Defining Ourselves: A Call for Earth-Centered Paganism

​For decades, many of us who follow an earth-based spiritual path have fought a two-front war. On one side, we’ve battled against external misrepresentation—most notably the "Satanic Panic" of the 80s, which unfairly branded us as Satanists. On the other, we’ve struggled with internal identity, contending with a new wave of spiritual seekers who wish to co-opt the word Pagan for their own, often unrelated, purposes.

​This internal struggle is where our focus should be. It’s frustrating to see our core beliefs diluted or redefined. I remember a time when if you asked a Pagan to describe themselves, the answer was clear: "We are an earth-centered spiritual path." This was a powerful statement of identity. It defined us by what we are—people with a deep, spiritual connection to the earth, its cycles, and its immanent divinity.

​Today, the answer is often different. A new generation of Pagans might simply say, "We are non-Abrahamic." While this is technically true, it's a weak and frustrating way to define ourselves. This definition focuses on what we aren't rather than what we are. It lumps us into a massive, formless group that includes everything from new-age spirituality—which often smacks of cultural and religious appropriation—to some forms of Satanism, which are frequently nothing more than arrogant atheism dressed in occult clothing.

​The word "Pagan" once had a rich history. Long before Christians used it as a pejorative for country dwellers and non-believers, it meant "civilian" or "rustic." This is a history we've learned to reclaim and a term we've made our own. We've done the hard work of building an identity rooted in reverence for nature, the seasons, and ancient traditions. To allow that identity to be diluted by a broad, negative definition is a step backward.

​It’s time to stop defining ourselves by what we are not and start defining ourselves by who we truly are. Let's return to the core of our beliefs. We are followers of earth-centered spiritual paths. We are the guardians of ancient wisdom and the stewards of the land. We are connected to the cycles of nature, and our spirituality is as real and grounded as the soil beneath our feet.

​This is not just a matter of semantics. It’s a matter of preserving our integrity and our identity. Let us stand proudly on our own principles, for who we are, and not be defined by the shadows of others.