u/veildragon

(also posted on newbie thread but felt perhaps a thread proper is best!)

Hello! I am new to practicing paganism, I have been non-religious my entire life and have recently wanted to seek this path. I am drawn to celtic/ gaelic gods, and the idea of animism and the Otherworld quite a bit. I find spirituality in the forest and through nature. I went on a long walk to find my faith the other day and was picking up trash as I went. I reached an old abandoned trail and had an encounter with a Doe that really felt almost otherworldy to me. I sat down to give her space and as she watched me and walked by, I felt appreciation and I felt love. I felt that this was the way the forest thanked me and acknowledged what im trying to do and what im trying to seek. The problem is, I can not find her name, I want to build a relationship with her and work with her. Through several days now of trying to do research, I can find no celtic/gaelic god that is represented by a Doe, specifically. When you first start, google and things will claim Flidais is that goddess and is like Athena but that is not true apparently. I did a deep research on her and read through all of her source texts and she isn't a goddess, just an important figure in one of the myths of celtic origin. She also represents cattle and milk more than anything. So, unfortunately, that idea is not attainable through that name despite what seemed to be talked about a few years ago. The pains of new discoveries of pagan gods haha

So, I of course looked at Cernunnos as an option, but he is not ever shown through the caring and gentle lens of a Doe. He is prosperity, the wilds and the underworld? So that leaves me uncertain of him as an option.

I am not opposed completely to the idea of an Eclectic path, but I truly am drawn to the forest and doing my practice through that lens. Any much more educated person have any insight? I would be ever grateful to have any kind of direction. Thank youuu!

some side thoughts to perhaps help:
I felt love as i saw the Doe, perhaps seeing in her a motherly feeling? When I was walking and thinking, I of course have my own lack of parents in my mind, so perhaps this god wanted to show that to me? Perhaps they could be a source of that "motherly" feeling I lack? I looked to see if The Morrigan would ever appear as a doe and im really unsure. I also never see her treated as a "gentle" and "motherly" figure.

lol this is so much text for this xD thank you for reading it all ❤️

TLDR: Seeking direction towards a goddess/god that would appear to me as a Doe or hind, Not Flidais as further research has separated that name from a deity and she is not of the forest but cows and milk.

Hello! I am very new to all of this so, apologies, if I word something in a less-direct way or something like that.

So, I personally really enjoy the act of ritual and working with objects and herbs to create a mind space that allows me to accomplish something, whether that be like a blessing or clearing my mind so I can commune. Things such as burning Juniper to sain an area or object, "casting" some kind of protection spell through words, intent and burning something or perhaps crafting something. I know so much of this practice is through intent and what feels right but my brain really really struggles without a basis for my actions. Is there a book that someone knows of, that would lay out alot of different rituals and blessings? including what id need, what I could say and things like that? I am reading "The Book of Hedge Druidry by Joanna Van Der Hoeven" currently which has been a great resource for a little of everything but I'd like to expand on that alot. I also have a metaphysical shop near me that has all kinds of herbs so id certainly like to look ways to employ them in my practice 😄

I ramble a bit lol but TLDR:
Book recommendation for someone who wants a guide for alot of rituals, crafts, blessings and spells, as well as what I would need for them and why, rooted specifically in Celtic/gaelic tradition?

Thank you so much for your time! This fledgling is trying her best