<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Wintergrove &#124; Roots and Explanation of Pagan Religions &#187; british pagan federation</title>
	<atom:link href="http://wintergrove.net/tag/british-pagan-federation/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://wintergrove.net</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:47:46 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Pagan Holidays and Festivals</title>
		<link>http://wintergrove.net/pagan-holidays-and-festivals/</link>
		<comments>http://wintergrove.net/pagan-holidays-and-festivals/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:38:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lady Macbeth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Druidism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paganism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[british pagan federation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kemet Orthodox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[norse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pagan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pagan festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pagan holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pagan Holidays and Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pagan religions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pagan unity campaign]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pagan wiccan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wiccan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wintergrove.net/?p=80</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are many festivals of the different pagan religions. Each faith has their own. Not all Pagans are Wiccan. Druidism, Norse, Kemet Orthodox are just a few of the pagan religions. I have given but a sampler, it not meant, by any means to be seen as complete. I have included, to the best of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wintergrove.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/woty.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-87 aligncenter" title="woty" src="http://wintergrove.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/woty.gif" alt="" width="477" height="292" /></a></p>
<p>There are many festivals of the different pagan religions. Each faith has their own. Not all Pagans are Wiccan. Druidism, Norse, Kemet Orthodox are just a few of the pagan religions.<br />
I have given but a sampler, it not meant, by any means to be seen as complete.<br />
I have included, to the best of my knowledge, bits of lore with them, as well as special months from the runic calendar which have been gleaned from other pagan reference materials over the years..</p>
<p>Festivals of January</p>
<p>Jan 13-Celtic Feast of Brewing<br />
*Jan.21-Celtic Tree month of Luis, Agnes Day, a time of divination by fire<br />
Jan.25-Disting: Feast of Distir, celebrates the old Norse guardian Goddess<br />
*Jan.31-Imbolc Eve, or Brigatia, Sacred to the Valkyries, and the Nords, who sit by the well or Urd under the tree Yggdrasil and decide the fates of Gods and men</p>
<p>Festivals of February</p>
<p>*Feb.4- Imbolc:Fire festival between yule and the vernal equinox, also Brigantias day, Celtic goddess of the seasons<br />
Feb.4- Celtic King Frost Day<br />
Feb.9- Feast of Apollo, god of the sun<br />
Feb.12-Runic half month of Sigel celebrating good over darkness<br />
Feb 14-Feast of Vali, Feast of Juno Februa, goddess of love. On this night, if you decorate your pillow with 5 bay leaves you will see your love in your dreams</p>
<p>Festivals of March</p>
<p>*Mar.2- Sacred to Ceadda, Celtic God of springs and healing waters, he is symbolized by the Crann Bethadh, the tree of life, on this day the behavior of birds is considered prophetic.<br />
Mar.4- Feast of Rhiannon Of Celtic origin<br />
Mar.8- Welsh, Witches Day<br />
Mar.14-Half month of Beorc begins, Goddess of Birch trees and rebirth.<br />
*Mar.19-Celtic: Nemetona, Goddess of the Sacred Grove is revered today.<br />
Mar.21- Ostara, celebrating the increasing light of the sun, the altar is decorated with spring flora .<br />
Mar.25-Druidic Festival: Alban Eiler:meaning light of the earth.<br />
Mar.26-Mabon ap Modron, Celt deity of youth.</p>
<p>Festivals of April</p>
<p>Apr.10-Celtic tradition says the sun dances today<br />
*Apr.11-Ystre, or Oestre, The Goddess Ostara&#8217;s day, protector of fertility and children, this festival was taken by the Christians as their own, to become Easter.<br />
Apr.22-Sigr Blot, a day to honor Odin<br />
Apr.28-Festival of Floralia, Roman, traditionally a day of sexual license and experimentation.<br />
Apr.29-Runic half month of Lagu, or water begins.<br />
* Apr.30-Walpurgis:Norse:Sacred festival of witches, bonfires of juniper and rosemary are lit , Birch twigs are placed in windows and doorways to protect the home.</p>
<p>Festivals of MAY</p>
<p>*May.1- Beltane, or in the Celtic, Cetsamhain:Celtic festival celebrating the union of the Goddess with the Horned God, a time of mystic union, and great celebration for Wicce and Druidics alike.<br />
*May 24-Festival of the three mother Goddesses, Celtic,Roman Festival of Diana and Artemis, Goddess of the Moon and of the forests, she is sacred to Wicce.<br />
May 30-Sacred to Frigg, consort to Odin</p>
<p>Festivals of JUNE</p>
<p>*June 1-Hamadryads day, honored by placing an offering at an oak tree, the most revered tree of Celts and Druids<br />
June 4 Pagan fest of Whitsunday, celebrating spring and fertility<br />
*June 5 Domnas day, Celt Goddess of stones and coves.<br />
*June 10 Celtic tree month of Duir, honors the oak tree,.<br />
*June 16 Silver Chalice Night/Wicce: Traditional Wicce share a chalice of wine tonight in honor of the God and Goddess//Night of Tears/Egyptian:Isis mourned her murdered husband Osiris on this day by the shedding of her thousands of tears.<br />
*June 20 Midsummers Eve:Cerridwen is celebrated, Goddess of love and fertility, by burning the herb Vervan.<br />
*June 21 Midsummer: Traditionally the longest day of the year, the sun is at its peak, and at the height of its power.<br />
The altar and circle are decorated with summer flowers and herbs.<br />
Bonfires are lit to symbolize the height of the suns glory.<br />
Now is the time to gather herbs and plants, as they will be at their most virile during this time<br />
, Druidic feast of Alban Hefin</p>
<p>Festivals of JULY</p>
<p>July 8 Sacred to the Goddess Sunniva, Goddess of the Sun<br />
*July 15 honors Rowana,the tree goddess, patroness of knowledge of runes.The Rowan is the tree of protection and amulets cut from it this day will be particularly effective/Egyptian God Set, God of darkness is honored this day<br />
July 31 Oidche Lugnasa, in honor of the Celtic Sun God Lugh, patron of Sorcery and poetry.//Also festival of the Norse God Loki, trickster, and his consort, Sigyn</p>
<p>Festivals of AUGUST</p>
<p>*Aug 1 Lammas, festival of the first harvest, Wicce traditionally weave corn husks,make offerings to the Goddess, by burning the weavings of the previous year.//Norse, sacred to Frigg and Odin//Gaelic:Lughnassadh, the games of the Sun God.<br />
*Aug 5 Druidic tree month of Coll, Coll is the hazel tree which embodies wisdom and Druidic practices.It encompasses regeneration and growth through the spirit, and the divination of unseen things.<br />
*Aug 15 Festival of Arianrhod, Celtic Great mother Goddess.<br />
***Aug 17 Marks the Day Odin began to hang upon the tree Yggdrasil to secure the knowledge of the runes .//Roman celebration of Diana</p>
<p>Festivals of SEPTEMBER</p>
<p>**Sept 15 Traditionally the first full moon after thsi date is celebrated as the harvest moon, A time of power for those involved in witchcraft, divination or fertility magick.<br />
**Sept 22 Autumnal Equinox, the time when darkness overtakes light, Druidic festival of Elban Elued, the &#8220;light of water&#8221; when the sun begins to descend into the ocean of wintertime.<br />
Sept 29 Festival of warrior gods, sacred to Heimdall, son of Odin.</p>
<p>Festivals of OCTOBER</p>
<p>**Oct 18 Celtic, Wicce, Welsh, Druidic: Festival of Cernunnos, also knows as Herne, Atho, Hu Gadern, The Horned God of the forests , is celebrated today.<br />
Oct 24 Feast of the Spirits of the air.Incense is burnt in honor of the slyphs, the spirits of the air.<br />
**Oct 31 Samhain Eve.Marks the end of the last day of light.</p>
<p>Festivals of NOVEMBER</p>
<p>**Nov 1 Samhain, the joining of summer to winter, the word Samhain comes from the Celtic words Isam Fuini, meaning summers end.Cailleach, the Celt Goddess is to strike the earth with a hammer, rendering it cold and hard until Imbolc.The breach between the living and dead is small at this time of year and the spirits may walk more freely to speak to the living. Bonfires are traditionally lit this eve to usher in all souls day.<br />
Nov 7 Night of Hecate, Queen and patroness of the witches<br />
Nov 22 Festival of Artemis, and Ydilar, Norse god of archery</p>
<p>Festivals of DECEMBER</p>
<p>Dec.11 Sacred day to Arianrhod, Celtic Moon Goddess<br />
Dec 18 Celt Goddess EPONA is honored, Goddess of horses.<br />
Dec.21 Yule: the celebration of death and rebirth, winter plants are used to decorate the altar and circle.<br />
Dec 27 Norse Goddess Freyja is honored on this day. Freyja is a lover of felines.<br />
Dec 31 Traditional new Years Day</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em><strong>Pagan Holidays and Festivals &#8211; Druidism &#8211; Wiccan &#8211; Norse &#8211; Kemet Orthodox</strong></em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://wintergrove.net/pagan-holidays-and-festivals/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Paganism – What is it</title>
		<link>http://wintergrove.net/paganism-%e2%80%93-what-is-it-how-do-i-become-one/</link>
		<comments>http://wintergrove.net/paganism-%e2%80%93-what-is-it-how-do-i-become-one/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:40:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>hotweb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Druidism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paganism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wicca Basics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ancient beliefs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[british pagan federation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christiantity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[circle network]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[devil]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[druidry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[druids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[earth mother]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ethical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[god]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hinduism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[north america]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[occult]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pagan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pagan unity campaign]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[religion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rowan tree church]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shamanism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wheel of life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wicca]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[witchcraft]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wintergrove.net/?p=8</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are as many explanations of Paganism as there are Pagans but one good description I’ve found is from the Ohio Chapter Pagan Unity Campaign.  They say that “Paganism may be loosely defined as any of a group of positive, life-affirming, earth-honoring faiths usually based in ancient beliefs.&#8221; To go slightly further into the dangerous [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are as many explanations of Paganism as there are Pagans but one good description I’ve found is from the Ohio Chapter Pagan Unity Campaign.  They say that “Paganism may be loosely defined as any of a group of positive, life-affirming, earth-honoring faiths usually based in ancient beliefs.&#8221;<span id="more-8"></span></p>
<p>To go slightly further into the dangerous territory of describing beliefs, we can include animism -the belief that all life, animate or inanimate, has a spirit or soul.  Pagans have a deep reverence for the earth and every creature that inhabits the earth, believing that the divine resides in all things.  Many believe in multiple gods and goddesses (polytheist) but since Paganism is such an individualistic religion, you’ll find polytheists (many), monotheists (one) and even atheists (none)!</p>
<p>Even if the variety of beliefs within Paganism is manifold, one thing that you can be sure of is that they are NOT devil worshippers.  Abby Willowroot says it beautifully, when answering the question of are Pagans devil worshippers?  “Most Devil worshipping groups are not Pagan, because they are centered on a Judeo-Christian supernatural being, namely Satan. These devil worshippers are a sect of Christianity, even though Christianity does not want to claim them.”</p>
<p>The Occult is also different from Paganism, although Pagans and members of any other religion can deal with the Occult.  Wikipedia defines “The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine, hidden, secret), referring to &#8220;knowledge of the hidden&#8221;.   But for many people involved with the occult, they are simply studying a deeper spiritual reality than that which we can see with our human powers of reason and the physical sciences with which we measure and quantify things.</p>
<p><strong>How Do I Become A Pagan?</strong></p>
<p>When a person comes to the conclusion that the things they have always believed in now need a name different from that which their family or their community has given, they may want to somehow “become” a Pagan.  Here the dilema begins.</p>
<p>Paganism is a very individual and personal journey of spiritual discovery and Pagans generally do not seek converts, nor do they feel a duty to share or guide the novice “into the faith” as many conventional religions do.  Finding a path to like-minded people can be difficult and will be different for each locality in which you may live.  The agreed starting point is to first gain knowledge. </p>
<p>Find out if you are truly in sympathy with Pagan beliefs, are you committed to living in harmony with the Earth and caring for and honoring all of her creatures?  Will you strengthen your understanding of your role in the whole scheme of things, no longer taking for granted all that the Earth offers you?  By reading the books and periodicals available and looking at websites that explain Pagan beliefs, you can explore your own beliefs so you really understand what they are and discover why you want to follow the Pagan path. </p>
<p>It is important you clarify things for yourself before trying to join a group.  Once you have answered these questions, you need to explore the various groups within Paganism to determine which group &#8211; Wicca, Druidry, Shamanism, Witchcraft, Asatru, Heathenry, Hedgewitchcraft, even Hinduism, among so many others &#8211; you wish to attach yourself to. <br />
Once you have looked into your own heart, gained greater knowledge of yourself and found your connection with the natural world around you, you can look to join others. </p>
<p>In America, to find a group of like-minded people talk to people in new age or pagan bookstores, check their bulletin boards. Many books and periodicals give information on how you can find contacts in your area. Check out online groups, but be wary – there are many unsavory characters out there.  Alternatively an updated guide to pagan groups  is now available by mail-order from the Circle Network, based in Wisconsin.</p>
<p>If you are in Great Britain, some of these and other ways can led to you finding like-minded people.  Look for “moots” – these are advertised, regular gatherings usually held in pubs or perhaps the organizers’ homes.  There is usually a contact number, so phone the organizer before the event and get enough information before hand so you know what to expect.<br />
You can also check out egoups on Yahoo, other web-based forums, Pagan conferences or camps and ritual that are open to the public and of course, contacts obtainable through the Pagan Federation and other reputable Pagan organizations.</p>
<p>However I do suggest a certain modicum of caution – although pubs and the web are public places, you must trust your intuition; don’t share more than you are comfortable revealing.  Please keep in mind not everyone is honest.</p>
<p>Although it may be frustrating, don’t be in too big a hurry to find a group or even a spiritual teacher.  Many Pagans will follow a solitary path to greater enlightenment, perhaps for a lifetime.  It can even be said that a time of studying on your own is far better because you will find what works for you without the potential confusion or pressure others’ beliefs may provide.  Knowing your own beliefs and the basics of rituals will show any group you may wish to join, that you are willing to learn and serious.  It is also a good idea to have explored what you want from the group you join.  Will you be able or willing to meet their expectations, etc.?</p>
<p>You may find that because Pagans are still so much in the minority, your spiritual path will continue to be a solitary one because there aren’t any folk living near you to physically guide or share Pagan rituals with.  In such a case, or as an adjunct to your own growth, joining organizations such as the British Pagan Federation or the Reformed Druids of North America, the Order of Bards or the Rowan Tree Church, among others, could be the best way to enlarge your training or contact opportunities.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://wintergrove.net/paganism-%e2%80%93-what-is-it-how-do-i-become-one/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Paganism – What Is It?</title>
		<link>http://wintergrove.net/paganism-%e2%80%93-what-is-it/</link>
		<comments>http://wintergrove.net/paganism-%e2%80%93-what-is-it/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:40:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>hotweb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Paganism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[british pagan federation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christiantity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[devil]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[earth mother]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ethical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[god]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pagan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[religion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wheel of life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wicca]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wintergrove.net/?p=3</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[According to the British Pagan Federation, the definition of Paganism is “a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion”.   Put simply, Pagans believe in many deities (gods and goddesses) and that &#8220;God is all and all is God.&#8221;   This precludes God being a specific “personality” and includes everything in the universe being of God &#8211; in essence [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>According to the British Pagan Federation, the definition of Paganism is “a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion”.   Put simply, Pagans believe in many deities (gods and goddesses) and that &#8220;God is all and all is God.&#8221;   This precludes God being a specific “personality” and includes everything in the universe being of God &#8211; in essence God and the Universe are the same thing.<span id="more-3"></span></p>
<p>The term Paganism is actually an umbrella under which many traditions live.  It is an ancient religion that venerates nature, believes that everything in the Universe is interconnected and part of the Devine and that this interconnectedness extends beyond the boundaries of space and time.</p>
<p>It is a religion but without a centralized, organized church or body, with a great variety of beliefs and practices but without any standardized dogma.  Pagans, like many of us, seek answers to life’s great questions – what is the meaning of our lives, is there life after death, is there a God, and what is our place within the greater universe?</p>
<p>Pagans do not generally try to convert anyone.  Rather than being converted, Pagans decide to call themselves that because what they already believe fits in terms of their view of the world, the way they live and their spirituality.</p>
<p>For most Pagans, their spirituality is a very personal path, walked either alone or with a small group of like-minded individuals.  Paganism believes that we are born with all the skills and tools required to live an ethical and spiritual life without, as many other religions profess, the need to overcome the flaws humanity brings with it at birth, be it original sin or the ego or desire or whatever else one might call it.  They do not believe that humanity is spiritually doomed unless purified and “saved”.</p>
<p>Because Pagans place so much value on the earth as their mother, their religion is often called earth-centered. They celebrate seasonal festivals based on the Wheel of Life and the cycles of the moon.  Because of their deep connectedness with the Universe, Pagans celebrate belonging to the natural world by adjusting their lives to the cycles of the earth, sun, moon and the stars.  In line with this reverence for the natural world, they express themselves by living environmentally ethical lives and many participate in actions to save the eco-systems of the planet.<br />
 <br />
Through the ages, Pagan came to mean someone who had not yet converted, or refused, to convert to Christianity and its meaning extended to those who did not belong to one of the established religions or someone who was irreligious or anti-religious.  Pagans are neither without religion nor against religion, instead they are a distinct religion – different from others but a religion nevertheless;  even the American courts recognized Wicca as an official religion in the case of Dettmer v. Landon (1986). </p>
<p>Another misconception is that Pagans worship the devil.  While acknowledging life can be difficult and sometimes cruel, Pagans do not believe in evil or the devil, they believe instead in the need to seek ways to end conflict and personal responsibility for one’s beliefs and ethics.</p>
<p>The more we know about Pagans, the less likely we are to fear or denigrate them.  In fact there may be much to embrace.</p>
<p>“With its respect for plurality, the refusal to judge other ways of life as wrong simply because they are different from one&#8217;s own, with its veneration of a natural (and supernatural) world from which Westerners in the age of technology have become increasingly isolated, and with its respect for women and the feminine principle as embodied in the many goddesses of the various pantheons, Paganism has much to offer people of European background today.” &#8211; the British Pagan Federation.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://wintergrove.net/paganism-%e2%80%93-what-is-it/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

