Writing prompt: How do I express my gratitude?
I simply give thanks to people who offer their services to me. Simply saying, “Thank you” and “I appreciate it” goes a long way whether it is verbal or in written communication. If it is verbal giving thanks with a smile helps. A smilie face can be used in written communication. Sometimes I give a thoughtful gift.
I give offerings to give thanks to a deity, other being or a tree. There are many kinds of offerings that I could give. An offering to the divine is not “I give this, and you do that for me.” It is a show of respect for the goddess or the god and thanks for their presence in one’s life. Offerings can be given not only to the divine but also to fairies, trees, plants and Mother Earth. Offerings may be as simple as moon water. They may be food, drink, a piece of art or one’s time and effort. An offering is made more valuable if one’s time and effort is put into it. So a muffin is more valuable if it homemade over store bought. An offering could be an act of picking up trash in one’s neighborhood or volunteering at a shelter. When thinking about making an offering it is important to consider what the entity would appreciate. When I give an offering to a tree, I often use water unless we had a lot of rain recently. I give my plants my time and attention to keep them healthy and growing well. I also talk to them saying, “Good morning.” When I clip some leaves from an herb to use in cooking or a spell, I say, “thank you” to the plant. To Mother Earth I give a libation poured to the ground. To learn more check out my post and click Offerings: Honoring the Gods and Other Beings.
Auburn Greene
Suggested Investigation
Wigington, Patti. “Pagan Offerings to the Gods.” Learn Religions, March 31, 2019, https://www.learnreligions.com/offerings-to-the-gods-2561949.
My Inner Wiccan 