In pagan belief systems, Earth goddesses are revered and worshipped as the embodiment of the Earth itself. These goddesses are seen as powerful and sacred beings, and they hold a central role in pagan rituals and celebrations. The Earth goddess represents nature, fertility, and the cycle of life and death. Paganism is an umbrella term for various spiritual and religious beliefs that are rooted in ancient polytheistic traditions. Pagans have a deep reverence for nature and see the Earth as a living entity with its own consciousness. The Earth goddess, therefore, becomes a symbol of this divine consciousness and embodies the power and energy of the natural world.
What I’m getting at is that I think Indo-European paganism in Europe shares the best features of the paganism that came before it and the abrahamic religion that came after it.
It is important to note that these mythological motifs are not directly attested in any body of text, as the Proto-Indo-European speakers lived in the prehistoric era literally the period before written records. Evolution s earliest example occurred about three billion years ago when certain sulfur-based anaerobic bacteria evolved to absorb carbon dioxide and solar energy, emitting oxygen.
The Earth goddess, therefore, becomes a symbol of this divine consciousness and embodies the power and energy of the natural world. One prominent Earth goddess in pagan belief systems is Gaia, a figure from Greek mythology. Gaia is often depicted as a motherly figure, nurturing and providing for all living beings.
The Sky Father and The Earth Mother
Note that I don’t know what the fuck I’m talking about, so feel free to call bullshit if you notice anything incorrect, I just recently had an epiphany I wanted to share, sorry if what I'm saying is obvious to some of you.
It is theorized that in Pre-Indo-European Europe the worship of a female deity, called “The Earth Mother” was the focus of religion, perhaps even being monotheistic. Later there would be common worship of “The Heavenly Father”, by means of abrahamic religion, that are defenitly monotheistic. But what do we find in between? Worship of both in paganism. The Indo-Europeans brought with them a deity known as Dyeus Phter, or “Sky Father” , Later examples being the Roman god Jupiter (note the sound of Ju Piter, also note that Dyeus led to the word Deus, the word now used for the abrahamic God in Latin), the Germanic god Tiwaz (from Dyeus) and the Baltic Dievas (again from Dyeus).
What we also find in later forms of Indo-European paganism is the worship of “The Earth Mother” , though sometimes she might have turned into a general fertility goddess. Perhaps the Proto-Indo-Europeans worshipped this deity though it is possible that in some cases she might have been an integration of the local faith, as they don’t seem to share a common etymology. Examples of this “Earth Mother” in later paganism include the Greek goddess Gaia, the Slavic Mokosh and the Germanic Freyja and Ostara.
Now I don’t know much about other forms of paganism, but I believe many also have similar features. One example I can think of is the Turkic god Tengri and the goddess Umay.
What I’m getting at is that I think Indo-European paganism in Europe shares the best features of the paganism that came before it and the abrahamic religion that came after it.
Side note: The Egyptians worshipped an Earth Father and a Sky Mother, which is quite interesting.
TL;DR: Very roundabout way of stating the obvious, paganism often worships a sky god and earth goddess, and I think this promotes a more equal society and personally I find it better then worshipping only one of the two. Not to discourage anyone in their beliefs of course.
Edwin Schroedinger, ” What is Life?”: Cambridge University Press ; 1992.
She is the personification of the Earth itself, and her name even means "land" or "earth" in Greek. Gaia represents the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of living in harmony with nature. Pagans celebrate and honor the Earth goddess through various rituals and ceremonies. These may involve offerings of flowers, herbs, or other natural objects to symbolize gratitude and respect for the Earth's abundance. Pagans also participate in outdoor activities such as gardening or hiking to connect with the Earth and strengthen their relationship with the goddess. The Earth goddess, revered by pagans, serves as a reminder of the vital role that nature plays in our lives. She encourages us to respect and protect the environment, promoting sustainable practices and a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with all living beings. By celebrating and aligning with the Earth goddess, pagans seek to live in harmony with the natural world and honor the sacredness of the Earth..
Reviews for "The Cosmic Connection: Exploring the Earth Goddess in Astrological Traditions of Paganism"
1. Mark - 1/5 - I found "Earth goddess revered by pagans" to be a complete waste of time. The documentary lacked any real substance and instead focused on the obscure rituals and beliefs of a small group of pagans. There was no critical analysis or exploration of the broader significance of paganism as a spiritual practice. I was left feeling disappointed and unenlightened.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - As someone interested in different belief systems, I was excited to watch "Earth goddess revered by pagans." However, I found it to be a somewhat shallow and stereotypical portrayal of paganism. The documentary failed to capture the depth and diversity of pagan beliefs and practices, instead choosing to depict it as a fringe, eccentric ideology. I would have liked to see a more balanced and nuanced exploration of paganism.
3. Jason - 2/5 - I did not enjoy "Earth goddess revered by pagans" mainly because it felt biased and one-sided. The documentary seemed to cater to a specific audience and did not make an effort to present a fair and objective view of paganism. The lack of varied perspectives and the oversimplification of complex concepts left me feeling dissatisfied. I would have appreciated a more comprehensive and unbiased approach to the subject matter.
4. Emily - 3/5 - While "Earth goddess revered by pagans" provided some interesting insights into pagan rituals and their reverence for the Earth, I felt that it was somewhat repetitive and lacked depth. The documentary touched on several fascinating aspects of paganism but failed to delve deeper into their historical or cultural significance. It left me wanting more substance and information rather than just surface-level observations.
5. Alex - 2/5 - "Earth goddess revered by pagans" fell short of my expectations. I was hoping for a thought-provoking exploration of pagan beliefs and practices but instead found the documentary to be scattered and disjointed. It lacked a coherent narrative and structure, making it difficult to follow. The production quality was also subpar, which further detracted from the overall experience. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this documentary to others.