Paganism?

As you know, I am a great devotee of Moneysavingexpert. A discussion on there has got me thinking about Paganism.

Now, before you think I'm going to start dancing naked around a bonfire (bit too chilly at this time of the year!!) let me give you a few facts.


Paganism describes a group of contemporary religions based on a reverence for nature.

The recognition of the divine in nature is at the heart of Pagan belief. Pagans are deeply aware of the natural world and see the power of the divine in the ongoing cycle of life and death. Most Pagans are eco-friendly, seeking to live in a way that minimises harm to the natural environment.

Since I moved to this semi-rural cottage three years ago, I have become very aware of the changing of the seasons and Mother Nature herself.  I have watched the field at the end of my garden being ploughed, scattered, watered and harvested. I have watched the birds nesting, the frogs spawning, the trees clothe themselves in spring green and autumn gold. I have watched geese fly overhead in huge skeins, I saw the arrival of the swallows and the muntjac deer peeping out from the forest. In my own garden I have sown seeds, nurtered them and provided my family with fresh salads and herbs. I have spend many a comical moment with my chickens - everytime I collect the eggs I thank them!!!
My culinary year has encompassed fresh spring salads, barbequed meats (ok, not very often this year!) warming stews and casseroles and lots of home-made bread.

Does this way of life make me Pagan without realising it? The more I research it, the more I think it does....

Looking forwards now, the celebration of the year (if you are a Christian) is upon us - but Christmas is a relatively new invention.

The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world.

Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. The seasons and weather played a very important part in their lives. Because of this many ancient people had a great reverence for, and even worshipped the sun. The Norsemen of Northern Europe saw the sun as a wheel that changed the seasons. It was from the word for this wheel, houl, that the word yule is thought to have come.

The ancient Romans also held a festival to celebrate the rebirth of the year. Saturnalia ran for seven days from the 17th of December. It was a time when the ordinary rules were turned upside down. Men dressed as women and masters dressed as servants. The festival also involved decorating houses with greenery, lighting candles, holding processions and giving presents.

The Winter Solstice falls on the shortest day of the year (21st December) and was celebrated in Britain long before the arrival of Christianity. The Druids (Celtic priests) would cut the mistletoe that grew on the oak tree and give it as a blessing. Oaks were seen as sacred and the winter fruit of the mistletoe was a symbol of life in the dark winter months.

When you think about the commercialism of Christmas we have all fallen for the shiny advertisements on the television. We are lulled into the belief that we must change our tree colour scheme every year, must buy new decorations, (indeed, even a new sofa in time for Christmas!) must buy the latest hi-tech gadget for the kids so that they don't feel left out in the playground - and so it goes on. We fill our trolleys on Christmas Eve with food we will never eat (candied fruits or dates anyone?) and our fridges are full to groaning. The shops are only shut for one day, for goodness sake.

Once you learn to turn your back on this commercialism the true meaning of this winter festival becomes clear. The earth has been resting as the days get shorter but she is slowly, but gently, gathering her energy for the re-birth of the sun. Humankind also needs to rest and regain strength  for the new growing season.

And so the wheel turns ......

I know I would much prefer to celebrate the Winter Solstice than Christmas Day. What about you, dear Reader.....?