Neo-paganism (Modern Paganism )
Paganism is a broad, eclectic, contemporary
religious movement that encompasses ecstatic, polytheistic and magical
religions. Today, it is termed ‘Neo-paganism’ to illustrate its connection to
and difference from the pre-Christian pagan religions. There are several forms
of Neo-paganism, including Wicca, Neo-Drudism and Astrau. Neo-paganism is a
broad term which encompasses many diverse and differing religions, but most
have several common themes which identifies them as Neo-pagan.
Neo-pagans are usually polytheistic or
duotheistic. That is, they believe in two or many gods. Wiccans are duotheistic
and worship the Goddess and the God, also known as the 'huntress' and the
'horned one.' The Druids, on the other hand, are polytheistic and worship
aspects of nature such ‘the river’, ‘the sky’, and ‘the sun.’ Most are nature
centered worshipping pre-Christian deities. Many of these pre-Christian
religions have been changed and revived so that they have a greater relevance
to contemporary lifestyles. Neo-pagans have introduced various new concepts to
these ancient religions as well as changing and modifying pre existing
traditions. New concepts include; dynamic and diverse personal beliefs, lack of
institutionalization, a search for spiritual fulfillment and encouragement and
acceptance of diversity.
Many Neo-pagan religions have previously been
wiped out and have been reconstructed from ancient sources. Neo-pagans (like
ancient pagans) have a deep respect for nature. This stems from their belief
that The Gods are immanent. Neo-pagans believe that the Divine is everywhere,
not only above us, but all around us and within us. Their religion centers
around the earth and her seasonal cycles.
The most prevalent Neo-pagan religion is Wicca..
This is a revived form of pre-Christian Goddess worship. Wiccans, as do most
Neo-pagans observe four main seasonal days which celebrate the miracle of
nature and give thanks to the Goddess for her gifts. As a result of their love
of nature Wiccans, and many other Neo-pagans, prefer to worship whilst they are
immersed in nature, so they are closer to the Goddess.
Many Neo-pagans such as Wiccans and Druids
practice magic. Magic played an important role in these religions and was seen
as a conscious direction of ones will to create change. Wiccans practice magic
in ‘magic circles’ during certain powerful phases of the moon. Many Neo-pagans
believe in and are governed by the ‘Wiccan Rede,’ that is, "An it harm none, do
what thou wilt." This Rede, was in essence a code of practice, which
effectively prevents practitioners of magic from harming anyone.
The recent resurgence in Neo-pagan religions can
be attributed to several factors. With the major upheavals of the 1960s many
people found themselves becoming disillusioned with the present mainstream
religions. Through reviving the basic practices of Paganism [ now called Neo-
paganism], many people found a spiritual outlet by returning to nature based
religions. These ancient religions had sustained the world for centuries before
the appearance of Christianity and with the world becoming increasingly
complicated and stressful, modern people found a much needed and sought after
spiritual path.
Ancient pagan religions provided simple folk with
a release from pressures and today it provides a tolerant setting, which
encourages diversity and a quest for spiritual fulfillment, that the
materialistic twentieth century lacks.
religious movement that encompasses ecstatic, polytheistic and magical
religions. Today, it is termed ‘Neo-paganism’ to illustrate its connection to
and difference from the pre-Christian pagan religions. There are several forms
of Neo-paganism, including Wicca, Neo-Drudism and Astrau. Neo-paganism is a
broad term which encompasses many diverse and differing religions, but most
have several common themes which identifies them as Neo-pagan.
Neo-pagans are usually polytheistic or
duotheistic. That is, they believe in two or many gods. Wiccans are duotheistic
and worship the Goddess and the God, also known as the 'huntress' and the
'horned one.' The Druids, on the other hand, are polytheistic and worship
aspects of nature such ‘the river’, ‘the sky’, and ‘the sun.’ Most are nature
centered worshipping pre-Christian deities. Many of these pre-Christian
religions have been changed and revived so that they have a greater relevance
to contemporary lifestyles. Neo-pagans have introduced various new concepts to
these ancient religions as well as changing and modifying pre existing
traditions. New concepts include; dynamic and diverse personal beliefs, lack of
institutionalization, a search for spiritual fulfillment and encouragement and
acceptance of diversity.
Many Neo-pagan religions have previously been
wiped out and have been reconstructed from ancient sources. Neo-pagans (like
ancient pagans) have a deep respect for nature. This stems from their belief
that The Gods are immanent. Neo-pagans believe that the Divine is everywhere,
not only above us, but all around us and within us. Their religion centers
around the earth and her seasonal cycles.
The most prevalent Neo-pagan religion is Wicca..
This is a revived form of pre-Christian Goddess worship. Wiccans, as do most
Neo-pagans observe four main seasonal days which celebrate the miracle of
nature and give thanks to the Goddess for her gifts. As a result of their love
of nature Wiccans, and many other Neo-pagans, prefer to worship whilst they are
immersed in nature, so they are closer to the Goddess.
Many Neo-pagans such as Wiccans and Druids
practice magic. Magic played an important role in these religions and was seen
as a conscious direction of ones will to create change. Wiccans practice magic
in ‘magic circles’ during certain powerful phases of the moon. Many Neo-pagans
believe in and are governed by the ‘Wiccan Rede,’ that is, "An it harm none, do
what thou wilt." This Rede, was in essence a code of practice, which
effectively prevents practitioners of magic from harming anyone.
The recent resurgence in Neo-pagan religions can
be attributed to several factors. With the major upheavals of the 1960s many
people found themselves becoming disillusioned with the present mainstream
religions. Through reviving the basic practices of Paganism [ now called Neo-
paganism], many people found a spiritual outlet by returning to nature based
religions. These ancient religions had sustained the world for centuries before
the appearance of Christianity and with the world becoming increasingly
complicated and stressful, modern people found a much needed and sought after
spiritual path.
Ancient pagan religions provided simple folk with
a release from pressures and today it provides a tolerant setting, which
encourages diversity and a quest for spiritual fulfillment, that the
materialistic twentieth century lacks.