The Year of the Lady 11368, Gemmini/Delphinus (or ~May/June/July 2002 ev) Revision

Note: The name TransPagan is not currently the name of any extant organization. It is merely a generic term for a potential, joint Earth Oriented Spirituality Tradition forum.

Introduction and Definitions

The purpose of this part of the TransPagan Consensus survey is to determine how Practitioners of the Earth-Oriented-Spirituality Traditions define themselves and their Paths.

Note: There has been another major overhaul of this survey, at the instigation of the Continuity and Clarity wing of Garden of Life, a small but powerful Glade, so if you looked at it before and found it unclear or disorganized, please give us another chance. Sections now include:

1. Introduction and Definitions;
2. Spiritual, Philosophical and Religious issues;
3. Values, Ethics and Behavior issues (Applied, Theoretical and Extra Credit);
4. Pagan Community issues; and
5. The Pagan Community's interface with the current mainstream society issues

Goals:
This survey is for Individuals who think of themselves as Pagan or who are involved with an Earth-Oriented-Spirituality Tradition. Results from Individuals not so identifying themselves will not be tabulated but may be listed separately as reference material. The goals of this survey are to study Earth Oriented Spirituality and Pagan traditions and to proactively determine what we agree on, that, if acted upon, would be of benefit to our community as we re-emerge into mainstream culture.

If the forgoing explanations do make sense to you, and you feel that this determination of Consensus is a worthwhile endeavor, we would be delighted for you to participate in our survey. Once there are enough responses to make a real sampling we will start posting the results, on a site linked to this page.

The last question in each section specifically asks for your feedback on questions that you believe should be asked and recommendations on removal or modification of the wording or intent of existing questions. We appreciate any feedback that you would care to send to help us make this survey more accurate and helpful.

Please fill out the following form based on YOUR own experience, beliefs and opinions.

Use the Send button at the bottom of the page to send your feedback to the Office of the Archives and the Records Secretary via eMail.

Special Note: Survey responses cannot be Submitted without the Name, Identifying Phrase and eMail Address fields being filled in. Everything else is optional. You can complete this Survey in parts if you wish or only respond to those questions that interest you particularly by reentering the Name, Identifying Phrase and eMail Address fields each time. The Identifying Phrase may be a Magickal, personal Mantra, or any kind of catch-phrase you strive towards. This will help the survey compilers determine that a particular survey response came from the same person should you choose to reply to different parts of the survey, send in part of your responses at different times, or if we do continuations of this concept in the future. Confirmation eMails will be sent to submitter, to make certain that the submissions are from working eMail addresses before being tabulated.

Reason for construction of this survey:
The issues facing the Pagan Community range from the critical to the trivial, from defining the Sacred to where to list Pagans in the telephone directory. The Discussion of such issues is part of the Eternal MultiLogue that we find fascinating and productive. One way for Pagans to actualize our emerging Cultural Identity is to establish some sort of interactional venue for Pagan action for those who share a consensual world view. Rather than attempting to regulate "proper" Paganism, as has sometimes happened in the past, our intent is to foster one TransPagan voice to interface with mainstream society and to act on issues upon which the Pagan Community is united. One of the first steps, it would seem, would be to determine if such unifying issues and concepts exist, and if so what they are. This survey is our small attempt to begin such a process.

It may be useful to open Garden of Life's Definitions Page in a separate window for help on any of the terms in this survey. We have tried to make this survey and our definitions page as NeuroLinguistically Neutral as possible, but as modern physics teaches us, that only goes so far.
We also have position papers on some of the discussed issues, if you're interested in our take on them. We have tried to separate our own teachings, forms and techniques from the wording of the survey questions. We may provide links next to some of the questions, that you can click on if you want to see our comments on that issue.

Identification Section

Name: 

Identifying Phrase: 
(Please use the same one each time you respond via any interactive form on this WebSite)

eMail Address: 
(Must be valid eMail address for person submitting form, confirmation eMails will be sent before results are added to tabulations)

Primary MetaPhysical Orientation toward the Divine, if Applicable?
(The short explanatory notes after each term are oversimplified but intended to be helpful)

If "Other" feel free to Elaborate (or not). Feel free to Elaborate even if you selected some option other that "Other":

Primary MetaPhysical Practice or Experiential Spiritual Methodology, if Applicable? or How do you practice your Spiritual beliefs?
(The short explanatory notes after each term are oversimplified but intended to be helpful)
Extra Special Note: Don't worry, the Continuity and Clarity Glade of Garden of Life has insured that you will get a chance (in the next question) to select as many methodologies as you choose, however in this question, we would like you to choose the one you consider primary.

If "Other" feel free to Elaborate (or not). Feel free to Elaborate even if you selected some option other that "Other":

MetaPhysical Practices or Experiential Spiritual Methodologies, if Applicable? or How do you practice your Spiritual beliefs? Choose all that you practice or would like to include in your practice.
(The short explanatory notes after each term are oversimplified but intended to be helpful)

If "Other" feel free to Elaborate (or not). Feel free to Elaborate even if you selected some option other that "Other":

Primary MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, if Applicable?

If "Other" feel free to Elaborate (or not). Feel free to Elaborate even if you selected some option other that "Other":

Have we left any Traditions out? If so. please use the space below to inform us:

Current and Preferred Area(s) of Concentration? (Select all that Apply):
Participation in CelebrationMy own Spiritual Evolution
Officiation of Ritual Celebration Events or CyclesFacilitation of Ritual Celebration Events or Cycles
Continuity and/or Coordination in Focalization of Group Workings
Enhancement of the Celebratory Experience by Research and Development of Foci to aid in the Focusing of Energies and Actions, for example Magickal Tools, Ceremonial and Ritual Implements and so forth
Enhancement of the Celebratory Experience by Research and Development of, for example, a specific Tradition's Holy Writings, Chants, Songs, Celebratory Rituals and other components
Healing, general and specific (The Biosphere, yourself, other sentients, other Lifeforms, etc.)Other
If "Other" feel free to Delineate (or not):

In reference to my Spiritual and/or MetaPhysical pursuits I:
Work entirely in Group Context
Work mostly in Group Context
Work equally in Group and Solitary Contexts
Work mostly in Solitary Context
Work entirely in Solitary Context

Comments:

Definitions Section of Survey

Accurate use of Terminology is an important issue because words affect the consensus reality which we experience.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

Paganism is a viable umbrella term to designate the Community of Earth-Oriented-Spirituality Traditions but it needs a consensus definition created by Pagans. The term Paganism is used in contemporary times truly but incompletely to refer to nature oriented religions which generally recognize Divinity as immanent within Nature. The dictionary definitions are also not helpful as they tend to define "Pagan" only in terms of what it is not, which is not an adequate type of definition even according to the theories of definition creation.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments, including what you prefer as an umbrella term for the Community of Earth-Oriented-Spirituality Traditions, if different.

Some people prefer the term Heathen for use as the overall inclusive term for Earth-Oriented-Spirituality Traditions. However, I believe that it is more properly used in reference to a specific subset of Pagan Traditions which are of Germanic/Norse/Gothic extraction.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

As Pagans it is important for us to define Paganism in a proactive manner, which we can achieve if we can come up with a definition we all can live with, rather than allow it to be defined for us by those in other communities, Traditions or mainstream society.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

A preliminary definition of the term Pagan, by Pagans, might include:

Meaning, the First: Of or pertaining to those religious groups and Individuals who are selfdefined as Pagan and may be categorized into, but not limited to the following five major groupings: PaleoPaganism, SocioPaganism also called CiviloPaganism, MesoPaganism, NeoPaganism and SurvivalPaganism. Across all the groupings, Paganism is generally characterized by a belief in the immanence of the Sacred; the possibility and benefit of participatory experiential Celebration; and the efficacy of Conscious Spiritual Evolution.
Meaning, the Second: Of or pertaining to any member or adherent of one of these Traditions.
Meaning, the Third: FNORD Any individual that appears to the observer to be having entirely too much fun, i.e.: more fun than such observer. FNORD
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Suggestions? Additions?, Subtractions?, Refinements?:


Specific note on the next five questions:
To give credit where credit is due we point out that many of the ideas and wordings in the defining portions of the next five questions, come from definitions originated by Isaac Bonewits, Susan Harwood Kaczmarczik, et al, and is similar to the definition currently accepted by the US Military, please go to these links to view their exact wordings:

alt.pagan FAQ Page
Witch's Vox FAQs
Isaac Bonewits' 1976 Defining Paganism Paper
Spiritualitea: A Pagan Glossary of Terms by Isaac Bonewits
BBC's A Practical Definition of Paganism
Religious Tolerance Org Definition
Andras Corban Arthen Definition
US Army Chaplains' Handbook: Excerpt On Wicca
Army Chaplain's Handbook Excerpt


The term Pagan should be considered to include PaleoPaganism (perhaps a type of IndigenoPaganism), which includes the original tribal faiths of the World, whether still known to be practiced as intact belief systems, or not. These religious Traditions were originated by Humanity as its members began to live in tribal groups, developed agriculture, language and first domesticated animals. Examples of this type of PaleoPagan Traditions might include the Australian Aborigine Culture, some Polynesian and Oceanic Traditions and the Dravidian Culture of the Indus valley.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

The term Pagan should be considered to include SocioPaganism also called CiviloPaganism (perhaps a type of IndigenoPaganism), which is constituted by groups of belief systems which evolved within indigenous PaleoPagan cultures as they became more cosmopolitan, whether still known to be practiced as intact belief systems, or not. Examples of this type of SocioPagan Traditions might include the Archaic Anatolian, Sumerian, Ægyptian, Hellenic, Etruscan, Sabaean, Mayan and Incan spiritual systems. Among the more well known current World religions, Hinduism (as originally practiced), Taoism and Shinto, for example, probably fall within this category.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

The term Pagan should be considered to include MesoPaganism, which includes those Traditions which attempt to recreate, revive or continue what their founders thought of as the PaleoPagan ways of their ancestors or predecessors. These were often influenced (accidentally, deliberately and/or involuntarily) by the monotheistic and dualistic worldviews of the Abramic faiths: Yahwist Judaism, Christianity and/or Islam. Examples of this type of MesoPagan Traditions might include Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy, Illuminatism and so forth. Traditions considered MesoPagan also include groups which have been influenced (accidentally, deliberately and/or involuntarily) by a conquering or successor culture, but which have been able to significantly maintain an independence of religious practice. Examples of this type of MesoPagan Traditions might include many current Native American Indian Traditions, and some forms of Voudon, Santaria, Macumba, etc..
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

The term Pagan should be considered to include NeoPaganism, which covers the Community of diverse contemporary religions which began in the attempts of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Individuals to reconnect with nature, using imagery and forms from documentable and/or visionary knowledge of one or more of the Traditions of Antiquity, but with adjustments for the needs of modern people. Firmly rooted in indigenous traditions or deriving inspiration therefrom, NeoPagans are characterized by belief in the interconnection of all life, personal autonomy, and the immanence of the Sacred. Often these spiritual Traditions are nature-centered and supportive of gender equity. For clarity they may be thought of in three main branches. It is convenient to characterize these branches by their methodology, ReConstructionist, ReConstitutionist and Syncretist. The distinctions are, that ReConstructionists strive to ReCreate the Tradition of a particular IndigenoPagan group (or several closely related groups) as it was practiced in that time; the ReConstitutionists try to ReCreate the Tradition of a particular IndigenoPagan group (or several closely related groups) as it would be practiced in today's world, if it had been practiced continually since it's origination; the Syncretists create Traditions which are rooted in a combination of Pagan Traditions, which are not necessarily related in any direct manner.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

The term Pagan should be considered to include SurvivalPaganism, which is similar in some ways to MesoPaganism, but includes Traditions which had to submerge themselves in a dominant culture or manage to completely hide from it, either by actually removing themselves to increasingly remote regions, or hiding the nature of their beliefs under some cover within the culture for the sake of physical survival for their adherents. Some SurvivalPagans adopted the external practices and symbols of another more accepted religion which would cover, or overlay the basic concepts of the Tradition. Since words and labels do have power, these covering or overlying symbols have often affected the original concepts to a greater or lesser degree, which explains the similarities to MesoPaganism. Examples of this type of SurvivalPagan Traditions might include some of the various Afro-Diasporic traditions (i.e.: some forms of Voudon, Santaria, etc.); Culdee, Grail, Cathar, Albigenesian Christianity; some of the Archaic IndigenoPagan Traditions, some that we know survived and some which are only suspected of surviving. We know that some Family Traditional (Hereditary) Pagan Traditions and Witchcrafts survived. It is certainly possible that other Traditions thought to be wiped out by the Abramic purges, may still reappear. for example if a group of Priestesses were to appear with Bridget's Cauldron (fire still going) in the town square of Kildare.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

One of the basic points common to Pagan belief systems is the inherent Sacred Nature of the Earth and Her Biosphere.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

One of the basic points common to Pagan belief systems is that the Individual directly experiences the Sacred, with no intermediary necessary; which is not to say that intermediaries have no place in Paganism, but rather that none is necessary for any Individual to receive the benefits of the Tradition.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

One of the basic points common to Pagan belief systems is that there are many viable Traditions which are Paths of Communion with the Sacred, some perhaps more appropriate for particular Individuals and others more appropriate for other Individuals; but that there is no "one right way" for all sentients to approach the Divine
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

I believe that the establishment of a TransPagan Consensus Forum of some type would be beneficial to the Pagan Community.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

I believe that the establishment of some kind of TransPagan Unity Organization would be beneficial to the Pagan Community with the provision that it's responsibilities, and proper activities are clearly defined.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

It has been brought to our attention, and seems to be accurate that the next four questions are primarily applicable to survey respondents who Agree or Strongly Agree with the immediately preceding question. However since each one starts off with the qualifying statement "If some sort of TransPagan Organization should be established" that is not necessarily the case, as each respondent is only noting an opinion on the questions, in the case of such establishment.

If some sort of TransPagan Organization should be established, recognition of the inherent Sacred Nature of the Earth and Her Biosphere, the idea that the Individual directly experiences the Sacred, and the statement that there are many viable Traditions which are Paths of Communion with the Sacred should be included as defining clauses in any Charter, Articles of Organization and/or any other documentation that may be created for such organization.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

If some sort of TransPagan Organization should be established, it should be prohibited in clear and binding language, in such Formalization/Founding documents that may be drawn up, from assuming any real or implied power (other than recommendation) to effectuate any changes in the Doctrinal or Procedural Positions and/or actions of any Member Organization or Individual.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

If some sort of TransPagan Organization should be established, any Formalization/Founding documents that may be drawn up should include a clear and linguistically neutral definition of what Paganism is, and is becoming.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

If some sort of TransPagan Organization should be established, it would be beneficial to formalize a statement of intent and purpose as part of the process.
Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree Nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree
I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.
Comments:

If there is any question or questions that you believe should be added, removed or modified in this section of the survey, please enter your suggestions here below:

I am willing to contribute to a Pagan Community MultiLogue online, on this topic.



To complete the rest of the Survey, or parts thereof,
click on the following links, and go to that page;
after finishing what you wish to respond to on that page,
click the submit button you will find at the bottom of that page:

SubSection of Survey on Spiritual, Philosophical and Religious issues

SubSection of Survey on Values, Ethics and Behaviour issues (Applied, Theoretical and Extra Credit)

SubSection of Survey on Pagan Community issues

SubSection of Survey on the Pagan Community's Interface with
the current mainstream society

Remember, it's not necessary to do all this at one sitting
As long as you put the same name, identifying phrase and valid eMail address on each partial submission,
they will be kept together as one response.

Return to the Garden of Life Temple WebSite Index

The CGI Script which makes this Survey possible (in any functional sense, at any rate), is Matt Wright's FormMail version 1.6,
created by Matthew M. Wright
it may be found at: Matt's script Archive.

Motif of this Survey put together by Opal
Copyright © 1999 by [Garden of Life Temple]. All rights reserved.
Most recently revised: Year of the Lady 11368, Gemmini/Delphinus (or ~May/June/July 2002 ev)