1. 8:01 AM RELS 225 2009-04-01: Neo-Paganism Attendance Announcements Neo-paganism Wicca

2. 8:01 AM Announcements Tomorrow, April 2: Religious Studies thesis defenses 3:30 to 4:30, Annex 113 Wednesday April 8: Religious Studies book launch Kornel Zathureczky: Messianic Disruption of Trinitarian Theology Campus Art Gallery 4:00-5:30

3. 8:01 AM Neo-Paganism Variety of groups and practices “The ancient gods are not dead; but they think we are” Not virulently anti-Christian Most trace back to ancient Egyptian religion Polytheistic, yet monistic. Not absolute unity, but not pluralistic chaos either. Appropriate diversity (god of wisdom; god of love, etc.) balancing of interactions (male/female; four seasons, directions, etc.) create a totality.

4. 8:01 AM Contrast with Conventional Western Religions Christianity & Judaism are thought to privilege will, imposing it on human nature and earth’s nature. Neo-paganism favours imagination rather than will. Seeks cooperation with the forces of nature, on a basis of reverence and exchange. Christianity and Judaism are religions of history God has a purpose, from beginning (creation) to end (paradise). Neo-paganism celebrates what is A religion of atmosphere instead of faith. A cosmos constructed by the imagination Calling up the gods from within oneself is thought to be true magic.

5. 8:01 AM Ritual Emphasis on the practical side of religious expression: the rite, gesture, ceremonial act. Teaching is pale in comparison to rites. The magical cosmos is evoked, made by acts done as if it were present. A secondary world is created in a special time and place, far different from the outside world. Magic circle, wand, sword, flowers, dance.

6. 8:01 AM Relationship to other movements In the Western tradition Eastern yoga and meditation are thought to be too foreign for westerners Relationship with occult Kabbalah, Tarot cards, astrology, etc. But use rite instead of intellectual/psychological exercise. More concerned with human relationship with nature

7. 8:01 AM Background Roots in romanticism Eliphas Levi (1810-1875) France, applied romantic feeling to magic. Papas (1865-1916) France, founded an Order. Some Masons (1888) founded Order of the Golden Dawn led by S. L. MacGregor Mathers. (1854-1917), who claimed occult contact with 3 “Secret Chiefs” in Paris. Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) expelled from the Golden Dawn founded his own Order (Argentinum Astrum), then joined Ordo Templarum Orientalis (1912). Wrote on “magick”, poet, heroin addict, exaggerator, dramatic. “Do what you will shall be the whole of the Law” Practiced sex magic.

8. 8:01 AM Categories of neo-paganism Magical groups Influenced by Golden Dawn, Crowley Antiquarian Concerned with evocation Nature groups Romantic Influence d by Robert Graves, White Goddess. Concerned with celebration of existing goddesses. Quote from “Starhawk” Wicca Between these two: combines ritual magic and nature-oriented neo- paganism.

9. 8:01 AM Wicca Aligned to nature’s cycles. Moon, seasons. Typically worship Horned God and Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, and Crone). May attempt to evoke the God and Goddess through dance, chant, gestures. Styles of ritual in American Wicca:ritual Gardnerian: energetic, nude dancing Traditional: clothed, slower-paced; homey implements Alexandrian: adds Kabbalist-occult astrology, magic, etc.

10. 8:01 AM Feminism Why call themselves “witches”? They insist the stereotypes are wrong.stereotypes are wrong They identify with women who found power outside of male- dominated religion and society. Some could not accept a God referred to exclusively with male pronouns (“He”). Mary Daly, Beyond God the Father Judith Plaskow, Womanspirit Rising. Some Wiccan groups shifted the emphasis to the Goddess, away from the Horned God. Some groups were mainly lesbian.

11. 8:01 AM Aboriginal religion Trend in neo-paganism Healing, shamanism What can the sweat lodge, vision quest, way of the warrior, healing arts contribute to religion today?

12. 8:01 AM Summary Romantic Imagination rather than will. Present rather than the flow of time. Practice rather than faith. Seek to recover a sense of wonder and respect as religious feelings toward nature.

13. Homework Monday Satanism No homework Wednesday Review for exam