your own. you could use animal blood, ive read that some actually ask to offer those things.

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Marianne
4/14/2021 07:54:36 am

I am new to offerings. What about if there is no privacy? how can I do an offering with no privacy like If I live with others and someone is always around? and can someone give me an example of how exactly to do one? like the process? where can I leave the offering and for how long?

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Witchy_Moon
1/17/2022 07:55:20 am

Heres answers to your questions!
How to offer without any privacy: If you have a large enough closet, I'd do any witchcraft and offerings in there, and keep all your stuff in a shoebox!
How to do an offering (in your situation): So, if you have any apples, juice (or wine), offer that, and leave it somewhere near a windowsill. (Thats what I do, as I have no privacy as well!)
Where to leave an offering:As I said, a windowsill, or you can always offer it on your nightstand!
How long to leave an offering: Depending on if someones there, you can leave it for 30 minutes to an hour. If its really tight, 5 - 15 minutes! Any god/goddess your offering to WILL understand how it is at your house!

Hope this helped! Anyone reading this, if you have better advice, then tell this person! I don't want to give them tips that won't help at all!

Blessed be!

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Jayden
6/27/2021 03:34:10 pm

hey i’m a baby broom closet witch and i need to figure out how to give Lord Hades a peppermint stick and what to do after i offer it to him.. i don’t want to eat it because i consider it rude but i also don’t want to throw it away because my mom, who doesn’t know i’m a witch, will question why i’m throwing it away. i’m so confused on how to do this because it’s my very first offering to him and i want him to like me…..

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Liveta
8/25/2021 10:49:14 am

Isn't Hades of Greek chthonic deities?

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Witchy_Moon
1/17/2022 08:07:53 am

So, I'd leave it on my alter, or on a windowsill! Simply saying "this is for you" or "I give this peppermint stick to Lord Hades" will let Lord Hades know this is for him! (thats how I do it, and it works fine for me).
Do research on if you can eat it or not! If not, I usually bury it, or leave it in nature. But, please research if its ok to put it in nature as we don't want to harm nature! <3
Its ok if its your first offering, don't feel the need to go all out of Lord Hades! I often offer something that is special in my eyes. (Like some fruit I don't get often). Sometimes, a god/goddess will not like you at first, but it may be because you offended the god/goddess somehow. If you feel that you have offended that god/goddess, write an apology note! Being kind to Lord Hades (or any god/goddess) will have them see you are a kind person, and will most likely like you! If you end up feeling like Lord Hades isn't the god you connect with, then write an apology letter and switch to a different god/goddess, or wait till one calls you!

Please correct me if im wrong!
Blessed be <3

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Quae
7/14/2021 10:56:38 pm

Hi, don't know if you ever got your answer.
So the best thing about offerings is you don't have to give them in to your living/practice space. I also work with Hades, I will sometimes make him a peppermint tea while I am at work. You can give you deity offerings away from your living/practice space.

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Simmy link
8/9/2021 09:22:34 am

Thank you for your explanation and breakdown of offerings to the gods. Blessed be

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Cyn
2/5/2022 10:30:24 pm

I have a cheesecake in a wrapper, is it okay to leave it in the wrapper?? I’m offering it because cheesecake is my favorite food and I would like to share / offer it instead of eating it myself.

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Luna Rose
2/8/2022 04:05:38 pm

How do you give the same offering multiple times? I have seen others give the exact same item as an offering many times, how does it work?

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Mia Evans link
9/8/2022 08:17:59 pm

It's interesting to know that the offerings you get from a Wiccan shop should not be sold after you get them, since it is a gift that you are giving to the gods. I guess this information is going to be helpful to a friend of mine who mentioned this type of practice to me. He wanted to try it out for himself to see if this is the kind of faith that would match his preferences.

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alex
9/26/2022 03:08:47 pm

what do i do with thier offerings once im done working with a deitie?

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elliot gunton
12/28/2022 09:17:57 pm

personally since i just started and read a lot, just leave it there for a while and then depending on what it is, drown, bury or burn it. as long as it doesnt harm earth or anything it should be fine :)

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Krissy
10/26/2022 02:30:27 pm

thank you sister this is very helpful
blessed be

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Jasper Noel
12/16/2022 10:08:57 am

how can you dedicate a peice of jewelry to a deity??

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Aster
1/18/2023 09:31:13 am

How do you handle offerings around pets. We have cats who will get up anywhere. Would any spirits not appreciate our cats getting up and drinking water meant as an offering? Or running off with a non-edible offering? Obviously, we're also thinking about not wanting our cats to eat something they shouldn't.

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