How to Know: ‘Am I Pagan?’ and Why It Matters Now

Welcome to a exploration that may have you rethinking everything you’ve been taught about spirituality and well-being. Have you ever found yourself pondering questions like “What is Paganism?” or “Am I Pagan?” If so, you’re in good company.

Far from being inquiries for just the spiritually curious, these questions are increasingly important as we navigate an era marked by both environmental crises and a sense of spiritual disconnect. In this light, paganism deserves a second look, not merely as an alternative belief system, but as a holistic lifestyle that could offer the keys to a more sustainable, fulfilling existence.

friends around a camp fire celebrating nature

Why Paganism Deserves a Second Look

It’s understandable if words like “paganism” provoke a mix of curiosity and apprehension. If you’ve grown up in a monotheistic environment, like Christianity, you might have been taught that paganism is dark, scary, or even evil. Let’s dispel those myths right here. Far from being malevolent, paganism is rich in practices and philosophies that have kept humans deeply connected to the Earth, each other, and the very cycles of nature for millennia.

There’s a burgeoning interest in these ancient, earth-centric ideas, and it’s not hard to see why. We live in a time of considerable environmental and social upheaval, a time calling for balance both within ourselves and with the world at large. The wisdom embedded in pagan traditions offers a rejuvenating counterpoint to the prevailing imbalances we encounter daily.

So if you’ve ever wondered “What is a Pagan?”, or if you’re just curious about incorporating some of these earth-centered principles into your modern life, you’re in the right place. We’ll delve into this fascinating world with an open mind, challenging old narratives and exploring how paganism is neither scary nor evil. Instead, it’s a spiritual path that can be adapted and practiced in a contemporary, ethical, and profoundly meaningful way.

Ready to get started? Dive in, and let’s uncover the enduring appeal of paganism—a pathway that not only offers personal spiritual nourishment but also crucial insights for our collective well-being.

What is Paganism?

At its core, Paganism is a collection of diverse spiritual traditions focused on nature, ancestral worship, and polytheism. Unlike the “one-size-fits-all” model of monotheistic religions, paganism allows the divine to permeate every facet of life, offering a more personalized and expansive approach to spirituality.

It’s essential to recognize that paganism isn’t some new-age concoction but has roots deeply embedded in human history. Before the rise of monotheistic religions, many cultures around the globe followed pagan traditions that emphasized living in harmony with nature and one another. These ancient practices not only survived but thrived for generations, keeping communities both happy and healthy.

A Brief History of Paganism: A Timeline Centered on Nature

Understanding paganism is also about tracing its nature-centric roots throughout history and recognizing how it was impacted by the rise of organized monotheistic religions. Let’s take a journey through significant moments in the timeline of paganism and see how its naturalistic focus contrasted with the power-centralizing tendencies of monotheistic religions.

Prehistoric Times: Early human communities practiced animism and nature worship, considered the rudimentary forms of paganism. Nature was revered as sacred, and rituals often mimicked natural cycles.
Ancient Civilizations: Major civilizations like the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Greeks followed polytheistic religions deeply rooted in nature. Temples were often built in natural settings, and gods and goddesses represented natural elements.
Roman Era (~500 BCE – 476 CE): Pagan practices in Rome not only celebrated nature but also embodied it in gods and goddesses, like Minerva, Diana the huntress and Bacchus, god of wine and fertility.
Formation of Judaism (~2000-500 BCE): As one of the first monotheistic religions, Judaism laid the foundation for centralized religious authority. This focus on a single deity and centralized religious practices starkly contrasted with the decentralized, nature-oriented pagan traditions.
Birth of Christianity (1st Century CE): With the emergence of Christianity, the chasm between the nature-centric pagan traditions and power-centralizing monotheistic religions widened. Christianity began to establish itself as a structured, organized religion that transcended regional boundaries.
Council of Nicaea (325 CE): The codification of Christian beliefs marked a significant step in consolidating power within the Church, often at the expense of demonizing and marginalizing nature-based pagan traditions.
Islamic Golden Age (8th – 14th Century): The rise of Islam further cemented the centralized power structures of monotheistic religions, covering diverse regions from Spain to India, and marginalized regional, nature-centric pagan practices.
Medieval Witch Hunts (15th – 18th Century): The active persecution and demonization of pagan practices, particularly those associated with nature worship and herbalism, escalated in Europe.
Renaissance and Enlightenment (14th – 18th Century): Although these eras embraced humanism and reason, they often did so within a monotheistic framework, further sidelining the nature-centric traditions of paganism.
Modern Revival (20th Century – Present): In a time of ecological crisis, a resurgence in Wicca, Druidry, and other nature-focused pagan paths symbolizes a collective return to earth-based spirituality.

From this timeline, it’s clear that the nature-centric essence of paganism has continually been at odds with the power-centralizing tendencies of organized, monotheistic religions. Despite the pressures, paganism’s resilience and adaptability show its enduring relevance, especially in today’s context when a holistic, earth-centered approach is urgently needed.

Pagan Holidays: The Wheel of the Year and Its Relevance Today

Paganism’s deep connection to nature is most evident in its celebration of the Wheel of the Year, a cycle of eight annual holidays that honor the Earth’s natural rhythms. Let’s delve into each of these holidays and explore not only their historical significance but also how they can enrich our modern lives.

Samhain (October 31 – November 1)

Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the “darker half” of the year. In ancient times, this was a crucial period to take stock of food supplies and prepare for winter. It’s also seen as a time when the veil between our world and the spirit world is thinnest, offering a moment for introspection and honoring ancestors. In today’s world, Samhain can serve as a reminder to prepare—both physically and spiritually—for the challenges ahead.

Yule (December 20 – 23)

Yule celebrates the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. Our ancestors observed this holiday as a rebirth of the Sun, ensuring survival as the days began to lengthen again. Today, Yule can remind us of the cyclical nature of life and offer hope during dark times.

Imbolc (February 1 – 2)

Imbolc marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. It was a time for purification and preparation for the growing season ahead. Modern celebrations can focus on self-care and setting intentions for the coming months.

Ostara (March 20 – 23)

Celebrating the Spring Equinox, Ostara welcomes the balance of day and night and the promise of warmer days. Ancient communities planted crops and rejoiced in fertility rites. Today, Ostara can inspire us to embrace new beginnings and nurture our own growth.

Beltane (May 1)

Beltane honors the peak of Spring and the ushering in of Summer. It was a time for feasting, fire festivals, and celebrating the fertility of the Earth. Nowadays, Beltane can serve as a celebration of love, creativity, and abundance in our lives.

Litha (June 20 – 23)

Also known as the Summer Solstice, Litha is the longest day of the year. Our ancestors used this time to celebrate the fullness of life and to invoke spiritual protection for the coming harvest season. Today, Litha can be a moment to focus on gratitude and community building.

Lammas (August 1)

Lammas is the first harvest festival of the year, celebrating the initial reaping of grains and cereals. It offered a moment for communities to come together and share the bounty. In our modern context, Lammas can be a time to celebrate achievements and share our “harvest,” however that may manifest.

Mabon (September 20 – 23)

Mabon, or the Autumn Equinox, signifies a time for thanksgiving and reflection. As daylight wanes, ancient communities prepared for the winter and took stock of their harvest. Today, Mabon can help us find balance and gratitude for what we have while preparing for future challenges.

These holidays not only helped our ancestors survive but thrived by being attuned to nature’s cycles. As modern humans, reconnecting with these celebrations can restore a sense of balance and purpose in our fast-paced lives.

Primary Pagan Gods: A Spectrum of Belief and Personalization

Before we dive into the intriguing pantheon of pagan gods, let’s talk about what “god” can mean in a pagan context. Much like modern Christians have a range of beliefs about Jesus—from seeing him as a historical figure who performed miracles to viewing him as a symbolic embodiment of virtues—your approach to pagan gods can be just as varied.

On a personal note: I find it extremely helpful to break down complex problems, political issues, and personal choices into a spectrum of options. I place extreme options on either side of the spectrum, and in the middle there is often a healthier approach that suits my needs.

The Spectrum of Belief in Pagan “gods”:

Literal Belief: On one end of the spectrum, you might believe that these gods are literal entities with distinct personalities, powers, and interactions with the human world.
Archetypal Forces: Moving along the scale, you might see gods as archetypal energies or concepts that embody certain aspects of nature or human experience.
Focused Intent: Further still, these gods could serve as focal points for meditation or spiritual practice, helping you concentrate on specific values, attributes, or goals.
Artistic & Cultural Symbols: On the other end, you might not “believe” in these gods at all but appreciate them as art, stories, or cultural heritage that connects you to ancient, earth-centric perspectives.

Now that we have some context, let’s explore some primary pagan gods from various cultures across time.

Celtic Pantheon

Cernunnos: The horned god of fertility, animals, and the underworld.
Brigid: Goddess of fire, poetry, and craftsmanship.

Norse Pantheon

Odin: The Allfather, god of wisdom, war, and magic.
Freyja: Goddess of love, fertility, and battle.

Greek Pantheon

Zeus: King of the gods, representing the sky and thunder.
Demeter: Goddess of agriculture and the harvest.

Roman Pantheon

Jupiter: Like Zeus, the king of gods but in Roman tradition.
Venus: Goddess of love and beauty.

Egyptian Pantheon

Ra: Sun god, creator of all.
Isis: Goddess of magic, fertility, and motherhood.

Mesopotamian Pantheon

Marduk: Chief god of Babylon, associated with creation and justice.
Ishtar: Goddess of love, beauty, and war.

These gods, irrespective of how literally you choose to interpret them, offer various pathways to connect with different facets of nature and human emotion. Whether you’re seeking to manifest specific qualities, find focus in your spiritual practice, acknowledge the tiny moments throughout your day, or simply appreciate the rich tapestry of human belief across time, the pagan pantheon offers a rich and varied landscape for exploration.

Modern Ways to Approach Paganism: It’s Closer to Home Than You Think

In today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world, you might be surprised to find that many of us are unintentionally practicing modern forms of paganism.

Have you ever found solace in a walk through the woods, felt mesmerized by the dancing flames of a fireplace, or felt closer to the Earth by participating in Meatless Mondays? I had a similar “aha” moment myself when I realized that these simple activities were more than just hobbies or ethical choices—they were connecting me to age-old, earth-centric principles that are at the core of pagan traditions.

Individual Practices

Nature Walks: Taking regular walks in natural settings can be your modern-day pilgrimage, where each step deepens your connection with the Earth.
Meditation & Visualization: Use pagan gods or nature archetypes as focal points during meditation to concentrate on specific attributes or goals.
Journaling: Use the lunar cycles or the Wheel of the Year as prompts for self-reflection and intention-setting.
Sacred Space: Create a small altar or sacred space in your home dedicated to elements, gods, or seasons that resonate with you.

For more info on individual practices you can try out:

Group Practices

Community Sabbats: Join or create a community to celebrate pagan holidays like Samhain or Beltane. Social gatherings, even if virtual, can deepen your practice and understanding.
Learning Circles: Create or join a study group to delve deeper into pagan lore, spells, and traditions.
Eco-Activism: Blend your pagan beliefs with community service by engaging in local environmental clean-ups or advocacy.
Shared Rituals: Whether it’s a simple meal blessing or a full-blown ritual, practicing with others can create a rich tapestry of shared meaning and experience.

If you’re looking for even more ways to infuse your year with meaningful celebrations, check out our Alternative Holidays Calendar. This calendar features 48+ unique holidays spread out across the year. Each holiday comes with a QR code that you can scan to learn more and discover two ways to celebrate—one simple and one more elaborate.

So whether you’re consciously seeking a pagan path or you’re already on one without even realizing it, there are myriad ways to deepen your connection with these timeless principles. The avenues to explore are as diverse as the gods in the pantheon, and each step you take enriches your journey in becoming more harmoniously aligned with the Earth and your own inner wisdom.

Science and Paganism: A Harmonious Partnership for Well-Being

You might think that science and paganism are at odds, but that’s a misconception. In fact, the more we learn about the human body and mind through science, the more we find evidence supporting the benefits of practices that have their roots in paganism.

For instance, the book “The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative” by Florence Williams explores how spending time in nature can alleviate stress, improve mood, and even enhance cognitive function. Similarly, “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder” by Richard Louv discusses the numerous psychological and physical health benefits that children experience when they spend time outdoors. These works give credence to the earth-centric ethos at the heart of many pagan practices.

If you’re curious about diving deeper into the confluence of knowledge and pagan principles, you’ll find these blog posts enlightening:

Reclaim Wisdom: Why You Need to Celebrate National Library Week: This post explores how libraries are treasure troves of ancient wisdom and modern knowledge, much like the collected lore of paganism.
Celebrate National Science Day for a Mind-Expanding Holiday: This post delves into how scientific curiosity and a respect for natural laws can coexist with spiritual practices, making for a more rounded, enlightened individual.

Whether you look at peer-reviewed studies or at the wisdom passed down through the generations through pagan traditions, it’s becoming increasingly clear that a closer relationship with nature is not just spiritually fulfilling but also scientifically beneficial for our well-being.

Paganism and the Climate Crisis: A Call to Action

As the climate crisis escalates, one can’t help but notice a surge in grassroots movements, particularly among younger generations, who are increasingly aligning themselves with earth-centric principles.

The kind of stewardship that paganism has advocated for centuries is now more relevant than ever. Whether it’s the Fridays for Future movement started by Greta Thunberg or the Sunrise Movement in the U.S., youth are leading the charge in standing up to corporations and government bodies that prioritize short-term profit over long-term sustainability.

The Growing Movement

Extinction Rebellion: Comprising people of all ages but led significantly by young activists, this global movement employs civil disobedience to demand more aggressive action against climate change.
Zero-Waste Lifestyle: Many millennials and Gen Z folks are turning to minimalism and zero-waste practices, both as a form of resistance against consumerism and as a way to align more closely with the Earth.
Community Gardens: From urban rooftops to suburban backyards, community gardens are sprouting up as a way to reconnect with the land, grow sustainable food, and create green spaces that foster biodiversity.
Eco-Friendly Startups: The younger generation is also entering the business world with a different set of priorities. Companies like Ecosia, which uses ad revenue to plant trees, represent this new wave of entrepreneurial activism.

Why Paganism Matters Now

What’s fascinating is that many of these efforts echo the principles found in paganism, such as a reverence for the Earth, cycles of nature, and the interconnectedness of all life. Through adopting practices and rituals that bring us closer to the Earth, paganism offers a spiritual framework for the environmental activism we desperately need. It allows us to move from merely understanding the climate crisis on an intellectual level to internalizing it on a spiritual and emotional level—transforming knowledge into action.

So as we stand at this critical juncture in human history, paganism offers not just a link to ancient wisdom but a pathway to future survival. The belief systems and practices of our ancestors, who lived more harmoniously with the Earth, can serve as both inspiration and blueprint for what we must do now.

Takeaway: The Timeless Relevance of Paganism

If you’ve found yourself asking questions like “What is Paganism?” or “Am I Pagan?“, you’re not alone.

More and more people are exploring alternative belief systems and practices, and paganism certainly deserves a second look, especially in the context of our current environmental and spiritual crises. Understanding “What is a Pagan?” helps you see that this isn’t about witchcraft or folklore—it’s about a harmonious relationship with the Earth and its cycles, something our modern lives could significantly benefit from.

Am I Pagan?

I asked this question to myself quite a few times before ultimately deciding to write this blog.

In my opinion, whether you’re feeling spiritually unmoored, or you’re an eco-activist looking for a philosophical grounding, paganism offers rich, diverse pathways to personal and global well-being. Its timeless principles of earth stewardship, community, and interconnectedness make it as relevant today as it was to our ancestors. So, take that second look at paganism; you might just discover it’s what you’ve been searching for all along.

Sources:

Koenig, Harold. “Religion, Spirituality, and Health: A Review and Update.” Advances in Psychiatry, 2015.
Charmaine Sonnex, Chris A. Roe, Elizabeth C. Roxburgh. “Flow, Liminality, and Eudaimonia: Pagan Ritual Practice as a Gateway to a Life With Meaning.” Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 2020.
IPCC, 2021: Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.