"Then as a stranger give it welcome."

[qos]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my last post with suggestions about what deity would be the patron of the Sacred Stranger.

It was only after I'd read a couple of comments that I realized I hadn't actually expected any replies, that in my own mind it had been something of a rhetorical question.

That seemed strange, even to myself. Why would I ask a question of a very well-informed group of friends if I hadn't been looking for a substantive answer?

Then I realized what was going on: in my mind, a "God of The Sacred Stranger" would have no name. S/he hirself would be a stranger, always new, always a surprise.



So, while I appreciate the suggestions -- and offer all due respect to the deities who were named -- I think I'm taking this in a different direction.

Comments

[sekhmetkare.livejournal.com]

I remember reading about how in ancient Tarsus or some such city there was an altar to "the Unknown God", erected by the people of the city just in case they had left out a god who might be watching over them. Your idea of a God of the Sacred Stranger made me think of it. I think such a deity must exist, but had never thought of it before; thanks for sharing the concept. :-)

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

I was thinking of The Unknown God as well. . . although my impression of that god is that people didn't even know what he was the god of. I think there may be a difference between "nameless" and "unknown" -- if that makes sense.

I don't mean to be contrary, btw. . . still having fun playing with the implications of different ways of conceptualizing this. I appreciate your comment.

[sekhmetkare.livejournal.com]

Oh, I agree, they're NOT the same. I believe they were just trying to include any god(s) that they didn't know about who might feel left out. And, no, you're not being contrary, there is a BIG difference between "nameless" and "unknown". But it came to mind when reading your post, and I felt the need to mention it. :-) I hope you'll post more of your thoughts and discoveries on this.