neopaganism

American  

[nee-oh-pey-guh-niz-uhm] / ˌni oʊˈpeɪ gəˌnɪz əm /

Or Neo-Paganism

noun

1. a modern revival of interest in the worship of pre-Christian polytheistic religious traditions, especially those of Europe and Egypt, or of nature, fertility, etc., as represented by various deities, first seen in the late 19th century and becoming more formalized in the 20th century.

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Usage

Is it neopaganism, paganism, or polytheism? See neopagan.

Other Word Forms

• neopagan noun

Etymology

Origin of neopaganism

First recorded in 1875–80; neo- + paganism

Example Sentences

“Wicca is kind of a mix of western magic and neopaganism,” said Robert Anderson, who runs Edge of the Circle Books in the University District, the premier pagan supplies shop and bookstore in Seattle.

From Seattle Times

The festival, organized by a group called the Midwest Pagan Council, reflected what some religious leaders find to have been a rather rapid spread of neopaganism around the country over the past decade.

From Time Magazine Archive

Psychologists say that neopaganism functions as a form of "folk therapy," a sort of ritualized search for self-worth in an increasingly complex society.

From Time Magazine Archive

The distaff side is frequently considered to have more status, which makes neopaganism especially attractive to some feminists.

From Time Magazine Archive

The leading impresarios of these latter-day catacombs are transplanted Americans �Charles Marowitz, Ed Berman and Jim Haynes�and they share the fervor of early Christians while espousing neopaganism.

From Time Magazine Archive