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La Forme De Microfiche/^ De Reproduction Sur Papier Ou Sur Format Électronique National Library Bibliothèque nationale 141 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographic Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. rue WelIington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Ottawa ON KIA ON4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une Licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Lïbrary of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distnbute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microfom, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/^ de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or othemise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Maryanne E. Pearce Graduate Program in Anthropology Submitted in partial hlfillrnent of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Faculty of Graduate Studies The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario January, 2000 O Maryanne E, Pearce2000 Something New, Something Old: "The Old Religiony' in the Modem World Modemity is characterized by pluralism, a move toward secularization and away fiom tradition and authority. Paganism, part of the New Age movement, is a religion that embodies characteristics of modernity. Adherents assert individuals are their own ultimate religious authorities, there is little dogma or rules, and that al1 who practice are clergy. However, there are considerable contrasts between the rhetoric and the reality. Since its recent inception and continuing today, Paganism has a system of ranks, degrees and tities which constitute a rneritocracy. In recent years it has begun to make the shift fiom counter-culture to the mainstream as practitioners become increasingly middle-class and educated- Children raised as Pagan are becoming more common, and are changing Paganism, as is the slow emergence of a professional, paid clergy. The recent popularity of Paganism, as well as the influx of mainstream participants, is exacerbating and bringing to the fore tensions which existed previously. This thesis examines the relationship between modernity and Paganism, and the responses of Pagans to rnodernity. Further, it addresses the tensions, contradictions and debates of Paganism that will shape its fùture. In the past two years, a great number of people have aided in this project. First and foremost, 1 would like to thank the forty-three people who allowed me to interview them, and fiom which the basis of my conciusions are drawn. Without their help, this thesis could not have been written. 1 would also like to thank Anne-Marie and Jim, organizers of Wic-Can Fest and Harvest Fest, and Pam and David, organizers of The Kaleidoscope Gathering (Mini-Fest) for allowing me to conduct research and interviews whiie attending those festivals, Thanks must also be extended to informants Gina Ellis, Vivianne and C hris Crowley for dlowing me to tape and use lectures and seminars they conducted. 1 would also like to thank my advisor, Dan Jorgensen, for providing topic and source suggestions, copious editing and advice. Also, Kim Clark for her early aid in my project. And finally, 1 would Iike to thank my partner, Austin, as aiways, for his help, suggestions and encouragement. * . .. Certificate of Examination ................................................................................... ...ii Abstract ............................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements................................................................................. .. .......... iv Table of Contents ................................................................................................. v .* List of Tables ................................................................................................... ~ii I Casting the Circle Introduction ............................................................................................. -1 Background .............................................................................................. 3 Setting the Stage ....................................................................................... 6 Methodology ........................................................................................... -8 Participant-Observation of a Practitioner/Researcher .............................. 11 2 Teaching New Witches OId Tricks: Learning the Witch's Crac Introduction ............................................................................................ 14 "Coming Home": Finding the Spiritual Path .......................................... 15 Instruction .............................................................................................. 19 The Role of Teachers .............................................................................. 24 Cornpetence ........................................................................................... -30 Experts .................................................................................................. -35 Fakes, Charlatans, Wannabes and Posers ............................................... -38 Who is a Witch? ..................................................................................... 39 The Solitary Witch .................................................................................. 42 Conclusion... .......................................................................................... -44 3 "Those Who Cannot Bear Your Rule WilI Leave You" Introduction ........................................................................................... -45 Central Aut hority ................................................................................... -46 Hierarchy .......... .. ................................................................................ -48 Dogrna, Belief and Performance ............................................................. 53 Power, Respect and Authorïty ................................................................ -61 Conclusion............................................................................................. -67 4 Making It Work: Tensions. Contradictions and Rationakations Introduction ............................................................................................ 69 Modemity and Religious Plural ism ........................................................-70 The Deductive Approach ............................................................ -74 The Reductive Approach .................................................. .,, ..... -78 The Inductive Approach .............................................................. 79 Pagan Responses to Religious PluraIism ..................................... -82 A Dispersion of Practitioners: A Community of Strangers ...................... 83 Conclusion.............................................................................................. 87 5 The Circle is Open, But Unbroken The Current State of Research on Paganism and Its Practitioners ............89 Paganism: Counter-Culture or Mainstream?........................................... -94 School and Student: The Intellectualization of Paganism ........................ 98 "The OId Religiony7in the New Millenium: The Future ofPaganism .... -100 End Notes ........................................................................................................ 105 Appendix One Interview Questions .............................................................................. 111 Appendix Two Informant Summaries ........................................................................... 113 Bibliography .................................................................................................... 125 Curriculum Vita ............................................................................................... 136 Table Two Suggested Reading List .._.-_.....-_..-...---.------------------...-+-.----.-----. ---...-- ---. 22 CWTER ONE Casting the Circle Half a century ago Britain removed arcane laws prohibiting the practice of witchcraft. Shoriiy thereafter, Gerald Gardner went public about his involvement with Witchcraft,' which he claimed was the "religion" practiced by witches during the Middle Ages. At this point Gardner's version of Witchcraf? centered around generic "old gods" and ntuals, poetry and Iiturgy borrowed f?om the occult, Eastern religions and ancient Western cultures. Ns High Priestess, Doreen Valiente, altered the face of modem Paganism with the inclusion of-and the priority given to-the Goddess.' She also wrote a great deal of the dogmatic elements that form the basic tenets of modem Paganism. Neo-Pagani~rn,~or Paganism, is the broad term used to describe a number of different religious denominations, of which Wicca is the largest. While al1 Witches, Wiccans and Druids are Pagans, the reverse is not me. Pagan is an umbreIla term, like Christian, which encompasses different denominations, or traditions, such as Wicca, Druidism, Asatm, etc. 1 have used the term "Witch" synonymously with "Pagan," but use the term "Wiccan" or "Druid if refemng to that specific tradition. "Neo-Paganism" is the term used most ofien by scholars,
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