What is Paganism?
A lot of different belief systems come under the heading of 'Paganism'. which is actually a complicated collection of beliefs. That can make it difficult to find anything out.
Oddly enough, as well as being complicated Paganism is also very simple. It's a religion or philosophy where the reverence of Nature is paramount. But there are lots of different ways of reverencing Nature, and lots of different belief systems that do.
Some of the common ones are:
- Wicca
- Shamanism
- Northern Traditions
- Druidry
- Hedge witchcraft
But lots of Pagans don't feel that any of the specific paths suit them. They consider themselves to be just 'Pagan'; and that's fine. These are a few things that most Pagans believe.
- Nature is very important and should be reverenced and protected.
- Human beings, who are capable of the most damage, should 'tread lightly on the Earth'.
- Male and female are equal - not just people but plants and animals too. Many Pagans also believe that all Natural things have equal rights to get on with being whatever they are.
- So long as you don't harm anyone or anything, you should do as your conscience guides you.
- Life is joyful and is there to be celebrated rather than endured.
There are also some things that most Pagans do, one way or another, depending on which path they're following. These include things like, celebrating, recognising, acknowledging, or just plain noticing the great cycles of Nature.
- Trying to become part of Nature and its natural forces. For example, very few use fly spray - a Pagan will usually try to get a fly or wasp out of its unnatural environment (your house) and back into its natural environment (outside), This is acknowledging that a fly or wasp, however unwelcome, has its place in the cycle of Nature - and its place is not in your house.
- Many Pagans acknowledge a deity called the Goddess or Mother Earth. Her name varies from path to path, and some Pagans don't acknowledge her directly at all, but simply recognise the power of Nature.
- Most Pagans have a well-developed sense of humour, and have a lot of fun - recognising that Life is wonderful and there to be celebrated, rather than as a test to see if you're fit to go somewhere else when you die.
- Most Pagans, but not all, believe in some form of reincarnation.
One very important point, which may already be clear, is that all Pagans are individuals and do only what they are personally happy and comfortable with, nothing else. They do not follow Pagan 'gurus' or spiritual leaders and are not told what they should do or believe, we are each of us our own spiritual guide. Your Paganism is yours and no one else's.
THE STRUCTURE OF PAGANISM
One very important point about Paganism is that it doesn't have a hierarchy. Most religions mirror society and have someone at the top of the structure (pope, bishop, king, etc.), followed by various other levels of authority, all of which are of a 'higher' rank than your average believer. Paganism does not do this. There is no Head-Pagan. There are Pagans who are more experienced than others in various paths, but they don't get some sort of badge or title for that. Some Pagan paths have a type of hierarchical system, but it is simply a convenient way of indicating that some people are at a different point an their path, and is not an indicator that they are 'better'.
Paganism does not try to convert people from other faiths or traditions. You find the path for yourself, by yourself, in your own time.
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