FAMILY TIES AND GROWING PAINS

“We are not only One; we are also everything at Once.”

I think one of the main problems with definitions of Paganism, is that most tend to say what Paganism is not, rather than concentrating on what Paganism is. This may be a reason why so many non-Pagans and even Pagans are under the impression that “everything and anything goes”.

Pagans should not see themselves as those who have merely excluded themselves from the Judeo-Christian-Islamic group of religions, but as those who have embraced very specific other beliefs. These beliefs include the concept that there is a specific spiritual reality that we can connect into, even harness.
But being Pagan is not about being safe, is not about being the same. Paganism as a whole has no liturgy, no overarching ethics, overarching meaning. Pagans, like all other religious people, come in every ethnic group, every political creed and every possible combination of personality types. And because of this, it is a regular quagmire when it comes to identifying what is Paganism. While some labels are self-explanatory others can cause confusion and contention. Much of this is attributed to misinformation, interpretation of history and, more often than not, personal opinion.
At first glance, one would assume that Pagans practice polytheism, end of story. This is not necessarily the case. The heterogeneous nature of Paganism allows for all spiritual attitudes towards divinity - add to this the extensive list of philosophical outlooks and lifestyles, and the permutations are endless. A better way of viewing Paganism is that it is “poly-theological”.
Here is a sampling of a few relational attitudes:
• New Polytheism - The deities are just Jungian archetypes created by human need. The deities are but symbols.
• Polytheism - The idea of polytheism is grounded in the view that reality (divine or otherwise) is multiple and diverse. And if one is a pantheist-polytheist, as are may Neo-Pagans, one might say that all nature is divinity and manifests itself in myriad forms and delightful complexities (Margot Adler, Drawing Down the Moon). This personification is known as anthropomorphism.
• Pan-polytheism - Deity in many different aspects, both male and female. These different aspects of Deity each represent different aspects of life, nature and the seasons. The idea that these aspects of Deity are separate from each other is called polytheism (many Gods). The idea that these aspects are part of a larger whole (often called the unmanifest and sometimes God) is called pan-polytheism. (Henge of Keltria, a Druidic organisation)
• Duotheism - The polarity of natural forces are expressed in the deities, often a masculine—feminine structure. However, they do not necessarily always represent opposites; they can indicate harmony and balance.
• Pantheism - The belief that the entire universe is a divine spiritual unity, and humans are a part of this divine universe.
• Agnostic Pantheism - The universe is revered but not from transcendental divine aspect. This is often equated to Scientific Pantheism.
• Animism - All things in nature have a distinct spirit and when this extends to inanimate matter, it is called Hylozoism.
Identifying what it is to be Pagan is important but no matter how careful and how all-inclusive such a process is, we must also accept that this cannot be static and will have to be adapted from time to time, or we may face a form of self-imposed marginality.

I think what we cannot ignore is the fact that Paganism is evolving, and will always be due to our individualism, and although Paganism is based on ancient belief-systems we cannot deny the simple reality that we are also living in the 21st century - as with all things new times bring about change.
As I see it, the importance of Paganism is about linking to a past set of values, beliefs and deities long forgotten, and experiencing these values, religions, spirituality, deities and even magick in a modern context as contemporary believers.
I am totally aware that adapting ancient faiths to modern contexts is a challenge, as many practices and social beliefs of our ancestors do not translate well into modern society – sexism, slavery, and human sacrifice being good examples of those, for instance. But Paganism is a modern attempt to find a way to cope with diversity by accepting diversity and pluralism rather than by trying to exterminate it in the attempt to create a vast, cosmic and homogeneous one. Our spirituality and religion is one of modern-day manifestations of ancient pagan practices.
In Paganism traditions are often centred on a particular culture and/or folkloric practice. The majority of the Pagan traditions focus on those ancient cultures that were displaced by the Abrahamic religions. However, traditions based on other indigenous cultures such as Eastern, Native America and African are becoming popular. Despite the differing beliefs and practices among the traditions, there are some common identifiable aspects to Paganism:
• Individualism: Emphasis is placed on the return to the simpler direct relationship between the individual and their divine.
• Non-dogmatic: There is no sacred book, tenet or doctrine. Within each tradition, there may exist a writ of their beliefs and tenets but this is not a universal dogma.
• Humanism: Focus is on reconnecting with life.
• Spiritual anarchism: There is no reward or punishment just consequences. The individual is accountable for his/her actions. This is not to say there is no socially accepted concept of "right" and "wrong".
• Nature: Nature plays an important role albeit in varying degrees from sacred worship to harmonious interaction.
• Energy: A concept of an unseen "energy" is prevalent throughout Paganism. However, its utilisation varies among the paths. This energy is primarily used for empowerment, self-realisation and magick. Additionally, it may be viewed holistically as a singular divine entity. It has various names: the power, primal force, cosmic energy, universal force, life force, aura, spirit, manna, etc.
SATANISM
Pagans see tend to see Satan or the Devil, in the sense generally used, as a Christian paradox, parody or heresy where the Devil as the anti-Christ is purely a Christian concept. But it is not that simple.
Far from being mere “inverse Christians”, many theistic Satanists are either polytheistic or pantheistic. Some equate Satan with one or more ancient gods such as Set, Enki, Pan, Loki, Shiva, the Yoruba gods, etc. Others do not equate Satan with any Pagan deity but just revere Satan as one of many gods from various pantheons. There are also some who do not believe in Satan as an entity at all, but who identify as Satanists because they agree with the teachings of Anton LaVey.
However, it is also correct to say, more generally, that the idea of Satan is derived from Judaism and Christianity, whereas Pagans aim to revive more ancient religious concepts. Also, the Pagan community espouses some very specific beliefs and values that are totally different, if not alien, from the beliefs and values espoused by most Satanists. Satan is not part of Pagan pantheons as either a literal deity or a symbol.
As I understand the term Pagan, it does not include any religion, spirituality, or worldview which honours, reveres, or otherwise favourably uses the name Satan or the Devil (or any name linked to the principle of evil), in whatever way those names are understood, whether as referring to a sentient entity, a force, a symbol and/or a lifestyle. A very explicit definition of our spirituality and religion could make this even clearer.
Here is my attempt to such a definition: “Paganism is a non-dogmatic affirmation of all non-coercive religious and spiritual paths and folkways which revere the sacredness of earth and of all life, the immanence of divinity, recognise the duality in all things and promote individualism and human rights.”
I think something in this vein could make it very clear that Paganism is NOT all-embracing.

RECLAMATION

Regarding the reclamation of the terms “Witch” and “Witchcraft” in a South African context (For full details see the Melville Mandate).

Many South African Pagans seek to reclaim the terms “Witch” and “Witchcraft” within a modern Pagan context – the main hurdle facing Pagans in this country is that the majority of South Africans do not experience these terms in a modern context.

In this country, as is the case in most African and many other countries, the words “witch” and “witchcraft” are used to describe evil or criminal practices associated with ritual killings, human mutilations and misfortune in general (causing illness or ill luck or death). Thus, to the majority of South Africans, witches and witchcraft are a danger to the communities within which they live and work - mostly because of misinformation, cultural diversity and fears surrounding magick.

As if that was not enough, Pagans are also faced with the reality that (anti)-witchcraft legislation still exists in this country. Even when (notice I did not say “if”) these pieces of legislation are removed from the statute books, Pagans will still be faced with an immense social and educational process before the terms “Witch” and “Witchcraft” become acceptable and are experience in a similar context we as Pagans do. For that to happen a long-running grassroots educational process will be necessary - such a process will have to include the dissemination of basic information through methods that reach large numbers of people, and will probably not be possible without the support of traditional healers and their organisations.

TRADITIONS AND PATHS:
Most Pagan traditions have many of the following factors in common:
• Paganism was almost or completely wiped out in the past and has since been reconstructed from mostly historical and esoteric and sources.
• Paganism is a duotheistic or polytheistic belief system.
• Many followers are solitary practitioners,
• others are involved in small groups, which various traditions call circles, covens, garths, groves, hearths, kindreds, etc.
• Most Pagans celebrate four main seasonal days of celebrations each year, associated with the equinoxes and solstices.
• Many Pagans also celebrate four additional days, each between a solstice and equinox.
• Pagans prefer to conduct their religious rituals outdoors where practical.
• Many Pagans do not practice their religion publicly because of the danger of abuse from misinformed non-Pagans who have associated them with satanism.
• Pagans have a minimal or no hierarchical structure.
• Pagans have a concern for the environment.
• Pagans feel close to nature and its cycles.
• Many Pagans follow a behavioural code that requires them to avoid hurting themselves or others.

Pagan traditions and paths seem to be legion nowadays. Here is a list of the most well-known trads and paths (self-defined paths such as Religio Romano, etc who do not identify as Pagan are listed for information only):

ALGARD WICCA - In 1972, Mary Nesnick combined the Gardnerian tradition with the Alexandrian to form the Algard tradition. Some people think that in practice this combination ends up being very close to the Gardenian tradition because much of Alexandrian ritual is similar to Gardenian to begin with.

ALEXANDRIAN - Originated in England in the 1960's, by Alex Sanders. The rituals are said to be of modified Gardenian. Although similar to Gardenian Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca tends to be more eclectic, and liberal.

AMERICAN CELTIC WICCA - The American Order of the Brotherhood of the Wicca covens stem from Jessica Bell (Lady Sheba), a self-styled Witch Queen. The tradition’s rites are virtually the same as Gardenian, though covens work robed. They follow the same practice of Gardenian in preferring couples; preferably husband and wife. Ceremonial Magic is the primary work of the American Celtic tradition.

ANGLO-ROMANY TRADITION - A tradition based upon the beliefs of the Gypsy people of Britain and Ireland, commonly called Tinkers. This tradition often is blended with the more mystical aspects of European Catholicism.

ANGLO-SAXON TRADITION - An English path combining the practices of the Celts with those of the southern Teutons, whose Pagans are also sometimes called witches. Though the popular word Wicca is Anglo-Saxon in origin, the followers of this path discard it as a label for themselves. There are many followers of this tradition, and many varied expressions of its teachings.

ARTHURIAN TRADITION - A tradition from Wales and Cornwall based upon the Arthurian myths which each of the figures in his stories as individual divine images.

AUSTRALIAN WICCA - Australia has just about every version of Craft in healthy existence; the only significant difference is that Australians celebrate the Sabbats in opposite order (as is done by many in South Africa) from those in the Northern hemisphere, in keeping with their own seasons.

BLUE STAR WICCA - Blue Star Wicca is one of a number of Wiccan traditions created in the United States in the 1970s based loosely on the Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions. It continues to be practiced today in areas of the USA, as well as having members in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada.

BREZONEK TRADITION (Bray-zone-AY'K) - This is the little-known Celtic tradition of Brittany. It has most likely been influenced by both Roman and Celtic Gaul, and by the Celts of the British Isles, though its followers think of themselves first and foremost as Celtic.

BRITTABIC TRADITION - An Anglo-Celtic tradition which encompasses the beliefs brought to England by the invading Romans, as well as those of the Celts.

BRITISH TRADITIONAL - Influenced heavily by Gardenian Wicca and Celtic traditions. Covens are co-ed and members train through a degree process.

BRYTHONIC TRADITIONS - A generic label often applied to traditions of Whales, Cornwall, and England. Though the Bretons also speak a Brythonic language, this name is usually not applied to their spiritual practices.

CALENDONNI TRADITION - This Scottish tradition receives little publicity in the Pagan press. The name Caledonii is Roman in origin and may indicate that it, like the Hibernian tradition of Ireland, has strong Roman influences.

CELTIC TRADITION - A branch of Paganism originating in Celtic Gaul, western and northern England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Brittany, and the Isle of Man. Generally they share much in common, but, specifically, they have many differences. A basic overview of shared Celtic Pagan beliefs can be found in D.J Conway's book, Celtic Magic.

CELTIC RECON - This varies somewhat from both Celtic Wicca and Neo-Druidry. Celtic Recon differs from Wicca in that specific Celtic deities are venerated and worshipped in an approximation of historical context. There are overlaps between Celtic Recons and Neo-Druid groups, but Celtic recon groups tend to reserve the title of Druid for an initiated priesthood, in contrast to the Neo-Druid preference for graded initiations.

CELTIC WICCA - Based upon old Celtic/Druidic practices, and ritual Gardenian design. The emphasis is placed heavily upon Celtic deities, the elements, nature and the magic of trees.

CEREMONIAL: Less religion, more emphasis on the art and science of magick. Rituals are generally complex and practices lean towards the esoteric side of Wicca. Not geared towards the solitary practitioner, but can easily be adapted for those who choose to work alone.

CHURCH OF ALL WORLDS - Promotes celebration and honouring of all life and the planet as a living, divine organism: Gaea. Combination of worldwide Goddess traditions.

CHURCH OF THE CRECENT MOON - The Church, serving the Goddess and the God, offers many paths for practitioners to follow. It honours Ireland’s ancient religion, deities, practices and history.

CIRCLE WICCA - Was founded in 1974 in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Its name, logo, and focus are conceived by Selena Fox. Circle sponsors its first Sabbat gathering. This small gathering is a Yule celebration hosted by Selena Fox and Jim Alan in their home in Madison, Wisconsin and includes Pagans from the USA and UK.

COVEN OF THE FOREST, FAR AND FOREVER – Formed by a Priestess and Priest, with backgrounds in Gardenian, Egyptian, Dianic, hereditary Spanish and Qabbalism, this religion emphasises the Book of Shadows, balances between female and male and the Goddess and the God as living forces manifested on different levels

CREABH RUADH TRADITION Crahv ROO-Ah) - The “Red Branch” tradition is highly secretive, initiatory, male mysteries Irish path based upon the myths and exploits of the Red Branch warriors of Ulster. It is highly stratified in character, much like Celtic society.

CUNNING LORE - In English history, the cunning man or cunning woman were professional or semi-professional folk magick user up until the 20th century and, to a lesser degree, to the present day. Such people were also frequently known as wizards, wise men, wise women, witch doctors or conjurers. The term white witch was infrequently used for cunning folk until recent times.

CYMRI TRADITION (KIM-ree or KEEM-ree) - The principal Pagan tradition of Wales. It claims to be a pre-Celtic path which may antedate many of the Arthurian legends, though Arthur and his legions figure heavily in the teachings and mythology of this tradition.

DARK PAGANISM - A movement within Paganism which aims to reclaim the dark portion of the light-dark polarity that has been denied or ignored by those who have confused this polarity with the ethical dualism of the Judeo-Christian culture.

DEBOREAN TRADITION (Deb-OR-ee-awn) - This American eclectic tradition has Celtic ties in the sense that they use names from the Anglo-Celtic mythos to designate their leaders. They are an initiatory tradition which attempts to reconstruct Wicca as it was before the witch persecutions. They view their principal purpose as being to help all humans find their inner spiritual home.

DIANIC TRADITION - Tradition pinpointed by Margaret Murray in 1921 in “The Witch-Cult in Western Europe’’. There are several feminist traditions which are considered Dianic. This tradition tends to emphasise the female aspect of the Goddess, sometimes to the exclusion of the male God. Dianic covens tend to be more politically active. It is also a mix of many traditions, but its focus is on the Goddess.

DRUIDIACTOS - A Druidic path, as much cultural as it is magickal and religious, which devotes itself to Celtic study and accurate as possible a reconstruction of past practices. The teachings and beliefs of the Druidiactos are outlines in The Sacred Cauldron, by Tadhg MacCrossan.

DRUIDIC TRADITIONS - Another complex term with a variety of meanings that could refer to historical Druids of ancient Celtic Europe or a variety of contemporary spiritual paths. Historically, the function of Druids
were those of priests, judges and teachers. During the 18th century the notion of Druidry became heavily romanticised and thusly reinvented. This revival influenced modern Pagan Druidry.

DRYAD TRADITION - A feminist tradition of female Druidesses who were given their name by the tree faeries of the Celtic lands, who are also known as Dryads. Faery lore plays a strong role in their practices, and the majority of their other teachings are Druidic with a modern feminist slant.

ECCLECTIC WICCA - Basically a loosely based tradition which uses any practices of other paths and incorporates them into their own path. It is now quite a common and popular form of Wicca, as the followers use what works best for them regardless of its source.

ECO-PAGANISM - Eco-Paganism and Eco-magick, which are off-shoots of direct action environmental groups, have a strong emphasis on fairy imagery and a belief in the possibility of intercession by the fae (fairies, pixies, gnomes, elves, and other spirits of nature and the Otherworlds).

EIREANNACH TRADITION (AIR-un-n'yock) - Several distinct traditions claiming this label seem to be operating in North America. The name simply means “Irish”. Eireannach is probably best described as a catch-all term for the various Irish paths rather than the name of any one single expression.

ERISIAN TRADITION (Discordia) - A philosophy which believes that the universe is uncertain and that natural laws are not everywhere and constant. Eris is the Goddess of chaos. Discordia was rediscovered in 1960's by Californians Kerry Thornley and Gregory Hill, who published a book called Principia Discordia on their experiences. The tradition also involves humor in its rituals. Similarly Englishman, Austin Osman Spare, often called the father of chaos magic, took chaos to a more scientific plateau.

FAERY TRADITION - An environmentally-minded path which claims its origins in the oral teaching of the Tuatha De Dannan of Ireland, the deities who became the faery folk. Once a secretive, Californian-based group, their beliefs and practices have been made public in the Faery Wicca series of Books by Kisma K Stepanich.

FAMILY TRADITIONS - Various traditions passed down through individual families are usually tossed together under this label. Some of these are secretive for reason of personal security, others openly combine their Celtic Pagan beliefs with those of mainstream religions. A Family Tradition can be a part of any culture's indigenous religion, not just Celtic.

FERI TRADITION - A modern witchcraft practice founded by Victor Anderson and his wife Cora. It is an ecstatic tradition with strong emphasis is placed on sensual experience and awareness, including sexual mysticism, which is not limited to heterosexual expression.

FENNIAN TRADITION - An initiatory Irish path which takes its name from Fionn MacCumhal's warriors, the Fianna.

FOLKLORISM - In the early 2000s, a “Traditionalist” or “Folklorist” current of Paganism emerged in Scandinavian Neopaganism, advocated by Jon Julius Filipusson (of Foreningen Forn Sed, Norway), Paul Jenssen (Denmark) and Keeron Ögren (Samfälligheten för Nordisk Sed, Sweden), which rejects reconstructionism and syncretism alike, advocating a strict focus on regional folklore and folk religion.

FROST’S WICCA (aka Church and School of Wicca) - This is one of the many Welsh-based traditions. It was originally founded by Gavin and Yvonne Frost in the early 1970’s. As The Church and School of Wicca the material is presented to students by correspondence, though the course is virtually the same as the material presented in their book The Witches Bible.

GAELIC TRADITION - A generic label sometimes applied to the traditions of Ireland and Scotland.

GARDENIAN TRADITION - One of the first traditions in witchcraft to emerge into the public eye during the 1950's. The teachings are based upon the works of Dr Gerald Brosseau Gardner, who researched much of the history of the Craft and added them to his famous Book of Shadows. Many traditions use his Book of Shadows, in a modified form, as a basis for ritual practice.

GEORGIAN WICCA - An eclectic Wicca tradition founded by George E. Patterson in 1970. This tradition is influenced mostly by Alexandrian and Gardenian teachings and leans towards Goddess and God worship at an eclectic level. Individuals work either skyclad or robed and are encouraged to write their own rituals.

GLBT PAGANISM - The inclusive and non-discriminatory nature of Paganism means that there is a representation of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual
and Transgender Pagans right across the spectrum. There are also many Pagan traditions and groups dedicated to address the needs of GLBT Pagans. The Radical Faeries is a well-known men’s group from North America. Dianic paths are very popular amongst women.

GODESS TRADITIONS - All paths where there is a strong reverence for female divinity.

GOD TRADITIONS - Less common, but happening concurrently with Goddess Traditions, are paths where there is a strong reverence for Gods
and masculine divinity.

GREEN WITCHCRAFT - This craft, based on family tradition, has its roots in the Celtic/Iberian. Its approach is a mix of Pagan and mainstream. Practitioners may invoke Pagan deities, the Holy Spirit, angels and saints. Old Religion and mainstream holidays may be observed. The Goddess and the God are identified as female and male in balance and as one.

HEREDITARY - This is a person that can trace the Craft back on their family tree and was also taught the craft by a living relative.

HEBRIDEAN TRADITION - A secretive Scottish tradition which is based on the Irish myths.

HEDGEWITCHERY- Also known as Hedgecraft, a spiritual path and considered a form of European witchcraft. It is most commonly practiced by Pagans and some people consider it an offshoot of Wicca. Some adherents have claimed that it is the religion of the traditional cunning folk of England.

HELLENISMOS, GREEK RECON - “Hellenismos” means quite literally both Greek and Pagan, and refers of course to a reconstructed practice of ancient Greek Paganism.

HIBERNIAN TRADITION - This Irish tradition probably developed during the Middle Ages which shows Roman influence.

HYBRIDS - For a lack of a better term, are a combination of two already existing religions but they are not exactly traditions. Still, many will classify them under Paganism because one of the two religions is polytheistic. Due to this syncretic nature, hybrids do not necessarily share all the characteristics of other Pagan groups. Vodoun, Santeria and Candomble are examples where Roman Catholicism mixed with African and other indigenous religions as a result of slavery.

IRISH TRADITION - A generic term used to identify traditions native to Ireland and her people. Many individual traditions come under this broad heading, though some believe the only true Irish tradition is one which is pre-Celtic.

JUDEOPAGANISM - Jewish Paganism is a modern syncretic Pagan religion based on the union of concepts from Judaism and Mesopotamian and Egyptian Paganism.

KEMETISM, EGYPTIAN RECON - The name “Kemet” means “black earth” and refers to the traditional Egyptian name for Egypt. The origins of Kemet (or Kemetism) are somewhat unclear, as several similar traditions originated in the US in the early 1970s. The Kemetic umbrella stretches to include Ausar Auset, an Afrocentric variation.

KINGSTONE TRADITION - An English tradition with Celtic roots.

KITCHEN WITCHRAFT - This type is one that practices by home and hearth concentration on the practical side of religion, magick and the earth and elements. A more convenient form of practice for those who have limited space and resource, mainly suburbanite and city witches.

MAIDENHILL TRADITION - This initiatory path was founded in England in the late 1970s and worships a generic Mother Goddess, sometimes called Rhiannon, and the Horned God.

MAJESTIC TRADITION - An English tradition which views the long succession of ruling monarchs as sacrificial kings and fertility queens

MANX TRADITION - An Irish tradition which traces its roots to the mystical Isle of Man. Lots of faery lore-based beliefs and ritual workings are part of this path. Manann Mac Llyr, God of the Sea, and Fand, a Faery Queen, are its principal deities.

NORTH COUNTRY TRADITION - The Pagan tradition of Yorkshire region of England. The principal influences on it were from England (which was heavily influenced by Pagan Rome) and from the Scottish lowlands.

NORTHERN ISLES TRADITION - A combined path which follows the old Norse and Celtic ways - sometimes labeled Astra. A Pagan group which calls itself “Northern Way” incorporated in Chicago in 1982.

NORTHERN EUROPEAN PATHS (HEATHENRY) - This covers a wide variety of cultural groups: Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands, the Baltic regions, England, indeed anywhere where a Germanic tongue (such as English) is spoken. The most well-known of the modern Northern paths is
Ásatrú (meaning essentially, ‘true to the Aesir’), however there are many more ever-evolving paths. Followers of such paths generally identify as ‘Heathen’ as it is a Germanic word. These are usually strongly polytheistic paths devoted to the Aesir and/or Vanir. Honour, truthfulness and hospitality are considered as important character traits. Runes also play an important
cultural role. Despite the stereotypical portrayal of ‘macho’ Vikings, the male and female are equally important in Northern paths.

NORTHERN WAY TRADITION - A non-initiatory tradition, works robed. They say: “We try to emulate as authentic and traditional re-creation as possible of old Norse garb. Our God-names are all Old Norse, not Teutonic. We do cast a Circle; we do not call Quarters. Our tradition is Norse.”

NOVA WICCA - This eclectic denomination, based on Gardenian, usually uses this tradition's deities’ names. It has a degree system and offers in-depth training. Covens may invite the public to Grand Sabbats.

OBOD - The Order of the Bard, Ovates and Druids, a tradition of Celtic Druidry based in England. The OBOD offers correspondence courses, a newsletter and networking.

PAGANISM, MODERN CONTEMPORY AND NEO - Commonly used for those spiritual constructs formed in the later half of the 20th century. Academically, paganism is used to refer to the genre of polytheistic religions that existed before the Christian Era, while Paganism is for the later re-constructions in the post Judeo-Christian-Islamic era. Paganism and Neopaganism are often used synonymously.

PECTI-WITA - This is the solitary path of the pre-Celtic people known as the Picts. The inhabited northern Scotland and warred frequently with the Celts before being absorbed by them. The beliefs and practices of this path are recorded by Raymond Buckland in his 1991 book, Scottish WitchCraft.

OCCULTISM AND ETHNIC MYSTICISM - Historically the earliest self-identified revivalist pagans were inspired by Renaissance occultism. Notably in early 20th century Germany with Germanic mysticism, which branched into Ariosophy and related currents of Nazi occultism. Outside Germany, occultist Neopaganism was inspired by Crowleyan Thelema and Left-Hand Paths, a recent example being the “Dark Paganism” of John J. Coughlin.

PAGAN RECONSTRUCTIONISM - A subset of modern Paganism. Recon religions differ from so-called “eclectic” varieties of Paganism such as Wicca, in that they attempt to reconstruct the actual historical practices of a specific pagan culture. In contrast to Wicca and its relations, Pagan Recons rely on historical religious scholarship rather than occult sources. One may find multiple autonomous groups within each Reconstructionist “Family”.

PICTISH WITCHCRAFT - Scottish witchcraft with a strong connection to nature in all of its forms. The practice is actually mostly magickal with little emphasis on the religious aspect. This is practiced as a solitary tradition.

POW-WOW - This is a system, not a religion, based on 400 year old German magick. In this day and time it has lost much of its concentrations and is basically now into simple faith healing.

REFORMED DRUIDS - This flourishing tradition was organised at Carleton College in Minnesota in 1963 in protest against a school rule which required Sunday chapel attendance. The original group rituals were based on the Episcopal form of worship, but its splinter groups have since tried to revise their rituals in line with the old Celtic ways.

ROMANO-GAULISH TRADITION - This tradition combines Celtic and Roman Pagan practices in the same way that they merged and blended in Gaul many centuries ago.

RELIGIO ROMANA, ROMAN RECON - Religio Romana literally means “Roman religion”. Followers of the Religio rely as often as possible on primary theological sources, with some flexibility to account for modern ideals - for example, animal sacrifice is almost invariably avoided.

ROMUVA, LITHUANIAN RECON - Although Romuva (“Sanctuary”) is one of the smallest of the Pagan Recons, its claim to fame may be that it is the most faithful resurrection of ancient paganism, as well as the oldest, by about fifty years. Lithuanias Baltic pagans were not Christianised until the early seventeenth century, leaving a window of just four hundred years between the end of Lithuanian paganism and its official resurrection in the nineteen-twenties. Unlike other Recons, there may be some evidence of continuity between the old and the new Romuva.

SACRED WHEEL TRADITION - An eclectic neo-Pagan path which was organised in Delaware within the past decade. Calling themselves Wiccan, they focus on balance and learning. Celtic beliefs are a part of their teachings. Still concentrated in the eastern states, covens are formed from study groups which include both old-timers and novices. Notice about the formation of Sacred Wheel study groups can be found in Pagan periodicals, especially those based in the northeastern United States.

SCOTIA TRADITION - A tradition for which little public information exists. It is a path which attempts to reconstruct the early Milesian faith as practiced about the time the Celts came to Britain. This would of necessity seek to include old Iberian (Spanish) Pagan beliefs which are virtually extinct thanks to the efficiency of the Spanish Inquisition.

SCOTTISH TRADITION - A generic term used to identify traditions native to Scotland and her people. Many individual traditions come under this broad heading, though some believe that the only true Scottich tradition is one which is pre-Celtic.

SHAMANISM - A wide range of traditional beliefs and practices concerned with communication with the spirit world. Shamanism is based on the premise that the visible world is pervaded by invisible forces or spirits which affect the lives of the living. In contrast to organised religions such as animism or animatism which are led by priests and which all members of a society practice, shamanism requires individualised knowledge and special abilities. Shamans operate outside established religions, and, traditionally, they operate alone. Shamans can gather into associations, as Indian tantric practitioners have done.

SEAX-WICCA TRADITION - Founded in 1973 by Raymond Buckland, this tradition incorporates Saxon lore. Covens have co-ed open rituals and are either performed robed or skyclad. Buckland developed this tradition without breaking his Gardenian oath.

STREGHERIA (Wiccan) - Strega is an Italian-based witchcraft religion popularised in the 1980s by Raven Grimassi, who claims that it evolved within the ancient Etruscan religion of Italian peasants who worked under the Catholic upper classes. Other scholars argue that it is a religion largely based upon Charles Godfrey Leland’s Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches, which was also used as a basis for Wicca.

STREGHERIA (also known as LA VECCHIA RELIGIONE - the Old Religion) – Etruscan form of folk witchcraft/sorcery not seen as a religion by its exponents. Usually passed down over generations, from parent to child. Stregha is used to define a female witch while Streghone denotes a male witch, although Italians themselves usually use Streghoneria which actually means enchantress/enchanter. Originally one Tradition it branched off into three. They are known as Fanarra, Janarra and Tanarra collectively known as The Triad Traditions.

SEID - An Old Norse term for a type of sorcery or witchcraft which was practiced by the pre-Christian Norse. Sometimes anglicised as “seidhr”, “seidh”, “seidr”, and seithr” or “seith”, the term is also used to refer to Pagan reconstructions or emulations of the practice

SOLITAIRE - A designation used to describe what seems to be the preferred method of practice - solitary. For those who prefer to practice in groups can do so in covens, brotherhoods, orders, societies, families, churches, etc.

TECHNO-PAGANISM – Pagans who have their feet in a tradition older than the human race, but their heads and hands in the present and the future.

TEUTONIC WITCHCRAFT - A tradition based on Germanic culture; can come from English, Dutch, Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish traditions. Also known as the Nordic tradition; sometimes separated into a different part of Paganism different from Wicca.

TUATHA DE DANANN (TOO-ah Day THAY-nan or DAWN-an)
An Irish tradition based upon the mythic tales of the Tuatha De Danann, the last race to hold power in Ireland before the Milesian (human) invasion. The mythic figures of the Tuatha constitute most of the Irish pantheon and serve as a divine foundation for virtually all of the Irish traditions.

UELEDA TRATION (WEE-lay-dah) - Ueleda was a name sometimes broadly applied to female Druids, and today it is the name for an all-female, initiatory Druidic tradition.

WELSH TRADITION - A catch-all term for the several different Pagan traditions which came out of Wales.

WEST COAST TRADITION - The principal Pagan tradition of Cornwall and Devonshire in southwestern England. West Country Wicca, By Rhiannon Ryall, discusses the Anglo-Celtic practices of the West Country Pagans before the influence of Gerald Gardner.

WICCA - Wicca is a modern religion first publicised in 1954 by Gerald Gardner. Gardner said that the religion was a modern survival of an old witch cult, originating in the pre-Christian Paganism of Europe and existing in secret for centuries. Various forms of Wicca have since evolved or been adapted from Gardner's British Traditional Wicca or Gardenian Wicca such as Alexandrian Wicca. Other forms loosely based on Gardner's teachings are Faery Wicca, Kemetic Wicca, Judeo-Paganism or “Jewitchery”, Dianic Wicca or “Feminist Wicca”. The common denominator amongst all the variants of Wicca are a reverence for nature and active ecology, venerations of the Goddess with or without a consort, such as the Horned God, elements of a variety of ancient mythologies, a belief in and practice of magick and sometimes the belief in reincarnation and karma.

WICCE - The old English word for Wicca. It is sometimes used to refer to an English Traditions where the Saxon influences, but not the Celtic ones, have been eliminated wherever possible.

WITAN TRADITION - An eclectic Scottish path which combines the Scottich, Celtic, Pictish, and Norse traditions. Like the Irish Witta, it values the many influences upon itself as an asset to be cherished rather than eliminated. Modern Wita has done away with much of the stratification of Celtic society and accepts self-initiation.

WITCHCRAFT - This is another broad term which encompasses several, rather than any single, Pagan tradition. All witches are Pagans, but not all Pagans are witches. The term “witch” seems to have become a term exclusively reserved for practitioners of any of the Celtic or Anglo traditions, or less often, for the Teutonic paths (this latter is probably because the Saxons and the Norse had such a great impact on Celtic Paganism). You will find witch used occasionally instead of the word Pagan.

WITTAN TRADITION (WEED-an) - An eclectic Irish path which keeps very old Irish traditions and combines them with the influences of the Norse. Witta values Irish Pagan history and recognises that at each stage in its development, over many centuries, each generation has been able to add something of value. Until recent times Wittan covens were characterised by strict stratification and one-on-one teaching for its apprentices. Today most Wittan covens operate on a consensus basis and will accept self-initiation and the solitary life as valid. The precepts of the Wittan tradition are outlined in Edain McCoy's Witta: An Irish Pagan Tradition.

Y TYLWUTH TEG TRADITION (Ee TEE-Loo-eeth Tay'g) - A Welsh-based tradition names for the faery folk of that land, a people who roughly correspond to the Tuatha De Danann in Ireland. Though the Tradition was officially founded in the United States, it maintains deep Celtic roots and very humanistic philosophy. Students of this path are asked to place heavy emphasis on the study of Welsh myth, folklore, and faery lore.

(PS: In my definition of Paganism I used the term individualism and not individuality as “Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, or social outlook that stresses independence and self-reliance.”)

(SOURCES: South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA); www.religioustolerance.org/satanism.htm; www.holysmoke.org/wicca/satvnp.htm; www.angelfire.com/ny5/dvera/pagan/Is-Satanism-Pagan; Wikipedia; www.starcraftsob.com/links/paganpaths.sht; http://www.pagans.org/wicca/branches/branches.html; www.pagan-heart.co.uk/paganpaths.html; www.paganspath.com/magik; www.joellessacredgrove.com/wiccantraditions.html; www.paganlore.com/paths.aspx; Religioustolerenace.org; http://home.att.net/~thewitchinghour/aradia.html; etc)