Paganism
Paganism is a term used to describe a variety of religions, new religious movements, and traditions.
One way that Paganism is understood is by the time it emerges from. There are two major branches in Paganism today: Neo-Paganism and Reconstructionism.
Neo-Paganism
Groups that have emerged as they are known today under the Pagan umbrella during or after the 20th century can be classified as Neo-Pagan. There are disagreements within the Pagan community about the origins of a few traditions, because of a need for secrecy in the past regarding witchcraft and heresy legislation around the world.
Reconstructionism
Groups that use studies of the ancient past to re-establish as authentically as possible the beliefs and practices of some Pan-Indo-European indigenous groups. It is important to note that these have been lost over time due to conversion to other religions, mainly Abrahamic ones. Reconstructionism does not claim to represent a revival of living traditions that have survived intact over time.
Some groups blend the two approaches, championing the beliefs and practices of the ancestors in a modern context.
One way that Paganism is understood is by the time it emerges from. There are two major branches in Paganism today: Neo-Paganism and Reconstructionism.
Neo-Paganism
Groups that have emerged as they are known today under the Pagan umbrella during or after the 20th century can be classified as Neo-Pagan. There are disagreements within the Pagan community about the origins of a few traditions, because of a need for secrecy in the past regarding witchcraft and heresy legislation around the world.
Reconstructionism
Groups that use studies of the ancient past to re-establish as authentically as possible the beliefs and practices of some Pan-Indo-European indigenous groups. It is important to note that these have been lost over time due to conversion to other religions, mainly Abrahamic ones. Reconstructionism does not claim to represent a revival of living traditions that have survived intact over time.
Some groups blend the two approaches, championing the beliefs and practices of the ancestors in a modern context.
Some examples of Pagan paths are:
- Wicca
- Celtic Reconstructionism
- Kemetic Orthodoxy
- Asatru
- Hellenismos
- Druidry
- Neos Alexandria
- Romuva
Reasons Why I Love Paganism
Several aspects drew me to Paganism, and the more I learned, the more I liked. Some of these aspects are shared by various religions but combined well in modern paganism. Most of which were lacking or not emphasized in the tradition that I was raised in.
For example:
For example:
- The acknowledgement of nature/the natural environment as sacred, the rejection that it was created by any power other than itself, and further, the proposition that humans come from, and are part of nature and are therefore sacred ourselves
- The concern for environmental issues both globally and in the local sphere
- The connection to the cycles of nature and agriculture and the idea of cyclical time
- The acknowledgement of the supernatural as real and not necessarily scary, evil or harmful
- The acknowledgement of the divine feminine
- The ability of women to become initiates and clergy and to represent active religious power
- The ability of anyone (lay or clergy) to be acting priesthood
- The inclusivity of ritual, that all who attend are participants, not merely observers in a congregation
- The encouragement to formulate your own spiritual path
- The ability to consecrate any object or place for use in religious ceremonies/magical workings
- The encouragement to practice full rituals privately as well as with the community
- The rich ritual and liturgy styles
- That each ritual differs from the next in form and content so worship services are never boring.
- The inclusion of both mirth and reverence, so that humour and playfulness have a role in worship alongside solemnity.
- The ability to write rituals that include aspects that complement the path and purpose of the practitioner, and exclude anything superfluous.
- The occult aspects are integrated, not separated from the religious aspects: eg. magic, divination, trance-work and mediumship.
- The polytheism and pantheism
- The ability to honour/venerate and work with ancestors and spirits
- The ability to commune with the kindreds, by invoking the gods, summoning the ancestors and conjuring the spirits
- The ability to have ongoing personal and working relationships with the gods, ancestors, spirits and spiritual beings
- The fact that oaths, sacrifices, offerings, tithes and reciprocation are not required to have or to benefit from one's relationships with the kindred or circle
- The rich and diverse mythologies
- The working treatment of contradictory or inadequate answers to the big questions, and the encouragement to seek the truth for yourself, or even within yourself.
- The rejection of any divinely prescribed laws or commandments, and therefore the absence of sin or salvation.
- The ideals of love, trust, karma that returns in this lifetime, healing and doing no harm
- The occurrence of ritual nudity and it's effects of establishing and confirming trust and bonding, the potential for heightened magical ability, deliverance from the mundane, and as in naturism, the realization that nudity and comfort with one's body is also healthy and appropriate outside of sexual and private contexts.
- The acknowledgement that sexuality and pleasure are good, natural, healthy and sacred, including alternatives to heteronormativity.
- The encouragement to "do as ye will", to gratify your own needs and desires and pursue your own vision of your life, personal growth and happiness, and the rejection of immutable, predetermined and binding circumstances such as fate, destiny, or "God's will"
- The inclination toward a tolerant and pluralist society where freedom of choice and expression are emphasized and protected
- The focus on this life and this world, rather than on punishment or reward in the afterlife/next life.
- The acknowledgement and cultivation of the divinity within us.
- That there is mystery involved, and a quest or journey of discovery and fulfilment both internal and external.
- That it is a living tradition, still growing and changing in form and function to meet the changing needs and desires of the people.
- Commonly held beliefs among pagans, such as the belief in past lives, an afterlife that all people may enter equally and in reincarnation following a period of rest and rejuvenation.
- That no "faith" , dogma, literal belief in any deity, or practice or aspect of paganism is necessary or universal. There's the idea that "practice begets belief" (Rev. Dangler) and the fact that some pagans are agnostic, or have pagan beliefs but are non-practicing.
Jacki Moss, Spiritual Consultant. Voice Mail: (705) 209-9848 or E-mail: [email protected]