Paganism
A lot of people have the question of 'What is Paganism?' For some, the term paganism is a word that should never be said. It represents evil, the devil, or anything horrid and bad. In actuality, the term is used to describe a religion who has multiple gods and goddess and does not have a central authority, per Webster Dictionary.
Paganism is not evil, those who practice the craft are kind-hearted individuals who fight for the underdog. They love nature and also try to be one with nature. They except those who feel they are different from society because they too feel they are different from society. Pagans have rituals and holidays that they celebrate just like any other religion. Most of the holidays that Pagans celebrate are the same holidays that Christians celebrate. Long ago Christians were very interested in the Pagan rituals but also they wanted to convert them at the same time. So, they decided to match holidays by making their holidays around the same time as the Pagan holidays. For example, Christians celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus, but nowhere in the bible does it state the exact time when he was born. December 21st is when Pagans would celebrate Yule or the Winter Solstice.
What seems to scare people most about Pagans is the rituals they do. This is why some call them Witches, because of the spells they do for themselves or a holiday. Some Pagans don't mind being called a Witch and others take offense. The ritual is a big part for most Pagans, they have an altar with candles, a statue of the god and goddess, an athame (knife), sage, cloth, a BOS (Book of Shadows) and even a wand. These are just some of the items you would find on an altar. These are not tools to do a sacrifice on small children or animals (as some would assume). They are tools to help the Pagan become closer to their deity when they perform a spell.
Another thing that scares people is the pentagram that a Pagan wears. This is a symbol that represents the four elements and spirit. Most Pagans wear a pentagram with one point up, two points up represents the horned god. People who are into Satanism took over the two points up symbol and uses it to represent the devil. Pagans and Satanist are NOT the same. Pagans do not believe in the devil.
So, all in all, Pagans are just like you and me. They can be your co-worker, neighbor, acquaintance, the person you just passed on the street. We all live together on this Earth to do the same thing, to live out our lives in happiness.
What seems to scare people most about Pagans is the rituals they do. This is why some call them Witches, because of the spells they do for themselves or a holiday. Some Pagans don't mind being called a Witch and others take offense. The ritual is a big part for most Pagans, they have an altar with candles, a statue of the god and goddess, an athame (knife), sage, cloth, a BOS (Book of Shadows) and even a wand. These are just some of the items you would find on an altar. These are not tools to do a sacrifice on small children or animals (as some would assume). They are tools to help the Pagan become closer to their deity when they perform a spell.
Another thing that scares people is the pentagram that a Pagan wears. This is a symbol that represents the four elements and spirit. Most Pagans wear a pentagram with one point up, two points up represents the horned god. People who are into Satanism took over the two points up symbol and uses it to represent the devil. Pagans and Satanist are NOT the same. Pagans do not believe in the devil.
So, all in all, Pagans are just like you and me. They can be your co-worker, neighbor, acquaintance, the person you just passed on the street. We all live together on this Earth to do the same thing, to live out our lives in happiness.
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