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Wicca 1739 Have Allowed for His Continued Popularity
Wicca 1739 have allowed for his continued popularity. Whitman’s According to Gardner, witchcraft had survived the per- willingness to break out of hegemonic culture and its secutions of early modern Europe and persisted in secret, mores in order to celebrate the mundane and following the thesis of British folklorist and Egyptologist unconventional has ensured his relevance today. His belief Margaret Murray (1862–1963). Murray argued in her in the organic connection of all things, coupled with his book, The Witch Cult in Western Europe (1921), that an old organic development of a poetic style that breaks with religion involving a horned god who represented the fertil- many formal conventions have caused many scholars and ity of nature had survived the persecutions and existed critics to celebrate him for his innovation. His idea of uni- throughout Western Europe. Murray wrote that the versal connection and belief in the spirituality present in a religion was divided into covens that held regular meet- blade of grass succeeded in transmitting a popularized ings based on the phases of the moon and the changes of version of Eastern theology and Whitman’s own brand of the seasons. Their rituals included feasting, dancing, sac- environmentalism for generations of readers. rifices, ritualized sexual intercourse, and worship of the horned god. In The God of the Witches (1933) Murray Kathryn Miles traced the development of this god and connected the witch cult to fairy tales and Robin Hood legends. She used Further Reading images from art and architecture to support her view that Greenspan, Ezra, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Whit- an ancient vegetation god and a fertility goddess formed man. -
On the Pagan Parallax a Sociocultural Exploration of the Tension Between Eclecticism and Traditionalism As Observed Among Dutch Wiccans 1
Proof version [The pomegranate 12.1 (2010) 49-70] On the Pagan Parallax A Sociocultural Exploration of the Tension between Eclecticism and Traditionalism as observed among Dutch Wiccans 1 Léon A. Van Gulik Abstract Post-modern nature religions face the challenge of justifying their practices and theology since there is no unbroken line between the classic and contemporary Paganisms of the Western world. Against the background of progressing historical knowledge, these religions constantly have to reinvent or recon- struct their traditions. At the same time, the present context is entirely different to that of when the classic Paganisms emerged. By discussing their roots in romanticism and expressivism, both the rele- vancy of the revived nature religions and the challenges they face, are explained. These issues are illus- trated by drawing on initial results of discourse analyses of on-line discussions between Dutch Wic- cans, yielding imaginative narratives of self-justification and self-identification amidst a continuous tension between traditionalism and eclecticism. Generalising these findings to contemporary Paganism at large, I have argued that the latter movement is counterbalancing sociohistorical developments by its changing acts of sanctioning, its aims to remain the maverick, and its constant striving for experien- tial receptivity creating an illusory idea of autonomous movement: the Pagan parallax. The Dutch cabaret artist Theo Maassen once said about dancing: “die eerste stap is altijd lullig” – “that first step is always shitty.”2 That is, the transition from walking to dancing is experienced as awkward. Picture this: one walks onto the dance floor, seemingly unaffected by the music, and then, merely as a function of reaching the desired spot, the bodily posture changes dramatically to facilitate the getting into the groove. -
Constructing the Witch in Contemporary American Popular Culture
"SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES": CONSTRUCTING THE WITCH IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POPULAR CULTURE Catherine Armetta Shufelt A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY December 2007 Committee: Dr. Angela Nelson, Advisor Dr. Andrew M. Schocket Graduate Faculty Representative Dr. Donald McQuarie Dr. Esther Clinton © 2007 Catherine A. Shufelt All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Dr. Angela Nelson, Advisor What is a Witch? Traditional mainstream media images of Witches tell us they are evil “devil worshipping baby killers,” green-skinned hags who fly on brooms, or flaky tree huggers who dance naked in the woods. A variety of mainstream media has worked to support these notions as well as develop new ones. Contemporary American popular culture shows us images of Witches on television shows and in films vanquishing demons, traveling back and forth in time and from one reality to another, speaking with dead relatives, and attending private schools, among other things. None of these mainstream images acknowledge the very real beliefs and traditions of modern Witches and Pagans, or speak to the depth and variety of social, cultural, political, and environmental work being undertaken by Pagan and Wiccan groups and individuals around the world. Utilizing social construction theory, this study examines the “historical process” of the construction of stereotypes surrounding Witches in mainstream American society as well as how groups and individuals who call themselves Pagan and/or Wiccan have utilized the only media technology available to them, the internet, to resist and re- construct these images in order to present more positive images of themselves as well as build community between and among Pagans and nonPagans. -
Umi-Uta-1189.Pdf (299.6Kb)
PARTICIPATION, IDENTITY, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN A SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY by LA DORNA MCGEE Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Arlington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON December 2005 Copyright © by La Dorna McGee 2005 All Rights Reserved ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my mom who always supported me in my endeavors. I would also like to thank Kathy Rowe, Jane Nicol, and Suzanne Baldon for their support. Lastly, I would like to thank my committee members for their extreme patience and guidance through this process. April 22, 2005 iii ABSTRACT PARTICIPATION, IDENTITY, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN A SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY Publication No. ______ La Dorna McGee, M.A. The University of Texas at Arlington, 2005 Supervising Professor: Frank Weed Paganism is a loosely organized community whose religious ideology incorporates the immanence of Deity. As a religious association with an ideology different from traditional Judeo-Christian faiths, members are often labeled as deviant and subjected to various negative sanctions. By relying on survey data collected on April 9-12, 1996 and in depth personal interviews collected on October 10-13, 1996, this study presents a model that best describes and explains acceptance and participation in Pagan spiritualism. This study identifies three characteristics associated with positive ratings of childhood religious affiliation (church disaffection, family closeness, and iv membership role), three characteristics associated with feelings of belonging to the Pagan community (church disaffection, social support, and participation), and finally examines a member’s disclosure of their Pagan identity as being a function of occupational prestige, weighing the costs of negative sanctions versus the Pagan value of openly expressing a Pagan identity, and self-efficacy. -
New Religious Movements
New Religious Movements New Religious Movements: Challenge and response is a searching and wide-ranging collection of essays on the contemporary phenomenon of new religions. The contributors to this volume are all established specialists in the sociology, theology, law, or the history of new minority movements. The primary focus is the response of the basic institutions of society to the challenge which new religious movements represent. The orientation of this volume is to examine the way in which new movements in general have affected modern society in areas such as economic organisation; the operation of the law; the role of the media; the relationship of so-called ‘cult’ membership to mental health; and the part which women have played in leading or supporting new movements. Specific instances of these relationships are illustrated by reference to many of the most prominent new religions – Hare Krishna, The Brahma Kumaris, The Unification Church, The Jesus Army, The Family’, The Church of Scientology, and Wicca. For students of religion or sociology, New Religious Movements is an invaluable source of information, an example of penetrating analysis, and a series of thought-provoking contributions to a debate which affects many areas of contemporary life in many parts of the world. Contributors: Eileen Barker, James Beckford, Anthony Bradney, Colin Campbell, George Chryssides, Peter Clarke, Paul Heelas, Massimo Introvigne, Lawrence Lilliston, Gordon Melton, Elizabeth Puttick, Gary Shepherd, Colin Slee, Frank Usarski, Bryan Wilson. Bryan Wilson is an Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. He is the author and editor of several books on sects and New Religious Movements. -
Spiritual Philosophy & Practice of Wicca in the U.S. Military (PDF
SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE OF WICCA IN THE U.S. MILITARY David L. Oringderff, Ph.D. Ronald W. Schaefer, Lt Col USAF SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY and PRACTICE of WICCA In the U.S. MILITARY David L. Oringderff, Ph.D. Ronald W. Schaefer, Lt Col USAF Acknowledgments This work developed out of an identified need for clear and concise information regarding the practice of Wicca, particularly as it pertains to US military members and their families, friends, commanders, and chaplains. Many people were significantly involved in this effort. The authors would particularly like to thank Reverend Selena Fox and Circle Sanctuary, the Reverend Rene Delaere of Greencraft and the Sacred Well for their direct and substantial contributions, as well as Silverdrake for their work in the previous editions of this guide, Overview and Guide for Wiccans in the Military. We would also like to recognize the energy, love and support given by the International Executive Council of Clerics of the Sacred Well Congregation, Hera, Odinda, Itárilde, Arghuicha, and Gayomard. Special thanks goes to Father Timothy Ullman for his assistance in researching constitutional law and applicable service regulations. The Sacred Well Congregation PO Box 58 Converse, Texas 78109 Samhain, 2001, First edition The authors and the Sacred Well Congregation extend use of this copyrighted material to military and governmental agencies and other educational and non profit institutions and organizations so long as copyright notices, credits, and integrity of the material is maintained and the material is not used for any commercial purpose. 2 Spiritual Philosophy and Practice of Wicca in the U.S. -
PAGANISM a Brief Overview of the History of Paganism the Term Pagan Comes from the Latin Paganus Which Refers to Those Who Lived in the Country
PAGANISM A brief overview of the history of Paganism The term Pagan comes from the Latin paganus which refers to those who lived in the country. When Christianity began to grow in the Roman Empire, it did so at first primarily in the cities. The people who lived in the country and who continued to believe in “the old ways” came to be known as pagans. Pagans have been broadly defined as anyone involved in any religious act, practice, or ceremony which is not Christian. Jews and Muslims also use the term to refer to anyone outside their religion. Some define paganism as a religion outside of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism; others simply define it as being without a religion. Paganism, however, often is not identified as a traditional religion per se because it does not have any official doctrine; however, it has some common characteristics within its variety of traditions. One of the common beliefs is the divine presence in nature and the reverence for the natural order in life. In the strictest sense, paganism refers to the authentic religions of ancient Greece and Rome and the surrounding areas. The pagans usually had a polytheistic belief in many gods but only one, which represents the chief god and supreme godhead, is chosen to worship. The Renaissance of the 1500s reintroduced the ancient Greek concepts of Paganism. Pagan symbols and traditions entered European art, music, literature, and ethics. The Reformation of the 1600s, however, put a temporary halt to Pagan thinking. Greek and Roman classics, with their focus on Paganism, were accepted again during the Enlightenment of the 1700s. -
Bibliography
BIBLIOGRAPHY Archives Doreen Valiente Papers, The Keep Archival Centre, Brighton. Feminist Archive North, Brotherton Library, University of Leeds. Feminist Archive South, Bristol University Library. Feminist Library, South London. Library of Avalon, Glastonbury. Museum of Witchcraft’s Library, Boscastle, England. Peter Redgrove Papers, University of Sheffeld’s Library. Robert Graves Papers, St. John’s College Library, Oxford University. Sisterhood and After: The Women’s Liberation Oral History Project, The British Library. Starhawk Collection, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. Women’s Library, London School of Economics Library. Primary Sources Amanda, “Greenham Festival of Life,” Pipes of PAN 7 (1982): 3. Anarchist Feminist Newsletter 3 (September 1977). Anon., You Can’t Kill the Spirit: Yorkshire Women Go to Greenham (S.L.: Bretton Women’s Book Fund, 1983). Anon., “Becoming a Pagan,” Greenleaf (5 November 1992). © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive 277 license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 S. Feraro, Women and Gender Issues in British Paganism, 1945–1990, Palgrave Historical Studies in Witchcraft and Magic, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46695-4 278 BIBLIOGRAPHY “Aquarian Pagans,” The Cauldron 22 (Beltane 1981): 5. Arachne 1 (May Eve 1983). Arachne Collective, “Arachne Reborn,” Arachne 2 (1985): 1. Ariadne, “Progressive Wicca: The New Tradition,” Dragon’s Brew 3 (January 1991): 12–16. Asphodel, “Letter,” Revolutionary and Radical Feminist Newsletter 8 (1981). Asphodel, “Letters,” Wood and Water 2:1 (Samhain 1981): 24–25. Asphodel, “Womanmagic,” Spare Rib 110 (September 1981): 50–53. Asphodel, “Letter,” Matriarchy Research and Reclaim Network Newsletter 9 (Halloween 1982). Asphodel, “Feminism and Spirituality: A Review of Recent Publications 1975– 1981,” Women’s Studies International Forum 5:1 (1982): 103–108. -
Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} Wights and Ancestors Heathenism in a Living Landscape by Jenny Blain Further Reading
Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} Wights and Ancestors Heathenism in a Living Landscape by Jenny Blain Further Reading. The recommendation or listing of any book within the Pagan Federation web pages does not imply that it reflects the views or policies of The Pagan Federation. The Phoenix from the Flame: Paganism in the New Age Vivianne Crowley Other Vivianne Crowley books. A History of Pagan Europe Prudence Jones, Nigel Pennick. Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-centered Religions River Higginbotham. The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles: Their Nature and Legacy Ronald Hutton Other Ronald Hutton books. In Search of Herne the Hunter Eric Fitch. Rites of Passage Christine Hall. Pagan Paths: A Guide to Wicca, Druidry, Asatru, Shamanism and Other Pagan Practices Pete Jennings. Pagan Dawn Journal of The Pagan Federation. The Elements of the Druid Tradition (Elements of … S.) Phillip Carr-Gomm. Druid Mysteries: Ancient Mysteries for the 21st Century Phillip Carr-Gomm. Druidcraft: The Magic of Wicca and Druidry Phillip Carr-Gomm. Druidry (Thorsons First Directions S.) Emma Restall-Orr. Druid Priestess Emma Restall-Orr. The Trials of Arthur: The Life and Times of a Modern-day King Arthur Pendragon. Seeking Spirit: A Quest Through Druidry and the Four Elements Sandra Parson. The Penguin Book of Norse Myths: Gods of the Vikings Kevin Crossley-Holland. Gods and Myths of Northern Europe Hilda R Ellis Davidson. Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe Hilda R Ellis Davidson. Dictionary of Northern Mythology Rudolf Simek. Wights and Ancestors: Heathenism in a Living Landscape (Understanding Heathenism S.) Jenny Blain. Nine Worlds of Seid-Magic: Ecstasy and Neo-Shamanism in North European Paganism Jenny Blain. -
Harrington, Melissa (2016) Reflecting on Studying Wicca from Within the Academy and the Craft: an Autobiographical Perspective
Harrington, Melissa (2016) Reflecting on studying Wicca from within the academy and the craft: an autobiographical perspective. Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies, 17 (1-2). pp. 180-193. Downloaded from: http://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/2852/ Usage of any items from the University of Cumbria’s institutional repository ‘Insight’ must conform to the following fair usage guidelines. Any item and its associated metadata held in the University of Cumbria’s institutional repository Insight (unless stated otherwise on the metadata record) may be copied, displayed or performed, and stored in line with the JISC fair dealing guidelines (available here) for educational and not-for-profit activities provided that • the authors, title and full bibliographic details of the item are cited clearly when any part of the work is referred to verbally or in the written form • a hyperlink/URL to the original Insight record of that item is included in any citations of the work • the content is not changed in any way • all files required for usage of the item are kept together with the main item file. You may not • sell any part of an item • refer to any part of an item without citation • amend any item or contextualise it in a way that will impugn the creator’s reputation • remove or alter the copyright statement on an item. The full policy can be found here. Alternatively contact the University of Cumbria Repository Editor by emailing [email protected]. [The Pomegranate 17.1 (2015) 1-000] ISSN 1528-0268 (print) doi: 10.1558/pome.v17i1.28136 -
Religion and the Return of Magic: Wicca As Esoteric Spirituality
RELIGION AND THE RETURN OF MAGIC: WICCA AS ESOTERIC SPIRITUALITY A thesis submitted for the degree of PhD March 2000 Joanne Elizabeth Pearson, B.A. (Hons.) ProQuest Number: 11003543 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 11003543 Published by ProQuest LLC(2018). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 AUTHOR’S DECLARATION The thesis presented is entirely my own work, and has not been previously presented for the award of a higher degree elsewhere. The views expressed here are those of the author and not of Lancaster University. Joanne Elizabeth Pearson. RELIGION AND THE RETURN OF MAGIC: WICCA AS ESOTERIC SPIRITUALITY CONTENTS DIAGRAMS AND ILLUSTRATIONS viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ix ABSTRACT xi INTRODUCTION: RELIGION AND THE RETURN OF MAGIC 1 CATEGORISING WICCA 1 The Sociology of the Occult 3 The New Age Movement 5 New Religious Movements and ‘Revived’ Religion 6 Nature Religion 8 MAGIC AND RELIGION 9 A Brief Outline of the Debate 9 Religion and the Decline o f Magic? 12 ESOTERICISM 16 Academic Understandings of -
P a G a N W O R
Pagan World 29 Pagan World 29 Year 8 Issue 1 March 21, 2006 Welcome to the 29th issue of Pagan World! After a one year hiatus, it is great to be back with my 'baby' Pagan World! A big thanks to Celeb for taking such good care of Pagan World during my one-year absence! L L A bit of history about Pagan World : This magazine began as a hard-copy only newsletter back in 1997, when Tony Kemp, who at the time was the International Coordinator of the PFI, realized that European members of the UK based Pagan Federation should have a newsletter for themselves, giving us more 'local' information than the UK oriented member magazine Pagan Dawn. So on top of all of his other PF work, in 1998 Tony published two issues of a newsletter that he called Europa . In March 1999, being buried under with writing his own books and other personal obligations, Tony Kemp handed over the editorship of Europa to me and his position as International Coordinator over to Morgana. We then immediately began to produce Europa every 3 months in both a hard-copy version (for members without an internet connection), as well as an online version. The online version served 3 important purposes: 1) it cut our costs greatly letting us use the extra cash to organize more conferences and activities 2) it allowed us to spread our Pagan wings worldwide 3) and last but not least, we killed less trees. It quickly became apparent that the online version 'worked'. Not only had the Pagan Federation branched out of the UK into Europe, but into the rest of the World.