What Is Paganism: Modern Beliefs and Practices | The Pagan Grimoire

A few years ago, a friend saw me carefully arranging a small bundle of dried lavender on my windowsill and asked, “So, do you actually worship trees or what?” I laughed, but the question stuck with me. Paganism is one of the fastest-growing spiritual movements in the West—Pew Research estimated about 1.5 million self-identified Pagans in the United States in 2014, and that number has only climbed since—yet it’s still wrapped in confusion. People picture hooded figures, animal sacrifice, or devil worship. None of that is true. Paganism, at its heart, is a family of earth-centered, polytheistic or pantheistic traditions that honor the cycles of nature, the changing seasons, and the divine as immanent in the world around us. It’s not a single religion; it’s a vast umbrella that includes Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry, Hellenic polytheism, and many eclectic paths. If you’re curious about what Pagans actually believe and do—without the Hollywood filters—you’ve come to the right place.

A Brief History of Modern Paganism

When most people talk about Paganism today, they’re referring to modern movements that consciously revived or reconstructed pre-Christian European traditions. The first spark came in the 1950s, when a British civil servant named Gerald Gardner published Witchcraft Today (1954). Gardner claimed he had been initiated into a surviving coven of witches, though historians generally agree he synthesized elements from ceremonial magic, folk traditions, and the writings of Margaret Murray (a controversial Egyptologist who argued that witch trials targeted a surviving pagan cult). Gardner’s system—now called Wicca—spread to the United States in the 1960s and 70s, thanks to figures like Raymond Buckland and Alex Sanders. By 1979, Starhawk’s The Spiral Dance (still in print, $16–$20 new) brought a feminist, activist edge to the movement, making it accessible to thousands of seekers.

Other traditions emerged around the same time. The Odinic Rite and the Asatru Folk Assembly (founded in the 1970s) revived Norse and Germanic pagan practices. The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, founded in 1964 by Ross Nichols, gave Druidry a modern form. Hellenic polytheists began reconstructing ancient Greek worship in the 1990s, using primary sources like Homeric hymns and archaeological evidence. Each path has its own calendar, deities, and ethics, but they share a reverence for nature and a belief that divinity is multiple and embodied. Importantly, modern Pagans do not claim unbroken lineage from ancient times—most are reconstructionist or revivalist, meaning they build from historical sources while adapting to contemporary life.

What Do Pagans Actually Believe?

There’s no single creed, but certain themes appear across most Pagan traditions. The first is polytheism—the recognition of many gods and goddesses. These deities are seen as real, distinct beings, not archetypes or metaphors. A Wiccan might honor the Horned God and the Triple Goddess; a Heathen might blot (worship) Odin, Thor, and Freyja; a Druid might work with the gods of a specific Celtic tribe. Some Pagans are pantheists, seeing the divine in all of nature, while others are animists, believing that rocks, trees, and rivers have spirits. A 2013–2015 Pagan Census (conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri) found that 78% of Pagans identify as polytheists, with 12% describing themselves as pantheists.

The second core belief is the sacredness of the natural world. Pagans tend to see the Earth as a living, divine entity—often called Gaia—rather than a resource to be exploited. This translates into environmental activism for many, but it also shows up in daily practice: honoring the cycles of the moon (13 esbats per year, one per full moon), celebrating eight sabbats that mark solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days, and grounding in nature walks or gardening. Ethics vary, but the Wiccan Rede—“An it harm none, do what ye will”—is widely cited, though not universal. The Threefold Law (that energy returns three times) is common in Wicca but absent in many other paths. Heathens, for example, follow a concept of “frith” (peace and loyalty within community) and the nine noble virtues. None of these codes includes harming others or cursing strangers—despite what pop culture suggests.

Major Traditions Under the Pagan Umbrella

• Wicca: The most well-known tradition, with initiates following Gardnerian, Alexandrian, or Dianic lineages. Many practitioners are eclectic, blending elements from multiple sources. Typically, Wiccans work in covens (circles of 13 or fewer) or as solitaries. Tools include an athame (ritual knife – a thrifted kitchen knife works fine, free if you have one), wand, chalice, and pentacle.
• Druidry: Focused on nature, poetry, and wisdom. The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD) offers a correspondence course for about $300 spread over three years. Druids celebrate solstices and equinoxes, and groves often meet outdoors. No tools required beyond a nice stick for a staff.
• Heathenry / Asatru: Norse and Germanic reconstruction. Honoring ancestors, land spirits, and gods like Odin and Thor. Blóts (ritual feasts) involve offerings of mead or bread. Many Heathens value historical accuracy and use sagas and rune poems as primary sources.
• Hellenic Polytheism: Reconstruction of ancient Greek religion. Practitioners make offerings to gods like Zeus, Athena, and Hestia at household shrines or public festivals. Traditionalists follow the Delphic Maxims and avoid modern innovations like “smudging” with sage (which is a closed Native American practice).
• Eclectic Paganism: The “build your own path” approach. An eclectic Pagan might combine Celtic mythology with Hindu gods, or work with a personal mix of traditions. This is common but criticized for cultural appropriation—most responsible eclectic Pagans study their sources deeply and avoid taking closed practices.

Rituals, Tools, and Sensory Magic

Step into a Pagan ritual space and you’ll notice the sensory details first: the sharp, green scent of crushed rosemary, the flicker of a beeswax Candles (about $8 for a pack of four at a craft store), the weight of a stone in your palm. Many traditions follow a similar structure: casting a circle (energetic boundary), calling the quarters (directions), invoking deities or spirits, performing the main working (a spell, meditation, or offering), and closing the circle. You don’t need a $40 athame to do this—a kitchen knife you’ve cleansed with salt water works perfectly. I started with a stainless steel butter knife, and it served me for two years.

Most Pagans maintain a home altar or shrine. A typical altar might include:

• A cloth (cheapest: a bandana or scarf, $3–$5 new)
• Representations of elements: a small dish of salt for earth, a feather for air, a candle for fire, a bowl of water ($10 total for all from a dollar store)
• Images or statues of deities ($15–$30 on Etsy for small resin figures, or print a copyright-free image for free)
• A journal or “Book of Shadows” – any blank notebook works, $5 or less

The full moon esbat is a common time for solitary ritual. Around 25% of Pagans, based on the 2013-2015 Census, prefer to work alone. Sensory richness doesn’t require expense: the feel of cold river stones, the sound of a rainstick (homemade from a cardboard tube and rice), the taste of honey offered to a goddess. Tools are aids, not requirements. A 2019 survey by the Pagan Awareness Network found that 62% of respondents spent under $50 total on their ritual tools. The magic lives in intention, not in the price tag.

Common Misconceptions (And What’s Actually True)

Let me clear up the biggest myth right now: Pagans do not worship the devil. The devil is a Christian concept, and most Pagans don’t believe in a singular evil entity at all. In surveys, fewer than 2% of Pagans identify as “Satanists,” and those follow a different, often atheistic philosophy. Second, not all Pagans are witches. Roughly 34% of Pagans also call themselves witches (according to the Pagan Census), but many are simply polytheists or nature worshippers who never cast a spell. Third, Pagans don’t sacrifice animals or humans. That’s a medieval smear used to justify witch hunts. Offerings are typically incense, food (shared after the ritual), or symbolic items like a lock of hair or a written prayer.

Another misconception: that Paganism is just “Christianity with a nature tint.” It’s not. Polytheism is fundamentally different from monotheism. There is no original sin, no need for salvation, no single holy book. Pagans see the divine as accessible everywhere, not confined to a heaven or a temple. Ethical decisions are made based on personal responsibility and community agreements, not divine commandments. And yes, Pagans celebrate holidays that look like Halloween (Samhain) and Easter (Ostara), but the meanings are pre-Christian: Samhain honors ancestors, not dead souls needing prayers, and Ostara marks the spring equinox, not the resurrection of a god. These differences matter.

How to Start Your Own Practice

If you feel a pull toward Paganism, the best first step costs nothing: go outside. Sit with a tree, notice the phase of the moon, feel the temperature drop as autumn deepens. Many Pagans describe their initial draw as a sense of “coming home” to the natural world. Next, read. I recommend “Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions” by Joyce and River Higginbotham (Llewellyn, 2003, about $15 used on Amazon) – it’s neutral, well-researched, and includes exercises. Starhawk’s The Spiral Dance (HarperOne, 1979, $16) is excellent for Wicca, but skip it if you want a broader view. For Heathenry, check out “A Practical Heathen’s Guide to Asatru” by Patricia M. Lafayllve ($14).

Next, find community—or don’t. About 40% of Pagans practice solely alone, according to the Pagan Census. Local covens and groves exist in most mid-sized cities; try searching “Pagan meetup [your city]” or check Witchvox.com (still active for events). Online communities on Discord and Facebook can be supportive, but be cautious: some are full of gatekeeping. Finally, keep a journal. Record your dreams, the phases of the moon, and any small synchronicities. A simple composition notebook ($2) is perfect. Don’t buy a grimoire or special pen—use what you have. In my first year, I used a spiral notebook from the 99-cent store and wrote with a Bic pen. It still holds my most honest spiritual insights.

Pagans and the Wheel of the Year

Eight sabbats mark the Pagan calendar, roughly spaced six to seven weeks apart. They correspond to agricultural cycles and solar events, not arbitrary dates. Here’s the core eight with approximate dates and themes:

• Samhain (Oct 31–Nov 1): Celtic New Year, thinning of the veil, ancestor veneration.
• Yule (Winter Solstice, Dec 21–22): Rebirth of the sun, evergreen symbolism, candlelight.
• Imbolc (Feb 1–2): First signs of spring, Brigid’s flame, purification.
• Ostara (Spring Equinox, Mar 20–21): Balance of light and dark, planting seeds, eggs as symbols of fertility.
• Beltane (May 1): Fire festival, union of god and goddess, maypoles, sexuality honored.
• Litha (Summer Solstice, Jun 20–22): Height of solar power, bonfires, protection.
• Lammas / Lughnasadh (Aug 1–2): First harvest, grain offerings, gratitude.
• Mabon (Autumnal Equinox, Sep 21–22): Second harvest, balance, preparation for winter.

Some traditions in the southern hemisphere invert the dates to align with actual seasons. Many Pagans celebrate only the solstices and equinoxes, while others honor all eight. You don’t need to celebrate every single one your first year—I started just with Samhain and Yule. The most important thing is to observe with intention: light a candle, say a prayer, or simply pause and acknowledge the turning of the season. That’s enough.

Conclusion

Three things to take away: Paganism is diverse—there is no one right way to be Pagan, and you are free to explore until you find what resonates. It is a modern spiritual movement that draws on ancient sources, not a direct survival of pre-Christian religion, and that honesty about its own history makes it stronger. And finally, you can start today with zero tools and zero money. Sit outside at dusk, breathe in the cool air, and say a simple thank you to the earth beneath you. That is a Pagan act. If you want to go deeper, read one of the books I mentioned, and find one small ritual to try—maybe lighting a candle on the full moon. Don’t overthink it. The path unwinds as you walk it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all Pagans witches?

No. While around one-third of Pagans self-identify as witches, many do not practice witchcraft at all. Witchcraft is a skill or a craft—a set of practices involving spellwork, energy manipulation, and often folk magic—while Paganism is a religious identity. You can be a Pagan without ever casting a spell, and you can be a witch without being a Pagan (some witches are atheists or Christians). The overlap is large but not complete. If someone calls themselves a Pagan witch, they likely practice both; if they say “Pagan only,” respect that boundary.

Do Pagans worship Satan?

No. Satan is a figure from Christian theology, and Paganism is not built on that framework. Pagans worship deities from ancient polytheistic pantheons: Greek, Norse, Celtic, Egyptian, and others. The concept of a singular evil being is alien to most Pagan worldviews. If you encounter a group calling itself “Pagan” and also venerating Satan, they are either a rare edge case or a different movement entirely (like Luciferianism). About 1% of Pagans in the Census mentioned Satan in any context, usually as a symbol of rebellion, not worship.

Do I need to join a coven to be a Pagan?

Not at all. Surveys show that roughly 40% of Pagans practice entirely alone (solitaries). Many never join a coven or grove. Covens require regular attendance, hierarchy, and initiation, which doesn’t suit everyone. The internet has made solo practice much easier: you can learn rituals from blogs (like this one), YouTube, and books. That said, if you crave community, attending a public ritual (like an open sabbat) is a low-pressure way to try. You can always walk away. There is no requirement to be initiated into anything. Paganism belongs to anyone who feels called to it.