To define the word

To define the word 'pagan' as it is used today is not an easy task. It is used in a very broad all encompassing way to describe the lifestyle and worship of people who choose not to follow an orthodox religion. If you ask one hundred Pagans to describe what they believe and how they worship, then you will get one hundred different answers.

The word 'Pagan' is not one our ancestors would have used to describe their religion and in many ways it was derogatory term. It is derived from the Latin 'paganus' which means 'of the countryside'. The reason for this is that as Christianity spread through the Roman Empire the towns and cities were the first to be converted while the people of the countryside held on to their native religions longer.

But there is a common dominator which is that Pagans follow a Nature-based spirituality and worship the Old Gods who pre-existed the Middle- and Near-Eastern monotheisms. In general a Pagan is a person who recognises that the Universe is finely balanced and therefore contains a feminine power that harmonises with the traditional 'male' power of God, who may use the natural gift of magick to improve themselves and their environment, follows an ethical way of living and aims for a certain level of spirituality. Today's Pagans are not escapists, nor are we trying to hide from our problems in a world of fantasy and make believe. Our mind is firmly rooted in the present but we seek an older knowledge to complement our modern lives.

In its purest sense Paganism is Earth Magick, a memory of the time when humans lived in harmony with their environment rather than riding roughshod over Nature for their own personal gain.

Pagan Paths

Many Pagans take an eclectic approach to their faith, preferring to use material from a number of sources, rather than subscribing to one pantheon and a set ritual approach. Within Paganism, there, are, however, distinct paths such as: Wiccans, Asatru, Shamanic, Traditional Witches, Hedge Witches, Seax and Druids. All of them offering training and support. Through the work of their leading writers and others, they are gaining acceptance within society, and being regarded as a genuine form of religion.

Pagans practice a form of ancient and newly reformed spirituality, based on our relationship to the land as Goddess and Mother. Pagan groups often have a structured hierarchy, with High Priestess and High Priest, although this is not always the case. We have clear moral guidelines, which are found in, for example, the Wiccan Rede (more on this in a later article).

We use ritual forms of worship, often performed outdoors, at sacred sites, or sites of importance to our traditions. The ritual calls on our Gods through careful re-enactments of mythical stories, and other forms of worship. We also use methods of divination, and some may use spell work.

Magick

Pagans believe that magick is a real force which exists in the world, that this power is our birthright and that it is in our best interests to try and remember how to use it to aid our own growth and learning. The operation of magick is defined as the art of causing a change in consciousness in accordance to will. In doing so, we grow and develop, but such change attracts personal challenges and difficulties. The road is not a smooth one, nor should it be. It is through problems and difficulties that we learn to grow as spiritual beings. Although at the time it does not feel like that. In fact, these personal problems will probably completely change the way we live. So one thing anyone needs to really consider carefully when deciding to follow a pagan path is: Are you ready for such change?

Magick is a flowing, creative force and Pagan traditions reflect this by being neither still nor dogmatic. They constantly evolve and change. Every person who studies Pagan ways has something to add to the resources and traditions that already exist. Personal growth is the aim of every Pagan and to achieve this you need to find the path and the ways of working that suit you best as a unique individual. The most important rule is that you follow your heart and always do what feels right to you.

Because we work closely with the natural forces of the world we develop a deep respect for the planet and often see her as a living entity in her own right, the Earth Mother. This deep devotion to the Earth means that Paganism usually becomes a way of life.

Philosophy

What is certain is that followers of most Pagan traditions share a common philosophy and spiritual ideal. We may follow different paths but they are all concentrating on developing the same level of magick, spirituality and personal growth. As the old saying goes, we are all climbing to the summit of the same hill ~ we are just walking different paths to get there.

"To Know, To Dare, To Will, To Keep Silent".

This old magickal maxim, should be at the very heart of any Pagan's beliefs. "To Know" yourself and to accept yourself, this is the basis of any spiritual growth. "To Dare" to move beyond your limits, since you have set them for yourself, to challenge the situations in which you find yourself and to leap over them. That is to take risks, and so not become caught in a social and spiritual rut. "To Will", apart from your true will, it is the training of the personal will, or ego, developing concentration, clarity of thought, and discrimination. It is the honing of intention. "To keep silent", in the past this served to keep you alive, and not persecuted as a heretic, but it still serves today, as a check to your ego.

Worship

The most common misconception about Pagans is that we worship the Devil or are Satanists. This false idea comes from an outdated and mistaken belief that the Christian God is the only God and therefore any person who does not worship him must obviously be worshipping the Devil. By his very nature the Devil is a Christian monster, invented by the Church to explain away the evils of the world. His worship, the religion of Satanism, is a purely Christian phenomenon.

Many Pagans worship deities, though the specific Gods and Goddesses we choose to worship vary widely and depend on the beliefs of each individual person. Most Pagans worship a Goddess as well as a God. We recognise that life and creativity spring from the combination of masculine and feminine power and that although men and women are different both are equal, powerful and necessary to each other.

Pagans usually direct their worship towards two universal forces known as the Lord and the Lady, representing the masculine and feminine principles. Most people personalise these forces by giving them names, normally from Classical or Celtic mythology. Popular names for the God include Herne, Cernunnos, Pan and Lugh and for the Goddess Diana, Artemis, Cerridwen and Arianrhod.

So how do Pagans actually worship? Many feel that living every moment of our life to the fullest is an act of worship. Some Pagans will have a shrine or alter in their home.. Some worship at a special place, which could be an altar within their home, a secluded spot in their garden, at a local standing stone or under an ancient tree. Some pray, some meditate, others connect in many diverse ways to the Divine. One thing is certain though. Whatever they do and however they do it the common link between all Pagan traditions is that our worship is joyful, a celebration of life and love. As Pagans, we do not kneel to our deities or spend our lives perpetually excusing ourselves for being unworthy and most of the Pagan Gods would be disgusted if we came grovelling and apologising to them!