Iṣṭa devatā

According to Joseph Campbell, just below the heart chakra there is a minor chakra, which is usually represented as a jewelled tree beside an altar. The altar is dedicated to one's Iṣṭa devatā, or chosen deity. However, in the experience of most Pagans, polytheists and henotheists, you don't choose the deity, the deity chooses you - or perhaps it's a moment of mutual recognition.

I had a series of experiences that suggested that Yeshua had chosen me, though I had the choice not to reciprocate. Kwan Yin was also present on one of the occasions he visited me, and I think they might be allies.

I do not believe that Yeshua is everything that the Nicene Creed says about him, but he is very powerful, and certainly a god, or a Buddha, or whatever terminology you prefer to use.

Yeshua, my iṣṭa devatā
Master of the still small voice
Rabbi of the world
Beloved of Mariamne
Bridegroom of the soul

Here is my humble altar
With the jewelled tree
and the Moon caught in its branches
As You, O Fish in the Great Primordial Sea
Were caught in the waters of the womb
And cast up gasping on the shore of life.

You wandered on the hills of Galilee
And spoke of simple things to delight the heart
So simple that no-one could understand them
Unless they let go and floated on the bosom of the Mother

You were broken
You were raised up
Like all who embark on the Path
You descended into the depths
And ascended unto the heights
You are the brightness of the noon-day
And the darkness of mystery
You are the outpouring of Divine Love
Each one of us is the outpouring of Divine Love
The whole universe is the outpouring of Divine Love

~ Yvonne Aburrow