1 of 19

Write now Article Tools

Basis of the Old Religion to Modern Day

Modern Paganism or Neo Paganism is relatively new. However, it is based on what is known as "the old religion". As with all historical insights, there are many venues of thought regarding where the "old religion" came from and who originated it. There is the school of thought that the pre-human species Neanderthals were actually the first to recognize the cycles of life and of nature. Then there are those who will argue that Neanderthals are not even related to the Homo Sapiens. Whatever scientific theory that you choose to subscribe to, the fact remains that approximately 250,000 years ago creatures were recognizing the importance of the cycles of life.

During what is termed the Mesolithic Age, the lives of the people were centered around nature. It is important to note though, that the Sun was not seen as the important symbol in nature. It was the Moon which would give cover to those on the hunt. The Moon was also revered as a feminine divinity of sorts. The cycle of the Moon, it was believed, played a role in the reverence of woman as the mystique of the menstrual cycle was perceived to be connected to the size of the moon. The cycle of the seasons were recognized as the central focus of where to live, how to live, and what was lived off.

From these early times it was believed that a spirit existed in every object; living or not. To this end man would draw the symbol representing the animal they wished to hunt to bring it to a successful culmination. Most refer to this as sympathetic magic. If one dressed in the skin of the animal they were to hunt, it was thought it would allow the hunters to take on the spirit of the animal that was to be hunted.

It was not until the Neolithic Age that the Sun was brought into the picture as an important deity. Up until this period, there was no farming. All people were nomadic in nature following the animals they hunted. Now they begin in this era to settle and farm the land. They attributed the Sun to Man as it was Man that planted the seeds.

It evolved into the Goddess most have related back to as the correlation of the sun rising, the moon enlightening was drawn to the mother giving birth and growth of the harvest. Similarly, it was seen as part of the cycle when one died, another was born. As one crop was harvested, it was cut down to allow for a new crop to be born. The cycle of life was embodied at this time as the most sacred of all things. With the female being the center of

• 1
• 2
• 3
• ...
• 10
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The history of witchcraft?
We want to hear your view. Write now!