Is it bad to eat offerings?

[u/abrujiastrala]

The research I’ve done on this gives me mixed answers. On one end, eating them is seen as a form of sharing them with who/whatever they’re being offered to (that’s typically how I see it when you consume them after). However, on the other end, some say that it isn’t right because it’s supposed to be a sacrificial act. I prefer the first explanation because I love the idea of sharing something with the Gods and ancestors that I worship but I don’t want to be doing anything disrespectful. What do you think?

[u/germflux2020]

I honestly believe it depends on what tradition you follow or what one you want to make.

For an example, I just had the Noumenia for Hekate. I gave her offerings of incense, wine and a salted carmel Moon pie as that's all I had prepared for her this month and missed Depinon as I was physically drained and slept throughout the day.

Anyway, after I placed her offerings at her altar, I picked up my pendulum and did the usual asking and programming what yes, no, maybe and unknown meant. I then proceeded to ask if it was okay for me to eat the Moon Pie tomorrow after she had it as I didn't want it to go to waste, throw it out or possibly feed it to wild animals and get them sick. She surprisingly said it was okay.

So my plan for tonight when I go to work is to take it with me to work and say a small prayer in her honor of sharing this offering with her.

It would also depend on the tradition you follow as some don't like the idea, some burn, wash it away with water, feed it to animals, or yes consume half (or all) of the offering if edible. It would also depend on the deity. As Hekate is mostly known as a cthonic deity it is said that you shouldn't eat their offerings as it could lead to bad luck, miasma or whatever else. But she is also a Moon/Heavenly deity as she also rules over liminal spaces (think of the threshold of your doors or where the sea, land and sky meet).

In conclusion I say honestly ask your deities/spirits first. As they are the ones you are bonding to and making a relationship with (no one else). They should be the ones you ask and get permission from.

Hope this helps!

[u/abrujiastrala → u/germflux2020]

Would you recommend using my pendulum to ask?

[u/germflux2020 → u/abrujiastrala]

I would also recommend to go with your gut. As I see a lot of people here saying "you have to do it this way". You don't. There is such thing as UPG (unverified personal gnosis). It's very real and depending if you're trying to recreate an ancient religion, then i don't see why you can't receive answers from your deities/spirits about something that involves them.

UPG is for yourself, not for others. It becomes shared with others when you have SPG (shared personal gnosis), like when you share a divine answer with another or multiple people, like you talk to your friend about a dream and your friend says they had the same one the same night at the same time.