|
|
|
The roots of Paganism burrowed deep into ancestral memories of Elder Ages when it was natural to venerate Nature. Paganism celebrated the passage of the seasons. Paganism honored the goddess and god in their many aspects and guises. Paganism proactively sought personal spiritual growth. Paganism was global in its antiquity and historical significance because of its "expression rather than suppression of the feminine aspect of divinity".
Paganism honored the blessings of Gaia, the Earth Mother; as well as, the Moon Mysteries. Paganism honored the transcendent wonder of the human body as a reflective vessel of Immanent Divinity. Paganism revered the Nature Spirits, Devas, Fairies, and Trees; as well as, the Elementals of Air (Sylphs), Earth (Gnomes), Fire (Salamanders) and Water (Undines). Many prior Paganism Ancient Cultures made noteworthy contributions to society and the planet in general. Historical highlights included the early seeding and cultivation of the what became known as the Arts and Sciences. Democracy was pioneered by the Athenians from the Grecian Ancient Culture. The Renaissance ideals of cultural refinement were inspired by and culled from the writings of Cicero. Parliamentary proceedings were derived from the world's oldest Parliament in Iceland. European parks and gardens were inspired by the Greek and Roman Classical traditions. The vast majority of modern era Holidays (Holy Days) were based on ancient Paganism ritual templates for seasonal festivals. Although the names have been changed like the Roman Festival of Saturnalia on December 25th every year became the celebration of Christmas on December 25th every year. Midsummer Eve became Saint John's Day. Imbolc became Candlemas. Many of the seasonal practices and symbols remained the same; but, their connections to the prior traditions of Paganism was hidden or obscured. Today's tapestry of Pagan and Wiccan practices was woven from some common threads of past beliefs. Pagans and Wiccans believed that life was a journey to gain knowledge and wisdom. Pagans and Wiccans believed that the Earth and all the Animal Totems, Nature Spirits, Trees, plants, rocks and the landscape were all sacred and worthy of respect. Pagans and Wiccans believed that the individual was responsible for personal thoughts and actions. Pagans and Wiccans believed that the body was a precious gift worthy of wholeness and wellness. Pagans and Wiccans believed that the practice of Magic could alter reality and their personal life for the better.
By the Earth the Planet is her Body. By the Earth, Sun and Moon, by the Ways of future, present and past, the Sacred Circle is Cast.
The Sacred Circle is Cast. The Sacred Circle is Cast. Derived from the Latin word for country dweller Paganus, Paganism was an ancient pre-Christian, polytheistic religion which also included the neo-Pagan offshoots of modern Witchcraft and Wicca. Wiccan was derived from the Anglo-Saxon word Wicce which was pronounced Witche which means practitioner of the Old Religion or the Craft. Over the ages, Pagans and Wiccans were most notable for their tolerance of other paths. Pagans and Wiccans emphasized the importance of also honoring the goddess, the feminine aspect of divinity. Pagans and Wiccans focused on the personal connection to Immanent Divinity through Natural Magic.
Although Pagans and Wiccans traced their lineage to pre-Celtic Europe, their current more mainstream resurgence was founded on four fairly recent British Pagan and Wiccan traditions. They were the Hereditary, Traditional, Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions. The Hereditary tradition was based on traditions that had been handed down through families to their descendants. The Traditional tradition was derived from knowledge from the oral traditions which were imparted by the elders to each succeeding generation. The Gardnerian tradition was founded by Gerald Gardner who was credited with a widespread revival of the Craft. The Alexandrian tradition was a further development of Gardner's ideas by Alex and Maxine Sanders. Pagan and Wiccan based traditions pervaded all aspects of daily living. Since Pagans and Wiccans believed that the Nature World was a manifestation of divinity, they honored the Nature Spirits, Fairies and Elementals; as well as, the goddesses and gods. Divination, Magic and Healing were all utilized by Pagans and Wiccans because they were integral to the successful navigation of the waters of spiritual transformation of the self. The followers of the Paganism Wicca spiritual traditions all believed that the ever constant Nature Spirits who were known by many different names in many diverse locales over the ages.
Pagans knew that listening to
their Animal Totems Power Animals could make a definitive difference in the
quality of their Days and Ways. Pagan and Wiccan rituals corresponded with the Moon's phases and the seasonal changes in a concentrated
effort to restore balance to the Circle Dance of Life by attuning
humanity to the sacred rhythms of Nature. To Pagans and Wiccans the Land, the Divine Forest, the Sacred Groves and the Holy Wells were all enlivened and hallowed by the presence of the Nature Spirits. From the dancing blue tipped flames of the hearth fire to the sparkling golden candle lights of the lapping brook, the elemental beings of air, water, fire and earth brightened and sanctified all the Days and Ways of the landscape of daily living. These days millions of Americans followed some form of Paganism or Wicca based belief practices; while, droves of European descendants of Paganism traditions worldwide have donned the mantle of their ancestral heritage.
Magic to Pagans and Wiccans was enchantment, spellcasting, bewitchment and using the will to alter reality. Everything was interconnected and magic practitioners used consecrated magical tools to focus and send forth energies from within themselves, from the deities or from natural power places to influence and to shape desired outcomes and to pattern events. Gaia and the Green Man, the goddess and the god referred to the Earth Mother and her consort the Green Man (often depicted as a face made of leaves and vegetation). Many of the magical tales involved stories of humans, goddesses and gods shapeshifting into the likeness of animals and birds including that of Seagulls and Swans. Animal Totems that recurred frequently in Paganism Storytelling were Bear, Boar, Cow, Horse, Hound, Mare, Raven, Salmon, Otter, Owl, Pig, Seagull, Stag and Swan. The pure inspirational wisdoms and the joyful magnificence of the Natural World were embodied in the Salmon Animal Totem who acquired knowledge of everything by feeding on Rowan berries. By partaking of the essential magic of the Salmon, the magician gained mystical learning, magical understanding and sublime expressive abilities in the creative arts of drama, poetry, prose and song. Both the Cow and the Hound were sacred to the goddess. The Cow was a source of nurturing prosperity. For the magician, the Cow was symbolic of compassionate hospitality, generosity of spirit, receptive giving, rightful ownership and fair entitlement.
The Hound signified
devoted companionship and kind thoughtfulness, especially in regard to the
deepest longings and needful wishes of the human spirit. Often linked with the
restorative and regenerative aspects of the Otherworld as a consistently
faithful and supportive companion, Hound conveyed healing through loving
attentiveness, trustworthy intimacy and reassuring vigilant consistency.
Next
|
|
|
In Paganism the female aspect conjoined with the male aspect, hand in
hand, in empowered partnership. Together they journeyed through the days and ways
of life. Paganism also respected the wisdom of women as healers and teachers.
Paganism was a Spiritual Pathway that honored the Old Ways of the Triple Goddess
and her consort the Triple God who had many names and visages that varied from
culture to culture. 
Both Pagans and Wiccans
incorporated non-dogmatic and dynamic religious practices based on comprehensive
systems of discernable beliefs and accessible practices that facilitated the
personal experience of the sacred mysteries of life.
Many of Pagans and Wiccans
were solitary practitioners. Others were involved in small groups, covens and
circles. Most of Pagans and Wiccans celebrated the eight seasonal Sabbats,
usually outdoors. Many of them strove to follow an ethical behavior code that
required them to avoid harming themselves or others in their pursuit of
spiritual transformation and divine union.
Read