Paganism (from Latin paganus) and Heathenry are catch-all terms which have come to connote a broad set of spiritual/religious beliefs and practices of a natural religion, as opposed to the Abrahamic religions. These beliefs, which are not necessarily compatible with each other, are usually characterized by polytheism and animism. Often, the term has pejorative connotations, comparable to infidel and Kafir in Islam. Paganism - Etymology. Paganism - Pagan. The term < ...

Including:

• Paganism - Etymology
• Paganism - Pagan
• Paganism - Heathen
• Paganism - Terminology
• Paganism - Common Word Usage
• Paganism - Heathenry
• Paganism - Pagan classifications
• Paganism - Pagan religions
• Paganism - Neo-pagan religions
• Paganism - Neopaganism
• Paganism - Modern nature religion
• Paganism - Notes

Read more here: » Paganism: Encyclopedia - Paganism

See also:

Paganism, Paganism - Etymology, Paganism - Pagan, Paganism - Heathen, Paganism - Terminology, Paganism - Common Word Usage, Paganism - Heathenry, Paganism - Pagan classifications, Paganism - Pagan religions, Paganism - Neo-pagan religions, Paganism - Neopaganism, Paganism - Modern nature religion, Paganism - Notes

Read more here: » Paganism: Encyclopedia II - Paganism - Notes

Paganism - Common Word Usage. The term has historically been used as a pejorative by adherents of monotheistic religions (such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam) to indicate a disbeliever in their religion. "Paganism" is also sometimes used to mean the lack of (an accepted monotheistic) religion, and therefore sometimes means essentially the same as atheism. "Paganism" frequently refers to the religions of classical antiquity, most notably Greek mythology or Roman religion, and can be used neutrall ...

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Paganism, Paganism - Etymology, Paganism - Pagan, Paganism - Heathen, Paganism - Terminology, Paganism - Common Word Usage, Paganism - Heathenry, Paganism - Pagan classifications, Paganism - Pagan religions, Paganism - Neo-pagan religions, Paganism - Neopaganism, Paganism - Modern nature religion, Paganism - Notes

Read more here: » Paganism: Encyclopedia II - Paganism - Terminology

Aradia, according to Charles Godfrey Leland's Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches, is the messianic daughter of the goddess Diana who came to Earth to teach witchcraft to her oppressed worshippers. Aradia has become an important mythical figure in Wicca and in some other forms of Neo-paganism. Aradia goddess - Aradia in Leland. Leland claimed that the majority of the book was based upon a manuscript given to him detailing the beliefs of an undiscovered religious witchcraft tradition in Tuscan ...

Including:

• Aradia goddess - Aradia in Leland
• Aradia goddess - Aradia in Neo-paganism
• Aradia goddess - Notes and references

Read more here: » Aradia goddess: Encyclopedia - Aradia goddess

Reflections on OLD GUARD PAGANISM

'Old Guard Paganism'. The phrase started out as a joke, but then caught on. This tells us something. It tells us there is a NEED for such a term. It also implies its own antithesis, 'New Guard Paganism'. And it indicates that there is some difference between the two -- a 'difference that makes a difference' -- and thus requires differentiating labels. (It should perhaps be noted that the word 'Paganism' is used in the present context -- however inaccurately -- to refer to modern Neo-Pagan Witchcraft, or Wicca. With grave misgivings, I have adopted this usage here.)

Read more here: » Paganism: Reflections on OLD GUARD PAGANISM

Christianity and world religions appear to share some elements. In a look at Christianity's relationship with other world religions, this article investigates the differences and similiarities of Christianity to other religions. Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Judaism. See also Comparing and contrasting Judaism and Christianity and Judeo-Christian Historically, the relationship between Judaism and Christianity has been strained, to say the least. In the past, ...

Including:

• Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Judaism
• Christianity and world religions - Possible relationship with Zoroastrianism through Judaism
• Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Paganism
• Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Mithraism
• Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Islam
• Christianity and world religions - Relationship with the Bahá'í Faith
• Christianity and world religions - Relations with other faiths
• Christianity and world religions - Sociological Aspects
• Christianity and world religions - Syncretism
• Christianity and world religions - Notes

Read more here: » Christianity and world religions: Encyclopedia - Christianity and world religions

Apotheosis means glorification, usually to a divine level, coming from the Greek word apotheoun, "to deify." Apotheosis is most commonly used to refer to the Roman pagan process whereby an Emperor was made into or recognized as a deity. Some Roman emperors underwent apotheosis upon their deaths. The process involved the creation of a waxen image of the emperor sitting in state, adorned with rich raiments and jewelry for ...

Including:

• Apotheosis - Other notes

Read more here: » Apotheosis: Encyclopedia - Apotheosis

The Bibliotheca was the 9th century work of Byzantine Patriarch Photius, composed of 279 reviews of books which he had read. It was not meant to be used as a reference work, but was widely used as such in the 9th century, and is generally seen as the first Byzantine work that could be called an Encyclopedia. The works he notes are mainly Christian and pagan authors from the 5th century BC to his own time in the 9th ce

Read more here: » Bibliotheca Photius: Encyclopedia - Bibliotheca Photius

Raven Grimassi (b. 1951) is the pen name of the author of over a dozen books on Neo-paganism and witchcraft. He is perhaps best known for his popularization of Stregheria, which he describes as "the Old Religion of Italy... the Witch sect of Old Italy"[1]. Grimassi won "Book of the Year" and "First Place - Spirituality Book" from the Coalition of Visionary Retailers in 1998 for his book The Wiccan Mysteries, and his book Encyclopedia ...

Including:

• Raven Grimassi - Life
• Raven Grimassi - Religious figure and author
• Raven Grimassi - Bibliography
• Raven Grimassi - Notes and references

Read more here: » Raven Grimassi: Encyclopedia - Raven Grimassi

Vespertine, released in August of 2001 is an album by Icelandic singer/songwriter/musician Björk. This album saw Björk creating an introverted and quiet world of swirling microbeats and dreamy, personal lyrical themes. Vespertine - Track listing. All tracks by Björk, unless otherwise noted. "Hidden Place" - 5:28 "Cocoon" (Björk/Knak) - 4:28 "It's Not Up to You" - 5:08 "Undo" (Björk/Knak) - 5:38 "Pagan Poetry" - 5:14 "Frosti" - 1:41 < ...

Including:

• Vespertine - Track listing
• Vespertine - Clips
• Vespertine - Personnel
• Vespertine - Singles

Read more here: » Vespertine: Encyclopedia - Vespertine

Odin is considered the highest god in Norse mythology and Norse paganism. His role, like many of the Norse pantheon, is complex: he is god of both wisdom and war. He is also attested as being a god of magic, poetry, victory, and the hunt. His name is, in Old Norse, Óðinn. Although its precise meaning is debated, the name is thought to be related to the word óðr, meaning "excitation" or "fury". Worship of Odin dates to Proto-Germanic paganism, and the names Old English (and Old Saxon) Wōden; Old ...

Including:

• Odin - Etymology
• Odin - General characteristics
• Odin - Odin and Mercury
• Odin - Celtic parallels
• Odin - Eddaic Odin
• Odin - Attributes
• Odin - Names
• Odin - Anglo-Saxon Woden
• Odin - Worship
• Odin - Sacrifices
• Odin - Shamanic traits
• Odin - Odin and Jesus
• Odin - Medieval reception
• Odin - Persisting beliefs in Odin
• Odin - Modern age
• Odin - Notes
• Odin - Literature

Read more here: » Odin: Encyclopedia - Odin

Freyr (sometimes anglicized Frey[1]) is one of the most important deities in Norse paganism and Norse mythology. Worshipped as a fertility god, Freyr bestows "peace and pleasure" upon mortals. He rules over the rain, the shining of the sun and thereby the produce of the fields. He is one of the Vanir, the son of the sea god Njörðr and brother of the love goddess Freyja. The gods gave him Álfheimr, the realm of the Elves, as a teethi ...

Including:

• Freyr - Adam of Bremen
• Freyr - The Prose Edda
• Freyr - The Poetic Edda
• Freyr - Skírnismál
• Freyr - Skaldic poetry
• Freyr - Heimskringla
• Freyr - Icelanders' sagas
• Freyr - Gesta Danorum
• Freyr - Other traditions
• Freyr - Ballad of Veraldur
• Freyr - Possible Later Survivals
• Freyr - Notes

Read more here: » Freyr: Encyclopedia - Freyr

Wicca is a Neopagan religious movement found in many different countries, though most commonly in English-speaking cultures. Wicca was first publicised in 1954 by a British civil servant named Gerald Gardner after the British Witchcraft Act was repealed. He claimed that the religion, of which he was an initiate, was a modern survival of an old witch cult, which had existed in secret for hundreds of years, originating in the pre-Christian Paganism of Europe. Wicca is thus sometimes referred to as the Old Religion. The veracity o ...

Including:

• 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 - Wicca

Some Wiccan traditions use the name "Aradia" to refer to the Goddess or "Queen of the Witches"[7]. The Charge of the Goddess, an importance piece of liturgy used in Wiccan rituals, was inspired by the speech attributed to Aradia in the first chapter of Aradia. Aradia is a very important figure in Stregheria (some adherents of which prefer not to be categorized as "Neopagan"). Raven Grimassi, who has written a number of books on Stregheria, ...

See also:

Aradia goddess, Aradia goddess - Aradia in Leland, Aradia goddess - Aradia in Neo-paganism, Aradia goddess - Notes and references

Read more here: » Aradia goddess: Encyclopedia II - Aradia goddess - Aradia in Neo-paganism

Leland claimed that the majority of the book was based upon a manuscript given to him detailing the beliefs of an undiscovered religious witchcraft tradition in Tuscany. Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches begins with Aradia's birth to Diana and Lucifer, who is described as "the god of the Sun and of the Moon, the god of Light (Splendor), who was so proud of his beauty, and who for his pride was driven from Paradise". Diana asks Aradia to "go to earth below / To be a teacher unto women and men / Who fain would study witchcraft ...

See also:

Aradia goddess, Aradia goddess - Aradia in Leland, Aradia goddess - Aradia in Neo-paganism, Aradia goddess - Notes and references

Read more here: » Aradia goddess: Encyclopedia II - Aradia goddess - Aradia in Leland

The Anglo-Saxon tribes brought their pagan faith to England around the 5th and 6th centuries and continued in that form of worship until nearly all were converted to Christianity by the 8th century. The Anglo-Saxon kings claimed descent from Woden. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the Historia Britonum, Woden had the sons Wecta, Baeldaeg, Casere and Wihtlaeg, who in turn were ancestors of the royal houses of the Heptarchy Lombardic Godan appears in the 7th century Origo Gentis Langobardorum. According to the le ...

See also:

Wodanaz, Wodanaz - Etymology, Wodanaz - Odin and Mercury, Wodanaz - Celtic parallels, Wodanaz - Shamanic traits, Wodanaz - Worship, Wodanaz - Migration period, Wodanaz - Viking Age, Wodanaz - Medieval reception, Wodanaz - Revivals, Wodanaz - Notes, Wodanaz - Literature

Read more here: » Wodanaz: Encyclopedia II - Wodanaz - Migration period

With the Romantic Viking revival of the early-to-mid 19th century, Odin's popularity increased again. Wotan is a lead character in Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, written between 1848 and 1874. His name provides the root for 19th century conceptions of "Od", a hypothetical vital energy that permeates all living things. Odin, along with the other Norse Gods and Goddesses, is worshipped by Germanic pagan reconstructivists (see Odinism). Ásatrú, "faith in the Aesir", is an officially recogni ...

See also:

Wodanaz, Wodanaz - Etymology, Wodanaz - Odin and Mercury, Wodanaz - Celtic parallels, Wodanaz - Shamanic traits, Wodanaz - Worship, Wodanaz - Migration period, Wodanaz - Viking Age, Wodanaz - Medieval reception, Wodanaz - Revivals, Wodanaz - Notes, Wodanaz - Literature

Read more here: » Wodanaz: Encyclopedia II - Wodanaz - Revivals

The attested forms of the theonym are traditionally derived from Proto-Germanic *Wōđanaz[1] (in Old Norse word-initial *w- was dropped before rounded vowels and so the name became Óðinn). Adam von Bremen etymologizes the god worshipped by the 11th century Scandinavian pagans as "Wodan id est furor" ("Wodan, which means 'fury'"). An obsolete alternate etymology, which has been adhered to by many early writers includi ...

See also:

Wodanaz, Wodanaz - Etymology, Wodanaz - Odin and Mercury, Wodanaz - Celtic parallels, Wodanaz - Shamanic traits, Wodanaz - Worship, Wodanaz - Migration period, Wodanaz - Viking Age, Wodanaz - Medieval reception, Wodanaz - Revivals, Wodanaz - Notes, Wodanaz - Literature

Read more here: » Wodanaz: Encyclopedia II - Wodanaz - Etymology

Historically, the relationship between Judaism and Christianity has been strained, to say the least. In the past, Christians were often taught that "the Jews" killed Christ, for which "murder" they bear a collective guilt (an interpretation which most major denominations now reject). Jews meanwhile have tended to associate Christianity with various pogroms, or in better times, with the dangers of assimilation. Anti-Semitism has a long history in Christianity (see Christianity and anti-Semitism), and indeed is far from dead (for example, in c ...

See also:

Christianity and world religions, Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Judaism, Christianity and world religions - Possible relationship with Zoroastrianism through Judaism, Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Paganism, Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Mithraism, Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Islam, Christianity and world religions - Relationship with the Bahá'í Faith, Christianity and world religions - Relations with other faiths, Christianity and world religions - Sociological Aspects, Christianity and world religions - Syncretism, Christianity and world religions - Notes

Read more here: » Christianity and world religions: Encyclopedia II - Christianity and world religions - Relationship with Judaism

Worship of Odin dates to Proto-Germanic paganism. The Roman historian Tacitus probably refers to Odin when he talks of Mercury. The reason is that, like Mercury, Odin was regarded as Psychopompos, "the leader of souls". Parallels between Odin and Celtic Lugus have often been pointed out: both are intellectual gods, commanding magic and poetry. Both have ravens and a spear as their attributes, and both are one-eyed. Julius Caesar (de bello Gallico, 6.17.1), who mentions Mercury as the chief god of Celtic religion. A likely conte ...

See also:

Odin, Odin - Characteristics, Odin - Origins, Odin - Seid, Odin - Blót, Odin - Edda, Odin - Attributes, Odin - Names, Odin - Odin and Jesus, Odin - Persisting beliefs in Odin, Odin - Modern age, Odin - Modern popular culture, Odin - Germanic neopaganism, Odin - Notes, Odin - Literature

Read more here: » Odin: Encyclopedia II - Odin - Origins