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Paganism
Any of a number of earth-centered spiritual paths and faith systems, including but not restricted to: Asatru/Norse; Blended (Christo-pagan, Judeo-pagan, etc); Celtic (Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Faerie, Druidism); Ceremonial Magic (Golden Dawn, Rosicrucian); Eclectic; Egyptian; Italian/Strega; Shamanism (North American, South American, European, Asian); Voudoun/Santeria; Wicca (Gardnerian, Dianic, Alexandrian, Solitary, Family Tradition).
904 Questions
Is magic a sin like spells and charms?
¿Sin? For pagans, sin is a failure to follow one's own ethical standards, usually because of difficult conditions surrounding them. For the pagan sins are personal issues, dealt between them and their gods, not cultural.
Spells are stories told to change people, and through them the world. Chants are the same only sung. Charms and talismans are the same represented in symbolic form. A sin in these areas would be found in failing to live up to one's own standard of conduct.
As for Magic. Please explain what you mean, please. Magic is, after all, amoral, and again the sin is in the magus, not the subject itself.
Magic: «Pertaining to the Magi»
- The study and teachings of both the Mogur (Shaman) and Magus (Priest).
- The living force or process of nature that interpenetrates both existence and nonexistence.
- The apparent ability to generate miracles.
- In its uncorrupted form, Magic claims to be a practical, intellectual, highly individualistic science; working toward the end of enlarging the sphere on which the human will can work, and obtaining experimental knowledge of planes of being usually regarded as transcendental. [Evelyn Underhill, Mysticism, p. 152].
Only idol-worshipers are known as pagans. Christians and Muslims are not.
The proper term for a non-Jew is a Gentile.
Where can you buy Pagan supplies and books in Medford OR?
Pagan supplies can be found in ANY city in the United States if you just become a little bit imaginative. Surprisingly, Christian stores have a large amount of items that can be useful in paganism; such as candles, incense, and the like. Walmart is another store that is quite useful to the modern day witch as it has candles, oils, incense, herbs, fabric (some stores), and other useful items. Grocery stores and Organic Grocery Stores are another viable option as well as thrift stores.
Let's not forget about the outdoors itself. Paganism is a religion about nature and harvesting your tools and or supplies directly from nature is the most desirable. A witch does not need to have fancy items purchased from a store because they look pretty or spooky. Some people prefer them though for that reason and that is entirely up to you. If that is the avenue you wish to pursue then there are countless online retailers from which you can order from. I suggest AzureGreen they are reputable and offer a free catalog. If you do not have a credit/debit card than you can surely go to any walmart, walgreens, or CVS and get a GreeDot prepaid credit card. You can make purchases with that.
Books are obviously something that you cannot buy at the grocery store or walmart and may not be readily available in your local library. Your public library has the ability to borrow from other libraries in the local area, state, out of state, and from the Library of Congress on inter-library loan.
What evidence is there for the change from pagan to christian?
I think the rise of the Holy Roman Empire and the onset of the "Burning Times" is pretty good evidence ;)
Where did paganism originated?
The word paganism refers generally to any religion that is not of or related to the three world religions that descended from Abraham - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Some "pagan" religions pre-date even the earliest Judaic beliefs, and can be considered to have originated anywhere and everywhere that humans originated.
Neopaganism refers to the recent growth of alternative faiths based upon or attempting to reconstruct ancient pagan beliefs. This is a newer movement, typically considered to have began at the earliest in the mid-1900s as a concerted effort to create new, pagan faiths.
Are there Pagans in Greece nowadays?
Pagans as in people who believe in the gods and goddesses of Greek Paganism such as Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon? If yes, then there are people who keep their ancestors faith.
How were the Druids eventually exterminated?
Unless this is some form of reference to a movie or game, they weren't. Druids still live today and perform rituals just as they did 1000s of years ago, still using ancient monuments like stone henge.
Why were pagan temples no longer appropriate in Rome after the development of Christianity?
Another answer from our community:
Due to the increasing popularity of the new religion "Christianity", Rome had no choice but to "go with the flow" and turn towards the new way of the people to remain in control and in favor of the people. Imperial Rome was a democratic state.
Where can you purchase a silver cimaruta with all thirteen symbols?
The cimaruta is a talisman most commonly associated with the Strega (pre-Christian pagans of the area now known as Italy).
It is a stylized sprig of rue (the herb), into which have been incorporated:
- a crescent moon
- a hand (often in the clenched position with the tip of the thumb between the 1st & 2nd or 2nd & 3rd fingers)
- a dagger
- a key
- a heart
- a horn (the ever-present Italian bull's horn) or
- a fish
- a serpent
- a cock (rooster) or
- a eagle
- a flower (vervain)
- a cherub (added after the cimaruta was "Christianized")
The cimaruta was and still is worn by devotees to Diana. This talisman was commonly given to infants and children to draw Diana's protection.
Many of the symbols are interpreted differently by different branches of the Strega, but the following are some generalized, and well accpted meanings.
The rue plant is sacred to Diana and is traditionally rendered in three branches (representative of the three aspects of the goddess, Hecate-Diana-Proserpina/Crone-Mother-Maiden).
The crescent moon is symbolic of Diana.
The hand (as described above), was a symbol given to female children to draw masculine protection to the child.
The dagger, was a representation of the "dart of Diana Venetrix"
The key, is associated with Janna, the gatekeeper, Hecate and Diana.
The heart, originally found most commonly as the head of the key, was later morphed into the "Sacred Heart" when the cimaruta was "Christianized".
The horn, a common symbol of masculinity.
The fish, (originally rendered as the dolphin) was a connection to Diana-Proserpina.
The serpent, an ancient symbol of wisdom.
The cock, who's meaning is read as vigilance was commonly set as a "watchful guardian" for children.
The eagle, the eagle has been seen in the symbolism of Italy since pre-Christian times, carried before the legions of Rome, on ancient money, and displayed prominently on buildings. This symbol represented power.
The flower, a vervain blosoom, which was locally considered a flower of the fairy and connected to Diana as the "Queen of the Fairies"
The cherub, never found on the original designs, the cherub was added after the cimaruta was "Christianized".
As for purchasing one with all of the symbols, I have yet to see one. You may however be able to commission one from and artisan that works in silver, if you can provide a good design.
What is the pagan word for space?
space.
Just because we Pagans are on a different faith path, doesn't mean we have a different word for everything.
What kind of ring is used in a pagan wedding?
Pagan weddings are Handfasting ceremonies. A ribbon can be used. The ring is not the significant element here, though rings could also be exchanged.
What is the meaning of the word pagan?
An adherent of a polytheistic religion in antiquity, especially when viewed in contrast to an adherent of a monotheistic religion as Islam, Christianity, or Judaism.
Another Perspective
From the Latin, pagan was used to refer to a rustic villager from a rural district. It then acquired another meaning during and after the "Christianization" of the old world when it was (and is still used) to refer to one who adheres to the old gods. Many Christian holidays and holy days were timed by intent to overlay older pagan celebrations, festivals and holidays.
What are the Metaphysical correspondences of Frankincense?
Frankincense is particularly associated with aiding clairvoyance, and astral strength (Clary Sage makes a good companion for this purpose). It makes a great anointing oil for ritual, works well in clearing magickal space, and can be used to purify magickal tools. Thought to be ruled astrologically by the Sun, and correspond with the days Wednesday (planet Mercury) and Sunday (planet Sun), it performs especially well in solar spells.
Metaphysical correspondences:HealingPower
Revitalisation
Illumination
Ending legal matters
Protection
Depression
Anxiety
Exhaustion
Stress
Fear
Grief
Happiness
Loneliness
Peace
Did paganism disappear after Chrisitianity grew?
what r u talkin about? neopagans still exist
what happened was christians forced many germanic & pagan peoples to convert or die & many indiginous peoples maintained independance. Much of Scotland and nordic countries maintained these ancient beliefs and still remain pagan
Who can officiate a handfasting ceremony?
The celebrants may choose to utilise the services of a legally ordained High Priestess or Priest, an interfaith minister, or other community leader experienced in officiating Pagan, Wiccan, and other Earth- and Nature-based religion weddings, handfastings and commitment ceremonies. So long as they are comfortable with their choice that is all that matters.
Why do druids go to glastonbury?
Many different types of people go to Glastonbury. For years it has been a place of spiritual wonder and mystery. It also plays host to one of the world's oldest and most active Druid Groves.
The Glastonbury music festival has only in the last few years become more and more commercial. It still keeps its hardcore hippy roots though - just look at the green field, healing areas, circus acts, fire artists, drummers, chanting etc.
There are many times of year sacred to Druids, all connected to the agricultural cycle of nature. At times like Midsummer, Midwinter, the equinoxes, and other points on the wheel of the year, places like Glastonbury, steeped as it is in Magick, are perfect to hold rituals and celebrations.
I can not imagine why anyone would assume the date of anyone's birth would determine their spiritual path. I know Muslims born at Christmas and Easter. Catholics born on Beltane and a Baptist born at Samhain. If however you are talking with a pagan and mention your birthday is August first they may say something to the effect that you were a Lammas baby. Pagans have eight high holidays per year and have been know to use them as time frame. It does not mean they think you are pagan, only that you are "blessed" for the fortuitous timing of your birth.
How do you remove curses or hexes when a person put something in your yard?
leave it alone until u know exactly what u are dealing with. if it is from the shadow world be very careful. they feed on fear and this curse could be feeding its power. find someone of authority and experience and have them remove the curse or hex. Do not invite whatever it is in. if it asks tell it no.
What does the rule of three states what?
Whatever energy is sent out into the world will return threefold.
first of all you have to believe in the beliefs (yes i know this is obvious, but some people only want to be pagan because it is "cool") then you can either join a coven, which traditionally takes a year and a day, or you can self initiate yourself, which i did. you pretty much just follow the religion and once you call yourself pagan, you are pagan.
What is the Pagan name for lent?
Pagans do not observe Lent. Lent is a Christian practice. Modern pagans call Lent Lent, the same as we call Passover Passover, Ramadan Ramadan and Mothers' Day Mothers' day. Most pagans practice extreme religious tolerance, just because a religious or secular holiday is not "ours" does not mean we do not recognise it.
Did Christians steal their religion from pagan?
Not really. Some Christian traditions come from pagan traditions (e g the Romans' Saturnalia corresponds to Christmas), but the actual beliefs and values of the religion come from only three sources: Judaism, which Christianity grew out of, the teachings of Jesus, and the teachings of prominent early Christian thinkers, like Saint Paul and Saint Augustine.
