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MAIN
Society
Religion
Paganism & Neo-Paganism
Fieldes
have eies and woods have eares. John Heywood, Nature
Quotes
Common misconceptions about Paganism are often traced back
to the early rise of European Christianity,
when missionaries began to make major inroads into communities
that formerly held fast to "the old ways."
These
included devotion to Norse gods & goddesses in Iceland,
Denmark and Norway, along with centuries-old Celtic,
Heathen,
Druid,
or a blend of these belief systems throughout Europe arising
out of the natural world or seasonal cycles.
As
the church became firmly entrenched, those who still practiced
the old ways were eventually branded Pagans as a catchall
phrase meaning "backward," or "country bumpkin."
In
particular, witchcraft
was soon perceived as tantamount to Satanism
and, by association, all Pagan religions came under suspicion.
This, despite evidence that all Pagan beliefs (including witchcraft)
were antithetical to devil worship.
Paganism
and Neo-Paganism is still looked upon as odd, mysterious or
"out there", but a growing interest is reflected
in the number of Web sites and online Pagan communites - which
now have come to outnumber even those dedicated to major organized
religions.
On
the Web, learn more about general beliefs held by those outside
the religious mainstream, along with historical background,
and facts & information on the moral or ethical tenets
followed by Pagans & Neo-Pagans today ...
The
Celtic Connection - Witchcraft & Wicca Information Index
- The oldest pagan resource on the Net with a virtual library
of informational essays on pagan teachings, beliefs &
history, seasonal holidays, related glossary, FAQ, recommended
reading.
The
Cauldron - A Pagan Forum - Major community site with
an excellent intro to the topic at the Pagan
Primer, plus chat & active discussions, news &
updates, information on divination, healing herbs, metaphysics,
occult & wicca, with suggested reading, online shop.
Modern
Paganism - Brief overview & historical sketches
defining the various belief systems usually termed as Pagan
with more detailed information on Wicca and witchcrafts, related
links, suggested reading.
Paganism
Past & Present - ThinkQuest Library presentation
tracing paganism back to ancient Greece & Rome with more
on witchcraft, Druidism, and Neo-Paganism.
What
is Pagan Religion? - Historical background and modern
practices, common myths about Paganism, related informational
articles, recipes, potions & spells.
BBC
Religion & Ethics - Paganism - Good general overview
of pagan beliefs, festivals, customs & traditions, plus
more information on Heathenry and Wicca, feature stories on
pagan history, Stonehenge and related downloadable video presentation.
also
see -> Summer
Solstice | Winter
Solstice
also
see in Holidays -> Halloween
History
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