Some of the more famous pagans were the Druids, the Norse, and the Germanic Tribes… Pagan gods, goddesses, mediums, mystics, spirits, customs, clothing, symbols, and even foods reflect many different origins.

Many of the traditions that these groups held were later adopted into Christianity to create a culture of Christo-paganism. We see elements of this mixing all through history; and sprinkled in our calendar, and holidays, and in our political culture of today.

Neo-paganism, as it is sometimes called,
is a purposeful reach back to an original
non-christian religion or cultural foundation.

Christo-pagans are people who still very much
consider themselves primarily and culturally Christian,
while appreciating and even practicing
some of the ancient religious beliefs that
they see as inclusive enough for their faith.

Wiccans have created a modernization of “Witchcraft” by keeping up the old traditions, and limiting the evil reputation that had been given to witches by the Christians. They have cleaned up their witchy reputation by separating those who practice “black magick” within witchcraft, and those whose witchcraft is limited to “white magic”, such as nature worship and some ancient traditions of both Europe and the pre-European Americas. They also avoid even speaking the names of some of the more sinister gods.

There are Covens within Wicca, that both function as social and educational groups, and also as a standard of accountability to stay within “white magic”. Staying within white magick usually means to stay away from drugs, sex magick, speaking to demons, speaking of evil gods, and to avoid sending out curses on one’s neighbors. There are also Uncovened Wiccans. These are more freelance; and often have a special old-world talent.

The Appalachian Witches is a group that have a predominantly uncovened Christo-Wiccan vibe. They have some Native American traditions, coupled with some old-world traditions, and a few dark-grey practices that would be considered black magick if not for the pouring on of Christian based protections to keep the practitioner safe.

African Witches are something we will just touch on, as they vary from area to area. They are most often homeopathic-doctors who also keep away evil-spirits. They do not have many of the limitations of modern witches like those in Wicca. However, they are often diametrically opposed to the local Spiritists, who they see as consorting evil demons. On the other hand, they are known world around for putting out curses if threatened. This group is steeped in myth, but basically they are herbal practitioners who believe that by putting good or evil out into the world—it will return on one’s self and those directly on those who have been cursed or protected by magick.

The Theoretical Satanist is one who often does not believe in any power higher than him/her self. May perhaps believe in the possibility of Aliens, but is ultimately his/her own final authority. They are basically a humanist, with a slight vendetta against the power of modern religions. They see religion, especially of the Abrahamic variety, to be oppressive and over-bearing. They tend to want to be free of man-made restrictions that move beyond the social demands of living in harmony with their neighbors.

It would seem that one cannot rightly believe in a satan (Hebrew origin: HaSatan “the enemy”) without believing in a god. However, one could believe themselves to be the satan or enemy of gods. It is a step beyond Atheist, in that not only do they not believe in a god, but they hate even the idea of a would-be-god. The most prominent Theoretical Satanist in modern times has been Anton Szandor LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan. He was a controversial man by design, and his writings had both a good and bad reputation. The Theoretical Satanist is what can most easily be called a true religion, even if it that of no-religion.

The Second Group is more Anti-christ, angry, and rebellious against god and right-handed methods. They are those that have had a bad experience within Abrahamic style religion; and often violently Ex-Christian, or Ex-Muslim, or Anti-Jewish. They have have a desire to “be evil” for evil’s sake. This is not so much a religion as an anarchist style statement against the culture of oppressive do-gooders. That is the reason this is the name given for the religion of so many hard-hitting rebellious music groups.

This second group are the Satanists that have such a bad reputation. Some of that reputation is earned, and some is perpetuated by the fear of modern religious groups. Satanists have a reputation for sacrificing animals or people to Satan in secret rituals. However, the more real reputation most Satanic Followers have; is spray-painting buildings and bridges with offensive occult-ish symbols and curse-words, wearing black clothes and makeup, and loving drugs and rock music.

Many non-wiccan witches could be classified more accurately as Nature Lovers, such as Kitchen Witches, and Fairy Witches. Kitchen Witches, for example, may be covened or not. They often primarily enjoy the aspect of choosing herbs in the forest and fields, and grinding them using stones that have magickal properties. Cooking, transforming, mixing, and preserving those herbs to be used as food, soap, tinctures, potions, drinks, and incense. This is harnessing nature to better ourselves.

Fairy Witches are often into their craft more for the cultural aspects and the imaginative excitement, than they are for any other purpose. They do however, tend to fall into this category. The Fairy Witch wants to be out in the forest. They spend time looking for, and talking to fairies. As a good witch will not put glitter made of plastic into the forest—they may make it from the sand of geodes, salt, Formica, or shells. They will often look for and arrange this natural glitter fairy-dust, mushrooms, stones, and parts of trees to create the perfect place for attracting fairies. This activity, self-reflection, scrying, and sharing their experiences with others are all part of being a successful Fairy Witch.

There are many examples of Nature Worship as a Religion, Way-Of-Life, and as a component within other religions.

A good example of mystics within religion, are Kabbalistic researchers. They often identify as belonging to another base religion, such as Judaism, Christianity, or Wicca; but they specialize in making that religion make sense through the secrets of mysticism that they have unlocked through Kabbalah. They may have a group that they study with, and they talk of ideology and theoretical religion. But they would caution you against leaning too much on Kabbalistic theory.

Numerology, and Symbolism make up for most of the mystical world. Numbers following shapes, letters that align with numbers, math applied to symbols, tracing repetition through history and culture… it all adds up. And it can bring to life a religious experience that has worn out its welcome.

Psychics are another example of Mysticism. They get insight through systems, patterns, and trance. They may get their insight from the stars, cards, sequences of events, palm patterns, gazing at reflections or flames, or some new and mystical system of scrying or decoding. 

Having some chance at knowing something that would otherwise be impossible to foresee is EXCITING. For this reason, some psychics admittedly are stage magicians, while others are genuinely trying to unlock the future or the past and get insight. To separate them, a good rule of thumb is if the psychic is offering his/her insight for free or fun – or if they are making money from their art and causing fear.