Modern Paganism in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives (Religion in Contemporary Cultures)

The most comprehensive study available of neo-pagan religious movements in North America and Europe.Modern Paganism in World Cultures collects the work of specialists in religion, folklore, and related fields to provide a comprehensive treatment of the movement to reestablish pre-Christian religions. Detailed accounts of the belief systems and rituals of each religion, along with analysis of the cultural, social, and political factors fueling the return to ancestral religious practice, make this a rich, singular resource.Scandinavian Asatru, Latvian Dievturi, American Wicca—long-dormant religions are taking on new life as people seek connection with their heritage and look for more satisfying approaches to the pressures of postmodernism. The Neopagan movement is a small but growing influence in Western culture. This book provides a map to these resurgent religions and an examination of the origins of the Neopagan movement. Modern Paganism in World Cultures collects the work of specialists in religion, folklore, and related fields to provide a comprehensive treatment of the movement to reestablish pre-Christian religions. Detailed accounts of the belief systems and rituals of each religion, along with analysis of the cultural, social, and political factors fueling the return to ancestral religious practice, make this a rich, singular resource.Scandinavian Asatru, Latvian Dievturi, American Wiccaolong-dormant religions are taking on new life as people seek connection with their heritage and look for more satisfying approaches to the pressures of postmodernism. The Neopagan movement is a small but growing influence in Western culture. This book provides a map to these resurgent religions and an examination of the origins of the Neopagan movement. Modern Paganism in World Cultures collects the work of specialists in religion, folklore, and related fields to provide a comprehensive treatment of the movement to reestablish pre-Christian religions. Detailed accounts of the belief systems and rituals of each religion, along with analysis of the cultural, social, and political factors fueling the return to ancestral religious practice, make this a rich, singular resource. Scandinavian Asatru, Latvian Dievturi, American Wiccalong-dormant religions are taking on new life as people seek connection with their heritage and look for more satisfying approaches to the pressures of postmodernism. The Neopagan movement is a small but growing influence in Western culture. This book provides a map to these resurgent religions and an examination of the origins of the Neopagan movement. Modern Paganism In World Cultures : Comparative Perspectives / Michael F. Strmiska -- Italian American Stregheria And Wicca : Ethnic Ambivalence In American Neopaganism / Sabina Magliocco -- Druidry In Contemporary Ireland / Jenny Butler -- Asatru : Nordic Paganism In Iceland And America / Michael F. Strmiska And Baldur A. Sigurvinsson -- Heathenry, The Past, And Sacred Sites In Today's Britain / Jenny Blain -- The Revival Of Ukrainian Native Faith / Adrian Ivakhiv -- Romuva : Lithuanian Paganism In Lithuania And America / Michael F. Strmiska And Vilius Rudra Dundzila -- Onward Pagan Soldiers : Paganism In The U.s. Military / Stephanie Urquhart. Edited By Michael Strmiska. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 363-365) And Index. Modern paganism in world cultures : comparative perspectives / Michael F. Strmiska Italian American Stregheria and Wicca : ethnic ambivalence in American neopaganism / Sabina Magliocco Druidry in contemporary Ireland / Jenny Butler Asatru : Nordic paganism in Iceland and America / Michael F. Strmiska and Baldur A. Sigurvinsson Heathenry, the past, and sacred sites in today's Britain / Jenny Blain Romuva : Lithuanian paganism in Lithuania and America / Michael Strmiska and Vilius Rudra Dundzila The revival of Ukrainian native faith / Adrian Ivakhiv Onward pagan soldiers : paganism in the U.S. military / Stephanie Urquhart. Preliminaries......Page 1 Contents......Page 5 Modern Paganism in World Cultures......Page 11 Italian American Stregheria and Wicca......Page 65 Druidry in Contemporary Ireland......Page 97 Asatru: Nordic Paganism in Iceland and America......Page 117 Heathenry, the Past, and Sacred Sites in Today’s Britain......Page 191 The Revival of Ukrainian Native Faith......Page 219 Lithuanian Paganism in Lithuania and America......Page 251 Onward Pagan Soldiers......Page 309 Index......Page 377 A study of Neopagan religious movements in North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe where people increasingly turn to ancestral religions, not as amusement or matters of passing interest, but in an effort to practice those religions as they were before the advent of Christianity