Random Thoughts - The rise of Neopaganism

Over the last couple months, I have been exploring neopaganism, especially Wicca, and participating in their ceremonies and activities.  

The term "neopagan" is used by academics and adherents alike to identify Pagan traditions which are largely modern in origin, or which are conceived as reconstructions, continuations or revivals of ancient practices.  In the United States, the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) 2001 study based on a poll conducted by The Graduate Center at The City University of New York found that an estimated 140,000 people self-identified as Pagans; 134,000 self-identified as Wiccans; and 33,000 self-identified as Druids.   The study also found that the number of Wiccans in the United States rose 17-fold between 1990 and 2001.  The military now recognizes the Wiccans as a "minority religion" with the right to hold rituals and classes for serving personnel.

Wicca is a religion in which feminism, environmentalism, and liberalism all come together.  They recognize the goddess as the object of worship, the priestess as her representative, and the earth and its seasons as the source of sacred rites.  Overall, Wicca is very diverse in its beliefs and has no central hierarchy, doctrine or text.  In general, the Wiccan philosophy can be summarized by the Wiccan Rede: "An it harm none, do what ye will. "  The Rule of Three (also threefold law or law of return) is one of the major tenets of Wicca and it teaches that whatever energy a person puts out into the world, be it positive or negative, will be returned to that person three times.  Modern Wicca is most often traced to Gerald Brousseau Gardner's book "Witchcraft Today" that was published in 1954.  Most Wiccan's would argue though that their faith has roots in ancient goodess-based religions that are older and more spiritual than Christianity, and that it was branded as evil only because it was seen as a threat to the "patriarchal" culture.     

This rise in Wiccan belief seems to be based on three major needs.  First, it is popular among those disenfranchised with the Christian faith but still have a need to belong to a religions group.  They challenge the traditional concept that religion is a matter of obedience; and instead have put their faith in self empowerment.  Wicca's philosophy of anything goes as long as you do not harm others definitely has a New Age appeal.

Another reason for Wicca's appeal can be found in the belief that science has disenchanted the universe and deprived us of our place at its center.  There is a great peace in seeing the environment as our tribal forebears saw it: as an enchanted place.   This places a greater burden on humans to care for the world.   Neopagans often feel a duty to protect the Earth through activism, and support causes such as rainforest protection, organic farming, permaculture, animal rights and so on.   Rituals, spells, and incantations are also attacks on science and defiances of reason.   Alone you could not possibly believe in them, since alone you have only reason as your guide, but as a member of a group that also believes in those powers, you can find acceptance and community.

A third appeal can be found in the rise of feminism.  The collapse of the institution of marriage has been seen as causing women to have no real guarantee of security and therefore no reason for trusting men.  If men cannot be trusted, then women have to set up on their own. Feminism turns on the masculine realm and deconstructs it, representing it as a realm of lies, manipulation, and the brutal misuse of power.  Wicca replaces the Christian god, usually protrayed as a masculine personality, with the Goddess, that embodies feminine traits.  Overall there is a belief that the world would be better if we would replace our aggressive, more masculine actions and traits with a gentler, more feminine nature.

My experience with the Wiccans has been nothing but positive.  I like to consider myself open-minded but in general, I am not a believer of supernatural powers.  I have met alot of great people that are practicing Wiccans and they seem to be mostly hedonistic and have a great love for nature and their fellow man.  As with any religion, I am sure there are those "scary" people out there that might fit the role of the "evil witch" but that definitely does not seem to be the core. 

Until next time, I end with a common Wiccan parting: "Merry Meet, Merry Part And Merry Meet Again."