I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but the more I read about it, the more confused I get.

So, I understand the creation miths and the role of the 8 divines as the Earth Bones, but my question is... are they still like spirits with a conscience? When they receive prayers at their shrines, the blessings received are a gift, or the worshipper that's reaching the power and the shrines are means to that goal, even if the person is not aware of this?