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Derived from the Latin word for country dweller, Paganus, Paganism is an ancient pre-Christian, polytheistic religion which also includes the neo-Pagan offshoots of modern Witchcraft and Wicca. Wiccan is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word, Wicce which is pronounced Witche which means practitioner of the Old Religion or the Craft. Pagans and Wiccans are most notable for their tolerance of other paths. Pagans and Wiccans emphasize the importance of also honoring the goddess, the feminine aspect of divinity. Pagans and Wiccans focus on the personal connection to immanent divinity through natural magic. Both Pagans and Wiccans incorporate non-dogmatic, dynamic religious practices based on comprehensive systems of discernable beliefs and accessible practices that facilitate the personal experience of the sacred mysteries of life.
Although Pagans and
Wiccans trace their lineage to pre-Celtic Europe, their current more mainstream
resurgence is founded on four fairly recent British Pagan and Wiccan traditions.
They are the Hereditary, Traditional, Gardnerian, and Alexandrian traditions.
The Hereditary tradition is based on traditions that have been handed down through families to their descendants. The Traditional tradition is derived from knowledge from the oral traditions which are imparted by the elders to each succeeding generation. The Gardnerian tradition was founded by Gerald Gardner who is credited with a widespread revival of the Craft. The Alexandrian tradition is a further development of Gardner's ideas by Alex and Maxine Sanders. Pagan and Wiccan based traditions pervade all aspects of daily living. Since Pagan and Wiccans believe that the Nature World is a manifestation of divinity, they honor the nature spirits elemental deities, as well as, the gods and goddesses. Divination, Magic, and Healing are all utilized by Pagans and Wiccans because they are integral to the successful navigation of the waters of spiritual transformation of the self. Pagan and Wiccan rituals correspond with the moon's phases and the seasonal changes in a concentrated effort to restore balance to the Circle Dance of Life by attuning humanity to the sacred rhythms of Nature...Continue on Go back
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