The pegan community

Paganism has its roots in the pre-Christian religions of Europe. Its re-emergence in Britain parallels that in other western countries, where it has been growing rapidly since the 1950s. The social infrastructure of paganism reflects the value the pagan community places on unity in diversity; it consists of a network of inter-related traditions and local groups served by several larger organisations. In Scotland the Pagan Federation acts as an educational and representative body.

Pagans understand deity to be manifest within nature and recognise divinity as taking many forms, finding expression in goddesses as well as gods. Goddess worship is central in paganism. Pagans believe that nature is sacred and that the natural cycles of birth, growth and death observed in the world around us carry profoundly spiritual meanings. Human beings are seen as part of nature, along with other animals, trees, stones, plants and everything else that is of this earth. Most pagans believe in some form of reincarnation, viewing death as a transition within a continuing process of existence.

Most pagans have a positive attitude towards healthcare staff and are willing to seek medical help and advice when sick.

Most pagans worship the old pre-Christian gods and goddesses through seasonal festivals and other ceremonies. Observance of these festivals is very important to pagans, and those in hospital will generally wish to celebrate them in some form. As there are many diverse traditions within paganism, you should ask individual patients if they have any special requirements. Some pagans may wish to have a small white candle or a small figure of a goddess on their locker.

For ethical reasons, most pagans strongly prefer foods derived from organic farming and free-range livestock rearing, while many are vegetarian or vegan.

There are no organised fast days, but some pagans choose to fast in preparation for Ostara (spring equinox).

Washing and toilet present no unusual problems for pagans

Most pagans believe in some form of reincarnation, viewing death as a transition within a continuing process of existence. Pagans accept death as a natural part of life and will wish to know when they are dying so that they may consciously prepare for it. Individuals may ask for rituals (soon as possible after death).

As paganism celebrates life, birth is viewed as sacred and empowering. Pagan women will wish to make their own informed decisions regarding prenatal and neonatal care.

Pagans will generally plan pregnancies, and use contraception as appropriate. Paganism emphasises women's control over their own bodies, and the weighty decisions relating to abortion are seen as a personal matter for the woman concerned, who will be supported in the choices she makes.

Most pagans would have no objection to blood transfusions and may receive transplants or donate organs for transplant.

The notion of paganism, as it is generally understood today, was created by the early Christian Church. It was a label that Christians applied to others, one of the antitheses that were central to the process of Christian self-definition. As such, throughout history it was generally used in a derogatory sense.

One of the common beliefs

is the divine presence in nature and the reverence for the natural order in life.

In the strictest sense, paganism refers to the authentic religions of ancient Greece and Rome and

the surrounding areas. The pagans usually had a polytheistic belief in many gods but only one,

which represents the chief god and supreme godhead, is chosen to worship.

The Renaissance of the 1500s reintroduced the ancient Greek concepts of Paganism. Pagan

symbols and traditions entered European art, music, literature, and ethics. The Reformation of

the 1600s, however, put a temporary halt to Pagan thinking. Greek and Roman classics, with

their focus on Paganism, were accepted again during the Enlightenment of the 1700s. Paganism

experienced another rise in the 1800s and 1900s when modern forms of Buddhism and

Hinduism were growing in popularity.

Following the interest in ancient civilizations that became popular in the 17th through 19th

centuries, including the popularity of the Druid revivals, scholars in the early 20th century

explored the ancient spirituality of the British Isles and Europe. The more current “Pagan

Renaissance” grew out of a variety of sources that coalesced between the 1930s and 1950s.

Paganism represents a wide variety of traditions that emphasize reverence for nature and a

revival of ancient polytheistic and animistic religious practices. Some modern forms of

Paganism have their roots in the 19th century, e.g., the British Order of Druids, but most

contemporary Pagan groups trace their immediate roots to the 1960s and have an emphasis on a

spiritual interest in nature.

Paganism today is a movement that consists of many different perspectives. Most American

pagan religions have practices that blend different traditions such as Celtic, Greco-Roman,

Native American, ancient Egyptian and Norse. Pagan traditions draw from ancient beliefs as

well as from modern beliefs formed in the last century. For example, Paganism found an ally in

the ecological and feminist movements of the 1960’s and 70’s. Pagan philosophies appealed to many eco-activists who also saw nature as sacred and recognized the Great Goddess as Mother

Nature.

Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce and River Higginbotham;

Llewellyn Publications; first edition, 2002. Presents the fundamentals of Paganism. It explores

the Pagan sacred year, rituals, and Pagans beliefs about God, worship, human nature, and ethics.

Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler; Penguin Books; Revised edition, 2006. An updated

resource guide of newsletters, journals, books, groups, and festivals as well as an in-depth look

at the beliefs, experiences and lifestyles of modern America's Pagan groups.

The Triumph of the Moon by Ronald Hutton; Oxford University Press, 2001. This book has

been described as bringing witchcraft “out of the shadows.” While it explores the “dark side of

witchery,” it stresses the positive, reminding readers that devotion to art, the natural world, and

femininity are central to the practice of Wicca

Because of the wide diversity in Paganism, there are a variety of resources about its basic

beliefs. In general, Pagans celebrate nature and spirituality and encourage an eco-friendly

lifestyle. Equality of the sexes is dominant. Women play a significant role in ceremonies and

goddesses are of great importance. Pagans believe that there is divinity in the living world and,

through rituals, they can connect with the divine. The festivals are related to their devotion to

nature; e.g., the Summer Solstice celebrates the sun and the divinity that creates life. The following three items, taken together, provide a comprehensive overview of the basic beliefs.

Although principles vary from one pagan religion to

another, most pagan religions follow the same general set of principles in some form.

-- Responsibility of Beliefs. “The most basic tenant of paganism is that it is your own

responsibility, not the responsibility of any government, institution, church or other people to

choose what you believe in regards to spirituality, values, ethics, the nature of Divinity, etc.”

-- Personal Responsibility for Your Actions and Personal Development. “The development of

your personal beliefs, morals and ethics is your own responsibility .... it is the responsibility of

each individual to learn to recognize what is right from wrong, regardless of our early

environment.”

-- Everything is Sacred. “Most pagan religions believe that everything in the universe is sacred,

but the definition and level of sacredness applied to an object will generally vary from one

pagan to another. For some pagans, all parts of our universe are considered divine and, as such,

sacred and worthy of our deepest respect.”

-- Freedom of Choosing Deity. “In all pagan religions, it is up to the individual to determine what Deity means to them, who or what Deity is right for them and how they ultimately develop

their relationship with their chosen Deity. Pagans have many different ideas about what

encompasses Deity and how their Deity is represented. It is up to the individual, through study

of their religion, meditation and, in some cases prayer, to determine what image of Deity is

right for them.”

-- Scope of Consciousness. Many traditional pagans “believe that consciousness extends far

beyond the restraints of human form and physical existence. All life forms contain some level

of consciousness, from the smallest insect to the giant redwood trees....consciousness survives

death and exists simultaneously on multiple levels of reality.”

“Since the term paganism is something of an ‘umbrella’ term, used to cover a wide range of

spiritual paths, it would be virtually impossible to provide a detailed and comprehensive list of

principles that apply to all pagan religions. For the most part however, these very basic

principles can be found in almost all forms of paganism.”