Polytheism Ky Greene Types of Polytheism TraditionalHard PolymorphismSoft

Polytheism Ky Greene

Types of Polytheism Traditional/Hard Polymorphism/Soft Henotheism Kathenotheism Oligotheism

Types of Polytheism Traditional/Hard “All gods are unique. ” Most forms of reconstructionist religions. Belief that each deity is a distinct, individual presence, not part of a greater source deity.

Types of Polytheism Polymorphism/Soft “All gods are one. ” 33 million+ gods in Hinduism, but all are considered forms of one overarching deity.

Types of Polytheism Henotheism “One god at a time” A devotee of a particular god who views other gods as equally powerful but chooses to work with only one.

Types of Polytheism Kathenotheism “Each god supreme in turn” Someone who works with a single deity at one time, treating that deity as the most supreme during worship.

Types of Polytheism Oligotheism “A few gods at once” Someone who works with multiple deities at one time, holding belief in many more. Most common form of traditional polytheism.

General Beliefs of Polytheists Realism Pure Descriptivism Pluralism Finitism Common World

General Beliefs of Polytheists Realism Belief that gods actually exist and have real effects on the world of human experience.

General Beliefs of Polytheists Pure Descriptivism The term god is used as a description, not an identity. Polytheists can readily conceive of gods whom they do not worship, serve, or obey.

General Beliefs of Polytheists Pluralism Belief that gods are distinct beings, rather than one entity appearing under a series of disguises. This underpins traditional polytheism.

General Beliefs of Polytheists Finitism Belief that gods are not omnipotent or omniscient but operate within significant limits and have particular areas of concern or rulership.

General Beliefs of Polytheists Common World Belief that gods are not isolated from one another or the ordinary world and can interact with each other and other beings.

Traits of Polytheistic Faiths Belief in/worship of multiple fallible deities Offerings/sacrifices to deities Multiverse Cosmology Ancestor Veneration Sacral Nature Orthopraxy

Components of Polytheistic Faiths Cosmogony Cosmology Theogony Axiology Eschatology Sacred Calendars/Rites/Practices

Components of Polytheistic Faiths Pneumatology Psychology Semiotics Sexology Sophology Occultology

Syncretism is the blending of elements from two or more faiths. Presumption of convergence is present. In Polytheism, happens when someone attempts to equate deities from one pantheon from another. Saying things like “Zeus and Odin are the same god because they are both heads of pantheons” is syncretism in practice.

Eclecticism is the careful selection of practices from various doctrines/faiths based on a set of criteria established by the polytheist. Comprised of bits and pieces of various religions, often only the “best” pieces are utilized. Danger lies in becoming spiritual “tourists” by blending together light aspects of faiths while ignoring the deeper issues.

Eclecticism: Concerns Is it okay to mix Pantheons? Depends on the deity and tradition in question. Is appropriation a problem? Only if the religion is a closed religion. If the religion is closed, do NOT pull anything from it. It is closed for a reason. Pulling from open religions is not appropriation, ever.

Reconstructionist Polytheists Reconstructionists • Typically reject eclectic practices in favor of cultural specificity. Exceptions are made, though eclecticism is approached differently. • Hold respectful attitude toward ancient religious authority with acknowledgment of need for religious innovation. • Emphasis on Traditional/Hard Polytheism • Hold skeptical attitude towards modern unifying theologies, such as Wiccan dualism, triple goddess paradigm, and Jungian archetypalism. • Hold respect for individual spiritual inspiration (personal gnosis) while making clear distinction between practices derived from such inspiration and those based on historical precedence.

Reconstructionist Polytheists Process of Reconstructionism Multi-disciplinary approach • Historical Literary Research • Anthropology • Religious History • Political History • Archaeology • Historical Sociology Serious attempts to recreate culture, politics, science, and art of the period to better understand the environment in which the religious beliefs were practiced.

Paganism vs Polytheism Not all Pagan Faiths are Polytheistic, and not all Polytheists consider themselves Pagan. Hindus are not Pagans, but are Polytheists. Wiccans are Pagans, but often don’t consider themselves Polytheists, and some Pagans identify as monotheists.

Lessons from Polytheists to Pagans Inclusivity Polytheists respect each other, and there a plethora of non-binary polytheists whose choice of pronouns are always respected.

Lessons from Polytheists to Pagans Solidarity Even when in disagreement, Polytheists maintain a united community by disallowing personal conflicts to damage their movement or goal. May argue about proper ways to worship, proper level of devotion, and nature of the gods, but band together against any threats against the community as a whole.

Lessons from Polytheists to Pagans Personal Acts of Devotion Polytheists pour themselves into worship by making things, inventing new magical practices, writing rituals and books, offering material sacrifices, building shrines, and championing ideals of their deities.

Lessons from Polytheists to Pagans Courage in Convictions Polytheists are not afraid to tell each other exactly what they think, they do not struggle with the Curse of Pagan Niceness, and you never have to question where they stand.

Lessons from Polytheists to Pagans Immune to Curse of Pagan Niceness The curse: inability to delineate clear boundaries leading to putting up with actions that should not be acceptable. Many Polytheist traditions have clear lines of behavior that are far more specific than the Wiccan Rede, the origin of this curse.

Lessons from Polytheists to Pagans Deep Thinking Polytheists read and think on subjects of interest and develop intricate thoughts/opinions. Explaining those thoughts may require writing an essay/book.

Lessons from Polytheists to Pagans Fiscal Responsibility Polytheists support each other financially by shopping at one another’s Etsy stores, sponsoring devotional art projects, and funding each other’s efforts – like the Many Gods West conference. http: //www. manygodswest. com/

First Steps for Beginning Polytheists 1. Determine the religion you will be focusing on. It is best to choose a polytheistic religion you are interested in and study it for at least one year. 2. Gather resources and do your research. This means gathering written materials as well as information from people who are actively engaged in the religion you’ve chosen. 3. Determine your initial focus. There are different avenues of entrance into polytheism. Some people focus on the Gods, others focus on Ancestors, and others focus on Spirits/Mythical Creatures. Choose who you wish to focus on. 4. Do regular religious work and ritual. Take 5 -10 minutes a day, if possible. Regular devotional work is the heart and soul of any religious tradition. 5. Refine your resources, practices, and focus as needed. Feel free to restructure your practice when necessary.

Books about Polytheism The Deities are Many: A Polytheist Theology by Jordan Paper A World Full of Gods: An Inquiry into Polytheism by John Michael Greer Sacred Gifts: Reciprocity and the Gods by Kirk S. Thomas Walking with the Gods by W. D. Wilkerson Devotional Polytheism: An Introduction by Galina Krasskova The Earth, The Gods, and The Soul – A History of Pagan Philosophy: From The Iron Age to the 21 st Century by Brendan Myers

Sources Aradia, Sable. “ 6 Things That Neo-Pagans Could Learn from Polytheists. ” http: //www. patheos. com/blogs/betweentheshadows/2015/06/6 -things-that-neo-pagans-could-learn-from-polytheists/ Greene, Ky. “Polytheistic Theology: Avenue of Avenues. ” https: //heathenwoman. wordpress. com/2016/10/13/polytheistic -theology-avenue-of-avenues/ Greer, John M. “A World Full of Gods: An Inquiry into Polytheism. ” Book. Light House blog. “Syncretism, Eclecticism, and Other Definitions. ” https: //lanternlight. wordpress. com/2013/02/13/syncretism-eclecticism-and-other-definitions/ Lotus Pond. “Syncretic and Eclectic Religions. ” http: //silverlotus. net/wicca/rants/syncretic-and-eclectic-religions/ Mastin, Luke. “Types of Polytheism. ” http: //www. philosophybasics. com/branch_polytheism. html Paper, John. “The Deities are Many: A Polytheist Theology. ” Book. Odinsson, Sarenth. “A Post for Newcomers to Polytheism. ” https: //sarenth. wordpress. com/2016/05/08/a-post-fornewcomers-to-polytheism/ Theopedia. “Gnosticism. ” http: //www. theopedia. com/gnosticism Steinhart, Eric. “Monotheism and Polytheism. ” http: //www. patheos. com/blogs/camelswithhammers/2011/07/monotheism -and-polytheism/

Image Sources Agnosticism. http: //7347 -presscdn-0 -17. pagely. netdna-cdn. com/incredulous/files/2012/09/agnutjob. jpg Deism. https: //s-media-cache-ak 0. pinimg. com/736 x/5 e/43/78/5 e 43780 a 4807 d 0732 b 4 d 502 a 9 eb 1 f. jpg