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What is a Pagan? What is Paganism?

by Lisa Chamberlain

The words “pagan” and “paganism” can be somewhat confusing for newcomers to Wicca and other nature-based spiritual belief systems. There are Wiccans who consider themselves to be Pagans, and others who don’t identify with this term. Some people capitalize the word, while others do not. Furthermore, there are some who use the word “NeoPaganism” to categorize their spiritual practice, and plenty of others who find this term irritating. In truth, “pagan” and “paganism” are umbrella terms that have had many meanings and uses over time. But a brief explanation of the history of the “P” word can help to sort out this understandable confusion.

The Romans of old

The word “pagan” comes from the Latin word paganus, which simply referred to a country dweller, or a person who lived in a rural area rather than in a large city. Rome was the principal city of the Roman Empire, and those who lived outside of its borders were considered to be pagans. Another meaning of the word was “civilian,” to distinguish an average citizen from a member of the Roman military.

The Christian “twist”

After Rome adopted Christianity as its official religion, the “P” word began to change in meaning. Those people who continued to worship the old gods and goddesses, rather than converting to the new religion, were referred to as “pagans” and were considered to be morally inferior and ultimately in need of “saving” by the Christian church. As the centuries wore on, those who continued to resist conversion were more and more reviled, and “pagan” came to have increasingly negative connotations. Some even equated “paganism” with “devil worship.” These darker undertones have persisted into modern times, which is often why some in the Wiccan community resist “pagan” as a label.

Wicca for Beginners Book

Pagans and Paganism: modern-day meanings

Despite any leftover negative connotations, the words “pagan” and “paganism” today are neutral terms that apply to any religion that is not one of the three dominant Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, or their off-shoots. But while this means that Buddhism, Hinduism, and even the indigenous religions of Native America are technically “pagan” religions, the term usually refers to religions originating in Western Europe. This includes Wicca, along with many other spiritual paths involving the worship of deities that existed before the Judeo-Christian God. The capitalized version—Pagan—is used to distinguish between old, essentially “extinct” folk religions of the past and the living, present-day versions of these older ways.

Some go so far as to identify the contemporary versions as “NeoPagan,” as a way of acknowledging the difference between modern Pagans and the pagans of old, who obviously lived very different lives and would have had quite different practices. However, the prefix “neo” feels insulting to many who fit under the Pagan umbrella, as it seems to imply that their practices are not authentic in their own right. Some are willing to settle for “contemporary Pagan,” while others feel no need to make any distinction between old and new, given that we’re all well aware of which century we’re living in.

Claiming your own identity

Regardless of any individual’s feelings about the word, from a technical, anthropological standpoint, Wicca is a Pagan religion. So are many other modern-day versions of ancient religious practices, including Druidism, Shamanism, Goddess-centered religions, and “reconstructionist” paths that seek to follow the old ways of specific cultural regions, such as Asatru (Norse) and Kemetism (Egyptian).

However, whether you want to call yourself a Pagan, a NeoPagan, a Wiccan, a Witch, or all (or none) of the above is an entirely personal choice. Happily, we are no longer defined in terms of other peoples’ ideas about our beliefs and practices—instead, we decide for ourselves!

Learn More About the History of Wicca:

Wicca for Beginners

Wicca Living is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Copyright 2023 — Wicca Living.


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Wicca Living
Menu
  • Home
  • Getting Started
    • Frequently Asked Questions About Wicca, Witchcraft, and Magic
    • What is Wicca?
    • What is Witchcraft?
    • Are Wiccans Really Witches?
    • What is Paganism?
    • What is Magic? (And Magick?)
    • What’s the Difference Between Black Magic and White Magic?
    • Is Wicca Connected to Satanism?
    • What is Known of the History of Wicca?
    • Close
  • Wiccan Magic
    • A Beginners Guide to Wiccan Magic
    • Candle Magic
      • A Beginners Guide to Candle Magic: A Wiccan Overview
      • Candle Magic Spell for Beginners
      • Magical Properties of Colors
      • Close
    • Crystal Magic
      • A Beginners Guide to Crystal Magic: A Wiccan Overview
      • Crystal Magic Spell for Beginners
      • Magical Properties of Crystals and Other Minerals
      • Close
    • Herbal Magic
      • A Beginners Guide to Herbal Magic: A Wiccan Overview
      • A Herbal Magic Spell for Beginners
      • Magical Properties of Herbs
      • Close
    • Oil Magic
      • A Beginners Guide to Magical Oils: Essential Oils Magic
      • How to Make Your Own Magical Oil Blends
      • Close
    • Moon Magic
    • The Book of Shadows: A Modern Grimoire
    • Magic and the Law of Attraction
    • Wiccan Guide to Tarot
    • The Ancient Runes
    • Close
  • Core Wiccan Beliefs
    • Introduction to the Core Wiccan Beliefs
    • Deities of Wicca
      • The Wiccan Goddess and God
      • Triple Goddess: Maiden, Mother, and Crone
      • The Oak King and the Holly King: Aspects of the God
      • Working with Ancient Deities
      • Close
    • The Classical Elements in Wicca
      • The Earth Element
      • The Water Element
      • The Fire Element
      • The Air Element
      • The Spirit Element (Akasha)
      • Close
    • The Wiccan Rede
    • The Threefold Law
    • Close
  • Wiccan Ritual
    • An Introduction to Wiccan Rituals
    • Tools of Magic: Ritual Tools and the Wiccan Altar
      • Wiccan Altar
      • Athame
      • Bell
      • Boline
      • Broom (Besom)
      • Cauldron
      • Chalice
      • Incense
      • Pentacle
      • Wand
      • Close
    • Setting Up the Altar and Casting the Circle
    • The Book of Shadows: A Modern Grimoire
    • Clearing and Charging Your Ritual Tools
    • Clothing and Ritual Attire
    • Close
  • Wheel of the Year
    • The Wiccan Sabbats
      • Yule (Winter Solstice)
      • Imbolc
      • Ostara (Spring Equinox)
      • Beltane
      • Litha (Summer Solstice)
      • Lammas / Lughnasadh
      • Mabon (Autumn Equinox)
      • Samhain
      • Close
    • Wiccan Esbats
    • Close
  • Wiccan Paths
    • Wiccan Traditions
    • Covens, Circles, and Solitary Practitioners
    • Wiccan Initiation and Self-Dedication
    • Close
  • Learn More
    • About
    • Recommended Reading List
    • Free Wicca Audiobooks
    • Books by Lisa Chamberlain
    • Contact
    • Close