Pagans and NeoPagans (and Kabala)

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Registered: 10-29-2004
Pagans and NeoPagans (and Kabala)
5
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 2:50am
Merry Meet everyone ..... StormyMoon here

What is the difference between Pagans and NeoPagans....all the information I'm getting is not very clear.

Next question. What is Kabala or Kabbalah? I was reading the history of the tarot and found the term. I also was learning on the Torah codes (the 5 books of Moses in the Jewish faith) and found the same term - Kabbalah or Kabala. Is this one in the same things? I guess one has influenced the other.?! Below is where I copied and pasted both paragraphs on this.

Site 1: Kabbalah, «kab uh LAH», is the traditional name for the teachings of Jewish mysticism. The term—also spelled Cabala, Kabala, or kabbala—means what is handed down or received in Hebrew.

Kabbalah is the traditional name for the teachings of Jewish mysticism. the link is: http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wb/Article?id=ar293570

Site 2: Tarot cards (or taroc cards, or tarocchi cards) were originally used for playing a card game called tarocchi, and had no more (or less) to do with foretelling the future than did other types of playing cards. The major arcana cards did hold secret symbolic meanings for Sufis, who influenced the kabala - this is why correlations are sometimes drawn between the kabala and tarot cards. In card games, the 22 major arcana cards were trump cards, and the 56 minor arcana cards in four suits are similar to today's standard deck of 52 cards in four suits, with the obvious difference being that the tarot deck has fourteen cards in each suit. Link: http://www.tarot-decks.com/tarotarticle.htm

Just wondering if anyone know if this is a connection to each teachings or not. If so what is the story? How did this connention get started? Do the Jewish use the tarot card (I didn't think that they did). I'm in the middle of some major studies right now and needing some help.

I'll post this on the boards: Faith & Spirituality, Jewish Parenting, Pagan Paths and Tarot to try to get many different replys as I can. This IS important in my studies to know this answer.....Many Thanks to you all.

Merry we part......

StormyMoon



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 4:31pm
from the Religious Tolerance, on Neo-Paganism, their web site, http://www.religioustolerance.org/neo_paga.htm :

"A NEOPAGAN religion is a modern faith which has been recently reconstructed from beliefs, deities, symbols, practices and other elements of an ancient religion."

and on Pagan, http://www.religioustolerance.org/paganism.htm :

"Everybody has their favorite definition of "Pagan." Most people are convinced that their meaning is the correct one. But no consensus exists, even within a single faith tradition or religion."

Meanings of PAGAN:

"First meaning: Pagans consist of Wiccans and other Neopagans: We recommend that this should be the primary definition of "Pagan," for the simple reason that many Wiccans and other Neopagans embrace the term for themselves. "Paganism" in this sense refers to a range of spiritual paths which are Earth centered -- involving their members living in harmony with the Earth and observing its cycles. These are often Neopagan religions based on the deities, symbols, practices, seasonal days of celebration and other surviving components of ancient religions, which had been long suppressed."

"Second meaning: Pagans are people to hate: Religious and social conservatives sometimes use "Pagan" as a general purpose "snarl" word to refer to cultures or religions that are very different from the speaker's. There is no general consensus as to meaning. It can be seen directed at any religious or cultural group that the speaker hates."

"Third meaning: Pagans are ancient polytheists: The term "Pagan" is sometimes used to refer to ancient polytheistic religions: The Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) contains many references to the societies surrounding the Israelites -- Babylonians, Canaanites, Philistines, etc. These are commonly referred to as Pagans."

"Fourth meaning: Pagans follow Aboriginal religions: Paganism is occasionally used to refer to animistic, spirits-and-essences filled belief systems. It is based upon direct perception of the forces of nature and usually involves the use of idols, talismans and taboos in order to convey respect for these forces and beings. Many native, aboriginal religions fit this definition."

"Fifth meaning: Pagans are non-Abramics: A rare use of "Pagan" is to describe a person who does not follow an Abramic religion. That is, their faith does not recognize Abraham as a patriarch."

"Sixth meaning: Pagans are Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, etc: The term "Pagan" was widely used by Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, etc. to refer to themselves. The word was also used by others to describe these groups. The usage dropped after the rise of Neopaganism in the middle of the 20th century, and is rarely seen today. "

***Now, that said, LOL! :D -- my personal use is the word Pagan as a very general term encompassing all non-Christianity religions. I never use the term neopagan because it's has more derogatory connotations to me personally. I prefer to use accurate information, such as Wiccan, Druid, and so forth for clarity. There is a lot of good information regarding "terminology" on the links above about this, and no universal clarity at all, LOL! :P

ON KABBALLA: Here's a link found on the Religious Tolerance site:

A home page dealing with the Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) is at: http://www.kabbalah.com/kabbalah/

or, http://torahsearch.com/page.cfm/161 "Kabbalah is the deepest dimension of the Torah."

As for Tarot, you could do a search on the Religious Tolerance web site, which is where I found the information above. There are several links that came up for Tarot as well. I have not studied Kaballa nor Tarot as far as using either myself (although I have *had* Tarot readings...), so I'm afraid I can't help you on this part of your questioning.

Good luck in finding your answers! :P I hope I've helped a bit...

Gypsy



Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



iVillage Member
Registered: 12-31-2003
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 6:25pm

Hi Stormymoon, welcome to the Faith & Spirituality board.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2004
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 10:06am
Thank you Gypsy....I'm a pagan but couldn't understand the difference in the pagans and neopagan. I was asked which one I was and I didn't know how to answer. Now with your help I can look into this even more and answer this question. I currently study wicca. Looking into other thing now. I enjoy learning new things. I don't know how to define who and what I am in the religion. I'm trying to find out. You've helped me greatly!!!

Druidism is one thing I'm starting to learn. Just barely looked into it. The Qabalah is on my list too. As is auras.

Merry we part

StormyMoon

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2004
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 10:17am
Thank you too!!!!

I've been a Tarot reader for the last couple of years and trying to learn more about them as well. Just started to look into this and thought this is the first place I should be looking and asking. Everyone here is so knowledgeable in there fields of study. I'm 32 and really getting into my Pagan beliefs. I was Christian and Wiccan both. But cut away most of the Christian beliefs. Now I want to know who I am as a Pagan. Gypsy and you have been most helpful. Hugs to both of you.

Merry we part

StormyMoon

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 5:46pm

Glad I helped some! I like the Religious Tolerance web site. Lots of good info there... :P I describe myself as an "Eclectic Solitary Wiccan with Zen Leanings," LOL! Covering all the bases, Hee! Hee! Now I'll perhaps have to add Druid, too, maybe... That's the wonderful thing about learning about new paths -- some even empower your existing path and move you further toward Spirit! :))

Blessings,
Gypsy




Edited 11/16/2004 5:47 pm ET ET by gypsywolfwoman


Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(