8 Common Belief Systems in the Modern Pagan Community

Not all Pagans are Wiccans, and not all Pagan paths are the same. From Asatru to Druidry to Celtic Reconstructionism, there are plenty of Pagan groups out there to choose from. Read on and learn about the differences and the similarities. Keep in mind that this list is not meant to be all-encompassing, and we don’t claim that it covers every single Pagan path that’s out there. Plenty more exist, and if you do a bit of digging you’ll find them – but these are some of the best-known belief systems in the modern Pagan community.

1. Of 8.

Asatru

Detail from the Skogchurch Tapestry depicting the Norse gods Odin, Thor and Freyr. Sweden, 12th century. Image by De Agostini Picture Library/Getty Images

 

The Asatru tradition is a reconstructionist path that focuses on pre-Christian Norse spirituality. The movement began in the 1970s as part of a revival of Germanic paganism, and numerous Asatru groups exist in the United States and other countries. Many Asatruar prefer the word “heathen” to “neopagan,” and rightfully so. As a reconstructionist path, many Asatruar say their religion is very similar in its modern form to the religion that existed hundreds of years ago before the Christianization of the Norse cultures.

To continue reading about the other pagan paths………

 

 

Five Ways to Honor Your Ancestors

We all have ancestors, both of blood and of spirit, and each of our lives rests firmly on the foundation of their sacrifice. They are as near to us as our breath and bones, and when related with in conscious ways, they can be a tremendous source of healing, guidance, and companionship. The ancestors we choose to honor may include not only recent and more distant family but also beloved friends and community, cultural and religious leaders, and even other-than-human kin such as companion animals. Our ancestors bring vital support to fulfill our potential here on Earth, and, through involvement in our lives, also further their own growth and maturation in the spirit realms.

Like the living, spirits of the deceased run the full spectrum from wise and loving to self-absorbed and harmful. Physical death is a major event for the soul, a rite of passage we will all face, and the living can provide critical momentum for the recently deceased to make the initiatory leap to become a helpful ancestor. Once the dead have become ancestors, part of their post-death journey may include making repairs for wrongs committed while here on Earth. For their sake and for ours, it’s good to spend a little time now and again feeding our relationships with the ancestors. The five suggestions below, none of which require belief in any specific tradition or dogma, are safe and effective ways to assist our beloved dead and to welcome the ongoing support and blessings of the ancestors in our everyday lives.

Fulfill Your Soul’s Purpose as an Ethical and Loving Person…

To read the rest of this article please click on this link: 5 Ways to Honor Your Ancestors

Modern Pagan Festivals: A Study in the Nature of Tradition

Abstract

The cluster of recently appeared religions known as Paganism have developed, over the past sixty years, a distinctive cycle of annual festivals, most of which draw on long historic roots but that are grouped together in a modern framework. No study has yet been made of the manner in which this cycle developed, and potentially rich rewards may be gained from doing so. Such a project is a rare opportunity to study a religious festive tradition in the process of evolution, and also to suggest features of the nature of tradition in modern societies, and the manner in which it is perceived by scholars in different disciplines.

Introduction

During the past thirty years, scholars have gradually become aware of the existence, across the western world, of a rapidly growing complex of modern religions organised under the label of Paganism. [1 [1] In conformity with practices now becoming established in the discipline of Religious Studies, I refer to modern Pagan religions with a capital letter, but keep the lower case, “pagan,” when referring to the pre-Christian religions of Europe and the Near East, and to subsequent reflections on them. For a discussion of the rationale behind this distinction, see Hutton (2003Hutton, Ronald. 2003. Witches, Druids and King Arthur: Studies in Paganism, Myth and Magic, London: Hambledon and London. , xiii–xv).View all notes] Although they differ from each other in the nature of their deities, rites, and organisation, they have certain definitive features in common: most obviously, a veneration of the feminine principle of divinity as well as the masculine, a sense of an inherent sanctity in the natural world, an ethic of responsible individual self-expression that rejects concepts of sin and salvation, and an identification with the pre-Christian religions of Europe and the Near East. They are also more or less united by the observation of a common pattern of eight annual seasonal festivals. The study of festivity is currently a focus of considerable interest among scholars of religion, society, and culture, in several different disciplines: it is, indeed, a phenomenon encountered in all, or virtually all, human cultures. The most comprehensive and considered definition of a festival, by a social scientist, seems to have been that of Alessandro FalassiFalassi, Alessandro. 1987. “Festival: Definition and Morphology”. In Time Out of Time: Essays on the Festival, Edited by: Falassi, Alessandro. 1–10. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. : “a periodically recurrent, social occasion in which, through a multiplicity of forms and a series of co-ordinated events, participate directly or indirectly and to various degrees, all members of a whole community, united by ethnic, linguistic, religious, historical bonds and sharing a worldview” (1987Falassi, Alessandro. 1987. “Festival: Definition and Morphology”. In Time Out of Time: Essays on the Festival, Edited by: Falassi, Alessandro. 1–10. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. , 2).

To read the rest of this article please click on this link: Modern Pagan Festivals: A Study in the Nature of Tradition

TGessIF

FROM CL STAFF TO ALL WE SEE THIS WE WISH YOU A SAFE AND FANTASTIC WEEKEND!!!!!

What Is Conjure/Hoodoo?

The working side of Conjure was greatly influenced by the religious beliefs of the Congo region. They were one of its primary roots. The idea that spirits reside in the trees, the leaves, the roots, and the earth, and that they hold power to facilitate change became an important staple in the fabric of what we know as Conjure today.

The meaning of change, as used here, is an appearance of one realm or world into the other. We do work to create a new reality. The reality that you need a job or healing, for example, is apparent in the physical but perhaps not yet seen in the spirit. The spirits of the roots work between both worlds so the reflection is seen on both sides. In this case, the healing you are looking for or the job you need is not only open to you, but also the fruit of the work you have done to acquire these things is made known in this world by the physical evidence. When the spirit and physical worlds are mirroring one another, you get the job and the sickness you had is no longer plaguing you. Simply put, it is the outward manifestation of the inner work as well as the inner manifestation of the outward work. The balance of both sides, both worlds, and both realities.

To continue reading…..

 

 

 

Shields up! Shielding Hints and Tips…

Recently I have been seeing a lot of people on social media asking about psychic protection and shielding.  And quite worryingly a few that have made statements along the lines of “I am always picking up on the energy from others. I find it totally draining but I have just accepted that is the way I am”. No, no, no! Please don’t put up with it, there really is no need.

Once you start to work with energy you also become aware and open yourself up to certain energies.  You may start to become more sensitive to the emotions of those around you.  And you might attract the energies of those that you would prefer to keep away.

However, I want to state now, that in my experience, a true psychic attack is extremely rare. What you may find is people that drain you without evening knowing they are doing it.

To continue reading……..

‘Tis the season of the Witch

It is that time of the year…when the mornings and evenings are crisp and fresh.  When the leaves on the trees start their fantastically colourful journey from green through all the glorious oranges and reds.  Ultimately, they drop to the ground obviously, but it is all part of the cycle of life.  Allowing the tree to rest throughout the cold months ready to renew afresh in the spring.

I love the autumn, it is my favourite season.  There is something very magical about the whole atmosphere and energy of it.  Not just because Samhain is on the way, being my birthday has nothing to do with the excitement at all…honest… This time of the year just feels full of energy and magical possibilities.

Sun magic

Although I spent a lot of the summer working with sun magic, let’s face it, in the UK we have had one of the hottest summers ever so there was plenty of sun to work with.  I am not really a sun worshipper.  For me the magic happens once the energy changes.  That point when the equinox hits and things start to turn.

Late September and October are when I have a clear out.  I look back at the year so far, see what has worked and what hasn’t.  I sort out my wardrobe, putting away all the floaty summer frocks and sandals and embrace my velvet wear and my boots.   Autumn is also when I have a good magical declutter; the herb cupboard, the candles, the altar bits and bobs that have all be shoved in the cupboard over the past few months when I haven’t needed them.

To continue reading. . .. ..

 

Crystal spells and grids

Crystal spells

Crystals have long been believed to hold magical powers. Although I don’t believe they were used in folk magic very much they are extremely popular today.  Each crystal has its own unique and individual magical property and that can be tapped into for your spell work.  Whether you just sit and hold a crystal and visualise your desire. Or place crystals around the home or work place to bring positive energy in or take negative energy out, they are extremely useful.   I often place crystals at the base of a candle when I am working with candle magic or add small crystals to medicine pouches and witch bottles.

Crystal Grids

Another favourite of mine is to work with crystal grids, these can be any size you want (also dependent on how many crystals you own) even a small grid of four or five crystals will work well.  I also like to add in feathers, pebbles, shells, herbs and tarot/oracle cards to my crystal grids.

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This Is My Path

Witches Of The Craft®

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Until OCT. 1st

To all my brother and sister of the craft, plus my Followers. I am going offline due to that I am moving to my new home this weekend. I will be finishing packing and be moving my stuff to the new house of mine. I will not be back online until October the 1st. this is when my internet will be back online at the new house. If you need me, please let LAdy Beltane know and she can get a hold of me.

Blessed be until then

Samhian