Modern paganism. How is it practiced?

     Despite the fact that we live in the 21st-century paganism is still widely practiced. Although it has somewhat adopted a new life in the form of Wicca, people all around the world still take part in some of the ancient rituals and practice. So what exactly has changed over time and is it that different? The monotheistic religions view god as an absolute good, righteous and infallible. 

     Most pagan religions have a lot of gods and goddesses that are far from perfect. Some are good, some are bad, and they are capable of errors and most importantly of change, bringing them closer to people and easier to make a deep and personal connection with. The fact that gods and goddesses can evolve, better themselves and learn is a major point of attraction for people towards paganism. In recent years more and more people are turning to paganism because of the ever-growing consumer society. Turning to Mother Nature is not as frowned upon as it was before and with the freedom that the modern world brings, paganism gives a certain sense of freedom and acceptance that the wildly practiced religions can't.

     Nothing is black and white, there is no absolute good or bad and god can be in anyone and anything man or woman. In the ancient forms of paganism and the new forms, the basic notions of respect and love have never changed. In modern-day and age what could you expect from paganism? Let's start with the people that practice the religion in this day and age. If we look at the statistics the number can be between 500.000 to a million but there are so many people that keep their religion private so the number of practicing pagans is probably much higher. There is not one united doctrine. Everyone has their own heritage, for example Nordic religion, Slavic, some turn to activism and some turn to druids.

     Druidry or Druidism is a form of a modern pagan, mostly practiced in Britain, belief that is on the rise today. Even though druids were originally Christian and they started out as a cultural movement, only after the 19th century did they transform into a religious movement. The core of their belief is respect, harmony and connection to the natural world which includes all living beings and the environment. 

     Each grove has ceremonies unique to them (group of druids is called a grove). Their rituals usually take place during the day in the sun. What follows is a rough description of how one of their ritual looks like. Druids stand in a circle calling the quarters – drawing a circle in the sky to hail the north, east, west and south and mark the space of the ritual. A chalice of milk and some bread or cake is passed around the circle among the druids. The druids then visualize the earth's energy that is sent with a healing purpose towards an individual, group or even someone on the outside.

 

     Modern Slavic tradition is still practiced in the area of the Balkans and Russia. Unlike the Druids of Britain that changed over time the people of Slavic belief are trying to bring the old gods, rituals, myths and overall religion back. Slavic religion lays on the belief in opposite forces that complement each other, and in that duality god is expressed. Through the example of Belobog (White god) and Chernobog (Black god) both masculine and feminine energies are expressed, both strength and weakness and good and bad. Another form of the two are gods Perun/Svarog and Veles. Perun the force of thunder and masculine energy and Veles the god of inspiration and poetry. 

      So what does a modern day Slavic ritual look like? I actually attended one of the rituals dedicated to the summer solstice. Group members gather in a circle around a piece of wood with torches in hand. Firstly a prayer is read from the book of Veles then a fire is lit by the torches. When the fire dies down the group members jump over the remains of fire and ashes leaving their troubles burning beneath them. After the fire comes water, the male portion of the group take a ritual bath in the river and the women put candles into flowery wraiths that they then light up and release along the river.

  

     Modern Norse paganism more commonly called Asatru or Heathen has deep connections to the past belief of the Nordic people. Asatru believe that god are living beings, the Aesir, the Vanir and the Jotnar and they take an active role in everyday life. The Asatru that are killed in a battle will ascend to Valhalla while the dishonorable ones will end up in Hifhel. The ones that go to Valhalla are escorted by Freya and her Valkyries and there they will Sarimner (A pig killed and resurrected every day) with the gods. 

     The dishonorable ones go to Hifhel a place of torment and pain and the remaining of people go to Hel a place of eternal rest and peace. It is one of Iceland's fastest-growing religions. The Asatru have weekly gatherings that are open to the public. The first pagan temple after 1000 years is being built in Iceland at the moment and is close to being finished!