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INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directty from fiie original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copes are in typewriter free, while others may be fix>m any type of conqniter printer. The quality of this rqirodnction is dqiendoit upon die quality of die copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photogr^hs, print bleedthrougb, substandard margins, and improper alignment can advers^ afifrct reproduction. In the unlik^ event that the author did not send UMI a corrqilete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the ddetiorL Oversize materials (e g., m^s, drawings, charts) are rqiroduced by sectioning the orignal, b^jnnii^ at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from Idt to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Eadi original is also photogr^hed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manusoipt have been reproduced xerogr^hicaHy in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and wdiite photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Coirtact UMI directly to order. UMI A BeU & Howell Infinmation Conqany 300 NorthZ etb Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521^)600 AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF NEO-PAGAN FOLKUFE: FESTIVALS AND THE CREATION OF NEO-PAGAN IDENTITIES AND CULTURES IN THE UNITED STATES DISSERTATION Presented in Partial FuIfiUment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy In the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Tracy Leigh Little, B.S., M.A. ■4U, * * * * The Ohio State University 1995 Dissertation Committee: Approved by E. Ojo Arewa Patrick Mullen Amy Zaharlick Advièer Department of Anthropology Xnsi Number: 9612229 Copyright 1995 by Little, Tracy Leigh All rights reserved. UMI Microfonn 9612229 Copyright 1996, by UMI Company. All rights resered. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Tide 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zed) Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Copyright by Tracy Leigh Little 1995 In Memory of my Grandmother, Beulah Grace Dixon, who passed from this world during the completion of this work. She always took great pride in my academic endeavors, to her I owe my drive, ambition, and love of life. 11 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I express my deepest thanks to Dr. Ojo Arewa whose guidance and support have seen me through the completetion of this project and my graduate career. My appreciation goes out to him for always believing in my work, and giving me the initiative to conduct it. My greatest appreciation and thanks also goes out to the other members of my committee. Dr. Patrick Mullen and Dr. Amy Zaharlick for their guidance, patience, and keen insights. I would also like to express my thanks to Dr. Robert Baum and Dr. Rob Reed for their comments and suggestions. My gratitude goes out to Psyche Torok, less Walker, Melanie Jones, Rick Pinkerton, Lonnie Henshaw, Amy Helton, Pam Cooper, Amy Weisberger, Judi Miller, Diane Sturm, Nancy Baker, Gillian Harper, and Tim Pugh for their insights and continued support. I also cannot express the debt of gratitude I owe to my parents, Charlene and Baxter Little. Without their help the completion of this document would have never been possible. To my partner, Adam Hoyt, I give my deepest felt thanks and love. Your unwavering faith, support, guidance and insights throughout this project have meant more to me than words can express. And to the many members of the Neo-Pagan community whose comments, suggestions and creative insights made this work possible, 1 owe my thanks. iii VITA August 26, 1968 Bom - Flintstone, Georgia 1990..........................................................B.S., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee 1990-1993.............................................. Graduate Teaching Associate, Department of Anthropology Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1 9 9 2...................................................... M.A., Department of Anthropology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1993-1995............................................ Course Instructor, Department of Anthropology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio PUBLICATIONS 1992 Little, Tracy, Paul J. Watson, Michael D. Biderman and I.N. Ozbeck. Narcissism and Object Relations. Psychological Reports, 71:799-808. 1992 Watson, Paul, J., Tracy Little, Michael D. Biderman. Narcissism and Parenting Styles. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 9:231-244. IV 1992 . Watson, Paul, J., Tracy Little, S. Sawrie, Michael D. Biderman. Measures of the Narcissistic Personality; Complexity of Relationships with Self-Esteen and Empathy. Journal of Personality Disorders, 6: 434-449. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Anthropology Studies in: Anthropology of Religion, Folklore, Ritual Studies, Psychological Anthropology, New Religious Movements, American culture. Anthropology of Women TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ........................................................................ ü ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..............................................................iii VITA..............................................................................................iv LIST OF TABLES....................................................................... viii LISTOFHGURES.........................................................................ix INTRODUCTION........................................................................... 1 CHAPTER PAGE I. PAGANISM: AN OVERVIEW............................................ 7 Beliefs, Philosophy, and Practice .................................. 11 Demographics ................................................................ 21 Organization and Traditions.........................................29 Paganism as “Culture” ............................................ 44 n. HISTORY OF THE PAGAN REVIVAL...............................48 m. LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................... 80 IV. METHODOLOGY............................................................. 110 V. THE CULTURAL DYNAMICS OF PAGAN FESTIVALS . 130 The Festival Process .................................................... 139 Creating Community and Culture..............................170 vi VL PAGAN FOLKLORE: THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW ORAL TRADITION.......................................................199 Pagan Stories...............................................................212 Chants ......................................................................... 266 Humor/Jokes............................................................... 279 Ritual..........................................................................290 Vn. CONCLUSION: PAGANISM, ACADEMICS, AND THE POSTMODERN PARADIGM SHIFT 308 ENDNOTES....................................................................................323 BIBLIOGRAPHY..........................................................................325 vn LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE 1. Orion 1995 - Pagan Demographic Survey Results .............26 2. Circle 1992 - Pagan Demographic Survey Results...............27 V lll USTOFHGURES TABLE PAGE 1. Festival registration site .......................................................146 2. Group banner. ..................................................................... 148 3. Merchant booth ........................................................... 150 4. Pagan wares depicting ancient “goddesses” ................... 150 5. Morning meeting ...............................................................153 6. Workshop ............................................................................. 153 7. Facilities at a Pagan festival site....................................... 155 8. Ritual circle site on Pagan land......................................... 156 9. Festival drumming...........................................................................166 10. Handfasting........................................................................ 166 11. Participant at festival costume ball ..................................169 12. Community alter............................................................172 13. Druid’s area on festival land site ......................................183 IX INTRODUCTION Colorful ribbons flatter in the breeze, strung atop the newly erected Maypole. Garlands of flowers adorn the gateway to the ritual circle. In the distance the sounds of drums and soft melodies can be heard. Laughing children rush ahead of the procession, eager to dance. The procession, lead by the newly crowned King and Queen of May approaches the top of the hilL One by one they pass through the gateway each wearing a freshly cut sprig of green. Taking the ribbons in hand, the horn sounds and the dance begins. Over and under, intricate patterns are woven about the pole, as the regenerative force in nature is celebrated. As the dancers tire, a new set steps in to continue the rite. Wishes of fertility for the coming Spring and Summer are called out. Festivities continue until late in the evening. Ceremonial bonfires are lit as darkness approaches to ensure fertility and an abundance harvest. The scene is timeless: is it a scene from pre-Christian Europe; the revival of romanticized nationalistic May Day customs in nineteenth century England; is it a folk-festival; a contemporary Neo-Pagan