Neopaganism (sometimes Neo-Paganism) describes a heterogeneous group of new religious movements, particularly those influenced by ancient, mainly pre-Christian and sometimes pre-Judaic religions. Often these are Indo-European in origin, but with a growing component inspired by other religions indigenous to Europe, such as Finno-Ugric, as well as those of other parts of the world. As th ...

Including:

• 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 - Neopaganism

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'

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'

Mystical Experiences: Mystical Experiences during meditation

These are short explanations of various categories of mystical experiences that Sadhakas will experience in meditation. Includes:

Anahata Sounds: The Mystical Internal Sounds Heard During Meditation

Movement of the Mind

Astral Journey and the Astral Body

Separation from the Physical Body

Visions of Lights in Meditation

Dazzling Mystical Lights in Meditation

Read more here: » Mystical Experiences: Mystical Experiences during meditation

Reconstructions of the traditions of Germanic paganism began with 19th century Romanticism. From the 1960s, various Neopagan movements based on pre-Christian Germanic faiths have emerged. Heathen (Old Norse heiðinn), the Germanic translation of Latin paganus, is preferred by some adherents as a self-description. In the USA, Ásatrú ("Æsir faith") and Odinism are widely used as a generic term for Germanic paganism, while in Britain, Heathenry, and in Scandinavia Forn Sed ...

Including:

• Germanic neopaganism - Terminology
• Germanic neopaganism - Ásatrú
• Germanic neopaganism - Heathen
• Germanic neopaganism - Odinism
• Germanic neopaganism - Forn Siðr
• Germanic neopaganism - Theodism
• Germanic neopaganism - History
• Germanic neopaganism - Distribution of adherents
• Germanic neopaganism - Factions
• Germanic neopaganism - Tenets
• Germanic neopaganism - Rites
• Germanic neopaganism - Artistic Output And Influence
• Germanic neopaganism - Symbolism
• Germanic neopaganism - List of Organizations

Read more here: » Germanic neopaganism: Encyclopedia - Germanic neopaganism

Ecology, or ecological science, is the scientific study of the distribution and abundance of living organisms and how these properties are affected by interactions between the organisms and their environment. The environment of an organism includes both the physical properties, which can be described as the sum of local abiotic factors like climate and geology, as well as the other organisms that share its habitat. The term oekologie was coined in 1866 by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel; the word is derived from the G ...

Including:

• Ecology - Scope
• Ecology - Disciplines of ecology
• Ecology - History of ecology
• Ecology - Fundamental principles of ecology
• Ecology - Biosphere and biodiversity
• Ecology - The ecosystem concept
• Ecology - Dynamics and stability
• Ecology - Spatial relationships and subdivisions of land
• Ecology - Ecosystem productivity
• Ecology - Ecological crisis

Read more here: » Ecology: Encyclopedia - Ecology

In the Wiccan form of neopaganism, a Sabbat is one of the eight major seasonal festivals which make up the Wheel of the Year. These include the solstices and equinoxes, and four additional festivals sometimes referred to as the "cross-quarter days". The word derives from Old English "sabat", from Old French "sabbat", from Latin "sabbatum", from Greek "sabbaton" (or sa`baton), from Hebrew "shabbat" - to cease or rest - the same roots as "Sabbath (christian)" or "Shabbat (judaism)". See also "sabbath". The word appears in the wri ...

Including:

• Sabbat neopaganism - Cross-quarter points on the Gregorian and astrological calendars

Read more here: » Sabbat neopaganism: Encyclopedia - Sabbat neopaganism

Mystic may refer to: Mystic BBS, a bulletin board software with integrated telnet capabilities. Mysticism, the belief in realities beyond perceptual and/or intellectual understanding. Christian mysticism Mystic (rapper), a rapper. Mystic (Mustang), a uniquely colored 1996 Ford Cobra. Mystic, Connecticut, a historic seaport and tourist center. Other related archivesChristian mysticism, Mystic (Mustang), Mystic (rapper), Mystic BB

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Mysticism, from the Greek μυω (muo, "to conceal"), is the pursuit of achieving communion with or conscious awareness of ultimate reality, the divine, spiritual truth, or God through direct, personal experience (intuition or insight) rather than rational thought; the belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension that are central to being and directly accessible through personal experience; or the belief that such experience is a genuine and important source of knowledge. In the Hellenistic world, ...

Including:

• Mysticism - Types of mystical experience
• Mysticism - Mysticism and epistemology
• Mysticism - Subjectivity and mysticism
• Mysticism - Self-transcending self-discovery
• Mysticism - Mysticism and syncretism
• Mysticism - On the difficulty of defining mysticism
• Mysticism - Theosophy and Occultism
• Mysticism - Examples in major traditions
• Mysticism - Hindu mystics
• Mysticism - Chinese mystics
• Mysticism - Christian mystics
• Mysticism - Islamic mystics
• Mysticism - Jewish mystics
• Mysticism - Other mystics

Read more here: » Mysticism: Encyclopedia - Mysticism

Behavioral ecology is the study of the ecological and evolutionary basis for animal behavior, and the roles of behavior in enabling an animal to adapt to its environment (both intrinsic and extrinsic). Behavioral ecology emerged from ethology after Niko Tinbergen (a seminal figure in the study of animal behavior), outlined the four causes of behavior. These four causes can be grouped into two larger classes (ultimate causes and proximate causes). The two causes that contribute to ultimate causation are phylogenetic contingencie ...

Including:

• Behavioral ecology - References

Read more here: » Behavioral ecology: Encyclopedia - Behavioral ecology

Community ecology is the study of the distribution, abundance, demography, and interactions between populations of coexisting species. It is part of the division of ecology known as synecology that studies the organization of ecosystems specifically at the level of the biotic community (or biocoenosis). Community ecology focuses on relationships between species, including the study of food webs, energy flow, and nutrient flow. Odum (1959, p. 8) considered that synecology should be divided into population ...

Read more here: » Community ecology: Encyclopedia - Community ecology

At the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992, environmental issues were hotly debated and an attempt was made to arrive at a blueprint for future conservation efforts. A document, known as Agenda 21, was issued, which provided 27 guiding principles for sustainable development.

Interestingly, several of the 'Rio principles' for environmental conservation were taught and practised in ancient India. The modern holistic approach for ecological balance is reflected in the most ancient of Indian scriptures, the Vedas.

(See also: Hinduism and Ecology, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Today, there is a worldwide movement to protect the environment. But this concern has been part of the Indian ethos since ages.

The five basic elements - kshit i (soil), jal (water), panak (fire), gagan (sky or ether) and sameer (air) from which life has emerged - have all been objects of worship, forming an integral part of Indian tradition. The elements are deified, as they are believed to be protectors of jeevan tatva (life). But they can protect and bless us only if we give them due respect.

(See also: Hinduism and Ecology, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Buddhism sees humans neither as a special creation of God, nor does it see them as having been given dominion over 'lesser' species. It says that like all sentient beings, humans also wander in the limited, conditioned realm of samsara, the cycle of rebirths.

It believes that man influences the environment not only through his actions but also through the moral and immoral qualities of his actions - karmic effects catch up with people via their environment.

(See also: Buddhism and Ecology, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Urban ecology is the subfield of ecology which deals with the interaction of plants, animals and humans with each other and with their environment in urban or urbanizing settings. Analysis of urban settings in the context of ecosystem ecology (looking at the cycling of matter and the flow of energy through the ecosystem) can result in healthier, better managed communities. Studying the factors which allow wild plants and animals which survive (and sometimes thrive) in bui ...

Read more here: » Urban ecology: Encyclopedia - Urban ecology

Germanic Neopagan organizations generally favor democratic and republican forms of church government, as inspired by the parliamentary Things of the Viking era and subsequent parliamentary systems of Britain and the Scandinavian countries. They promote individual rights and freedom of speech reminiscent of the free jarls of Norse saga. Solitary practice, or practice in small circles of friends or family is common. Neopagan societies have been formed since the 1970s, but most take the role of a loose federation and do not require commi ...

See also:

Germanic neopaganism, Germanic neopaganism - Terminology, Germanic neopaganism - Ásatrú, Germanic neopaganism - Heathen, Germanic neopaganism - Odinism, Germanic neopaganism - Forn Siðr, Germanic neopaganism - Theodism, Germanic neopaganism - History, Germanic neopaganism - Distribution of adherents, Germanic neopaganism - Factions, Germanic neopaganism - Tenets, Germanic neopaganism - Rites, Germanic neopaganism - Artistic Output And Influence, Germanic neopaganism - Symbolism, Germanic neopaganism - List of Organizations

Read more here: » Germanic neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic neopaganism - Tenets

Today, Germanic Neopaganism is practiced primarily in Scandinavia, Germany, Britain, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Small communities are also found in many other countries, mostly in Western Europe (Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal) and Russia. The number of adherents worldwide is unknown, partly because of the lack of a clear definition separating Asatru from related currents. Those organised in some sort of organization number perhaps several hundred in North America, about 700 in Iceland, and a few hundred in both Scandinavia and Germany, with smaller ...

See also:

Germanic neopaganism, Germanic neopaganism - Terminology, Germanic neopaganism - Ásatrú, Germanic neopaganism - Heathen, Germanic neopaganism - Odinism, Germanic neopaganism - Forn Siðr, Germanic neopaganism - Theodism, Germanic neopaganism - History, Germanic neopaganism - Distribution of adherents, Germanic neopaganism - Factions, Germanic neopaganism - Tenets, Germanic neopaganism - Rites, Germanic neopaganism - Artistic Output And Influence, Germanic neopaganism - Symbolism, Germanic neopaganism - List of Organizations

Read more here: » Germanic neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic neopaganism - Distribution of adherents

The first modern attempt at revival of ancient Germanic religion took place in the 19th Century during the late Romantic Period amidst a general resurgence of interest in traditional Germanic culture, in particular in connection with romantic nationalism in Scandinavia and the related Viking revival in Victorian era Britain. The last traditional pagan sacrifices in Scandinavia, at Trollkyrka, appear to date to about this time. Organized Germanic pagan or occult groups such as the Germanische Glaubens-Gemeinschaft emerged in Germany in ...

See also:

Germanic neopaganism, Germanic neopaganism - Terminology, Germanic neopaganism - Ásatrú, Germanic neopaganism - Heathen, Germanic neopaganism - Odinism, Germanic neopaganism - Forn Siðr, Germanic neopaganism - Theodism, Germanic neopaganism - History, Germanic neopaganism - Distribution of adherents, Germanic neopaganism - Factions, Germanic neopaganism - Tenets, Germanic neopaganism - Rites, Germanic neopaganism - Artistic Output And Influence, Germanic neopaganism - Symbolism, Germanic neopaganism - List of Organizations

Read more here: » Germanic neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic neopaganism - History

Grown out of 19th century Romanticism, the Viking revival had associations with the Gothic novel and Romantic art such as the Pre-Raphaelites or the art nouveau. Also of note is the influence of Richard Wagner's "Ring Cycle." Artistic taste of Asatru adherents is often related to the High Fantasy genre based on Germanic mythology. New Age currents are another influence. These elements blend with traditional Germanic folklore. There have been several novels published by Heathens, particularly Diana Paxson and Kveldulf Gundarsson under the name Stephen Grundy, ...

See also:

Germanic neopaganism, Germanic neopaganism - Terminology, Germanic neopaganism - Ásatrú, Germanic neopaganism - Heathen, Germanic neopaganism - Odinism, Germanic neopaganism - Forn Siðr, Germanic neopaganism - Theodism, Germanic neopaganism - History, Germanic neopaganism - Distribution of adherents, Germanic neopaganism - Factions, Germanic neopaganism - Tenets, Germanic neopaganism - Rites, Germanic neopaganism - Artistic Output And Influence, Germanic neopaganism - Symbolism, Germanic neopaganism - List of Organizations

Read more here: » Germanic neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic neopaganism - Artistic Output And Influence

Germanic neopaganism - Ásatrú. Ásatrú is an Old Norse compound derived from Ása, the genitive of Áss, which refers to the Aesir, (one of the two families of gods in Norse mythology, the other being the Vanir), and Trú, literally "troth" or "faith". Thus, Ásatrú is the "Æsir's faith." The term is the Old Norse/Icelandic translation of Asetro, a neologism coined in the context of 19th century romantic nationalism, used by Edvard Grieg in his 1870 opera Olaf Trygvason. Th ...

See also:

Germanic neopaganism, Germanic neopaganism - Terminology, Germanic neopaganism - Ásatrú, Germanic neopaganism - Heathen, Germanic neopaganism - Odinism, Germanic neopaganism - Forn Siðr, Germanic neopaganism - Theodism, Germanic neopaganism - History, Germanic neopaganism - Distribution of adherents, Germanic neopaganism - Factions, Germanic neopaganism - Tenets, Germanic neopaganism - Rites, Germanic neopaganism - Artistic Output And Influence, Germanic neopaganism - Symbolism, Germanic neopaganism - List of Organizations

Read more here: » Germanic neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic neopaganism - Terminology