Pagan History
All Things Wiccan
Pagans and more on their history
03 months ago
by pagans
in Uncategorized
Pagan history presents a rich dynamic of facts and ideas that remain fascinating to this day. Basically, the word “pagan” came from the Latin word “paganus” which means “rustic” or “rural”. The word might also be used as a noun in which case it is translated to “country dweller”. Further on, the word started to be translated as “heathen” or even “Non Christian”.
However, paganism has actually started millions of years ago when men still hunted for their food. It was during this time that the sun was worshipped and the humans fashioned a god that they deem responsible for their ability to hunt. This really makes sense since hunting was the main form of sustenance during those days, therefore making their god the main food provider.
The moon was also considered to be a deity as women discovered the correlation between their bodies and the lunar phases. Since the women back then where highly valued due to their ability to give birth, the men followed suit and worshiped the moon goddess. At this point, men have discovered the possibility of growing their own food, making it unnecessary for them to follow the herd.
Although paganism started to become weaker during the following years, strong interest was once again resurrected during the Renaissance. During the 17th century, paganism was actually seen as an ethnic characteristic rather than a theological one, branding the belief to be those help by “primitive” individuals.
Nowadays, paganism has been given the name “neopaganism” to show the contemporary situation of the faith. This now includes various reconstructed religions including Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, Neo-druidism and the popular Wicca belief.
Paganism has been narrowed down to a specific demographic, said to be defining most of the religions or faith that does not fall within Abrahamic religions. About a third of the pagans in the world reside in the United States.
Pagan History
04 months ago
by pagans
in Pagan History
This is a very mysterious video on Pagan History. Bones found that are possibly part of a pagan ritual.
Pagan Rituals – What You Should Know
25 months ago
by pagans
in Pagan Rituals
Let’s explore the meaning of the pagan religion and pagan rituals. The pagan religion is a general term for a belief system characterized by a reverence to nature and polytheism. Modern Pagans or neo-Pagans are distinctly identifiable due to their beliefs and practices. Practitioners of paganism consider themselves to be a religion closely intertwined with nature. They believe in the divinity of life and everything in the universe i.e. plants and animals. Because of this, Pagans strive for a life attuned to seasonal changes and the life and death in nature. This also means that many of the pagan rituals are intertwined with nature, the planet, the moon, the stars, and the entire solar system.
Pagan Rituals Gods and Deities
In contrast to patriarchal religions, paganism has a prominent goddess figure which is also a large part of pagan rituals. Although some practitioners claim the deity is neither male nor female, the image of the goddess is of high regard. Deities are considered to be imminent as they are sometimes identified to be the self.
Named gods and goddesses or the pantheon of different origins are also recognized in pagan rituals. Norse religion’s Thor and Freya and Osiris and Isis from Egypt are just examples of the characters that make up the pantheon. In the West, forms of Paganism include Wicca, Shamanism and Druidism. The old pagan religion is said to have been wiped out due to the purge of Christianity before the 1900s. Revival of modern Pagan religion is attributed to Wicca. One of the common misconceptions that arose from this is that Paganism is Wicca. The pagan religion is highly diverse and encompassing such that Wicca or witchcraft is just an occult form of this religion. Because of this, many of the pagan rituals went underground.
Holidays of Pagan Rituals
The pagan calendar also called the Wheel of Life celebrates eight feasts (Sabbats) composed of the winter and summer solstice, autumn and spring equinoxes and the four fire feasts. The pagan holidays include the following: Imbolc (Bride’s day) in which spring starts and signifies the return of the goddess. The Eoster or Spring Equinox signifies the renewed life and the union of the god and the goddess. Beltane which starts on May is the start of summer and signifies the marriage of the goddess and the god. Litha or Midsomer is the summer solstice around June 21 which is the longest day. Lughnasadh or Lammas celebrated around the end of August is a harvest feast. Mabon or the Autumn equinox is a day wherein the duration of day and night are equal. Samhain or Halloween is the festival celebrated as a remembrance for the dead. Yule or Winter Solstice which is approximately on December 21 is the birth of the sun child signifies new life as the days gradually lengthen. Once again, these dates are very important in the pagan rituals. Many of these days may look familiar! Many of the pagan rituals are now regular Christian holidays.
Pagan Symbols used in Pagan Rituals
No pagan symbol is generally accepted by the community due to its innate diversity. However, there are several symbols that are revered. Perhaps the most common and easily recognizable is the pentagram. The pentagram or a five pointed star usually enclosed in a circle has its roots in Greek and Roman paganism. In the 20th century, it is used to represent the cosmos. The highest point of the star is the spirit, the others represent the elements namely, fire, water, air and earth. The barely noticeable pagan symbol of the circle which represents the feminine image is the most ubiquitous. It is associated not only to the womb but also to nature. These symbols of nature, the pentagram, and the goddess are used in most pagan rituals.
Pagan Religion – An Overview
25 months ago
The pagan religion has its roots from the Latin word paganus which literally means “of the country.” The modern meaning of the word arose from the fact that people from the country were made synonymous to non-Christians due to their resistance to the then new religion as well as their close ties with nature. The pagan religion is extremely hard to define since it is an encompassing term used as for various practices or traditions such as that of witchcraft, Celtic religion and mythology and even ecology.
Pagans, even as a diverse group, have commonalities. The core of the pagan religion lies in acknowledging the divinity that there is in nature. Awareness of the natural word is is very characteristic and the continuous cycle of life and death is considered divine. As a result, pagans are generally considerate of nature’s gifts. Another characteristic belief among them is worship for feminine and/or masculine images or the concept of Gods and Goddesses. Some pantheons include even those without gender.
Pagan Religion Holidays
The pagan year is defined by procreation, giving birth and death. There is strong emphasis on gender equality although Goddess worship is prominent. No doctrine or theology is being followed by pagan religion. The belief system is highly based on experience and proposes that if no harm has been incurred then everything is permissible,
Wheel of the Year is the seasonal cycle defined by eight feasts that define the pagan year. Pagan holidays are celebrated every six to seven weeks and these are represented by eight segments on the wheel. Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain are of Celtic origin. While Summer and Winter Solstice, Spring and Autumn Equinox are in relation to the solar calendar. Samhain is a feast for the dead and is celebrated to remember ancestors. Yule is the winter solstice celebrated around December 21st. Imbolc is the start of springtime. Ostara or Easter is spring time itself. Beltane is the start of summer and the marriage of the God and Goddess. Midsomer is the summer solstice. Lughnasadh is the first corn feast. Lastly, Mabon is the Autumn Equinox.
Pagan Religion Rituals and Symbols
Pagan rituals such as pagan worship and weddings are also interesting. Worship may be done solitary or collectively and maybe conducted in private or publicly announced. Pagan prayers maybe either be informal meditations or formal structured rituals. Since they have not constructed public edifices, the rituals are usually done on hill tops, forest, shores, gardens or even caves thus affirming their connection to nature. Pagans have not constructed temples for worship but put up a circle in a room, clearing, and the beach or find a naturally occurring circle and perform purification rites. Unlike established religions, no hierarchy among them has been formed and they are therefore free to follow their chosen spiritual path.
Each pagan religion has symbols and perhaps the most famous among pagan symbols is the pentacle. The pentacle is a star with five points drawn inside a circle. Each point is said to represent the elements but the fifth point is either a representation of the spirit or the self. Other pagan symbols include the air symbol, horned god symbol, hecate’s wheel and eleven star, triquetra and triskele.
Wicca and Wiccans …. Who and Why?
15 months ago
Wicca
Wicca is always a curious subject. Where and when did wicca originate? We will explore what it means to be a wiccan, and how it pertains to life today. What is the practice and belief systems of Wicca? There are many different ‘sects’ or ‘covens’.
Wicca – Who and Why?
In the early 20th century, wiccan covens started popping up in England. Wicca participants were secretive, and they were basing their beliefs and practices based on what they read in ‘witch’ books, or from studying witchcraft. Although some would argue that pagans and wiccans are two different things, they are a lot alike. In fact, when we are discussing pagans, wiccan, witchcraft, or witches, it is all based on the same principals. One of the first principals is, ‘Do what you will, and harm none’. Of course each different coven or group of witches can end up with different beliefs and ideas. It’s sort of similar how different sects of christians are based on the same idea, but, then, each group believes in different versions of the bible, and has subtle differences in each group, usually based on some person’s interpretation of what ever the lesson or teaching is.
Contrary to prior belief, wicca DOES NOT worship the devil. In fact, they don’t believe a devil even exists. They believe that the devil was a made up by religion to keep people in fear, and to control the masses. If you live by the first principal in wicca, ‘do what you will and harm none’, there is no need to control anyone. It’s about self monitoring, and always striving to be a better person.
Wicca Started How Long Ago?
In the 70′s, people started writing many books on witch craft, or ‘the craft’, bringing it more acceptable and more ‘mainstream’. Because of the witch hunts in the early years, where many people were burned at the stake for being a ‘witch’, it had gone underground for a very, very long time. But, that changed, and many people became ‘self initiates’, studying quietly, and learning the craft on their own.
Today, people openly discuss their beliefs about wicca, and it is even protected to believe this way. It’s more natural, to the earth. Many different studies head off in different directions such as herbal healing, energy healing, spells, kitchen witches, and much more. Another principal is close to the Native American belief of living more in synch with the planet!
Pagan Christmas Holiday
05 months ago
by pagans
in Pagan History
Pagan Christmas – Pagan Holiday
It’s a pagan christmas! Origins of this traditional wiccan holiday…. Christmas, Yuletide, celebrating the rebirth of the great horned hunter god, Lord Cerrnunos. This god has other names as well such as Pan, Atho and Karnayna. This is one of the many popular pagan rituals.
Pagan Christmas – Original Pagan Holiday
According to the ancient Roman calendar, Christmas lands on the winter solstice. Pagans (which came before Christianity), called this day ‘the birthday of Sol Invictus’. Dies Natalis Solis Invicti means “the birthday of the unconquered sun”.
Pagan Christmas – How Do We Know?
Everybody agrees that Christmas is a Christian holiday. However, to believe that would mean that the Pagans didn’t exist BEFORE Christianity. Pagan ancestors would hold very large rituals and celebrations right about the time of the winter solstice. This tells us that the roots of Christmas date back to an extremely different ritual tradition. The winter solstice celebrated by Pagans was somewhere between December 20-23rd. If you talk to historians and scholars, they will tell you that the new Christmas celebrated today came from the Pagan tradition.
There are many symbols that are related to Christmas, and if we start to trace the history of the Christmas symbols, we see that they are traced right back to the pagan traditions. Not only that, but, it becomes really clear that the Christmas symbols date back way before Christmas.
Pagan Christmas – Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a loving tradition for Christmas. In modern times, if a couple are caught underneath the mistletoe, it’s expected to kiss. A cool fact about mistletoe is that it actually grows from the trunks of trees during the winter. The early Pagans saw this as a symbol of fertility and abundance. It was also believed to protect them from evil. They hung it over their doorways to ward off any evil. Pagans believed that kissing under the mistletoe would enable Freya to bless them in fertility, abundance, and protection.
Pagan History – Witches History
05 months ago
Pagans History – Witches History
Pagan History is a pagan site dedicated to researching our history of pagans, witches, wiccan, and religions.
When I was standing at the Vatican in Saint Peters Basilica, I was quite surprised to find out that it was built on a pagan burial site. In fact, many times when a ‘new religion’ would come into power, they would build the churches on the sacred sites of the previous religion. Notre Damme, and many other historical places were either pagan alters, pagan places of worship, or pagan burial sites.
On this website, you will dig into pagan history, origins of pagan holidays, witchcraft history, pagan gods, pagan symbols, and most things ‘occult’.
Pagan Holidays – Pagan History
Many of the pagan holidays were swiped by the current churches. Here we will take a look at the true pagans, and why the holidays occur on the days that they occur. You will find much to do with the solstices, and the ebb and flow of the planet.
Pagan History – Pagan Symbols
There are many different symbols in pagan traditions. The pentagram is one of the most common symbols. Earth, wind, fire, and water are common, as well as magical herbs. Symbols are an important tradition to pagans because they can represent health, wealth, fertility, and other common things needed for performing proper rituals and spells.
Wicca Spells – Casting and Magic
65 months ago
by pagans
in Wicca Spells
Wicca spells are about magic, but, what is magic? Magic is all about the energy, vibration, and power that encompasses every thing around us. All of the planet, the earth, the trees, and rocks. It’s what makes us connected.
When casting wicca spells, you are accessing that power that is the planet. Your mind accesses that energy. Witches have the ability to focus the mind, directing and channelling energy using intention and desire towards a specific outcome. The power connecting the witch and the earth then pushes the spell into action. With the aid of the proper white magic spells and the ability to focus your mind, you will see great results and change in your life. Your spells will be incredibly powerful, and much more successful. So, the more specific you get with your spells, the greater the outcome of your magic. Being able to tap into the universal energy is what makes a great witch. The more pure the intention, and the more pure the thought, the stronger your spells will be! You will be unstoppable! Learning to get specific and concentrate on a single goal for the duration of your spell will increase your results. Many times we think that it would take a lot to move a mountain and change the world, but, it only takes one person with pure intention to change the world. However, you aren’t going to change the world over night. If you continue to stay focused, you will see small changes in your world. It doesn’t mean you can’t change the planet, it just means the proper tools are essential. If you can picture the ocean, and you attempted to add a few drops of purple die into it…… once it was diluted into the ocean, you wouldn’t see much of a change in color in it. At least it wouldn’t change instantly. But, picture the same amount in your sink filled up with water, you would see a difference in color right away. The point I am trying to make here is that your energy and efforts are never wasted, no matter how big or small. Energy has to go somewhere, so, when you put in any effort, that energy is created toward your specific goal, making your spells more powerful. If you are too general with your requests, and try to make really big changes, you will struggle. However, if you get super specific, and look to change the small stuff first, you will reap great rewards! Wicca spells are simple when you have the correct tools and information to help you with your success. Being specific with your spells, making sure they are well written, you will see real magic happen! You can get some free spells by going to Wicca Spells.
Casting Wicca Spells
What Can Wicca Spells Do?
Pagans In History
2Pagans In History
A pagan site dedicated to researching our history of pagans, witches, wicca, pagan holidays, spells, pagan rituals, pagan symbols and religions.
Origins of Pagans
Let’s take a look at what the word ‘pagan’ actually originally meant. Exactly who are pagans? And where did they originate? Originally, it meant, ‘Peasant’, ‘From the Country’, or ‘Villager’. Later it came to mean ‘one who believes in false gods’, ‘heathen’. On this website, you will find the history of pagans, origins of pagan holidays, witchcraft history, pagan gods, pagan symbols, wicca, and most things ‘occult’.
When I was standing at the Vatican in Saint Peters Basilica, I was quite surprised to find out that it was built on a pagan burial site. In fact, many times when a ‘new religion’ would come into power, they would
build the churches on the sacred sites of the previous religion. Notre Damme, and many other
historical places were either pagan alters, pagan places of worship, or wicca burial sites.
Pagans and Their Holidays
Many of the pagan holidays were swiped by the current churches. Here we will take a look at the true pagans, and why the holidays occur on the days that they occur. You will find much to do with the solstices, and the eb and flow of the planet. Believe it or not, even planet alignment with the stars was a large part of their belief systems. Some of the history is fascinating. For instance, the older farmers used to use brooms to sweep away negativity. They believed that jumping over their crops on the full moon would help their crops grow. This is where the folklore of witches riding brooms came from.
The pagans were what we look at now to be ‘mystical’ type people, but, maybe they were normal. Maybe they posessed abilities that are natural to every human being. So, if you are wanting to access that sort of power with in yourself, this may be the place for you!
Pagan Gods
05 months ago
by pagans
in Pagan Gods
Here is just a list of some of the different Pagan Gods in folklore!
Pagan Gods
Adonis
Apollo
Anubis
Aten
Brahma
Coyote
Cernunnos
Dagda
Dionysus
Eros
Ganesh
Gopala
Govinda
Great Spirit
Hades
Hephaestus
Hermes
Herne
Holly King
Horus
Krishna
Loki
Lugh
Mercury
Mithras
Oak King
Odin
Osiris
Pan
Ra
Rama
Set/Seth
Shiva
Sunna
Tammuz
Thoth
Vishnu
Zeus
