About Neopagan Animism
Those who come to participate in our rites are free to believe as they wish. There are many different and valid forms of belief within Neopaganism, and variations upon variations within those beliefs. However, rituals within The New Village Grove are performed under a certain set of assumptions of the nature of reality; these standpoints give our rites and events their unique flavor and atmosphere.
- The Gods and Spirits are Real - This worldview looks at the Gods and Spirits as separate, individual entities, with their own roles, preferences, and agendas. Some may be powerful, others may not be; they may merge or dis-join as they will, but none are mere archetypes or pieces of an overarching “God” or “Goddess” entity. This is known as a “hard” polytheistic approach.
- The Universe is Manifold - There are many dimensions to reality. The Celts called these the “Otherworlds”, whereas the Norse recognize them as the “Nine Worlds” of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. Spirits may come from any of these worlds, or even our own. We acknowledge this within our ritual, an act called “Recreating the Cosmos.”
- Yes Virginia, There Is an Afterlife - As there are many dimensions of reality, there are also many places that the spirit of a physical thing (like a human or an animal) might go after death, maybe even to reincarnation in this world. Therefore, we also acknowledge our Ancestors when we perform our rites.
- Living With Virtue - We espouse a virtuous life as its own reward, both in this life, and in lives that might come before or after this one. Central to these virtues is the concept of *ghosti, or equitable exchanges between two parties. We acknowledge in rite, therefore, that what we have given to the Gods and Spirits will come back to us in the form of blessings and aid.
- Magic Is Real - Many mythologies expound on the use of magic by humans, and this is indeed one of the purposes of religious ritual. In addition, there are several kinds, which accomplish tasks in different ways.
