What exactly is Paganism and what does in mean to be a Pagan?
Definition on the Pagan Federation website:
A definition of a Pagan:
A follower of a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion.
A definition of Paganism:
A polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion
.
Further down on their website:
What makes a Pagan?
There are many answers to this; briefly Paganism encompasses the indigenous belief of a country. So before any human-centric religions developed there were many other spiritual traditions in each country. For example Druids in Celtic countries, Shamans in many countries including Native America and Siberia, Shinto in Japan, Witchcraft and Wicca, Norse Tradition and many other traditions.
From Wikipedia:
Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning "an old country dweller, rustic") is a term which, from a Western perspective, has come to connote a broad set of spiritual or cultic practices or beliefs of any [url]folk religion[/url], and of historical and contemporary polytheistic religions in particular.
But surely, the followers of the above mentioned traditions would call themselves Druids, Shamans etc. Im a Wiccan and wouldnt call myself a pagan in the first instance, however Wicca might be found under the Pagan umbrella definition.
So what does PAGAN mean to you and why do you call yourself a pagan? What Gods/pantheons do you worship? Do you call yourself pagan AND druid, pagan AND shaman and so on .? Some people also call themselves Neo-Pagans, but Im not quite sure what they mean by that. :confused:
Ive had this discussion with some friends recently and Im curious on how other pagans define their believes. To be, the word PAGAN is quite vague and could literally describe anyone who worships nature.
It would be interesting to know your views on this! 🙂
BB
Moongirl
Hi,
I consider myself to be pagan. I don't worship any Gods. Although I could say I worship Gaia, as I do worship Mother nature. I don't know what else to add really?
I think what it could well be a umbrealla.
Although I am English I am British too. The Walsh, Irsh, Scotish are also British. You may be Wiccan but you are also Pagan. Druids, Shamans, Shinto, Witchcraft and Wicca (always thought Witchcraft and Wicca to be the same) all being an old crafts and so are Pagan.
I am just coming into this, although I think I have always lived by the wicca cede/rede/law is "an ye harm none, do what ye will." and that is what I have tried to do all my life.
Hi 🙂
Well I am fairly new to all of this too but I would class myself as Wiccan/Pagan, the wiccan being first and foremost and I do worship the gods/goddesses.
I agree that it can be very confusing at times although the belief system itself is a very basic set of beliefs, so I will also watch this thread with interest and look forward to hearing other peoples views. :022:
Thanks for your replies! 🙂
This is indeed a bit confusing, as 'paganism' is describing such a huge number of paths. Just out of curiousity, would hindus call themselves pagan as they are worshipping many gods and consider many animals sacred?
I'm pagan in the sense that I worship many godessess/gods and see nature as sacred and that is a big part of Wicca. However Wicca is a system with a bit more structure.
Just wondering if there are people out there who call themselves pagan and nothing else (ie wiccan, shaman, druid etc).
It's also possible to be a witch without being a wiccan, as I see witchcraft as one of the oldest practises in the world, along with shamanism.
Moongirl (who keeps in pondering while looking at people basking in the sun outside the office!)