Quote:
Originally posted by Epona:
Am I right in thinking that the term neo-pagan is a kind of general heading, but does not mean anything in itself - it is more a descriptive umbrella term used to describe the various 'paths' or 'Old Ways' - Wicca, Shamanism, Druidry, etc.
These are the main beliefs in common (from the Pagan Federation Website):
Love and Kinship with Nature. Reverence for the life force and its ever-renewing cycles of life and death.
The Pagan Ethic: "If it harm none, Do what thou wilt." This is a positive morality, expressing the belief in individual responsibility for discovering ones own true nature and developing it fully, in harmony with the outer world and community.
Honouring the Totality of Divine Reality, which transcends gender, without suppressing either the female or male aspect of Deity.
I am not a 'pagan' (my parents are though), although I think if I were to have any religious belief it would be more this than Christianity - it seems very natural to me.
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Yes, Neo-pagan describes a general culture that share a few key common ideals that you mentioned above.
I worked in a coven that had huge diversity. Each individual was encouraged to walk their own spiritual path, and time was taken for everyone to share their own magical prayers during ritual as well as solo time for every one within the circle. Before and after circle rites we would eat, drink, smoke and be merry!!!! Some explored native north/south american shamanics, others wiccan mysteries, and yet others brought eastern mystism. Individually we were Shamans, witches, wiccans, medicene healers, buddists, spiritualists, taosist, and others, but collectively we all agreed on "pagan" as a broader definition of our culture. We held courses on herbalism, mystical teachers of all religions, eco-awareness, and lots of other topics. We even had a book club. Our public festivals were publicized as "pagan gatherings" and "all walks of life welcome, with mutual respect" Very much fun, and we raised alot of awareness of our practices to some of the braver superstitious or misled folks in the area. I moved away from that area sometime ago, so I havent been active in a coven for several years. I have missed it of late.