Magic Forums

Hi all, I would like to meet pagan deities and other spirits to work with, but I'm still a bit green and haven't been having luck with breath meditation. So I cast a circle, breathe in and out deeply and say names of the spirit in my head. I visualise the deity in humanoid form, a sacred animal, or the sigil of a demon. I'd like to hear about what you all do for contact ritual and improve my technique. How do you know when the spirit is there? If you know of good resources on new-age spiritual practices, I'd love to read them. Thanks :)