Traditions Represented
Clearly it is profoundly difficult to sum up any religion or spiritual tradition, its beliefs and practices, in a short paragraph or two. To do so in a way which is both sufficiently concise and clear to be of guidance to non-Pagans, and yet is also sufficiently comprehensive to be satisfactory to those studying and practising those religions, is a difficult task. The paragraphs below are written by council members or other elders within the particular traditions.
As stated elsewhere on these pages, if you believe a particular British Pagan tradition to be not represented here, please get in touch with us at office [at] honour [dot] org [dot] uk. The council is slowly establishing itself and would welcome the input of elders from recognized British Paganisms.
Animism
Animism is the attempt to live respectfully as members of the diverse community of living persons (only some of whom are human) which we call the world or cosmos.
The term has been used to define religion as 'belief in spirits' and to label those who engage with 'spirits of trees', 'spirits of rocks', 'spirits of place', and so on. Its new use is closer to the understanding of those indigenous people and eco-Pagans who treat the world as a community of persons. All living beings are related and work together to make the world what it is. This need not imply a romantic notion that the world is a 'nice' place and that everyone co-operates peacefully. Even emnity is a relationship that makes the world ... but it is not a respectful or healthy way to live with others. So, it is important for animists to find ways to relate respectfully with persons (not all of whom are human) among whom they find themselves. They may take into account not only those in their immediate environment but also those whose lives they affect by consuming food grown somewhere else, and so on. The ceremonies of animists are typically concerned with respectful etiquette of greeting, sharing and gratitude.
Druidry
The Druids were the intellectual caste and spiritual advisors of the pre-Roman peoples of the islands of Britain and Ireland, and in Gaul on the continent. They were described by the classical writers as one of the great philosophical groups of the ancient world, along with the Persian Magi and the Brahmins of India, with one of their primary roles identified as officiating at religious ceremonies and sacrifices. The supposed philosophical ideal behind the Druids was publicly resurrected during the 18th century and for an increasing number today it is this philosophical and religious aspect of the Druids that is important to them.
Based on sacred, inspired and respectful relationship between an individual and the spirits of nature, of the environment and its ecosystems, Druidry focuses too on relationship with the ancestors, acknowledging the 'old ones' as an ever-present part of the river that brings life, love, courage and wisdom. The heritage of Britain and Ireland is considered this sacred river, of landscape, mythology, history and culture.
Many modern Druids are polytheistic, revering the old British, Gaelic and Gaulish gods in the mythologies such as Cerridwen, Rhiannon, Lugh, Brighid, Epona and hero figures such as Caratacos, Arthur, Cuchulain, Myrddin and Taliesin. Many are animistic, acknowledging inherent sanctity and purpose within every aspect of nature, from macro- to microcosmic, perceiving a world that is wholly interconnected on every level. However, modern Druidry is not generally defined by any single pantheon or notion of deity, and there are some within the tradition who would call themselves monotheists, revering a single creative force; there are Druids who are Celtic Christians and Culdees, and those who weave Druidry with Buddhism, Hinduism, native American traditions and other religious paths of their own bloodline. IT retains it’s inherent philosophical uniqueness.
Its ethics are based on honour - profound respect, personal responsibility, courage and loyalty, generosity and honesty - for all that is nature, both that which we perceive and comprehend, and that which is beyond our understanding, lying in the realms of mysteries. Practice of Druidry is based upon the quest for inspiration, called awen, through sacred relationship with spirits, gods and currents of nature, and the expression of empowered truth through wakeful, honourable living and inspired conscious creativity.
Eco-Paganism
Eco-Paganism isn't so much a tradition as an eclectic movement that finds expression through many different spiritual paths. We express our spirituality through environmental activism and rituals of resistance. Some Eco-Pagans work with traditional environmental groups and many are active at environmental and social protests. Because it builds relationships between the natural world and human kind, Eco-Paganism is non-violent, non-hierarchical, and strives towards holistic solutions. Eco-Pagans learn their faith from nature, and those lessons inspire rare commitment to the Earth. We live our love for the Land, and love is an impeccable warrior. Eco-Paganism offers a healing, so that we can come to know that we are part of all that surrounds us, part of the sacredness of the Earth. We heal the Earth as we heal ourselves.
Heathenism
Heathenry encompasses both the ancient pagan religions of the Old North (the communities of Northwestern Europe during the migration age, comprising most of the first and turn of the second millennia CE) and the contemporary revival and reconstruction of these religions – sometimes known as Ásatrú (allegiance to the Aesir deities) or Northern Tradition – for individual and community empowerment. While there may be no direct historical continuity of traditions, both ancient and contemporary heathenry involve the engagement of adherents with deities known from Norse or Old English sources, including the gods Odin, Frey and Thor and goddesses Frigg, Idun and Freyja, as well as other ‘supernatural’ beings such as wights (including nature spirits), elves and dwarfs. Particular emphasis is placed on honouring the Ancestors.
Today's heathenry is, therefore, a polytheist religion based on relationships with the old gods, goddesses and spirits ('wights') which were part of everyday life in Northern Europe before the Christian era. For some adherents this involves magical or shamanistic practices – rune magic, galdr-singing or seidr (heathen 'shamanic') work. Today's Heathens look to North European mythology, art and poetry, and attempt to learn more about the culture and spirituality of this part of the world. They are attempting to 're-indigenise' their perceptions and worldview, and so to develop spirituality that works in today's cultures but connects with history and prehistory.
Witchcraft and Wicca
Witches follow a Nature-based spirituality and revere the 'Old Gods' - the pre-Christian deities of Europe. Witches worship principally the Goddess of the Earth and Triple Moon and her consort, the Horned God; along with many other Gods and Goddesses. Many regard all deities, including those of other faiths, as different aspects of the one Divine power. The names by which Witches call their Gods vary in different traditions, but Aradia and Cerridwen are common for the Goddess and Cernnunos (which means Horned One) and Herne for the God. In some traditions, however, the names of the Gods are considered so sacred that they are never spoken except in ritual and the Gods are known as the Lady and the Lord.
The rituals and practice of Witchcraft involve a re-linking with the lifeforce of Nature, on this planet and in the stars beyond. In country glades, in city flats, in suburban backgardens, groups of women and men meet at the full moons and at festival times to worship the Gods and to reawaken a sense of oneness with the universe, which has become lost in the frenzy of the modern world. By celebrating the forces of Nature, in ourselves and in the world around us, we catch a glimpse of the origin of Nature, contained within the world yet at the same time more than the world, expressed through time yet equally timeless. Witches have a strong ecological awareness and sense of guardianship of the Earth. Since the Gods dwell within Nature, Witches believe that our planet is sacred and must be protected from the ravages of humankind. Witches also reverence the wisdom of the past, believing there is much to learn from the myths and lore of our ancestors and that we can access these through ritual drama, poetry and song, and through living in harmony with the Earth and our fellow creatures.