Jasper pagan, also known as Jasper of Hildesheim, was a German sculptor and craftsman who lived in the 12th century. He is known for his intricate and detailed works of art, particularly in the form of stone sculptures. Jasper's works often depicted biblical scenes and figures, as well as architectural elements such as pillars and friezes. His sculptures were highly detailed and showed a mastery of the medium. One of Jasper's most famous works is the bronze doors of the Hildesheim Cathedral, also known as the Bernward Doors. These doors are considered a masterpiece of Romanesque art and are admired for their intricate relief sculptures.

Αφροδιτη, goddess of love and beauty

I got tired of people clumping paganism and Wicca together as one umbrella thing so I made a Venn Diagram to express my disappointment.

Note: Neo-Wicca is the same as normal Wicca but it doesn’t require coven ties or adhering strictly to a single path.

This is a great post! Thank you for making it more clear to people especially for younger and newer people to Paganism and Wicca.

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These doors are considered a masterpiece of Romanesque art and are admired for their intricate relief sculptures. Jasper's sculptures were also notable for their sense of movement and emotion. He was able to capture the expressions and gestures of his figures in a way that brought them to life.

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Аноним asked:

baringtheaegis answered:

I do think the practice of magic is okay, I just don’t think it’s Traditional. I am of the rather strong opinion that modern witchcraft has no place in Hellenismos–especially when that witchcraft is defined as acts which allow humanity influence over their lives and those of others, outside of the realm of the Gods. I call anything else ‘praying’, and if you need tools for that, than I take no issue besides the fact that it’s non-Traditional–save for when it is .

Something I often hear about the ancient Hellenic religion, and prescribed about its modern equivalent, is that there was no magic in ancient Hellas. This is true. It’s also a lie. It all depends on your definition of magic. Yes, there was ‘magic’ and ‘witchcraft’ in ancient Hellas and its mythology, but not in the way we know it now; this was divine magic; a manifestation of a trait major Gods manifest with a thought and for which lesser deities require a medium to manifest. Their powers, however, are still the powers of a God. This is exactly why I feel we, as Hellenists, should pray to the Gods for any aid we might require, and blessings we would wish upon our lives; to practice magic ourselves would be to equate ourselves with the (minor) Gods, and Hellenismos is clear upon the status of humans: we are human, not divine. In my view, to practice magic is to practice hubris , and that is decidedly dangerous in a Hellenistic context.

The ancient Hellenes worshipped Hekate just like they did other Gods. They worshipped Plouton (an Ouranic epithet of Hades) like that as well. In general, they did not worship Hades–or very rarely. Hades adn hekate were nto equated with the practice of magic; Hekate, if anything, was equated with protection from magic–mostly against the Evil Eye. Practicing magic, in a Traditional practice, makes absolutely no sense, and so I do not. that does not mean I am against it. I think the practice of magic is beautiful. To me, it just does not belong in Hellenismos.

I’d like to add to this that we need to make a distinction between Hellenic magic and the magick practised in Wicca/Neo-Wicca/Neo-Paganism nowadays.

Magic is recorded in Ancient Greece, and as far as I know, it was not a problem. It was feared, and so practised secretly - like other chthonian rituals - but it didn’t go against the traditional cult. It was just an addition to it, like some Mysteries and philosophies. (Of course, I’d imagine some people took issue with it, but it wasn’t as much in contradiction with the tradition as, say, worshipping multiple Gods is in Christianity.)

Take, for example, this small text we translated in class today:

Hekate Khthonia, Artemis Khthonia, Hermes Khthonios:

cast your hate upon Phanagora and Demetrios, and their tavern and their property and their possessions. I will bind my enemy Demetrios, and Phanagora, in blood and in ashes, with all the dead. Nor will the next four-year cycle release you. I will bind you in such a bind, Demetrios, as strong as possible, and I will smite down a kunotos on [your] tongue.

(Note the appearance of Hekate as a Goddess who curses people through magic, not who protects them.)

You could argue that the presence of Gods makes this text closer to an incantation or a prayer, but that would be applying modern definitions to an ancient source - not to mention that the author of the text, though they ask for the Gods’ help, curses Demetrios and Phanagora themselves, as evidenced by the formula “I will bind”. These magical texts are not prayers: the gestures (burning materials, making noise, crushing bones) confirm it. Take this quote from Theocritus’s Idylls, book 2, as another example:

Khaire, frightful Hekate! Attend me to the end, and make my enchantments as powerful as those of Kirke, or Medeia, or blonde Perimeda.

(…)

I will crush a salamander and bring to him tomorrow an unfavorable drink. Thestylis, take these herbs and go crush them on the steps of his house while it is still night, and spit out: “I am crushing the bones of Delphis.”

(Again, note the presence of Hekate.)

As you’ve mentioned before, the Gods rule over every aspect of our daily life. In a civilisation where these Gods are honoured as such by the entire population, it would be extremely strange to encounter an even vaguely ritual text in which divine intervention plays no part.

The Gods preside over rituals. Some of these rituals are traditional incantations, prayers and/or sacrifices designed to honour or give thanks to one or several deities. Others are magical, like the texts above, and designed to affect a person or place through the intervention of one or several deities. They may not belong to the state religion, but they were just as widely practised in Ancient Greece as the rest.

Finally, as I said, Wiccan/etc magick is a different case. In Hellenic magic, the Gods are called upon and asked to ensure that a ritual will have the desired effect; in Wiccan/etc magick, the Gods are used as tools and intermediaries. I agree with you that this is hubris and has no place within traditional Hellenismos. I simply wanted to make it clear that, while I believe that magick in the modern sense cannot be reconciled with our religion, there is a real, historical practise which can.

While many of Jasper's works have been lost or destroyed over the centuries, some of his sculptures can still be seen today in various churches and museums. These surviving pieces offer a glimpse into the artistry and skill of this talented craftsman. Overall, Jasper pagan was a highly skilled sculptor who left a lasting impact on the world of art. His works continue to be appreciated and admired for their beauty and craftsmanship..

Reviews for "Jasper Paganism and the Wheel of the Year: Celebrating Nature's Cycles"

- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Jasper Pagan" based on the intriguing synopsis, but I must say I was disappointed. The storyline was confusing and lacked coherence, making it hard to follow along. The characters felt one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. Overall, I found the plot to be weak and the writing style did not engage me. I wouldn't recommend this book to others.

- Mark - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Jasper Pagan" because it was utterly boring. The pacing was slow and the story failed to captivate my interest. The author seemed to spend too much time on unnecessary descriptions, which made the book drag on. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural. It's a shame because the concept had potential, but the execution fell flat. I regret wasting my time on this book.

- Emma - 2 stars - I found "Jasper Pagan" to be a disappointing read. The characters were unlikeable and difficult to relate to. The romance in the story felt forced and lacked chemistry. The plot was predictable and lacked surprises. Additionally, the writing style was mediocre and did not grip me. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not recommend it to others.

- Michael - 1 star - "Jasper Pagan" was a complete letdown for me. The pacing was extremely slow, and I often found myself getting bored. The plot lacked depth and originality, and the characters were flat and uninteresting. The dialogue felt stilted and did not flow naturally. The book felt like a chore to read, and I struggled to stay engaged. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and captivating read.

- Laura - 2 stars - I regret picking up "Jasper Pagan" as it was not what I expected. The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it hard to follow along. The characters lacked development and their actions and motivations were often questionable. The writing style was dull, and the book failed to evoke any strong emotions in me. Overall, I found it difficult to connect with the story, and I would not recommend it to others.

Jasper Paganism and Modern Witchcraft: A Unique Blend of Ancient and Contemporary Practices