What Are Pagans?

There are almost as many denominations toChristians use a cross or crucifix. Unfortunately,
Paganism as there are to Christianity. Withinthis symbol is also one of the most
Paganism, there are a large variety of beliefs,misunderstood! What the pentacle symbolizes to
dieties, and concepts. However, we (much likepagans is the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire,
Christianity) have certain core values and beliefsand Water, and the point at the top symbolizes
that are central to paganism. Some of our coreSpirit, which is in everything around us. The circle
beliefs include:around the 5 pointed star represents unity. While
Respect For Nature A Belief in Harming Nonethe pentacle HAS been used in Satanism,
(including both yourself and others!) Belief in DeitySatanists use the pentacle with the point facing
or Deities (differs depending on denomination)DOWN. Pagans never use the pentacle in this
Mutual Respect for All Life A Belief in "Magick"manner...the point is always up! (See more
While some pagans believe in only one Goddess,information about this in the What we are NOT
and one God, others may believe in ONLY asection.
Goddess, or ONLY a God, or MANY differentPagans generally celebrate 8 "sabbats"" (or
Gods and Goddesses. Also, some pagan paths areholidays!) a year. These are covered more
more centered on working "Magick" (the ability toextenstively in our Holidays section. We also
make things happen using willpower and nature)celebrate 12 "esbats" a year as well. An esbat is a
than others. Generally speaking, pagans of allcelebration of the moon, usually when full. We
denominations are kind, caring individuals thatcelebrate the moon, because it is a symbol of the
believe that it is wrong to harm any livingGoddess, and it carries her power with it.
creature (including plants!). We believe in the law ofPagans also have "alters", but these are not evil,
three...which tells us that whatever actions we doarchaic things. These are usually a simple table or
to others, will be brought back upon us threefold.stand where we place our important magickal
So if we do something bad to someone else, ititems, such as incense, a chalice (which represents
will come back to us three times as bad.the goddess), an Athame (dagger) which
Pagans are very earth-concious, and live insymbolizes the god, salt to represent earth,
harmony with nature. They see nature as a livingincense to represent air, water, and a candle to
being, and want to treat her with kindness andrepresent fire. There may also be other items
respect. Pagans also come from all walks ofthat a pagan may place on their alter to help
life...there are rich pagans, poor pagans, blackthem with their rituals.
pagans, white pagans, indian pagans, old pagans,Pagans do "rituals" at major sabbats, esbats, or
young pagans...you get the idea! In fact you havesometimes for other reasons such as
probably met many pagans on the street andhandfastings (pagan marriages), wiccanings (pagan
didn't know they were pagan! Most pagans do notbaptising!), or other special occasions. Ritual usually
actively show their religion, for fear of beingonly involves casting a circle, calling upon the diety,
outcast or ridiculed by friends or family. Somecalling upon the 4 elements, and carrying out the
pagans even lose their jobs, or worse, just byritual itself (such as thanking the diety for the
admitting that they are pagan.harvest, etc). Now, mind you, rituals and ways of
Pagans (including Wiccans, which is a denominationdoing ritual vary greatly between denominations
of Paganism) sometimes also refer to themselvesand individual pagans.
at "witches". This can really intimidate or scareSome pagans do belong to a "coven", which is a
Christians, as they imagine witches as being evil orgroup of pagans who worship the same diety,
cruel as history portrays them. This is absolutelyand have the same purpose and mindset in doing
not true, and is only a stereotype. Many Wiccansmagick. Although some pagans belong to covens,
are reclaiming the word 'witch' as a word ofthe majority of pagans are solitary, which means
power, believing that this word has been unfairlythey work alone.
maligned. There are people who use the termThese are the basics of what paganism is.
'witch' who follow a spiritual/religious/ethical path,Obviously I cannot cover every topic on
but who are not specifically Wiccan.paganism without writing an entire book, but I
The most common symbol for paganism is thehope that this article helps you to understand the
pentacle. Pagans use this symbol much liketruth of paganism.