Overview. Paganism covers a variety of belief systems including nature worship, magic, and reverence for Gods and Goddesses. The most well known Pagans are Wiccans, Druids, Asatru and Goddess Worshipers.
- Wiccans are known as witches and the generally honor the Goddess Mother Earth. They celebrate according to the phases of the moon and generally hold rituals at night.
- Druids are similar to witches, but their rituals generally take place during the day because they are associated with the sun rather than the moon.
- Asatru include those that honor Northern European deities and tend to be ecologically aware.
- Goddess Worshipers are different in that the celebrate a Goddess rather than both Gods and Goddesses.
Pagan religions originated in a time when people lived close to the land. Pagan theologies reflect an awareness of nature with its cycles of the seasons, as well as the cycles and seasons of human life. Such awareness is a common thread among Pagans today.
Calendar and Holidays. Pagans generally celebrate eight festivals, called Sabbats. These include:
- January 31: Oimelc, Brigid or Brigit, Imbolc, Candlemas or February Eve
- March 21: Ostara or Spring Equinox1
- April 30: Beltane or May Eve2
- June 22: Midsummer, Litha or Summer Solstice3
- July 31: Lunasa or Lammas
- September 21: Harvest, Mabon or Autumn Equinox1
- October 31: Samhain, Sowyn or Hallows
- December 21: Yule or Winter Solstice
Some groups find meetings within a few days of those dates to be acceptable, others require the precise date. In addition, most groups will meet for worship at each Full Moon, and many will also meet on the New Moon. Some regard the solstices and equinoxes as fixed dates, while others calculate the exact astronomical date for these events.
Other web sites concerning Paganism include: