Offerings

One of the biggest questions I see asked by people just starting out working with Guides and Allies is how to do offerings. What do I use? Do I have to do it a certain way? Will they get mad if I don't? When you're first starting, it can be really stressful and anxiety inducing, because you don't want to do anything "wrong". Everyone has their own opinions on how to do offerings. Some traditions are very specific on what you should use and how you should present them. 

I'm going to give you the best piece of advice I wish I had seen early on: the specifics, most of the time, don't matter. It's the intention behind the act, and the energy it generates, that matters. That's not to say that Guides and Allies don't have preferences or things that they enjoy more than others, but it's not like they're physically eating the food, drinking the alcohol, or breathing the burnt offerings (most of the time). Us presenting things that we made ourselves with intention or that we choose because we believe it's what they like or it's what represents them to us is infusing the energy of the offering with love and respect. That is what they're consuming from the offering.

My wife and I leave out offerings for the Fey every full moon. We've done lots of different things. Usually it involves a sweet type of food and alcohol of some type. My wife found a set of nice small wine glasses, so we'll fill the glasses, put out small plates with the food, and place them around the house and on our front and back decks. I've gotten specific requests before, which we've been happy to fulfill. By doing so, we're demonstrating that we care enough to do something specific that takes extra effort, and that has a profound energetic impact.  

I do similar when I present offerings to my Guides on my alter. Each god/guide has a totem that represents them, candles, and an offering cup. When I first started, I'd light all the candles, pour either alcohol or charged water into the offering cups, and then I'd light a charcoal tablet in my tiny cauldron and burn various herbs and things that represent those guides to me. For example, I burn sage to represent wisdom for Odin, Hekete, and Brigid. I'd offer the energy from the offerings and then thank them all for their guidance and love, and then spend time meditating and leaving myself open for anything that they'd have to say. 

Each of my guides had specific offerings that they asked for when we first started working together and a timetable for me to present the offerings and then meditate and work on whatever lesson or message they had for that day. Doing so built respect, trust, and self discipline. I was showing them that I really wanted to learn, was open to what they had to teach me, and was disciplined enough to stick with the schedule and do as they asked. Once those relationships were established and I proved myself, things evolved and I was free to operate on my own schedule. 

Do what you feel is right. Offer what you're able. As long as you're doing it with the right intentions, it'll be appreciated.