Pagan , Asatru ... supernatural?

Question

are there any beliefs in the supernatural in Pagan religions ?
reports of spirit , ghosts , paranormal abilities ?
are your dead ... dead ?
is there an afterlife ?
just curious :o)

I thought Valhalla was only for warriors ... what about the common man/woman ?

ahh go on AZ you know you want to

Answer 1

1) Some pagans believe in the supernatural some do not, just as any other person walking down the street.
2) For myself, I have had contact with spirits, and ghosts all my life.
3) What do you mean? I am living.
4) Yes there is an afterlife.

Answer 2

There are many different kinds of Pagan religions -- it's an umbrella term, not a religion in itself.

But speaking as a Wiccan...

Yes, there is the belief of the supernatural among some practitioners of the Pagan religions. (I personally don't believe in such things, having seen very little evidence that I would count as credible.) What some people count as supernatural -- the function of witchcraft/magic -- I consider to be the action of natural forces in the universe that are not yet fully understood.

Many Wiccans believe in reincarnation, with the afterlife as a place where the soul is refreshed and renewed in the presence of the Gods prior to entering a new life. Others, however, believe that it's just as likely that when we die our consciousness ceases to exist and our bodies return to the carbon cycle.

Answer 3

Most Asatruars do believe there's an afterlife, we just don't put as much emphasis on it as other religions. As far as the afterlife itself goes, there are many, many destinations. There is no “either-or” destination after death. For Asatru, 'heaven' was being with their ancestors after death and 'Hell' (that is the idea of Hell as being a bad place) would have been spending the after life without one's ancestors or Gods. The afterlife is much complex and varied then most common religions. It goes much beyond the typical paradise, earth, underworld structure that most people are familiar with. There are nine worlds, divided into many layers all connected to Yggdrasil (the world tree) You can get an idea of what it looks like with this visual tour of the Nine Worlds, by visiting http://home.earthlink.net/~9worlds/worldtree.html

Yes, Valhalla is reserved for Odin’s chosen warriors, Einherjar, but keep in mind that Valhalla is not the only hall in Asgard. Depending upon which Gods one devoted themselves to in life, the soul could go to any of the various God or Goddesses’ halls.

Answer 4

Yes, there are beliefs in the supernatural... spirits, ghosts, paranormal abilities, etc...

I'm not quite sure by what you mean "are your dead... dead?" Re-incarnation plays a part in some beliefs. Others have some form of Afterlife. I don't know of any that claim when you die, that's it, no more... game over. =)

For the Celts, one of the Afterlifes is Tir Na Nog - Land of Youth (Ireland) or Teach Duinn (House of Donn - Donn is the God of the Dead)

Of course most people will recognize Egyptians afterlife... the concept makes for wonderful Hollywood movies. *wink*

Answer 5

Pagan here.. I don't believe in the "supernatural" at all.. I believe all things are natural, we simply do not understand them and mis-label them.
I believe in an afterlife, as I don't believe that we are born or die in the true senses of those words.
I can't speak for all pagans, as it's an umbrella term for many beliefs.
I can only speak to what is true for me.
Many blessings on your path,
K

Answer 6

thats quite a range of questions in one little area.
first off since you mentioned Asatru, it grabbed my attention, since i am asatruar.
we believe in the supernatural, of Landspirits, of things like Disir, who are basically, your female ancestors who watch over their family even after their death.
Paranormal abilties, well, most Asatruars believe in contact with the gods and goddesses, landspirits and family members who are deceased. a saying i heard once fits well. "In christianity, if you have to have proof of your god, you're considered a bad christian. in Asatru, if you haven't seen proof of the gods, you're a crap asatruar."
in asatru there are many versions of the afterlife. reincarnation (as long as it's in your own family line, ie, you can end up being the soul to inhabit your own great great great great granddaugther)
Disir, valhalla, going to halls of whichever god or goddess you were closest to in life, going to hel's domain (which isn't a bad place. its merely a place for people who died of sickness or old age) or, if you're really bad, theres a place, i believe it's called neifelhel..it is a place of torment, but you have to be really really evil to get sent there. we're talking raping babies and the like.
i reccomend the e-book called "the road to hel". its free, do a search for it on the net and you'll find a link. it's a great book that discusses the afterlife.

Answer 7

In some Pagan religions, yes.
In others, no.
In others, maybe.

Answer 8

I'm itching to say something but I'll just shut up and hum quietly to myself.

Answer 9

....valhall anyone?