Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

TRIFORMIS

Literally, The Threefold Nature. In Wicca this is often viewed as the Maiden, Mother and Crone (Hag) aspects of the Goddess. This is often typified by the Goddess Diana, Selene and by Hekate.

We see it also in the Fates and the Horae of Aegean/Mediterranean religion. We later find this concept in Celtic lands after Roman occupation. The Celtic Goddess Brigit (Brighid) is depicted as a threefold Goddess, appearing very much like the Greek carvings of Hekate Triformis.

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc