A Brief Intro to Neo-Paganism - Page 2
© Tempest_Rayne
Shamanism is the practice of appointed persons performing certain magickal duties for others. Shamans are healers and seers of all. Shamanism is widely practiced in Native American cultures. Many Shamans take part in the usage of Peyote, a psychoactive plant that allows them to experience a higher level of spirituality.
Druidism and ADF is almost directly associated with the Celtic Pagan/Celtic Wiccan religion. Druids embrace excellence - physically, intellectually, artistically and spiritually. Multiple gods and goddesses, with some lesser than others (yet just as worthy of love and respect), and the reverence of all things natural along with respect and acceptance of science and technology are the main aspects that Druids base their beliefs on. ADF, or Ár nDraíocht Féin, is an eclectic organization of Druids that believe strongly in having one's own interpretation of the Paleopagan practices. They value a sense of dogma, but it is a sense completely different from the full-blown dogmatism of other mainstream religions (ex. Christianity). According to ADF, Neo-Paganism will someday be a widespread and overall accepted form of religion, with temples and public services dotted across the world. This view has yet to be accepted by other Pagans, with the exception of few.
Santeria is a form of Paganism with origins in West Africa. Practicers of Santeria believe in one god, Olorun, yet they are not monotheistic. Olorun is the source of ashé, the spiritual energy that makes up the universe, all life and all things material. This god is believed to communicate and interact with the world through orishas, the rulers of the forces of nature and humanity. The followers of Santeria pray, practice divination and rituals, and offer sacrifices (or ebo) in order to keep close relations with the orishas. In order to avoid persecution in the New Age, Santeria hid behind a façade of Catholicism, with orishas "being" saints. While slaves were supposedly praying to saints, they prayed to their gods. Santeria, like many forms of Paganism, uses magick in conjunction with their religion.
Though there are many other forms of Pagan/Neo-Paganism, a few general statements can be made about the subject as a whole. First, Pagans are polytheistic. In every Neo-Pagan religion, more than one god is recognized either as a creator or other vital part of Earth and humanity. Also, most Neo-Pagans practice or hold interest in magick. (Magick is purposely spelled with a k in order to set itself apart from magic, which is purely staged illusion.) These practices include astral travel, witchcraft, and divination.
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