Neo-paganism: ritual forged by the Burning Times
Abstract
The Burning Times has been of interest to both scholars and practitioners alike
over the past few decades. The interest typically focuses on those that died and the
discrepancy of the number of those who perished. While the historical and sociological
aspects of the Burning Times are fascinating, when the analytical lens is shifted to
examine how the Burning Times affect present-day practitioners, it proves to be just as
fascinating and much more subtle. Paganism's practitioners greet the Burning Times
with a sense of ambivalence. The Burning Times balances between being meaningful
and meaningless. The Burning Times can be understood through legitimacy, myth, and
space and time through two means. First, it can be seen, through Ritual practice within
Pagan covens. Second, the Burning Times can be seen when Pagans make the decision
whether to be “out� or closeted. Throughout both of these areas of study, the element of
ambivalence can be seen.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Review of literature -- Methodology -- Results -- Discussion -- Conclusion -- Appendix A. IRB approval -- Appendix B. Consent to participate -- Appendix C. Pagan demographic and belief survey -- Appendix D. Interview schedule -- Appendix E. Laws pertaining to European witchcraft
Degree
M.A.