Hi - question about paganism

[MrsMatt]

My 10 year old daughter and I were watching television one night, and paganism was mentioned. She asked me what it meant, and I started to explain, but then I realized that I really don't understand what it is.

So, my question is, what is paganism?

I know the "book" definition, but I thought I could serve my daughter's curiosity better by getting an explanation from those who practice. It just seems the right thing to do.

Thanks in advance.

[LibertyLover]

1. Let me see if I can help

I am a practicing Wiccan. As such I am a Pagan and a Witch. Not all Pagans are Wiccans or Witches. Pagan, or Neo-pagan, are similar in concept to the term "Christian". OK, but are you a Protestant or a Catholic? A Methodist or a Baptist? For me, a Pagan worships Gods, in the plural, other than the deity worshiped by Christians, Jews and Moslems - whether God, YWVH, Jesus or Allah. The Gods a Pagan worships may be from one specific pantheon, i.e. the Egyptian Gods like Isis and Horus, or the Greek Gods like Zeus and Athena. Or, a Pagan may worship Gods from many different pantheons. Worship services vary in style and content, so I can only generalize. Some groups, known as Pagan Reconstructionists, worship one specific pantheon of Gods and try to recreate, as best they can, the ancient styles of worship. Google Greek or Hellenic Reconstructionism and you'll probably find some interesting articles about the attempts to re-introduce the worship of the Olympian Gods to Greece. Many Druidic groups create sacred space, albeit slightly differently than a Wiccan or Witch might, and worship within its protection. Norse groups hold blots to honor the Norse Gods. There are Egyptian Reconstruction groups that have created, as best they can, the temple atmosphere of an Egyptian temple. Others, like me, create a temporary circle of sacred space and hold our worship within it. In a fair number of Pagan groups, one element of ritual is saying thank you. I don't mean a blood sacrifice, although in Voodoun or Santeria, it could be an animal sacrifice. For many Pagan groups this means an offering of food and/or drink, flowers, energy. It is a way of saying "thank you" to the Gods, either for something received or something asked for.

For me, my typical worship would consist of:

1. Welcoming all participants into the area where the ritual will be held and anointing their foreheads with oil - like oil of myrrh or frankincense, to purify them for the upcoming ritual.

2. Purifying the area and casting the circle

3. Calling the quarters (East, south, west and north)

4. Invoking the Goddess and the God - sometimes simply at the Lady and the Lord, other times with specific names.

5. Reading the Charge of the Goddess and sometimes the Charge of the God

6. Blessing and sharing of the "cakes" and "ale" - usually a non-alcoholic beverage because of alcoholism issues

7. Petitions and thanks

8. Thank the Lord and Lady for Their presence.

9. Thank the Elements.

10. Take down circle.

A not too awful book on the subject is the Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism by Carl McColeman. PM me with more questions if you'd like.

[MrsMatt]

2. Wow, thank you for

taking so much time to providing me with such complete information!

I really want to be able to discuss this with my daughter in an intelligent and respectful manner, and you have been so helpful. My husband and I were brought up in Christian households (our children have been baptized - but that was mainly for the benefit of our families comfort) but we don't actively practice. So my practical knowledge is sketchy at best.

My daughter in particular exhibits a spiritual nature, and I want to encourage her exploration in that, no matter where it takes her.

Now I'll just have to condense it down a bit for her - she's only 10.

Thanks again - peace.

[Chovexani]

3. Hey MrsMatt

I'm Pagan myself, but not Wiccan (though that's how I started, years back). I work with a mix of deities from different pantheons, mostly Greek and Hindu. That was a pretty good answer from LibertyLover.

Your daughter sure is a lucky kid to have parents who are open and affirming when it comes to letting her explore what's out there. :)

[MrsMatt]

4. Thanks

Actually, I credit my years here on DU for opening my heart and mind to alternative spiritualist paths. While I may have had the inclination naturally, I was raised with a rather narrow viewpoint of acceptable spritual beliefs. I really believe that the exposure to the thought processes of others here has made me more accepting, and has increased my own understanding of the tenents of my original religious beliefs.

I'm highly motivated to raise my children as good and compassionate world citizens, and wherever their lives take them, I want them to be absolutely without a doubt that their parents love and support their decisions. Unconditionally.

Thanks!

[LibertyLover]

5. I should add that the origin of the word "pagan"

is from the Latin "paganus", which comes from the word "pagus", meaning country district. It was used to describe the people who lived in the country, for example, small farmers. It had the connotation of "hick" or "country bumpkin", and nothing to do with religious practices Christianity was preached and accepted in the cities first, with the rural areas retaining their old polytheistic religion. So the word for country dweller became, de facto, the word for a non-adherent to Christianity. Oddly enough, during the Republic and early days of the Empire, the Roman ideal was to have a piece of land in the country from where you came to serve the Republic or Empire and to which you returned in retirement. Legionaries were promised, as part of their enlistment bonus, a piece of land to farm when they retired from the army. That was how any number of European cities got their start - as military colonies for retired soldiers.