rsimon

rsimon  said something about how his deities are very diverse.  I understand why his choices are diverse and why they cross cultural boundaries.  If I were to choose deities to worship, they would be from several different parts of the world as well.  Growing up, I always identified with Athena (Greek goddess of wisdom and war, favorite daughter of Zeus, and known for justice, temperance, and independence) and Artemis (Greek goddess of the hunt, forests, hills, and chastity; associated with the moon; and sister to Apollo)... as I grew to know my Scandinavian heritage I started to think more about Odin (Norse god of war, death, poetry, and wisdom; also a Christ-like figure) and Freya (Norse goddess of love, fertility, and crops; considered to be the most beautiful of the Norse goddesses; also known as a symbol of sensuality)... Bastet  (Egyptian cat-headed goddess -- need I say more?  Originally a solar deity until the Greeks influenced Egyptian society, when she became a lunar goddess and was associated with Artemis) has been another favorite for a long time... and now days I think of Isis (Egyptian divine mother-goddess who rescued her husband from death, thus gaining death and funeral rights in her goddesship; she is also known as a patron of nature and magic). 

I also believe that Loki (Norse god of tricks) and/or Coyote (Native American mythological trickster) visit(s) me very often.  Ganesh has always been my favorite Hindu god and is known as the remover of obstacles.  And although he isn't a god, Buddha (the Awakened One) is one of my favorite spiritual leaders.  Two objects I would really like to have in my home are statues of Ganesh and the "fat" or laughing Buddha. 

I've never dedicated myself to any god or goddess and frequently state that I'm agnostic.  Nor do I follow any specific religious teachings.  I always felt most "spiritual" when I was out in a forest.  As I get older, I feel more and more of an atheist... maybe I'm just becomming too cynical and jaded.  And maybe I just need to get back in touch with nature to find my deities.

Sometimes I wonder about my lack of belief... does this cause my depression?  If I picked a few deities and started worshiping them, would I be happier?  I look at some of my devout Pagan, Heathan, and Christian friends and wonder if they are more secure, happier, etc. than I am. 
I know that no one can walk the same road, but sometimes I wonder if I'm not on the wrong one.