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What do the Gods Look Like?

What do the Gods Look Like?

Last updated on: September 16, 2026 at 8:30 am by Bader Saab

What do the Gods Look Like? 2026-09-12T18:54:40-04:00 Bader Saab

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I was recently chatting with someone on Instagram. She asked me what the Gods look like, whether I had seen them, and I told her I haven’t. I’ve been able to see other things when I meditate, do spellwork, etc., but when I meditate with divine figures, I can’t see images. I always had vivid dreams, and as I studied reiki I was able to see more and more things when I closed my eyes or did spellwork, divination, or anything of the sort.

“The latest addition to the club is a jinn.” Image by Pexels from Pixabay.

What can I see?

At first, it was with spirit guides. I was able to see them as animals, and to this day those are the ones I can see the easiest, which happens so often that people say I have a whole zoo.* This made me learn a lot about symbolism, the folklore related to them, and even their biology

The next thing was colors. I would start seeing some colors doing all of this, so the next learning field was the symbolism of colors. It doesn’t happen that often or clearly, so I always pay attention to other signs I receive. As a side, I can also see object or symbols on their own: maybe a chair, a red dress, a table, and so on. This is by far the most confusing part of the experience because these are the images I struggle to interpret most of the time.

Later, it was human figures and angels. I grew up in a Catholic environment, but I still didn’t see angels the way they are depicted. It’s usually more like a humanoid figure surrounded by lights of one or different colors. They have a distinct feeling. Same with ancestors: I can picture the ones I met or have seen in photos, but regardless of that I can feel them, and it’s a completely different energy from the angels.

The latest addition to the club is a jinn. It was the most interesting experience so far because I had never seen a spirit like that during my meditations. I’ve worked with the fae as well, but never saw them (as Irish folklore usually advises against.) It’s a more fiery, untamed energy.

“Far from wanting to describe it and categorize it, that feeling is always different, always somewhat abstract, and I haven’t had the need to do it otherwise.” Image by Pexels from Pixabay.

But what about the Gods?

When it comes to the Gods, to divine figures, I have never been able to see them. God, Goddess, Hekate, Horus, Cerridwen… None of them.

However, they do feel differently. There’s this sense of certainty, blissful peace, of being in the presence of something bigger than myself that gives me hope. There are different flavors to it, let’s say, depending on the name I use, and certainly a difference when I don’t use any. It is my main confirmation that something is working.

Far from wanting to describe it and categorize it, that feeling is always different, always somewhat abstract, and I haven’t had the need to do it otherwise. The Gods refuse to be put into definite, restrictive boxes. I learned it with Al-‘Uzza and her divination gift. Yes, she can be the pre-Islamic goddess of War, Protection, and Healing, but she is not limited to those three associations. Hence my hesitation and lack of desire to do the same with how she feels like.

“It doesn’t matter if you can see the Gods, or Jesus, or Zeus, or Isis, as long as you feel them.” Image by No-longer-here from Pixabay.

Does it matter?

With all that said, this is not an essential part of my practice. It never has. I won’t say I was never curious, but I never cared that much about it. There’s some people who have seen the Gods, who can see full bodies and faces and hear voices. I’ve had Catholic and Pagan friends who have also experienced something like this. It is amazing that they can have that connection, and I’m open to experience something like that at some point, but mine is different. It’s something that suits me, something I’m comfortable with.

For me, it’s about how I feel. I can see all sorts of lights and elements during spellwork, I could see an animal or an angel during a reiki session. I could even see my dad or one of my grandpas when praying. That is all great. However, as long as I can feel them, that’s all that matters to me.

Some people have been disappointed when they learn that I can “see stuff” and I don’t mention anything like that. I’ve had reiki clients who ask me “but my friend told me you say this and that during her session.” So I always explain it’s not something I can control and they shouldn’t expect it to happen. In the end, I advocate for peace: as long as a practice give you hope and peace, then it’s the right practice for you. It doesn’t matter if you can see the Gods, or Jesus, or Zeus, or Isis, as long as you feel them.

*Public disclaimer: I know these are not my spirits, before anyone assume anything. People just ask me “call your zoo for help, please,” because they know that’s the imagery and symbolism I work with most often. Also, I stay away from Native American appropriation, so I’ve learned to call them as I do in this article: spirit guides, and they just so happen to appear as animals more often than not.

About Bader Saab

I’m an Arab witch and journalist, and I also have a master’s degree in digital research. I have worked as a book reviewer and written about pre-Islamic folklore. You can connect with me via private message on Instagram: @saab.bader. You can read more about the author here.

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