Non-Woo Paganism?

[MurderOfGoths]

I can't be the only Pagan who thinks of myself as Pagan due to belief in nature being the greatest power and worth celebrating? I find it really difficult to find others who count themselves as Pagan and yet don't believe in "Woo" stuff like magic, fortune telling, fairies etc.

I have no supernatural beliefs at all. I don't feel I need them, nature is wonderful and amazing enough with needing to believe in something more.

I don't believe that magic/fortune telling exists at all, I believe it's all psychology. The human mind is an amazingly powerful and complex thing, I think that psychology alone is mindblowing.

In my mind Paganism sits far more comfortably alongside science rather than the supernatural. I mean how on earth can you celebrate the wonder of nature and yet not believe that is enough?

I'm struggling to think of any books that are definitively Pagan and non-woo - beginning to see a gap in the market! Most neo-pagan authors seem quite heavy on ritual aspects. There is a book called Green Spirituality by Rosa Romani that outlines a way of connecting with nature in everyday life, though i wouldn't say it was entirely free from woo. If you are interested in what the 'old religion' was really about there is a book by Ronald Hutton called The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles - it is quite acadamic though (not saying that is a bad thing, just not a quick read!). If you haven't read any of his books give him a go.

I would also recommend anything by Satish Kumar, a wonderful proponent of how to live a simple life connected to nature - have a look at Earth Pilgrim or No Destination. Tbh most of my spiritual inspiration is drawn from yoga, where the whole point is to make that connection with the greater spiritual conciousness all around us, of which of course we are part. One of the best books i've read explaining yoga philosophy (or at least one version of it) is Yoga Beyond Belief by Ganga White. It draws more on Hinduism than Paganism, but it takes you to the same place, if that makes sense.

That does make sense Mostly!

I saw Satish Kumar speak last year, he was inspirational!

I'll give those books a go. Perhaps one of you could write the non-woo one I'm looking for?!

Grockle I love that!

There's definitely a gap in the market for non-woo books!

Ronald Hutton's books are about as far from non-woo paganism as you can get. His research is fascinating stuff. Philip Hesselton has also written some books on the history of Wicca in the UK, but his books aren't as academically rigorous as Hutton's. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just means that Hutton can't quote stuff without academically verifiable back up sources, where as Hesselton can.

This thread is really interesting.

I briefly started reading about wicca a few years ago but stopped as it was very woo. However, the pagan festivals really make sense to me. I am atheist, but I am undecided about the supernatural. Mainly because I cannot say it doesnt exist and be 100% sure.

Watching this with interest.

I think you can buy any book, no matter how woo and take from it what you feel is true to yourself and your family. We have lots of books and I just skim the woo stuff and take from them what I need.

So is anyone already thinking ahead to Beltane (and hoping for good weather!) and making plans?