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WHY IS SO MUCH OF NEO-PAGANISM SO CELTIC CENTRIC?
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Madame Monpetit
Feb 10, 2013, 6:33:01 PM2/10/13
to
I have been looking more into Wicca, Druidity and other re-
constructionist neo-pagan religions,
and I am just curious to know why they all seem to be so Celtic-
centric, that is they seem to
constantly reference Celtic history, culture, customs, and even
geneology?. I was under the
impression that these neo-pagan religions, especially Wicca, which was
developed in England
during the first half of the 20th century, draws upon a diverse set of
ancient pagan religious
motifs for its theological structure and ritual practice. According to
Gerald Gardner's account
in Witchcraft Today and The Meaning of Witchcraft, Wicca is the
survival of a theoretical
European witch-cult that was persecuted during the witch trials. The
implication of this
being that Wicca is pan-European in nature. Likewise, Druidity draws
on the ancient
Druids who had a large presence in Gaul (France), and to the best of
my knowledge,
were just confined exclusively to Celtic ethno-culture.
The people of Gaul (France) were historically an ad mixture of Celtic,
Germanic and
Latin peoples. Likewise, Celtic peoples are not native to the British
Isles, despite
I have seen this claim made on Wiccan and Druid forums, and I am
disturbed by
the level of Celtic Nationalism and Anglophobia which seems to exist
on these
forums. I mean Gerald Gardner would have been ethnically Anglo-Saxon
and
English, yet I see all sorts of anti-English and Celtic Nationalist
crap intertwined
with Wiccan and Druid forums. I am America, and I am a mixture of
English,
Irish and Welsh.
I have also glanced a bit at the Astaru forums, and they seem to have
quite a lot
of pan-German Nationalist sentiments and more disturbingly some
elements of
White supremacy and what I would regard as neo-Nazism!. I am looking
for a
truly pan-European pre-Christian neo-pagan spiritual path to follow
which is
not used by ethnic and/or pan-ethnic nationalists as a vehicle to
promote
hated and contempt for other peoples.
Lastly, I would like to mention that in the forums and web sites that
discuss
Witchcraft and neo-paganism overall, I see very little mention of
Stregheria,
which is a form of witchcraft, popularized by Raven Grimassi. Grimassi
is
reportedly descended from an Italian witch named Calenda Tavani, who
lived
in Naples several generations ago. Grimassi states that his early
training
was a mixture of Italian witchcraft and folk magic. Grimassi describes
the
roots of Stregheria as a syncretic offshoot of Etruscan religion that
later
blended with "Tuscan peasant religion", medieval Christian heresy,
and
veneration of saints. My boyfriend is Sicilian-American, and is
likewise
interested in exploring neo-Paganism, and hopefully finding something
we can both get behind. There are not many forums or web sites devoted
to Stregheria, but the ones I saw, contain no ethno-cultural
nationalism
or disdain for other peoples, unlike that I have seen of Celtic-
centric
ones for Wicca and Druidity.
Neopaganism in Latin Europe is less widespread than in Germanic Europe
and the wider Anglosphere.
Italy, Spain and Portugal are traditionally Roman Catholic and
according to the 2005 Eurobarometer Poll retain an above average
belief in God. France is traditionally Roman Catholic and has an above
average fraction of atheists,
so I can understand why there are more Celtic and Germanic neo-pagan
forums and web sites out there, but again,
what is with the White supremacy/neo-Nazism being so prevalent on
Astaru forums and web sites, and what is
with all of the Celtic nationalism and anti-English bigotry on Wiccan/
Druidity forums and web sites?.
Madame Monpetit
constructionist neo-pagan religions,
and I am just curious to know why they all seem to be so Celtic-
centric, that is they seem to
constantly reference Celtic history, culture, customs, and even
geneology?. I was under the
impression that these neo-pagan religions, especially Wicca, which was
developed in England
during the first half of the 20th century, draws upon a diverse set of
ancient pagan religious
motifs for its theological structure and ritual practice. According to
Gerald Gardner's account
in Witchcraft Today and The Meaning of Witchcraft, Wicca is the
survival of a theoretical
European witch-cult that was persecuted during the witch trials. The
implication of this
being that Wicca is pan-European in nature. Likewise, Druidity draws
on the ancient
Druids who had a large presence in Gaul (France), and to the best of
my knowledge,
were just confined exclusively to Celtic ethno-culture.
The people of Gaul (France) were historically an ad mixture of Celtic,
Germanic and
Latin peoples. Likewise, Celtic peoples are not native to the British
Isles, despite
I have seen this claim made on Wiccan and Druid forums, and I am
disturbed by
the level of Celtic Nationalism and Anglophobia which seems to exist
on these
forums. I mean Gerald Gardner would have been ethnically Anglo-Saxon
and
English, yet I see all sorts of anti-English and Celtic Nationalist
crap intertwined
with Wiccan and Druid forums. I am America, and I am a mixture of
English,
Irish and Welsh.
I have also glanced a bit at the Astaru forums, and they seem to have
quite a lot
of pan-German Nationalist sentiments and more disturbingly some
elements of
White supremacy and what I would regard as neo-Nazism!. I am looking
for a
truly pan-European pre-Christian neo-pagan spiritual path to follow
which is
not used by ethnic and/or pan-ethnic nationalists as a vehicle to
promote
hated and contempt for other peoples.
Lastly, I would like to mention that in the forums and web sites that
discuss
Witchcraft and neo-paganism overall, I see very little mention of
Stregheria,
which is a form of witchcraft, popularized by Raven Grimassi. Grimassi
is
reportedly descended from an Italian witch named Calenda Tavani, who
lived
in Naples several generations ago. Grimassi states that his early
training
was a mixture of Italian witchcraft and folk magic. Grimassi describes
the
roots of Stregheria as a syncretic offshoot of Etruscan religion that
later
blended with "Tuscan peasant religion", medieval Christian heresy,
and
veneration of saints. My boyfriend is Sicilian-American, and is
likewise
interested in exploring neo-Paganism, and hopefully finding something
we can both get behind. There are not many forums or web sites devoted
to Stregheria, but the ones I saw, contain no ethno-cultural
nationalism
or disdain for other peoples, unlike that I have seen of Celtic-
centric
ones for Wicca and Druidity.
Neopaganism in Latin Europe is less widespread than in Germanic Europe
and the wider Anglosphere.
Italy, Spain and Portugal are traditionally Roman Catholic and
according to the 2005 Eurobarometer Poll retain an above average
belief in God. France is traditionally Roman Catholic and has an above
average fraction of atheists,
so I can understand why there are more Celtic and Germanic neo-pagan
forums and web sites out there, but again,
what is with the White supremacy/neo-Nazism being so prevalent on
Astaru forums and web sites, and what is
with all of the Celtic nationalism and anti-English bigotry on Wiccan/
Druidity forums and web sites?.
Madame Monpetit
rbowman
Feb 10, 2013, 9:39:05 PM2/10/13
to
Madame Monpetit wrote:
> I am looking
> for a
> truly pan-European pre-Christian neo-pagan spiritual path to follow
> which is
> not used by ethnic and/or pan-ethnic nationalists as a vehicle to
> promote
> hated and contempt for other peoples.
Considering there wasn't a pre-Christian 'European' identity, that's a tall
> I am looking
> for a
> truly pan-European pre-Christian neo-pagan spiritual path to follow
> which is
> not used by ethnic and/or pan-ethnic nationalists as a vehicle to
> promote
> hated and contempt for other peoples.
order. Have you read Alain de Benoist's 'On Being a Pagan'? He may be a
little to the right for you but is eclectic and has some interesting essays.
Giovanna Stefani
Feb 12, 2013, 11:05:01 AM2/12/13
to
Madame Monpetit scrive:
> I have been looking more into Wicca, Druidity and other re-
> constructionist neo-pagan religions,
> and I am just curious to know why they all seem to be so Celtic-
> centric, that is they seem to
> constantly reference Celtic history, culture, customs, and even
> geneology?.
Because they think it is cool and trendy.
Because the words are strange to read an pronounce, so must be 'better'.
Because they think it conveys historical validity.
Because they know no better.
Virtually nothing is known of the Celts and even less of their religious
practices. That allows people to write whatever 'authentic' drivel they
wish without the fear of being proved incorrect.
--
Giovanna
> I have been looking more into Wicca, Druidity and other re-
> constructionist neo-pagan religions,
> and I am just curious to know why they all seem to be so Celtic-
> centric, that is they seem to
> constantly reference Celtic history, culture, customs, and even
> geneology?.
Because the words are strange to read an pronounce, so must be 'better'.
Because they think it conveys historical validity.
Because they know no better.
Virtually nothing is known of the Celts and even less of their religious
practices. That allows people to write whatever 'authentic' drivel they
wish without the fear of being proved incorrect.
--
Giovanna
Madame Monpetit
Feb 12, 2013, 1:51:13 PM2/12/13
to
Hi Giovanna,
You make some valid points. Just out of curiosity, do you follow
Stregheria?
Madame Monpetit
You make some valid points. Just out of curiosity, do you follow
Stregheria?
Madame Monpetit
Giovanna Stefani
Feb 13, 2013, 6:18:03 AM2/13/13
to
Madame Monpetit scrive:
> Hi Giovanna,
>
> You make some valid points. Just out of curiosity, do you follow
> Stregheria?
No, I don't.
Fake Italian drivel (:
--
Giovanna
> Hi Giovanna,
>
> You make some valid points. Just out of curiosity, do you follow
> Stregheria?
Fake Italian drivel (:
--
Giovanna
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