Who are the Modern Pagans and What Do They Believe?

Paganism is a term that encompasses a wide range of spiritual and religious beliefs, often associated with pre-Christian and indigenous cultures. **Followers of paganism are individuals who embrace these ancient beliefs and practices**. They may identify as witches, druids, shamans, or simply as pagans. One characteristic of paganism is its focus on nature and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Pagans often honor and worship various deities, spirits, or forces of nature. **They may believe in a pantheon of gods and goddesses or worship a singular higher power**.

Although every Modern Pagan religion has its own set of rituals, there are some common themes. There are rituals marking the seasons, and the cycles of the moon and sun (solstices and equinoxes). There are rituals honoring specific gods or goddesses, and nature spirits. There are rituals celebrating birth, death, marriage and rites of passage. And there are rituals that call on divine powers to heal, strengthen and comfort individuals and entire communities.

In the ritual known as Blót Old Norse for sacrifice , members of the kindred community pass around a horn filled with mead that s sacrificed to the gods accompanied by prayers to deities like Odin, Thor and Freya. Several esoteric groups of the 19th century, such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Theosophical Society, adopted imagery from the pre-Christian past, and it was from this esoteric milieu that the earliest modern Pagan groups emerged early in the 20th century.

**They may believe in a pantheon of gods and goddesses or worship a singular higher power**. Many pagans also believe in the existence of spirits or beings that inhabit trees, rivers, mountains, and other natural elements. Pagan rituals and practices vary greatly, depending on the specific tradition or path followed by the individual.

Paganism Is the Oldest, Newest Religion

Jussara Gabriel a Wiccan high priestess, and other priestesses pray around a fire pit during the Imbolc, the seasonal sabbat in honor of Brigid, a Celtic goddess of Irish origin, on Aug. 13, 2020 in Jacarepagua, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Andre Coelho/Getty Images

When Christianity switched from a persecuted fringe sect to the state religion of the Roman Empire in 415 CE, those in the new monotheistic mainstream came up with an insult for the polytheistic "hicks" who still worshipped the pantheon of Roman gods. They called them "pagans" from the Latin word paganus for "country dweller."

While most of the rites and practices of Pagan belief systems died out centuries ago, some modern spiritual seekers have recovered those ancient wisdom traditions and now proudly identify as Pagan. By some measures, Modern Paganism is one of America's fastest-growing religions with an estimated 1 million followers of various Pagan sects in the United States. According to the 2014 Pew Religious Landscape Study, 0.3 percent of Americans identify as "Pagan or Wicca," which is the same number who identify as Unitarian. In 2008, there were just 340,000 Pagans in the U.S.

Modern Paganism (also called Neopaganism, Contemporary Paganism or just Paganism) is a revival movement that encompasses a wide and rich variety of polytheistic religious traditions: Sumerian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman practices, as well as Wicca (modern witchcraft), Ásatrú (the worship of Norse gods, goddesses and land spirits) and Druidism (an Indo-European priesthood).

With such a diversity of religious traditions and rituals, Modern Paganism defies easy definition. The religious scholar Michael Strmiska described Modern Paganism as a collection of religious movements "dedicated to reviving the polytheistic, nature-worshipping pagan religions of pre-Christian Europe and adapting them for the use of people in modern societies."

What Modern Pagans are definitely not is "historical reenactors," says Jefferson Calico, a religion professor at the University of the Cumberlands, Kentucky, and author of "Being Viking: Heathenism in Contemporary America."

"Contemporary Pagans feel a strong connection to the past and look to those pre-Christian practices and cultures and spirituality as inspiration for what they're trying to recover, find again or create anew," says Calico. "They look at pre-Christian traditions of the past as repositories of ancient sacred wisdom and lifestyles that connected us to the cosmos and to each other in ways that are holy and sacred."

1. Pagan Practice and Rituals
2. Wicca and Women's Empowerment
3. The Rise of Heathenry

Pagan Practice and Rituals

Unlike Judeo-Christian traditions that center around biblical authority, clergy and codified belief systems, Modern Paganism is all about the rituals. The religious scholar Sabina Magliocco wrote that the role of ritual in Modern Paganism is to achieve communion with nature, with the deities, with the community and with the inner self. She describes Modern Pagan rituals as "forms of communally created artistic expression" that often include drumming, dance, ceremonial fires, incense, and representations of the four elements (earth, air, fire and water).

Although every Modern Pagan religion has its own set of rituals, there are some common themes. There are rituals marking the seasons, and the cycles of the moon and sun (solstices and equinoxes). There are rituals honoring specific gods or goddesses, and nature spirits. There are rituals celebrating birth, death, marriage and rites of passage. And there are rituals that call on divine powers to heal, strengthen and comfort individuals and entire communities.

Most rituals have a three-part structure, according to Magliocco:

1. Setting the stage: This may mean symbolically cleansing the sacred area or drawing a circle around it.
2. Performing the ritual: Communing with the gods through dance, music, guided meditation, etc. within the sacred space.
3. Returning to reality: Thanking and dismissing the spirits/gods and perhaps sharing food and drink with the other participants.

In Ásatrú, also known as Heathenism or Heathenry, one of the most common rituals involves the ceremonial drinking of mead or "honey wine," one of the oldest alcoholic beverages known to man. In the ritual known as Blót (Old Norse for "sacrifice"), members of the "kindred" (community) pass around a horn filled with mead that's sacrificed to the gods accompanied by prayers to deities like Odin, Thor and Freya. A Blót can be held anytime, preferably outdoors, but two of the most important Blóts are held on the summer solstice (MidsummerBlót) and winter solstice (YuleBlót).

A girl poses for a photograph as Druids, Pagans and revelers gather at Stonehenge in England, hoping to see the sun rise, as they take part in a winter solstice ceremony on Dec. 22, 2018. The event marks the 're-birth' of the sun for the New Year.

While not as common, Magliocco mentions an Ancient Egyptian ritual called Navigium Isidis practiced by the Fellowship of Isis in Los Angeles. Ancient Egyptians honored the fertility goddess Isis every March when the Nile would flood its banks and bring life to the valley. Instead of launching boats into the Nile, the members of the Fellowship of Isis make small boats out of ice (non-polluting) and release them into the Pacific Ocean carrying their wishes and prayers to the goddess.

You won't find Modern Pagan "churches" in the sense of a building dedicated to worship. For starters, Calico says, adherents prefer to worship outside where there's a direct connection with the natural world. But there's also the issue of money. Modern Pagans generally avoid asking for tithes, donations or dues that would go toward the building of a permanent church or temple.

The only problem with outdoor worship is that Pagans often have to deal with the public, whose reactions can range from curiosity to outright harassment.

"I've been to outdoor events where people have yelled rude things at Pagans who are practicing their religion," says Calico.

"Contemporary Pagans feel a strong connection to the past and look to those pre-Christian practices and cultures and spirituality as inspiration for what they're trying to recover, find again or create anew," says Calico. "They look at pre-Christian traditions of the past as repositories of ancient sacred wisdom and lifestyles that connected us to the cosmos and to each other in ways that are holy and sacred."

**Some pagans celebrate seasonal festivals known as Sabbats**, which mark the changing of the seasons and the cycles of nature. These rituals often involve dancing, singing, storytelling, and the creation of sacred spaces. Another important aspect of paganism is the use of magic and spellwork. Many pagans incorporate the practice of magic into their spiritual beliefs, using rituals, symbols, and incantations to direct and harness energy for specific purposes. **For pagans, magic is a way of connecting with the spiritual realm and manifesting their desires**. In terms of community, pagans often come together in groups or covens to celebrate rituals, learn from each other, and provide support. These communities can vary in size and structure, ranging from small local groups to larger national or international organizations. **Some pagans also practice their religion as solitaries, focusing on their individual spiritual connection without the involvement of a group**. While paganism is often associated with ancient practices, it is important to note that **there are many modern interpretations and adaptations of paganism**. Some pagans combine elements of different traditions or create their own unique spiritual paths. The diversity within paganism reflects the individualistic nature of this belief system, as well as the openness to personal exploration and growth. In conclusion, followers of paganism are individuals who embrace ancient spiritual and religious beliefs, often focused on nature and the interconnectedness of all living beings. They may worship deities, practice magic, and come together in communities or practice as solitaries. The diverse nature of paganism allows for individual interpretation and adaptation..

Reviews for "Embracing Ancient Traditions: Who are the Followers of Paganism?"

1. Jane - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Who are the followers of paganism". The documentary lacked depth and failed to provide a comprehensive view of paganism. It felt more like a surface-level overview, skimming through different aspects without giving enough information. I wish the filmmakers had delved deeper into the rituals, beliefs, and practices of pagans, as that's what I was expecting to learn about. Overall, it left me unsatisfied and wanting more.

2. Mark - 1/5 - I found "Who are the followers of paganism" to be incredibly biased and misleading. The documentary seemed to have a negative undertone, portraying followers of paganism as strange and eccentric individuals without providing much context or understanding. I was hoping for a more objective and unbiased approach, but instead, it felt like an attempt to ridicule and mock pagans. I was greatly disappointed and would not recommend this documentary to anyone looking for an accurate representation of paganism.

3. Sarah - 3/5 - As someone with a keen interest in paganism, I was eager to watch "Who are the followers of paganism". However, I found the documentary to be quite superficial in its exploration of the topic. It only scratched the surface of what paganism truly entails and failed to capture the depth and diversity of pagan beliefs. While it did provide a basic introduction, I was hoping for more in-depth interviews and insights from actual practitioners. Overall, it was an average documentary that missed the mark in providing a comprehensive understanding of paganism.

4. Michael - 2/5 - "Who are the followers of paganism" lacked structure and clear focus. The documentary seemed to jump from one topic to another without a coherent narrative. It felt like a collection of random clips and interviews, leaving me confused and disconnected from the subject matter. I was hoping for a more concise and organized exploration of paganism, but instead, it felt disjointed and unengaging. I wouldn't recommend this documentary to anyone looking for a well-structured and informative piece on paganism.

Contemporary Pagans: Who are the Faithful Today?