During Christianization, Christianity became itself suffused by pagan elements, but it was not until the High Middle Ages that interest of the scholastic in the culture and religion of Classical Antiquity began to revive. Thomas Aquinas attempted to fuse concepts of Graeco-Roman philosophy and cosmology with Christianity. With the Renaissance, Graeco-Roman mythology became omnipresent in Europe, but it was still clad in a Christian interpretation. Neopaganism proper begins only with 18th century Romanticism, and the surge of interest in Germ ...

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Neopaganism, Neopaganism - History, Neopaganism - Historical sources, Neopaganism - Ecological and mystical currents, Neopaganism - Pantheon, Neopaganism - Worship and Ritual, Neopaganism - Number of adherents, Neopaganism - Concepts of divinity, Neopaganism - Neopagan views of gods and gender, Neopaganism - Traditions, Neopaganism - Reconstructionist, Neopaganism - Syncretist and eclectic, Neopaganism - Related theological concepts, Neopaganism - Usage of the term 'Neopagan'

Read more here: » Neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Neopaganism - History

Wiccan morality can be summarised in the form of a text that is commonly titled The Wiccan Rede. The core maxim of that text states "An it harm none, do what thou wilt." ("An" is an archaic word meaning "if".) Many Wiccans promote the Law of Threefold Return. This is the idea that anything that one does will be returned to them threefold. In other words, good deeds are magnified in like forms back to the doer, and so are ill deeds. It can also be interpreted to mean that your deeds come back to you emotionally, spiritually, and physic ...

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Wicca, Wicca - Definition, Wicca - History of Wicca, Wicca - Origins, Wicca - Later developments, Wicca - Beliefs and practices, Wicca - Morality, Wicca - Discrimination and persecution of Wiccans, Wicca - United States, Wicca - Wiccan traditions, Wicca - Notes

Read more here: » Wicca: Encyclopedia II - Wicca - Morality

The tradition is based largely upon Gardnerian Wicca, in which Sanders was trained to the first degree of initiation[3], and also contains elements of ceremonial magic and Qabalah, which Sanders had studied independently. The Tradition is named after the ancient library of Alexandria[3], which was one of the first libraries in the world. The choice of name was inspired by a view o ...

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Alexandrian Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca - Origins and history, Alexandrian Wicca - Practices, Alexandrian Wicca - Ranks and degrees, Alexandrian Wicca - Relationship to other traditions, Alexandrian Wicca - Notes and references

Read more here: » Alexandrian Wicca: Encyclopedia II - Alexandrian Wicca - Origins and history

Stregheria shares commonalities with both Wicca and polytheistic Reconstructionism. Stregheria is one of a number of ethnicity or culture-oriented traditions of religious witchcraft, such as Celtic Wicca, Kemetic Wicca, or Seax-Wica. Some Stregheria members attempt to distance themselves from Wicca, in a manner similar to Pagan Reconstructionism, or argue that their belief system pre-dates it[13]. Some adherents of these traditions also reject the label ...

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Stregheria, Stregheria - Origins and history, Stregheria - Witchcraft in Italy, Stregheria - Grimassi's history, Stregheria - Stregheria popularized, Stregheria - Practices, Stregheria - Relationship with other traditions, Stregheria - Notes and references

Read more here: » Stregheria: Encyclopedia II - Stregheria - Relationship with other traditions

Blue Star remains a predominantly initiatory coven-based tradition in the model of the Gardnerian or Alexandrian traditions, but a number of "solitary" practitioners exist. Blue Star practitioners are known primarily for an unusual (amongst traditional Wiccans) focus on music in their ritual and liturgy, the importance placed upon a ritual feast, and for initiatory tattooing[1]. The use of a septegram as a symbol, instead of a pentagram, is also unusual. Blue Star and the Fa ...

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Blue Star Wicca, Blue Star Wicca - Origins and history, Blue Star Wicca - Practices, Blue Star Wicca - Ranks and degrees, Blue Star Wicca - Relationship to other traditions, Blue Star Wicca - Notes and references

Read more here: » Blue Star Wicca: Encyclopedia II - Blue Star Wicca - Practices

There is some difficulty in describing beliefs and practices because of the fact that there is a great deal of diversity within the religion: between individuals and between traditions. It is commonly understood that most Wiccans worship two deities: the Goddess and the God (sometimes known as the Horned God). Some traditions, such as the Dianic Wiccans, mainly worship the Goddess. In those traditions, the God plays either no role, or a diminished role. Many Gardnerian Wiccans do not claim to be dualist. They may practice some form of polyth ...

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Wicca, Wicca - Definition, Wicca - History of Wicca, Wicca - Origins, Wicca - Later developments, Wicca - Beliefs and practices, Wicca - Morality, Wicca - Discrimination and persecution of Wiccans, Wicca - United States, Wicca - Wiccan traditions, Wicca - Notes, Wicca - Bibliographical and Encyclopedic Sources, Wicca - Academic Studies

Read more here: » Wicca: Encyclopedia II - Wicca - Beliefs and practices

Adherents.com estimates there are one million Neopagans. It is necessary to define clearly who is included in any estimate, as Neopagan could mean active initiates, or anyone who likes Tarot! Also there is a difference between Western (Neo) Paganism, (technically a New Religious Movement), and worldwide traditional Neopagan faiths. It is possible, however, to consider these varied and diverse indigenous religions, generically referred to as "pagan" by monotheistic faiths, as having enough in common to warrant grouping them together as a single religious movement. Th ...

See also:

Neopaganism, Neopaganism - History, Neopaganism - Historical sources, Neopaganism - Ecological and mystical currents, Neopaganism - Pantheon, Neopaganism - Worship and Ritual, Neopaganism - Number of adherents, Neopaganism - Concepts of divinity, Neopaganism - Neopagan views of gods and gender, Neopaganism - Traditions, Neopaganism - Reconstructionist, Neopaganism - Syncretist and eclectic, Neopaganism - Related theological concepts, Neopaganism - Usage of the term 'Neopagan', Neopaganism - Sources

Read more here: » Neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Neopaganism - Number of adherents

The term "Neopagan" is used by academics and adherents alike to denote those Pagan traditions which are largely modern in origin, or which are conceived as reconstructions of ancient practices. Some critics claim that Neopagans cannot legitimately be considered practitioners of any "true" Pagan religion, citing that in the history of ideas it is understood that revivals are not identical to their models: e.g., Roman sculpture compared to the neoclassicism of, for example, Antonio Canova. Furthermore, a revival or reconstruction can on ...

See also:

Neopaganism, Neopaganism - History, Neopaganism - Historical sources, Neopaganism - Ecological and mystical currents, Neopaganism - Pantheon, Neopaganism - Worship and Ritual, Neopaganism - Number of adherents, Neopaganism - Concepts of divinity, Neopaganism - Neopagan views of gods and gender, Neopaganism - Traditions, Neopaganism - Reconstructionist, Neopaganism - Syncretist and eclectic, Neopaganism - Related theological concepts, Neopaganism - Usage of the term 'Neopagan', Neopaganism - Sources

Read more here: » Neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Neopaganism - Usage of the term 'Neopagan'

Adherents.com estimates there are one million Neopagans. It is necessary to define clearly who is included in any estimate, as Neopagan could mean active initiates, or anyone who likes Tarot! Also there is a difference between Western (Neo) Paganism, (technically a New Religious Movement), and worldwide traditional Neopagan faiths. It is possible, however, to consider these varied and diverse indigenous religions, generically referred to as "pagan" by monotheistic faiths, as having enough in common to warrant grouping them together as a single religious movement. Th ...

See also:

Neopaganism, Neopaganism - History, Neopaganism - Historical sources, Neopaganism - Ecological and mystical currents, Neopaganism - Pantheon, Neopaganism - Worship and Ritual, Neopaganism - Number of adherents, Neopaganism - Concepts of divinity, Neopaganism - Neopagan views of gods and gender, Neopaganism - Traditions, Neopaganism - Reconstructionist, Neopaganism - Syncretist and eclectic, Neopaganism - Related theological concepts, Neopaganism - Usage of the term 'Neopagan'

Read more here: » Neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Neopaganism - Number of adherents

There is some difficulty in describing beliefs and practices because of the fact that there is a great deal of diversity within the religion: between individuals and between traditions. It is commonly understood that most Wiccans worship two deities: the Goddess and the God (sometimes known as the Horned God). Some traditions, such as the Dianic Wiccans, mainly worship the Goddess. In those traditions, the God plays either no role, or a diminished role. Many Gardnerian Wiccans do not claim to be dualist. They may practice some form of polyth ...

See also:

Wicca, Wicca - Definition, Wicca - History of Wicca, Wicca - Origins, Wicca - Later developments, Wicca - Beliefs and practices, Wicca - Morality, Wicca - Discrimination and persecution of Wiccans, Wicca - United States, Wicca - Wiccan traditions, Wicca - Notes

Read more here: » Wicca: Encyclopedia II - Wicca - Beliefs and practices

Like Wicca, Stregheria uses a pentagram as an important symbol. Grimassi and other members wear a pentagram ring, which Grimassi claims was also used by Roman Pythagoreans. Stregheria uses the ritual tools of cup, wand, pentacle and blade, which are seen in the suits of the tarot and amongst many systems of Western occultism[9]. Stregheria rituals take place in a circle, with an altar facing North. Ritual actions include prayer, and the blessing of food.^{See also:}

Stregheria, Stregheria - Origins and history, Stregheria - Witchcraft in Italy, Stregheria - Grimassi's history, Stregheria - Stregheria popularized, Stregheria - Practices, Stregheria - Relationship with other traditions, Stregheria - Notes and references

Read more here: » Stregheria: Encyclopedia II - Stregheria - Practices

Blue Star is unsual for having a five-part rank system, as opposed to the three degree system of most initiatory Wiccan traditions. Dedication is the first rite of passage within the Blue Star tradition, and indicates a commitment to a Pagan spirituality generally and a loose commitment to the tradition specifically. Those who have been through this ceremony are referred to as "Dedicants". Neophyte marks an intermediary step between Dedication and Initiation, and indicates both a level of facility with Blue Star p ...

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Blue Star Wicca, Blue Star Wicca - Origins and history, Blue Star Wicca - Practices, Blue Star Wicca - Ranks and degrees, Blue Star Wicca - Relationship to other traditions, Blue Star Wicca - Notes and references

Read more here: » Blue Star Wicca: Encyclopedia II - Blue Star Wicca - Ranks and degrees

While today's Neopaganism does continue many beliefs and practices of previous forms of Paganism, including many gods and goddesses, it is in many ways claimed to be very different. Especially syncretistic Neopagans have concepts of deities and the divine that vary widely. Belief systems self-describing as Pagan may include elements of dualism, panentheism, pantheism and animism, and it is sometimes difficult to draw an ex ...

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Neopaganism, Neopaganism - History, Neopaganism - Historical sources, Neopaganism - Ecological and mystical currents, Neopaganism - Pantheon, Neopaganism - Worship and Ritual, Neopaganism - Number of adherents, Neopaganism - Concepts of divinity, Neopaganism - Neopagan views of gods and gender, Neopaganism - Traditions, Neopaganism - Reconstructionist, Neopaganism - Syncretist and eclectic, Neopaganism - Related theological concepts, Neopaganism - Usage of the term 'Neopagan', Neopaganism - Sources

Read more here: » Neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Neopaganism - Concepts of divinity

While today's Neopaganism does continue many beliefs and practices of previous forms of Paganism, including many gods and goddesses, it is in many ways claimed to be very different. Especially syncretistic Neopagans have concepts of deities and the divine that vary widely. Belief systems self-describing as Pagan may include elements of dualism, panentheism, pantheism and animism, and it is sometimes difficult to draw an ex ...

See also:

Neopaganism, Neopaganism - History, Neopaganism - Historical sources, Neopaganism - Ecological and mystical currents, Neopaganism - Pantheon, Neopaganism - Worship and Ritual, Neopaganism - Number of adherents, Neopaganism - Concepts of divinity, Neopaganism - Neopagan views of gods and gender, Neopaganism - Traditions, Neopaganism - Reconstructionist, Neopaganism - Syncretist and eclectic, Neopaganism - Related theological concepts, Neopaganism - Usage of the term 'Neopagan'

Read more here: » Neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Neopaganism - Concepts of divinity

The term "Neopagan" is used by academics and adherents alike to denote those Pagan traditions which are largely modern in origin, or which are conceived as reconstructions of ancient practices. Some critics claim that Neopagans cannot legitimately be considered practitioners of any "true" Pagan religion, citing that in the history of ideas it is understood that revivals are not identical to their models: e.g., Roman sculpture compared to the neoclassicism of, for example, Antonio Canova. Furthermore, a revival or reconstruction can on ...

See also:

Neopaganism, Neopaganism - History, Neopaganism - Historical sources, Neopaganism - Ecological and mystical currents, Neopaganism - Pantheon, Neopaganism - Worship and Ritual, Neopaganism - Number of adherents, Neopaganism - Concepts of divinity, Neopaganism - Neopagan views of gods and gender, Neopaganism - Traditions, Neopaganism - Reconstructionist, Neopaganism - Syncretist and eclectic, Neopaganism - Related theological concepts, Neopaganism - Usage of the term 'Neopagan'

Read more here: » Neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Neopaganism - Usage of the term 'Neopagan'

Stregheria, as described in Grimassi's books, especially Ways of the Strega, claims a seven-hundred year history. This history incorporates historical and anthropoligical evidence from Italian history with a religious origin myth unique to the tradition. Stregheria - Witchcraft in Italy. Italy in the late medieval period and early Renaissance was a stronghold of Roman Catholicism, and was less effected by the witch craze that gripped much of Europe during that period^{See also:}

Stregheria, Stregheria - Origins and history, Stregheria - Witchcraft in Italy, Stregheria - Grimassi's history, Stregheria - Stregheria popularized, Stregheria - Practices, Stregheria - Relationship with other traditions, Stregheria - Notes and references

Read more here: » Stregheria: Encyclopedia II - Stregheria - Origins and history

An early, key event in laying the groundwork for much Proto-CR and CR practice was the Celtic workshops, discussions and rituals at the 1985 Pagan Spirit Gathering, in Wisconsin, USA. Participants at this gathering returned home and continued to develop the foundations of their CR sub-traditions, now incorporating some of the ideas they had shared in person. In later years some of them would re-meet online and once again collaborate. The first appearance in print of the term "Celtic Reconstructionist", used to describe a specific reli ...

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Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism - First Modern Appearance of the Term and Other Historical Data, Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism - Celtic Reconstructionism and Neo-Druidry, Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism - Bibliography

Read more here: » Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism: Encyclopedia II - Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism - First Modern Appearance of the Term and Other Historical Data

Hellenic polytheism - Naming. Modern revivalist or reconstructionist Hellenic polytheism exists in several forms, both in Greece and in other countries. There are no standardized naming practices for this religion, and individual practitioners and groups use a variety of names, often reflecting subtle differences in belief or practice. The Greek organization YSEE (Υπατο Συμβουλιο των Ελληνων Εθνικων, Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes) refers to the religion as the "Ethnic ...

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Hellenic polytheism, Hellenic polytheism - Ancient Hellenic polytheism, Hellenic polytheism - Modern revivalist movements, Hellenic polytheism - Naming, Hellenic polytheism - Beliefs and practices, Hellenic polytheism - Discrimination and controversy, Hellenic polytheism - See Also, Hellenic polytheism - Notes

Read more here: » Hellenic polytheism: Encyclopedia II - Hellenic polytheism - Modern revivalist movements

Wicca - A modern neo-pagan religion with spiritual roots in the earliest expressions of reverence for nature as a manifestation of the divine. Wicca views Deity as Goddess and God; Thus it is polytheistic. It embraces magic and reincarnation, and is in no way associated with Satanism.

(See also: Wicca, Pagan, Wicca Pagan Dictionary)

Magic paranormal - Magical intentions. There are several historical varieties of magical practice. Generally, magical intentions can be divided into two general areas. The first is divination, which seeks to reveal information. Varieties of divination include: astrology augury cartomancy dowsing fortune telling ge ...

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Magic paranormal, Magic paranormal - Etymology, Magic paranormal - Religion Paganism and alchemy, Magic paranormal - History of Western European magic, Magic paranormal - Magical beliefs in Western Europe, Magic paranormal - In the Middle Ages, Magic paranormal - Magic in the Renaissance, Magic paranormal - Magic and Romanticism, Magic paranormal - Magic in the twentieth century, Magic paranormal - Modern believers in magic, Magic paranormal - Theories of magic, Magic paranormal - Religious ritual and magical thinking, Magic paranormal - Magical practices and spells, Magic paranormal - Varieties of magical practice, Magic paranormal - Magical intentions, Magic paranormal - Magical traditions, Magic paranormal - Magic in fiction, Magic paranormal - Religious attitudes towards magic, Magic paranormal - Indigenous traditions, Magic paranormal - Magic and the Magi, Magic paranormal - In Judaism and Christianity, Magic paranormal - In Islam, Magic paranormal - In Hinduism

Read more here: » Magic paranormal: Encyclopedia II - Magic paranormal - Varieties of magical practice

Magic paranormal - Magical intentions. There are several historical varieties of magical practice. Generally, magical intentions can be divided into two general areas. The first is divination, which seeks to reveal information. Varieties of divination include: astrology augury cartomancy dowsing fortune telling ge ...

See also:

Magic paranormal, Magic paranormal - Etymology, Magic paranormal - Magic and Religion, Magic paranormal - History, Magic paranormal - Magical beliefs in Western Europe, Magic paranormal - In the Middle Ages, Magic paranormal - Magic in the Renaissance, Magic paranormal - Magic and Romanticism, Magic paranormal - Magic in the twentieth century, Magic paranormal - Beliefs, Magic paranormal - Theories of magic, Magic paranormal - Religious ritual and magical thinking, Magic paranormal - Magical practices and spells, Magic paranormal - Varieties of magical practice, Magic paranormal - Magical intentions, Magic paranormal - Magical traditions, Magic paranormal - Magic in fiction, Magic paranormal - Religious attitudes towards magic, Magic paranormal - Indigenous traditions, Magic paranormal - Magic and the Magi, Magic paranormal - In Judaism and Christianity, Magic paranormal - In Islam, Magic paranormal - In Hinduism

Read more here: » Magic paranormal: Encyclopedia II - Magic paranormal - Varieties of magical practice

The best-known type of magical practice is the spell, a ritualistic formula intended to bring about a specific effect. Spells are often spoken or written or physically constructed using a particular set of ingredients. The failure of a spell to work may be attributed to many causes, such as failure to follow the exact formula, general circumstances being unconducive, lack of magical ability or downright fraud. Another well-known magical practice is divination, which seeks to reveal information about the past, present or ...

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Magic paranormal, Magic paranormal - Etymology, Magic paranormal - Magic and Religion, Magic paranormal - History, Magic paranormal - Magical beliefs in Western Europe, Magic paranormal - In the Middle Ages, Magic paranormal - Magic in the Renaissance, Magic paranormal - Magic and Romanticism, Magic paranormal - Magic in the twentieth century, Magic paranormal - Beliefs, Magic paranormal - Theories of magic, Magic paranormal - Religious ritual and magical thinking, Magic paranormal - Varieties of magical practice, Magic paranormal - Magical traditions, Magic paranormal - Magic in fiction, Magic paranormal - Religious attitudes towards magic, Magic paranormal - Indigenous traditions, Magic paranormal - Magic and the Magi, Magic paranormal - In Judaism and Christianity, Magic paranormal - In Islam, Magic paranormal - In Hinduism

Read more here: » Magic paranormal: Encyclopedia II - Magic paranormal - Varieties of magical practice