What does neopaganism mean?
Neopaganism denotes modern religious and spiritual movements that draw on older pagan traditions, including polytheistic mythologies, nature-based spirituality, divination, and seasonal ritual. Rather than simply preserving one ancient religion unchanged, these movements often combine, reinterpret, or adapt elements from different traditions and connect them with contemporary concerns such as ecology, personal identity, and alternative spirituality. The word is especially common in scholarship and discussions of contemporary religious culture, where it helps distinguish modern revivalist movements from the historical religions that inspired them. Because neopaganism includes groups as varied as modern witches, reconstructionists, syncretic spiritualists, and nature-oriented religious communities, the term describes a broad category rather than a single creed or institution. Its use is therefore primarily descriptive and analytical, although it can sometimes carry the implication that ancient traditions have been adapted in ways that weaken historical continuity.
nounNeopaganism is a broad movement that revives or adapts pre-Christian religious and spiritual practices, often combining elements from various pagan traditions with modern ecological, feminist, or occult ideas. The term can also refer more narrowly to modern forms of pagan religion regarded as continuations or reinterpretations of ancient polytheistic religions.
- A modern religious or spiritual movement that draws on, revives, or reconstructs pagan traditions.
- The broader cultural movement or set of practices associated with modern pagan religions.
"The scholar examined how neopaganism has adapted older spiritual practices to contemporary social and environmental concerns."
"The festival reflected neopaganism through its emphasis on seasonal cycles and the renewal of nature."
"Researchers debate how neopaganism differs from the revival of specific ancient traditions."
The plural is uncommon and is normally used when referring to distinct modern movements or forms of neopaganism.
"Scholars compare neopaganisms that draw on different cultural and historical traditions."
Neopaganism is less a single religion than a modern ecosystem of spiritual movements, often drawing on ancient mythology, nature worship, and occult traditions while reshaping them for present-day life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of neopaganism
The word is a modern compound of the Greek-derived prefix neo-, meaning “new,” and paganism. Its second element ultimately comes through French from Latin paganus, originally meaning “a country dweller” and later “someone belonging to a rural people,” before acquiring its religious sense. The combined form reflects the idea of a contemporary revival or reinterpretation of pagan religious traditions.
Related word forms
How neopaganism is actually used
The term is primarily used in academic, religious-studies, and cultural contexts. It is broad and can encompass movements with very different beliefs and practices, so it should not be treated as the name of a single unified religion.
Easily confused with neopaganism
Paganism refers broadly to pre-Christian or non-Christian religious traditions, whereas neopaganism specifically emphasizes modern revivals, reinterpretations, or reconstructions of those traditions.