I didn't know exactly what thread to ask this on but I had a random pumpkin seed show up next to my altar tray. Does anyone know what the meaning of this could be? Also what deity could be associated with them? I kept it also. Any info is greatly appreciated
It most likely isn't a sign from a deity as deity spirits are not that vague, a bird or some other animal dropped it and it happened to be near your alter. At the minimum deities tend to grant signs of wanting to work with you through your dreams. Also do note to not just take anything as a sign, signs will be consistent. Like a reoccurring dream that lasts for a week with each night the dream progresses just a bit more with more information coming, along with said deity granting you clues in each dream about a situation that will give you a " a ha" moment when the week ends and you see what they will giving you prophetic dreams about. Now this is just an example but do you see what I mean? A seed showing up on an alter will not be a sign as it's too vague to be a sign of communication. You should always attempt to check the physical being considering it to a magical thing.
I understand but it was in my house in my living room. Not outside where a bird could have dropped it. I've ruled out all the earthly ways it could have ended up in my house where it was and literally nothing makes sense. I believe it was a gift. I've felt a calling to Nicneven which totally makes sense of the pumpkin seed. Shes the only one I can think of.
Since the pumpkin seed, or any squash seed, is a New World vegetable, I don't think it likely that it is related to any Deity not from the New World. You might find these sites interesting:
But as has already been said, it is far more likely that this is coincidence rather a message from the Gods or spirits. And if you aren't descended from Native American ancestors, then it would not be considered polite to use their belief systems.
Personally I am more of the 'there are no accidents' sort. Synchronicity doesn't necessarily require a simple sign to be borne down on a beam of holy light. Regardless of how it got there, there it lied to be found.
Also, I have always carried a measure of doubt towards the idea that any deity, a being of light and energy outside the physical bounds of mortal physicality, cares much about nationality geography, or barriers and borders be they on a map or in our genes. If a God feels the whim to work with or call to someone, they have their own reasons to determine who they reach out to and what they might teach. Usually it has to do with who that person is, not where their parents came from.
My first thought, though, before leaping to 'glorious signs', would be to consider a few things.
If you have an altar and practice, what have you been working in and/or who have you been calling to or learning about over the last while before the seed appeared? Have you been performing magic or other workings towards (or calling on) any specific deity/beings? The most logical answer would be to look at what would be relevant to your actions.
Also bear in mind that as a possible sign it might not necessarily be from a specific deity but perhaps an alternate guiding entity like a spiritual animal archetype, a Saint or other 'ascended' master, up to and including some sort of fey/sidhe. Again it would take some considering, and comparing of ideas to your recent actions and goals.
The most commonly known pumpkin, squash, and gourd species we know and love do originate from the America's, but there are other close cousins around as well like the African bottle gourd. Also, being one of the oldest cultivated fruits (estimated domesticated around the holocene 8000 years ago, give or take) they have been around for many American cultures including Middle and south-american. So it is hard to tell who/what specifically a pumpkin seed might hail from as it spans a very large portion of human history. And such plants have been absorbed into old-world culture for (roughly) 300 years, being present and cultivated in Europe since the 1500-1600's.
Perhaps beginning with what (as opposed to who) the pumpkin can represent may help. Namely abundance and prosperity- as a pumpkin is a large volume of food grown quickly from a single small seed. Also more recently as an expression of protection against mischief when carved with the likeness of a head/face, making it an effigy. For example in remembering the story of bran the blessed, who's severed head was buried facing towards France to ward off invasion. Or the simple act of carving fearsome faces into gourds (then pumpkins) to ward off evil spirits while they wander around during Samhain.
...In all honesty, the best way to figure out who/what this possible sign may have come from would be to quite literally ask. Do a basic cleanse and opening at your altar, set the seed prominently, and say something that resonates along the effect of "Alright, message received. I'm paying attention now."
And do just that. Pay attention. Observe your thoughts. Observe the little coincidences between your questions and how you find their answers. You might eventually click onto a running theme. Repeating patterns of little happenstances around you. Perhaps leave an invitation for the being responsible to meet you during your meditations or dreams. (Come in peace, meet in peace, go in peace.) And give it some time. Or a lot of time. As much time as it takes with no foreseeable deadline. Just keep your eyes open.
...That last bit I say with personal experience. My own primary guide took a year almost to the day to definitively connect with me. Mind you throigh no lack of effort on his part. I'm thick that way. (And -not- with two c's)
Thank you guys for all the input. I'm just currently beginning my journey and I do not work with any deities yet but can def learn more and look more into it to find out exactly where it came from. No one in the house has the seeds anywhere and I've never worked with them. I feel it's a small sign in my gut so that's what I'm going with. Maybe it appeared there because I am new and it was a gift or invitation. Not jumping to conclusions or anything but just a feeling. I appreciate y'all!
That is a strange occurrence. I thought about it for a while. We cannot figure out things like that with certainty unless we follow through. Plant the seed and see what comes about.
