Modern Paganism
| Modern Paganism | |
|---|---|
| Family | Modern Pagan |
| Origin region | Europe, North America, and global revival communities |
| Founding period | 19th through 21st centuries CE |
| Estimated adherents | Estimates vary widely; modern Pagan communities exist internationally. |
Modern Paganism is modern Paganism is a family of contemporary religions and spiritual movements inspired by pre-Christian, indigenous, polytheistic, magical, nature-centered, and reconstructionist traditions.
Overview
Modern Paganism is an umbrella term rather than one unified religion. It includes Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry, Hellenism, Roman polytheism, Slavic Native Faith, Goddess spirituality, eclectic Paganism, and many other movements. Some groups reconstruct specific historical traditions, while others are eclectic, initiatory, magical, or nature-centered.
Key beliefs
- Reverence for nature and seasonal cycles in many traditions
- Polytheism, animism, pantheism, duotheism, or non-theistic spirituality depending on the path
- Interest in pre-Christian myth, ritual, and sacred landscapes
- Personal experience, ritual creativity, and community practice
- Ethical diversity, with many groups emphasizing consent, reciprocity, and ecological responsibility
Practices
- Seasonal festivals
- Offerings, prayers, and devotional rites
- Magic, divination, or meditation in some traditions
- Ancestor and land-spirit veneration
- Study of myth, folklore, history, and ritual
Places of worship
- Home altar
- Outdoor ritual circle
- Sacred grove
- Festival site
- Coven, grove, hearth, kindred, or temple
Sacred texts
- Mythological sources
- Folklore collections
- Modern Pagan books
- Tradition-specific ritual manuals
- Personal journals and community liturgies
Holidays and observances
- Samhain
- Beltane
- Yule
- Midsummer
- Equinoxes and solstices
- Tradition-specific holy days
Branches and related traditions
- Wicca - A modern Pagan witchcraft religion.
- Druidry - A nature-centered modern Pagan movement inspired by Celtic traditions.
- Heathenry - Modern Pagan traditions inspired by Germanic religions.
- Hellenism - Modern Greek polytheist revival.