Answer: Rural, rustic
The word pāgānus refers to someone of the countryside, rural, villager, civilian and by extension, rustic or uneducated. The term Paganism was first used in the fourth century by early Christians to refer to people in the Roman empire who practiced religions other than Judaism. Pagans were typically rural or provincial, and not 'soldiers of Christ'. Other terms for this class of people included Hellene, gentile and heathen. During the middle ages, the term Pagan was used for anyone practicing a non-Christian religion and worshipping what was perceived as a false God.
From Quiz: Beginner's Guide to Paganism
Answer: Edward Alexander Crowley
Crowley was named Edward Alexander, and his family gave him the nickname Alick (which he detested) in his childhood. He adopted the name Aleister in his teens.
From Quiz: Aleister Crowley and Thelema
Answer: Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa
Published between 1531 and 1533, Agrippa's "Three Books" was one of the first works to try and present a coherent theory of magic. It also tried to reconcile the Church and the magician, arguing that licit, "natural magic" was a valid means of interacting with the whole of God's creation.
From Quiz: Ceremonial Magic
Answer: The Freemasons
The Golden Dawn was founded in 1888 by William Westcott, William Woodman and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, all of whom were Freemasons. William Westcott claimed possession of coded papers that showed the group as a branch of the German Rosicrucian Order, and it was these papers that laid down the basics of the organisation and rituals of the movement. However Samuel Mathers proved to be the prime motivator for the group, spending much of his time researching old grimoires and fusing Westcott's papers with Egyptian, Jewish and Greek magic, along with tarot and Eastern mysticism, into one coherent structure that laid down the final hierarchy, degrees and rituals used in The Golden Dawn.
From Quiz: The Golden Dawn
Answer: Elder
"Elder be the lady's tree/ Burn it not or cursed you'll be".
From Quiz: How much do you really know about Paganism?
Answer: teach or even speak about Wicca with their child
Judge Cale Bradford of the Marion Superior Court ruled that Thomas Jones and Tammie Bristol, both practicing Wiccans going through divorce, could not teach or even speak to their child about Wicca. In August of 2005 a state appeals court ruled in a unanimous decision to uphold a parents' right to share his or her religion with their child. Judge Bradford then said, "This case was never about freedom of religion, I support freedom of religion, and not just mine, either. That includes the Wiccans. I have nothing against the Wiccans of the world, I wish them all the best." In an Indianapolis newspaper Bradford was quoted as saying he gave the case a brief review before approving it last year, indicating there were initial concerns that some of the Wiccan rituals may have endangered the boy's health. Later, after a more thorough review of the court record, he discovered that wasn't the case.
From Quiz: Witches and Wiccans and Pagans Oh My
Answer: Homoeopathic/Imitative and Contagious
Imitative magic works on the principle that "like produces like"; imitating a process will bring that process about. Contageous magic, on the other hand, posits that objects that have been in contact with a person are still "telepathically" connected with that person and that by doing something to such an object, a magician can cause the same effect on the person to whom it belonged. According to Frazer, all magic is "atheistic"--there are no deities involved. When a superior being is invoked, he terms the process religious, not magical. He also makes no real distinction between "black" or "white" magic. Finally, one of his central theses is that all cultures--regardless of Eastern, Western, or other regional orientations--pass through very similar phases of development, and thus magic and other practices cannot be classified ethnically or geographically.
From Quiz: Magic from "The Golden Bough"
Answer: Familiar
As mentioned in the question, the above definition is a very basic one and, particularly in the past, this did not necessarily mean a physical creature. In today's Neo-paganism the term has embraced the concept of the familiar being some creature in the physical form. Likewise, the concept that the animal is inhabited by a spirit being has faded and the bond these days tends to be more of an emotional bond.
Familiars can be traced back to the days of the fearsome witch hunts, so prevalent during the fifteenth century, where these creatures (familiars) were believed to have been the gifts of Satan. Then, the concept of animals being inhabited by good spirits, such as fairies, grew out of the Scandinavian countries. These spirits had strong links to nature and were viewed in a positive light. That changed with the spread of Christianity where any spirit not an angel was considered to be a demon, so the Pagan tradition went underground.
From Quiz: Creature Comforts
Answer: Earth religion
Earth-based religions include any that worship the Earth, nature or fertility deities. Paganism, which is a nature-based religion, is included in this group. Also included is Wicca, which is a belief in an Earth mother goddess; Druidism, which equates divinity with the natural world; and Animism, which believes that all living entities (plants, humans and animals) possess a spirit.
From Quiz: Beginner's Guide to Paganism
Answer: Love is the law, love under will.
The response to the greeting "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" is "Love is the law, love under will." Crowley used this when meeting someone, to open and close letters, to open and close lectures, etc. In these lamentably hasty days, especially in electronic media, many Thelemites use the number 93 as shorthand, in place of these sentences, for reasons based on the gematria, or "numerology," of certain key words.
All of the responses in this question, as well as the greeting itself, are from the Book of the Law.
From Quiz: Aleister Crowley and Thelema
Answer: All of these are correct spellings.
The Hebrew word is QBLH (qoph beth lamed heh) meaning roughly "received," i.e. an oral tradition. It has been transliterated into English in all these forms over the centuries. While some moderns (Jewish and Gentile) have suggested specific connotations for each of these (kabbalah for contemporary Jewish studies, in the writings of scholars like Kaplan, Scholem, and Idel; qabalah for modern occultists like Crowley and Fortune; cabala for classical Christian scholars like Agrippa and della Mirandola), these have never really caught on, and authors in the various areas of qabalistic study tend to use whichever spelling they prefer.
From Quiz: Ceremonial Magic
Answer: Egyptian
Part of Samuel Mather's research claimed that The Golden Dawn could trace its roots back to Ancient Egypt and connect with those Gods. The first temple, in London, was named Isis-Urania, and this concentrated on philosophical and metaphysical teachings, but once the members had completed the entire course of study and graduated to the next level, other temples quickly followed. Osiris in Weston-super-Mare, Horus in Bradford and Amen-Ra in Edinburgh were all started in a very short space of time, followed a few years later by Ahathoor in Paris.
From Quiz: The Golden Dawn
Answer: By putting dirt from his footprint in a pot and planting a marigold in it
The theory here is that, since the marigold never fades, so will the young man's love never fade. Frazer lists many rituals involving footprints, including the injuring of a man by pricking his print with the sting of a stingray among the folk of New Britain.
From Quiz: Magic from "The Golden Bough"
Answer: Belief in more than one God
Polytheism is the belief in more than one God and was the dominant view prior to the spread of monotheistic religions such as Islam and Christianity. There are several religions that hold this view, including Taoism, Shenism, Japanese Shinto, and various Neopagan faiths. Within the Pagan movement, there is the belief in multiple Gods and Goddesses, who often take on human form and therefore possess human flaws. They are not seen as perfect but as wise and powerful. One exception to this polytheistic view is a form of Ukrainian Paganism which believes in one God called Dazhbog.
From Quiz: Beginner's Guide to Paganism
Answer: Thelema and Agape
Thelema (Will) and Agape (Love) both have a value of 93 according to the numeric value assigned to the Greek letters with which they are spelled. Thelema refers to the word "Will" in "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." Agape to the word "Love" in "Love is the law, love under will."
From Quiz: Aleister Crowley and Thelema
Answer: Mathers, Westcott, Woodman
Samuel Liddel "MacGregor" Mathers, William Wynn Westcott, and William Robert Woodman founded the Order, prepared its initiation rituals in the "Elemental Grades," and in 1888, opened the first temple (Isis-Urania Temple) in London. According to the lore of the Order they received a charter to do so from an adept living in Germany, Anna Sprengel. Her existence, and thus the validity of that charter, were called into question in the nasty fight for leadership in the Order in 1900.
Aleister Crowley was later a member of the Golden Dawn before going his own way, but he was 12 years old when it was founded. He was a precocious student of magic, but not THAT precocious.
Dion Fortune, a member of the Order in its later years, by then under the leadership of Moina Mathers after the death of her husband, besides being too young to be a founder, was a woman, and so could not have been a Mason.
Arthur Edward Waite was a member of the Order, and went on to organize one of the splinter groups after the original Golden Dawn imploded in 1900, but was not one of its founding members, and indeed, rather disliked the emphasis on practical magic in the original Order curriculum.
From Quiz: Ceremonial Magic
Answer: Aleister Crowley
Crowley was an influential member of many occult societies including The Golden Dawn, and is noted for his "The Book of The Law", which is the central text of Thelema, and which set out the precept of "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law". At various times he used sex magic, satanism, and white magic. His death in 1947 was accompanied by various rumours of lightning and high winds, crashing noises coming from his room, and even one that he died during a ritual to raise the Great God, Pan. At his funeral his "Hymn To Pan" was read out, leading to newspapers describing the service as a "black mass".
All of the incorrect options were members of The Golden Dawn at one time.
From Quiz: The Golden Dawn
Answer: Deo non fortuna
Deo non fortuna means "by God, not chance".
"Nihil curo de ista tua stultra superstitone" means "I'm not interested in your religious cult". "Vescere bracis meis" means "eat my shorts" and "raptus regaliter" means "royally screwed."
Moral: it pays to learn Latin.
From Quiz: How much do you really know about Paganism?
Answer: It recognizes Wicca as a religion
Army pamphlet 165-13 "Religious Requirements and Practices of certain selected groups- A handbook for Chaplains", states that the Army does recognize Wicca as a religion.
From Quiz: Witches and Wiccans and Pagans Oh My
Answer: Pagan witchcraft
Wicca, or Pagan witchcraft, is a relatively new religion that was developed in England during the first half of the twentieth century. It is typically duotheistic, meaning there is a belief in two Gods. They are known as the Horned God and the Triple Goddess. The Triple Goddess is a Goddess that embodies three figures that represent three phases of a woman's life. The Maiden (or Virgin), the Mother, and the Crone (or old woman) also symbolize phases of the moon. The masculine counterpart is the Horned God. The Triple Goddess represents life, fertility and the springtime and is an ideal role model for women. The Horned God represents nature, animals and the afterlife and is an ideal role model for men.
From Quiz: Beginner's Guide to Paganism
Answer: Ten
Based on the Kabbalahic Tree of Life, The Golden Dawn had ten degrees, starting with Neophyte and rising to Magus. Each level was attained by study and exams, and passing from one degree to another was marked by rituals in the temple, which included special regalia, and being given passwords and tangible symbols such as wands, swords and lamps to mark the new rank. The main emphasis was on achieving god-like status by developing the higher self. If Magus level was attained the member would then be in touch with "The Secret Ones", a group of otherworldly beings or Magi who controlled the order, and were unapproachable other than by Magus level initiates.
From Quiz: The Golden Dawn
Answer: Three days
He claims he was told to do this by his wife, Rose, who was channeling a messenger of Horus, the Egyptian god of knowledge. He wrote it over three days, beginning at midday and ending at 1 PM.
From Quiz: How much do you really know about Paganism?
Answer: they were released from jail
Abigail and Deliverance Hobbs, along with Tituba, confessed to being witches. All three survived and were released from jail.
From Quiz: Witches and Wiccans and Pagans Oh My
Answer: Snake
The snake (or serpent) is a familiar creature in various Pagan ceremonies across the globe as it is linked to the cycles of life, death and rebirth. In many cases this ties in with the creature's usual appearance during the first inklings of spring, a time when the ground begins to warm and the first signs of new growth in the surrounds emerge.
In Scotland the arrival of the snake is a sign of the earth waking up from the winter chills. As the serpent slowly uncoils it is meant to signify the fertility in the soil and the new growth that is set to burst from it. This is a time of festivals in the country and one of the unusual traditions that has emerged here is the filling of stockings with peat and arranging it to look like a snake. Metaphorically, the snake then has its head repeatedly beaten while a rune, called a Rann, is sung. Alexander Carmichael, a folklorist, produced a poem in honour of the snake's emergence. Recorded in his 1900 collection "Carmina Gadelica" it reads:
"The serpent will come from the hole
on the brown day of Bride (Brighid)
though there may be three feet of snow
on the surface of the ground."
From Quiz: Creature Comforts
Answer: Midgard
Heathenry is a modern Pagan religion developed in Europe in the early twentieth century. Practitioners of this religion model it on pre-Christian religions of the Germanic peoples during the Iron and Early Middle ages. It is typically polytheistic. Heathens generally adapt a view of Norse cosmology that the world that humans inhabit is one of nine worlds and that world is called Midgard. Within this view, all nine worlds are part of a world tree called Yggdrasil and different beings live on different realms. For instance, humans live on Midgard, dwarves live on one, elves live on one, and deities inhabit two of the realms. Heathens live by a similar moral and ethical code as that of Early Medieval Northwestern Europe in which loyalty to family, hard work, courage and integrity are important.
From Quiz: Beginner's Guide to Paganism
Answer: Vibration
The term used by most ceremonial magicians is "vibration." There are many different approaches to vibration by different magicians and magical groups. As the names implies, most are after a vocal production that makes the body resonate strongly, but this is almost always coupled with techniques for visualizing the energy of the sound, and the energy represented by the Word. Some systems use specific pitches. Some model the vocal production on styles of chant, whether western (like Gregorian) or eastern (like Tibetan Buddhist).
From Quiz: Ceremonial Magic
Answer: Charity, generosity, compassion.
Usually the Six of Coins represents success and giving.
From Quiz: How much do you really know about Paganism?
Answer: Esbats focus more on the goddess (moon) and Sabbats on the god (sun)
There are thirteen full moon Esbats a year and eight solar Sabbats a year (Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh, and Mabon).
From Quiz: Witches and Wiccans and Pagans Oh My
Answer: Way of the Saints
Santeria developed in Cuba in the nineteenth century and is influenced by a number of African religions as well as Christianity. It is a polytheistic religion that revolves around Oricha, which are spirits or saints. Every human is believed to have a link to one of these spirits, who influence their personality. These saints are venerated and offerings are given. The offerings include flowers, fruit and sacrificed animals. Practitioners are also expected to adhere to the wishes of these spirits, who are believed to be able to communicate with humans through divination, prayers, dreams, music, and dance.
From Quiz: Beginner's Guide to Paganism
Answer: Wand, Cup, Dagger, Disk
Based on the system in the Golden Dawn, these are the Wand, Cup, Dagger, and Disk. Each is attributed to one of the Four Elements: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. These are also related to the four suits of a classical Tarot deck.
There is some disagreement among different styles of magic as to which weapon best fits which element. The Golden Dawn attribution was Wand for Fire, Cup for Water, Dagger for Air, and Disk for Earth.
From Quiz: Ceremonial Magic
Answer: Venus
A pentagram is an unbroken five pointed star representing Earth, Air, Fire, Water and the Spirit. The pentagram shape comes from the path that the planet Venus makes across the night sky.
From Quiz: Witches and Wiccans and Pagans Oh My
Answer: Success in battle
The incantation calls for bullets to bounce from the women's husbands just as water bounces from the baskets once they are covered with oil. Generally speaking, Frazer isn't concerned with spiritual enlightenment.
From Quiz: Magic from "The Golden Bough"
Answer: Iceland
Ásatrúarfélagið has no fixed religious dogma or theology. It was created in Iceland in 1972 by a farmer and poet who led the religion until his death in 1993. The high priests of this religion lean toward a pantheistic view of the world, meaning that reality is identical with divinity. The central ritual of this religion is a communal feast and there are other activities associated with it such as weddings and funerals. As of 2018, this religion has just over four thousand registered members.
From Quiz: Beginner's Guide to Paganism
Answer: Priest, Priestess, Deacon, Positive Child, Negative Child.
The Gnostic Mass requires a Priest, a Priestess, a Deacon, and if doing it "by the book," two "Children" who represent the positive and negative forces of Creation. Note that this is positive and negative as in yin and yang. Also known as Liber XV (Book 15), Crowley wrote it while travelling in Russia, inspired by the Orthodox liturgy, though it more closely resembles the Catholic and Anglican Masses than the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom celebrated by the Russian Orthodox church. Many local OTO bodies celebrate the Gnostic Mass as a public ritual, open to all, on a regular basis.
Arguably, one must also have a congregation of one or more persons present, for "The People" have defined roles to play in the Gnostic Mass as well.
From Quiz: Aleister Crowley and Thelema
Answer: All of these.
All of these and more. Particular scents have traditional meanings in ceremonial magic, e.g. frankincense is considered solar, referring to the powers of the Sun, sandalwood is similarly linked to Venus, dragon's blood resin (or tobacco) to Mars. Similar correspondences link different scents to the Four Elements, or to specific purposes.
Some magicians view the purpose of the whole panoply of ceremonial symbolism (incense among the other tools) as focusing the mind of the magician - both its conscious and unconscious faculties - on the specific intent of the ceremony at hand. So in a ceremony using the power of Mars, the predominant color would be red, tools would be iron or steel, the Words of Power used would be those referring to Martial Gods (or aspects of God, for monotheists), and Martial incense would be burnt.
Or if you take the symbols at "face value" - i.e. there really IS a connection between a specific aspect of the Universe and a magical tool - then by filling your working space with the right materials, you create an environment that is suitable for working that piece of reality.
In conjuring invisible forces or beings to manifest visibly, incense is often used to provide a physical medium that they can use to do so. Dittany, a member of the oregano family of herbs, is popular for this since it produces thick, pleasantly scented smoke when burned.
From Quiz: Ceremonial Magic
Answer: William Westcott was accused of forging the founding documents
Samuel Mathers, backed by Aleister Crowley, accused William Westcott of faking the documents on which the order was based. Later evidence indicates that this accusation was probably true, but at the time it was a very unpopular move and Samuel Mathers was expelled from the order. He, with his wife, moved to Paris and started a Golden Dawn splinter group, but the order never gained the popularity in France that it enjoyed in England. W B Yeats took over the group for a while after Mathers left, but in 1903 A.E. Waite took control, changed the name of the order from The Hermetic Order of The Golden Dawn to The Holy Order of The Golden Dawn and took it on a course that leaned far more towards Christian teachings than the Eastern mysteries.
From Quiz: The Golden Dawn
Answer: Gaia
Gaia is still one of the most worshipped neo-Pagan goddesses. She's most famous as the embodiment of Earth, but she's also the goddess of dreams, motherhood and nature. Her totem animals include bees and snakes, and her sacred fruit is an apple or pomegranate.
From Quiz: How much do you really know about Paganism?
Answer: All of these
A witch will normally call upon the four "quarters" or "Watchtowers" when performing a ritual. They watch over and protect the circle. They are East (Air), South (Fire), West (Water), North (Earth)
From Quiz: Witches and Wiccans and Pagans Oh My
Answer: He sprinkles dirt from a grave on the roof of their house
This is supposed to mimic the sleep of the dead. The essential oils might actually work, though.
From Quiz: Magic from "The Golden Bough"
Answer: Chaos
Discordianism was founded in the 1960's. The central belief is that order and disorder are both illusions that are imposed on the universe by the central nervous system. The religion is based on the worship of the Goddess of Eris who is the Greek Goddess of discord and strife although the Discordian version is not as malevolent as the original Greek Goddess. It's difficult to know how many people consider themselves Discordians and there is some division as to whether it's actually a mock religion. One particularly fascinating aspect to this religion is the belief that all assassinations, calamities and conspiracies are attributed to the Bavarian Illuminati, a secret society wishing to sow paranoia.
From Quiz: Beginner's Guide to Paganism
