How Pagans Define Their Religion
Do we call it Pagan, neo-Pagan, Witchcraft, Wicca or some other label? Is ‘Witchcraft” the religion or is it something else? If we look at the origins of the word and how it was originally used, then yes, Witchcraft is a religion. But it’s important to look at the origins as well as the meaning of the words as they were initially used to begin this discussion. But it’s also important to look at how these words have evolved throughout time and what they have become to mean.
Words like people evolve in their meaning and in their use. When a religion such as modern paganism has evolved so much through the centuries, does it really make sense to hold onto old labels like “Witchcraft”? Some say no. Others say that was never the name for our religion to begin with. It was heaped onto believes by the early Christian Church and demeans our beliefs and practices.
So how do modern practitioners of paganism define the name for their religion? For that we have to start at the beginning and discuss the meaning, origin and evolution of some of the words and labels that are used within our religion. This maybe tedious stuff, but it’s important to know where you came from in order to understand where you’re going. Continue reading
Springwolf Reflections 