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a strong revival in both the interest and practice of old pagan religions. We have groups that represent most all European cultures, that seek to revive the folkways of their ancestors. These groups are called Reconstructionist. This movement, though different on some fundamental levels, does run side by side to some of the Revivalist Wiccan traditions. These groups seek out to learn about and live the celebratory practices as their ancestors as well as waken their beliefs in the Old deities. The commonalties between these factions is in the interest of both the practices and the deities of a given culture. Their differences vary:
Wicca:
in beliefs in magic, integration of old practices onto new, or other pieces absorbed into the culture
Reconstructionists:
as opposed to a more ethnocentric perspective, dedicated to researching and reviving practices that previously existed, or still may exist, un-muddied by other cultural perspectives. Both factions of these pagans, or more appropriately for the non-Roman sects, Heathens have their positive and negative traits- which can only be decided by the practitioner.
Personally, I am a teacher in a Wiccan seminary, so, I admit that this can color my views and explanations. This may not matter much to you unless you are a Reconstructionist!

I think that a large part of the appeal of these paths to the modern practitioner, is a desire to reconnect oneself to both the earth and one’s heritage as well as to quell the sense of helplessness many feel these days with a re-taking of personal power and control over one’s own destiny. To those people, the folkways offer great appeal, and the heathen and pagan religions offer spirituality and connection found through direct contact with deity.


© 1995 Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi

Slavic Mythology Pages by: lidija.bajuk@posluh.hr
scena.hgu.hr/lidija-bajuk/

Slavic Pagan Holidays- http://members.aol.com/hpsofsnert/holid.html
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by: Rick Johnson, PO Box 40451, Tucson, Az. 85717

“Pre-Christian Eastern Slavic Reflections on Nature” by Molly Kaushal

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