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Pagan Beliefs
Deity is both imminent and transcendent and therefore
a part of everyone and everything. Deity is perceived as
male, female and androgynous, depending on the tradition
All expressions of deity are acceptable; God, expressed
as the male aspect, Goddess, expressed as the female aspect
Pagans do not believe that an absolute good and an absolute
evil exists, they believe all things exist in there own place
and extremism does not have a place within the philosophy
Most pagans believe in reincarnation, cyclical life patterns
do not end cease to with death of the physical body. There
exists within the pagan religion no concept of heaven or hell
Northern Pagan traditions have a belief in a heaven and
hell like realm but unlike Christian beliefs, The pagan " Hell"
Is not a place of damnation. "The Summerlands" is a place
where souls rest before being re-born.
Each pagan religion has it's own philosophy about the afterlife
and reincarnation. There is no set dogma or set of teachings which
Pagans follow. Paganism is one of the so-called "Mystery Paths"
where each individual experiences a direct divinity. In the Pagan
religion each person is a priest or priestess in their own right.
Pagans do not worship nature but rather revere the divine forces within
it, as with every other thing in the universe - Divinity is within
everything. Pagans do not worship a savior or any leader and Paganism is
therefore not a cult.
Pagan Customs
Individuality reigns supreme in paganism but there are few widespread customs.
Sanctity of nature, environmental concerns acceptance and social responsibly
are the bases of the few customs, which are more frequently
practiced. There are no prohibitions within the philosophy and no dietary requirements. There are no laws of blasphemy - conflict remain between concerned
individuals. There are no penance's or religious punishments. Paganism does not
have certain laws on moral or ethical concerns. It does not promote or condemn
practices related to sexual activity, procreation, and alcohol
or any other mind altering substances. There are certainly pagans who
have personal viewpoints on these subjects but they are very much just
that individuals opinion.
Pagans regard both sexed equally and do not suppress female the
way many other religions do. Pagan Priestess has the same status as
Priests, leading the same religious practices.
Pagans acknowledge "Elders" who are individuals who are more
knowledgeable and experienced and look to them for guidance
A fundamental aspect of paganism is that each individual must
take absolute responsibility for their own actions.
Pagan Practices
Pagans believe that individuals have the right to worship in their own way;
there is no legislation or prescribed manner of worship. Some worship in a formal
way and some more instinctively. Some worship in private and some worship
in groups and in that way make their worship a communion between them as
well as with the god and goddess.
Paganism has a Rite of Passage, a formal set of rituals for Birth, marriage and death
Pagans follow the "Mystery path" which has an initiation rite. Practices like
this do not include animal or human sacrifices nor any other practice which
violates pagan ethics.
The birth ritual includes a naming ceremony but does not promise the child
to the religion. The pagan parents will ask for divine guidance and protection of
the child. Children are taught to honor their family and friends, to have integrity
, honesty and loyalty; to treat earth as sacred and to love and respect all
forms of life. Children are encouraged to question their own spiritual path.
There are a number of Festival Celebrations held throughout the year though within
each tradition there are slight variations, the best known is the Cycle Festivals.
There are eight festivals; Samhein, Yule, Imbolg, Spring Equinox (Eostre), Beltane
Litha (Mid-Summer), Lammas and Autumn Equinox (Mabon). These come from different
Celtic and Saxon sources and they have remained alive through folklore and rural
traditions. Other pagan's traditions celebrate the turning of the seasons.
The emphasis of all practices is always on what is meaningful to each pagan rather
that the physical set of rituals performed.
Pagan Traditions
There are various Pagan traditions. All share a common
String, their individual practices and beliefs may differ.
Most emphasize gender equality
Here is a summary of some of the various traditions
Astru / Norse Paganism:
Originated in Northern Europe and is practiced by those
who have an affinity with Nordic and Teutonic ancestry
or are interested in studying Saga, Eddad and Runes. Asatru
and North Paganism encourages responsibility and spiritual
growth in a noble warrior context.
Celtic Paganism:
Native to Celtic and Gaelic races and widely practice in Australia
Essence of Celtic teachings originated from ancient legends handed
down orally through history. Modern Celtic pagans are attempting to
re-integrate the rich mythological knowledge into the modern
world
Dianic Witchcraft:
This tradition honors and celebrates the feminine aspect of divinity.
Women are greatly respected and rituals are mostly designed to empower
women in their sense of spirituality and value
Druidry:
Modern Druidry emphasizes artistic skills like music and
poetry and encourages member to practice and study these skills
as well as academic and disciplinary skills. Modern druids usually
follow a seasonal cycle of celebrations.
Environmental Paganism:
Pagans tend not to follow specific traditions but most actively
work to save the earth from harm, and honor Earth's sacred position
as the representative of Mother Earth. This method has no
formal rites of worship but encourages individuals to honor divinity
by caring for Earth.
Ethnic Paganism:
Many pagan traditions originate from the practices of particular
ethnic groups, some modern and some ancient. Hellenic, Roman and
Egyptian Paganism fall under this category as well as Voodoo, Santeria
and Native North American traditions. This also includes native pagan
Traditions of the Pacific and Australia's aboriginal people.
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