Views on Paganism
http://www.bbc.co.uk
/northyorkshire/content/articles/2007/05/14/paganism_myfaith_feature.shtml
Marcus Naylor
The word “Paganism” derives from the Latin “paganus” meaning “country dweller”, but today the meaning has radically altered. Paganism is now a living faith, a matter of heart, mind and spirit rather than location.
It's difficult to define Paganism because it encompasses such a variety of paths. It encourages diversity rather than uniformity; free thinking rather than dogma; and personal growth rather than the status quo. Consequently, Pagans, who work and socialise quite well together, may have very different belief systems and practices.
Diversity means that there is no point in proselytising, yet ironically Paganism is reputed to be the fastest growing religion in the country!
There are a multitude of traditions, and some Pagans prefer to work in solitude whilst others like to work in groups. Most believe in many Deities of which there are both male and female; some don't believe in any.
However, the vast majority of those who call themselves “Pagan” have a deep love and respect for Nature, and diligently follow the Seasons and the cycles of the Sun and Moon. Being close to Nature is important, so the ‘temple’ is the Great Outdoors – Earth and Sky.
The symbol most universally used by Pagans is the pentacle, which is a five-pointed star set within a circle. Basically, the five points signify the five mystical Elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit) of which the Cosmos (circle) is composed.
Paganism has revolutionised my life. Understanding that there is an equal feminine principle to Divinity in addition to the masculine, has enabled me to see the world through my heart and not just my head.
Paganism reveals the priest and bard within me; it makes me tolerant of others who see with different eyes; it has led me to be ecologically aware by showing me the sacredness of everything.
By going with the flow of the Seasons, I am encouraged to live more freely and naturally. For instance, I used to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, but I now see Winter as a timely opportunity to rest, withdraw, and heal my inner self so that I can emerge a new person in the Spring.
The Seasons also teach about the Circle of Life – that there is birth, life, death and rebirth. I don't worry about dying anymore: life is energy and energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed.
Susie Fox 2007
Paganism fascinates me due to its historical significance, and the relevance of these age-old principles for today's world. Balancing the masculine and feminine is so healthy. This leads to creativity in all aspects of the pagan life. The seasons take on healthy meaning, uncomfortable weather has its purpose, women and men have their place, and children are honoured. Also in balance are the physical, mental, emotional, creative and spiritual aspects of living symbolised and expressed in the energies of earth, air, water and fire. Rest, inward looking, contemplation, and rejuvination are placed with importance alongside the outward, creative, hardworking, fertile expression of living. Through paganism (and I want to go back to my "country-dweller" roots) I find a balance, healing and security in a modern world of towns and cities, stress and target achievement, patriachal society and feministic dominance. The Divine is present but unlike the Christian Religion is not ALL male. Nor does the Divine be ALL woman. "God" is Spirit. Also - when we meet up, we have fun!
Eve Branston April 2009
Thanks, Marcus and Susie! My feeling is that the "New Age Pagan" movement has so much to offer, and doesn't aim to exclude anything or anyone. That's what I like about it, it's an, inclusive, all-embracing, spiritual movement that people do what they like with and interpret how they like.
"Paganism" can sometimes offer spiritual explanations which people may not always feel they fully get from "traditional" religions. But it certainly doesn't seek to exclude those religions or suck people into itself in any harmful way. It has simply evolved in answer to people seeking ADDITIONAL explanations, which can enhance what they have already got spiritually.
I really want to stress that Paganism is nothing at all to do with devil worship or satanic cults - honestly! I'd run a mile if I ever came across anything like that! Paganism is just an umbrella term for a harmless, nature-loving spirituality. "Paganism" has a capital P because it's a new spiritual path, (small p "pagan" is the adjective referring to a historical word, meaning people who were or are non- or pre-Christian.)
New-Age Paganism is based on what we know of old spiritualities (pre-Christian Celtic, Norse and others) and mixed in with new modern traditions eg Wicca, a "Pagany" religion invented in its present form in the 20th century and involving a bit more actual ceremony, beautiful religious objects, etc. Some Pagans may be a bit "practising" and not actually "Wiccan", for example perhaps doing the occasional fun outdoor ritual (fully clothed, in case anyone was wondering!) at some or all of the 8 festivals throughout the year, based on the old Celtic calendar, eg the famous Samhain or Halloween, (nothing spooky about it! merely remembering our ancestors) or Beltane, May 1st, celebrating the return of life/warmth; or lovely twinkly Yule, which is usually mingled with lovely twinkly Christmas (and they're very much related anyway, it's all about celebrating the return of light and hope).
Some Pagans may "do" very little religious, just enjoy chatting down the pub with other like-minded souls, occasionally go and have their Tarot cards read, enjoy sci-fi and fantasy, and may feel that esoteric ideas (which some people understandably find weird) offer some useful explanations of life. What makes some people wary, is the interest that Pagans can have in the "special" powers of the mind: psychic abilities, astral plane, astrology, belief in ghosts etc. I quite understand fear of these things. They scare me too! Yet they fascinate me and I believe in many, though not all, of these esoteric things. Pagans who are interested in these things (not all are) tend to feel that such matters are not forbidden to people or only meant for Divine use; nor are they things of the devil. (I do appreciate that some people and religions would disagree). Instead, these things are seen as just a part of Nature, as God-given gifts that we may use, as long as we do so wisely and harming none. It's nothing to do with dark arts or satanic cults.
It's just nice Nature. It's accessing what is naturally in us, for the purpose of GOOD, for healing or self-healing, if wished for. None of the Pagans I know are dark, sinister figures doing dark, sinister things. Instead you can often find us gazing dreamily at crystals, being very interested in the environment, arguing about whether the direction north corresponds to the element of earth, air, fire or water, or hugging a nice-smelling tree! I believe all this stuff is simply a part of the natural, God-made, world. If understood properly, and used wisely and with correct intent, (and only when necessary!) it can be a loving, positive influence through which we can do a lot of good. This is the Paganism I know and am interested in. Thanks, Eve X
So - what is your view - let us know, via the contact form, and we will pop it on the website.
/northyorkshire/content/articles/2007/05/14/paganism_myfaith_feature.shtml
Marcus Naylor
The word “Paganism” derives from the Latin “paganus” meaning “country dweller”, but today the meaning has radically altered. Paganism is now a living faith, a matter of heart, mind and spirit rather than location.
It's difficult to define Paganism because it encompasses such a variety of paths. It encourages diversity rather than uniformity; free thinking rather than dogma; and personal growth rather than the status quo. Consequently, Pagans, who work and socialise quite well together, may have very different belief systems and practices.
Diversity means that there is no point in proselytising, yet ironically Paganism is reputed to be the fastest growing religion in the country!
There are a multitude of traditions, and some Pagans prefer to work in solitude whilst others like to work in groups. Most believe in many Deities of which there are both male and female; some don't believe in any.
However, the vast majority of those who call themselves “Pagan” have a deep love and respect for Nature, and diligently follow the Seasons and the cycles of the Sun and Moon. Being close to Nature is important, so the ‘temple’ is the Great Outdoors – Earth and Sky.
The symbol most universally used by Pagans is the pentacle, which is a five-pointed star set within a circle. Basically, the five points signify the five mystical Elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit) of which the Cosmos (circle) is composed.
Paganism has revolutionised my life. Understanding that there is an equal feminine principle to Divinity in addition to the masculine, has enabled me to see the world through my heart and not just my head.
Paganism reveals the priest and bard within me; it makes me tolerant of others who see with different eyes; it has led me to be ecologically aware by showing me the sacredness of everything.
By going with the flow of the Seasons, I am encouraged to live more freely and naturally. For instance, I used to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, but I now see Winter as a timely opportunity to rest, withdraw, and heal my inner self so that I can emerge a new person in the Spring.
The Seasons also teach about the Circle of Life – that there is birth, life, death and rebirth. I don't worry about dying anymore: life is energy and energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed.
Susie Fox 2007
Paganism fascinates me due to its historical significance, and the relevance of these age-old principles for today's world. Balancing the masculine and feminine is so healthy. This leads to creativity in all aspects of the pagan life. The seasons take on healthy meaning, uncomfortable weather has its purpose, women and men have their place, and children are honoured. Also in balance are the physical, mental, emotional, creative and spiritual aspects of living symbolised and expressed in the energies of earth, air, water and fire. Rest, inward looking, contemplation, and rejuvination are placed with importance alongside the outward, creative, hardworking, fertile expression of living. Through paganism (and I want to go back to my "country-dweller" roots) I find a balance, healing and security in a modern world of towns and cities, stress and target achievement, patriachal society and feministic dominance. The Divine is present but unlike the Christian Religion is not ALL male. Nor does the Divine be ALL woman. "God" is Spirit. Also - when we meet up, we have fun!
Eve Branston April 2009
Thanks, Marcus and Susie! My feeling is that the "New Age Pagan" movement has so much to offer, and doesn't aim to exclude anything or anyone. That's what I like about it, it's an, inclusive, all-embracing, spiritual movement that people do what they like with and interpret how they like.
"Paganism" can sometimes offer spiritual explanations which people may not always feel they fully get from "traditional" religions. But it certainly doesn't seek to exclude those religions or suck people into itself in any harmful way. It has simply evolved in answer to people seeking ADDITIONAL explanations, which can enhance what they have already got spiritually.
I really want to stress that Paganism is nothing at all to do with devil worship or satanic cults - honestly! I'd run a mile if I ever came across anything like that! Paganism is just an umbrella term for a harmless, nature-loving spirituality. "Paganism" has a capital P because it's a new spiritual path, (small p "pagan" is the adjective referring to a historical word, meaning people who were or are non- or pre-Christian.)
New-Age Paganism is based on what we know of old spiritualities (pre-Christian Celtic, Norse and others) and mixed in with new modern traditions eg Wicca, a "Pagany" religion invented in its present form in the 20th century and involving a bit more actual ceremony, beautiful religious objects, etc. Some Pagans may be a bit "practising" and not actually "Wiccan", for example perhaps doing the occasional fun outdoor ritual (fully clothed, in case anyone was wondering!) at some or all of the 8 festivals throughout the year, based on the old Celtic calendar, eg the famous Samhain or Halloween, (nothing spooky about it! merely remembering our ancestors) or Beltane, May 1st, celebrating the return of life/warmth; or lovely twinkly Yule, which is usually mingled with lovely twinkly Christmas (and they're very much related anyway, it's all about celebrating the return of light and hope).
Some Pagans may "do" very little religious, just enjoy chatting down the pub with other like-minded souls, occasionally go and have their Tarot cards read, enjoy sci-fi and fantasy, and may feel that esoteric ideas (which some people understandably find weird) offer some useful explanations of life. What makes some people wary, is the interest that Pagans can have in the "special" powers of the mind: psychic abilities, astral plane, astrology, belief in ghosts etc. I quite understand fear of these things. They scare me too! Yet they fascinate me and I believe in many, though not all, of these esoteric things. Pagans who are interested in these things (not all are) tend to feel that such matters are not forbidden to people or only meant for Divine use; nor are they things of the devil. (I do appreciate that some people and religions would disagree). Instead, these things are seen as just a part of Nature, as God-given gifts that we may use, as long as we do so wisely and harming none. It's nothing to do with dark arts or satanic cults.
It's just nice Nature. It's accessing what is naturally in us, for the purpose of GOOD, for healing or self-healing, if wished for. None of the Pagans I know are dark, sinister figures doing dark, sinister things. Instead you can often find us gazing dreamily at crystals, being very interested in the environment, arguing about whether the direction north corresponds to the element of earth, air, fire or water, or hugging a nice-smelling tree! I believe all this stuff is simply a part of the natural, God-made, world. If understood properly, and used wisely and with correct intent, (and only when necessary!) it can be a loving, positive influence through which we can do a lot of good. This is the Paganism I know and am interested in. Thanks, Eve X
So - what is your view - let us know, via the contact form, and we will pop it on the website.
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