Ancestral European Religions: A Reference Guide
By Ralph Perrier
CONTENTS
1 Definitions
2 Cosmologies
2.1 Pantheism
2.1.1 Types of Pantheism
2.2 Friedrich Nietzsche’s Will to Power
2.3 Polytheism
3 Core Beliefs
4 Practices and Rituals
5 Footnotes
1 Definitions
“Pagan” (Latin: pāgānus, ‘rural’) was supposed to be a slur that was invented by the catholic church to apply to every non-xtian religion but has since been reappropriated as a general term.
Specific ethnic “Pagan” European religions are: Heathenry is Germanic Paganism (“Asatru” is one of the religions that fall under the Heathenry category). Fyrnsidu is Brittonic Paganism. Druidry [1] is Celtic Paganism. Hellenism is Greek Paganism. Religio Romana is Roman Paganism. Rodnovery is Slavic Paganism. Romuva is Baltic Paganism, etc.
2 Cosmologies
2.1 Pantheism
Prehistoric European religions (Neolithic, Bronze Age) were pantheisc. Pantheism is a philosophical and religious belief that God or a divine reality is identical with the universe, or that the universe is a manifestation of God. This perspective posits that everything in the universe is interconnected and part of a larger, unified whole.
2.1.1 Types of Pantheism
There are different interpretations of the pantheism cosmology, but here are two:
Naturalistic pantheism: This is the core atheist-compatible path. It strictly adheres to the scientific method and metaphysical naturalism (nothing exists beyond the natural, physical universe). The “divine” is a metaphor for the universe’s totality, complexity, and the emergent property of consciousness within it. Reverence is directed at the real, knowable cosmos.
Spiritual pantheism: This interpretation embraces a more mystical view, suggesting that the universe is imbued with a spiritual dimension, or a divine consciousness (panpsychism). It emphasizes the spiritual dimensions of existence and the idea that the cosmos is a manifestation of a greater divine reality.
2.2 Friedrich Nietzsche’s Will to Power
Friedrich Nietzsche identifies the “Will to Power”`(Wille zur Macht) as the main driving force in the universe. This applies to pantheism by becoming the cosmic engine of evolution, driving all beings toward greater power, consciousness, and ultimately, the realization of a god-like state within the unified cosmos.
The Will to Power is the will to master the space around us; the will to be free, to compete and to dominate and conquer. But first and foremost it means actualizing our will onto this world.
2.3 Polytheism
Every polytheistic ancestral European religion is similar, the deities just have different regional names. For example, Dyēus Pter (“Sky Father”) which is the original name of the chief god for the Proto-Indo-Europeans on the Pontic-Caspian Steppe. His name means “Shining Sky Father”. The name Zeus comes from the pronunciation of “Dyeus”, and (I)Jupiter comes from the pronunciation of “Dyeus Pter” (Diespiter -> Iupiter). Dyēus Pter is Vedic Dyauṣ Pitā, Germanic Tīwaz (Proto-Germanic), which became Old English Tīw, Old Norse Týr, Illyrian Dei-pátrous, Baltic: Dievas (Lithuanian), Dievs (Latvian).
Some polytheistic religious followers see the polytheistic deities as sentient personal gods, others see them as allegorical personifications of natural forces (numen/animism) or as emanations or forms/symbolic representations of a particular quality or principle. A naturalistic cosmotheist sees the fundamental laws of nature—gravity, thermodynamics, evolution—as the very substance of the divine order. The “gods” are archaic ways of naming and relating to these immutable forces. Thor’s thunder is not a separate supernatural act; it is the atmospheric discharge that follows natural law, held sacred.
Many secular Pagans (2) are inspired by Carl Jung where the polytheistic deities are archetypes (3) of the collective unconsciousness (4) and rituals are ways of inducing ‘active imagination’ (5) or a part of the process of ‘individuation’ (6).
3 Beliefs
In pantheistic religions, pantheistic cosmology posits that the universe is imbued with a spiritual dimension. This means that the divine (or Will to Power) is not a separate and transcendent entity but rather an inherent aspect of the universe, and humans are not separate from the divine but rather an unfolding or manifestation of it. Therefore, in cosmotheist cosmologies, self-realization or self-actualization is often seen as the process of recognizing and embodying one’s true nature as an expression of the divine. This can be seen as a form of self-deification.
4 Practices and Rituals
In pantheistic religions, rituals are about bringing someone to self-realization. For example, rituals like yoga, meditation, self-inquiry, stargazing to reflect on cosmic unity, and engaging in scientific inquiry to deepen understanding are all ways to help the individual realize their true nature as a manifestation of the divine. The goal is to awaken the individual’s inner divinity and is aimed at helping the individual realize their true nature as the ultimate reality, fostering a sense of unity with the universe.
Core Idea: You’re a piece of the cosmic puzzle, not a stranger to it. The divine is in everything; self-awareness is key. Self-realization in pantheism is not just personal growth but an alignment with the universe’s evolutionary drive toward greater complexity and consciousness.
5 Footnotes
1. Druidism is the religion that was subverted to make Christianity, so Christians going to Druidism can continue celebrating the same traditions, symbolism, and holidays, just with a pantheistic cosmology. Druidic Calendar: Yule (Winter Solstice) - December 21/22 Celebrate the rebirth of the sun (Christian Equivalent: Christmas (December 25)). Imbolc - February 1/2 Mark the midpoint between Yule and the spring equinox (Christian Equivalent: Candlemas (February 2)). Ostara (Spring Equinox) - March 20/21 Welcome the return of spring with eggs, rabbits, and feasting (Cristian Equivalent: Easter (movable date, typically in March or April)). Beltane - May 1/2 Honor the spirits of the land and the cycles of nature (Christian Equivalent: May Day (May 1) or Ascension Day (movable date, typically in May)). Litha (Summer Solstice) - June 20/21 Celebrate the peak of the sun’s power (Christian Equivalent: St. John’s Day (June 24)). Lammas - July 31/August 1 Mark the beginning of harvest time (Christian Equivalent: Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) or Lammas Sunday (movable date, typically in August)). Mabon (Autumn Equinox) - September 20/21 Celebrate the second harvest (Christian Equivalent: Michaelmas (September 29) or Harvest Festival (movable date, typically in September or October)). Samhain - October 31/November 1 Honor the ancestors (Christian Equivalent: All Saints’ Eve (October 31) or All Souls’ Day (November 2))
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_paganism [link]. These Pagans don’t worship a particular thing, they just appreciate the unity of existence, or seek to understand the ultimate nature of reality. Ancestor veneration is the only worship they do.
3.\ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungian_archetypes [link]
4.\ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_unconscious [link]
5.\ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_imagination#Carl_Gustav_Jung [link]
6.\ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individuation#Carl_Jung [link] \
Read more
http://ecer-org.eu [link]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Modern_pagan_organizations_by_country [link]
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