A Short Telling of a Long History Neo-Pagans are the modern-day followers of the indigenous beliefs of a country or culture. Before the development of human-centric religions, the people recognised and honoured the Land itself, sometimes as the guardian spirit of a spring, mountain or other natural element. As humanity grew and developed, so did these deities as the people increased and traveled. Historical Pagans developed their own traditions within their different cultures - Druidry for the Celts, Shinto in the Japans, Shamanism in Siberia, Hellenism in Geco-Roman lands. Many of these practices were so entrenched in the local cultures that as the local religions were submerged or destroyed by the invaders the traditions surrounding them were adapted for the incoming religion's use, with the deities themselves either demonised or sainted in the "new" religion. "Paganism is the ancestral religion of the whole of humanity." - Prudence Jones The Earth is Sacred Pagans venerate Nature and can worship many deities, or simply the Spirit of the Natural world. Spirit of Place, known as genius loci to the ancient Romans, can be either a personified natural feature or a full-fledged divine being. Nature is a manifestation of divinity, not a neutral or inanimate object.	Neo-Pagans    There are so many different types and flavours of Pagan Traditions that this short introduction cannot address them all. This is merely a basic overview of some of the ideals involved in living a Pagan life in the modern world, a starting point for discussion and food for thought. Throughout this sheet I have used 'Pagan' and 'Neo-Pagan' interchangeably, there is a difference but it is primarily academic. A Pagan is a follower of a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion. A Neo-Pagan is a modern-day follower of these ancient beliefs. The difference between a Pagan and a Neo-Pagan is one of survival and continuity - a Pagan is the follower of a Tradtion that has endured uninterrupted from antiquity while a Neo-Pagan is a follower of a Tradition that has been revived, reconstructed or constructed in modern times. Neo-Pagans are reaching back through their ancestors, and reclaiming their indigenous spiritual roots. Neo-Pagans may be trained in a particular Tradition or they may follow their own instinct or intuition - no one else can determine who is or is not a Pagan/Neo-Pagan other than the beleiver. Each person must experience the Divine in a direct and personal way. There is no one true religion, and Neo-Pagans believe there never was!	Deity   Some see deities as a community of individuals, others see all deities as different facets of one Divine Being, while others view deity as an abstract Supreme Principle, the origin and source of all things. The validity of the divinity of other spiritual beings is acknowledged, honouring one or some does not render the others false. The many deities of Paganism are a recognition of the diversity of Nature. Gods and Goddess - Some Pagan paths offer exclusive allegiance to one deity, others to a few or an entire Pantheon. The Elements - Earth, Air, Fire and Water are not merely elements, they are Spheres of Being. Elementals are creatures who inhabit these realms, their very existence provides cohesion to the Universe itself. Spirit encompasses and permeates all, Kindling the spark of life. The Ancestors are important figures in Pagan beliefs. They are often guardian spirits of the family line, and in any case are to be honoured by their descendants. Many European Traditions trace their ancestry back to the Gods. For example, some Anglo-Saxon royal houses descended from Woden or Frey, and the kings of Cumbria traced their descent from Beli and Anna, Celtic deities. Heroes might also be sanctified or even deified, as was Caesar. Houshold guardian deities are respected and honoured. They might be seen as genius loci, the family's guardian spirit, or even 'group' spirits such as Elves, Little People, Kobolds or Barstuccae. A household shrine is usually the focal point in the honouring of these deities, often with an annual ritual to honour them. Similarly, the spirit of the hearth is usually venerated, often with a daily offering of food and drink and an annual ritual of extinguishing and relighting the fire. Continuity from the past into the present is preserved through these ancestral and domestic rites, assuring ourselves and our children a spiritually meaningful future.
The Magical World    Divination and magic are natural elements of the world. Magic is simply another explanation for the cause and effect of events and divination is used by interpreting apparently random signals. Bothe are utisised by paying attention, being aware of both external and internal signals. Divination can be performed by interpreting the flight of birds, the casting of stones to see how they fall, interpreting leaves in a teacup or using a predefined format such as Rune Stones or Tarot cards. The Universe will often give us answers to genuine questions, although sometimes we find that the answers aren't what we want to hear! For mor Pagans, divination tools are primarily used for self-exploration, finding clues for their inner journey rather than for fortune-telling. In many indigenous Traditions trance seership and mediumship are used by trained and dedicated people, these practices allow individuals to communicate with the Otherworld but they aren't for the novice or faint-of-heart. Magic, the deliberate production of results in this world by Otherworld means is commonly accepted amongst Pagans but is by no means practiced by all. Magic in one form or another was present in most, if not all, Pagan cultures. Anglo-Saxon manuscripts record spells of healing and fertility, while horse-whisperers and healers are common throughout Pagan societries. However, the practice of maic for unfair personal gain or for harming others is, if not outright forbidden, at least proscribed in Pagan Traditions - just as physical assault is regarded by our society.	The Essence of Time Pagans measure and honour the natural progression of time. The natural rhythms are a model of growth both physically and spiritually - a day is a smaller measurement of the same cycle as a year which is a smaller measurement of a lifespan. Renewal comes just as Spring inevitably arrives, dawn always follows night. The seasons of the year and the lifetime are marked by festivals or other observances in honour, recognition and joy. This list of holy-days is by no means complete for any one Tradition, let alone for all Neo-Pagan Paths. However, it does give an idea of the important milestones. Samhain - End of October or beginning of November, when the veil between the worlds is thinnest. Most cultures have a festival honouring the dead around this time. Yule - Winter Solstice, longest night of the year and a time of rejoicing at the promise of new life gestating in the Earth. Imbolc - End of January or beginning of February celebrates the awakening of the Land, this is Groundhog Day and Valentine's Day rolled into one. Spring Equinox - Night and day stand equal during the growing season, the Earth is awake and fertile. Beltane - End of April beginning of May, the power of new life is visible, Spring is giving way to Summer, third of the Fertility festivals and opposite Samhain, a time of the Worlds closest proximity. Summer Solstice - Longest day of the year, a time of rejoicing at the power of the Sun and the Light. Lughnasadh - End of July or beginning of August, first of the Harvest festivals when we reap what we have sown. Autumn Equinox - Day and night stand equal once again. Harvest of the vine, a time when we watch the shadows lengthen and honour the elderly and the aproach of Winter.	The Some Pagan Thoughts    Thewhole of life is to be affirmed joyfully and without shame, as long as others are not harmed by one's own tastes. Creativity, individuality and playfulness are all important precepts that affirm the importance of the individual psyche as it interfaces with a greater power. Non-judgement of others and their own Spiritual Path is preferred by most, differences do not always equate to opposition. Recognising that a natural order to Life and the Universe exists, even when we cannot see the whole vista. Veneration of a natural world, the supernatural aspect of which is merely that which we have yet to fully grasp. Feminine and Masculine are equal partners, each with their own strengths and needs. Beauty is to be nurtured. Life encompasses all things that exist in the Universe. Science is only one tool for understanding the workings of our reality. Life is a multitude of mysteries, when science solves one another will surface. Harmony with the Earth and the Universe.  All life is respected, domination of other beings is not necessary or desired. Neo-Pagan Tradition today includes people reclaiming their ancient sites and ceremonies, and individuals living a personal spiritual path alone or together.

   This is a basic overview of Neo-Pagan religions. In no way is it to describe all of them. Any discrepancies should be understood to be significant to specific Paths or systems. No offense was meant by any omissions or inclusions.  Compiled by Zolah Dia, Member of the Fraser Valley Wiccan Pagan information Network & Priestess of The Lilith Temple Society. 

This page was last updated: November 06, 2008

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