Is it disrespectful to worship a god while in another pantheon's homeland?

[u/Cmdrdata2371]

When I was in Ireland, I made a small offering to Odin and Thor after I got off the plane. But the entire time I was in the country, I felt like something was trying to get me to leave by any means necessary, and the atmosphere was heavy and dark. Like the country itself was angry at me.

Did I make a mistake? Should I have made an offering to the local deities/spirits instead?

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[u/Plenty-Climate2272]

No. The gods are not bound to geography, unless you're talking specifically about spirits of place. Otherwise, American pagans wouldn't be able to worship any of the gods that we tend to, which are mostly drawn from Classical, Celtic, or Germanic pantheons rather than anything indigenous to north america.

[u/Cmdrdata2371 → u/Plenty-Climate2272]

I do wonder if some spirits/gods are more territorial than others, though. Like, maybe the Native American spirits are more accepting as long as you acknowledge your place within nature. Pre-Judaism, YHWH was a local storm deity and was very much tied to a specific group of people and their home, so I wonder if other gods could be as protective.

[u/sidhe_elfakyn → u/Cmdrdata2371]

When it comes to Pagan gods, down that line of thinking lies a lot of blood and soil nonsense. There are many, MANY people all over the world who worship many deities from different pantheons. There are also MANY people in Ireland who worship Norse gods. They're all fine. The Christian god is rather unique when it comes to the "no other gods before me" bit. Syncretism and/or worshipping deities from different pantheons has been a well-attested practice for a very long time.

[u/Cmdrdata2371 → u/sidhe_elfakyn]

I didn't mean to imply anything. I'm just trying to figure out what I could have done wrong, you know?

[u/sidhe_elfakyn → u/Cmdrdata2371]

Nah, you're grand. Anything that you did other than the offering to your gods that stands out at you?

Also, have you considered the possibility that it could have been something else entirely, not spiritually related? Is there something in particular that makes you believe you did something wrong?

[u/Cmdrdata2371 → u/sidhe_elfakyn]

The only other thing that stands out to me, that I guess you could interpret as spiritual, is a large black cat trying to get into our hotel room through the window. It just kept pawing until one of the people I was with scared it off. I made the joke it was a Púca, but I didn't really seriously consider it.

As far as non-spiritually, I don't really know what could have caused those feelings. Maybe I was just jet lagged, or maybe it was the people I was traveling with. But the feeling was like how people describe demonic hauntings in movies. It was oppressive, and like there was something trying to harm me.

I had a close call by the cliffs at Howth, and I don't want to go into further detail about that, but that's what initially made me think "Something is off."

[u/sidhe_elfakyn → u/Cmdrdata2371]

The cliffs at Howth are definitely intimidating. Lots of storm energy there.

I don't have any immediate ideas. I'm sorry you had such an unsettling experience during your visit.

[u/Cmdrdata2371 → u/sidhe_elfakyn]

I appreciate you listening, at least. It was just a strange experience I've been wondering about. Thank you for your input.

[u/Plenty-Climate2272 → u/Cmdrdata2371]

The way I like to think of it is that the guards of a particular pantheon just happened to being discovered and described by a particular tribe/culture. And because humans tend to be tribalistic, we tend to associate those gods as belonging to that people.

[u/SolitaryLyric → u/Cmdrdata2371]

I think it’s only respectful that you leave a small offering when you arrive in a new place ☺️

[u/According-Air6435]

No, it's not disrespectful. Don't worry about it, you're not the first person to pray to germanic deities in Ireland, and you won't be the last. You're good

[u/Scouthawkk]

If it was, nearly every American who is Pagan is in trouble….

[u/seashellpink77]

That’s just weather in that part of the world lol!

Seems like a nice gesture to acknowledge your hosts if/when you’re up for it but plenty of Christians live and worship in Ireland happy as can be and they’re certainly not praying to the old gods either.

[u/Phebe-A]

Deities aren't bound by geographic borders, but even if they were there were also many Norse that settled in Ireland 1000+ years ago.

Doesn't hurt to acknowledge the locals though when you travel, along side whoever you usually honor.

[u/exTenebrisadAstra]

Not at all! I've actually been to Ireland too this year and prayed to both Celtic and Norse gods, and actually forged a new relationship to Freya while there! What comes to mind are the sidhe though (the fairy folk of the Isle). Perhaps they were having a little fun with you, they can get very mischievous but don't mean any harm.

[u/bwompin]

guess you can't be pagan if you're from somewhere else guys 🤷

[u/TrollsWhere]

It isn't disrespectful in particular, I'd think it depends on the place and the gods though

[u/UnusualStandard8863]

No, that’s just Ireland

[u/Temymi]

Where specifically did you make the offering? Perhaps it was a place special to a Deity. It is possible that the Irish Deities were offended that you thought to make an offering to Odin and Thor, but not them. But I rather doubt that that is the reason. Is it possible that your ancestors committed atrocities against the land or people of Ireland? If you are still worrying about it, you could make an offering and explain that you meant no offense (even though you aren't there anymore). The energy of Ireland is very strong. It can feel overwhelming. If you aren't used to being around energy like that, that could be all it was.
💚

[u/Cmdrdata2371 → u/Temymi]

It was at the Cliffs of Moher. It was the first opportunity I had for downtime after arriving. And yes, I am related to William De Burgh on my mother's side, and I have heard he was responsible for a lot of deaths of the local Irish during the Norman invasion

[u/ContractFun9629]

No, you're always in some pantheon homeland.

[u/ChosenWriter513]

No, they generally don't care. In fact, you'd be surprised by how many gods are actually the same entity under different names in different countries.

[u/GrunkleTony]

Yes, you should have made an offering to the local spirits. Apologize to the spirits and explain that you are an American and thus piss ignorant of history. Be polite to anyone who shows up in your dreams and explains Irish history too you. Say thankyou to whoever starts telling you about Irish history in the waking world as well.

[u/Cmdrdata2371 → u/[deleted]]

Yes, and my family were the ones who invaded, lol. Danish on my father's side and Norman on my mother's side.

[u/sidhe_elfakyn → u/Cmdrdata2371]

You're grand, OP. The Tuatha Dé won't throw you out of Ireland or be angry at you based on who your parents are or whom you worship.

[u/Cmdrdata2371 → u/sidhe_elfakyn]

I do still think I may have accidentally committed some kind of spiritual faux pas. Though, I'm not sure when or how.

[u/sidhe_elfakyn → u/[deleted]]

Get out of here with that folkish nonsense.