Paganism (Part 1) ~ An Overview

Merry Meet,

Looking at my Year & a Day study schedule, I have just started the topic "Pagan History" and so I'll start with a brief overview and simple definition of what Paganism is.  This topic could really go on and on for a very long time, but I will try to keep it short and sweet.  I'm not sure how many parts there will be to this topic series, but it's going to be a good one!  I can feel myself tingling all over with excitement...

Paganism

A Brief History

What Does Pagan Mean?

Pagan is the umbrella term for belief systems that doesn’t include Christianity, Judaism or Islamism (The Abrahamic religions).  Although not all Pagan traditions or religions follow the same belief system, usually the basics are the same.  A Pagan tradition or religion can have multiple Gods and/or Goddesses (Polytheism) – which are both equally worshiped.  There’s the belief that the universe is interconnected, everything has a Spirit or energy centre (Animism), alongside this there’s the concept that the divine is everywhere, in all things we do, and in nature (Pantheism).  Many Pagan traditions or religions also consider the life cycle to be different than that of Abrahamic religions, in that there is Life, Death and Rebirth (Reincarnation).  There are Pagans that also belief that once we have learned all of the lessons that life has to teach us, then there is Afterlife (Ascension).

Origins

As the Abrahamic religions are still new in comparison to Pagan traditions or religions; Paganism can be tracked back to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Semitic, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome…the Bronze Age and early Iron Age.  Considering that sacred site Stonehenge has been dated back to between 3000 & 2000 BC – by archaeologists, which was built by Druid Priests – and that there are many other sacred sites that could be older, this can prove how far back Paganism traditions and religions go.

Traditions

There are many Pagan traditions and religions, and to list them all, with overviews, may take a while; so I will list a few of the popular ones here.

Heathenry – including Heathenry, Asatru, The Northern Tradition, Odinism, Forn Sed, Germanic Pagan Reconstructionism (those that revive and follow the Old Ways).

Wicca – including Modern, Eclectic, Dianic, Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Celtic, Georgian.

Druidism – with Celtic origins meaning Strong Seer, with a spiritual and nature belief system

Shamanism – with origins from the wise and medicine man / woman from tribes and families, using the Earths bounty for healing.

☮ ❤ & ツ

Blessed Be

SRM

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