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Althaea Sebastiani

What is Paganism?

  • In the spirit of further sharing and correcting misinformation, I offer this article. As always, I do welcome any questions regarding Paganism and witchcraft, and I do hope this clears up some confusion that anyone may have, but if it adds to it, do feel free to ask questions! :)

     

     

    While not a religion in itself, per se, Paganism is a term that refers to non-Abrahamic (i.e. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) polytheistic religions. However, it does not refer to such religions as Hinduism or Buddhism, for example. Rather it refers specifically to religions such as Asatru, Celtic Reconstructionism, Druidry and Druidism, Hellenismo, Nova Roma, Slavic Reconstructionism, Stregheria, Traditional Initiatory Witchcraft, Wicca (both British Traditional and Eclectic,) as well as some monotheistic religions such as Dianic Witchcraft and Goddess Spirituality. While synchretic religions such as Voudon and Santeria are not in themselves Pagan, there are some followers who do self-identify as such. (Also, this is not a comprehensive list of which religions are or may be considered Pagan.)

     

    Many Pagan religions are reconstructions, that is, they attempt to recreate indigenous European pre-Christian religious beliefs and practices. However, all Pagan religions are modern creations: none are ancient or contain but the smallest traces of the original belief systems that they are based upon, hence why they are often called Neo-Pagan.

     

    Many Pagans honor the natural world through ritual celebration of days of significant change within nature, such as Full and Dark Moons and Solstices and Equinoxes. Many Pagans also regularly honor their ancestors. Pagans may practice their religion either alone, in established groups, or with their families and celebration may take place indoors or outdoors. However, this is not true of all Pagans or Pagan religions. Often there are more differences between two Pagans (or Pagan religions) than there are similarities, but this does not make either less Pagan than the other.

     

    Paganism generally provides much flexibility, while still providing a framework for one's spirituality. While specific values may vary from religion to religion, codes of conduct generally come down to personal responsibility and the development of one's own personal ethos. 

     

    For this reason, it is possible to be Pagan and:

    • be a Vegan or Vegetarian
    • to go hunting and fishing
    • to be male
    • to be female
    • to live in a metropolis
    • to live on a farm
    • to ride a bicycle ever where
    • to drive a gas-guzzling SUV
    • to be Pro Choice
    • to be Pro Life
    • to be a Soldier
    • to be a pacifist
    • to be Liberal
    • to be Conservative
    • to be yourself

     

     

    From http://www.ladyalthaea.com/every-day-is-magickal/what-is-paganism Copyright protected.

3 comments
  • Mark Noeth O.D.H., Esoteric Theorist and Practioner
    Mark Noeth O.D.H., Esoteric Theorist and Practioner Nice article... These days I am a servant of a few lords/gods not a follower. It is different in that a follower is subject to the rules of the house and a servant isn't.
    March 28, 2016 - 1 likes this
  • Althaea Sebastiani
    Althaea Sebastiani Thank you, Mark. My own path is much along the lines of a devotional polytheist so I'm familiar with the complexity that comes with serving One Whose power and reach surpass my own -yet is quite literally on the same level as me. :) It's a different sort ...  more
    March 28, 2016 - 1 likes this
  • Auntie Moira
    Auntie Moira well written. Cogent ! Thanks.
    November 26, 2016 - 1 likes this