What is Paganism? It's a difficult question to answer. It's almost easier to say what we aren't than to say what we are. But for the purpose of this article I will try. I'm not going to break down every form of paganism but I will give you a general view into it with a few examples. The first place we will start is with the definition of Pagan.
Pagan during the time of the Romans, Goths, and Pics was translated as those who lived in the country as opposed to the city. Based upon that idea I would be a Pagan regardless of my spiritual beliefs. But, that isn't the case for the Majority of pagans. So why did we take on the term pagan? We also follow a similar Idea as the pagans of old.
The Wheel of the Year that we use is based upon the celebrations of the Druids. Yule is a celebration of the lengthening of days. When you are a farmer, who needs the sun for your crops to grow in an age where if it was to cold for the animals to come out of the barn it was to cold for you to travel anywhere, the rebirth of the sun was an important event. They could breath a sigh of relief that the days would now once again start getting longer. Imbolc was a time to light candles, cleanse the home of any evil spirits that might have found their way into it during the period before Yule. Ostara was the celebration of the return of the hibernating animals; Hence the Bunny with the eggs. Beltane was a celebration of fertility to help bring about a good harvest from the crops that were being planted and an abundance of young among their grazing animals. Midsummer was a celebration of the longest day of the year. Lugh's day was the first harvest celebration in honor of the Norse god Lugh. Mabon was the second harvest. It was when the majority of the food that would sustain them through the long winter was harvested. Last but not least is Samhain. You are more familiar with it as being called Hallowe'en or all Hallows Eve. It is believed by some that this day was actually moved by the Catholics to coincide with their All Saints Day. Those who believe it worship the New Year and the returning of souls that have passed in the last year. All of our celebrations for Halloween are found centered in and around this pagan event. It is the last celebration as we move into winter. So they made a big deal about it.
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