Modern Paganism is an umbrella term used by people in traditions such as Wicca, Druidry and Heathenry. If you are new to the subject, the name of the group and the type of meeting tell you more than the word Pagan by itself. A listing for a moot, a seasonal ceremony and a coven meeting can describe three quite different settings. Some offer ways to meet people, some are occasions for worship, and some are for members of a particular group. Pagan Federation’s description of its work Pagan Federation’s London listings
Start with the words the group uses
The Covenant of the Goddess describes Wiccan practice that can include consecrating a space called a circle, worshipping deities and working magic. It also describes variation among its groups. A coven is a group of practitioners. In the covenant’s glossary, a sabbat is a seasonal festival, while an esbat is a gathering often associated with the moon. These definitions help when reading a Wiccan group’s calendar. A group in another Pagan tradition may use different names for its ceremonies. Covenant of the Goddess FAQ Covenant of the Goddess glossary Modern Paganism and the Wheel of the Year
The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids describes modern Druidry as a path followed by people with different views of deity. Its account includes polytheists, monotheists and people who leave the nature of deity open. The order also distinguishes local groups and groves from an open gathering called a Gorsedd. The latter can bring people together at a site for a seasonal ceremony, with performances such as poetry, stories or songs. The form of the gathering tells you something about what people will do even when their beliefs vary. Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids on beliefs OBOD guide to groups and groves
In modern Heathenry, blót refers to an act of offering. The Troth, a Heathen organisation, explains how an offering can be made by a group or by an individual. It also discusses how organisers adapt practices to different circumstances, including online gatherings for people unable to attend in person. If a listing says blót, you can expect some form of offering, while details such as who speaks or what is offered depend on the group. The Troth’s guide to blót
Read the event description before visiting
In the Pagan Federation’s London directory, South East London Pagans describes a monthly moot in a pub and says beginners are welcome. The same directory lists outdoor rituals on Primrose Hill by the Loose Association of Druids. Those entries give a beginner two examples of what different invitations can mean. A social meeting gives people time to ask about a group and its traditions. A seasonal ritual has a place, an occasion and a planned form of observance. Pagan Federation’s London listings
The directory also notes accessibility, including a steep path at the outdoor site. A general invitation can tell you who may attend, while the venue and event description tell you whether the meeting suits your needs. Before a public ceremony, you can check with the organiser whether visitors may observe, when the group moves between venues and what participation is expected. A group’s public event can be an opportunity to learn about it before approaching a smaller meeting. OBOD guide to groups and groves Pagan Federation’s London listings
The directory’s Woodspirits entry gives a third example. It describes an outdoor ritual group that uses a loosely Wiccan framework with an interest in animism, including the spirits of a place. Its meetings can combine seasonal observance with workshops. A visitor who reads only the word Wiccan would miss that part of the group’s description. The event listing gives a more useful picture of what the members do together. Pagan Federation’s London listings
Distinguish a place’s history from its present use
Stonehenge illustrates the difference between archaeology and present-day religious practice. English Heritage describes it as a monument constructed in stages by Neolithic and Bronze Age people. Its alignment makes the solstices significant to the site. The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids describes a modern summer-solstice ceremony among the stones with robes and a formal order. The archaeological account tells us about the monument’s construction. The order’s account tells us what its members do there today. A place can matter to modern Druids without establishing an unbroken record of the same rite. English Heritage on Stonehenge’s archaeology OBOD account of Druid festivals
When a group says a festival draws on older sources, ask which part comes from a text, place or historical custom and which part belongs to the group’s own practice. The answers can explain why two events marking the same season feel different. For example, OBOD describes both public gatherings and people observing a festival alone at home. A calendar gives them a common occasion. It can leave the choice of words, songs and setting to the people taking part. OBOD account of Druid festivals Modern Paganism and the Wheel of the Year
Conclusion
For a first encounter with modern Paganism, start with a named group and read how it describes the occasion. A Wiccan circle, a Druid Gorsedd, a Heathen offering and a social moot have their own purposes and ways to participate. The organisers’ description tells you what people plan to do. Historical sources help you understand the older material they may draw on, and the event itself shows how a particular community uses that material today.
Published by Ralf. About our editorial process.
