smarmykemeticpagan:

there is very little i loathe more in pagan rhetoric than the whole “gods will break you down to remake you” thing. someone wearing down your sense of self and otherwise hurting you in order to change you into something they want you to be is horrifying and is more similar to the process of brainwashing than a healthy, collaborative transformative relationship.

i want to try not to brush with too-broad strokes, here. change of any kind has painful aspects, and the process of learning about yourself+growing as a person can feel a lot like ‘who you used to be’ is being shredded. i just…worry, you know, that people will be in situations where they think they have to surrender too much of themselves because a god they follow wants them to, and no other reason.

If I may add to this conversation ~

There are very aggressive gods out there and I think people should take that into account. If said gods choose you, you do NOT have to accept them opening their arms to you. Especially if you are feeling like their intentions ARE to shred you apart. 

I’ve had the misfortune of meeting one of these said gods and subsequently lost both of my familiars within a 2 month span in order for them to make me “stronger”. Yeah. 

There are gentle gods. There are gods who want to help you in a way that won’t tear you down. Perhaps push you out of your comfort zone? yes, but not completely tear you apart.

Be safe everyone.