Podcasts > Stuff You Should Know > Pagans, Neo-Pagans, Wiccans – Let’s Sort It Out!

Pagans, Neo-Pagans, Wiccans – Let’s Sort It Out!

By iHeartPodcasts

In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, hosts Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark break down the complex world of paganism, from its ancient origins to its modern iterations. They explore how ancient pagan religions centered around nature worship and multiple deities, and examine Christianity's historical suppression of these practices—including how many pagan traditions were incorporated into modern Christian holidays.

The hosts delve into various contemporary pagan movements, explaining the distinctions between different branches like Wicca, Heathenry, and Druidry. They discuss how the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods influenced modern paganism's revival, and how scholarly works and occult groups helped shape current practices. The episode clarifies the relationships between these different spiritual paths while noting some controversial aspects of certain movements.

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Pagans, Neo-Pagans, Wiccans – Let’s Sort It Out!

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Pagans, Neo-Pagans, Wiccans – Let’s Sort It Out!

1-Page Summary

Ancient Pagan Religions and Beliefs

Ancient pagan religions were diverse belief systems centered around multiple deities and nature worship. Chuck Bryant explains that animism was fundamental to these beliefs, with pagans viewing all objects as having spiritual essence. Shamans served as bridges between physical and spiritual realms, often entering trance states to communicate with spirits.

Josh Clark describes how polytheism characterized these religions, with worship directed toward multiple gods and goddesses through physical representations. Bryant emphasizes the particular importance of goddess worship, especially relating to fertility and natural cycles, as evidenced by archaeological finds like Venus figurines.

The Suppression of Paganism by Christianity

As Christianity rose to power in the Roman Empire, it systematically suppressed pagan practices. Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark discuss how Christian leaders rebranded pagan gods as evil entities, with deities like Cernunnos and Pan being transformed into devil-like figures. Following Constantine's conversion, emperors enacted laws banning pagan practices and destroying worship sites.

The Christian church didn't just suppress these practices—they adapted them. Many modern holidays, including Halloween, Christmas, and Easter, have roots in pagan traditions that were repurposed into Christian celebrations.

The Modern Revival and Resurgence of Pagan Religions

The Renaissance and Enlightenment periods saw renewed interest in pagan practices through the rediscovery of Greco-Roman philosophy. Bryant credits Romantic poets like Wordsworth, Keats, and Shelley with inspiring modern appreciation for pagan spirituality through their nature-focused works.

Clark notes that while many modern pagan practices aren't direct continuations of ancient traditions, they've been shaped by scholarly work, including James Frazier's "The Golden Bough," and occult groups like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

Specific Modern Pagan Movements and Their Differences

Modern paganism encompasses various movements. Wicca, founded by Gerald Gardner, venerates a Goddess and God while practicing ritual magic. A significant branch, Dianic Wicca, was established by Zsuzsanna Budapest as a feminist, goddess-centric tradition.

Heathenry reconstructs Norse and Germanic religions, though Clark and Bryant note its controversial connections to far-right nationalism through Norse metal music. Druidry, founded by Ross Nichols, approaches nature as divine and functions more as a philosophy than a traditional religion.

Neo-paganism, as explained by Clark and Bryant, represents a diverse collection of nature-based faiths that borrow from various ancient traditions while rejecting absolute morality.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The characterization of ancient pagan religions as uniformly centered around nature worship and multiple deities can be overly simplistic, as there was significant variation in beliefs and practices across different cultures and regions.
  • The view that all objects were seen as having spiritual essence in ancient pagan beliefs may not apply universally to all pagan religions, as some may have distinguished more strongly between animate and inanimate objects.
  • The role of shamans and the prevalence of trance states might have varied, and not all pagan traditions may have utilized shamans or trance states for spiritual communication.
  • The assertion that goddess worship was particularly important might be contested, as the significance of goddesses relative to gods varied widely among different pagan cultures.
  • The suppression of paganism by Christianity was complex and varied by region and era; in some cases, pagan practices persisted or were syncretized rather than being fully suppressed.
  • The transformation of pagan gods into devil-like figures by Christian leaders was not a uniform process and may have been more nuanced, with some pagan elements being assimilated rather than demonized.
  • The claim that modern holidays have roots in pagan traditions repurposed into Christian celebrations can be debated, as the origins and influences of these holidays are often multifaceted and not solely pagan.
  • The influence of Romantic poets on the modern appreciation for pagan spirituality might be overstated, as the revival of interest in paganism has many sources, including contemporary spiritual and ecological movements.
  • The assertion that modern pagan practices are not direct continuations of ancient traditions but are shaped by scholarly work and occult groups could be challenged by practitioners who believe their practices are authentic continuations or reconstructions of ancient beliefs.
  • The connection between Heathenry and far-right nationalism is a sensitive topic, and while some groups have appropriated Norse symbols, many Heathen practitioners strongly reject such associations and emphasize inclusive and non-racist interpretations of Norse and Germanic traditions.
  • The description of Druidry as functioning more as a philosophy than a traditional religion might be contested by practitioners who view it as a legitimate religious path with its own rituals and beliefs.
  • The statement that Neo-paganism rejects absolute morality might be too broad, as ethical views can vary widely among different neo-pagan traditions, with some embracing moral codes or principles.

Actionables

  • You can explore the spiritual essence of objects by starting a daily journal where you reflect on the character and 'energy' of various items you encounter. For example, spend a few minutes each morning writing about how a particular stone, plant, or piece of art in your home makes you feel and what kind of 'spirit' it might possess.
  • Create a personal ritual to celebrate the changing seasons, drawing inspiration from ancient fertility and natural cycles. This could be as simple as planting seeds on the first day of spring to honor growth and renewal or lighting a candle on the longest night of winter to symbolize the return of light.
  • Engage with modern interpretations of ancient practices by reading contemporary poetry or fiction that weaves in pagan themes, such as works by authors like Neil Gaiman or Ursula K. Le Guin. This can help you appreciate the modern artistic expression of pagan spirituality and its relevance to today's world.

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Pagans, Neo-Pagans, Wiccans – Let’s Sort It Out!

Ancient Pagan Religions and Beliefs

Ancient pagan religions encompass a variety of belief systems that worshipped multiple deities and connected deeply with nature and the spiritual essence of the world.

Animism - Belief in the Spiritual Essence of all Objects

Animism is central to understanding ancient pagan beliefs. It includes the notion that all objects on Earth have a spirit, whether animate or inanimate. Pagans viewed nature as both beneficial and dangerous, capable of protection as well as harm. Chuck Bryant points out that this belief spurred the need for rituals and sacrifices to appease or influence the spirits inhabiting these natural elements. Germanic and Celtic tribes, known for their ancient practices, are evidenced by archaeological finds such as bog bodies, suggesting that human sacrifice was a part of their ritualistic efforts to sway these spirits.

Shamanism: Communicating With Spiritual Realms Through Altered States

Shamanism involves individuals known as shamans bridging the physical and spiritual worlds through altered states. Bryant explains that shamanistic practices include entering trances, sometimes aided by drugs, singing, or dancing, to communicate with spirits. Thus, shamans play critical roles in their communities, performing healing, divining the future, and influencing spiritual forces to benefit their people.

Polytheism - Worship of Multiple Deities Over one God

Josh Clark describes polytheism as a key characteristic of pagan religions where worship is directed toward multiple gods and goddesses, each with their own domains and powers. This worship often involved idolatry, where physical representations, such as statues or natural objects like trees and rocks, stand as icons for the many spirits or deities. This aspect of idol worship demonstrates the respect and reverence pagans had for the disparate a ...

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Ancient Pagan Religions and Beliefs

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Counterarguments

  • The interpretation of ancient pagan practices, such as human sacrifice, is often based on limited archaeological evidence and could be misunderstood or exaggerated by contemporary scholars.
  • The term "pagan" is a broad and somewhat anachronistic category that modern scholars use to describe a wide range of diverse and unrelated religions, which may not have seen themselves as part of a unified system of belief.
  • The emphasis on fertility cults and goddess worship may overshadow other aspects of these religions, such as their legal systems, artistic expressions, and philosophical ideas.
  • The concept of idol worship can be seen as a biased interpretation from a monotheistic perspective, which may not accurately reflect the relationship between ancient peoples and their deities.
  • The role of shamans and the nature of shamanistic practices can vary greatly between cultures, and it may be an oversimplification to generalize these roles across all ancient pagan religions.
  • The idea that all ancient pagan religions held a deep reverence for nature might be an idealized v ...

Actionables

  • You can create a personal nature altar in your home to honor the interconnectedness of life and the environment. Find a small space in your home, such as a windowsill or a corner of a room, and decorate it with natural elements like stones, plants, and water. This space can serve as a daily reminder of your connection to nature and a place for reflection.
  • Start a journaling practice focused on the spiritual aspects of everyday objects around you. Each day, choose an object and write about the energy or spirit you perceive it to have, how it affects your life, and what it symbolizes for you. This practice can deepen your appreciation for the animistic perspective that all objects have a spirit.
  • Engage in a seasonal ri ...

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Pagans, Neo-Pagans, Wiccans – Let’s Sort It Out!

The Suppression of Paganism by Christianity

Christianity's rise in the Roman Empire led to the suppression of paganism through demonization, legal action, and appropriation of traditions.

Demonization of Pagan Gods and Practices

Christian leaders strove to cement their religion as the true path and cast all other beliefs as the work of the devil, with pagan deities and rituals becoming targets for defamation.

Christian Leaders Labeled Pagan Deities and Rituals As Evil to Discredit Non-christian Beliefs

Chuck Bryant was taught that pagans participated in barbaric practices. Josh Clark found that some Christian websites still echo the ancient church's opinion about pagans. As Christianity rose, it followed the Roman pagan strategy of suspicion to discredit pagan beliefs. Paganism, once a term denoting country-dwellers, became an insult signifying outdated beliefs. Christian leaders aimed to demonize pagan traditions by rebranding their gods as devilish figures. Gods like Cernunnos and Pan, initially symbols of nature and protectiveness, were refashioned to resemble the Christian devil, promoting horned or antlered imagery. Practicing pagans risked execution for allegedly conspiring with evil forces.

Once Christianity was endorsed by the elite, it aggressively outlawed pagan practices and destroyed worship sites to ensure its dominance.

Christianity Banned Pagan Practices and Destroyed Pagan Worship Sites

After Constantine's conversion to Christianity, subsequent emperors like Constantius outlawed public pagan customs. Theodosius later expanded the ban, declaring Christianity the state religion and prohibiting private pagan rites with strict penalties. The term "pa ...

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The Suppression of Paganism by Christianity

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Counterarguments

  • The demonization of pagan practices can be seen as a common historical pattern where a rising belief system seeks to establish itself by discrediting the existing ones, rather than a unique feature of Christianity.
  • Some scholars argue that the depiction of pagan gods as evil was not universal among early Christians and that there was a diversity of opinions and approaches to pagan beliefs.
  • The term "pagan" may have evolved in meaning over time, and its connotation as an insult might not have been as pervasive or as uniformly negative as suggested.
  • The refashioning of pagan gods to resemble the Christian devil could be interpreted as a form of syncretism or cultural adaptation rather than a deliberate attempt to demonize.
  • The legal and military campaigns against paganism were complex and influenced by a variety of political, social, and economic factors, not solely by religious ideology.
  • The outlawing of pagan practices by emperors like Constantius and Theodosius can be critiqued as a political move to consolidate power and unify the empire under one religion, rather than a purely doctrinal decision.
  • The term "pagan" as synonymous with being antiquated might reflect the perspective of Christian wr ...

Actionables

  • You can explore the origins of modern holidays by researching their pagan roots and sharing your findings with friends or on social media. For instance, delve into the history of Christmas and discover how the date might correlate with the Roman festival of Saturnalia or the Norse celebration of Yule. Share an infographic or a brief write-up that highlights these connections, sparking conversations about the evolution of traditions.
  • Create a personal calendar that includes both Christian and corresponding pagan festivals to gain a deeper understanding of the year's cyclical nature. As you mark events like Easter, also note the pagan celebrations that coincide, such as Ostara, which is linked to the spring equinox. Reflect on the similarities and differences in your journal or blog to appreciate the synthesis of cultural practices over time.
  • Engage with local history by visitin ...

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Pagans, Neo-Pagans, Wiccans – Let’s Sort It Out!

The Modern Revival and Resurgence of Pagan Religions

Modern pagan movements are experiencing a revival, drawing inspiration from ancient practices but essentially reinventing them due to the lack of preserved texts.

Intellectual and Artistic Interest During Renaissance and Enlightenment

Rediscovery of Greco-Roman Philosophy Reignites Pagan Interest

During the Renaissance, the rediscovery and dissemination of Greco-Roman philosophies reignited interest in pagan practices. This interest expanded during the Enlightenment era, as some thinkers, facilitated by the printing press, began rejecting Christianity and monotheism in favor of the polytheistic philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome. Enlightenment rationality spurred a counter-movement of individuals seeking purpose in nature, thereby cultivating an interest in paganism.

Romantic Poets and the Return to Nature

Romantic Era Poets Inspired Modern Pagan Spirituality Appreciation

Chuck Bryant credits romantic poets like Wordsworth, Keats, and Shelley with inspiring a connection to the natural world through their works, which has influenced a modern appreciation for pagan spirituality. Their poetry created a sense of wonder and deeper connection with nature that has shaped contemporary pagan thought.

Influence of Anthropology and Occult Studies

Development of Modern Pagan Religions Influenced by Scholars and Occult Groups

The development of modern paganism has been influenced by scholars and occult groups. Bryant and Clark discuss Aleister Crowley's involvement with the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and his influence on the resurgence of paganism through occult studies.

Josh Clark notes that European witch tradition theories have been debunked, including those claiming unbroken lineage back to fertility feminist cults. However, he acknowledges the possibility of some folk traditions with ancient origins, though the full scope of ancient rites is not preserved in their modern expressions.

Modern pagans often draw from knowledge uncovere ...

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The Modern Revival and Resurgence of Pagan Religions

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The extent to which modern pagan movements are a "revival" versus a "reinvention" can be debated, as some argue that contemporary practices are more of a new creation inspired by the past rather than a direct continuation of ancient traditions.
  • While the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods did see a renewed interest in Greco-Roman philosophies, it's important to note that this did not necessarily translate into widespread rejection of Christianity or monotheism; these periods were complex, and many thinkers sought to reconcile ancient philosophies with Christian thought.
  • The role of Romantic poets in inspiring modern paganism could be seen as one influence among many, and not all individuals influenced by Romantic poetry would necessarily embrace pagan spirituality.
  • The influence of occult groups and secret societies on modern paganism might be overstated, as these groups were often fringe elements of society and their direct impact on mainstream culture and religion can be difficult to measure.
  • The debunking of European witch tradition theories does not necessarily negate the possibility of other, less well-documented pagan traditions influencing modern practices.
  • The reliance on works like "The Golden Bough" for modern pagan practices could be criticized ...

Actionables

  • You can explore your local environment to foster a connection with nature, mirroring the Romantic poets' inspiration. Start by taking regular walks in nearby parks or nature reserves, paying close attention to the flora and fauna. Document your observations in a journal, noting how the natural elements make you feel and any seasonal changes you witness. This practice can deepen your appreciation for the natural world and its cycles, which is a core aspect of many pagan beliefs.
  • Create a personal anthology of poetry and art that celebrates the natural world and ancient philosophies. Look for modern poets and artists whose work resonates with themes of nature and mythology. Compile these works in a digital collection or a physical scrapbook. This self-curated anthology can serve as a source of inspiration and reflection on how contemporary art continues to shape and reflect pagan values.
  • Engage with local archaeological and historical societ ...

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Pagans, Neo-Pagans, Wiccans – Let’s Sort It Out!

Specific Modern Pagan Movements and Their Differences

The podcast discusses the nuances and variations among different modern pagan movements, focusing on how each interprets and practices their unique form of spirituality.

Wicca

Founded by Gerald Gardner, a British customs official who was supposedly initiated into a coven of witches in 1939, Wicca is a polytheistic religion that venerates a Goddess and a God and practices ritual magic.

Wicca, Founded by Gerald Gardner, Is a Polytheistic Religion That Venerates a Goddess and a God and Practices Ritual Magic

Gardnerian Wicca claims to be part of an ancient fertility cult and focuses on harnessing the power of nature through spells and rituals. The magical aspects are intended to achieve specific goals, such as securing a job or influencing affection. Gardner wrote the "Book of Shadows," a personal grimoire used by individual witches or covens.

Dianic Wicca: Feminist, Goddess-Centric, Women-Only Branch Founded by Zsuzsanna Budapest In the 1970s

Dianic Wicca, founded by Zsuzsanna Budapest, is a feminist and goddess-centric form that celebrates women's life cycles. Not considered anti-male, it excludes men because its practices specifically honor womanhood. The inclusion of a male clergy member in 2015 was a significant event for this women-only branch. Dianic Wicca gained recognition as an authentic religion in the United States in 1986 when the Supreme Court affirmed its First Amendment protection.

Heathenry

Heathenry is a modern reconstruction of Norse and Germanic pagan religions, worshipping deities from the Aesir and Vanir pantheons.

Heathenry: Modern Reconstruction of Norse and Germanic Pagan Religions Revering Aesir and Vanir Pantheons

It draws on sources like the Eddas and Viking Sagas for rituals and mythology. There are branches like Esatru, focusing on deities like Odin and Thor and valuing valor; and Vanatru, which centers around nature and the Vanir gods.

Heathenry's Ties to Norse Metal Music Spark Far-right Nationalism Debates

The Norwegian black metal scene in the early '90s moved from Satanism to Heathen themes. This transition to genres like Viking metal led to a connection with Heathen ideas but sparked controversy with incidents like church arsons by black metal band members, raising debates about far-right nationalism.

Druidry

Druidry considers the natural world as a divine entity and is often regarded more as a philosophy or lifestyle.

Druidry: Nature-Based Spirituality Viewing the Natural World As Divine

Founded by Ross Nichols, modern ...

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Specific Modern Pagan Movements and Their Differences

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can create a personal ritual that aligns with natural cycles, such as the phases of the moon or seasonal changes, to connect with the concept of harnessing nature's power. Start by choosing a natural cycle that resonates with you, like the new moon for new beginnings, and design a simple ritual, such as planting seeds or writing intentions, to perform during this time.
  • Explore the artistic side of spirituality by crafting your own set of runes or symbolic tokens inspired by Norse and Germanic traditions. Use materials like stones, wood, or clay to make each rune, and research their meanings to understand how they were used historically for guidance and decision-making.
  • Develop a "green space" in your home, dedicating a corner to plants, nat ...

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