Origins and Beliefs
Paganism is a polytheistic and pantheistic nature-worshipping religion that recognises the divine in all living things. It is a legally recognised and protected religion in the UK and was the indigenous religion of the UK until 686 AD.
Pagans acknowledge that there are no false divinities. Some of the most common paths of Paganism in the UK include Wicca, Druidry, Heathenism, and Shamanism:
- Wicca: A revivalist path established in the 1940s by Gerald Gardner. It is usually duotheistic, worshipping both a God and Goddess, but sees Earth and all life as divine.
- Druidry: Traced back to the beliefs of the 4th century BC Irish and Welsh Celts. Druids were responsible for passing down knowledge through music, stories, and the written word.
- Heathenism: Introduced during the Anglo-Saxon period from pre-Christian Northern territories. Heathenism values charity, personal deeds, and honesty.
- Shamanism: A solitary path often linked to tribal pre-Christian beliefs. Shamans use meditation, chants, and altered states of consciousness to experience the divine.