Dates: Unknown, antiquity, pre-history
Founder(s): Unknown, multiple. Not an
organized religion per se but rather a communal or community based set of
beliefs, value systems, morality, ethics (or lack thereof) usually driven
geographically and culturally: Geo-Cultural or location based religions.
Major text(s): As they are
often ancient and stem from multiple sources, there are usually no official
texts but it should be noted that they often rely heavily on oral tradition and
passing down of stories of gods (an ancestors) through storytelling or
aural/oral traditions, folklore and rituals. Generally there is no set doctrine
but there are generalized commonalities of belief. Nature being divine or being
imbued with the divine (Panentheism) is one such commonality of many of these
belief systems. There are exceptions as is the case of Wiccans who have the
Wiccan Rede which is a statement that provides the key moral system that says:
“If it harms none, do as you will.” This can hardly be considered a sacred text
though. In the case of Druidism Bards (storytellers in song) were often the
keepers of tradition and the memory of the tribe/clan.
Major variations: Since I am broad stroking large swathes of belief
this is hard to pin down. The ones that come to mind most are things like Druidism, Wicca, some can
even be revitalizations of Egyptian, Greek, Norse, Roman and other ancient
Pagan religions. Sometimes a combination of any of the above can result in a
form of syncretistic hodge-podge. Due to indefinite or undefined set of beliefs
or doctrines in these “religions”, endless variations can result. I will even take this slightly farther to include the likes
of Native American religions, Australian aborigines, etc. although this may not
be the strictest sense included in this catagory.
Current number of adherents: Nearly impossible to estimate. Some estimates say 1
million, some more, some less
Beliefs about major holidays and practices: Since we are
dealing with heavy variations in multiple (plural) belief systems there are a
large variety of holidays and practices. I will note some generalizations that
will define a majority of these “religions”. In general it should be noted that
different deities are connected with different times of the year and worshipped
in seasonal festivals, and practices like astrology and divination are rooted
in the belief in nature's divinity. In this way they are Panentheistic (or
appear to be). They revere the cycle of the seasons, which is regarded as an
expression of the divine and a model for spiritual growth and renewal. The
Earth itself is regarded as sacred, divine or a god/goddess: Gaia, Mother
Earth, Green Man, etc. Because of these presuppositions there are deep
ecological concerns that are characteristic of many of the adherents of these types of
religions. The magical or mystic practices seem to revolve around the phases
of the moon.
I will note some of the practices of Wicca and in so
doing we will see interesting parallels with other beliefs. There is a belief
in 4 or 5 Elements of Nature: Some acknowledge (4) air, fire, water, earth and
others recognize (5) elements: earth, air, water, fire, and spirit or akasha. Some see the points of the
pentagram symbol as representing the five elements. Elemental forms are
commonly invoked at the beginning of rituals or used in their physical forms to
symbolize purity. Each element has associated symbols, rituals and meanings.
Like Native American beliefs, there is also a significance held in things like
directions: North, south east, west, and center. Colors: Yellow, red, blue,
green, violet, white or black. Talismans and/or Totems: Wand, chalices,
pentacles, circle, animal totems, etc. Basic concepts of time: Mornings, noon, twilight, midnight and especially seasons (cycles of birth, death, re-birth): Spring,
summer, autumn, winter. There is a huge dependency on symbols and
symbolism relating to: The mind/intellect, reason, sciences, travel, youth
strength, passion, energy, transformation, sex, emotional energies, intuition,
wisdom, healing, fertility and transcendence and extremes such as everything
and nothing.
Many of these “religions” are defined less by
doctrines and dogmas and more by practices and behaviors (i.e.: rituals). Many
cling to things related to the seasonal cycle or Wheel or cycle of the Year.
The festivals generally fall along the lines of the following (or some
variation thereof): Imbolc
(midpoint of winter), Ostara
(Spring Equinox), Beltane (beginning of Summer), Midsummer (Summer
Solstice), Lughnasadh (beginning of harvest), Mabon (Autumn Equinox) , Samhain
(end of harvest), Yule (Winter Solstice). It should be noted that many of these
pagan festivals influenced the Catholic Church’s desire to covert the pagan
masses, thereby they adopted and absorbed many of these practices and renamed
them into Catholic celebrations, saints, etc. They did this sometimes to the
detriment of the Christian church. Sadly, we are again beginning to see this in
the more Liberal denominations willing to participate in ecumenical councils
and interfaith gatherings that end up watering down Christian doctrines.
Beliefs about God: What appears to be normative to all these religions
is recognition of the divine in nature.
These ancient /primal religions generally (but not always) seem to have a
polytheistic and often times Panentheistic view of God/gods and view deity
often in the sense of a pantheon or multiple gods. One god is usually viewed as
supreme or superior to others.
Beliefs about humanity: There is an
intrinsic belief the mankind or humanity is intimately tied to the earth.
Beliefs about the supernatural (angels,
messages from God, etc): Nearly all ancient nature religions usually
honor ancestral (Cult of the Dead) and locational spirits. (This ties into the
afterlife) Although there seemed to be no universal belief of reincarnation
among the Celts, it is clear that it was believed that Spirits are often born
into flesh for various reasons (Transmigration of Soul)
Beliefs about the afterlife: These religions seem to follow a wide variety of paths
and may have a variety of beliefs questions like the afterlife. The Celts
expected their afterlife to be very similar to the life they left behind. They
were buried either whole or after cremation, with chariots, jewelry, weapons,
drinking equipment and food (similar to Egyptians). If not reincarnation there
are many beliefs of afterlife. I’ll mention a few. Summerland is a Wiccan concept of paradise, where one experiences
happiness and sensual pleasure. Summerland can function as a destination
between reincarnations (a place of rest and renewal) or as the ultimate
destination, when a soul eventually stops reincarnating…never mind that the
final destination never seems to be alluded to. Then there is Tir na n'Og or "Land of Youth"
is a blessed realm across the water where souls journey after death. It is also
a land where the souls of heroic warriors engage in valorous battle. This then
leads to Valhalla "Hall of the
Slain" or Folkvangr "Field
of the Host". These appear to be similar to the concept of the Elysium
Fields which were destinations for the spirits of noble warriors and kings. The
great warriors who journey to Valhalla and Fólkvangr upon their death will
assist the gods in the battle at the end of the age. Then of course we have Hades which is the underworld in Greek
myth. Descriptions of this place vary from gloomy to a realm similar to the
Elysium.
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