What is Paganism?

Paganism is an umbrella term for diverse spiritual, religious, and cultural traditions—many inspired by pre-Christian, Indigenous, or nature-centered belief systems. There is no single Pagan belief; practices vary widely and are often personal.

🌙 Major Paths & Traditions in Paganism

🌳 Nature-Based & Earth-Centered Paths

These traditions honor the cycles of nature, the seasons, and the living Earth.

• Modern Paganism (Neo-Paganism) – Contemporary spiritual paths inspired by ancient traditions
  
  

• Animism – Belief that all things (plants, animals, land, objects) have spirit
  
  

• Eco-Spirituality – Earth stewardship as sacred responsibility

🔮 Witchcraft Traditions

Witchcraft focuses on personal practice, magic, ritual, and intention. Not all witches follow a religion.

• Traditional Witchcraft – Folk-based, regional practices
  
  

• Eclectic Witchcraft – Blends multiple traditions
  
  

• Hedge Witchcraft – Spirit work, herbalism, liminal magic
  
  

• Kitchen Witchcraft – Hearth-based magic and daily ritual

• Green Witchcraft – Plant magic and Earth connection

🌕 Wiccan Traditions

Wicca is a religion within Paganism with structured theology and ritual.

• Gardnerian Wicca – Initiatory, coven-based
  
  

• Alexandrian Wicca – Ceremonial and structured
  
  

• Eclectic Wicca – Solitary or blended practices
  
  

• Dianic Wicca – Goddess-centered, often feminist-focused

🐉 Polytheistic & Reconstructionist Paths

These traditions seek to rebuild ancient religions as accurately as possible.

• Hellenism – Greek gods and practices
  
  

• Heathenry / Ásatrú – Norse/Germanic traditions
  
  

• Kemeticism – Ancient Egyptian religion
  
  

• Celtic Reconstructionism – Irish, Scottish, Welsh traditions
  
  

• Roman Religion – Roman religious revival
  
  

🌊 Devotional & Deity-Centered Paths

Focused devotion to one or more deities, often within a larger pantheon.

• Polytheism – Worship of multiple gods
  
  

• Henotheism – One primary deity among many
  
  

• Pantheism – Divinity as the universe itself
  
  

• Panentheism – Divinity within and beyond the universe

🌀 Mystical & Esoteric Traditions

Focused on inner transformation, symbolism, and spiritual ascent.

• Hermeticism
  
  

• Ceremonial Magic
  
  

• Thelema
  
  

• Chaos Magic

🌿 Folk & Cultural Paganism

Rooted in ancestral, regional, or cultural practices.

• Folk Magic
  
  

• Ancestral Veneration
  
  

• Traditional European Folk Beliefs

• Syncretic Traditions (blended with Christianity or other faiths)

✨ Shared Values (Not Universal, but Common)

• Reverence for nature
  
  

• Personal spiritual autonomy
  
  

• Cycles of life, death, and rebirth
  
  

• Community and ritual
  
  

• Ethical living (varies by path)

🌈 Important Note on Inclusion

Paganism is not monolithic. Beliefs, ethics, deities, and practices vary widely. Many Pagans:

• Practice solo
  
  

• Belong to covens or groups
  
  

• Combine multiple paths
  
  

• Identify as Pagan culturally, spiritually, or religiously