Paganism
& Witchcraft, Heathenry & More 

The word Pagan has a long history. from Latin pāgānus "rural", "rustic", later "civilian") is a term first used pejoratively in the fourth century by early Christians for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism.  This isn't a definition that has stayed the same for the almost 2,000 years since it was first uttered from someones mouth. Little did that someone know, how Paganism would define and redefine itself, to be what we know it as today in the 21st Century. In the 19th century, paganism was adopted as a self-descriptor by members of various artistic groups inspired by the ancient world. In the 20th century, became the name chosen by Neopagans, Pagan reconstructionists and anything in between.

The thing is the definition of the word 'Pagan' differs from person to person. Many will tell you it means a polythiestic religion of any kind. Others will consider it anything that isn't Judiasm, Christianity or Islam. Some will say Witchcraft is Pagan, others will tell you It's nature worship, it's deity worship.  This page will attempt to go through all the avenues of what Paganism was and is to many people around the world. Then you can make you're own mind up. 


Ancient times:

Pagan, deriving from the Latin 'Paganus'