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PAGAN POLYTHEISM

Polytheism is belief in, or worship of, multiple gods or divinities. The word comes from the Greek words poly+theoi, literally "many Gods." Ancient religion was polytheistic, holding to a pantheon of traditional deities. The belief in many Gods does not necessarily preclude, but it sometimes includes, the belief in an all-powerful all-knowing supreme being, as the ruler and parent (often king and father) of Gods and mankind.

In Polytheistic belief, Gods are conceived as complex personages of greater or lesser status, with individual skills, needs, desires and stories. The Gods are not always omnipotent or omniscient; rather, they are often portrayed as similar to humans in their personality traits, but with additional individual powers, abilities, knowledge or perceptions.

Pagan polytheism may vary from one tradition to another and from one individual to another. Some Pagans are fiercely polytheistic, others have a fairly fluid approach where they believe it is all a matter of perspective. Some may follow a Neoplatonist model, where everything in the universe emanated from a single source (but is distinct and separate now). Others may believe that deities have always been individual entities. Pagan polytheists also tend to honour nature spirits, which are called wights in Heathenry and elementals, nature spirits and spirits of place in Wicca.

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