What is Paganism? A Journey Through Time
In this Paganism overview, we will explore an ancient religious and spiritual tradition, often misunderstood and misrepresented throughout history. It encompasses a wide array of beliefs, practices, and cultures, deeply connected to nature, the cycles of life, and polytheistic deities.
Though historically associated with pre-Christian societies, paganism has seen a resurgence in the modern world, where its adherents, sometimes known as Neo-Pagans, continue to explore its philosophies and practices.
We will dive deep into the world of paganism, exploring its ancient roots, how it transformed over the millennia, and its current-day expressions..
The Origins of Paganism: Ancient Traditions
Paganism, derived from the Latin word paganus, meaning “country dweller” or “rustic,” was a term in use by early Christians to describe the polytheistic and animistic religions of Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa.
These traditions were seen as the beliefs of rural or backward peoples as Christianity spread across the Roman Empire and beyond. In reality, however, pagan traditions were the dominant spiritual systems in many societies long before the rise of monotheistic religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Polytheism: The Core of Ancient Paganism
One of the hallmarks of ancient paganism is its polytheistic nature. In other words, the belief in and worship of multiple gods and goddesses. Ancient pagans would look up to deities, of course. This is because they often linked them to natural elements like the sun, moon, wind, and earth.
These gods and goddesses often represented human characteristics and emotions. This gives their worshippers a sense of connection with the divine in their everyday lives.
- Greek and Roman Paganism: The most famous pagan pantheon comes from Ancient Greece and Rome. Greek gods like Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Hades, and their Roman counterparts Jupiter, Minerva, Mars, and Pluto, were central to the religious and cultural life of these empires. Rituals, sacrifices, and festivals were dedicated to these gods, seeking favour, protection, and blessings.
- Norse Paganism: In Northern Europe, Norse or Germanic paganism thrived, with gods like Odin, Thor, and Freya at the forefront. The Norse believed in a cosmology centred around Yggdrasil, the World Tree, with realms connected by this giant ash tree. Their belief system heavily emphasized fate (Wyrd) and the cycles of destruction and rebirth, as seen in the myth of Ragnarok.
- Celtic Paganism: The Ancient Celts of Britain, Ireland, and France practised a form of paganism that was heavily intertwined with nature and the land. The Druids, the priestly class, held sacred knowledge about the gods. Furthermore, they understood the cycles of nature and the laws of the universe. Celebrations like Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season, would later inspire Halloween.
Animism and Nature Worship
At the core of many ancient pagan traditions was animism. That is the belief that all elements of the natural world—rivers, trees, mountains, animals—possessed a spiritual essence or consciousness. This reverence for nature manifested in countless ways, from the worship of the Egyptian sun god Ra to the sacred oak trees of the Druids.
Rituals, Festivals, and Magic
Rituals played a central role in pagan life. Indeed, seasonal festivals, sacrifices, and ceremonies took place to honour the gods. This also ensured the fertility of the land, the success of hunts, and the protection of communities.
Magic and divination were also common aspects of pagan spiritual practice. Moreover, oracles, seers, and shamans acted as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realms.
Paganism and the Rise of Christianity: Suppression and Transformation
As this overview details, with the rise of Christianity in the 4th century CE, paganism began to be systematically suppressed. Pagan temples were closed, festivals were banned, and pagan practices were rebranded as heretical or ‘devil worship’ by Christian authorities.
However, many pagan elements were assimilated into Christian traditions. These included the timing of festivals (Christmas aligning with the Roman festival of Saturnalia and Easter with spring fertility rites).
Despite the suppression, pagan beliefs persisted, especially in rural areas. Over the centuries, many of the folk traditions associated with Europe’s peasantry, such as herbal medicine, seasonal festivals, and fertility rites, had roots in ancient paganism.
Modern Paganism: The Revival of Ancient Beliefs
The 20th century saw a renewed interest in ancient pagan traditions, often called the “Pagan Revival” or “Neo-Paganism.” This revival emerged out of a longing to reconnect with nature, reject the dogma of organized religion, and explore alternative forms of spirituality. Neo-Paganism is diverse, encompassing a variety of movements, each drawing from different ancient traditions.
Wicca: The Most Prominent Neo-Pagan Tradition
No Paganism overview would be complete without discussing Wicca, a modern witchcraft religion founded by Gerald Gardner in the mid-20th century. It is arguably the most well-known form of Neo-Paganism. Gardner claimed to have rediscovered ancient pagan practices that had survived in secrecy throughout the Christian era. However, many scholars believe that Wicca incorporates a mix of folk magic, occultism, and romanticized pagan history.
Wicca is a duotheistic religion, meaning it primarily worships two deities: the Goddess, often associated with the moon, fertility, and the earth, and the Horned God, representing the sun, animals, and the wilderness. Rituals in Wicca typically centre around the cycles of the moon (Esbats) and the seasonal festivals known as the Wheel of the Year. This also includes Sabbats like Yule, Beltane, and Samhain.
Heathenry and Reconstructionist Paganism
While Wicca draws heavily from modern interpretations of paganism, other Neo-Pagan groups seek to reconstruct the specific practices of ancient cultures. For example:
- Heathenry (or Ásatrú) seeks to revive the beliefs and practices of the Norse and Germanic peoples. This tradition honours gods like Odin, Thor, and Freya through blóts (sacrificial rituals) and sumbels (ritual toasts).
- Hellenism involves the reconstruction of ancient Greek religious practices. The adherents worship deities such as Zeus, Athena, and Apollo while also reviving classical festivals.
- Celtic Reconstructionism seeks to revive the religious traditions of the Ancient Celts. This includes the reverence for natural places and the importance of ancestors. This also supports the celebration of Celtic festivals like Imbolc and Lammas (Lughnasadh).
Druidry
Modern Druidry draws inspiration from the Ancient Celts and the priestly class known as the Druids. However, historical information about the Druids’ actual practices is scarce.
Contemporary Druid groups, such as the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids (OBOD), focus on nature worship, meditation, and the study of mythology, poetry, and history. This, as you can see in our Paganism overview, highlights the diverse ways modern Pagans connect with the past.
Druidry emphasizes harmony with the natural world, the cycles of the seasons, and the interconnectedness of all life.
Eclectic Paganism
Many modern Pagans identify as eclectic, meaning they draw on a variety of traditions rather than adhering to a single path. Eclectic pagans might incorporate elements of Wicca, Druidry, Norse mythology, or other spiritual practices into their personal belief systems.
This reflects the highly individualistic and flexible nature of modern paganism, where personal experience and direct connection to the divine take precedence over established dogma.
Modern Pagan Practices: Rituals, Magic, and Ethics
While ancient paganism became community-focused, modern paganism tends to be more individualistic. This means practitioners craft their own rituals and belief systems. However, many key elements remain consistent across various pagan traditions, as we’ve outlined in this Paganism overview.
These key elements include:
- Reverence for Nature: Whether through seasonal celebrations like the equinoxes and solstices, or daily rituals that honour the earth, modern pagans maintain a deep connection to nature. This often extends into environmental activism, with many pagans committed to ecological causes.
- Magic and Spellwork: Magic, or “magick” as it is sometimes spelled in pagan communities, is often seen as a natural extension of one’s will, intent, and energy. Spellwork can involve various tools like candles, herbs, crystals, and incantations. Moreover, the focus is on personal growth, healing, and harmony rather than controlling others.
- Divination: Many pagans practice forms of divination, such as tarot, rune casting, or scrying, to gain insight into the future or their own subconscious.
- Ethics and the Rule of Three: While ethical systems vary across pagan traditions, Wicca is known for the “Rule of Three.” This states that whatever energy a person puts into the world—positive or negative—will return to them threefold. Other pagans follow similar principles, emphasizing personal responsibility and harm reduction.
Paganism in the Modern World: Misconceptions and Challenges
Despite its growing popularity, modern paganism often faces misconceptions and prejudice, particularly in societies with a dominant monotheistic worldview. Sometimes, ignorant people accuse pagans of “devil worship” due to misunderstandings about their beliefs. In particular, the association of the Horned God with Satan—a concept that is absent from pagan cosmology.
However, contemporary pagan communities continue to thrive, creating spaces for spiritual exploration and community-building. Many modern pagans see their practice as a way to reclaim ancient wisdom. Of course, that suffered from severe suppression during the rise of monotheism. Indeed, they see it as a path to reconnect with the natural world in an era of environmental crisis.
Conclusion to our Overview: The Ever-Evolving Spirit of Paganism
Paganism, whether ancient or modern, reflects a profound relationship between humanity and the natural world. Moreover, it is a reverence for the divine in all its forms and a deep respect for the cycles of life.
From the temples of Ancient Greece to the modern Wiccan altars of today, paganism remains a living, breathing spiritual path that adapts to the times while staying rooted in ancient wisdom.
In today’s world, where ecological awareness and personal spirituality are becoming more central, paganism offers a path for those seeking to live in harmony with nature, honour the mysteries of the universe, and explore the divine in its many manifestations.
As more people turn to these ancient traditions, the rich tapestry of paganism continues to grow. This is because it offers a spiritual home for those drawn to its embrace of diversity, freedom, and connection to the earth, as this Paganism overview has demonstrated.
