Future of Paganism
Niche Religions: Your Own Personal Paganism?
A study of history, again, demonstrates how true this was of most ancient religions in Europe upon which many forms of modern Paganism are based to some extent. The cult of Zeus in Olympia in Greece was not quite the same as it was at Mt. Lykaion, or in Athens, or in the desert oasis of Siwa in Egypt. Local epithets and particularities always accompanied any deity's cultus in a specific location, no matter what wider origins or shared characteristics of a deity might have been in play in the particular instance. One community's epiphany and understanding of the deity didn't have to be the same as that of another community's a few miles away, nor in a neighboring region, or in a further distant province.
The "Here," "There," and "Anywhere" model can therefore apply to the phenomenon of modern and future Paganism as "niche religions" as well. Paganism-in-general should be something that anyone can do anywhere, and thus the third dimension of this tripartite distinction can be maintained; but, the niche-religion understanding of Paganism would require that any particular "Anywhere" is one that is localized and adapted to the specific population, geography, and culture in which it is found. Likewise, the "There" dimension of religions that have a communal aspect are important, and this would be important to maintain in future forms of Paganism as well; as a niche religion, this "Anywhere" dimension would extend to regional festival spaces, and to some broader (but still adaptable and individualized) movements within Paganism that have common theological expressions and practices. But, perhaps most importantly, both the "Anywhere" and the "There" dimensions of Paganism as a religion in the future will also have to work hand-in-hand with a strong "Here" dimension, because "Here" is where all of us live. And, in that sense, the niche religions paradigm would be most suited for application.
So, what is the particular "Here" from which one is coming? Is it a "Here" with a focus on nature and the seasons? Is it a "Here" that is also heavily invested in the particular and specific landforms, geography, flora and fauna, as well as nature spirits, legends, and local heroes, that are found in the physical location in which one's "Here" happens to be? Is one's "Here" invested in political issues, like feminism, or social justice? Is an individual "Here" interested in particular cultures of the past, particular languages, and specific deities? Perhaps most importantly, what does a given "Here" want out of its religious and spiritual life generally speaking: greater prosperity, physical well-being, and improved relationships? Gaining a general sense of peace in dealing with life's vicissitudes? Putting one's existence into a greater context of cosmological meaning and significance? Imbuing one's life with more celebration and recognition of the passing of ages, seasons, and other significant events in life and the community?
Asking all of these questions will help to identify what particular religious niche one should strive to shape for oneself and one's associates in the particular "Here" of one's future Pagan religion. What this will lead to is a more specialized religion, religious community, and religious structures that will not only be better adapted to serve specific spiritual needs, but that will be continually shaped, adapted, and evolved to improve the participants' engagements with and pursuit of those needs. This will be a Paganism that is often very well-defined in its aims, without being exclusionary or exclusive.