Inspired by LeviStrigoi from Tiktok recent post on being divinely protected.
A lot of people in spiritual communities, especially online, seem to believe that they are automatically divinely protected just because they work with a certain deity or spirit. But let's get real—protection from a god, goddess, or spiritual entity isn’t something you’re just handed. It’s not like getting a membership card or being part of a loyalty program. Protection is earned, and it’s earned through your actions, intentions, and living up to the standards set by the entities you claim to work with.
Take Santa Muerte as an example. She’s often seen as a protector of the marginalised, the downtrodden, and those living on the fringes of society. Her followers speak of her as a powerful force who doesn’t discriminate based on past actions or status—she’s there for anyone. But here’s the thing: even Santa Muerte has her limits. If you’re going around bullying people, acting out of personal vendettas, and causing harm just because you feel like it, don’t expect her—or any other deity—to stand by your side. Sure, Santa Muerte is known to protect her people, but her people are not those who go out of their way to be cruel and manipulative.
Let’s be clear: divine protection isn’t some free pass to act however you want. If you are consistently making others’ lives hell, whether through bullying, controlling behaviour, or backstabbing, even the darkest of entities won’t have your back. Entities like Hecate or Loki, often misunderstood and sometimes linked with chaos, are not going to stick around if your energy is all about destruction for no reason. Sure, they might teach hard lessons, but protection? That’s reserved for those who are walking their talk and living in a way that aligns with the values and ethics of the deity.
This isn’t limited to just darker deities or those who have reputations for being more lenient with human flaws. Take someone like Apollo—god of truth, light, and healing. If you're out there lying to people, manipulating situations, and causing chaos for your own gain, do you think Apollo is going to shield you from consequences? Absolutely not. The gods expect a certain standard of behaviour from their followers, and if you’re not living up to that, their protection isn’t a given.
In folk practices, where many of these entities are revered and worked with closely, the relationship between practitioner and deity is deeply personal and built on respect. You don’t just go to a god or goddess when you need help without having given something back, whether that’s offerings, devotion, or simply living in a way that aligns with their values. A lot of modern spiritual practitioners have forgotten that this is a two-way relationship. You cannot take, take, take, and then act surprised when your spiritual allies seem to disappear the moment you act out of line.
Look at entities like Odin—fierce and battle-hardened. Odin is known for his wisdom, and while he might be a protector of warriors and those who seek knowledge, he’s not someone who’s going to stand by while you use his name to justify cruelty. If you’re out there living with malicious intent, causing harm for your own selfish reasons, Odin’s not going to grant you protection just because you’ve read a few myths and made a couple of offerings. His protection is for those who are walking the path with honour, not for those trying to manipulate others.
Even in more modern magical systems, the concept of protection is often linked with the idea of karma or cause and effect. The energy you put out into the universe will come back to you. If that energy is toxic, destructive, and controlling, you’ll attract more of the same. Spirits, deities, and even ancestors are unlikely to step in and protect someone who is creating chaos and harm for no good reason.
So like LeviStrigoi said, divine protection is a privilege, not a right. It’s something that’s earned by living in alignment with the values of the deity or spiritual force you claim to follow. If you want divine protection, check your actions and make sure you’re living up to the standards set by the gods themselves.