Politeism is all religious doctrine that embraces the idea of more than one God.
This term has been subdivided by the pagan community with the terms hard polytheism that indicates the belief that all gods are separate individuals and soft polytheism that indicates the belief that all gods are different aspects or personalities of one, or of a few, or, in some cases, of the practitioner himself.
Some forms of polytheism are monolatry and henoteism and soft polytheistic visions are often found in forms of pantheism and panenthiesm.
Main conclusions
Soft polytheism allows a more flexible interpretation of deities, considering them archetypal symbols rather than different beings, which provides practitioners with a broader range of spiritual expression.
Hard polytheism, on the other hand, adheres to belief in individual and different gods and goddesses, each with their own attributes, personalities and stories, promoting deep personal connections with these divine entities.
Polytheism is usually inspired by various mythologies, such as Greek, Nordic or Egyptian, and offers a delicious deities to explore and with which to work on magical practices.
Politeism practitioners usually participate in rituals, offerings and devotional acts to honor and seek the favor of their chosen deities, creating a deep sense of reciprocity and communion with the divine.
Content
- Soft polytheism
- Hard polytheism
Soft polytheism
Soft polytheistic visions are found in many forms of Wiccaen the religions of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt and its modern counterparts, the Smartha tradition within Hinduism and the Trinity of some forms of Christianity.
It is widespread among the religions of the New Age and is summarized in an appointment of the Priestess of the Sea, by Dion Fortune: «All the gods are a God, all the goddesses are a goddess and there is an initiator» ..
Some have given this attitude the name of Panteism, although many would not agree with that definition.
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The Priestess of the Sea
- Fortune, Dion (Author)
- English (publication language)
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Hard polytheism
In the classic myth and in the philosophy of the Euhemerism, hard polytheistic visions are observed. Many reconstructionist pagans maintain hard polytheistic vision and some hard monotheists and polite can see soft polytheistic vision as an insult to individual gods.
Many believe that, although all gods are different individuals, they are known with different names in different places.
That is, no all The gods are a God, but some gods are a God and other gods are another God, etc.
This position seems to be widespread and was exhibited by Ian Corrigan in an entrance of his 2015 blog titled Squishy Polytheism https://www.patheos.com/blogs/intothemound/2015/09/152.html
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About Morningbird (Founder of Witchipedia)
I am a home witch that grew on the banks of the Hudson River and has lived among the big lakes during the last 20 years. Together with my husband, musician, and my youngest son, administer a minigranja of an acre with gardens of herbs, vegetables and flowers, chickens, ducks, geese and rabbits, and areas reserved for native plants and wildlife.
I have three children, two older, and I have been practicing magic alone and with family and friends for more than 30 years.