BRANCHES OF
CHRISTINITY
Closer look of Orthodox and Nontraditional alternative religions
ALTERNATIVE RELIGION
• Those faith systems and spiritual beliefs which fall outside of the better known and more commonly practiced religions. These include, but are not exclusive to:
• Witchcraft
• Paganism
• Voudoun
• Santeria
• Satanism
PAGANISM
• Paganism is not a single path. It is not a single religion. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices. Most people who identify themselves as Pagans are in actual fact Neopaganism, as opposed to say Buddhist, Hindu or Taoist. Neopaganism is a modern attempt to return to ancient pre-Christian generally
European forms of worship. Some Neopaganism are very scholarly in their approach and go to a particular culture and research literature and archaeology in an attempt to accurately recreate the way the religion of that culture was practiced. Others are more eclectic in their approach. They take the general structure of an ancient religion and adapt it to fit their modern lives, often fitting disparate pieces into what becomes, for them, a cohesive whole.
PAGANISM SYMBOLS
Labyrinth
Triple Moon
Pentacle
Hectares Wheel
Ankh
Eye of Horus
Triskele
Triquetra
SPIRAL GODDESS
This symbol, often used by
Wiccans is used as a sign of life. The spiral represents the ever continuing cycle of life, death and rebirth.
SYMBOLS OF THE PAGON
Air is one of the elements that are found within most pagan traditions. It is considered as the element of the east and is connected to the soul and the breath of life.
Earth is one of the classical elements (earth, air, fire and air). The four sections of the symbol are believed to represent the four season or elements.
The symbol of earth is also sometimes used to symbolize Mother Earth.
The element of earth is associated with the colors of brown and green, abundance, prosperity, and fertility.
The element of fire is regarded as strong and masculine. Although fire can destroy anything in it's path it can also be an aid to life, for example in enabling us to cook food for ourselves and keep warm through the winter.
The element of water is believed to have a strong feminine connection and so is associated with all aspects of the goddess. SETOGRAM (FAERY STAR)
Seven is a scared number in many pagan traditions and this star symbol can be used to represent different sets of seven things depending on a
