The Path
Our Beliefs
A living faith built on truth, justice, and care for the Earth. These are the beliefs and tenets that guide our path.
Foundation
Basic Beliefs of Neo Paganus
There was some primordial force or forces that began the universe and guided its expansion. Whether this force or forces became deified and what their original intention was, is unknown to us. Gods live and die — or rather they ebb and flow, wax and wane. Knowing this, we acknowledge and remember whatever those creating forces were.
As with all things, we humans started off as something else and evolved to this point. There is a balance to all things. We are all connected to each other and to all the plants, animals, the earth, sky and sea. This stretches back through time and moves beyond the sight of our future, weaving us together for all of eternity.
All things have a soul, and that soul is eternal, lasting long after our mortal shells turn to dust. Our souls may travel through multiple realms through their existence. Some souls may return to Earth and take on a mortal life again, while some may simply wish to guide and protect their families and progeny.
The Neo Paganus are not the only Gods. There are many others and they all deserve our understanding and respect. Followers of other faiths are welcome in our temples, and can take place in worship, rituals and events so long as they are respectful.
Try to live in harmony with Nature and your fellows. Speak truth in the face of lies. Science and Magic are real and balance one another. Defend the helpless, abused and oppressed. Honor and respect yourself and others. Be charitable when able. These are the basic guidestones of our path.
Sacred Guidestones
Tenets of Neo Paganus
The gods are real and have sway in this world. Not only the Neo Paganus, but the old gods of the ancients, the God of the Abrahamic Religions, Folk Deities, the Buddha, etc. All are real and should be respected, just as we should respect those that choose to follow them. In the end, we are all children of the divine, searching for our place in the universe and answers to our eternal questions. There is no single path, no one right answer.
All things have a soul. Every person and animal, every tree and stone, every craft and building. As such, all things are sacred and deserve our understanding and respect.
Magic and Science are two halves of the same coin. Both are real and have their purposes in this world. They should be respected and revered and practiced the same way.
Speak the truth, be fair in your judgment and be right in your actions. Admit your wrong doings and hold yourself accountable for your actions and inactions. Forgive when able, Remember and pray for those that you cannot. Condemn evil and injustice, but be sure not to use their words or weapons, lest you fall prey to their ways.
There is no such thing as an "illegal" person. We are all born into this world equal. No line on a map should offer justification to withhold basic human rights. Neither should a lack of wealth or social standing.
Each and every person deserves love and respect, regardless of their race, ethnicity, nationality, country of origin, gender, gender identity, sexuality, age, handicap, disease, or religion.
Honor and Love yourself. It can be harder to do this than it is to do it for others… but it is a necessary and worthwhile task. Honor and Love others, but guard your heart and health as sadly, not everyone will treat you with love and honor.
Love is Love. So long as that love is between consenting adults, then it should be praised and respected. For it is both a divine and human right, and no marriage will be denied that honors love and consent of those involved.
Human rights are not a topic of debate. They are not only a divine right of all creatures and entities in this universe, but also necessary for the balance of our society and development of our future.
Bodily autonomy is paramount for all persons. This means that access to healthcare that supports a person's choices for their own body (organ donation, abortion or gender affirming care) is considered a sacred right in our religion.
Be charitable when you are able. Give only when and what you can. This can be monetary donations for worthy causes, food, clothing and time. On the other hand, be open to accepting charity when you need it as well. As you take care of our community, our community can help take care of you in turn.
The Realms
Neo Paganus Cosmology
Earabis
The Earth — Mortal Realm
This is the mortal realm, the physical Earth and the place we all live. The realm of elementals, mortals, animals and other Eara. The Earth is an actual paradise that we are all a part of, partners with and also the wardens of. It is our duty and our honor to serve and protect the Earth — she is our mother and is the only home we have. As the Earth is a living, breathing thing, with greater understanding than our own, some of our followers may choose to honor her in worship as a goddess of the Neo Paganus.
Amrabis
The Dark World
This is the realm of the Amra. It both intersects and is separate from the Earth. A world in the dark, on the other side of the mirror, out of the corner of your eye. Always there but also always out of reach. If one's misdeeds lead them to creating an Amra, then our collective misdeeds were the drumming in the void that created Amrabis. From here, the Amra reach forth to spread mischief, corruption, lies and other misdeeds.
Sonrabis
The Other World
Sonrabis, or The Other World, is the place where our souls go when we die. Here we are judged by what we have said and done and based on those things, it is determined where we end up. Some people may end up with everything they desire. Others may end up in a place very much like the Earth they left, and others may find what awaits them to be less than pleasant. Be it Heaven or Hell, it will be what we have made.
Hyrabis
Realm of the Gods
What we would consider the realm of the Neo Paganus and other Gods, divine spirits and Hyra. It is here that the Gods live and whisper their influence to us and our world. It is an ever changing and unknowable plane by our mortal comprehension and looks different based on the whims of the gods as well as its own.
Beyond
The Infinite
There are worlds, realms and dimensions far beyond what has been mentioned here. The amount verges on the infinite. Suffice to say, we believe that there is life beyond our little blue and green world, realms inhabited by beings we cannot comprehend, and levels of consciousness that transcend dimensions.
Sacred Practice
Our Views on Offerings
Offerings are not a required part of our religion. Our gods, our ancestors and our spirits do not do what they do for us as part of some kind of transaction. They have their own reasons for helping us in our time of need, just as they may have their own reasons for withholding that help.
Should you want to offer something in thanks to them, on Holidays, or just because — you are most certainly free to do so. Reciprocity is one way to look at this. While not required, gifts and offerings to the Gods do help build a relationship, just as the gods grant us gifts or boons to build relationships with us.
Offerings can be almost anything: simple stones or plants, drawings and poems, food and drink, simple prayers of thanks spoken aloud, lighting a candle in their honor, or dedicating your time and effort to a task they are associated with.
Sacrifices will not be made to any of the Neo Paganus, willing or otherwise, for any reason. Life and death are sacred parts of our experience as mortals. Our blood, our bodies, and our souls are not a currency for trading. The Neo Paganus will never ask for anyone to surrender their life or harm themselves or others. If something does ask, it is an Amra masquerading as one of the gods.
Sacred Color
What's With All the Purple?
Why are our temples painted or trimmed in purple? Why are the temple altars and festivals covered with purple decorations? Why do so many of our Priests, Priestesses and devotees choose to wear purple to meetings and festivals?
It's partially a stylistic choice and partially something else. Purple stands outside of the greyscale and primary colors that often splatter the palettes of today's world. It's different — and as we are new and growing, we want to be seen and spark interest.
On a deeper level, purple has long been associated with royalty and in that regard, we hope to honor the Neo Paganus. But the color purple has so many other associations:
Creativity & Imagination
Spirituality & Wisdom
Mystery & Magic
Balance & Harmony
It is with these associations in mind that we don our purple with pride!
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