New Agers??

Question

Why do some take the whole Pagan beleif and make the "magick" their "inner-self"? I'm confused. Witches of all Pagan religions beleive in deities. Not an "inner-self". So doesn't that make "new agers" non-Pagans?

What's your opinion?

I mean "higher-self".

Answer 1

I think you'll find that modern paganism lacks significant content and basically forms a fun rubric for history geeks who need a more interactive way to live action roleplay. If you're looking for a holistic system, I suggest you take a look at one of the pagan traditions that actually has some continuity - hinduism or voudun, perhaps.

All the best,

Lazarus

Answer 2

I think that in your question you are making some very broad statements.
I can see where your confusion comes in. Let's see, how can I be as simplistic as possible while using complete and accurate information. ( this is for my benefit, by the way. lol)

Not all pagans are witches....and while pagans believe in many deities, some of us believe that there are many different faces and aspects of the divine. As for our magick, most is based on the wiccan rede and the belief in the intent of our magick. This in itself, requires a look at our true "inner self", as you put it. For the most prominant line in the rede is, "An Harm Ye None Do What Ye Will"
Therefore, we have to take a look at our true intent and ask ourselves if we are looking to control others, or do things against their will? This in itself is unacceptable.

As for the definition of the word :
pa·gan /ˈpeɪgən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pey-guhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks.
2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
3. an irreligious or hedonistic person.
–adjective 4. pertaining to the worship or worshipers of any religion that is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim.
5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pagans.
6. irreligious or hedonistic.


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[Origin: 1325–75; ME < ML, LL pāgānus worshiper of false gods, orig. civilian (i.e., not a soldier of Christ), L: peasant, n. use of pāgānus rural, civilian, deriv. of pāgus village, rural district


So the answer to your question, in my humble opinion is no.

Answer 3

Good question really. deities and "inner self" are not that far apart. The Inner self is not just your ego and subconscious. It is a deeper symbol of eternal existence.

The inner being is like the larger branches of a tree leading down to the trunk. You are a small twig on the end. Therefore it is not uncommon for individuals to identify multiple beings within their inner self.

Answer 4

Pagan believers can believe in self, the gods, or both the self and their gods/goddesses. Pagan is a broad term encompassing many beliefs.

So yes new-agers are Pagans too.

Answer 5

I don't mean to pick on you but you need to do some reading. Jung, Robert Graves and Margaret Murray would be good authors to start with...