Paganism vs Animism: What's the Difference? || Pagan Happy Hour Ep #33

In this episode of Pagan Happy Hour we'll be discussing the differences & similarities between Paganism & Animism. 🌱
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Book Mentioned:
Less is More: How De-Growth will Save the World by Jason Hickel amzn.to/3wXxUK8
Video Mentioned:
What is Animism?: • What is Animism?
#pagan #witchcraft #paganism

[@TheyCallHimTheTops]

Perfect to listen to during my walk… on over to the dispensary. 🙂

[@ladyscarfaceangel4616]

Interesting topic! I'm a Buddhist btw, but I love to learn about all kinds of things! Paganism is so interesting to me! I love nature & that's how I connect with the Devine. I still hold onto the creator God concept,even though I converted to Buddisim, but I'm open-minded, accepting, & very much respect other people's beliefs! I NEEDED a separation from the "Christian" label! They aren't all bad, but I've been hurt so many times by "Christians", & I have never been able to connect with God in a church like that. I connect through deep meditation out in nature. A lot of Christians tend to focus too much on negatives (hell & sin), & they don't know how to have a true relationship with God. When I refer to "God" btw, I do not expect anyone else to believe in a creator God. It's just a reference to what's inside MY heart. I believe everyone should just follow what's in their own hearts! I support Pagans & appreciate all the wonderful holidays you have given us & many other things ! 🙏💚🧘‍♀️💜🕉

[@waltergrove2657]

My parents are Buddhists. I was once a buddhist but now I'm either a Pagan or an agnostic, idk

[@Robert-gc9gc]

I can see the aspects of the gods in nature. This is how animist thinking influenced pagan gods. The divine essence and vital force of all things is present.

[@timhennessey7778]

Your happy hour chat had my attention. Love the Animism Education,makes me more comfortable with the Celtic pagan path

[@stellablue4153]

Hi Scarlet, I missed the live because I was flying in from your former stomping grounds of Chicago. ( Thought of you there) What a fantastic and interesting topic this evening. I 100% agree that Paganism is a lifestyle that informs my morality and how I live! Thanks for another great HH.

[@kensflow]

Rewathcing and binging old pagan happy hours ever since Samhain lol thank you for having theeee best pagan & witchcraft content on KZbin!!! 😍🥰

[@kerriannepeacan1037]

My mother side being Polynesian/Scottish they're taught this from a very young age. Everything in nature has a spirit and is to be acknowledged, respected and protected. I love the topics your reviewing. Thank you ❤

[@VOCATUS123]

This is an exceptional explanation. Thank you

[@inthehouse1960]

I got involved in Wicca with Star Hawk in the 1980s. I just discovered your channel Scarlet and really appreciate your thoughtfulness. I consider myself a Pagan and a spiritualist but not religious. My personal experience of religion has been divisive and separatist at its core, with rules of worship that are inflexible, fear-based, and hierarchical, judgment-based and exclusive not inclusive...so when you mentioned the circle and lack of hierarchy, that's how I see the core of Pagan identity. I see Paganism as inclusive and open. I've been in covens and have been a solo practitioner. Even covens can become exclusive, dogmatic, and extremist, so I avoid them now. I do gather with other like-minded Pagans, but we avoid anything too rigid. I agree Paganism is diverse and nondogmatic. I see it as including any practice that allows humans to experience something beyond our physical limitations that is love-based and nature-based. And I appreciate Shintoism too. Thank you for keeping it real.

[@kathleenroberts7972]

75% of the United States is Christian. Makes it hard to be the only animist in my family.nature is the true spirit of the world. I am an impact and feel everything and I promise you it all vibrates with spirit.

[@elgatofelix8917]

False

[@ladyscarfaceangel4616]

What's false? HER feelings/HER beliefs, or that 75% of the US is Christian? Just curious.

[@chadjcrase]

Whatever the situaton was in the past, we are very much an anomaly today. Not only that, as you say, our ideas are very rare.

[@taylorexploresmore]

I agree!

[@afry6400]

According to the 2020 Census its 70% but many articles have discussed a decline so not sure how accurate any census or poll is these days. Pew Research Center put out a poll last December that stated it at somewhere around 63%.

[@ColleenFeyre2539]

I probably have always been an animist, without knowing the the term, if it weren’t for Colette Baron-Reid❣️ Now I am becoming very interested in animism❣️. Thank you so much for this hour session, it is been extremely helpful to me. 😘

[@leosardis]

re: we wouldn't have as many technological advancements if we'd stayed animist. animists created the most accurate astronomical calendars and bewildering architecture. i think we'd have at least equal advancement but more in harmony w/ nature.

[@leosardis]

also, great show! Thank you.

[@acmulhern]

Agreed. I'd say we'd have less damaging technological advances. Also, I think we need to question the need for most of these advancements. For instance, our findings in health and especially diet aren't really advancements at all. Hunter gatherers had a far more balanced diet than people anywhere after that. Today we're merely getting closer to their diet and calling it progress. As for medicine we don't really know what they were capable of with the use of plants. And considering the opioid crisis I'd say we're really not there yet. As for computers, space travel etc. We have to ask ourselves if we really need them as much as we think. And for all of technology in general, who knows if we wouldn't even have been superior in producing them if we would have bypassed all the damaging ones from the beginning.

[@benjalucian1515]

@@acmulhern *As for computers, space travel etc. We have to ask ourselves if we really need them as much as we think* To quote Arthur C. Clarke, "The dinosaurs went extinct because they didn't have a space program."

[@acmulhern]

@@benjalucian1515 dinosaurs will have existed for 176,7 million years longer than humans because they didn't have a space program.

[@benjalucian1515]

@@acmulhern - until the end.

[@27sparkle73]

Animism reminds me of Native Americans and I love this concept.

[@jaxthewolf4572]

Makes sense, many native americans were animists

[@JaggedBeauty]

kanien'kehá:ka woman here... I have been animistic my entire 38yrs... what do you means it reminds you of Native Americans and you love that concept? Like... love Native Americans? Feels a little objecting.

[@waynewatts8736]

I was taught in Raymond Buckland's book abridged book of witch craft that witch craft is a practice and Wicca is a religion.

[@dylancampbell3304]

Loved the video animisum I think is a key part of being pagen.

[@j3tztbassman123]

As it is still early, and I'm catching this on replay, it's tea time. Also, loving the Sagittarius statuary on your bookcase.

[@andyben87]

As a pantheist I find animism as a very similar concept. Almost the same for me. I believe all living things have spirit energy, so in turn we have a deeper respect for everything.

[@chadjcrase]

I am too Andy, but it isn't actually the same thing (Animism I mean).

[@elgatofelix8917]

Last time I was this early, it was still "only two weeks to flatten muh curve"

[@peterpalumbo1963]

Growth frontier is important. With space development and colonizing planets and moons we basically have an unlimited frontier.

[@8scrivo2]

This channel is brilliant, thankyou Scarlet for your knowledge and content x

[@jenniferwhalen2104]

I know I'm late lol. I have to work every time you are live. I feel Like Pagan is an umbrella term, I feel that we need to look at the denominations with in Paganism. But as a whole I do believe we lean toward animism

[@extract8058]

Do you have any videos about the pagan societies of Vril and Thule?

[@J0K3R_the_Nerd]

On the organized vs indigenous debate, I'd say people who have had it passed down through their family it does seem more organized, but we who have found our way it would definitely be indigenous where we are actively finding our way and making our own faith

[@looneyloon6988]

Thanks Scarlett!

[@KarensOpinionsMayDiffer]

Incredible conversation, thank you for facilitating. Vegan Animist through and through!. It’s no longer possible to be anything but a vegan animist now because of the horrors of factory farming.

[@sandyblack9698]

Meŕy meet scarlet..do you think paganism chosses us or do we chose paganism?me personally I would rather shake hands rather than worshiped..blessings 🖤🔮🍄🤎

[@ardhanarisvara333]

I think it comes down to what your focus as a pagan is. Are you focused on nature or the heavens? If you're focused more on the gods in the heavens like city-based Romans and Greeks, then animism isn't going to be a part of your faith. But if you're a nature-based pagan with a focus on herbs, healing, spirit work, etc... animism IS going to be a part of your spirituality. Personally, I'm animistic in my beliefs. The gods do pop up in my workings, but I'm more focused on my witchcraft. I sing to my herbs. I sing to my cats. I'm all about holistic medicine and modalities. I'm a Reiki therapist and just yesterday taught a class on the use of gemstones. Nature is the core of my practice.

[@tomcurran1538]

Many religions are also lifestyles. For example, Bible Belt Baptists, LDS, Amish, Mennonites, et al. Growth ng up as Catholic, my impression that it was a religion more than a lifestyle because most Cathlics just went to church on Sundays for 45 minutes and couldn't wait to get out of there and nothing was said about it during the week. Paganism, animism are definitely both lifestyles and religions.

[@maguritegeist6231]

Interesting stories but too much white wall or just white shelves but I love your little archer on top and plant

[@benjalucian1515]

Modern paganism is hard to define as established non-monotheistic religions do not like being labeled as 'pagan' (e.g. Buddhism, Hindu, Shinto, Native American beliefs, etc) while most modern pagans tend to view any non-monotheistic religions as pagan.

[@A.Hess7749]

Great topic!❤️

[@kurtsteiner8384]

Natural world i agree, however we know more about the surface of the moon than we do the depths of the oceans it is mostly un discovered.

[@waynewatts8736]

Hi everyone 👋

[@peterpalumbo1963]

I think k of Paganiem as a lifestyle.

[@rafaelmoretti403]

Shintoism is Animist, and Japan is a highly developed country. Watch hayao miyazaki movies like "spirited away".

[@beautifulmelanatedgoddess2299]

I see paganism as a lifestyle as well as religion. Paganism is a way to look at the world.

[@benjalucian1515]

Dadgummit. KZbin did not notify me of the livestream and I forgot. 😔

[@mariaruiz348]

To me .. we can... Just try to live with nature... You don't need to fish 3 fishes for you you just eat one ... So the problem is not agriculture... Is the economic system.... We can grow our own food and exchange with others what we did not produce.... Aside from that ... To me everything including objects have a "soul"... I have heard earth singing... Plants making noise.... Is fascinating... As a child I have always thought that letting a plant to dry is porpusely killing it.... And they deserve to live .. do I always tried to move them to another place if I don't want them in my backyard any more....

[@waynewatts8736]

Keystone light, I'm a wiccan.

[@kurtsteiner8384]

Its not the system that needs to change. Its greed of politicians, and large multi conglomorates in the persuit of money and steeling peoples assets by taxation mostly unjustly..

[@leonardjames672]

50-50, after H. Hour 30 and a D.I.Y. Handfasting, Morgan claims that 50% of my stuff is now hers. Do you know a good Druid Lawyer? (Dead or Alive). People love lists, after 33 H Hrs. what are your 5 favorite moments? Alexandria, Catacombs?

[@TabithaReminiec3399]

Anism is the belief that there is a God of Nature, The Sun, The Sky etc So it is a big part of Paganism Pagan comes from the Latin word Paganii ( Country dweller) Paganism to me is a combination of a Religion & A lifestyle.. Anism is a way of explaining how Nature works Paganism can be both a Indigenous & a Organized religion ( Ancient Egyptian, Roman,Celtic etc) Celtic Paganism has Druidry, Obituates, Priests / Priestesses,Bards etc Since I'm half Russian,would be ok for me to follow the Eastern Slavs' Wheel of the year ( Spring ,Summer & Winter) ?

[@mikehill6702]

In "The States", situation is weird? I have no problem with my children gathering in the school gym to practice their 'student led' Christianity. But when the school principal. mayor or governor mandates thus: that is worrisome?

[@jackapgar5824]

Yes and its constitutionally illegal

[@galadriel9127]

I like it better to talk about Paganism as an umbrella term. There are some organised parts and some that havent any strukture. There are a lot Religions that are pagan. Not only the Greec ore Roman. Think about the Celts. For me personally belongs religions from for example native american groups to paganism too. Animism, for me, is a part of Paganism. Sorry for my bad englisch, I hope you get, what I mean.

[@gnemesis39]

Dickson,TN. Bush & Herb

[@chadjcrase]

I'm Pantheist, but i don't know how you can accept that Paganism is not animistic? Come on Scarlet, you know that's not possible!

[@mariaruiz348]

Also.... My opinion about "Gods" I think... Gods are a human construction.... We need to give human kind for to things to not fear them....or to cherish them...

[@peterpalumbo1963]

Animalism is foundational since everything has a spirit then comes Paganism.

[@thehellenicneopagan]

Really informative! People really need to develop a more natural, animist worldview and philosophy... I mean by the Gods, our poor planet is dying because of ignorance and carelessness! 🙄

[@ardhanarisvara333]

Agreed. Things need to change and fast. Or we're gonna be the next endangered creature.

[@Dylorid]

I honestly don't think the planet will die if we continue this way, I think it will wipe us out so it can heal.

[@thehellenicneopagan]

@@Dylorid Which ever comes first I suppose! 🤔

[@chadjcrase]

Give me a break, I'm so sick of this hatred of humans - as is we aren't a part of life itself!

[@thehellenicneopagan]

@@chadjcrase We're apart of life yes! However we're also largely responsible for pollution, deforestation, global warming, killing of countless animals and much more... How many precious ecosystems have been destroyed by our handy work??? So yeah... 💁🤷 Like it or hate it, it is what it is!

[@8scrivo2]

Paganism comes under the umbrella term ‘Animism’

[@SSFandGoatGrazing]

Well this county girl who is a Sustainable Stewards takes the word Animism as a thing beauty. I am a deconstructing Christian who now at 45 seeing the lies, the abuse within the American Evangelical church now consider myself a Animist Christian. I always practiced herbalists, been connected deeply with the Earth cycles. Always ran to Mother Earth to receive her life giving healing energy. I know most of what I see as Creational Truth and practice is considered Heresy within the mainstream Christian church. I am seeking even a deeper understanding of animism through my ancestoral faith. I come from Germanic/Norse Ancestory nect to the Baltic Sea. My ancestors were NOT always Christian or Roman Cathlic. I seek to understand their Pagan Animistic beliefs. I do not know what you out there consider modern paganism in the context of animiam. What I can tell you is my Lifestyle is a act of worship and faith itself. Whatever I put my hand to, my cows, my crops or the soil I seek to redeam the wrongs of past and grow in relationship with all of it.

[@LoraCoggins]

I think if more people were animists, then we wouldn't call ourselves animists, but rather naturalists - people who see nature as divine and see us as a part of this divine nature. I also don't think capitalism would exist to the extent it is now if we had more animists.

[@peterpalumbo1963]

With the food chain plants eat bacteria, animals eat plants we eat animals. It is the way of life and survival

[@fignewton0000]

Dang! Just missed it

[@JaggedBeauty]

Great topic, however I couldn't make it through the first 20 minutes. I'm Mohawk and animism has been part of my entire life. It is not a religion. Religion is a colonial thing and a way to separate and label. It is a spirituality. To say our way of thinking is damaging it is not a religion...is damaging in itself. That's a colonial mindset.

[@peterpalumbo1963]

Paganism does not seem to go with religion. Paganism seems to have a certain wantonist and a sort of freedom that religion does not.

[@afry6400]

Paganism isn't exactly a single religion but more a fairly large range of different religions, spiritualities and lifestyles within it.

[@elgatofelix8917]

God: *exists* atheists: *triggered*

[@its_me-nikki]

To me, paganism is just animism anthropomorphized.

[@waynewatts8736]

More of a religion,life stile? To many christians around here in Lexington NC. Look out who you tell your a pagan. Or they will try to harm you.

[@brkhrt3595]

I believe that pagans were a more personal religion based on the blood of the ancestors and nature. Villages Sometimes would have gods that were more local to the area. The way Christian Saints can be local to a area. People literally kept the bones of the loved ones who passed away. In Africa today, people still keep their dead great great great grandfather in their house. Some cultures shrink the head of their loved ones. Others bury all of the ancestors under there house. There are bones that have been found that were passed down from generations. Sometimes people worshipped "The Blood of the First Kings" or "Man" He might be the founders of a Blood line like a "tribe" or clan Or sometime the founder of a religion. Been studying it for 20 years and it seem humans foe the moat part worship the blood of the first men. its why there are so many royal families today who lines stretch back to the first Kings. Lol

[@1330m]

very good , informative Longitude 127 Seoul Okinawa Soul Axis -- Bahai Faith Rael Jesus Huh kyung young Great aletheia .

[@stevethedreamerofdreams6444]

Most people love living in cities and are quickly bored by nature. It's like nature has no meaning to them compared to human stimulation. This will never be reversed. Even you, a devoted pagan, mindful of the seasons, are not very motivated to leave city life.

[@jackapgar5824]

Lol, religion is only shrinking. Especially how paganism is so incompatible with science. We can explain natural events with science, but you explain it with magic.

[@a.khoirulaziz]

Nope. The need of 'gods' is necessary for our evolution. It is in our brain. Atheism or science is invented. It is system 2 of thinking. While believing in Gods is system 1. It is more intuitive. Gods and Humans cant be separated. They are within our system of thingking effortlessly. And paganism is not about science. We dont do our rites in a laboratorium. Paganism is art to venerate the Universe we are living in. Gods in our literatures and poems, is just natural laws or tangible phenomena in science. Science and Religion is two tools used by humans to survive as individual or communal. The problem is just some religions try to dominate other tool (science) to justify their believes and goals and scriptures. While pagan religions just focus to give offering to Gods, to our Universe, and to give us some inspirations or meaning to do something. And you see, Paganism is not shrinking. In fact, this is time for Old Gods to come back and celebrating our new era of exploration in space. And dont forget, even Chinese rocket landed on Mars is named by a God of Fire. This is just another proof that we humans, need arts, need Gods to give something a more beatiful meaning.

[@brandmann9597]

Magik and science dont contradict each other, they compliment each other. They are one in the same and “both” are as real as the other