Chaos

Chaos is a central theme in myths throughout the globe.  The original state of the universe was chaos, a void, dark and formless, nothing existed.

Creator deities emerged from darkness to bring light and life.  Light and dark, order and chaos is the basics of the concept of myth. The duality of the nature myths of various cultures has the Sun vs the Moon, rains against drought, fertility battling barrenness. 

But in the beginning there had to be order from a chaotic state.  Light conquering darkness gave way for Gods to create and be created.  The emergence of the sky and the realms of Heavens and the Underworld.

Mythology of the world has stories of the battles between chaos and order the cyclic renewal exists in all.  In Iran there is the Tree of All Seeds in the Norse mythology there is the World Tree Yggdrasal where a serpent gnaws at its roots in an attempt to conquer order.

Sunlight crucial to survival had the forces of chaos attempting to overcome liht and plunge the world back into eternal darkness

In order for one to exist there has to be the other; conflicts between the opposing forces existed then as now.  Rain without drought brings floods.  The four elements Earth, Air,Fire and Water have the polarity with Earth being the opposite of Air; and Fire the opposite of Water.

The need for opposition in the world was shown in the wisdom of the ancient peoples and their myths, a guar

Dragons

Dragons were considered to be weather makers to ancient peoples.  They were lizard like or serpentine in form, often with wings, and controlled the waters beneath the earth and the rain from the Heavens.

Dragons in mythology are typically with snake like traits. A dragon is a mythological representation of snakes or lizards. The cultural dragon from European folklore is derived from the Greek mythology, and the oriental mythology of Japan, China and East Asian countries. These have influenced each other by cross cultural contact.

Different culture's stories vary about the origin of dragons. Some dragons are said to breathe fire or are poisonous, They are commonly depicted as serpent like or having the features of reptiles, and possess scaly bodies. They are sometimes portrayed as watching treasure. Some myths often show them with wings.

They were worshiped and feared for their power and destructive abilities.

Dragons are often held to have spiritual significance in various religions and cultures around the world. To the Asians dragons are revered and represent the forces of nature, religion and the universe. They are associated with wisdom and long life. They often possess magic or other supernatural power, and are very often associated with rain, and the rivers. In legends the blood of dragons is thought as having great power rendering the person who bathed in it superior strength.

Dragons commonly lived in lakes, pools or seas and hibernated during the 

Winter drought months in palaces.  In the Spring they soared to the clouds and cause the rains. When angered and in battle with each other storms occurred.

The stories of dragons appear in many cultures and they are often depicted as the enemies of humanity and were believed to be destructive.  They caused storms, tidal waves creating havoc often while spouting fire.

The Heavens were supported by celestial dragons and subterranean dragons guarded treasures below the Earth's surface.

Tales of Gods battling dragons were told in the Indo-European cultures which symbolized the duality of nature the battle of darkness and light in the fundamental oppositional poles good and evil in our perception of the universe.

Water and Life

Water the substance of life in many myths was the source of the creation of the world.  In many myths it is the destroyer of mankind and holds a powerful symbolism and has developed into myths inhabited by many spirits and deities.

Water spirits came in many forms and had varied powers depending on the region of the world.  Water spirits in drought stricken area were revered as benevolent spirits while in areas of the world where rain was plentiful feared their gods of floods; and ancient seafarers faced the wrath of their gods on the seas. 

All of these people depended on the waters for their life substance and these gods became life giving creative force to be worshiped. 

In ancient times water worshiping was prevalent water's strength gave rise to lakes and rivers being deified.  Numerous river gods and river sprites are found in Celtic myths.  Temples and shrines were prominent in the Celt's lands.

The theme of the search for the Water of Life occurs in many cultures and by bathing in or drinking of people could become immortal.  I Greek mythology if is see in the story of Achilles.The Sea symbolizes life ad existed i the beginning of time.  The Primordial Sea is told in most cultures of the world.  The Sea was both the creator and the destroyer of the world.  In many myths there was an inner ( where men dwelt, fished and sailed on) and an outer Ocean called by the Greeks Oceanus.

The Sea held many mysteries; the Nereids played on the waves, mermaids lived there. Its ocean floor held palaces of the gods and their vast treasures,

The life giving properties of the sea gave it its richness and the sacrifices to the Gods repaid them for their gifts of abundance to men.

Neopaganism in Today's Society

Neopaganism in our society are numerous religious movements which are rooted to old beliefs.

Neopaganisms consists of nature symbolism and the people are taught to have a high respect for non-human life. Veneration of nature dieties is contained in many of the teachings.

Most of the rituals and ceremonies are performed outdoors under the Sun and Moon most often during the solstices, equinoxes and full and new moons and define the ritual calendar.

Commonly neopaganism is polytheistic with multiple dieties, including the worship of goddesses. In almost all neopagan religions the reverence of some form of a Great Earth Mother. They do share commonalities, contemporary pagan religious movements are diverse and no single set of beliefs,

Contemporary paganism encompasses a very broad range of groups and beliefs. It is estimated that there are between 40,000 and 200,000 people in the United States practice some form of neopaganism.; the figure may be much higher and is still growing.

The Wicca, the modern witch covens, have nothing to do with Satanism that many Christians erroneously think of as witchcraft.

Since the 1980s various forms of Druidism based on ancient Celtic mythology have been revived. Contemporary Druidism forms the second largest pagan religion after Wicca. It draws several beliefs and inspirations from the ancient Celtic beliefs. Other groups include Norse (Odinism) and ancient Egyptian god worship.

Druidism  is a form of modern religion that teaches harmony and respect for all beings, including the environment. The revival of Druidism began in Britain during the 18th century. Druidism or Druidry's main principles are respect and veneration of nature, and involves participation in environmental movements.

Neopagans practice a positive life having faiths dedicated to healing the people as well as healing the Earth condemning practices of abuse that do harm to the bodies, minds or spirits.

Paganism has existed in all cultures, from the paleolithic era to present societies. The ancient Egyptians were a pagan society; and paleolithic cultures from the Old Stone Age to the present had strong pagan roots. The resurgence of Pagan movements waxes and wanes as society changes so do beliefs; traditions are varied and usually linked to a specific culture or country.

Religions continue to be a form of control and in controlling the masses there is the always a dominant factor whether it be Christianity, Muslim or Paganism.

A Wikipedia article on Contemporary Neopaganism shows the following table as some of the Neopagan movements that are being practiced today throughout the world.

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