What is Paganism?

 Paganism quite simply is a term used to cover many beliefs with one underlying similarity - a reverence and deep connection with nature.  It is usually polytheistic and is practiced with the understanding that all phenomena and natural objects contain spirit.

The Goddess is seen as the creator of life and is worshiped as such.  The Pagan  calendar evolves around the life cycle of the Goddess and to a lesser extent that of the God. It is by closely watching nature and attuning to the cycles of nature that the Pagan can follow the path to spiritual growth and personal development.

Sadly Paganism is often misunderstood and attributed to Satanism and Devil worship, however,  Pagans do not recognize the Devil, instead they believe in the complimentary opposites.  Yin and yang, light and dark, male and female, earth and sky. We are all, including the animals, the earth, the rocks and the plants, created by Mother Earth and it is our responsibility to live harmoniously with all creation.

One of the many joys of Paganism is that it doesn't require a temple or sacred area to worship.  All the Earth is sacred to the Pagan and worship can be carried out anywhere, either indoors or outside closer to nature.  Most Pagans worship within a circle which they can either make  around themselves or form themselves into.  Naturally occurring circles in nature are also very special and strong places of worship.

The pentagram is enclosed within a circle representing the wholeness of one. Pagans revere the cycles of nature and strongly believe that all things, however seemingly insignificant, are all important parts necessary for the balance of the universe.

The four alchemical elements of Earth, Air, Water and Fire, and of course the fifth element - Spirit, are especially important to the Pagan, being seen not only as the guardians of us all but also as being the spiritual substances from which we are all made.  Each is important in its own right  and is also necessary within the circle to work as part of the whole.

Quite simply then, Paganism as a way of life is a beautifully diverse and deep subject based on the reverence of Nature and  centering on the desire for peace and spiritual fulfillment.