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

WARRIORS OF PAN

A little-known Neo-Pagan organization fcumnded in southern England during the 1930s which followed many of the principles of the Scouting Movement, although with less emphasis on the imperialism and militarism of the latter.

The organization was open to both adults and children, although the work of the two age groups was distinct and separate. Members were recruited either as Warriors or Handmaidens and met at summer camps located adjacent to ancient sacred sites, where they benefited from fresh air away from urban life and learned an amalgam of Neo-Pagan doctrine and woodcraft.

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