Pagan has come to mean so many things throughout history that is difficult to pin down the exact meaning and appropriate definition for what a real Pagan is. So, instead of trying to establish what a real Pagan is I will instead try to establish what a Pagan basically believes in.
That everything has a soul and a spirit including nature, rocks, land, rivers, etc... all have their own unique soul and spirit. We are all a part of nature and we hold great respect for nature and the energies available within nature and within us and we make use of these energies. This makes use of the concept of magick. Pagans may or may not use magick.
IMHO, I believe it all boils down to a belief and respect with nature and like a circle, the answer to what a pagan is goes back to the beginning...a country dweller, someone who lived in the country with nature and was aware of nature and its cycles for crops, hunting and seasons and used the sources of nature for living and was thankful for it and gave back to nature and had a few celebrations based around natures cycles both to give thanks and to take time off from a very hard life of work and toil.
What are the Pagan Religions?
There are many different Pagan religions, such as ...Buddhism, Shintoism, Native American Religions, Hinduism, Taoism, Wicca, Druids, Asatru, Shamanism, Neo-Paganism and Eclectic Paganism.
Are Pagans Witches?
Some pagans are witches, some are not. Being a pagan is a way of life. A witch is one who practices magick and can come from any religion belief or non at all.
What Is Wicca?
Wicca is a neo-pagan religion based on the pre-Christian traditions of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. It was founded by Gerald Gardner in the 1930`s. Wicca includes the beliefs of ancient religions such as witchcraft and eastern philosophy. It is an eclectic system of beliefs. Wiccans follow a rede as a guideline.
Wicca is a recognised religion in the US but not, as of yet, in the UK.
� Alexandrian
� Norse
� Boucca
� Northwind
� Celtic
� Protean
� Dianic
� Reclaiming
� Eclectic
� Scottish Witchcraft
� Faery
� Seax-Wica
� Focan
� Solitary
� Gardnerian
� Stregheria
� Georgian
� Kingstone
� Welsh
� Lycian
� Wiccan Shamanism or Celtic shamanism
