tcherau_ur

What is Paganism

This information comes from the internet, books and also my own experiences as a Pagan for over 10 years. This is some helpful information for those who dont understand the path of the unknown.

Paganism is a religion of place, or a native relgion, for an example the Native Americans can be looked at as a Pagan religion, Hinduism is a form of Paganism as well along with other parts of the religions that are characterised by a connection and reverence for nature, and are usually polytheistic and have many Gods and Goddess.

Modern Paganism as practised in the West is a particular to the native peoples of the West and although there are many forms most are descended from Celtic origins. Modern Paganism or Neo-Paganism has the following characteristics:

1. Paganism is a religion of nature, in other words Pagans revere Nature. Pagans see the divine as immanent in the whole of life and the universe, in every tree, plant, animal, and objects, man and woman, and in the dark side of life as much as in the light. Pagans live their lives attuned to the cycles of Nature, the season, life and death.

2. Unlike the other religions of (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) the divine is female as well as male so this is an eqaul amount between both male and female like looking at it 50/50 they share both values to be true. They are not simply substtues for the Muslim or Judeo-Christian Gods we look to the Gods and Goddess instead of ONE.

3. The Goddess represents all that is female and the God repsents all that is male. But because of nature is seen as female the Goddess has a wider meaning, offten called Mother Earth or Gaia she is seen as the creatrix and sustainer of life, the mother of us all which makes all the creatures on the planet our siblings.

4. There are many sub groups of named Gods and Goddess called Pantheons, drawn from the distant past, for example Isis and Osiris from Egypt or Thor, Odin, Freya et al from the Norse religion and mythology. Ancient Pagans would have worshipped one or a smaller number of Gods and Goddess, while we recognize the validity of others poeples deities. The concept of an overall, un-named deities represent particular human qualities or archetypes and are often used as a focus for celerbration and spiritual rites.

5. Paganism has developed alongside mankind for a very long time as cultures have changed so has Paganism in general, yet it is grounded in deep rooted genetic memories that go back to the neolithic times and before.

6. Paganism in the west takes a number of forms including Wicca, Druidism, and Shamanism

7. To Pagans the four ancient elements, Earth, Air, Fire and Water have special significance. They are associated with the four cardinal directions North, East, South and West. Each element is a kind of a spiritual substance from which al things are made especially ourselves and at the same time are Guardians.

8. Many Pagns believe in reincarnation in some form. It gives Pagans a substantially different view of life. Early Christians saw Karma as a kind of treadmill, trapping people in endless reincarnations, never being free to travel beyond.

What do Pagans Do
Pagans revere the cycle of nature as I said before through ritual or ceremonies of various kinds. Pagans of the Western traditions celebrate up to eight festivals or Sabbats each year (not all Pagans celebrate all the Sabbats) They comprise the four solar quarters which are on the equinoxes. Here are list of holdays that Pagans do celebrate together.

Samhain (Pronounced Sowain) Which is on October 31st Halloween: the feast of the dead, remembrance of ancestors and people now dead, who were important to us. It marks the end of the Celtic year and the start of the spiritual new year. Also known as All Hallows day, the night before being all Hallows eve (Halloween) or all souls night.

Yule The winter solstice, which is on Decemeber 21st it is the rebirth of the sun and the gradual lengthening of the days towards springtime and new life.

Imbolc or Brides day start of spring and the return of the Goddess to the land

Ostara (Easter) The spring equinox which is on March 21st is is the return of the sun from the south, springtime and we celerbrate the holy union between the God and Goddess.

Beltane starts on May day Summertime begins celebrating new life and the holy marriage of God and Goddess

Midsummer (Litha) is the summer solstic which is on June 21st. Everything is green thanks to the God of nature, or the Green man

Lughnasadh or Lammas end of August the festival of the first corn harvest

Mabon the Autumn equinox which is on Septemeber 21st approx this year it happens to be Sept 23rd. It is the season for fruit harvest celebration, making plans for the winter months to come.

Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lammas are known as fire festivals the tradional ways always have a fire at these celebrations such as a big bone fire. These festivals were never held on exact dates for example Lammas would have been celebrated when the barleycorn was harvested. This wheel is sometimes called the Gardnerian Wheel because it is a compbination of two ancient wheels and the hunting wheel. The Oak King is born at midsummer and rules through to Yule when he dies and the Holly King is born. In different traditions these holidays have different names for example Imbolc is called the festival of light in the northern traditions.

Western Pagans have no fixed temples in which to worship but instead (usually) make a circle around themselves or form themselves into a circle in a room or in a clearing or on a beach of find natureally ocurring circle such as a grove or use one of the ancient stone circles. Pagan have no hierarchy like the established religions so Pagans are free to follow whatever spiritual path they choose.