What is Dark Paganism?
"What is Dark Paganism" by John Coughlin, author of "Out of the Shadows: An Exploration of Dark Paganism and Magick".
1) Dark Paganism is a movement within modern Paganism to reclaim the dark portion of the light-dark polarity that has been denied or ignored by those who have confused this polarity with the good-bad dualism of the Judeo-Christian culture. Darkness is not the same as evil. This confusion has been caused by the increase in popularity of Pagan religions, particularly Wicca, and a lack of formal training and proper initiation. (By initiation I refer to the internal process that both a solitary, or member of a group experiences.)
Without such an initiation the practitioner remains trapped in the dualistic mindset of his or her religion of birth and misinterprets the concepts of polarity and monism found in Paganism. Such reclaiming of darkness includes the acceptance of our shadow - the (usually) negative aspects of ourselves we refuse ( often unconsciously) to accept as being an aspect of us. Such Dark Pagans challenge contemporary thought to ensure that one's beliefs hold true to themselves and are not simply the result of repression or conditioning. It is important to be challenged since it allows us to think and reflect on what we believe and helps strengthen our true beliefs in the process.
2) Dark Paganism is the incorporation of dark imagery, such as gothic imagery, that tends to have a death-related theme. Such Dark Pagans are not obsessed with death but rather fascinated by, and drawn to, its symbolism. Through dark imagery the individual is made more aware of themselves and of the sacredness of life as well as the importance to live life to the fullest while always remaining true to who we are. Focus is on self exploration and expression.
3) Dark Paganism is the form of Paganism that is attuned with the internal or "dark" school or approach to spirituality. As explained in my book, spirituality can be approached in one of two ways: internally or externally. The internal approach has an emphasis on the Self. Concepts of deity and ethics are less of a focus or are based on personal perception and experience.
The external approach works within a set framework. Deity is defined, religious practices are more structured, and ethics are decreed by an external authority figure and usually very specific in detailing appropriate behavior. Both approaches are viable but only the individual can determine which approach is best for him or her. Some work better in a rigid and structured approach while others work better in a highly personal experience.
Dark Paganism, in this respect, merely delineates those Pagans who operate within an internal approach from those of an external approach since there are some inherent differences in how they operate. A spiritual path following an internal approach encourages one to explore those aspects society or culture may label as taboo so that we can come to our own conclusion. By doing this, Dark Pagans free themselves of the social conditioning that often suffocates self expression and individuation as they strive to become more whole.
All three of the above definitions help explain what Dark Paganism is by touching upon the nature of how it is approached. They all tend to merge into each other. While some Dark Pagans may operate under all three definitions, others may just fall under one. As with darkness itself, Dark Paganism cannot easily be defined. This is because darkness is by nature linked to our unconscious and thus is very personal.
It is the nature of darkness to always remain elusive to strict delineation. The more one attempts to define it, the further one gets from it. Like the Tao of Taoist thought, darkness must be experienced to be understood. It must be embraced and incorporated into one's being to be appreciated. Attempting to "shine the light of reason" onto it only removes us from it.
~~From the files of ShaamAnsu
(I've had this in the files for a time..lol)
1) Dark Paganism is a movement within modern Paganism to reclaim the dark portion of the light-dark polarity that has been denied or ignored by those who have confused this polarity with the good-bad dualism of the Judeo-Christian culture. Darkness is not the same as evil. This confusion has been caused by the increase in popularity of Pagan religions, particularly Wicca, and a lack of formal training and proper initiation. (By initiation I refer to the internal process that both a solitary, or member of a group experiences.)
Without such an initiation the practitioner remains trapped in the dualistic mindset of his or her religion of birth and misinterprets the concepts of polarity and monism found in Paganism. Such reclaiming of darkness includes the acceptance of our shadow - the (usually) negative aspects of ourselves we refuse ( often unconsciously) to accept as being an aspect of us. Such Dark Pagans challenge contemporary thought to ensure that one's beliefs hold true to themselves and are not simply the result of repression or conditioning. It is important to be challenged since it allows us to think and reflect on what we believe and helps strengthen our true beliefs in the process.
2) Dark Paganism is the incorporation of dark imagery, such as gothic imagery, that tends to have a death-related theme. Such Dark Pagans are not obsessed with death but rather fascinated by, and drawn to, its symbolism. Through dark imagery the individual is made more aware of themselves and of the sacredness of life as well as the importance to live life to the fullest while always remaining true to who we are. Focus is on self exploration and expression.
3) Dark Paganism is the form of Paganism that is attuned with the internal or "dark" school or approach to spirituality. As explained in my book, spirituality can be approached in one of two ways: internally or externally. The internal approach has an emphasis on the Self. Concepts of deity and ethics are less of a focus or are based on personal perception and experience.
The external approach works within a set framework. Deity is defined, religious practices are more structured, and ethics are decreed by an external authority figure and usually very specific in detailing appropriate behavior. Both approaches are viable but only the individual can determine which approach is best for him or her. Some work better in a rigid and structured approach while others work better in a highly personal experience.
Dark Paganism, in this respect, merely delineates those Pagans who operate within an internal approach from those of an external approach since there are some inherent differences in how they operate. A spiritual path following an internal approach encourages one to explore those aspects society or culture may label as taboo so that we can come to our own conclusion. By doing this, Dark Pagans free themselves of the social conditioning that often suffocates self expression and individuation as they strive to become more whole.
All three of the above definitions help explain what Dark Paganism is by touching upon the nature of how it is approached. They all tend to merge into each other. While some Dark Pagans may operate under all three definitions, others may just fall under one. As with darkness itself, Dark Paganism cannot easily be defined. This is because darkness is by nature linked to our unconscious and thus is very personal.
It is the nature of darkness to always remain elusive to strict delineation. The more one attempts to define it, the further one gets from it. Like the Tao of Taoist thought, darkness must be experienced to be understood. It must be embraced and incorporated into one's being to be appreciated. Attempting to "shine the light of reason" onto it only removes us from it.
~~From the files of ShaamAnsu
(I've had this in the files for a time..lol)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lady Anastasia on -
I like Spoonie's response
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Permalink Reply by Coyote on -
LoL, I'm not saying it wasn't good, was a fine response, just that I think dark or light Paganism, the idea gives a sense of more control than we actually have.
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Permalink Reply by Kelyla na Fili..Daughter of Danu on -
"Dark Paganism is a movement within modern Paganism to reclaim the dark portion of the light-dark polarity that has been denied or ignored by those who have confused this polarity with the good-bad dualism of the Judeo-Christian culture."
Ready for my two cents.....I personally get irritated when folks try to start " light" or "dark". Why do folks try to make the Pagan world more difficult than what it is. No wonder so many confused folks around. I, myself, believe so called dark and light is not a form of Paganism but a mood a person is in a the moment of workings. Lets say the kids pissed you off and you feel the need to pull energies for boundaries. Look at most protection or reflection energies and they are labeled dark....why? Because 9 times out of 10 you are in a dark mood when dealing with this. To me there can not be a form of Paganism referred to as Dark. All forms of Paganism have a dark half because we all need balance, we all know that, Paganism 101. But we seem to forget that it is the individual who creates the flow around him. In my younger....cough....80's Pagan period I was screaming hell yes to Heavy Metal and Satan. Y? Because at a young age I knew my spiritual father had horns. But because of the fact that Satanism is supposed to be the " screw you" of Catholicism, then one had to be this " dark and hateful" folk. Because Jesus is " love & life". ANYWAY....later in my age I realized I was seeing Cernunnos and as the Father of the Wildthings how can he be such a Dark force and my mood changed. Same person, same Father, some internal flow but I was the one who seemed to shift the current of my energy. But don't piss me off. It will get dark real quick....know what I mean? ( remember only my opinion)
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Permalink Reply by Kelyla na Fili..Daughter of Danu on
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Ha that was what I was thinking!!
Coyote said:Is it being Pagan with the lights off? :)
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