What is Paganism?

Paganism is a term that refers to various religions or beliefs that do not worship the God of Abraham, the central figure of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Paganism can also describe modern movements that are inspired by ancient polytheistic traditions, such as Wicca, Druidry, and Heathenry. 

What do the pagans believe in?

  • A reverence for nature and the natural world, often seen as sacred or divine.
  • A belief in spiritual beings, such as gods, goddesses, nature spirits, ancestors, and other entities.
  • A respect for the diversity of paths and practices, without claiming a universal truth or authority.
  • A recognition of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, often celebrated through seasonal festivals and rituals.
  • A connection to the โ€œold waysโ€ of pre-Christian cultures and traditions, sometimes reconstructed or adapted to modern contexts.

What countries are pagan?

  • Finland, where Santa Claus is seen to reside and where many ancient traditions related to nature and the seasons are still practiced.
  • Japan, where Shintoism is the native religion that worships nature and its spirits, and where many festivals and rituals celebrate the natural cycles and forces.
  • Mongolia and Kazakhstan, where nomadic peoples venerate nature and follow Tengriism, a Turkic/Asian belief system that honors the sky, the earth, and the ancestors.
  • Latvia and Estonia, where the summer solstice is celebrated with large festivals and where many people identify with Maausk, a philosophy that reveres nature, especially trees, and ancestors.
  • Greece and Italy, where the ancient polytheistic religions of the Greeks and Romans originated and where many temples, statues, and myths still remain.

Who are the 12 pagan gods?

  • Zeus, the king of the gods and the ruler of the sky, thunder, and justice.
  • Hera, the queen of the gods and the goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth.
  • Poseidon, the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses.
  • Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the seasons.
  • Athena, the goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts.
  • Apollo, the god of the sun, music, prophecy, and healing.
  • Artemis, the goddess of the moon, hunting, and wild animals.
  • Ares, the god of war, violence, and bloodshed.
  • Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty, and desire.
  • Hephaestus, the god of fire, metalworking, and craftsmanship.
  • Hermes, the god of travel, commerce, and communication.
  • Dionysus, the god of wine, ecstasy, and theater.

Who do pagans pray to?

Pagans pray to different deities or spirits, depending on their beliefs and traditions. Some Pagans worship nature and its elements, such as Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Some Pagans honor the gods and goddesses of ancient cultures, such as the Greek, Roman, Celtic, Norse, or Egyptian pantheons. Some Pagans pray to their ancestors, who they see as sources of wisdom and guidance. Pagans may pray in different ways, such as through meditation, chanting, ritual, or offering. Pagans believe that prayer is a way of connecting with the divine and expressing their needs and desires.