Mesopaganism or Meso-Paganism:

A general term for a variety of movements both organized and nonorganized, started as attempts to recreate, revive or continue what their founders thought were the best aspects of the Paleopagan ways of their ancestors (or predecessors), but which were heavily influenced (accidentally, deliberately and/or involuntarily) by concepts and practices from the monotheistic, dualistic, or nontheistic worldviews of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, or early Buddhism.

Examples of Mesopagan belief systems would include Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy, Spiritualism, etc., as well as those forms of Druidism influenced by those movements, the many Afro-Diasporatic faiths (such as Voudoun, Santeria, Candomble, etc.), Sikhism, several sects of Hinduism that have been influenced by Islam and Christianity, Mahayana Buddhism, Aleister Crowley’s religion/philosophy of Thelema, Odinism (most Norse Paganism), most “Family Traditions” of Witchcraft (those that aren’t completely fake), and most orthodox (aka “British Traditionalist”) denominations of Wicca.

Some Mesopagan belief systems may be racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. There are at least a billion Mesopagans living and worshiping their deities today.

See Paleopaganism and Neopaganism.

(See also: Mesopaganism, Meso-Paganism, Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Neopaganism or Neo-Paganism:

A general term for a variety of movements both organized and (usually) nonorganized, started since 1960 c.e. or so (though they had literary roots going back to the mid-1800’s), as attempts to recreate, revive or continue what their founders thought were the best aspects of the Paleopagan ways of their ancestors (or predecessors), blended with modern humanistic, pluralist and inclusionary ideals, while consciously striving to eliminate as much as possible of the traditional Western monotheism, dualism, and puritanism.

The core Neopagan beliefs include a multiplicity of deities of all genders, a perception of those deities as both immanent and transcendent, a commitment to environmental awareness, and a willingness to perform magical as well as spiritual rituals to help both ourselves and others.

Examples of Neopaganism would include the Church of All Worlds, most heterodox Wiccan traditions, Druidism as practiced by Ár nDraíocht Féin and the Henge of Keltria, some Norse Paganism, and some modern forms of Buddhism whose members refer to themselves as “Buddheo-Pagans.” Neopagan belief systems are not racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. There are hundreds of thousands of Neopagans living and worshiping their deities today. As “Neo-Paganism,” this term was popularized in the 1960’s and 1970’s by Oberon Zell, a founder of the Church of All Worlds.

(See also: Neopaganism, Neo-Paganism, Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

PAGAN FEDERATION: Founded in 1971 and formerly called the Pagan Front, Pagan Federation is a London-based organization that seeks to provide contact between the Craft of the Wise and “genuine seekers of the Old Ways”, and to promote harmony among the various European Pagan religions. It works with institutions, governmental bodies and the public to present accurate information on Pagan religious views and rights.

(See also: PAGAN FEDERATION, Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

PAGAN WAY: An organization started as a movement responding to the high demand for applicants to covens in the 1970’s. Pagan Way provided an alternative to the traditional intensive screening programs, and year-and-a-day probationary periods with an open, nature-oriented system that emphasized celebration of nature over magick. Although the Pagan Way organization fell apart in the 1980’s, the rituals survived. Some covens run Pagan Way groups as training circles for interested persons and potential initiates. Those who aren’t initiated into the coven can remain in the Pagan Way group indefinitely, become solitaries, or form their own Pagan Way group.

(See also: PAGAN WAY, Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

NEO-PAGAN (Latin, neo: "new "): A term often applied to both revivalist and reconstructionist Pagan religions in order to identify their modern adoption, or foundation, by their practitioners.

(See also: NEO-PAGAN, Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Pagan - from Latin paganus a 'country dweller' or villager. Today it' a general term for followers of Wicca and other polytheistic, magic-embracing religions. Some prefer that Wicca are called neo-pagan and that pagan refer to practitioners of ancient polytheistic faiths in their more or less original form , such as Astaru, Odinism, etc... Pagans are not Satanists.

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

Follower of a nature-based religion. The term Neopagan means
"new Pagan" and is not a popular term.

(See also: Pagan, Neopagan, Magic, Shamanism, Pagan Dictionary)

NORDIC TRADITION, NORSE PAGANISM: Paganism that worships the Norse pantheon of deities and stresses conservative values of honor, honesty, courage and duty to one’s family, kin and friends. In the 1970’s a number of Norse Pagan groups sprang into existence almost simultaneously and independently of one another, in America, England an Iceland.

Many adherents to Norse Paganism are attracted by the emphasis on blood ties and genetics, the warrior ethic and the Norse symbology. Norse Pagans recognize both branches of the Norse pantheon, the Aesir and the Vanir. A branch called Odinism worship only the Aesir. Festivals center on the seasonal equinoxes and solstices, and Norse holidays such as Ragnar’s Day. Heavier emphasis is placed on skill mastery and shamanism than on magick and meditation.

There are a few extreme right-wing Norse Pagan groups who believe they have founded a religion upon the Aryan race; and while some do include neo-Nazis, most Norse Pagans consider these people a fringe element not connected to their religion. Also known as Teutonic Tradition.

See also: Odinism.   (See also: NORDIC TRADITION, NORSE PAGANISM, Pagan Organisations, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary, Wicca, )

NORDIC TRADITION, NORSE PAGANISM: Pagan traditions that worship the Norse pantheon of deities and stresses conservative values of honor, honesty, courage and duty to one’s family, kin and friends. In the 1970’s a number of Norse Pagan groups sprang into existence almost simultaneously and independently of one another, in America, England an Iceland. Many adherents to Norse Paganism are attracted by the emphasis on blood ties and genetics, the warrior ethic and the Norse symbology.

Norse Pagans recognize both branches of the Norse pantheon, the Aesir and the Vanir. A branch called Odinism worship only the Aesir. Festivals center on the seasonal equinoxes and solstices, and Norse holidays such as Ragnar’s Day. Heavier emphasis is placed on skill mastery and shamanism than on magick and meditation.

There are a few extreme right-wing Norse Pagan groups who believe they have founded a religion upon the Aryan race; and while some do include neo-Nazis, most Norse Pagans consider these people a fringe element not connected to their religion. Also known as Teutonic Tradition. See also: Odinism.   (See also: NORDIC TRADITION, NORSE PAGANISM, Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Samhain (sowen) Oct. 31

Many know this day generically as Halloween. This day was a celebration traditionally of the end of summer. It was said that the dead walked on this day, and was a day to revere and remember those who had passed. Samhain is the end of the traditional year, and marks the beginning of winter. It is said that on Samhain, the God dies, and the Crone Goddess mourns him for six weeks until he is reborn on Yule.

(See also: Samhain, Pagan Holidays, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

Yule - The Winter Solstice Dec. 21

Yule is the darkest night of the year, and marks the beginning of the new year traditionally. It is said that after this night, the God that had died at Samhain is reborn of the Mother Goddess, and being the day he is most powerful he will bring fertility into the land. This is also a time for getting rid of weaknesses.

(See also: Yule, Pagan Holidays, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

Imbolg - Feb. 2

This was a celebration to lure back the Sun God to bring heat to our lands and speed up the coming of Spring. It is also known as Brigids Day to honor the Great Mother Goddess Brigid. She waits on this day as the bride of the youthful Sun God, who is soon to return to her. This was a day to honor the Goddess who turns back the wheel of the year to Spring. This is the fire festival, the mid-point of the dark half of the year.

(See also: Imbolg, Pagan Holidays, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

Ostara - Eostre - The Spring Equinox - March 23

Ostara is the name of the Virgin Goddess of Spring in ancient Germany. Eostre is the name of the Teutonic Goddess of Spring. This is a day for feasting and ritual. Many equinox myths tell of the deities struggle in the underworld, and their return from the Land of the Dead back to the Earth. This is the time of planting, and a celebration of the renewel of life. Eggs, a symbol of fertility, are frequently painted with different colors and symbols in representation of the things to come in life, as part of the renewel celebration.

(See also: Ostara, Pagan Holidays, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

PAGAN REDE, THE: This is the basic tenet of witchcraft. "As ye harm none, do what thou will." The rede prohibits Pagans from doing any living creature harm, or from violating ones free will. It's origin is unknown.  See also Witches Rede, The Law, The Law of The Cymry, etc.

(See also: PAGAN REDE, THE, Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Beltaine - May 1

Beltaine is the fertility sabbat. It celebrates live above all. This is the final planting time. This is the time when the Goddess and the God mate to spread fertility all over the earth. On this day, many Pagans celebrate the marriage of Goddess and God, and the sexual union of the God with the Goddess, who will later be reborn as her son. Beltaine is a very sexual sabbat, as well as being joyous and carefree. It is a time for feasting, rejoicing, frivolity, and celebration. It is the time to look forward and is a yearly reenactment of the primal joy all creatures and plants of the earth feel. It is a time to celebrate the final ending of the long winter.

(See also: Beltaine, Pagan Holidays, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

PAGAN WAY: an organization of Neo-Pagans started in the late sixties and early seventies. Many current Wiccan and Pagan organizations owe their existence to the work done by Ed Fitch and others.

(See also: PAGAN WAY, Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

pagan: Term used negatively by Semitic faiths to indicate a follower of another religion, or of no religion. Also names the pre-Christian religion of Europe, akin to shamanism and other of the world's indigenous faiths, which have survived to this day despite organized persecution. Pagans are gradually surfacing again, and have acknowledged their kinship with Hinduism.

See: mysticism, shamanism, pagan, paganism.

(See also: Pagan, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Midsummer - The Summer Solstice - June 22

Also known as Litha or Vestalia, Midsummer marks the longest day of the year. It is the time when the sun is strongest, although we know that many more long hot days of summer are ahead. This is the point we enter the waning year, and each day gets shorter and shorter. This is the time to nurture new plantings, both in ground or person. Here we celbrate the coming fatherhood of the Sun God, who mated with the Goddess at Beltaine. This is the best time for protection spells and amulets to be done. This is the time of Fire, because the Sun God is at the pinnacle of his life. This is also a prime time to gather wild herbs, as they are mature enough to do so. This is also a good time to make wands or staves.

(See also: Midsummer, Pagan Holidays, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

Lughnasadh - August 1

Lughnasadh is the first of the three harvest Sabbats. It is also know as Lammas and is a time to give thanks to the God and Goddess for all that they have brought to us thus far. The Goddess is still pregnant with the future harvests, and is honored and revered as the new mother. This is the time of year for rededication, or rekindling of sacred fires. This is the time to be thankful for all that you have.

(See also: Lughnasadh, Pagan Holidays, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

Mabon - The Autumn Equinox - September 23

This is a day of balance between light and dark.  The Goddess and the God are thought to have equal power on this night, and all the forces of good and evil as well. This is a good time for divination and marks the end of the second harvest. By this time most the crops were gathered. Mabon begins the season of autumn, when we go into the dark season where most life sleeps for a short time. This is nearing the time when the God dies and goes to the underworld.  The old God is preparing himself for his sacrifficial death at Samhain, and the Goddess is entering her Crone aspect, storing her wisdom that she has learned over the years. Yet she is still pregnant with the seed of the God who she will birth at Yule.

(See also: Mabon, Pagan Holidays, Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

Paganism

Historically, paganism has been used as a generic term to describe non-Christian religions and superstitions - primarily, but not limited to, the old religions of Europe and Indo-Europe and ancient mythologies (Celt, Norse, Egyptian, Greek and Roman). Any religion other than Christianity, Islam, or Judaism. The term literally means "country dweller" and was originally used by Romans todescribe religions and philosophies not of Rome.

(See also: Paganism, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)