The Pagan Revival – M. Gardell

Phil Helliwell

The neo-pagan religions of Wicca, Druidism, Goddess Paganism and Asatru have been largely created in the 20th Century. All share similar features, such as an envisioned history, drawn from mythology; a mostly Eurocentric focus; a non-dogmatic, pantheist and polytheist spiritual understanding; and a focus on the physical and reconnection with nature.

Wicca is primarily drawn from Celtic mythology and celebrates many traditional Celtic festivals (Sam Hain, etc). It was brought into life in the modern world by Gerald B. Gardner and received an explosion of interest in the 1960’s, along with other forms of paganism. Both male and female practitioners of Wicca generally identify themselves as Witches, and the few hundred thousand Wiccans residing in the West consist primarily of middle-aged females.

Druidry arose out of Mason-like male-centred occult congregations in the 18th Century and have since evolved into a paganism not unlike Wicca, but instead choosing to express spiritual yearnings through poetry and music. Goddess Paganism on the other hand is very much female-centred, and almost all of its adherents are female themselves. Many beliefs and practices are interchangeable with Wicca, but their outlook is driven towards an anti-patriarchal aim.

Asatru is the modern reconstruction of paganism in the tradition of the North European Norse myths. Asatru identity is forged through a unique perspective of history that includes, among other things, Viking leader Lief Erikson founding Vinland (North America), some five hundred years before Columbus. Kindreds are self-governed religious groups, and special occasional ceremonies held resemble Viking practices. White Supremacist groups exist within the Asatru population, but they are not without substantial antiracist opposition. Asatru ethics stems from the Nine Noble Virtues: courage, honour, truth, loyalty, discipline, hospitality, industriousness, self-reliance and self-perseverance.