NEO-PAGAN vs PAGAN RECONSTRUCTIONISM - What's the Difference?

[@dennis4837]

For me, the ancestor worship part is the most important part, so for me it's very important to stick closer with the type of paganism that my ancestors would have practiced.

[@eugenusgarysson1548]

Tale of the Two Small Trees Growing Too Close Together. One morning, a mother and her daughter were walking along the hinterland beyond the great Wald, heading toward the apple tree grove, about a league's walk from the Frith-Stay. While walking along, the daughter took notice: "Look, mother, those two small trees over there are too close!" The daughter was wise and observant; so they looked closer to see, and indeed, there were two small sapling Oak trees growing in the acre, nearly entwined with their tiny branches. They had begun to take deeper root in the Mother Earth's soil, yet they were too near each other, whereby their roots & branches were in danger of becoming entangled with the other. The daughter asked her mother: "What shall we do for the trees, mother? If we save them, when I am older, we will be able to pick the acorns and make a delicious porridge after we boil the tannin from them & clean them; although, if we do not save them, they may die. The mother said: "This is very wise, my child!" so she asked her daughter: "What is it you think we should do?" The daughter replied: Well, I don't want to harm the roots of either tree, for they shall surely die. Their Oak roots are still delicate, mother. They are tapped nearly a foot into the soil, and they have little chance of survival if we are not careful." Mother responded: "Very good, my lovely child. We shall carefully uproot them both, keep their soil moistened from the stream nearby, and gently pull apart their roots so as not to harm either one. Then we will replant one yonder apart, so that when they grow tall, their roots will not become entwined, and they shall both thrive in the acre. Both trees will grow strong, and the branches of neither will threaten to overtake the other." The daughter replied: "Yes, mother, I shall take one of the apple pales and go fetch a pale of water from the stream. One day, we will plant many beautiful Oaks from their seeds!" "Yes indeed." her mother said, "and the roots & branches of those trees are a token of our Kin-Folk." "Yes, mother." the daughter answered, "I look forward to watching them grow as we journey back and forth from the apple grove to see they are well. I will hurry and be back soon."

[@allgodsnomasters2822]

Unless all your ancestors are from a single village they practiced dozens of types of paganism

[@faustianrevival3816]

@@eugenusgarysson1548 that's a lovely story. Where does it come from?

[@kona4433]

@Samael Familysearch.org is a free ancestry database and it could help.

[@danielprado158]

I consider it very important to worship our ancestors, although there is the factor that some people say that all peoples come from one place (which is historically true - long ago the first diaspora out of Africa happened) but it’s smarter to stick to the closest tradition to modern times. For me as my ancestry is Italian it would be the Roman Tradition, but I do wonder if by the historical roots of this tradition being in Greece if I should go towards the source or stick to the Roman “Version” of the Greco-Roman Umbrella. What do y’all think? I would love to hear from you, all advice is welcome 🙏 p.s: every time something from other traditions is shown to me I tend to connect and look into the Greek “version” of that celebration, activity, entity or deity. Actually Hekate was my first contact with these pantheon. And now I’m very much into Zeus and Aphrodite. For personal reasons, although I currently only work with Hekate. Although I’m in neo-paganism now (Wicca inclined - eclectic solitary witch), I am considering a more reconstructionist approach, as I’m connecting profoundly to ancestral worship and ancestral origins of the practices we do today, I want to understand it and connect to it as much as possible.. thank you for anyone who had the patience to read this through and listen to me blabbing. Much appreciated!

[@beththewicca]

I prefer to think of myself as an eclectic pagan. I like to learn about everything and through that I watch for anything that speaks to me or rouses my intuition and then research, research, research after which I will give it a try. If I connect to it after that I incorporate it into my craft.

[@Joshbfil0]

Bellezza Catenaro hey I do the EXACT same thing! Power to you!

[@fllicksick]

This is totally me thank you for putting it into words

[@Kellybrumbaugh]

I am the same way!! Thank you

[@lisal.1114]

I agree thankyou for giving us the right words❤😮

[@elizabethgrey6040]

I now define myself as an eclectic pagan! I do love researching the ancient cultures and learning from their religions, but ultimately what is most important to me is my experiences in the here and now. If my god behaves a certain way towards me, that is the way I will ultimately perceive him. I draw ideas from many traditions, and I appreciate them all! ❤️

[@madisonrhuebaker]

I consider myself Neo-Pagan, but I'm a hard polytheist that worships the Greek pantheon. I try to imitate some historical things, but only if they fit comfortably into my lifestyle. I think religion is alive and always evolving. I don't think the gods are frozen in ancient times. Also, I'm not Greek or Roman! I hail from the US, and the ancient Greeks have had a massive impact on our culture as a society, as a government, the literature our children read in school, the Greek/Roman gods are all over the place in America if you look for them. I studied their myths growing up. Worshipping who my ancestors worshiped felt important to me at first, but Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Germanic mythology never connected with me. And it's because it isn't familiar to me. I was RAISED knowing the stories of Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Ares, Athena, etc etc etc.... Therefore, to me, how I was brought up, my current society, matters more to me than ancestral lines I have no experience with. And the Greeks' and Romans' influence was far reaching in ancient times. It wouldn't have been unlikely that an ancestor or two of mine worshiped their gods or at least a god that was conflated with a Roman/Greek god.

[@miragemirage3670]

You definetely seem to be Neo Pagan, since you have no clue about what you’re talking about: paganism is ONLY all about ancestral lines/blood because of the reincarnation in one’s own lineage and remembering who one was in previous lives. The Gods don’t exist- they’re archetypes of ideals, and there to envoke memories of previous lives. ALL of the native European Gods ar exactly the same just with different names: Odin, Zeus, Perun etc from different European tribes. The Greek and Norse Gods are the same....the culture is exactly the same- about reincarnation and lifting the amnesia of who we where. Of course, the Christian scholars won’t tell you that. And you not being Greek or Italian/roman- as in todays Greeks/Italians- neither were the ancient Greeks or early Romans. They were native European, which was the same people all over Europe. The people of south Europe today- is not entirely the same people as the ancient ones.

[@benjalucian1515]

@@miragemirage3670 - wrong.

[@meganp2704]

I guess I would consider myself something else entirely, but only for the moment because I am still learning about the many different branches in paganism. So far, Neo-Druidism has been speaking to me the most.

[@jessyhayward9544]

Duc de Richleau Oh, get a life. Stop commenting on people’s comments and spouting biased opinions

[@lightningwight4154]

I am a hardline Reconstructionist, and here is why... The afterlife. When you adopt a pantheon you can't just commune with them in a vacuum, they come with their own set of philosophies pertaining to them, a culture, a history, so many things that relate to how we interact with said gods. For the Norse, the concept of Hamingja means that: 1) we are descended from the gods 2) our skills, strengths, and essence is reincarnated in our own descendants 3) we are building up until we can return to the gods themselves Then you have Hellenics who believe in a much more liberal version of henosis, which is more or less the same thing under another method. Then there is Hindus which are a bit in between with atman and their reincarnation cycles. You can worship a Nordic god, a Hellenic god, and a Hindu god at the same time, but I mean, whats your end game in doing so? I feel like it makes more sense to pick a concise system and just run with it.

[@ScarletRavenswood]

Thanks for your great comment and providing some more perspective on Pagan reconstructionism. :)

[@upcycle.outdoorsman9629]

I'm exactly the same as you, for the same reasons. When I discovered this tradition my Fetch or 'Fylgja' immediately recognized my path. Like putting on an old boot that has formed to your foot through years of care and use. I didn't choose it, as much as: it WAS it. It is in your blood, flesh, and bones; so, when you hear the distant echoes of the old ways, you recognize the truth of it.

[@m4g1cM1KE]

Every spiritual path has its own lessons.

[@Fiachbuay1987]

@Duc de Richleau that's subjective and def not objective.

[@SuraiginOfficial]

@Duc de Richleau i don't care if you are an atheist because that's something you choose, but at least respect other's beliefs and don't be a zealot who just tries to spread his beliefs by insulting others.

[@priestessoftheancientflame4232]

I define myself as a polytheistic pagan. I am an italian which that lives in Germany. Im my bloodline there is also a little bit nordic blood. Ive began with Wicca when I was 13, with 20 I learned Stregheria (an onored so my southitalian heritage), then with 30 Freya calls me and I learned the way of the Völva. Now I venerate Diana, Artemis, Freya, Eir, Thor, Odin and Sol invictus. I have also learned about Voodoo and Santeria, about kemetism and druidry, but I dont follow this anymore. I am not exactly a Wiccan but I celebrate also the Esbats and the wheel of the year. I am not exatly a Asatru nor a Vanatru and I am not a reconstructionist. I think in this new time we dont need to define ourselfes for what we are or what we are not. We are pagans, we venerate the Gods and Goddesses, we held otd traditions alive but we also establish new ones. And so the wheel turns and the Gods were with us from the beginning .

[@lupercalia7660]

Hi there, Roman Reconstructionist here! In my personal experience, I haven't found much prejudice against me not having super obvious Roman ancestry. Perhaps it's just in the nature of Cultus Deorum to be open to foreign peoples and their gods. The Romans often adopted new belief systems and spread once-local cults around the Empire. I love the concept of this openness, it gives me so much freedom to find my own path. I also feel very drawn to ancestor worship, which is generally a reconstructionist thing, because knowing my ancestors are watching over me is so comforting. I refer to myself as pagan, if only because I am quite content with the possibility of no afterlife, and also to meet fellow pagans, because Roman Recons are so rare. I participate in a number of groups for Hellenic Polytheists, because there I feel some degree of similarity with them. Kemetic (Egyptian), Cultus Deorum (Roman), and Hellenic (Greek) polytheists and reconstructionists generally get along pretty well because of how much their religions were shared back in the day. I'd be happy to answer questions if you have any!

[@sponge5196]

Hey, I feel myself drawn to Rome and the Roman Gods and I would like to learn more about Roman paganism. Do you know any reliable sources out there I can learn from? I appreciate any help you can offer. It is strange I can't really find anything on Roman Paganism, despite Heathen Re constructionists, like Ocean Keltoi, saying that there are a lot of sources about Roman Paganism.

[@davidegliorio3138]

@@sponge5196 Hi, I'm in love with Roman Paganism, a youtube channel which talks about Roman Paganism Is "Ad Maiora Vertite". Unfortunately he Is italian. I Watch his videos too because I'm italian.

[@sponge5196]

@@davidegliorio3138 Is there English captions?

[@davidegliorio3138]

@@sponge5196 nope

[@sponge5196]

@@davidegliorio3138 damn, well thank you very much for the recommendation regardless. I wish you well.

[@jadetyde5703]

"each person's truth is subject to their individual reality" very well said, my friend. i believe elements of paganism are in sensing one's own personal experience in relation with the factors of being alive.

[@eugenusgarysson1548]

I've written a folktale. This is a gift to you: Tale of the Two Small Trees Growing Too Close Together. One morning, a mother and her daughter were walking along the hinterland beyond the great Wald, heading toward the apple tree grove, about a league's walk from the Frith-Stay. While walking along, the daughter took notice: "Look, mother, those two small trees over there are too close!" The daughter was wise and observant; so they looked closer to see, and indeed, there were two small sapling Oak trees growing in the acre, nearly entwined with their tiny branches. They had begun to take deeper root in the Mother Earth's soil, yet they were too near each other, whereby their roots & branches were in danger of becoming entangled with the other. The daughter asked her mother: "What shall we do for the trees, mother? If we save them, when I am older, we will be able to pick the acorns and make a delicious porridge after we boil the tannin from them & clean them; although, if we do not save them, they may die. The mother said: "This is very wise, my child!" so she asked her daughter: "What is it you think we should do?" The daughter replied: Well, I don't want to harm the roots of either tree, for they shall surely die. Their Oak roots are still delicate, mother. They are tapped nearly a foot into the soil, and they have little chance of survival if we are not careful." Mother responded: "Very good, my lovely child. We shall carefully uproot them both, keep their soil moistened from the stream nearby, and gently pull apart their roots so as not to harm either one. Then we will replant one yonder apart, so that when they grow tall, their roots will not become entwined, and they shall both thrive in the acre. Both trees will grow strong, and the branches of neither will threaten to overtake the other." The daughter replied: "Yes, mother, I shall take one of the apple pales and go fetch a pale of water from the stream. One day, we will plant many beautiful Oaks from their seeds!" "Yes indeed." her mother said, "and the roots & branches of those trees are a token of our Kin-Folk." "Yes, mother." the daughter answered, "I look forward to watching them grow as we journey back and forth from the apple grove to see they are well. I will hurry and be back soon."

[@bradleyhepburn8000]

It’s really difficult to decide what to do with so many ways of looking at Paganism. I have a Scottish heritage and would love to dive into the old religion of my ancestors. I feel guilty choosing what deities to research like some sort of spiritual pick and mix. Your videos are super helpful though. I’m really learning a lot. Thank you.

[@blokeinconnu8490]

Scottish persons are descended from Old Brythonic Celts (the ancestors of the Welsh, the Cornish and the Bretons), from Picts, from Gaels who immigrated from Ireland in the Dark Ages (that's why Scottish Gaelic is called Scottish Gaelic), from Dark Age Scandinavians, and from mediaeval Normandified Englishpersons. So you have at least five old religions of your ancestors to chose from. The only uniquely Scottish group among them is the Picts, but sadly the source material about Pictish religion is rather scarce. It will be easier to find information about the other four groups' religions.

[@user-yc8qi2yu4j]

I’ve got Scottish heritage too! I’ve been doing a deep dive on Celtic Reconstructionism lately, but I’d love to learn more about other old religions some of my other ancestors may have recognized

[@brockmiller574]

Ancestral veneration is important. Very important. The spirit of place and land are also important. You CAN try looking through different gods and goddesses, which the most well established pantheon would be the Tuatha De Dannan, though, that is very Irish, if that matters to you, and it may. Personally, I think Wicca and Neo Pagan practice does not really revere the ways of your ancestors, unless your ancestors were Thelemites... I kid, some. Its important to understand that your ancestors also practiced Christianity. So, you should look at that with an open heart and eyes. You might have a look at those figures who may have been locally or regionally sainted. St Bridget of Kildare would be a well known example. Maybe spend time with the lore and stories. They have endured for reasons. You might also consider having a look at the folk practices of the Celtic diaspora in America. Its a long running historic narrative that you can spend a lifetime studying. Take the time. Its all there for you. Just do your ancestors the respect of not treating their/your heritage like a shake and bake concoction. Do what you will, but perhaps look at it all honestly. If a thing feels right to you, honor it. But don't pretend something from the 1950s is an ancient religion. Also, consider the difference between magick/mysticism and religion. Whatever you do, just try to do the next right thing that's put in your path. Your conscience will let you know if you listen in the still and quiet.

[@indigenouseuropeanamerican5976]

i consider my self a pagan reconstructionism, sinse i am always researching and studing the ancient culture trying to rebuild from it and try to fit it into my daily life the best i can. i'm always studing up on the Gods and Goddesses tryingbto learn as much as i can about them while reading up on the ancient ceremonies so i can try to get it properly done the best i'm able to do so. i still have alot to learn but my studies and research thriving to keep learning will be something as their is always new findings that tends to help me along the way.

[@dustinmichel7608]

Recently my blood line has lead me to the celts. I have started to study Cernunnnos and started wearing Celtic symbolism.

[@ThepPixel]

Im Welsh, but my dna (i used an ancestry dna test) is Welsh, Brittany, Irish and Norwegian so I think being a pagan is in my blood 😂😂

[@Kellybergman7529]

@@ThepPixel I have the same. I’m English but my dna showed a little Norwegian mixed with English/Scottish and Irish

[@AzhidaReminiec9999]

I'm of Slavic / Russian ancestry.. Through Ancestry .com's dna test I discovered my Slavic heritage as Russian/Ukrainian /Czech/Polish .. But, I recognize only my Russian heritage.... So,I'm sticking with it Scarlet,could you talk about Slavic Paganism?

[@lilif2835]

My mother is from Brittany and I'm currently living in Wales and I've been a practicing celtic pagan for a couple of years! If you are enjoying studying Cernunnos I would suggest looking into some green Man stories. The green Man is one of my favourite figures to look into, and he's often connected to Cernunnos in various ways. Good luck on your path! 😊

[@dustinmichel7608]

@@lilif2835 thank you so much.

[@WilliamAlvesExperience]

The wiccan wheel of seasons comes from the Pagan High Festivals our ancestors celebrated in the past, those are ancient traditions. Also, the religion of all Eurasian (and Native American) religions are labeled as Ancestral Worship. It is as inclusive as it can be, anyone can worship his ancestors and celebrate the differences between each culture! It is also important to note that when it comes to reconstructionists, they see the gods from different cultures as the same gods of their own in a different language, just like did the Romans and Greeks in ancient times. See Interpretio Germanica, Romana, Graeca, et cetera. For me, I just call my self Pagan.

[@blokeinconnu8490]

"The wiccan wheel of seasons" certainly _not _ "come from the Pagan High festivals our ancestors celebrated in the past", but that doesn't matter, because the Wheel of Year has an intrinsic value of its own. To some people, the Wheel of the Year assist connection to Nature and devotion to the divine beings, and that's reason enough to use the Wheel of the Year. Gerald Gardner and Ross Nichols cobbled together the Wheel of the Year in the 1950s and 1960s, and Aidan Kelly added some of the ideas now widely associated with the Wheel of the Year in the early 1970s. Four of the festivals are attested in Irish mediaeval fiction, which describe customs allegedly tied to Iron Age Irish religion, though we have to take in regard, that mediaeval Christian Irishmen not necessarily were well-informed about beliefs and customs of a long-gone time. The other four festivals were invented by Edward Williams, one of the founders of neo-Druidry and known under his pen-name Iolo Morganwg, in 1792. Modern Paganism isn't helped by the circulation of pseudo-historical claims. The Wheel of the Year is an excellent calendar for certain types of modern Pagans -- Wiccans and Druids in particular -- but on the other hand, any attempt to squeeze historical forms of Paganism into the mold of the Wheel of the Year would only harm the historical accuracy of that reconstruction. Kemetic religion, Hellenism, Religio Romana and Old Norse religion had calendars of festivals of their own, each of them following _other_ patterns than the Wheel of the Year.

[@WilliamAlvesExperience]

@@blokeinconnu8490 The equinox and solstice were celebrated by ancient civilization and it is celebrated nowadays.

[@blokeinconnu8490]

@@WilliamAlvesExperience But they were not celebrated by the Iron Age Irish, and those who did celebrate a solstice or two, or an equinox or two, didn't celebrate the same festivals as the Iron Age Irish. The Wheel of the Year is a pick-and-mix of festivals from different parts of history and different parts of the world. In the past, there didn't exist any civilisation that celebrated all eight of these festivals, and only these eight festivals, during one and the same phase of history. No one had brought together all eight of them into a system before the 1950s or 1960s. As I tried to stress earlier, it is also a very useful pick-and-mix for many persons who live now. I enjoy it deeply.

[@blokeinconnu8490]

Let me extend my answer. Which "ancient civilization"? The ancient Egyptians used several calendars. One of them was solar based in theory, but lacked Leap Days, so any religious festival that initially may or may not have had any connection to an equinox or a solstice would fall ten days away from the proleptic date after just a time period of 40-44 years, and twenty days away from the proleptic date after a time period of 80-88 years. Another Egyptian calendar was based on the heliacal rising of the star Sirius, and the time difference between proleptic date and calendar-date would become an entire month after about 2100 years. If ancient Egyptians had cared about relating their religious festivals closely to equinoxes and solstices, they would have used other calendars. Festivals of the Roman republic fall into two categories: Early agricultural festivals and later added memorials of the dedication-date of particular temple-buildings. One would expect equinoxes and solstices to fall into the agricultural category. In December we are rather lucky: A string of agricultural festivals follow each other, beginning 15th of December with Consualia, followed the 19th by Opalia, and ending the 23th of December with Larentalia, the entire time period 17-23 December known as Saturnalia, but the most important detail for our discussion is Divalia Angeronae on 21st of December. Yes, the Romans did celebrate _something_ on December 21. Summer Solstice and Autumnal Equinox are however conspicuously and disappointingly empty of old Roman festivals for those of us who hunt those. Icelandic sagas mention three (not eight) main sacrificial festivals, but they were initially calculated to co-inside with full moon nights, not to co-inside with equinoxes, solstices or any other fixed dates. The old Norse calendar was re-arranged in the early 10th century to follow the Roman calendar, which caused the initial lunar mechanism to be lost. Modern Icelandic almanacs contain such days as "first day of summer" (the Thursday occurring April 19-25), "first day of winter" (the Saturday occurring 21-28 October) and "Midwinter" (the Friday occurring 19-26 January), but I find it hard to see what these dates would have to do with equinoxes or solstices. If anything, they resemble the presumed Iron Age Irish festivals, but falling one or two weeks earlier than those. Modern Kurds and Iranis in exile gladly celebrate the folk customs of Shab e Yalda (winter solstice) and Newrus (spring equinox), and these folk customs seem to have very old historical roots, indeed. Conspicuously absent, on the other hand, are equally popular celebrations of summer solstice and autumnal equinox, so it seems like not all equinoxes are created equal. Newgrange is a burial complex in Ireland probably built abt. 3200 BCE. it is orientated to allow sunlight into the tomb at winter solstice. Stonehenge is a stone circle in southwest England built gradually between 3100 BCE and 1600 BCE. It is possibly orientated according to sunrise at summer solstice. Our hunt for solstice-symbolism seem to be much more fruitful if we concentrate on Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in the North East Atlantic. "Neolithic" doesn't equal "Iron Age".

[@blokeinconnu8490]

That may cause us to feel sorry for the Autumnal Equinox -- it did to me many years ago when I first noticed this lack of historical attestation of Equinox-celebration. Did _any_ ancient Pagan festival of any renown occur at Autumnal Equinox? Well, one major one did, but not every year. The ancient Greeks used a lunisolar calendar based on the Metonic cycle. This mean, that ancient Greek dates did not match fixed solar dates, but were semi-movable. The greater mysteries of the Eleusinian mysteries (there also existed lesser mysteries, but they were celebrated in February) were celebrated 14-23 Boedromion. Since the ancient Greek calendar was lunisolar, these dates do not have fixed counterparts in our calendar. Some years, however, Autumnal Equinox would occur during this time period.

[@magister.mortran]

Thanks for this insightful explanations. Pagan Reconstructionism is however far older than Neo-Paganism. It is already documented in the 15th century during the Renaissance. One important member was Julius Pomponius Laetus (1418 - 1498), the founder of the Academia Romana, one of the earliest pagan reconstructionist organizations.

[@elliannawilson9551]

**Long Post Alert** I'd like to say I'm both but lean more towards Reconstructionist (but that's a hard maybe on that) as when I first started this path, my mind and thoughts, after my current deities I celebrate came to me in a dream, focused on Wicca. I like the Wiccan rede (Harm none but do as ye will) and the sabbats/esbats interest me a lot, it gets me closer to something in me that I've never experienced before and am still discovering as I go along and I also REALLY love the concept of The Summerlands, whenever I think about it, it gives me peace of mind and serenity, and it honestly feels very familiar to me, like I'm travelling back home the moment my head thinks of it. All this being said, I also am in huge disagreement with the Wiccan "every god and goddess is just the essence of the one and true moon goddess and horned god" because I believe it is disrespectful, abhorrent and offensive because it takes away the power of every god and goddess that was here, it destroys history and myths of the people who made and shared the stories... I believe the Horned god and Moon goddess are their own entities due to the power of word and how many Wiccans truly believe in them, but they aren't all encompassing--in fact, I believe, they just might be "new gods" compared to the world's gods and pantheons, if that makes any sense. As for everything else, I often think about the past, how our ancestors did in fact grow up, how they believed, what stories they had, their visions and so forth... I feel connected to them as I follow the same thing as them, reading their stories and hearing their voices, speaking to their gods as though they are my own, feeling at peace and open to the thoughts of "What if all realites, all afterlife did exist?" And feel content to know that not only does Heaven exist but also Helhiem/Valhalla, Tarterus/Eysian Fields, etc: It only pains me that everything has been changed or lost due to the Religious/Chrisitian movement(s) of the past. I can only imagine the oral stories every person knew, and where we could or would be if they hadn't been destroyed. Where our civilizations would head down to--even going so far into wondering what the world would be like if colonialism never existed... Every story, every spoken word matters to me, and I find peace in that, too. But I can't call myself a Heathen because I have had Freyja, Thor and Odin himself come into my dreams to speak to me, because I've had the equal side of The Morrigan, Epona, Artemis and Hecate speak to me as well... As I don't know a lot of Celtic mythology, I find myself being taught and open to the gods because I have been shown that The Morrigan wants to and is teaching me lessons. And Epona, is some way I'm sure, does as well. Greek mythology, as did every little kid because the greek mythology was easily accessible, was my first home, it was the first pantheon I believed in truly and fell in love with, with Artemis as the one I claimed to be my matron (in many childish ways, of course) I used ti pray to Apollo, to Zues, to Hera, to Circe...many of the pantheon, purely because I felt a strong love for them all and their stories... And who's to say what happened? As we do know the vikings raided the Orkney Islands, who is to say that both didn't adopt one another's customs and ways, while, they were warring over one another? To hear different names and colloquialismis on top of it all--hell, even the Celtic, or even Germanic to boot!, had their own ways. The Gauls had Macha, Welsh, Rihannon, and the Irish had Epona. All different goddesses but of the same attributes, and are even considered by many scholars are the same! As for Germanic, we have different names for Odin: Wodan, Wotan, etc: While different, they all celebrate and worship differently... We all walked on different ways of life, and to recontruct it, is a admirable goal, to walk with our ancestors and know how they lived is amazing, but with the gods and goddesses I do commune with, I can't adopt three pantheons, as I only feel a connection to some Celtic dieties, I can only recollect so many stories of the Norse and feel connected to specific gods that choose to help me, and my attraction to Greek Mythos isn't as strong as it once was. (Nor do I want to consider myself a "Nordic Wiccan" or whichever else as my beliefs contradict Wiccan set-up) So does this make me Neo-pagan, to believe in the different gods that come across all pantheons and they chose to talk to me, or am I a reconstructionist due to my beliefs as a whole? As I know every person before our time never really celebrated or venerated every god in their respective pantheon because they couldn't be worshipped in every day life. (Hephestus is the god of blacksmithing and was only venerated by blacksmiths, Odin favored the warrior but not every person was one, etc:) This is a huge rant to get to the point, as I can never really open up hugely on the debate. So, due to your insight, it has both led me thinking and wonder about some stuff. So thank you, and I hope my insight, though long and no doubt bored a few people, has helped out, too. Paganisim, like every religion, is kinda touchy and iffy and when you try to label it, it is pretty hard to do as everyone has different beliefs and walks of life to the path they're walking. Whether you are Neo or a reconstructionalist, they are equally fascinating to discover and figure out where you land. Thank you for the video!!

[@ScarletRavenswood]

Thank you for your wonderful comment! You bring up so many good points and complexities around this issue. Like yourself, I am drawn to a number of deities across several pantheons and I also struggle with how that fits into my wider pagan practice. My goal with this channel is to have these discussions so that together the Pagan community can debate and better understand these ideas. Thanks again for sharing your beliefs and thoughts on these topics. I really appreciate your support! :)

[@kylieb1458]

Thank you Scarlet, your explanation was very informative and easy to understand. I have recently chosen to study my curiosities surrounding magick. Initially I was trying to understand the differences between Witchcraft, Wicca & Paganism and came across your channel after lots of reading and video watching. I am most interested in Celtic Paganism as I have Irish heritage and my husband has Scotish heritage. We are both history buffs and I would love to possibly commit to Pagan Reconstruction, but being a newby, will stick with the general Pagan identity for now until I learn more.

[@evangelyn1920]

you did an awesome job deconstructing each concept from a clear and in-depth perspective. thank you so much i learned a couple of new things!

[@ScarletRavenswood]

Thanks! Glad to hear you liked the video :)

[@ellietarabarova]

I would say I’m both, I have aspects of both and I’m polytheistic, I try to view the gods the way the culture did, however since I’ve always felt drawn to different pantheons, I’ve used the frame work of Wicca and it’s ritual structure and sabbats to honor the gods I feel called to. I love what recinstructionists are doing but I just don’t feel I can be hard line reconstructionist personally

[@johnoneill919]

If someone asks i usually just say pagan. I used to practice wicca for quite a few years but over the last few years I've become a lot more natural and organic in my practice and i no longer incorporate elements in my rituals which would make me specifically wiccan.

[@cothromgrimr161]

#folkright is a whole other category, it’s a realization of the importance of ancestor worship and being folkish to your heritage and your ethnic gods

[@TheMartyrdoom]

I really hope people are true about neo-paganism and not just romanticizing the past.

[@miaprice755]

Thank you for the information! I have never heard of this before, so I learned something today 😊

[@MorganJagermeister]

This is really interesting and eye-opening. I had never learned about this stuff before and was just calling myself neopagan. The idea of reconstructing a former belief system is very cool to me and I think I would be able to do it in a way that is convenient to me in the modern day. Very inspiring! Thanks 🙏🏻

[@dragonsinneedofcoffee104]

I'm currently doing a bit of research and exploring paganism to find out which path I wish to go down. (I.e. neo-pagan, pagan reconstructionism). So far, since I only started researching it this week, I've been watching a lot of your videos about these meanings and you're helping me so much. The way you explain everything is very simple and easy to understand. Thank you very much, keep up the good work!

[@Fiachbuay1987]

I consider my self a Recon because respecting the culture where one pantheon, as well as traditions, comes from, is very sacred. IMO mixing and matching traditions and deities outside of its cultures are disrespectful. However, I don't verbally beat down those who do. Now, this doesn't mean you have to be from said culture ancestrally, although its a plus. People from this path work very hard to piece back together these practices which is another reason I find mixing and matching disrespectful.

[@ascherrey]

Wonderful video. I’ve been an hellenic pagan/polytheist for 30 of my 45 years. I’ve had ample time to watch the community grow and change. It’s been a wonderful thing to see. I call myself a revivalist, not a reconstructionist, and here’s why. There are some core parts of Hellenism that are non-negotiable. For example, the sanctity of noumenia (today is a noumenia, btw!). That sanctity will never change. Maintaining Hestia’s flame is non-negotiable. But what is negotiable is how we keep the flame. I’ve been back and forth over the years from hardliner to where I rest now, which is in my thinking that the flame doesn’t have to be a flame. Instead I keep an LED candlestick on her shrine and it’s plugged into the wall electricity. I pull the non-negotiable bits of the religion (kicking and screaming at times lol) into the 21st. Stay blessed.

[@BoltofGreece]

Hi, archaeologist here, not pagan (well....no that's a story for another time), but from an archaeological perspective, worshipping only what your ancestors worshipped doesn't really make sense when looking at past contexts. Most invading armies would "encourage" the people they invade to worship the Invader's deities. If someone were to willingly move to a new place, you were more than likely going to be allowed to worship your own gods (probably at the cost of being an outcast socially) but you were again "encouraged" to worship the areas deities. I used Rome as an example in the replies. So, most of my ancestors worshipped the Tuatha de Dannan as they were Irish, but i don't necessarily need to worship those. My friend worships, mainly, Juno, but she doesn't have any Roman or Italian in her ancestry. Read the replies, a year on, I honestly hate this comment Edit:the comment was terrible, here's the original for context: Hi, archaeologist here, not pagan (am in some ways, that's a different story tho) but coming from an archaeological standpoint, the idea of only worshipping what your ancestors worshipped doesn't really make sense, most cultures would accept you (after pushing you away for reason) and encourage you to worship their gods, even if you weren't from that area

[@BoltofGreece]

@Nils Holgersson encourage is a bad word, allow is probably the only word needed, and i probably shouldn't say most, but a lot. I'm going to be honest, i don't remember a single thing about this video or what made me say this, and it's probably a shitty 3 am answer

[@BoltofGreece]

@Nils Holgersson right i think i remember, an example of that would be the Romans, when you were in the roman empire, if you had a different religion, the romans compared your gods to theirs, saying, for example, Woden is just Jupiter. While they were allowed to worship their own gods, they were legally required to partake in some way in public festivals.

[@BoltofGreece]

@Nils Holgersson but i was correct this is worded terribly

[@AZTLANSOLDIER13]

That's not completely accurate. Invading cultures often adopted deities and practices of the cultures they conquered. Mesoamerican paganism has many examples. The Aztecs worshipped many deities of "lesser" tribes. Xipe Totec, Tlazolteotl, Itzpapolotl just to name a few.

[@BoltofGreece]

@@AZTLANSOLDIER13 That's really neat, I don't study Mesoamerican cultures, I'm much more well versed in Mediterranean bronze and iron age. In all honesty, I now hate how I worded my original comment, I'm not entirely sure why I wrote it the way I did.

[@pagangamer87]

My ancestry ( With being British ) is complicated. I'm mostly Celtic, then Anglo-Saxon, and then Danish/Norweigan. So... I just refer to being "Pagan" or "Heathen". I honor mostly the Norse gods, but I would like to get to know about my ancestors Celtic gods also. I'm still learning about my ancestors Norse gods, so my path is a long but interesting one. I'm looking forward to diving in deeper, and coming out at the end where I can be confident enough to guide others who wish to follow the same path, which ever that may be.

[@danielkoppl7923]

I agree that Reconstruction is more interesting (also from an Academic view) and can be sometimes suprising when there are new findings. But some facts are also a lot darker than expected

[@Melvinious]

I grew up in a very pagan family, and in a very pagan town. When I moved away (to Utah/mormon central) I have found it very hard to share any beliefs when people ask to the point of just saying I'm agnostic. Have you or anyone else had this same experience? And if so, how did you deal with it? I'm very curious

[@jast.1613]

I'm a grey witch. My beliefs are very simple. The God, the Goddess & the Spirit That is all. I celebrate the wheel of the year & the Sabots. I'm doing Shadow work right now. It's so cleansing & freeing. Thoroughly enjoyed your video. Blessed Be.

[@AutumnButterfly]

Just wondering how Druidry is neo-Pagan? Druidry predates many other Pagan faiths. It’s more Celtic Reconstructionism than neo. That said, the rest of the video is spot-on. I especially appreciate you bringing up inclusivity in Paganism. There have been a lot of gatekeepers recently, which could potentially turn people away from their calling. This is something we as a community of faith (in all varying beliefs and practices) need to continue to address.

[@bruja_cat]

Thank you so much! Cultural appropriation of these different pagan practices have been a big issue for me when I see so many (for lack of a better term) Karens following Egyptian gods or voodoo because they think it’s cute and trendy

[@Newwaver2007]

Thats too bad, but it's not surprising, if you look into how "paganism" gets sold these days. It's in a way people don't know that there's no such thing as "paganism". It's just people being ethnocentric, just like the ancient Egyptians were pagan, they have their gods and goddesses, and we have ours too. Even places in my country have been named after the indigenous gods and goddesses. And folklore and fairytales are written about them. Gods run in the Blood, and people who don't think so, become the silly people in a way. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoLRnqiJgbefbMk

[@BunsBooks]

I just use the term Pagan or Heathen. I’m Celtic and Germanic so I celebrate both pantheons and ancestors. I don’t use the terms Asatru or Thursatru or any of that because it’s modern and too limiting. I do believe in a bit of reconstructionism, as most of my beliefs surrounding the gods are based off written historical evidence and archaeology, but, I honor my ancestors more in my own way 🤷‍♀️ My everyday practice of paganism is actually more centralized around cultural tradition than god worship. I’m learning how to do things like tablet weaving, nålbinding, reading old Norse and Gaelic, all as a way of honoring my ancestors and reviving some traditions that have not been practiced in my family for at least a few generations. I just walk through this life with a mjolnir around my neck and a tartan around my waist ✌️

[@ScarletRavenswood]

That's awesome! I love your approach to this topic. Thanks for sharing. :)

[@jelkel25]

I keep reading and for me there is a connection with the land and other things I'm not yet able to communicate, it's a journey that doesn't stop until its time to take the next one. It's beyond a compulsion, it's something I have to do, it's beyond labels and categories, it just is.

[@The1Green4Man]

The rise in Paganism is a right-wing reaction to modernism and mass immigration. Many Modern European people have this visceral reaction to the hollow and unfulfilling nature of modernity, so they are turning to spirituality. Christianity is a universalist religion and wants to make the whole world Christian, it is also a foreign religion from outside our ancestral homeland (Europe). Pagan holidays are celebrated across where I live in England, things like mayday. There are local traditions that have carried on since before the arrival of Christianity. Paganism is indigenous, it is of the Land and it runs in the blood of kith and kin. That’s why ancestor worship is an extremely important part of paganism. Hail Great Woden, the All-Father.

[@mathildehb0076]

I was first drawn to pagan reconstructionism, but am now, a neo-pagan. Currently, I say my eclectic wiccan path is still under development and I have lots to learn before I do a self-dedication-ritual. Maybe I will end up starting a coven? 😅

[@drnoir93]

A very good explanation as always. You nail the good and bad of Modern Reconstructionism well.

[@MeagonHardy-sq3nm]

Thank you for this video. It was very helpful.

[@mrgaming4626]

im a celtic pagan, i was born in Wales and my family history has spent generations inside these Celtic lands. My family are celts and my dna is celtic. i find it very important to keep in touch with my ancestors, of course Ancestors arent a priority for everyone :)

[@boyofGod81]

Do you believe in a supernatural intelligence above your ancestors? God’s best

[@robertrdbrooks224]

Very nice video Scarlet, and very good description of Neo-Pagan vs Pagan Reconstructionism. When I was younger starting on my path as a Pagan, Traditional White Witch, I began gaming D&D at a young age this helped me familiarise myself with the Gods & Goddesses, the Fae, & more. Then came the local library, Mail ordered books from adds in back of comic books & so on. I began piecing things & times together, how did they do this? when? what did they wear? where did they come from? & so on. So ... I've been a Pagan Reconstructionalist? for quite a long time? And I didn't even know it or wasn't aware of it, I've been researching, reading, & studying ... sigh ... for quite a while. I favor Britian & Ireland, Celtic, Gael, Picts, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Norse. Thank You. I really enjoy your videos on my days off & when I can, very relaxing & educational. RD. ,' )

[@ScarletRavenswood]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing. I'm also really interested in studying the Anglo-Saxons and Norse traditions. I'm really glad to hear you like my videos. :)

[@TomWaldgeist]

I believe in the germanic Pantheon but I am not to much focused on reviving traded traditions. Of course I research things but I also feel open to create my very own Rituals and traditions. I believe in what feels right and sincere to me. :)

[@ScarletRavenswood]

That's whats so great about paganism - you're completely free to forge your own path :)

[@goddessreverierosehawthorn3724]

I consider myself a polytheistic Neopagan. I’m not really into Elements & Wicca & Modern Witchcraft, but I love the natural world’s harshness and beauty so I have a few crystals, bones, etc. I grew up with Celtic stories and Greek myths so I strongly connect to both pantheons. While my best friend was hanging boy band posters and trying make up, I was hanging Triquetras, writing poems about rain, and mixing up botanicals before I even knew what I was really doing. Everyone just said I was weird 😂 Took me awhile to figure it out. My family is like 99% Irish, Scottish & German and then Cherokee great grandmother, so it’s nice to know it’s in my bloodline. And Ancient Greek Cultute is highly embedded in the USA.

[@groveofthesevennations6357]

For our Grove we combine elements of both the Druid Revival & Reconstructionist elements. Ancestor veneration is extremely important for us. Very nice video ye made here. /|\

[@literatureimp9376]

While I personally tend to think of myself as a Pagan Reconstructionist as a lover of history and I tend to stick with what my own ancestors would have practiced, I don't think others should be barred from practicing what they like. If someone of a different heritage wants to practice worship from my heritage, that's fine. However, I think that this should be done with respect. If you are inspired by the other practices and would like to practice, I feel like there should be an acknowledgement of where it came from rather than "taking credit".

[@jameslewis6998]

I’m 66 and just started my journey into Paganism, my inclination is the Goddesses from the Celtic tradition and Gods from the Norse tradition

[@blokeinconnu8490]

In my view, the fundamental divide within the modern Pagan milieu isn't between Neo-paganism and Pagan Reconstructionism -- there is worth in both approaches -- but the divide between modern Pagans who take gods, spirits, heroes (in the ancient Greek sense) and ancestors seriously, and those who do not. You will find both these groups within both Neo-Paganism and Pagan Reconstructionism.

[@blokeinconnu8490]

And I would never try to mix a ritual reconstructed from a particular cultural setting with a ritual reconstructed from another particular cultural setting, nor with a ritual following a Neo-Pagan format. I would allow some amount of time to separate them from each other and, if possible, use another corner of the flat (or another place outdoors). There is a time and place for everything, just not everything at the same time at the same place. We ought to respect the internal integrity and coherence of each act of veneration.

[@birbpunk]

Great video! I knew there were those who were trying to really connect with the historical religions but I didn't know about the Pagan reconstructionists, how interesting. I wonder how someone in that position handles gender/sexuality/racial biases that possibly existed during those times. I consider myself a neopagan and have really customized my spirituality to work for me.

[@ScarletRavenswood]

Hi Ina, Yes, the concept of how to handle gender/sexuality/racial biases during that time period can definitely make pagan reconstructionism a bit tricky. Thanks for your great comment! :)

[@TIMOTHEVS]

Hi Marina LeBlanc! There are probably as much answers to that question as there are pagan reconstructionists, but here is mine ^^ I am most familiar with the reconstructed "Cultus Deorum" a.k.a. Roman Polytheistic Reconstructionism. When it comes to attitudes towards sexuality and gender in ancient Rome, things were quite a bit more relaxed than in the Abrahamic religions, but nevertheless, there are many examples of widely held beliefs that are unacceptable today. Almost no "cultor" I know thinks it should be our aim to adopt the mind-set of ancient Romans without re-evaluating it though, so that doesn't really matter. For me personally, ancient attitudes are an inspiration at best, and it's mainly the precise execution of a ritual that I'm interested in, and even when it comes to the rituals, there are moral dilemas, for example: for a majority of modern cultores, sacrificing a live animal at an altar during a ritual is no longer acceptable, even though this was very important historically. So there definitively is a lot of customization going on in reconstructionist circles as well! It's simply impossible to 100% accurately reconstruct an ancient religion. For me personally though, trying to design an altar and rituals that are as authentic as I can morally and financially manage, makes the experience feel more powerful, like I'm taking part in a tradition, something that is bigger than myself.

[@jessyhayward9544]

I’m a Celtic Reconstructionist, and generally for the CR community, any discrimination is forbidden. Historically, LGBT+ (or at least gay and bi people) were accepted before the rise of Christianity. We have no evidence that they were tested any differently. Racism, sexism, and cultural appropriation are also forbidden - in fact, the CR community started from a need to distinguish ourselves from the cultural appropriation and racism of the neopagan traditions. Not all of them, of course, but many borrow from cultures and turn them into something else.

[@RoyalConfetti]

@@jessyhayward9544 The Scandinavians didn't hate homosexuals and didn't even have the labels "homosexual" or "gay". It wasn't some sort of "sin". I could be wrong but from what I've read they also accepted foreigners to join them from time to time.

[@jessyhayward9544]

Lyri Miranda Ok? I don’t know anything about them. I’m a Celtic recon, not a Nordic one.

[@HighTrees215]

What about if you German should i go to Germanic paganism or Norse?

[@TheRealValGalstyan]

I’m a new eclectic pagan witch (male) and a Druid I have combined so many traditions so it’s like very confusing for other people. But it’s me you now. I practice what I practice

[@johners51]

Thank you, Scarlet, that was most helpful. I had never heard the terms or definitions before.

[@moukidelmar]

The biggest problem with pagan tradition is that Christianity OBLITERATED the old ways/ stole and incorporated them into itself, but without records we can't really know what they did in the day. A great deal of modern pagan practices come from Victorian sources and the Victorians were notorious about getting things wrong, because wh ere n they didn't know something they just made it up. Combine that with oral tradition, destruction of pagan texts, or writing pagan lore with a Christian bent and things can get very clouded.

[@AZTLANSOLDIER13]

I cant think of a single pagan culture that didn't put ancestor worship as a top priority. Therefore its mind boggling for neo pagans to say it's not important. What else? Suddenly "meh, nature worship isn't important part of paganism. Let's just throw that out because I live in a city" Some things are eternal. I realize in Western cultures (especially American) there is a disconnect with your ancestors and the lands of your ancestors. And everyone feels like a mutt so it's hard to pin down. But communing with your people in the voice of your people is immensely powerful. And like it or not power interchange IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF PAGANISM AND WITCHCRAFT. That is why we do everything we do. Life and death and everything in between is a power exchange whether we actively participate or not

[@giraffewhiskers2045]

I consider myself as a neo pagan now but I am looking into all types of neo pagan because I don’t know if any specifically are like Wicca where you can’t hex because the 3 fold law

[@TomateiroLetal]

Hello! I loved the video, it was very informative and well thought. Job well done! If you don't mind, can you point me to any good book, or article, about this topic? Thanks in advance 😁

[@mr.monster91666]

I refer to myself as someone who believes in the old gods and worships nature.

[@evahamaker5209]

My religious beliefs is actually mostly Neo but part of it does follow that of my Native American Ancestor Me: I believe there is someone above and we flourish and are cared for by our mother named Earth. So we should respect our mother.

[@l.k.isaacs2867]

(Being new to paganism) I generally lean towards pantheistic paganism and how all things (nature, animals, all living things) are equal and divine but not really believe in a specific God, (If that makes sense) i also have a few wiccan beliefs such as the wiccan rede but I'm not sure if that's considered neo paganism?? Please educate me (all in all my beliefs and views in paganism will broaden over time, but as of now I'm still learning)

[@sherylAA]

I know I have a path I am going down, for pretty much all my life, but I'm so eclectic in my path that I can't call myself just one thing.

[@hannataylor6942]

If your interested in the Greek and roman gods and goddess. Would that mean you fit more into the reconstructionist part? And do you have to stick to one side of it like greek or roman? And can I include the wiccan holidays?

[@ScarletRavenswood]

Hi Hanna, it's up to you. Most people that work with the Greek and Roman Gods follow a more reconstructionist path. However, you can be an Eclectic Pagan and include the Sabbats while still working with the Greek/Roman Gods if you'd like.

[@tempestgrey4629]

I’m I believe Celtic in origin but my matron Goddess is Hekate. I just love how she is a balanced masculine feminine deity. Dark and light. Young and old. S he is my All and even though Cernunnos is a statue on my altar I view him as a minor deity that helps me realize the wildness of nature. He is her Eve. He is her companion. She is Enough all by herself. Matriarchal focused religions have a long way to go to bring down patriarchy and level it into a balanced state. This is why my God Dess is a woman

[@davidstepanczuk]

Just a tho't: you don't have to worship your ancestors. You can simply be (re)joining them/(re)acknowledging them in their spiritual practices.

[@bane.4019]

I dont know what i am, pagan, neo-pagan, eclectic pagan. Whatever, i really dont care at the end of the day, i go wherever my intuition leads me to. I feel like these ''terms'' just divide people and create unnecessary bias. I'm more of an ''Omnist'', i believe that no ''Religion'' is the absolute truth, but truth can be found within them all. People should practice what they resonate with and feel free, regardless of bias. As long as you dont create your own personal delusion niche about nature or the universe itself. Nature is raw, there's no light without darkness, as creation without destruction, embrace both sides and keep balance.

[@boyofGod81]

Interesting reply. So you disagree with them those who say there’s no absolute truth? God’s best

[@karennaturallyartby]

This is very important information. Thank you

[@nymphaea_caerulea]

If you're interested in this subject, I would highly recommend reading Ronald Hutton's Triumph of the Moon to get the history straight. Also check out Sabine Magliocco, Sarah Pike, and Helen Berger for accurate scholarly information on Modern Paganism.

[@emilyngoff]

I found this video so informative and helped clear some stuff up for me. I am American but I have Celtic (Wales and Ireland) and Northern Italian roots and I have felt soooo drawn to those practices and old world witchcraft or traditional witchcraft. I think I would still fall into that neo-Pagan category though since I am blending those different practices though. And I do have issue with the people in some of the witchcraft community that are overtly racist and intolerant. Don’t like that.

[@kevinkarel2612]

I consider myself to be a Neopagan

[@LexieAssassin]

Here mostly out of curiosity as I knew a few of my long distance friends are Norse Pagans, but I myself am a pretty staunch Atheist (Apatheist more specifically), and I'm curious as to why choose Paganism? From my perspective, I'm left wondering what leaves one spiritual or religious belief as "more correct" or "true" in one's eye's than another? What invalidates the myriad of others, but not that specific one?

[@eckeall2121]

What about traditional paganism and syncretic paganism?

[@darthszarych5588]

I'm Polish so it would be very hard for me to be a pagan reconstructionist from that culture because there is so little known about the pre Christian slavs

[@10hawell]

Slavic faith has a well-reconstructed pantheon, creation myth, afterlife, legends, great demonology, relations between gods, demons, beasts and ancestral spirits, the things are that it's not magick heavy religion and rituals are poorly reconstructed.

[@nezza7471]

Good video! I guess i would consider myself neo-pagan. Specifically I'm fairly new into creating my practice. I don't believe that you need to have a direct heritage, but as someone that is both German and Romanian, I have traditions from my family taught to me, and though my family is mostly catholic, those traditions have been taught to me and I've woven those into my craft. If someone has a certain heritage that they can explore and learn about, i highly encourage them to do so.

[@91JudithO]

I consider myself a modern druid and witch, and the broadest paganism term feels best. The groups I affiliate with are very much neopagan, revival-based. That being said, genealogical research, ancestor veneration and historical reconstruction are an increasingly big part of my practice. As long as I am clear on what parts of my practice are inspired by history and what parts are reconstructionalist in nature, I feel fine. I’m not sure I could switch to reconstructionist druidry only, as my current practice and my current groups hold immense value to me.

[@danilles.4247]

love your videos and amazing way of teaching

[@ScarletRavenswood]

Thanks! :)

[@WarlockGhorst]

I looked into at least paganism as a teen but i am adopted so I can not follow the faith of my ancestors since i have no idea who they where.

[@hirohunter2314]

Well, maybe in near future you gonna meet with your ancestors spirit

[@WarlockGhorst]

@@hirohunter2314 Hard when you have no idea where they came from or who they are. 😎

[@20YrOldPizza]

I would say the backbone of what I observe in life, is the idea that were all brothers and sisters, that has grown from the age of 6-7 years old and still is, and I would definitely say, "Organized" "Paganism" was a motivating "vehicle" in my early life for such an idea. I have never studied anything Pagan before the last week or so. And as much as I learn of Pagan belief the more similarity I find. All from inspiration, from person to person conversation to medieval festivals, to a wiccan aunt. If I "Had" to identify with a single "belief" system of any sort, it would be Pagan, but beyond that I don't know how to address any of my "Pagan" beliefs with words. If that makes any sense, if not, that's ok too. :)

[@INS1977]

Spiritual path of ancestors...jeahh Traditions, folklora etc. I like viking folklora but i dont have viking roots... Iam from Baltic states.... Bit different pagan roots but manny things seems similar😉

[@DarkGlass824]

I can't access the video where you go on a rant Scarlet can you please open it up for me or no?

[@imalive4u169]

When it comes to European Paganism it disappeared with the rise of Christianity historically speaking. When a religion is no longer being practiced anymore even with written documents over the course of time it's forgotten about and the oral knowledge is lost forever. Basically even with written documentation there is no way to actually know how the religion was practiced. This is why even attempting reconstruction of a religion is futile without the oral knowledge which is forever lost. Neo-Paganism to put it as New Age is exactly correct because it's not ancient Paganism which some of these religions are still around today. For example Native American Paganism is ancient Paganism in which it's authentic Paganism. New Age or Neo-Paganism isn't authentic Paganism like Wicca Gerald Gardner during the 1950s invented Wicca. If you were to compare let's say something which is authentic to something New Age would be like trying to compare Catholicism to Jehovah Witnesses which unlike Catholicism the Jehovah Witnesses aren't Christianity even though they call themselves Christians.

[@boyofGod81]

What do you suggest to people to protect themselves from the Darkside of Paganism? I have a friend who was 12 minute my dark spirits. His aunt actually saw the dark cloud and felt the evil. His mother was thrown across the room by dark forces with nobody around. Do you have a video warning people of the Darkside ?

[@FUBAR.MC7203]

hail and well met Scarlet, blessed be

[@paulcomerford1]

Thank you for your informative video.

[@Naylte]

I've known someone for years who would fit the definition of a Pagan Reconstructionist but referred to themselves as an Anglo-Saxon Pagan.

[@gayfrog6139]

If you are neopagan do you have to do magick? I am very into paganism and the traditions and rituals etc. etc. but I don’t want to practice magick. If you are neopaganism and HAVE to practice magick, are there any other religions similar that don’t?

[@ScarletRavenswood]

You don't have to do magick in order to be Pagan. Paganism is more about your spiritual/religious beliefs. :)

[@Owlways-sleepy]

I would not say a pagan = nature I’m pagan Specifically I worship the Ancient Egyptians Gods and Goddesses (Netjer) I have no religious beliefs in regards to nature at all So I would not say that pagans deal with nature is some way because a lot do not

[@banehelsing7541]

I consider myself an Ancient Egyptian Religion reconstructionist (I personally do not consider myself “Kemetic” because the Kemetic belief system mixes it with Yoga, Kabbalah and other modern African traditions that obviously weren’t a part of the ancient tradition, though I do mix ancient Egyptian traditions in my own ways, i.e., with hoodoo and Wicca, but it’s not in the way that one sees in the modern Kemetic religions)... anyway, with that out of the way, the Ancient Egyptian religion most definitely venerated nature, but in a completely different manner... the sun, the moon, the stars, the Nile (including water), the cardinal points, the soil ~ sand, ect were integral aspects of the the belief system, they had just been manifested into “deified energies” (in other words into “the nTrw”). And Ancient Egyptian mythology not only details, for example, the journey of the sun throughout the day, in the form of Ra, but they celebrated these events which were directly linked to nature without a doubt. The lady in the video is totally correct in the sense that a Pagan religion/practice most definitely includes nature in some way shape or form, whereas in most non-Pagan religions, nature is not integrated whatsoever. I think maybe the way she initially said it came off odd but once you continue listening to what she said it does make perfect sense.

[@TIMOTHEVS]

Thank you for this video! Just one thing I would like to add: In my experience, there are considerably more people that are strictly speaking atheists and still identify as Pagan Reconstructionist, while I think this is not as common in Neo-Pagans, as you define them. A well-known example would be Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, the chief religious official of the Icelandic neopagan organization Ásatrúarfélagið in Iceland.

[@dailyinfo7115]

Just subscribed m8 very informative content on this channel .

[@christinekohlmeier289]

Pagan is what i have been calling myself

[@danielsmithson4870]

I find myself a Pagan Recontructionist, but before I saw this video tonight (06/02/2022) I never heard of the term before. My cause for the former declaration is that presently I am practicing a Sabbath adapted from the Jews. I had been trying to convert to Judaism with much enthusiasm during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it did not work out. Notwithstanding that I began celebrating the Shabbat at home without a community after quitting a synagogue on the rabbi's recommendation. Then one day I Googled the search term "Hittite" to answer a simple research question: Who were they? Reading Wikipedia articles I found the Hittites had a central goddess of the Sun who created the universe, and her name was something like Woo-woo-shoo-moo, and I was struck by the notion of the historical linguistics concept of three-consonant-cognates, and the Jews have a creation prayer called the Shema or Sh'ma, which corresponds to the name of the Hittite goddess of the Sun who created the universe according to the theory of three-consonant-cognates. So I changed my practice of keeping the Sabbath by means of replacing God with Goddess and instead of remembering, "Our exodus from Egypt," I say, "Our exodus from Hattusa." Otherwise, everything else I do for Sabbath comes from the rabbis.

[@nighttree2]

A couple of opinions from an old timer (30+ years "practicing").... from a Recon perspective, the Ancestral angle is actually the most important. As both the God's and nature can be.......fickle at best. So yes there is a certain degree of emphasis on ethnicity, and perhaps even a bit of suspicion towards those who would not be following their ancestral path. However, that said most European cultures (I'm not qualified to speak in regards to cultures outside of that) also had many ways that people of other ethnicity could join the clan/tribe (marriage, adoption, alliances, etc), so much of the "racist" accusation that get thrown about are simply a sign of the times. In the same way that the NA Elders in my area have asked that Europeans not copy their sacred rites, a request we fully understand and respect, and most people would champion, I find it amusing that people will take the exact opposite view when the situation is reversed. ;)

[@andyben87]

This was a great video. Very well said!

[@ScarletRavenswood]

Thanks! :)

[@britopia1341]

I’m also not found of the term “pagan”. I’m very much interested in Druidic Reconstruction and re-enactment.

[@julianhermanubis6800]

I am 100 percent a Reconstructionist Pagan. I think the main purpose of so-called paganism in the Greco-Roman world was to maintain proper relationships with gods and goddesses, which was done through ritual, sacrifice, and religious festivals. All of this was largely dusrupted by Christianity and Islam. So, the proper goal for Reconstructionist Paganism is to restore the proper relationship with the gods and goddesses that existed before this disruption. I'm highly skeptical of the Gerald Gardner/Margaret Murray idea that pagan rituals basically survived as witchcraft or some type of crypto-paganism. Also, I don't like the kind of New Age self-actualization approach. I do have a background in history and am fairly well grounded in historical and archaeological research, so I'd feel comfortable using these disciplines in Reconstructionism.

[@DemonRazor88]

Im am a bit of both.

[@libertyfp]

I'm still debating whether or not to identify as a pagan/polytheist. I'm definitely an animist. I believe in nature spirits and in that sense I believe in multiple gods. I know if I do identify as a pagan that I'd be a neopagan though. I'd use my own pantheon and my paganism would be highly animistic and egalitarian.

[@agnespel3980]

Difficult to hold pagan beliefs mostly talking about ancestors worship since I came from Quebec, which was almost entirely shaped by traditional catholicism since even the native tended to converted as well. So ancestors worship would be counter intuitive as it will mean to stay within the abrahamic system.

[@sage7296]

that's why i've been torn with this.The countries I know that my family comes from are all catholic or christian. I hear i have some polish family but idk?

[@10hawell]

The French were Roman citizens of Celtic origin before being Christianized so the Roman pantheon and the Celtic faith should do. The Romans often said: "you can worship this idol but you recognize that it is the avatar of one of our gods" so go for Celtic Druidic practice. If you are not sure if you are ethnic French then add Germanic beliefs to the checklist - all Brits are Celts, English too only bit germanized, and the French also had Germanic immigrants after the fall of Rome. Over time, you should sense whether you are drawn to Celtic, Germanic, or Roman practices and focus on chosen.

[@10hawell]

@@sage7296 Haven't you done any research? Poles are Catholic *now*, bravo. We used to have our slavic religion and you should refer to it not Catholicism, it was revived in XIX century, it is called Rodnovery. God patron of Polans (the founding tribe of Poland, ancestors of Poles) was Sviatovid - God of War find the rest yourself, you lazy ass.

[@YukiBusujima]

An interesting point on Paganism id the practice of syncretism, best exemplified by the Romans who went out of their way to incorporate any local gods they could find after a conquest. Many Pagan groups would adopt different deities they encountered or merge them with one they already worshiped, this could happen even in the same relgion for example 'Amun-Ra'. So adopting a deity from a different pantheon isn't all that inauthentic. Sure most combinations aren't historically accurate but it is an authentic practice. Edit: I should probably add that I'm mostly an Anglo-Saxon reconstructionalist but I accept that the religion will shift and evolve as it always has. Plus for me Pagan Reconstructionalism is also to do with heretige both ethincally and culturally and ultimately our culture has been as effected by the Hellenic culture and faith as the Germanic one so that sort of influence is inevitable.

[@xcryptgames4410]

I don't strongly believe in Nofap, but I Believe in Celibacy and to a minor extent Chastity.

[@familiaheskett9829]

I literally wrote the book on Pictish Reconstructionism ("Pictish Orthodox Druidism" under pen name Ray Hess - available on Amazon) but I've also written about Southern Hoodoo because that's what I grew up with. Both paths have ancestor veneration. I think the question really becomes "if ancestors are really THAT important to you, which ancestors over 10,000+ years of human history are really going to have a connection to you personally?" Unless a person is 3rd generation or less Italian immigrant, it's unlikely that Etruscan "ancestors" or spirits are going to have much of a "blood bond" with them. The same goes for "vikings" (which is a vocation, not a culture - Norse is what you are looking for people) who claim ethnic exclusivity when often by their own standards their own grandparents wouldn't be worthy of the name... This is not to say that anyone called to that path can't follow it, but rather that everyone should maybe be a bit more humble, realistic, and self aware when it comes to the exclusivity thing... I watched your video on Wicca vs Traditional Witchcraft too. You brought up the concept of anima localis (local spirits) which are also a big part of many pagan reconstructionist religions, and you didn't even mention that here. Going back to Norse heathenry reconstruction; most common people didn't have anything to do with the gods. The would have maintained/visited shrines to local and clan based spirits like the disir, and wightir. We also know that historical vikings (who were around ad900-1050s btw) carried Islamic talismans, proving they were more opportunistic magic users than ethnically exclusive ones. The later folk magic practice of trolldom probably has more in common with historical heathenry than what even most modern day Asatrúar are doing.

[@ernestbatiy1070]

I would disagree about the timeline of reconstruction. My faith Dievturība was founded in 1925