Well for one, Paganism isn’t actually a religion, it’s an umbrella term for a lot of different faiths and practices, but “Paganism" isn’t a religion any more that “Christianity” technically actually is.
See, “Pagan”, and ”Christian“ are kind of the same things. They’re umbrella terms.
“What’s an umbrella term?”
Think of umbrella terms like a house. So using Christianity as an example, the “Christian” umbrella term would be your house, and the denominations that stem from it or are a part of that umbrella would be the rooms in your house; Catholic would be the Living Room, Protestant would be the Bathroom, Mormonism can be the bedroom, so on and so on. All the rooms in the house are their own little rooms; they can be blocked off, closed off, boarded up, repainted, redecorated, expanded upon, and the house can be added to or subtracted from, etc. BUT all the rooms are all part of a bigger collection, a bigger picture- and that’s the House in it’s entirety.
Paganism just happens to be your neighbor’s house next door.
“So if Paganism isn’t technically actually a religion… Then why do people use umbrella terms as religious identifiers?”
Well, because it not being a religion with a specific and identifiable set of beliefs, philosophies, etc, doesn’t mean it can’t still be used as an identifier.
What does someone who doesn’t belong to any of the recognized denominations of Christianity call themselves? Well, they don’t belong to Catholicism, so not’s not Catholic. They don’t belong to any of them, but hold the same ideals in a single deity, etc… So they just call themselves a Non-Denominational Christian. Or Christian for short.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Paganism’s a bit more complicated than that, though, because there’s no unifying uniform set of beliefs under the Pagan umbrella that are synonymous with the whole group and community and what it means to be part of a Pagan Religion. But as a religious and personal identifier it’s still used much the same way:
“I don’t belong to any of these established denominations, but what I practice may still fall under this umbrella and I choose to recognize that so I’m just going to call myself Non-Denominational Pagan, or just Pagan for short.“
“So what does constitute Paganism then?”
It’s actually easier to answer that question in the form of what’s NOT necessarily Paganism since Pagan/Paganism is a religious umbrella term that is used to denote a wide range of practices or beliefs.
And what’s NOT inherently Pagan and doesn’t inherently fall into Paganism are beliefs that:
Are considered Indigenous spiritualities belonging to Indigenous peoples (Native American or African Tribal Spiritualities, etc)
Are world religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, etc)
Are Abrahamic (Judaism, Islam, Christianity)
May or may not incorporate, include, contain, or revolve around the Occult, Mysticism, Estoercism, the practice of Witchcraft, etc.
May or may not even be religious or spiritual at all.
AKA: A group of religions, personal practice, or spiritualities, which may or may not have any similarity at all, that are not inherently or necessarily an Organized World Religion (Hinduism, Christianity, Shinto, etc), and is not an Indigenous Spiritual Practice (African, Mongol, or Native American tribal practices, etc)- so long as the practitioner chooses to identify as Pagan.
As an umbrella term it covers a wide range of practices, beliefs, and spiritualities ranging from reconstructionist and revivalist traditions like Kemetic, Celtic, Nordic, and other reconstructionist and revivalist faiths based on the old, now archaeologically considered “dead”, cultural spiritualities of open religions and cultures from times past, to wholly modern practices such as technopaganism, Modern Literary Paganism (pop culture), etc. It also includes established and organized religions created under the Pagan umbrella, such as Huntwitch, Wicca, and others, and may also include various forms of Satanism, Abrahamic influenced practices, etc (by choice of the individuals identifying).
Some may be Earth based, some may not be (in fact, most practices actually aren’t terracentric). Each practice, group, practice, religion, etc, follows their own philosophies, has their own practices, their own rules, morals, structures, etc.
I said “not necessarily” Pagan earlier, because these things not inherently being Pagan doesn’t change the fact that some of the people who fall into the above faith systems may still chose to incorporate certain “usually attributed to Paganism“ (and I say that with a minor snark) practices and identify as Pagan.
However, these groups and their members are not inherently Pagan, and by nature aren’t Pagan. Their identification of such, as a member of one of these other groups as well, is only their choice and it’s their right to make it. If they specifically choose to (or not to) identify as such, that choice should be respected… and this goes for anyone who chooses to identify as Pagan.
In other words? Paganism is basically whatever you want it to be, so long as you choose to identify as Pagan. It’s an umbrella term which doesn’t inherently cover everything, but allows for people who are not inherently covered to still opt into being a part of it (simply by identifying as such) while simultaneously not erasing anyone underneath it and generalizing practices like most other definitions like “Earth Based” are wont to do (and generalizing is generally considered unacceptable as it leads to the erasure of valid practices).
“But Paganism is defined as..”
Yes, I am well versed about what “the dictionary says”. However, the dictionary doesn’t always define things correctly, and this is one of those instances. Most of those definitions are problematic for many reasons.
“Pre-Abrahamic" is problematic because the only pre-Judaic (the first Abrahamic religion) cultural religions are Hinduism, Kemetic practices, and Greater Britannic practices. Kemets and Celts are considered “dead” cultures (and their practices in the modern era has thusly had to be reconstructed through archaeological evidence), leaving only Hinduism to be considered “Pagan” under this definition. However, Hinduism has gone through great and extensive lengths to distance themselves from Paganism and is adamant about not being considered Pagan. Therefore we’re left with no actual Pagan religions by using this definition.
“Non-Abrahamic” causes its own problems as well. Hinduism is not the only organized world cultural religion that has destanced itself from Paganism. Buddhism, Taoism, and several others have too- including the cultural spiritualities of indigenous peoples, such as African Tribal practices, the Shamanic practices rightfully belonging to the Mongols, Turks, and similar peoples, Native American tribal practices, etc. Claiming that the definition is not problematic is forcing these religions to identify against their will and can be construed as another form of oppression against PoC’s in a way as doing such begins erasing their own personal cultural religious identifies, wants, wishes, needs, etc.
The rural/ poor usage was a demeaning Christian usage during the rise of Rome. It was used to refer to those practices deemed “uncivilized", or practiced by semi-nomadic peoples, peoples who practiced things that generally went against the Abrahamic tenements, etc. It’s the Archaic usage, and “archaic" generally means “no longer used" or “old use".
The fact of the matter is that these definitions are no longer relevant and the problems they cause are greater than the worth of continuing to define the Pagan Umbrella with them. And so, Paganism is now simply an umbrella term.
“Wait, you said there was no unifying beliefs that every Pagan follows… But I heard it was Earth-Based Nature Religion!”
And a Pagan is telling you it’s not. Nope.
The “Paganism is an Ancient Earth Based religion!” thing is a common misconception and stereotype due to the pervasiveness of Neo-Wicca and Wicca appearing as the “Public face” of Paganism (and not doing anything to change that, or not having any power to).
It’s wholly and completely, 100% incorrect.
Not only for the reasons already covered under the first few areas, but also because of the fact that, while there are some Organized Religions and Spiritualities beneath the Pagan umbrella that do incorporate Nature worship or nature-based practices (such as Animism, Druidism, Wicca, Huntwitch, actual Nature Worship, etc) there’s a large number of Pagan practices that have nothing to do with these things.
In fact, the number of Nature-based practices under the Pagan umbrella are very small compared to the number of Practices that only incorporate a small amount of Nature-basis (Canaanite), or have no basis in Nature or similar concepts what-so-ever (Technopaganism).
“But the God and the Goddess/ Lord and the Lady?”
Not all Pagans worship a God and a Goddess both. Some Pagans worship just Gods; some Pagans worship just Goddesses; some don’t worship any, they just simply work with them in a non-committal agreement. Others take oaths, others devote themselves.
To top it all off, not all Pagans are religious- some don’t even believe in deities or Spirits to begin with. There are Atheistic Pagans, Agnostic Pagans, Secular Pagans, etc.
Worshiping deities is not a requirement to be Pagan. Not all Practices under the Pagan umbrella are inherently religious by nature. It’s completely up to you.
Furthermore, the actual beings referred to as “The Lord" and “The Lady" are Wiccan and Neo-Wiccan, and they HAVE names- you’re just not really allowed to learn them until you’ve been initiated into Wicca, whereas Neo-Wicca substitutes their own deity pairs into the titles.
“What about “Harm None” and the Law of Three then?“
“Harm none” and the “Threefold Law” are Neo-Wiccan Philosophies that comes from a Wicca. “Harm None” specifically comes from a Wiccan text called The “Rede” and has been changed and shortened incorrectly thanks predominantly to both the New-Age movement and the fact that actual Wiccan authors intentionally incorrectly published information due to Oaths of secrecy, etc.
The Rede is not religious law, it is Advice that, in it’s full, unadulterated form, in Wicca Proper, basically says nothing more than “You should probably try to harm as few things as possible, but you can’t go without harm, it’s impossible. If it harms someone or something, at least try to make sure it’s necessary or warranted”.
Yes. Wicca and Neo-Wicca ARE faiths that claim membership beneath the Pagan umbrella. Neo-Wicca is a derivative of Wicca based on the incorrectly published information on that faith; [X], [X]; Wicca is a secret initiatory mystery religion created by Gerald Gardner in the 1950’s.
However, their membership beneath the Pagan umbrella does not mean that all Pagans are automatically one or the other. Because “Harm None” and the full Wiccan predecessor are specifically Wiccan/Neo-Wiccan philosophies, they ONLY truly apply to Wiccans and Neo-Wiccans. Anyone else who follows the shortened Rede is doing so by choice or because they actually may not know any better about that philosophy. This is a pervasive misconception thanks, in part, to New-Age authors who act like the terms are interchangeable when they’re not and continuously make our job harder by word-vomiting misinformation.
“But it’s all still Ancient, right?”
Some of Paganism is comprised of Modern religions and spiritualities that draw emphasis or inspiration from pre-Abrahamic faith systems of cultures who are no longer among us in that format anymore- such as Revivalist or Reconstructionist, etc, religions like Kemetic, Hellenic, or Heathen practices, etc.- but these practices, more often than not, are combined with and updated for Modern Day life. So while the inspiration and and foundations, texts, deities, etc, may stem from ancient practices and peoples, I would hardly say that these revivals are wholly “Ancient".
This generalization also does a mighty fine job or erasing those Spiritualities under the Pagan umbrella that have no foundation what-so-ever in Ancient traditions, and are wholly and firmly rooted in the present, Modern era- like Urban, Techno, and Pop-Culture practices and Spiritualities. Even Wicca cannot be considered Ancient as it’s an initiatory Mystery Religion that was formed in the 1950’s, roughly only 63 years ago.
“So wait, what terms aren’t interchangeable?”
All of them, give-or-take for the most part.
Witchcraft has nothing inherently to do with Paganism. Witchcraft is just simply the practice of spells, charms, etc, that may or may not include Magic. Magic is nothing more than the energy of the universe raised with an intent. Magic isn’t interchangeable with Witchcraft either. Also, neither Witchcraft nor magic is inherently religious in any way unless the person practicing them chooses to use them as a spiritual practice or system.
Nor is any of it interchangeable with “Pagan" or any of the official names of the Pagan religions.
Pagan is an interchangeable identity with any Pagan religion because Pagan is the umbrella term under which all of these fall and therefore all Pagan religions may just simply be called Pagan, just like Christian religions can just be called Christian, despite denominations having actual names of their own.
Except Pagan can be used interchangeably in ONE way and cannot really, wholly, be used interchangeably with the names of it’s denominations in reverse.
To kind of make this easier to understand how the hell that works:
All people who identify as a Pagan religion are Pagan and can simply just be called or identify as “Pagan". However, there’s a vast number of beliefs under this umbrella so if someone calls themselves simply pagan, it’s incorrect (and rude) to automatically assume that, because they’re Pagan, they’re automatically Wiccan, Techno, Kemetic, or any other religion, spirituality, practice (or assume that their practice is automatically Earth-Centered, or any other annoyingly pervasive Pagan stereotype) or belief under the umbrella.
“Pagans don’t even believe in Satan, how can we worship Him!?”
There’s actually a lot of Pagans who subscribe to what people would call the Abrahamic pantheon and their beings and philosophies, etc. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they all choose to worship or work with these beings or subscribe to the Abrahamic ideals and concepts, etc. It just means that there’s a lot of people who do still acknowledge that they exist too, right next to their own beliefs and entities, Deities, etc.
Also, saying that all Pagans automatically don’t believe in, work with, or worship these entities is kind of degrading to those who do. Especially those who are Satanists or primarily Abrahamic in practice and belief, or even actual Demonolatrists and Satan Worshipers, or anyone who chooses to be members of the Pagan community but subscribes to similar Abrahamic influenced practices and beliefs.
Remember, it’s their right to identify as Pagan too if they choose to do so. So by saying something like this and asserting it as fact, you’re erasing their rightful membership, and that’s kind of rude. The erasement of these individuals is another part of what I was talking about when I said that no, not all Pagans are open and accepting.
“But Christians can’t be Witches, and Satanism’s Christian!”
Incorectumundo again, dude bro.
For one, the Abrahamic Religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) have a long and wonderful history of Occult use and practices that could be considered Witchcraft under today’s definition.
In Islam alone, there are two religious denominations based solely around Islamic mysticism. There’s also groups like the Golden Dawn, and the Rosicrucian Order, Hermetics, and I’m not even going to get into how many ‘bala’s there are anymore, etc, etc, etc.
They have just as much right to identify as a Witch, or even a Pagan, if they choose, just like people who don’t identify as Abrahamic can still work with the Abrahamic entities and Deity if they choose to.
“But you’re not a REAL Pagan or Witch if you don’t [insert bullshit here]”
See all of the above, and all of the below, plus the rest of this post, and probably this one too.
Spritually and religiously speaking? There is NO right and wrong way to practice Paganism (so long as you’re not being a racist, appropriative, erasing, phobic, shaming, etc, asshole). There are no uniform beliefs. There are no rules or laws other than those which the individual religions and practitioners have for themselves.
The fact of the matter is? Paganism is so vast, expansive, and covers so many beliefs that it is, quite literally, impossible for you to be able to say that someone’s “not a real Pagan" because of whatever bullshit you can come up with.
Furthermore, you have no authority to even be the one to make that judgement in the first place.
So do us all a favor and just stop. Otherwise you WILL be fucking bitch slapped.
“You can just pick and choose, though.”
There are still traditions and practices that have rules, limitations, stipulations and requirements of use, etc. You can’t wholly just “pick and choose". You still have to accept boundaries and limitations and understand you’re not automatically entitled to it and if someone says no, then no means no.
The whole “I can do whatever I want 100% of the time" is a falsity and substitutes entitlement and privilege for logic and rationality. It needs to stop.
Furthermore, the assertion that you can “pick and choose" whatever you want negates any assertion that “you can’t be a real witch if…" and “Christians can’t be Witches", etc.
In other words, if you assert any of these things, but still assert that you can “pick and choose" from anything ever, you’re a hypocrite and need to reevaluate your logic… Because there is none there.
“Paganism is so open and accepting!”
Look. Paganism is no different than any other community except here, people get so tied up on the “open and accepting" that they try their damndest to sweep community problems under the rug and pretend they don’t exist. On top of that, they would rather scream “Can’t we all get along?!“ instead of helping us iron out the problems so they’re not there anymore and they DON’T have to sweep them under the run.
We have our assholes, our zealots, our militants, our uninformed, our misinformed, etc. We have problems with racism, cultural appropriation, sexism, harmful binaries and dualist logic, trans*phobia, and homophobia. We have our assholes who will tell you “you’re not a real witch because”, asshats who erase perfectly valid members and practices, people who Rede thump, those who run around screaming about those annoying stereotypes I’ll talk about later in this post, and people who conflate terms and practices and act like every Pagan does basically the same damned thing as every other pagan when they don’t.
We have so many problems I can’t even name them all without using all my fingers and toes five times over… And even then I can guarantee I forgot something.
And again, if you assert that you can pick and choose, and that Paganism is accepting of everyone, and then you turn around and thump the Rede or the threefold law, erase Abrahamic-based participation, and put ridiculous stipulations on what is and is not Witchcraft, then you’re a hypocrite and you just need to sit the fuck down and reevaluate yourself.
What is Magic and Witchcraft (Opinion Post)
Rationality vs Irrationality (Opinion Post)
Critical Reading and Pagan Books
How to Research Correctly
I Can’t Teach You How To Think
What to (and not to) Do When Someone Tells You You’re Wrong
“Assholes” and Community Problems
What is Cultural Appropriation and How to Avoid It
A Much Needed Primer on Cultural Appropriation
How to Determine Cultural Appropriation (VERY basic)
Defining and Identifying Cultyral Appropriation
Cultural Appropriation Beginner’s Guide
The do’s, don’ts, maybes, and I-don’t-knows of cultural appropriation
Cultural Appreciation, or Cultural Appropriation?
On the Inherent Privilege of White Culture: an examination of cultural appropriation
Cultural Appreciation of Cultural Appropriation>: A Zine on Culture. Respect, Allyship, and Racism
“Totems” and “Spirit Animals” / Alternative Terms
Why You Can’t Wear a Headdress
Smoke Cleansing vs Smudging
Taking Magical Names and Titles
Incorrectly Taking Magical Names and Titles
Wepwawet (Kemetic Pantheon)
Henadology (Kemetic Pantheon)
How to Contact or Approach Deities
How Do it Without Being and Appropriative Douch-Face
The Difference Between Altars and Shrines
KW’s HWS: Altars and Shrines Part 1
KW’s HWS Altars and Shrines Part 2
KW’s HWS Altars and Shrines Part 3
Planning an Altar or Shrine
How to Make “Pretty” Altars or Shrines
Building an Altar or Shrine on the Cheap
Tips for the Financially Impaired
Servicing Shrines (Personal Methodology)
Giving Offerings at Altars (Personal Methodology)
Common Sense “Guide” to Working with the Elements
Working with “Dead Stuff” (if that’s your thing)
Kitchen/ Cottage/ Hearth/ Green Witchcraft
Herbal Medicine Reading and Resource List
