Neo-Pagans in 2056

posted by Wordman <[l--a--d] at [husc7.harvard.edu]>

>>>>>[ The following was written by a guy I run with named Don Parsley. Enjoy. Any posted comments or e-mail to me about this post will get to him.]<<<<<
—Wordman

Neo-Pagans: An Anthropological Study

by Lilith Gillette, Ph.D.

>>>>>[ Don’t panic, its not as bad as it sounds. I’ve edited most of the psycobabble to bring you the first decent bit of data on these elusive creatures. I’m not sure if prof. Gillette has her facts down right, but this was all I could find. So stop complaining, bulwyncl.]<<<<<
-Holmes [16:32:43/06-06-56]

Since the advent of the Sixth World in 2011, many different Paths have arisen to follow the New Magic: Native American Shamans, Asian Adepts, and British Druids, to name some of the more common sects. However, one Path has been largely overlooked, that of Neo-Paganism. This is partly because of the incredible number of ways of practicing magic, but mostly because of a failure to classify Neo-Paganism as a specific group. Common to >>>>>[ this is the part where I edit the psycobabble and skip to the good bits]<<<<< Despite the name, however, the Neo-Pagan movement is not new, and has, in fact, been in existence since the Anti-Witchcraft laws were stricken from British law. Neo-Paganism may also be much older according to the accounts of several of the early practitioners >>>>>[Ok, ok, past life regression, witches covens in hiding, etc. you get the picture]<<<<< at last peaking in the early part of the 21st century. However, with the Awakening and the subsequent secession of the Native American Nations from the United States and Canada, the Neo-Pagan Movement lost momentum and fragmented, most members turning to the Way of the American Indian or the New Druidism, some going as far as to form the first of the so called “pinkskin” tribes. By the middle of the 21st century the movement had all by died out.

>>>>>[ Next is a lot of background stuff on the pre-Awakened pagans. Damned if I know how madam Prof squeezed three chapters out of it.]<<<<<
-Holmes [16:56:03/06-06-56]

>>>>>[Not too damn hard, she plagiarized half of Margot Alder’s: “Drawing Down the Moon”]<<<<<
-bulwyncl [15:04:24/06-07-56]

>>>>>[Basically there were lots of them in the last quarter of the 20th cent., then there weren’t after the Big Confusion. These days (according to her) they make up only about 5% of the magical community]<<<<<

Neo-Paganism is a very open form of magic, possessing both shamanic and hermetic traditions, adepts of all forms, mediums, and oddly enough, people with no magical ability whatsoever. They are generally women, though men are not uncommon. There are usually no racial barriers, and in fact Neo-Pagans seem to be the most racially unbiased of any magical group.

Their traditions are nature-based and follow many of the same totems as the Native Americans and the Druids. However, most Neo-Pagans see an even greater divinity in the natural order, and tend to scorn any artificially induced physical enhancement, even those members without magical capabilities.

>>>>>[Sounds like those elf guys in Tir Na nOg]<<<<<
-Inquiring Minds [05:10:31/06-07-56]

>>>>>[No. Not even close.]<<<<<
-Syrinx [09:54:00/06-07-56]

>>>>>[”Repent, Harlequin!” said the Ticktock Man.]
-Selene [12:44:23/06-07-56]

>>>>>[What???]<<<<<
-Thrud [13:05:21/06-07-56]

>>>>>[What???]<<<<<
-The Laughing Man [18:12:39/06-07-56]

>>>>>[*sigh* print is dead]
-Selene [10:55:10/06-08-56]

The Neo-Pagans tend to be rather quiet about their Way, owing to a latent paranoia stemming from what they call “The Burning Times,” the period in European and American history when “witches,” as

>>>>>[So if she weighs the same as a du%!&............ ]<<<<<
CONNECTION TERMINATED
[13:26:00/06-07-56]

they were known, were hunted down and executed. Some historians estimate the death toll within the 200 year period to have been from 100,000 to 2,000,000. This does not take into account the other indirect deaths from the Black Plague. One common practice was to burn the witch’s “familiar,” who were frequently cats. With the cat population decimated, the rat population grew unchecked, thus helping to spread the bubonic plague.

>>>>>[I’ve heard tell the Glasgow train station was built on an old loch. When the loch was drained they found the skeletons of 200 women who had been the victims of “dunking” - if she floats she’s a witch and we kill her, if not, well, sorry.]<<<<<
-Selene [13:08:45/06-07-56]

>>>>>[How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world… ]<<<<<
-Savage [04:15:03/06-08-56]

>>>>>{Word to the wise. If your ever in the Boston Sprawl and you need to do some biz in the Salem Barrens, don’t. It’s barren for a reason. Seems New England is crawling with nasty spots like Great Barrington and Lowell, where the background count is so high even mundane notice it. Apparently some well meaning fanatics killed about a dozen or so suspected witches, and thanks to the Awakening, their baaaaack. Look it up in the Paranormal Animals of Europe Database for specifics. Wickednasty beasties, dead witches.]<<<<<
-The Great Mumford [10:47:22/06-08-56]

>>>>>[Seems you ain’t so great. There wasn’t no witches, was just some kids havin fun by accusin folks a dealin wit the devil. Got outa hand and poof thirteen dead folk. An it ain’t quite in Salem, jus a section, Danvers. An Lowell’s bad ona counta a para that eats little kiddies. The sez it looks like a nastyfangy circus clowns]<<<<<
-Deadsy [19:19:19/06-08-56]

Despite what the Holy Roman Inquisition believed, and despite popular rumor, Neo-Pagans are not, for the most part, “Satanists.” (For the purpose of this dissertation I have categorized Satanists as a sect of Christianity). In stead they follow an older set of beliefs, commonly Eurasian pre-Christian polytheism,

>>>>>[Thought you said no psycobabble]<<<<<
-Thrud [13:15:57/06-07-56]

frequently centering around female deities such as Astarte or Diana. Male deities seem to be less common and less well defined, and are even excluded in some groups. >>>>>[A few examples here. For the sake of brevity I’ve edited them out and summarized the ones she mentions at the end]<<<<< This translates not as a following of a specific totem, but as an identification with one aspect of their God or Goddess. Some follow only one aspect, while others follow the aspect appropriate to the situation. Climate and season also play a factor in this determination, as many deities are climate or seasonally specific and operate differently at different times. Even more confusing is that many deities seem to possess several, sometimes seemingly contradictory, aspects. Kali, for instance, is seen both as Give of Life and Eater of Her Children. Finally, the style of magic determines how Neo-Pagans operate. Hermetic mages are the closest to classical witches, holding true to the laws and customs of Wicca, though both hermetic and shamanic mages play a large part in the Wiccan tradition. Shamanic pagans differ, however, in that the use the aforementioned mentioned aspects much in the same way a “normal” shaman identifies with his or her totem. Dance is also a very common aspect among Neo-Pagan shamans, frequently Native American in style, but with a great deal of variation. One of the best examples is a group in Boston that uses oriental dance, commonly known as “belly dancing” as part of their ritual.

>>>>>[Oooh, I’m scared. Belly dancing mages. What’er they gonna do, shimmy me t’ death?]<<<<<
-Thrud [13:22:19/06-07-56]

>>>>>[They cybered you past ape to human, didn’t they? Dancing is a centering ritual, as in “initiate.” Moron.]<<<<<
-Selene [11:09:41/06-08-56]

Adepts are similar to the last two Paths, but their role in Neo-Pagan society is far different. Frequently, they are used as troops or operatives, especially Physical Adepts, protecting the coven against intrusion or combating active opposition. One instance occurred in 2039, on the island of Nova Scotia. The Crusaders of God, a militant policlub formed in 2031, called on people to repent and follow Jesus or face “Old Testament wrath.” In 2039 it discovered a small band on Neo-Pagans operating outside of Halifax, and immediately began a campaign of slander and subversion against them. Open warfare soon erupted between the two groups, beginning the with hanging of several of the Neo-Pagans. The Neo-Pagans responded by sending a team of Odinist Physical Adepts, who assaulted the Church of God’s broadcast studio, killing a dozen people and burning the place to the ground. When asked later why a normally pacifistic group would resort to such drastic measures, on member responded “Whatever you do shall be repaid unto you threefold.”

Game Rules

Shadowrun has an inordinate amount of rules, and the following is defiantly optional when playing a pagan character. Use the usual rules for all paths except shamanistic (including shamanic adepts). Pagan shamans need not follow one deity, but cannot follow more Aspects that their magic rating. In other words, a character with a Magic Rating of 6 may follow one deity with six aspects or six deities with one aspect apiece, or even one deity with one aspect. Each aspect grants a +1 die bonus to a particular brand of magic and conjuring (e.g.. Eris for Chaos spells and conjuring City Spirits, Prometheus for spells involving fire and conjuring Spirits of Man). Each aspect will also have a disadvantage. So a character who follows 6 aspects will have six +1 die advantages but also six -1 die disadvantages. bulwyncl, for example, is the Discordian Pope of Seattle (he’s even got a card to prove it) and follows the goddess of chaos, Eris. He takes on two aspects - chaos, and humor. So he gets +1 die to spells like Chaotic World (chaos) or Mooseform (silly manipulation) and a +1 die when conjuring a City Spirit. However, when standing in the boardroom of Mitsuhama (organized) he gets a -1 die penalty to spell casting and conjuring, or a -2 die penalty if say, he was on a military base (organized, and defiantly no sense of humor).

Common Groups:

The following list show some of the more sizable groups in the Neo-Pagan movement of the mid 21st century, but it is by no means complete. There are also several mentions of Neo-Pagan groups in various Shadowrun supplements, namely The Grimoire and the Germany Sourcebook. Many of these groups mentioned below currently exist, but bare little resemblance to the groups in the Shadowrun world. Though many say magic exists today, the events of 2011 alter everyone’s perception of magic, and with it the practice of magic.

The Bards Guild

• Type: Dedicated
• Size: Small
• Resources: Poor
• Paths: All
• Limitations: Literary or Musical ability
• Strictures: Exclusive Membership, Karma
• Principal Deities: occ. Goddess worship, Bardic deities
• Principal Text: None
• Symbols/Slogans: usu. none, occ. “Deadhead” symbols
• Opposition: None
• Typical Bard Quote: “Mercurial? Well, she’s wiz, I guess, but I much prefer Tori Amos. Incredible stuff, bizarre rhythms, great lyrics. Oh, and then of course there’s the percussion and lyrical work of Neil Peart.” -Brigit 2051

The Bards Guild started in Denver as a self described “hippy deadhead peace commune” sometime around the turn of the century. Despite the fly-by-night nature of many of the members, the commune held together. This was due to the efforts of founders Scott Delanno and Amanda Fennoly, who saw the commune as something more than a place to hang out and get stoned. They began gathering musicians and other artists from the area, gradually forcing out the “stoneheads.” Though this caused anger, and even violence several members (the original building was burned down in 2009), Scott and Amanda continued their efforts, and soon the commune became very important in the emerging Denver underground scene. With the advent of the Sixth World, the commune, now official known as the Denver Bard’s Guild, began experimentation with art and magic. Many of the members were pagan, and the commune began to take on a religious aspect. Soon it had evolved from a simple commune to a guild of magically active artists. Today the Guild is still in Denver, in the UCAS section, and still considered “underground” as no member has signed on with any corporate label. However, their work is accessible, provided you know where to look.

The Church Of All Worlds

• Type: Dedicated
• Size: Moderate, few actual groups, many individuals
• Resources: Poor
• Paths: hermetic, mundane
• Limitations: religious/Moral
• Strictures: Belief, Karma
• Principal Deities: Valentine Michael Smith, each other, also Goddess worship primarily Gaea
• Principal Text: Stranger in a Strange Land, Atlas Shrugged, var. other utopian/dystopian works, Green Egg, Ham (child. pub.)
• Opposition: None
• Typical CAW quote: “To understand the whole of a thing, such as love, is to grok it, and thereby become one with it.” -John the Neonate c. 2033

Founded within the counter-culture of the 1960’s, described as “a sub-culture science fiction grok-flock,” the Church of All Worlds became one of the most influential groups in the Neo-Pagan revival. It was originally based on the novel “Stranger in a Strange land,” by Robert Heinline, but separated from it science fiction origins in the 1970’s, beginning with the publication of “Green Egg.” This publication became one of the most widely read magazines in the pagan community, helped spread understanding about Neo-Paganism. Unlike many groups, this one did not see much fragmentation during the Year of Chaos, as its belief system was better suited to handle the New Magic. As of now the CAW is still going strong and “Green Egg” can be accessed on any standard NewsNet.

The Church Of The Eternal Source

• Type: dependent on sect, all Dedicated
• Size: Small, moderate in North Africa
• Resources: poor
• Paths: All
• Limitations: Religious, moral, traditions
• Strictures: Belief, other dependent on sect
• Principal Deities: Egyptian, commonly Osiris
• Principal Text: Archaeological text on ancient Egypt
• Symbols/Slogans: depend. on sect
• Opposition: Each other, Crusaders of God
• Typical CES Quote: “Death, metal man? I do not fear dead. I understand death, it is an awakening of its own, and I have already begun my journey.”-Alam Al-mithral c.2044

The CES is a Neo-Pagan group that follow the Egyptian pantheon. Like many other Neo-Pagan groups it was also founded before the Awakening. However, it has not seen the success that others have. This is partly due to the Arabic flavor of the CES, which was not as appealing to Europeans and North Americans as other, more “western” groups were. Most of its problems spring from within the organization, however, as there is much bickering among the various sects. Most members belong to the main body of the CES, who respect all the deities of ancient Egypt and Nubia. However, some sects have arisen who follow only one deity, such as the Minions of Set, the most troublesome of these splinter groups. The infighting caused by these rifts has seriously weakened the group as a whole, and the CES may not remain a cohesive group much longer. Their only other opposition comes from the radical Crusaders of God, who view them as “Godless oppressors of Moses and the Holy Land.” Many bloody clashes between the two groups have occurred in Los Angeles, where the only CES chapter in North America exists.

Christianity

• Type: usu. Dedicated
• Size: Global, individual groups are dependent on sect
• Resources: Depend. on affluence on group
• Paths: prim. non-magical, occ. Hermetic or Shamanic, some instances of anti-magical practices
• Limitations: usu. religious/moral, tradition
• Strictures: usu. Attendance, Belief, Karma, Obedience
• Primary Deities: Jaweh or God, Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, Mary Magdelene, Lucifer, many angels, demons, saints
• Primary Text: The Holy Bible, many var.
• Symbols Slogans: Cross, Crucified Man (Christ), Inverted Cross (Church of St. John, Satanists), “Jesus Saves,” “Deus Vult (God Wills It [Crusaders of God])
• Opposition: Depend. on sect, frequent enemies are metahumans, Jews, Moslems, Pagans, each other, the FBI and the IRS.
• >>>>>[Sort of]<<<<< Typical Christian Quote: “Absolute clean, help teach the moral ABC mason Hillel taught carpenter Jesus to unite all mankind free! 6 billion strong & we’re All-One! “Listen Children Eternal Father Eternal One!” Exceptions eternally? None! Absolute None!”
• -Soapmaker, Dr. Bronner, ALL-ONE-GOD-FAITH

>>>>>[AND IN HIS ANGUISH, VICTOR CRIED OUT THAT THE LORD WAS A ROTTEN BASTARD..(#!(.....................
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[13:33:08/06-07-56]

>>>>>[There he is again. Someone find him in the real world and make him One with the pavement]<<<<<
-Holmes [13:34:29/06-07-56]

>>>>>[That count as a favor?]<<<<<
-bulwyncl [13:36:56/06-07-56]

>>>>>[He’s one of yours, isn’t he? Its that weird decker, The Inquisitor, isn’t it?]<<<<<
-Holmes [13:38:00/06-07-56]

>>>>>[no,no,no,yes… a bit, a bit]<<<<<
-bulwyncl [13:39:44/06-07-56]

Christianity began as a monotheistic religion, possible bitheistic, three to four thousand years ago. It was oppressed by many world governments, notably the Romans, who executed their most famous prophet. However, by absorbing aspects of local religions, and diabolizing others, Christianity rapidly gained power, to the extent that they were able to launch “Crusades” against other religions. Christianity soon became a major world religion, due in part to its frequent fragmentation, causing what can only be described as a polytheistic worship of a monotheistic religion. Christianity has waned in the Sixth World, but many of its larger sects are still very powerful. There are also a wide verity of small “fringe” group, which I am classifying as Neo-Pagan for the purposes of this dissertation. These groups include the Crusaders of God, New Jerusalem, The Satanists, and the Church of Koresh.

First Arachnid Church

• Type: Believed to be #########..............

System Error 0122

• Size: Small
• Resources: Variable
• Path: Shamanistic
• Limitations: Unknown
• Strictures: Unknown
• Principal Deities: Unknown, believed to be nature based
• Principal Text: Unknown
• Symbols Slogans: Unknown

Founded in the late 20th century as a joke, it faded from the world,

>>>>>[1.32 Mp Deleted]<<<<<

>>>>>[What’s the deal?]<<<<<
-bulwyncl [00:02:55/06-08-56]

>>>>>[I’m not sure. Even the original file is corrupted. I have someone on it now.]<<<<<
-Holmes [08:13:33/06-08-56]

Norse Paganism

• Type: Initiatory, Dedicated
• Size: Moderate, small in most regions, Large in Scandinavia and Northern Europe
• Resources: Poor, unless Runner based, then Good
• Paths: Shamanic, Adept, Non-magical
• Limitations: Religious/Moral, Biological (Frey)
• Strictures: Belief, Exclusive Membership, Fraternity, Karma, occ. Oath, Obedience, occ. Secrecy
• Principal Deities: Norse, commonly Odin and Thor
• Principal Text: None
• Symbols/Slogans: dependent on sect
• Opposition: None traditionally Crusaders of God
• Typical Norse Quote: “Panther Cannon? Wimp. I use an ax!”-Blooddrinker c.2050

Like the CES, this group follows a specific pantheon, that of the Norse. Unlike the CES, this group is usually not as cohesive, spur of the moment gatherings being the most common. The Norse have holy days, but they are usually dependent on a specific deity. Individual followers tend to worship only one deity, and the group also has the highest percentage of Physical Adepts and metahumans of all the Pagan Ways. The group is widespread in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, and there are large numbers in North America as well. One group has even gone so far as to form a “pinkskin” tribe in the Polar Aleut Nation.

The Sixth World Church

• Type: Initiatory
• Size: Small, but wide spread
• Resources: minimal
• Paths: All
• Limitations: None
• Strictures: Karma, Oath
• Principal Deities: varies widely, commonly Gaea, Fertility deities, War gods
• Symbol/Slogans: varies widely, common symbols are the Ryder/Waite World card, R/W Ace of Swords, male/female genitalia, three-eyed smilley face, common slogan include bits of Shakespeare, the United States Bill of Rights, and popular music
• Principal Text None, or numerous, dep. on sect
• Opposition: usu. local street gangs, local law enforcement agencies
• Typical SWC Quote: “I’m a priest of the Sixth World! Back off man, dont make me use this! Im warning you!”-Bob “Bigboote” Edmund, “Edmund vs. The People of New York City” 2049

Considered the low end of the spectrum by almost all other Neo-Pagans, the Sixth World Church is a hodgepodge of street crazies, religious fanatics, weird scientists, and insane mages. The first group congealed together in Manhattan sometime in the mid 2030’s, as a squatter movement, but it has since spread to most of the Barrens of North America’s major cities. if at all possible, the SWC is even more random in cause and effect than the Discordian Society (q.v.), and also tend to be more dangerous than most Barrens movements, magical or not.

Wicca

• Type: usu. Initiantory
• Size: small, individual groups rarely number more than a dozen
• Resources: usu. Poor
• Paths: Shamanistic or Hermetic
• Limitations: Tradition, Biological (Men, in the case of Dianic sects)
• Strictures: Attendance, Exclusive Membership, Exclusive Ritual, Fraternity, Obedience (esp. in British Gardnerian sects), occ. Secrecy
• Principal Deities: usu. female, Dianna, Innana, Kali, Isis, Aphrodite, some male, Lugh, Horned God, Pan
• Principal Text: Writings of Gerald Gardner, Alex Sanders, Starhawk, Alexandria Romanov
• Opposition: Traditionally Christians, Crusaders of God
• Typical Wicca Quote: “I’ve seen vidshows about witches on Holloween, some dried up old hag with a wart on her nose boiling up some Eye of Newt Antipasto in a caldron. Get real. I’m 24, I use an airport to do my flying, and I guarantee my coven’s ritual magic is far more potent than any Disney villains.”

The “original” of the movement, Wicca was refounded in England in the 1950’s. It gradually gained speed, becoming almost commonplace in many places, especially college campuses. The surge of magic in 2011 weakened the Wicca tradition, as many of its members scattered to the new Paths, and many others became disillusioned with magic when they found they did not possess the gift. Since then the group has gradually regained its strength, though it is nowhere near its pre-Awakened size. Wicca has the highest percentage of Hermetic mages among the Neo-Pagans. Many groups exist, but the largest is in Salem, Massachusetts, located in the northern part of the Boston/Providence Metropolitan Region (BosPlex). It is near the site of the original Salem witch trials, where the town of Danvers now stands. It is a ghost town, some say literally, and many attempts to demolish it have been made, but none have succeeded, as the witches consider it sacred ground and active oppose any attempt to destroy it.

The Discordian Society

• Type: Dedicated
• Size: Small
• Resources: Poor, unless they have a decker, then Excellent
• Path: Anything that takes their fancy, usu. Goddess worship
• Principal Deities: Eris, Aneris, Greyface, Elvis
• Principal Text: Principia Discordia or How I Found the Goddess and What I Did to Her When I Found Her (nth ed.), Illumiantus trilogy, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
• Symbols/Slogans: Golden apple with the word “KALLISTI” inscribed, “The Sacred Chao” golden apple and pentagon contained within a Yin/Yang symbol. “All Hail Eris/Discordia,” “Dont Panic!”
• Opposition: Corporate, poss. other (unknown)
• Typical Discordan Quote: “Anything is a valid spiritual path. Even humor.” -Malcalypse the Younger

The Discordian Society began as a joke in the late 1950’s, but quickly caught on in the 1960’s and ‘70’s. It was mentioned in the Illuminatus trilogy, and had a minor amount of popularity among pre-Awakened Neo-Pagans. It gained a great deal of momentum during the Year of Chaos (and some blame) but interest tapered off quickly. It is frequently confused with the Neo-Anarchist Policlub, but Discordians are not typically in favor of anarchy. Ideally, they strive to create a situation where two diametrically opposed groups come together, thus causing chaos. Sometime they will actually create groups for this purpose, to get the ball rolling. They also like to start corporate wars, just for fun. Currently there are only three groups in North America, one somewhere in the NYPh’s Edge, one somewhere outside of DesMoines, and one in Seattle. There is only on other known elsewhere, in Hong Kong, the “Elvis is King” Kong Discordians, though others are rumored to exist.

>>>>>[Free toaster oven with every membership!]<<<<<
-bulwyncl [19:07:51/06-08-56]

>>>>>[FILE ENDS]<<<<<