Although ancient Pagan religious practices, including deity worship and seasonal rituals, have been syncretized for millennia with Christian and other religious traditions, witchcraft was outlawed and persecuted in early modern Europe and America. A series of accusations of witchcraft and investigations involving torture led to the killing of thousands, if not millions.... Read more about Ancient Roots, Historical Challenges

A series of academic studies on Paganism in the mid-20th century, some of which have since been challenged, helped to revitalize the tradition and provided inspiration for contemporary practice. Pagan beliefs differ, but many uphold the pluralistic view that there are many valid religious paths. In addition most Pagans privilege an individual's spiritual knowledge and experience over any organized form of religion or spirituality.... Read more about Traditions, Texts, and Values

More and more Americans identify as Pagan today and are drawn to this tradition for many reasons, including its life-affirming spirituality and its reverence for the feminine. Although many Pagans tend toward more individualistic religious practice, many American Pagans have begun to gather more often in person and over the internet.... Read more about Contemporary Resurgence in America

Today, many people are drawn to Paganism for its affirmation of female, LGBT, and queer people. Prominent queer practitioners like Zsusanna Budapest and T. Thorn Coyle have helped pioneer the tradition for the modern era.... Read more about Sacred Bodies

Pagan traditions and expressions vary widely and can involve communal outdoor rituals, solitary meditation or contemplation, or the use of symbols, talismans, or altars. Pagan magick is a spiritual practice aimed at creating change in an individual and in the world through prayer and physical actions.... Read more about What Do Pagans Do?

Many Pagans emphasize physical practice, often through rites of passage and regular or seasonal communal rituals.  One particular place of focus for a plethora of Pagan practitioners is the lunar cycle, with the full moon serving as a time to meet and perform rituals together.... Read more about Communal Worship, Rites of Passage

Pagan celebrations are often linked to agricultural cycles, reinforcing Pagans’ attunement to the natural world and its seasonal changes. Specific Pagan practitioners may celebrate additional holidays related to deities or historical traditions.... Read more about Cycles of Celebration

Pagans recognize a relationship between ancient religious cultures and many aspects of contemporary American society, including the holiday of Halloween. Issues of concern for today's Pagans often include environmentalism, religious liberty, personal ethics and the rights of minorities.... Read more about Contributing to the Common Good

While Pagan practice is sometimes kept private, it is also made public through open rituals and festivals, interfaith dialogue, involvement in civil rights campaigns, and organization at conferences like the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Such publicity, to some degree, has helped Paganism shed its negative reputation in contemporary America.... Read more about Public Paganism