A Peek at Modern Paganism: What Paganism Is and Isn't (Part 1)

Modern paganism to outside observers often seems like a patchwork of random ideas. True paganism isn't far off from that description, its practitioners agree.

Ivo Dominguez, Jr., a high priest in Dover, Delaware’s Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, a Wiccan sect, said that paganism is usually used as a general term for faiths ranging from Wicca's witchcraft to reverence of nature. It's hardly definitive, he said, and for most pagans, their beliefs are built from a range of personal experiences and trial-and-error.

"It (paganism) contains a broad range of traditions and pantheons. Many pagans are drawn to particular parts of worship related to their genetic ancestry, while others just like what makes their hearts sing. Overall, most people that find their way into paganism have an interest with direct personal experience with the divine,” said Dominguez.

He added, "While most religions are religions of the book, paganism is the religion of the library. There is no overarching structure that says 'this is what you must believe.' It breeds a lot of diversity."

Brendan Myers, an author on paganism and a folk musician residing in Gatineau, Canada, agrees, saying that a major distinction between Christianity and paganism is paganism's acceptance of polytheism. He said that pagans can worship one god or multiple deities, with practitioners deciding what best expresses their faith.

For Dominguez, worship entails daily meditation and contemplation. He also prays before private altars to various beings, interacting with different forces as his needs and desires change. Dominguez said he most often communes with Hekate, an ancient goddess representing transformation and change, and Cernunnos, an antlered Celtic forest spirit associated with nature and fertility. He claims it allows him to better understand the overall scheme of the universe. To read more, click here.