What is Paganism?
é
Paganism is an umbrella term covering several
different religions and belief systems.
In their original form, the native religions of
Britain, they pre-date Christianity.
Most having at their heart the concept of a god and
goddess.
They are nature based.
Wicca
is a reconstruction of the Nature worship of tribal Europe, strongly influenced
by the living Nature worship traditions of tribal peoples in other parts of the
world. The works of such early twentieth century writers as Margaret Murray,
Robert Graves and Gerald B. Gardner began the renewal of interest in the Old
Religion. After the repeal of the anti-Witchcraft laws in Britain in 1951,
Gardner publicly declared himself a Pagan and a Witch [Wiccan]
and began to gather a group of students and worshipers.
Since
Gardner there has been a radical increase in those practicing Paganism, from Wiccans [Witches] to Druids, Shaman and Asatruar
(Teutonic Pagans). There are many Paths in the modern Pagan movement, but on
ideal they hold in common is the right of the individual to interact personally
with the Divine. There are only priests in the Pagan movement - all
practitioners are directly responsible for their own actions and their
relationship with Deity.
é
Ethics
The
majority of Pagans are Wiccans. This Path has a core
ethical statement, called the "Wiccan Rede". Many of the other Pagan Paths also acknowledge
a variation on this theme. It states "an it harm none, do
what you will". The
Rede fulfils the same function as does the
"Golden Rule" for Jews and Christians; all other ethical teachings
are considered to be elaborations and applications of the Rede.
It is a statement of situational ethics, emphasising at once the individual's
responsibility to avoid harm to others and the widest range of personal
autonomy in "victimless" activities.
Paganism
has been described as having a "high-choice" ethic. Because of the
basic Nature orientation of the religion, many Wiccans
will regard all living things as Sacred, and show a special concern for
ecological issues. For this reason, individual conscience will lead some to
take a pacifist position. Some are vegetarians. Others will feel that, as
Nature's Way includes self-defence, they should participate in wars that they
conscientiously consider to be just. The religion does not dictate either
position, but requires each member to thoughtfully and meditatively examine her
or his own conscience and to live by it.
é
Cycle of Nature
Pagans
revere the cycles of Nature through rituals or ceremonies of various kinds.
Pagans of the western traditions
celebrate up to eight festivals
or Sabbats each year (not all Pagans celebrate all
the Sabbats). They comprise the four solar quarters
i.e. the two solstices (longest and shortest days) and the two equinoxes (day
and night are the same length) plus four Celtic 'fire' festivals. All these
mark important events in the cycle of life and also symbolize changes in the
Goddess and God. They are:
Samhain (pronounced "sowain"), 31st
October: the feast of the dead; remembrance of ancestors and people, now dead,
who were important to us. It marks the end of the Celtic year and the start of
the spiritual new year. Also known
as All Hallows day, the night before being All Hallows Eve (Halloween) or all
souls night.
Yule, the winter solstice, 21st
December approx.: rebirth of the sun and the gradual lengthening of the days
towards springtime and new life.
Imbolc
or Bride's day: start of spring and the return of the Goddess to the land.
Ostara
(Easter), the spring equinox, 21st March: Return of the sun from the south,
springtime proper. Some celebrate a holy union between God and Goddess.
Beltane (starting on May day): Summertime begins celebrating new life and the holy
marriage of God and Goddess.
Midsomer (Midsummer) or Litha,
the summer solstice, 21st June approx.: Everything is green thanks to the God
of nature, the Green Man.
Lughnasadh or Lammas
end of August: the festival of the first (corn) harvest.
Mabon,
the Autumn equinox, 21st September approx.: second
(fruit) harvest celebration, making plans for the winter months to come.
And finally back to Samhain and another turn of the wheel of the year or wheel of life.