#neo paganism
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keysatthecrossroad · 1 day ago
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Mother on Your Full Moon, please bring us prosperity and light.
Hekáte, Queen of Magic and the Cosmos, we rejoice in Your Moon.
Goddess of All, Lady of the Liminal, may our devotion never cease, may our offerings never end, may we always find ourselves at Your hem.
All hail Hekáte, on this Her Full Moon!
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chthonic-sorcery · 7 months ago
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🚩🚩"Witch/Pagan" community PSA 🚩🚩
Goêteia is not evil, you dipshits.
I'm so sick of these neo-pagans getting all their information from Tumblr, Pinterest and TikTok.
Goêteia is literally just the Greek term for magic, for sorcery, which were one and the same.
Ancient Greece didn't have the word "witchcraft" it had Goêteia, and then later mageia, where we get our modern term magic from, although mageia was a misappropriated term from Zoroastrian priests or Magi.
It's so funny seeing baby witches claim Goêteia to be evil on one hand, then on the other worshipping Hekate, literally the goddess of Goêteia. The goddess of sorcerers and necromancy.
It screams puritanical morality policing. It's such a christian-centered way of looking at ancient religion.
Y'all need to open a damn book.
Goêteia was described as a "lesser" form of magic (mainly in the later Medieval period, roughly starting around the 8th century,) not meaning any less powerful, just simply the easiest or "closest" thus "lower" magic to achieve. This ability to more easily achieve success in magic was later taken and used by christian theologians to paint goêteia and Goêtes as "lesser practitioners."
There does seem to be little difference between Theurgy and goêteia as well,
Surprise!
Both Goêteia and Theurgy sharing the same goddamn workings through evocations of gods, the animation of statues, mediumship or what could be considered "divine possession" having a god or spirit speak through you, the use of iynx wheels / iynges, and mystery rites.
The only 'real' difference Theurgists claim, is that they "don't practice secularly/for selfish reasons" but supposedly rather to become closer to the divine. It's a nice sentiment, but total bullshit, because even in the Theurgic doctrine the Chaldean Oracles they bind the goddess Hekate to do their will.
Additionally, Theurgists had a more Neoplatonic belief, they essentially viewed a singular Oneness as supreme, the emanation from which all things return, a concept which was picked up by early christian theologians and is likely why while Goêtes were demonized in the later centuries mainly by early christians and christian philosophers, Theurgists on the other hand were seen as "pure" and "holier" despite Theurgical and Goêteic practices being pretty much exactly the same down to the tools and incantations.
(Agustine of Hippo for an example of these theologians, who wrote in "De civitate Dei contra Paganos", or "On the City of God Against the Pagans" how all "pagan" (non christian) gods and beliefs were secretly agents of Satan and evil, here to trick humanity into sin and that paganism, essentially any non christian faith, must be stopped–
He also wrote about how sorcerers/magicians (Goêtes) were charlatans, tricksters, that magic and sorcery were merely tricks of an invisible opposition to the divine and how only god could hold such supreme power. These ideas still seem to be deeply embedded into christian faith, particularly Orthodox and Evangelical, today.)
Practitioners of goêteia, the Goēs, was also understood to have the ability to initiate souls into mystery religions, or, in other words, to ensure through his superior knowledge of the Underworld and its workings that the souls under his care would receive preferential treatment after death, an easier way to paradise, such as the Orphic Hymns.
This likely also helped "other" the Goēs, as most practitioners of magic, of goêteia, of these mystery cults were made up of societies "unwanted" or marginalized people, such as women, foreigners, immigrants, the poor, the disabled, and the elderly. Early goêtes were described as being Thessalian (primarily women, particularly described as "old or decrepid") or. ethnically, not considered "fully Greek" to many of the era. Many critiques and fears of goêteia come from this "otherness," the fear the ruling classes of Greece had of groups they continued to harm, they feared the power they held within these mystery rites and practices.
With reliable accuracy from these critics, goêtes were (perceived to be) moral transgressors, who operated from the fringe of society in a private mago-mystical setting, offering their service for coin.
Or, in simpler terms, the Greeks were just really fucking racist
which is nothing new.
In fact, because goêteia itself is a synchronization of mainly Egyptian and Jewish magic, the Greeks and later christians went extra-hard into villifying it because they saw these people as lesser, as barbaric.
We have to understand where the fears and judgements of these critics were coming from, and continue to remain impartial. The ruling elite feared these practices because they feared losing their power, especially rich Greek men, and those early christian philosophers who saw everything outside their own faith as lies, manipulations, or tricks from "the Opposition" as well as the extremely racist and ethnocentric beliefs they held.
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innominatadea · 10 days ago
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You know, one of the things that's the most disappointing when breaking into paganism is the lack of spiritual music. Due to the erasure of European pagan religious groups during the expansion of Christianity, at most we might have a poem that got preserved but the notes and instrumental of the music are lost. I used to adore singing hymns when I was Catholic (Evangelical worship music is usually bad rock and Mormon hymns sound like a bunch of people on lithium humming yankee doodle). I feel that music is such an important part of spirituality that is mostly absent in neo-paganism. I want Psalms praising Persephone, bardic verses beseeching Thor, yuletide carols and other holiday music. *sighs* Maybe we can make our own, if you know of any that have been published please let me know!
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bizarreauhavre · 3 months ago
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Modern paganism, 1959, (surrealist movie).
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thewitcheslist · 11 days ago
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I dislike the phrase "traditional witchcraft" in a language and cultural studies kind of way because like... Do y'all mean witch-cult? 'Cuz Margaret has been discredited over and over and over again.
Do you mean Wicca? Cuz that started in '54; as far as world religion, it's practically an infant. (Author bias note: I was raised in a Wiccan Cult from ages 2 to 12)
Do y'all mean Cochrane's craft? Cuz he was literally a High Priest of Gardner's Bricket Wood Coven (Which would make him an exWiccan or make it a denomination of Wicca instead of a completely separate faith)**
Well, maybe you mean Feri? Nope. That is widely considered a denomination of Wicca too, even by those who practice it.
Crooked Path/Sabbatic? Andrew Chumbley started practicing witchcraft in the 90s, his teachings are patchwork made of Tantra, voodoo, and Christ.ian doctrine... And imo, Christ.ianity is definitely not where witchcraft originated... AND it is also considered a denomination of Wicca by scholars but considered a completely separate religion by practitioners
Thelema was started by a very very rich Englishman after he was apparently visited by the Egyptian god Horus and a disembodied voice called Aiwass in 1907 which would make it the oldest in my list here, but the majority of the scholarly writing on Traditional Witchcraft I could find doesn't include Thelema and it is considered a separate New Religious Movement (NRM) entirely.
Britannica defines traditional as
1 a : based on a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been used by the people in a particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time : following the tradition of a certain group or culture b : typical or normal for something or someone : having the qualities, beliefs, etc., that are usual or expected in a particular type of person or thing 2 based on old-fashioned ideas : not new, different, or modern
This definition feels fuzzy to me, because Neopaganism is definitely new and modern, right? That's what the prefix Neo- means
The only (reputable, published scholarly *) sources I can find basically sum up Traditional Witchcraft as just Wiccan. I have found some (published) sources saying it isn't Wicca, but they are far fewer in number and are religious works, not academic.
I am not a religious scholar. But Neopagan seems to be a much more accurate word to describe these organized practices -- Or does the existence of a Hierarchy and religious leaders makes it "traditional."
And... Neopagan is a very very very broad term, making it somewhat impractical to use as a label when looking for your communities/learning resources/supplies
In my search for information I found this quote from Kelden Mercury, author of The Crooked Path: Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft
“Traditional Witchcraft is an umbrella term that covers a vast array of non-Wiccan practices that are inspired by folklore. These practices may be viewed as religious or spiritual depending upon the group or individual practitioner. Traditional Witches focus on the use of magic, connecting with the natural landscape, and working with various spirits in both the physical realm and the Otherworld.”
But 1) every single other source I'm finding is calling it a branch of Wicca - because the core values originated within Wicca. And 2) it isn't traditional if every practitioner does it differently and 3) What folk lore? There's a lot. I don't know which culture is being referred to here 4) this sent me down a secondary metaphorical rabbit hole to find what "The Otherworld" is, because my only prior knowledge was from my Wiccan Coven upbringing, and in this context, I'm being told we are definitely not talking about Wicca - but we are getting off topic
I have come across one paper grouping all the practices I listed in this post together as "contemporary traditions," and Contemporary Traditional Witchcraft is a bit of a mouthful and possibly an oxymoron but it definitely makes more sense from the perspective of this language nerd. Someone needs to write more on this from a scholarly and historical point of view and I am almost certain I am far too undereducated to do it.
And now, I'm super hyper fixated on the cultural impact of various NRMs, Neopaganism, and modern religion in the west. I cannot afford more student loans but I desperately want to learn more. I might audit some classes just for the hell of it honestly. This is so fascinating at this point. Why isn't this stuff getting studied yet? Does anyone know Ethan Doyle White? Can you give him my email address? (this is a joke, he probably doesn't want to talk to me.) Belief in witchcraft as malevolent magic has been around since ancient Mesopotamia and I can find records of that... But I want to study the cultural impact of this religious movement and there just isn't enough literature to satisfy my inquisitive nature.
Someone smart should be writing this down, because seeing how it spreads and how different groups respond to the movement as a whole could really help historians understand the very very old dead religions, and their cultural impacts.
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*I want to emphasize the word Scholarly. I said SCHOLARLY and I mean it. Witchcraft is something very difficult to find historically accurate information about.
** edit to correct pronouns; this information came from PUBLISHED SCHOLARLY ARTICLES. I am not asking you to explain Traditional Witchcraft to me as a practitioner. I am NOT asking to be converted to Wicca. I literally escaped a cult. Have some decorum.
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[DISCLAIMER: I'm not arguing the validity of any of these religions, nor am I saying they are bad. Religion, in my opinion, is a good thing. I like paganism. It brings me comfort. This is my brain struggling with the verbage used and lack of written history. I have absolutely no ill intent, I'm just frustrated at the lack of historical records and the limits imposed on us by the English language.]
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god-of-annwn · 9 months ago
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Beautiful statues that I wish I could take home with me everytime I visit this shop.
📍Hay-on-Wye, Wales
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the-luvwitch · 15 days ago
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justalittleb-witchy · 2 months ago
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You're Not Talentless-- Each Relationship is Just Unique: Deities and Communication Styles
Divination
There are a ton of witches/pagans out there that post impressive conversations with their deities. Some are exaggerated for dramatic effect, but not all. And when people see others' communicating with their deities in clear sentences, in a seemingly effortless manner, it can make them feel down on themselves. "Why am I not that good? Why can I not hear [deity] that clearly? Am I doing something wrong? Am I just weak?" etc.
And the truth is-- no, this is not necessarily a reflection on you. There are many factors at play. The primary one being: everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Maybe you will struggle with having conversations in that way-- and I know that that can be painful, but it is okay! There will be other things that you are talented in, that not everyone can do.
Another factor is that we tend to take a one-size fits all approach to communication, and that's not what works for everyone! As an example, many people strive to be able to read tarot cards, read runes, or communicate through clairaudience-- but that's not where everyone excels. Try out more niche forms of divination, or even invent your own! What do YOU feel called to in your daily life? What are your hobbies? Is there a way you can twist those into a divination style?
As an example, someone who plays a lot of DnD may feel very connected to dice. There are a TON of divination styles out there that involve the use of dice or similar "rolled" items. If you give those a shot, you may find something you enjoy. If the form of divination you are currently using feels unnatural, like you are slogging through every reading-- try out other styles! Everything takes practice, but that doesn't mean you need to continue hammering away at a practice that you feel disconnected from.
Silence and Sound-- Deities' Personalities
Another thing to consider is your unique relationship with your deities. Every deity has a unique communication style, and some are "louder" than others-- even then, it is made more unique by your personal relationship with them.
Some deities are prone to sending very subtle signs and symbols. Some only pop in once in a blue moon. Some come and go, being away for stretches of time, then being super active seemingly randomly. This doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong, it's just what they are like.
Others are super obvious. They'll wake you up with bright flashes of light, send you super obvious dreams, make animals act strangely, and even throw products that have their name on it off the shelves. This isn't common, but it does happen. That's just their personality, and their relationship with you. It doesn't mean that you are somehow better than other practitioners because you can more clearly interact with your deity.
Your deities may also have specific ways they wish to communicate with you. My primary divination style is cards (any kind, really), but I've had deities outright refuse to use them before. They'll ask for another divination method that I can do. I have a friend who is consistently asked to channel, as opposed to doing anything else. I've known people who primarily communicate through dreams. These are all legitimate practices, and none of our practices look even remotely similar. Comparing us all would be a fools endeavor- so why should one compare themselves to others? Answer: they shouldn't.
Polite Requests
If you struggle to receive messages or understand the deity you are working with, you have a few options-- and all of them involve clear communication.
If you are struggling to understand the signs they are sending, communicate what you find unclear about those signs, and politely request a potential solution.
If you are struggling with the divination style you are using, ask them to guide you towards something that you would feel more comfortable with
If their absences feel lonely, ask if there is something you can work on together-- perhaps an altar, maybe a small sign-- that makes you feel less lonely during their "absences".
You can ask them to send you resources, such as books or people, that they think would help you in this endeavor. Or, perhaps they can even teach you themselves.
You can ask if there is someone or something that could be used as an intermediary, to translate their messages more clearly. An example would be deities with a "messenger" role or epithet that you both get along with.
And with anything, practice makes perfect. Don't expect to roll over one day with the ability to communicate super clearly. Take your time, work on it, practice, and be patient with yourself.
As a potential resource, there are readers out there that offer "divination style" readings, with the claim that they will help you find a divination style that would work for you, or a style that you have natural talent for. You can also use readers as a middle man, but this gets expensive quickly.
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ganymedeaguspluto · 2 months ago
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"i know it looks bad, but - i swear - when the leader of [insert neopagan group] wrote the founding text 'What If Christianity but Without the Jews?', i promise he wasn't being antisemitic! and besides, we don't follow his teachings any more: we've disavowed him, in fact. we now just do exactly what we did when he was in charge but pretend that it isn't rooted in antisemitism! because it's not!"
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keysatthecrossroad · 2 days ago
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Hekáte, Goddess of wisdom and the unseen,
Open Your gates to knowledge and power,
Illuminate the crossroads through the unknown,
And guard me in the depths of my journey.
Hail Hekáte! Queen of Witches!
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autisticdelinquent · 9 months ago
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I get so bothered by the discourse I see over ancient/generally non-christian religious revival or new religions created based on them. Do you think that Christianity the way it is practiced now is anything like what it was when it was created? It is human nature to create explanations for life the way it exists while adapting as you find more practical ways of living and more scientifically accurate understandings of the world around us. There is not a single religion in recorded history that was practiced homogeneously across its geographical span and time period. It is imperative to specify between when we are talking about historically based cultural beliefs and practices or not but we cannot pretend that it is possible to practice a structured religion in a way that it was practiced hundreds to thousands of years ago in a time and setting wildly different than our own. Religion and spirituality often is based on the dependency of the world around you, it is expected that those things will vary depending on where and when you live. Paganism and Polytheism are not black and white. It is not complete historical accuracy or completely fabricated new age belief. Human cultures always have to start at some foundation, they didn’t just exist as they do now in their current state from primordial times. Just be better at discerning cultural appropriation from genuine adaptation and give up your spiritual superiority complex. We are all a living being experiencing the same phenomena as the plants, animals, and stars around us.
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innominatadea · 13 days ago
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Blessed Imbolc Everyone!
May your day be filled with warmth and light, may your dwellings be cleansed of filth and clutter and may you rest this night knowing you are watched over by blessed Brigid!
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snakeflower-cottage · 21 days ago
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So funny watching neopagans cherry-pick which information they want to be correct, things like holidays for example:
They want the solstices and equinoxes to be the starts of seasons because NASA and the wheel of the year or whatever but willingly change old holidays (and the information they present for it) to fit that.
“It was called midsummer, they recognized it as the start of summer” 🤡
Anyways, clearly I had a bottle of haterade today
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11salem-spirit11 · 13 days ago
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🔮Digital Grimoire 🔮
by Salem Spirit
Section: Holidays
Focus: Imbolc
Origins: Gaelic
Also known as: Saint Brigid’s Day
Purpose: Marks the Beginning of Spring (and in Christianity, a feast day for Saint Brigid—the patroness saint of Ireland)
Date: February 1st, halfway from the Winter Solstice (c. December 21-22nd) and the Soeing Equinox (March 20th)
In Gaelic Tradition: One of the Four Seasonal Festivals (alongside Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain)
Etymology: Imbolc translates to in the belly, referring to the lambs that are about to be born during this time (there are different translations/ideas out there)
Colors: White (like snow, milk, and wool) and Green (like plants), orange/red (like fire)
Activities: Planning a garden, inward activities such as a nature walk, cooking with winter crops
Plants: Snowdrops
Devotion activities: devotional flame to Brigid, crafting a Brigid’s cross, as well as crafting a Brigid doll aka a Bridey Doll
Mythology: Some experts claim that Imbolc was an early pagan festival. One that celebrated lambing season (the season is which lambs are born).
There are even claims that Imbolc goes all the way back to Neolithic times! This is due to the fact that there are passage tombs that align with the sunrise around the times of Imbolc and Samhain; two major Gaelic festivals.
It is also called Saint Brigid’s day as this day, February first, is recorded to have been a feast day for Saint Brigid in early Christianity. Saint Brigid, in Christianity, is said to have lived in the sixth century. She was such an important figure that a cult was formed around her.
Some believe however, that Saint Brigid is based off the pagan goddess Brigid. She is associated with wisdom, poetry, protection, black smithing, and domesticated animals.
IMBOLC TRADITIONS:
Brigid’s Cross’ are made on Imbolc. A Brigid cross consists of rushes woven into a four armed cross.
Brigid’s Cross’ are put above doors, windows, as well as stables for protection. This includes protection against fire, illness, and evil spirits. The crosses are left until the next Imbolc, where they are replaced.
Bridey dolls also known as Brigid Dolls are dolls created as an effigy of Brigid. Traditionally make of leaves, straw, and other natural materials and according to some, dressed in fabric. Tradition goes that one must craft a Bridey doll ahead of Imbolc, and on the eve of the holiday, the doll should be placed in a bed/basket next to a hearth. The next day, on Imbolc, the ashes of the previous nights fire would be spread out in front of the hearth and any marks found in the ash the next day would be a sign of Brigid’s blessing in your home.
Happy Imbolc Eve 2025!
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god-of-annwn · 4 months ago
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Cemetery walking on Samhain. Just heard a literal growl coming from one of the trees as I walked past.
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