Repaganizing: Reconnecting with Our Old Ways

Paganism is a spiritual movement that emphasises your connection with nature. As suggested by Megan Shoop-Volz in Spirituality & Health, she suggests that 'repaganizing' is the concept of going back to our old ways - the Pagan ways.

What is Paganism?

Paganism is a spiritual movement that includes a variety of beliefs and practices, often based on ancient religions. The term Paganism was originally used by early Christians to distinguish themselves from those they believed were worshipping 'false gods'. 

The movement goes back centuries. Remember the Vikings? The Norse peoples of Scandinavia believed in Norse Paganism and worshipped Gods and Goddesses like Thor, Odin and Freyja.

What Do Modern Pagans Believe In?

Modern Paganism essentially encompasses specific traditions, practices or elements of ecology, witchcraft, European traditions and the worshipping of deities from before Christianity, but does not include practices such as human and animal sacrifices, contrary to popular belief. There is nothing evil about paganism, it is simply about having a connection with nature and having an understanding of the ways our ancestors did things and what they believed in. Wiccans, Druids, Shamans, Sacred Ecologists, Odinists and Heathens all make up parts of the Pagan community today, and it has been growing rapidly in the United Kingdom since the 1950s. 

Reconnecting with the Old Ways

Some ways you can reconnect with pre-Christian nature-based spirituality is by practicing Pagan beliefs.

Belief System

People who practice Paganism don't all believe in the same things, but many Pagans might believe in the spiritual meaning of natural cycles, reincarnation, and that the divine is present in nature. They might also view the world as a place of joy and full of life rather than suffering and doom, and accept that death is a part of life.

Pratices and Festivals

Depending on what kind of Pagan you are - Celtic or Norse for example - there will be practices and festivals throughout the year you can participate in if you wish.

Some Pagans observe Yule instead of Christmas, Ostara instead of Easter for example. Holding ceremonies in nature such as the woods or in parks is common, but not essential to your practice.

How to be Pagan

All being Pagan is, is about physically connecting with nature and acknowledging the cyclical nature of life. The way in which you do this is up to you. If you believe in the Norse or Greek Gods and want to worship Thor or Zeus on your altar by offering something (food, drink, leaves, shells) then so be it.

If you'd rather just hold a deep reverence for nature and be more self-aware, do that instead. Every Pagan path is personal and different to one another.

There are many ways to be a Pagan, and there is no one way to practice: 

• Read and Research: Learn about Paganism and its traditions, beliefs and practices by reading books, researching online and joining forums and social media groups. Be mindful that a lot of what is out there is from a Christian perspective and may distort your view of what Paganism truly is.
  

• Connect with Nature: Spend time outdoors, as this is the base of what Paganism is.
  

• Explore Paths: There are so many different Pagan paths, including Wicca, Druidry, Celtic Polytheism, Norse Asatru and more.
  

• Document Your Journey: Keep and journal or create a social media account or blog to document your journey. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Learn, learn, learn.
  

• Be Mindful of Others: Wiccans believe that whatever you do will come back 3x worse. Don't do anything that will harm others, especially if you are incorporating witchcraft into your practices.
  

• Learn from Others, but Do What Feels Right: You will come across many Pagans - and witches - that think they know what's best just because they've practiced for longer than you or they have a great-great-grandmother who was a witch. Listen to them, but take it with a pinch of salt and always do what you feel is best for your own practice.
  

• Celebrate: And lastly, celebrate! Look up the Pagan festivals throughout the year and join in with the ones that resonate with you. Remember, you don't need to participate in any of them to be a Pagan.

Remember, what Paganism boils down to is a spiritual movement that emphasises a connection with nature, the earth, and the world around you. 

A note from the author:

I want this information to be as accurate as possible from various sources whilst speaking of my own experiences. This is only my understanding of this topic and should not always be taken literally. Please make up your own mind and decide for yourself on the validity of what is written.

Sources:

Repaganizing: Reconnecting With Our Pagan Past

Paganism 101

Introduction to Paganism

Religion: Paganism

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