mes male and female deities carry equal status, but only rarely does a female deity carry lesser importance to a male deity. More rarely, there is a single deity who is quite often female or a main deity (usually female) with one or more helpers of somewhat lesser importance, usually a male consort. Often, multiple deities are seen as part of a singleAt its most basic, the term Paganism, is an umbrella term covering all religions that are not related to the Judeo-Christian family of religions. This would include all “Primitive” animist and polytheistic religions that are common among native groups as well as Hinduism, Buddhism and, of course the Classical religions of ancient Greece and Rome. It would also exclude all religions relating to Judeo-Christianity, including those syncretic religions popular in South America and Satanism. However, when most people say the word “Pagan”, they really mean “Neo-Pagan”. Neo-paganism is really a subset of the larger term “Pagan” and is itself an umbrella term covering a wide range of beliefs.

Now that I have thoroughly confused you, I will attempt to unravel my meaning into something that makes sense.

Neo-paganism is a form of paganism, and there are many forms of Neo-paganism. Neo-paganism is either the modern practice and adaptation of an ancient religion, or a new religion based on either ancient or new religious concepts. Neo-paganism means simply modern or contemporary paganism and there are many varieties, although they do tend to share some characteristics.

Most Neo-Pagan religions share a combination of one or more of the following characteristics...

A belief in multiple deities, including male and female deities.

Sometimes the female is dominant, sometimes male and female deities carry equal status, but only rarely does a female deity carry lesser importance to a male deity. More rarely, there is a single deity who is quite often female or a main deity (usually female) with one or more helpers of somewhat lesser importance, usually a male consort. Often, multiple deities are seen as part of a single

ould also exclude all religions relating to Judeo-Christianity, including those syncretic religions popular in South America and Satanism. However, when most people say the word “Pagan”, they really mean “Neo-Pagan”. Neo-paganism is really a subset of the larger term “Pagan” and is itself an umbrella term covering a wide range of beliefs.

Now that I have thoroughly confused you, I will attempt to unravel my meaning into something that makes sense.

Neo-paganism is a form of paganism, and there are many forms of Neo-paganism. Neo-paganism is either the modern practice and adaptation of an ancient religion, or a new religion based on either ancient or new religious concepts. Neo-paganism means simply modern or contemporary paganism and there are many varieties, although they do tend to share some characteristics.

Most Neo-Pagan religions share a combination of one or more of the following characteristics...

A belief in multiple deities, including male and female deities.

Sometimes the female is dominant, sometimes male and female deities carry equal status, but only rarely does a female deity carry lesser importance to a male deity. More rarely, there is a single deity who is quite often female or a main deity (usually female) with one or more helpers of somewhat lesser importance, usually a male consort. Often, multiple deities are seen as part of a single

at I have thoroughly confused you, I will attempt to unravel my meaning into something that makes sense.

Neo-paganism is a form of paganism, and there are many forms of Neo-paganism. Neo-paganism is either the modern practice and adaptation of an ancient religion, or a new religion based on either ancient or new religious concepts. Neo-paganism means simply modern or contemporary paganism and there are many varieties, although they do tend to share some characteristics.

Most Neo-Pagan religions share a combination of one or more of the following characteristics...

A belief in multiple deities, including male and female deities.

Sometimes the female is dominant, sometimes male and female deities carry equal status, but only rarely does a female deity carry lesser importance to a male deity. More rarely, there is a single deity who is quite often female or a main deity (usually female) with one or more helpers of somewhat lesser importance, usually a male consort. Often, multiple deities are seen as part of a single

eans simply modern or contemporary paganism and there are many varieties, although they do tend to share some characteristics.

Most Neo-Pagan religions share a combination of one or more of the following characteristics...

A belief in multiple deities, including male and female deities.

Sometimes the female is dominant, sometimes male and female deities carry equal status, but only rarely does a female deity carry lesser importance to a male deity. More rarely, there is a single deity who is quite often female or a main deity (usually female) with one or more helpers of somewhat lesser importance, usually a male consort. Often, multiple deities are seen as part of a single

mes male and female deities carry equal status, but only rarely does a female deity carry lesser importance to a male deity. More rarely, there is a single deity who is quite often female or a main deity (usually female) with one or more helpers of somewhat lesser importance, usually a male consort. Often, multiple deities are seen as part of a single deity which contains both male and female aspects.

Pagans with predominantly female deities may tend to be more feminist, but this is not always the case. Some are proponents of 'traditional' gender roles and have strong beliefs that a woman's place is in the home. Perhaps surprisingly often, there is a combination of the two.

A revival of ancient or ancestral beliefs.

Many modern Pagans strive to rekindle the beliefs of their ancestors or of an ancient (non-Abrahamic) culture to which they feel an attraction. Their beliefs and practices may be shaped by the oral tradition of their families, archaeological evidence, scholarly research, the myths and legends of their chosen culture or a combination of any of these. Some strive to keep their beliefs as close to those of their ancient forbearers as possible while others blend these practices with modern ones. Some may combine the beliefs of different cultures or study many cultures and select common threads on which to base their religious observances.

Animism and a belief in spirits.

Quite often a Pagan faith will include the belief that spirits inhabit natural objects, plants and animals and these things will be treated accordingly. There may also be a belief in free roaming nature spirits and house spirits as well as the belief in the presence of spirits of the dead, especially ancestors. These sp