by Georgia Macleod

Created on: June 14, 2008

Pagan beliefs are not quite so easy to understand as a whole, because paganism is an umbrella term for many different belief structures including, but not limited to Wicca, shamanism, witchcraft, and Norse Heathenism or Asatru. While the details vary greatly, all pagan practices and beliefs carry some basic similarities, even if they originate in vastly different cultures.

First and foremost, pagan beliefs are polytheistic. Regardless of what path one chooses, there is a certain pantheon of deities to be worshipped and followed. These deities can be found in all mythology. The practitioner frequently finds himself or herself drawn to specific deities. Often times, though, it is not the practitioner who chooses the gods, but the other way around. For those who are solitary Wiccans or eclectic, sometimes one single pantheon is not followed, but knowledge is drawn from two or more. Some say that mixing pantheons is disrespectful, but others use it with great success.

Another similarity is that many pagan practitioners believe that a mastery of self is essential. If one does not know himself or herself then one can not effectively practice. Learning the self through meditation, visualization, dreams, or trance are all practices within the umbrella of paganism. These skills often lend to the practitioner discovering his or her own energy and subsequently, the energy in everything around them and learning how to use or channel that energy without depleting their own.

Initiation rituals are also prevalent throughout paganism. This can be a first degree initiation into a coven for a Wiccan or a vision quest by a potential shaman. Along with initiation rituals, pagans tend to celebrate their holidays and certain achievements with some kind of ritual. Holidays consist of solstices and equinoxes in some paths, along with celebrating each full moon. These rituals can be a simple as a meal prepared and consumed with the intention of giving thanks or as complicated as casting a full circle, raising energy, and doing spellwork.

Pagans also tend to hold a reverence for the earth. Some people show this by eating vegan, while others hunt (during season, of course) and if successful, thank the animal spirit for its sacrifice to keep them alive. Many pagans fall somewhere in between, though, and in this modern world, prefer buying organic or free range chicken or beef to consume and give thanks to the animal spirits before their meal.

Pagan paths are as diverse as the practitioners. However, there are many common threads that weave through to the core of what it is to be pagan. Understanding paganism as a whole could take years upon years of reading and research, but it doesn't necessarily have to. Pagans, in essence, strive to live closely to the earth, whether they live in a concrete jungle or a small rural town.

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