Author: A Solitary Pagan

A To Z of Sacred Sites in the UK

AVEBURY (nr Marlborough, Wiltshire) One of Britain’s most well known stone circles, dating from around 4000 years ago and originally consisted of 180 stones. Today it is possible to see two stone circles surrounded by an outer circle. The larger circle is surrounded by a henge and at the southern entrance; the stone avenue used for processions still stands. BOSCAWEN-UN STONE CIRCLE (nr Lands End, ...

Avebury

One of Britain’s most well known stone circles, dating from around 4000 years ago and originally consisted of 180 stones. Today it is possible to see two stone circles surrounded by an outer circle. The larger circle is surrounded by a henge and at the southern entrance; the stone avenue used for processions still stands. The most important and oldest megalithic henge in Britain, predating the Dru...

Chanctonbury Ring

In England, Chanctonbury Ring is one of the time-honored meeting places of the Sussex witches. A well-known landmark and local beauty spot, it is a green, rounded height, crowned by a fine clump of trees. Newcomers often believe these trees to be the ‘ring’ of Chanctonbury. However, they were planted in the eighteenth century; the real ‘ring’ is a prehistoric bank and ditch, of which traces can st...

Witchcraft in the Cotswold

The area of the Cotswold Hills has long been famous as a centre of witchcraft lore. In modern days two events have brought this fact to notice: the so-called ‘Witchcraft Murder’ on Meon Hill in nineteen forty five, and the opening of Mr Cecil H Williamson’s witchcraft museum at Bourton-on-the-Water at Easter nineteen fifty six, which aroused considerable controversy in the area at the time. The mu...

Paganism: Relevant or Non Relevant Science

String theory, which was first proposed in the 1970s, suggests that the universe is not composed of particles as we think of them, but of very small loops of string that vibrate at certain frequencies. As Brian Greene, a string theory physicist, says in his book The Elegant Universe, the universe consists of “loops of strings and oscillating globules, uniting all of creation into vibrational patte...

Paganism: Views of Satan

This is a question not easily answered since every Pagan has his or her own opinion on the subject. Most Pagans will agree that whatever else Satan maybe, he is at least a Deity of the Judeo-Christian-Muslim pantheon. Because Satan is specifically a Judeo-Christian-Muslim Deity. Since many pagans choose to retain no connection to the Judeo-Christian-Muslim pantheon unless they consider themselves ...

Paganism: You are what you believe

Ideas are powerful. What you believe about yourself and your world determines to a large extent the kinds of experiences you will have and how you will interpret them. The ideas you accept as true are your beliefs. Beliefs act like a filter through which information passes before it reaches you. The belief filter acts so strongly that it usually allows in only information you already believe to be...

Paganism: The Importance of Being Authentic

The Basic  ideas and ideals  of being authentic could mean: ♦ Figuring out who you are♦ Accepting yourself♦ Being true to yourself In itself, this may all sound very easy. However, some people are going to struggle/ At times the strains and stresses of a busy daily life may distract us. This may also mean that we will never pause to take a good look at ourselves to see who we really are....

Paganism in History

The customs and spiritual practices of the early, pre-Christian Pagan cultures were passed down from one generation to the next. These old ways were traditions for respecting and interacting with the gods and other spirit denizens, and they varied from one culture to another. The Anglo-Saxons, for example, gave due offerings before a wéoh, which was an image or symbol of the honored deity. The ear...

What is Paganism?

Sometimes that is difficult to define. Modern Paganism probably embraces the most diverse sets of spiritual belief systems and practices in existence today. Paganism is not a traditional “religion” because it does not have any official doctrine. It does, however, have some common characteristics spanning a great variety of traditions. One of the common beliefs is the Divine Presence in nature and ...

Witchcraft Explained

Witchcraft is a number of belief systems whose roots pre date Christianity and which comes under the umbrella heading of Pagan. Witchcraft also has roots which go back to Paleolithic times as illustrated by the cave paintings of our ancient ancestors. The craft of witchcraft can possibly be termed as a living religion and has as much relevance to us today as it did to its practitioners in the past...

The Meaning of the Word Paganism

The word Pagan comes from the Latin word “Paganus” which in itself means country dweller. This word may of once been used as a derogatory term created by city dwellers to describe what can be terms as , “Those Hicks Out There”, much like the word redneck. Because the word “Pagan” tended to have a negative meaning it was later adopted as an insult in a bid for control. During the crusades the Chris...