Some definitions of beliefs that fall under Paganism

What is Wicca?


Wicca is a spiritual path based on a respect for Nature and the God and the Goddess. While many Western religions look for Deity from an outside source, Wicca finds the respect from within. Humans are a combination of both male and female. The Wiccan concept of Deity reflects this in the worship of both a God and Goddess. Wicca is about living in Harmony with the natural world and the cycles of life. The earth and the universe are often seen as a manifestation of God and Goddess. Wiccans strive to live with nature, not against it

.What is Shamanism?

Shaman are traditionally the Medicine People of a clan or tribe. They interpreted the seasons and omens in everyday life. They were often people of great power. They were most in tune with Nature and the force of life. They mastered shifts in awareness and gained magickal knowledge through self imposed trials. They used tools such as drums, rattles and chants to overwhelm the senses, creating a bridge between the physical world, to a realm of vaster energies. It is from these beginnings that all magick and religion arose, including Wicca. Many of the techniques in Wicca are Shamanic in origin.

What is Druidism?

The druids were a Shamanic group that arose out of the Celtic tribes of Europe. The druids organized common knowledge from other traditions and clans and passed it on, in oral tradition to serve the political, social and spiritual needs of the people. They fell into classes of Scholars and Bards and kept the records of stories and songs, myths and legends. They kept track of ancestries, prophecies, pledges, treaties, alliances and legal codes. They were responsible for educating the youth and often acted as lawyers and judges in disputes. They often recruited youth who showed promise in their teachings.

What is Norse Magick?

Norse Magick is also referred to as Odinism or Teutonic Magick. It is based on the Pantheon of Norse Gods and Goddesses. Odin, Thor and Freya being foremost in the pantheon. A Norse priest is called Godhi (go-thee) and the Priestess is called a Gydhja ( gith-ya ). Both are known by the Norse term Vikti, meaning “wise one”. Norse magick is also developing the Warrior Spirit. It is deeply family based and much of its practice involves the tenets of living well, both with nature and the gods, as well as with clan and family. It has a “Rede of Honor”, which is a set of rules by which one should live ones life. Honor and courage are requirements for this spiritual path.

What is Celtic Magick?

Celtic Magick is based on the Celtic pantheons. It is similar to both Druidism and Wicca. It is steeped in myth and legends of Faery folk and Faery Magicks. It is also a shamanic based path. Nature and the reverence of such are highly important to the Celtic Magickian. Many Celtic Practitioners have contacts with Faeries and Familiars. It also tends to lean towards the Ceremonial side of Magick.

Why Magic with a “k”?

This is to separate “magic”, which tends to be done with smoke and mirrors, and is performed by people like, David Copperfield, from “magick”, which comes from within, a Magickal Work, performed by a priest or priestess, or solitary practitioner. In a sense, it separates True Magick, from illusion.