Paganism Course

Master of Paganism

Final Essay

PAGANISM

The pagan religions are all those religions that have evolved from primitive religion, keeping the polytheistic conception,

The name "Pagan" comes from the Latin Pagus (rural town) and was used in a derogatory way by Christians.

With the adoption of Christianity by the Roman Empire, as the official religion and the beginning of persecution against the pagans, the ancient religions seemed to disappear.

Many practitioners were hiding to escape persecution and cults were modified slowly.

The ceremonies, the first openly carried out during the day, were practiced in hidden mode and night.

The rites were transformed slowly overcoming all the persecutions Inquisition.

More recently revived the Ancient Greek religion, Roman, Celtic, Nordic and Slavic.

The tradition of the Italic witchcraft was recovering from giving birth to Gerald Gardner's Wicca Religion
Currently, we raise both the old religion but religions derived from old forms.

This is a phenomenon in the world for a greater awareness of the populations.

The Vatican is trying to oppose the revival of the polytheistic religion, but has lost much credibility and power after the shocking news stories involving the Vatican and its hierarchy.

Many countries are recognizing the ancient religions and their ministers. Exemplary case of Ireland and Scotland and throughout the UK. In many countries of Eastern Europe, Slavic cults are tolerated and are attracting a lot of people. In Greece, was built the first temple of the Cult of the Modern Hellenic.

In Italy encountered a number of different temples and sacred groves.

We also see the ancient religions of Central and South America flourish again and practice their religion, even in the presence and the wishes of top government of their nations.

In India (Hinduism) and Japan (Shinto), the two major ancient religions politicians keep their place and have managed to survive and stay strong to attack from the monotheistic religions.

European Paganism, in its diversity of Religious Affairs, commonly bases:
a pantheon of gods and goddesses very similar, albeit with different names
almost the same as a calendar: four major holidays, four lesser festivals, 12/13 lunations
great respect for nature and life forms
the abolition of the ancient blood sacrifices
respect for human beings
the lack of "missionaries" in search of recruits
the absolute freedom of worship
compliance with laws
the search for an official recognition in the states of origin.

Another important thing that characterizes the old policy is the natural inclination to live peacefully with other religions.

This would seem to conflict with what we were taught about the "persecution of Christians" made by the Roman Empire, but looking closely, we discover that we were taught notions "directive" of history.
The Romans never did religious persecution but only against what they put disorder. The most important was that against the Jews: the Jewish Diaspora. A punitive steps against a people who had rebelled in arms, not against his religion. Each religion was absorbed by the Roman Empire and temples were built for each Deity. But Christians behaved differently with religious intolerance began to attack the Pagan Temples, and this caused the reaction with some of the Roman state repression, often only small amounts and only in remote areas of the Roman Empire.

By Theodosius and the suppression of pagan religions the violence perpetrated by Christians assumed enormous proportions, as mentioned with satisfaction the reporters themselves Christians. Winners rewrote the history of persecution against Christians to exaggerate and create an epic of the martyrs, but History can not be erased completely and thankfully remained the historical evidence to confirm what was written.

Returning to the present times and to see the holiday calendar Pagano called Sabba (major and minor) and Esbat.

The four Sabba (major) mark the four main events calendar
Spring equinox, summer solstice, autumnal equinox and winter solstice

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The four Sabba (minors): Lupercalia (Imbloc), May Day (Beltane), Harvest Festival (Lughnasadh) and Day of the Dead (Samhain) and mark four times in the calendar year and the relationship with nature and its fruits .

The other holidays are those of the Moon Esbat and are called, as a rule but they are twelve years we have a thirteenth moon (Blue Moon) as the civil calendar differs from the lunar calendar.

The pagan rituals are very fascinating and very important rites of passage such as weddings and Presentation. Even the funeral rites are very intense and full of meaning.

Here is the formula taken from the bed "Rituals and Ceremonies" that I wrote for the Ceremonies of the Temple of the Gods and Goddesses - Old Religion:

FOR LIFE AND LOVE, IN THE NAME OF THE GODS AND GODDESSES, I ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... I take you ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... IN MY HANDS IN MY HEART, IN MY MIND, THE AWAKENING THE SUN AND THE COURSE OF THE STARS. No death can separate us. Eternity At the same time we are reborn into the same space, and we meet again, and understand them,
AND WE REMEMBER And we love one another, YET

The formula of presentation that is made to the Gods of the New Born and the Company is very important and follows the ancient custom of the Romans:

OH GODS AND GODDESSES listen.
I AM HERE, YOUR PRESENCE TO SUBMIT TO YOU, gods and goddesses, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .... SON OF A ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. And ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
TOGETHER WITH WITNESSES AND THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY '.
Here before you, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ....
Pour out of him or her your blessings, Infuse strength, health, Courage, Intellect, GOODNESS 'and a long and happy life.

AND THAT IS SO '

Now the road is open, the path is traced. silent pilgrims, once hidden, now shows in the sunlight and now cry that an invocation for thirteen hundred years have only had to whisper:

ITERUM SUSCITAMUS VESTAE FOCUM
(Turn on the sacred fire of Vesta)

And these sacred fires began to light up all over Europe.

We Europeans have much to American brothers and sisters. In fact, many battles for religious freedom have been taken from them. This encouraged us very slowly and allowed us to emerge from the shadows and begin to practice our public rituals.

That the Gods and Goddesses bless and protect us.
AND THAT IS SO '

Rev Massimiliano Militello

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