Pan

[Eleanor]

I did not find any posts or threads about my favorite Greek god, so I'd like to talk about him here.

Pan has been my patron god for a long time. I've worked with goddessess, but never really had a matron goddess. Pan however has always stayed. He is the god of wild nature, music, shepherds and their flocks and sexuality.

His attributes are of course his pan flute, or Syrinx as he named it after the nymph who was turned into a reed after Pan chased her. He has goat horns and goat feet and the upperbody of a man.

I like Pan's boldness, like how he challenged Apollo to a music dual. Or how he induces panic by making sudden sounds in the woods. I connect with him through meditation, if the Dutch weather allows it, preferably in a forest.

Something Pan taught me is to let go. If I want to dance, I dance. If I want to sing, I sing. Without holding back or fear how others might judge me. He taught me to enjoy my life to the fullest.

Pan taught me (and still is teaching me) to face my fears instead of running away. During difficult times, I imagine listening to his music to calm my mind and he gives me the strength to move on.

Has anyone else worked with Pan before? What were your experiences?

[faye_cat]

Re: Pan

I haven't actually worked with Pan, but the few who I knew did loved the lessons he showed them, and always ready to have fun.

[Eleanor]

Re: Pan

I haven't actually worked with Pan, but the few who I knew did loved the lessons he showed them, and always ready to have fun.

Oh yes, he sure is a party maker!
His lessons have been good for me. And I have a feeling he still has a lot to teach me.

[thalassa]

Re: Pan

I've worked with goddessess, but never really had a matron goddess.

Please don't take this personally...lots of Pagans do this, and I only point it out because it drives me *insane*

Patron, from the Latin, patronus's feminine form is patronissa. Matron is a married woman. While patronus (patron) does derive from pater (father) and matrona from mater (mother), due to the difference in gender roles in Rome, the development of these words come from separate "tracks" of cultural evolution. As such, a matron is not the opposite gender form of patron, rather a female patron can called a patroness (if one feels gender specificity is important)--or just a patron, because patron doesn't have to be gender specific.

[Eleanor]

Re: Pan

Thanks for the clarification, Thalassa. I seem to use all words interchangeably: matron, patroness or patron goddess (funny that I don't call it matron goddess when using that term). I've never really given much thought about it.