What is the Future of Paganism? || Pagan Happy Hour Ep #14

[@shawnwier7471]

As an employee of Barnes & Noble in the middle of the Bible Belt, I love that the pagan/witchcraft section has grown in our store from about two feet worth of one shelf to taking up a full bay of bookshelves plus a good chunk of another. It’s one of our highest growing stock shipments and we still can’t keep the shelves full. Loooooove it!

[@theStormWeaver]

I'm jealous. I'm in Minnesota and our religious section is 99% Christian content. Mostly Bibles and bullshit by folks like Joel Osteen. I couldn't even find an Annotated Quran or Torah.

[@themagnus2919]

Anyone else here a fan of Heilung?

[@morpheuskristos]

Yea but I mostly listen to Wardruna.

[@mirandagoldstine8548]

They produce some good music. Their songs are going to be in Senuna’s Saga, aka Hellblade 2.

[@themagnus2919]

@@mirandagoldstine8548 I have that game to thank for being aware of them in the first place.

[@mirandagoldstine8548]

@@themagnus2919 Same here.

[@themagnus2919]

Christianity does seem to be on the decline and I'm sure the Christians see that as a bad thing but I think other wise. It's time for humanity to become more in touch with our ancestral roots, regardless of culture.

[@kaotic_fabel]

I know it sounds jaded, but I think the reason a lot of Christians have an issue with this is because of money. You see it now, with the raging and temper tantrums about not being able to have church services in person, and it's because they can't get the money as easy that way. It has been about money and shame for so long that they dont know how to just be anymore.

[@themagnus2919]

@@kaotic_fabel I would say that it is because of the brainwashing that they need to go to "church" to stay connected to their "god".

[@Gothiqueluv]

Christianity is on the decline because we have better education now. The more educated people are the less they believe in such things.

[@Selene13zz]

I'd say it's a mixture of all of the above. Coming from a christian background & still being in touch with my christian family & friends, and also seeing the political climate here in America (yikes!), I think a lot of it comes down to how christians and other major religions teach their kids that they have to believe a certain way, behave in a certain way, and follow their dogma, tradition & leaders regardless of who they are or if their actions are going against their congregations' best interests. We see this all the time and so much is ingrained to just follow what they tell you to do that they end up with corrupt leadership that grifts them out of their money, their real desire to have a fulfilling spiritual life, and even their family & friends in some cases. I've read about (and I don't have specifics right now, I'm sorry) how they tend to be taken advantage of more easily or fall for conspiracy theories because of how conditioned they are to follow their leaders blindly and see differences in people or cultures with hatred and distrust. It breaks my heart to see family members who are ignorant of following politicians who are actually hurting them, but they vote along party lines because of a misplaced need to be patriotic and, therefore, godly. I do think that these mindsets are being put to the test and if they don't leave these churches then the churches have to change & adapt to become more self-aware and allow the people to make the decisions instead of their leaders. Otherwise, I think they'll collapse. I agree that being in touch with your heritage is important as long as it's not toxic to you. I've been a full-fledged witch for 30 years but I recognize that some of my strongest spiritual gifts come from my parents who taught this to me. It's a tightrope sometimes but it is important. But, it doesn't mean you have to go back to believing what they believe - take the good from your upbringing or what you learned from them, if it was a toxic, and incorporate it into your practice, then leave the rest behind. I really believe there is a shift happening and we need to be strong in our values, which have to include compassion & understanding, as well as strength to face those who would still call us demonic. *smh*

[@laundrybasket2689]

@@themagnus2919 I agree with this.

[@misterdonlon]

Love the nods to Jackson-Crawfords translations here! Keep up the great work!

[@damattice23]

Yes, learning my heritage was part of it, but mostly it is my connection to nature that brought me to paganism. There are plenty of Christians who are not devoted to nature. They enjoy what they can take from it, and never consider giving back. I’ve been just researching for a whole year.

[@grizzlyaddams3606]

My experience as a Christian Pagan is exactly opposite. With Christians being extremely generous and giving of their time and money and effort. While my Pagan friends are extremely greedy, rarely come through for me when I'm in need. Even though I have given many times over to them comparatively. Even having had one pagan friend complaining that after giving her $80 and expecting nothing in return, that she wanted more. Weird.

[@Selene13zz]

@@grizzlyaddams3606 that's very weird, but it also goes to show how people are just people, no matter what they believe. I've seen that in both groups. But I've also seen goodness in both. Maybe you might need to seek out some new pagan friends? ❤️

[@raindrop5025]

great to see the children of odin awaken from their abrahamic slumber

[@AkashicMoon]

Awesome vid as always, Scarlet...I don't always get to catch these live, but I certainly look forward to watching them whilst enjoying my nightly chill sessions! 🌙 I wanted to say, as per the question about Slavic Paganism/Witchcraft, that there are folk traditions in our path that use Catholic and Orthodox iconography, much like in Afro-Caribbean paths such as the mentioned Voodoo/Hoodoo, or St. Brigid and the Celtic Pagans. The practice comes from a tradition known as "double faith" (Polish~Dwojwierny or Russian~Dvoeverie) within Slavic Paganism that is a syncretism of Pagan and Christian symbols/traditions, stemming from the Slavs hiding and preserving their ancient Pagan beliefs within the coming Christianity during the years of forced conversion and following years of religious persecution. Mokosh became the Virgin Mary, Perun~St. Elijah or St. Michael, Weles~St. Nicholas, etc, and holy days such as Kupala/Midsummer were now celebrated under the veneer of their Christian replacements (in this case, St. John's Eve). In fact, I recently celebrated Imbolc, and in doing so, also gave tribute to the Holy Mother of Gromniczna...a Polish tradition for protection and warmth in the latter winter weeks (like we need that in Texas, ha)! I was raised Catholic, so I'm very familiar with the various symbols and saints, and even in my family I remember a number of things that are in fact a blend of Polish~Slavic traditions old and new including burning a candle with blessed palm to ward off lightning, keeping house spirits happy (Domowik), and saying a small prayer or making a cross over the cooking pot as a small kitchen witch hangs nearby. When I became Pagan, and eventually took up the Slavic path, I decided to keep these synchretic traditions alive as a way of celebrating my roots, honoring my ancestors both recent and ancient, as well as a way to practice my faith freely and safely (again, this is Texas...just sayin', ha). I where a pentgram and kolovrat, among others, around my neck, and a four-way cross medal around my wrist...we never have a shortage of charms hanging off of us! 😎 Lastly, I should note that not all Slavic Pagans do this, but a good number of us who focus on the more folk-ish traditions of the path (such as myself) do. Also, and perhaps most importantly, this is most often NOT seen as an actual blending of faiths (like, say, Christopaganism), but rather, simply an incorporation of Catholic/Orthodox symbols and modern traditions into what is at heart a very PAGAN faith. Again, sort of like a Slavic version of Hoodoo in many ways. Ironically, most of what we know about Slavic Paganism comes from the Catholic Church, so yeah, funny how that all works out...! ✌😉 Alrighty, sorry this is crazy long, lol, but I felt like I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to mention this as Slavic Paganism/Witchcraft finally becomes more popular and followers are looking at this tradition more and more. I hope this helps in some small way (I know you can put this all much nicer than I can if ever it should make its way into your future content) and is encouraging to those who may be feeling the "Pagan call" but don't wanna take off their beloved saint medal or rosary just yet...you are ALL welcomed to play in our reindeer games! 😊 Much love, Scarlet, and thanks again for the great content...Sława! 🙏🇵🇱⛤ #PeaceLoveBlessedBe 💖🕯 ~ Pat

[@carmenfischer7947]

Wow that was reall informative are You living in Texas? Am coming there soon too. Am not a pagan but got many pagan friends am a fire witch and an empath as soon as I got a new phone and a net me hopes to meet them again cause pagans and me got much in common we love mother earth animals and plants and do no harm to mankind usual, sometimes the witch in me give humans picks if they are to evil the empath in me takes care that me goes not to far. Religion like catholic or protestants I do not like cause they treated us bad as children in their houses but I like polish people now me wrote much.too stay safe Blessed be sending You love and light 🔥🧙‍♀️❤💛💚🇺🇸🦅🐺

[@CommyDuck]

I do enjoy how people ignore that individuals on the left have expressed genuine/textbook racism as well.

[@leonardjames672]

oops running a little late w superchat.(you ended early) For a Cookbook cover, an Arthurian Roundtable that doubles as Wheel of the Year. Each meal on corresponding Sabbath. You can still channel some divination powers lol

[@anjelicavest7063]

I have kids and I have bought a few new kids books online for them! From Amazon mostly. I have 1 child who clearly is in tune with the earth as she noticed slight changes (first thing on Imbolc she said “oh, its brighter this morning”) It is a bit overwhelming to be new to the path myself and to teach them at the same time when they ask questions. But I just take it all one thing at a time 🙂

[@anjelicavest7063]

Copper Jungle: The Wee Havamál

[@tomcurran1538]

Paganism is not Unitarian Universalist. Don't think that people who want to be with their own people are racist. Mayans with Mayans and Vikings with Vikings is OK.

[@clarezigner6028]

The advantage of paganism is it can be practiced alone, any where, anytime, the rites are adaptable. Christianity does not allow for this. Christian morality is also still tied to the Bronze Age, Paganism allows for rational adaptblity. With churches closed due to Covid 19 lockdowns, Christian practice is hobbled, this is another consideration.

[@elasticharmony]

Most christianity is a conditioning these falling numbers show how the delusion is falling. Euorpe was converted by force and that never lasts. Also the gods are a much more active relation were the other is more receptive. Christianity is a universalist view without people race or family all those aspects in the past within that faith were carry overs from the white european "converts".

[@clarezigner6028]

Golden

[@clarezigner6028]

@@elasticharmony We are on the same page, I have returned to the worship of the Goddess Mother, the Original Deity. Have you read Mary Alice Murray, her books are marvelous.

[@Selene13zz]

I really appreciate these kinds of discussions, esp with a wider array of pagan/witch/wiccan folks to talk about our communities. It's really hard to find for some reason, unless you've joined a specific group (and even then, you don't get the diversity of this kind). I joined a couple of groups on FB and it feels like all they are are either beginners who are looking for answers (no issue with this, but it does get a bit exhausting answer the same basic questions over & over again) or it becomes contentious over gatekeeping & weird points of view. One is definitely whether pagans/witches can be christian, this is surprisingly a newly growing group that I'm noticing quite a bit. I think its because people are dissatisfied with the christian religion and are attracted to the freedom pagan/witchcraft community has but aren't ready to leave their old beliefs behind. I don't have an issue with this as long as they don't try to tell others that this is 'the only way'. Otherwise, I think this might be a growing community that we all need to sort out our own feelings about. Anyway, FB just becomes exhausting and other places like Instagram & Twitter feel so impersonal. Having places of worship would be really cool, so I hope you find that billionaire pagan to help build some. In the meantime, please keep having these happy hours. They are amazing. ❤

[@michelleresistance]

Glad to hear paganism is the fast- growing belief here, but there is a difference between Britain, UK and British Isles. That said, when someone says, “Britain” it usually means “The UK.”

[@theStormWeaver]

It's not true that all the world's religions are just a facet of some universal religion. Thinking so betrays a lack of understanding of the diversity of faiths. The various religions can't even agree on what the goal of life/spirituality is, much less how to get there. While it's tempting to be egalitarian and inclusive, it's actually disrespectful to disregard these other faith's core philosophy and just say "oh, it's all the same." We can accept other people's faiths as valid and engage with them without reducing them to being just another path to the same mountain top. I highly recommend a book called God Is Not One, which covers 8 of the big world religions (including Judaism, which is small in raw numbers but hugely impactful as the ancestor of Christianity and Islam, the 2 largest "religions" in the world) and how each one defines what it believes to be the fundamental problem of human existence is and how to solve it.

[@DeadlyCyanide1]

I am a pagan latina Im Puerto rican. I'm trying to learn more.

[@martinspear8928]

I recommend to all new pagans start with "When they severed the earth from the sky" and "7 laws of magical thinking". Also there are a couple of really good videos you can find on the original Proto-Indo-European religion which was carried over into the Americas by the original settlers. It gives a lot of context to not just European, middle eastern and eastern religions but also Indigenous American religions. Also you may want to check out "the Horse the Wheel and Language"

[@MC-fu7bl]

Pregunta genuina, te refieres a ti misma como bruja en vez de pegana? Se te hace lo mismo o differente ? Gracias

[@himeroxas13]

Wait Dallas I never new other pagans were so close I’m in Fort Worth TX

[@themagnus2919]

I have a feeling that paganism is going to make a resurgence.

[@laurae.h.m.jacksonjackson1067]

Looking for my Soul tribe family

[@_asphobelle6887]

Re: Christianity growing globally, I'm dubious of where do these numbers come from ? Most countries don't have any sort of religious census, so they probably rely on either numbers from the churches themselves, or some sort of partial opinion survey, which could hugely distort the reality.

[@alananimus9145]

The number is coming from African conversion.

[@_asphobelle6887]

​@@alananimus9145 That's not what I was saying. I don't care who becomes a Christian, I'm wondering who *says how many* do, and if these sources are to be trusted, which I doubt.

[@alananimus9145]

@@_asphobelle6887 pew research has a methods and standards section. You cannot just say "i am skeptical of official numbers even though i know nothing about how the information is gathered". You have to actually have a reason for your skepticism of the numbers.

[@raquelgutierrez79]

I’m hispanic pagan or spiritual 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@AberdeenBhangraCrew]

Ok, over an hour to finish a margarita?🍹I don’t think we can be friends!😜 I always miss these chats in ‘live time’ being in Scotland, but I do love catching up with them! 🍻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@carmenfischer7947]

Hello to Scotland hope You have a good time blessed be 🔥🧙‍♀️❤💛💚⚘I send You love and light, am a fire witch

[@lordstronghold5802]

Does anyone know if there is any counter-misionary work being done, either in Asia, Africa, Latin America, or in Europe and North America? As in, is there any work being done to challenge the missionary projects?

[@armyamazon5762]

While being in the Military I have had the privilege of experiencing many different cultures who practice different religions and after being in combat in 2004, I have been thoroughly confused by my faith. I still am to a point. I am afraid to go to church because I ask a lot of "why" questions and they seem to get offended. With all of my experiences, I am more open to the possibilities of different faiths. Some of these faiths have existed for centuries so who am I to say they are wrong? So I did an ancestry DNA and found that most of my lineage would be norse with a little celtic. Since then I have been fascinated with Norse Paganism. I still feel lost most of the time but at least I have a start.

[@martinspear8928]

I will start off by pointing you at Ocean Keltoi if you haven't already found his channel. One of my big beefs with Christianity is that people are taught that questioning is evil and sinful. It's not. I will also recommend that you check out Crecganford. While he doesn't focus on the Norse side of things he does focus on the Proto-Indo-European side which is what the Norse religion started as. Understanding the PIE religion helps give a deeper understanding not just of the Norse religion but also the Greek, Roman, and Jewish religion. Once you understand that Yahweh was introduced to the Canaanite pantheon as a version of Loki your understanding of him changes forever.

[@laurae.h.m.jacksonjackson1067]

Feel, very isolated, and...I would like to meet, Pagan... and... Wiccan friends... Laura

[@komalamb89]

I am from India and being an ancient pagan religion -- it's really shameful (on our part) for me to say that we are following a totally different route. I am not an advocate of a religion but I feel that as Indians we are moving away from our Hindu roots and taking the values of the monotheist religion. It's true as @the Magnus said that we are moving away from our ancestral roots and becoming clueless about our own culture. Also I have observed that most of the (Indian) youth are brainwashed by the media and the political parties. Personally, looking at the ongoing trend I don't think paganism would be a mainstream practice but there would be people who would (low-key) or openly embrace the pagan practices for their healing journey. Any thoughts are welcomed!

[@jscorpio1987]

I sometimes feel weird calling it a religion. The best label I can come up with for myself is theistic witch. I don't personally use the term Wiccan for myself because I find that to be somewhat limiting even though that would probably be the easiest way to describe myself to people outside of paganism. And while religion is not quite what I would call it because I find that term to be attached to the concept of dogma and the image of somebody who believes that their beliefs are the only one true and correct way for everybody, I still use the term because in the culture of the United States, and in the English language, there is no other word that conveys the idea that my practice should have the same legal protections and recognition under the constitution, and be given the same tolerance as any of the mainstream religions. It's not a perfect word for it, but for now it is the only word that conveys to society that I am not going to tolerate being treated as though my spirituality that I sincerely follow deserves any less protection than their own (usually mainstream) religion.

[@grizzlyaddams3606]

Drinking Chrysanthemum Flower tea. The flowers were soaked in vodka that was already drunk on Friday. Thanks for the Imbolc thing. I listened to Imbolc music from KZbin and it was awesome. My mother was backpacking in India when I was inside her belly so I really get in tune with Indian Music. However, I think I must have some Celtic blood because that music reality spoke to me. Thank you.

[@enchanted_wildflower_]

about being baptized as part of tradtion: i'm german. my dad is cuban and babalawo (highest degree of initiation in santería), my mom is german and not religious at all and doesn't even go to church on christmas, but still i was baptized for some reason 😅 i asked my mom about it once and she said that looking back she also doesn't really know why they did that

[@grizzlyaddams3606]

@enchanted wildflower That's interesting. My father continues to be Unitarian and I spent most of my childhood attending the Unitarian Fellowship services. However, my mother, sister, and grandparents on mom's side were Congregationalists. I always thought that I hadn't been baptized but now I learned that Congregationalists baptize children as babies. So I feel like I must have been. Anyhow, I wanted to ask if you felt like there was a conflict between your beliefs? Like do you feel you have to choose one or the other? I feel like Christianity and Paganism go hand in hand. With Christianity being at a hierarchical spiritual top. While my Pagan side feels more in touch with nature. It really bothers me that when I see both sides, they seem to both be at each others throats. Do you see that too? Maybe it's just human natire to not be able to find balance in things. Thankfully I have but it makes me an outcast on both sides. Especially being an actual descendant of Odin as verified by DNA.

[@tomcurran1538]

Paganism doesn't need a Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.

[@elasticharmony]

Although clouded with buddhist connotations and not english "Dharma" is the correct term. Law, or path ; culture including religion. I like worldview.

[@ravenmorningglory4774]

Thanks

[@razy3227]

Yooo pagan latina/os!!!

[@randomsheep1165]

I want to become a pagan

[@martinspear8928]

Don't know if you are still interested in becoming pagan but let me point you to both Ocean Keltoi and Crecganford here on KZbin. Ocean is Norse Pagan and Crecganford does really great work on the Proto-Indo-European side of things. I will also point you to Skeptical Witch who has a really great channel. On the book side of things check out "When the Earth was severed from the Sky" and "7 Laws of Magical thinking" If it's not too personal are you interested in Rural or Urban Paganism?

[@tempestgrey4629]

I think the demon freaking crazies that went back to Christianity were too close to the Angels on their pagan paths and scared themselves by their own power

[@Philociraptor]

I'm definitely one of those people that bought from Barnes & Noble, haha.

[@Chuckstereino]

Check Facebook for Kyrja Withers. She may be able to help with creating a community of helpers.

[@themagnus2919]

I'm drinking Huckleberry beer. It's got a very floral taste but it does nothing to me.

[@galadriel9127]

Can you please make a viedeo about Atheopaganism? It's a small movement yet, but maybe it is a opportiunity for some new pegans.

[@themagnus2919]

I keep getting "Gaia" ads when I click on this channel. Don't trust them.

[@themagnus2919]

@Xiuh Basically they are a bunch of New Age con artists.

[@williamking7207]

Im from nc State you could call me a Pagan scholar they choose me gagai, eros ,phycia and the odd ball odin im glad i found your Channel thanks for you help

[@grizzlyaddams3606]

Scarlett, my father continues to be Unitarian and I spent most of my childhood attending the Unitarian Fellowship services. However, my mother, sister, and grandparents on mom's side were Congregationalists. I always thought that I hadn't been baptized but now I learned that Cingregationalists baptize children as babies. So I feel like I must have been. Anyhow, I wanted to ask if you felt like there was a conflict between your beliefs? Like do you feel you have to choose one or the other? I feel like Christianity and Paganism go hand in hand. With Christianity being at a hierarchical spiritual top. While my Pagan side feels more in touch with nature. It really bothers me that when I see both sides, they seem to both be at each others throats. Do you see that too? Maybe it's just human nature for them to not be able to find balance in things? Thankfully I have, but it makes me an outcast on both sides. Especially being an actual descendant of Odin as verified by DNA.

[@chrisadimitriadou]

Hi Scarlet, I 've been watching your videos for some time now. The happy hour videos are way too late for me but I always watch them the day after. I have a question that could be a vast topic to tackle but I will ask anyway: What are your thoughts on Neopaganism and cultural appropriation? My interest in Paganism and Astrology sprung simultaneously as I was delving into Jungian Archetypes. I am trying to approach them both, but recently someone presented in the Astrology group I 'm part of, a text of Yogananda that was obviously not in Hindu, its original language, and was approaching specific issues that because of the translation gap, they sounded utterly toxic and spiritually bypassing from a psychological standpoint. Have you ever faced anything similar in Paganism?

[@kevinlittle9483]

🥰

[@elvacoburg1279]

Where I watched the chat live, I have left making a comment until the next morning as living in England it is turned midnight by the time the chat finished and I want time to think things through before making a comment. Where at first glance the idea of a future with Pagan temples sounded ideal, I am now not sure that having temples is what we really need. Though this could be coloured by the modern ideas of what a temple / church is, which is influenced by the mainstream religions, where they are seen as places where a priest preaches to the congregation - which is definitely not what I want. When I think on how a Pagan temple could be organised, it rapidly becomes very complicated. As in, do you have a niche, with an altar for each deity? In which case you would need a lot of niches, and are still bound to miss out a lot of deities. An option would be to have a temple for each pantheon, but that could cause divisions in the community - again not what I want, and it could also be a problem for those of us who have relationships with deities from different pantheons. I think what we really need is somewhere that we can meet to discuss Pagan ideas and issues, and listen to those who have more experience - so more like the areas that they used for debates in ancient Athens than a formal temple. Gigi one comment sums up what I think that we actually need "I'd love to see pagan houses of worship in a form of bars, where you can grab a drink and discuss with fellow pagans ❤ just like here, but on a local level!"

[@corneliuslama9256]

Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.. Jesus loves you all

[@martinspear8928]

Considering that it's dubious that Yeshua ever existed and that your lot have been yelling for the past 2000 years that "the end is near" I won't hold my breath. Yeshua if he existed ended up in a mass grave like other convicts who were crucified. The story itself is inconsistent not even able to provide a coherent genealogy. Who was Josephs father? or how did Judas die? Do a side by side comparison of the crucifixion story's and see how much they conflict with one another.

[@corneliuslama9256]

Jesus said I am the truth and the gate to eternal life.. The bible says that judas was a betrayal and the wrath of God came upon him.. Believe me there is one person and that's the holy spirit... Known as Ruah.. The the third one of trinity.. And without his existence no one can believe I jesus christ... Jesus loves you all..

[@martinspear8928]

@@corneliuslama9256 Yes but why should I believe that? Especially when the god of the old testament admits that he sends false prophets to deceive people.

[@corneliuslama9256]

@@martinspear8928 just believe in the Almighty.. He's only the way to eternal life.. We don't need a sacrificial altar nowadays because jesus christ himself is the sacrificial lamb. Without any spot.. He is Omnipresent omnipotent & Omniscient...

[@sandy99797]

@@corneliuslama9256 jesus is not the only way exclusive truth claims are dumb