In pagan traditions and beliefs, death is not viewed as an end, but rather as a transition to a new stage of existence. Paganism encompasses a wide range of beliefs, and there are various perspectives on death within these diverse traditions. Many pagans see death as a natural part of the life cycle, a necessary step that leads to rebirth or joining the spirits of ancestors. Here are a few pagan quotes about death that reflect the different perspectives within pagan beliefs: 1. "Death is not extinguishing the light, it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come." - Rabindranath Tagore This quote emphasizes the idea that death is not an end, but a transition into a new phase.
Pagan quotes about death
Death can be scary for anyone and everyone. As a pagan witch, I have no shortage of thoughts about it. And if you’re here, you likely do too. Or perhaps you’ve lost a loved one recently who identified as pagan or witch. I’m here to tell you, witch and pagan funerals are a real thing. We don’t have to be buried and commemorated by a Christian pastor or priest, if we don’t want to. And we don’t have to have a Christian burial either. If you want to know how to plan a pagan funeral and what to expect, we will detail it for you here including pagan death beliefs, traditions, pagan funeral songs and witch burial rites.
" - Rabindranath Tagore This quote emphasizes the idea that death is not an end, but a transition into a new phase. The light may be put out, but it is because a new dawn is approaching. 2.
Pagan Death Customs
It truly depends on what your loved one (or you) want to happen upon death, but there are several pagan death customs to consider. Just as a baby is cleansed upon birth (via bathing or baptism, etc.), many pagans ask to be cleansed/bathed upon death. Why? Because death is another transition and just another part of the life/death/rebirth cycle. When you’re clean, you’re prepared to meet the afterlife fresh and anew! This isn’t necessarily a strictly pagan custom, but something that’s been done for thousands of years across cultures. In addition, here are some other pagan death customs to consider:
- Massaging/anointing the deceased’s feet with oils for the “long journey” ahead; some oils used traditionally include: angelica, blackberry, chrysanthemum, tobacco, etc.
- placing a circle of candles around the body and keeping watch until the funerary rites
- call on the individual’s gods and/or ancestors to protect and guide them to the afterlife
- a picture or statue of the individual’s gods/ancestors/guides can be placed with the deceased to ease in transition (for me, I’d ask for my statues/figures of Odin and Freya, specifically)
- prayers should be said to aid the deceased in their travel to the afterlife
- pipes and tobacco can be smoked near the deceased – the smoke wards off evil spirits
- bouquets of hydrangeas around the deceased to ward off negativity and cleanse the air
- burning frankincense and myrrh upon death
- upon death, if at home, cover the mirrors and open a few windows to allow the deceased’s soul the ability to leave this earthly plane
- stop the clock upon death
- cover the body in white linen, white and black flowers
- hold an Irish wake: click here to learn more
- have dinner, feast, drink and celebrate their life (this was SO important back in the day, and actually aids in the soul’s transition to the afterlife. You’re not celebrating for yourself, you’re celebrating for the person who just died)
- burying the pagan/witch in good walking shoes for the journey ahead (for the love of the gods don’t bury me in heels, people!)
"To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." - J.K. Rowling This quote highlights the pagan belief that death is not something to be feared, but rather an adventure or journey that the soul embarks on. It suggests that death is a natural part of life's cycle and opens up new possibilities. 3. "We are all connected, to each other, biologically. To the Earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe atomically." - Neil deGrasse Tyson This quote reminds us that life and death are interconnected and part of a greater cosmic cycle. It reflects the pagan belief in the interconnectedness of all beings and the belief that death is just a transition within this interconnectedness. 4. "The old must be released so that the new may enter." - Unknown This quote emphasizes the pagan belief in the cyclical nature of life and death. It suggests that in order for new life or experiences to come forth, the old must be released or let go. 5. "Death is not the end, but a doorway to a new beginning." - Unknown This quote embodies the pagan belief in reincarnation or the belief that the soul continues to exist beyond death. It suggests that death is not an end, but rather a doorway that leads to a new phase or beginning. These quotes reflect the diverse and nuanced beliefs within pagan traditions regarding death. They highlight the idea that death is not an end, but rather a natural part of the cycle of life, and often seen as a transition to a new existence or adventure..
Reviews for "Finding Meaning in Life's Final Chapter: Pagan Quotes on Death"
1. Sarah - 1/5 - I found "Pagan quotes about death" to be highly offensive and disrespectful towards my religious beliefs. As a practicing pagan, I was expecting a compilation of meaningful and insightful quotes that would provide comfort and guidance during times of loss and grief. However, I was met with a collection of quotes that seemed to trivialize the concept of death and treat it as something whimsical and casual. This book failed to capture the depth and reverence that pagans hold for this topic, and I would not recommend it to anyone seeking genuine spiritual solace.
2. John - 2/5 - "Pagan quotes about death" missed the mark for me. While I appreciate the effort to explore the pagan perspective on death, I found the compilation of quotes to be lacking in substance. The quotes seemed to lack depth and were often vague or cliché. I was expecting more profound insights into the concept of death, but instead, I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed. Additionally, the book could have greatly benefited from more context or explanations for each quote, as some of them felt out of place or disconnected from the overall theme. Overall, I believe there are better resources available for those interested in exploring the pagan perspective on death.
3. Amanda - 2/5 - "Pagan quotes about death" left me underwhelmed. While I was intrigued by the idea of exploring pagan beliefs surrounding death, the quotes chosen for this book failed to capture the essence of the subject matter. Many of the quotes felt superficial and lacked the depth and introspection I was hoping for. I found myself wanting more profound and thought-provoking insights, rather than the simplistic and often repetitive quotes provided. Additionally, there were several formatting and editing errors throughout the book, which further detracted from the overall reading experience. Overall, I found this book to be a missed opportunity to delve into the rich and complex pagan perspective on death.
4. Mark - 1/5 - I was highly disappointed with "Pagan quotes about death" as it offered nothing but a shallow and generic collection of quotes. I was hoping for a book that could provide a deeper understanding of how pagans view death and the afterlife, but instead, I found myself reading recycled and clichéd phrases that offered no new insights. The lack of diversity and originality in the chosen quotes was a major letdown, and I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a meaningful exploration of pagan beliefs related to death. Save your money and look elsewhere for a more comprehensive resource.