According to the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) released by the Graduate Center at the City University of New York in June 2001, Pagans make up nearly 0.15 percent of the U.S. population, or about 3 practitioners for every 2,000 Americans. If these percentages hold true for the National Capital Region as defined by the U.S. Census (which includes the areas of Baltimore, DC, and Northern Virginia) there could be as many as 11,000 Pagans within just an hour's drive of Washington, DC.

Categorizing the beliefs held by this population is difficult. Indeed, the word "Pagan" does not refer to a specific doctrine, but instead describes a radically diverse family of religious, cultural, and magickal traditions. You may have already heard of Wiccans, Witches, and Druids; but modern Paganism can also include Reconstructionists, Asatruar, Thelemites, Kabbalists, Ceremonial Magicians, Gypsies, Santerians, Hellenes, Hermetics, Heathens, Native Beliefs, Eastern Philosophies, and many others.

Definitions remain a challenge even within these specific paths. With the exception of more traditional covens, where there may exist some uniformity on a small group scale, individual Pagan belief systems tend to be as unique and specialized as its practitioners; quite literally varying from one person to the next. Indeed, it might be said that the Pagan movement's ability to accept a broad spectrum of belief systems (and still work together effectively) is one of its strongest characteristics.

Almost as difficult is attempting to define what Paganism is not, especially if one relies on non-Pagan sources. A fundamentalist might say a Pagan as anyone who is not a Christian or (more unfortunately) a Satanist. A historian might say a Pagan is anyone who lived in Europe prior to 400 A.D. A Hollywood mogul might even say a Pagan is anyone with a penchant for riding brooms. To varying degrees, all these external definitions are inadequate or simply wrong when describing modern Paganism.

So what IS Paganism? According to the same ARIS report cited above, Wicca (one of several sub-parts of the Pagan movement) is now the fastest growing religion in the United States, demonstrating a 17-fold increase in the number of practitioners over the past decade. In the DC region alone, at least 50 different groups host hundreds of events each year, ranging from small classes and workshops to large annual gatherings like the DC Pagan Pride Day. Who are these people, and what do they believe?

To start, we should say that most Pagans are just like you. Cutting across nearly every social and economic category, American Pagans are, at their most basic, Americans. They vote and pay taxes. They serve in the military. They are doctors, teachers and lawyers. They are wives and husbands. They are parents and siblings. They are sons and daughters. They are friends and partners. They are co-workers and neighbors. In fact, without necessarily realizing it, you may already know a few Pagans.

People are drawn to Paganism for a variety of reasons. In the US, where values like religious freedom, civil liberty, education, diversity, and critical thinking are important, it is not surprising to find a religion that reflects those same ideals. Women may resonate with a faith that treats them as equal and empowered beings. The environmentally conscious may find relevance in doctrines that treat the earth as sacred. Anyone, even those in the majority, may wish to investigate the original beliefs of their ancestors.

Paganism's relevance is further reflected in its rituals and observances. In addition to addressing innate desires for mystery, sacredness, and wisdom; Pagan rituals also acknowledge and draw connections between ourselves and natural rhythms such as life and death, the turning of the stars, the changing of the seasons, the rising of the sun, and the phases of the moon. In this way, Pagan rituals are a reflection of both our humanity and the way that we as human beings relate to the larger universe.

While certainly not true for every Pagan, outlined below are some of the more common belief and structural characteristics of modern American Paganism.

Organization. Outside a small collection of the more organized paths, most Pagans operate without a defined hierarchy or structure. There is no one person, group, or institution that can accurately speak for the entire Pagan population.

Writings. Pagan wisdom is largely communicated through oral tradition, introspection, direct experience, and journals. Unlike revealed religions, which use holy writs such as Bibles or Torahs, there are no equivalent sacred writings among Pagans.

Truth. Pagans don't believe in "One True Way" but rather believe that there a multiple and equally valid truths depending on the person and the relative circumstance. Pagan truths do not require everyone to believe the same thing in order to be true.

Ethics. Pagan ethics tend to be based on a deliberate thought process rather than pre-set doctrinal rules. Ethical questions are commonly evaluated on a case-by-case basis; although some traditions offer general guidance, such as "do no harm."

Divinity. Pagans are often polytheistic; and either take a syncratic approach to divinity (a belief that all Gods and Goddesses are manifestations of similar divine forces) or follow a specific pantheon. Most recognize both male and female forms of divinity.

Rituals. Pagan rites are sometimes tied to the phases of the moon (Esbats) or the sun (Sabbats), but can also include initiations, handfastings (weddings), funerals, and pretty much every other kind of ritual performed by mainstream religious institutions.

Acceptance. Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion are all dearly held civil rights in the Pagan community; and Pagans generally strive to treat all spiritual traditions with equal measures of respect and acceptance.

Recruitment. Pagans don't recruit. They will answer questions when asked, of course, but Pagans usually consider proselytization or recruitment a form of disrespect as it implies that one's current path is somehow superior to another's.

Afterlife. Most Pagans believe in some kind of afterlife or reincarnation. However, most Pagans will also say that "what happens to us after we die?" is not nearly as important a question as asking ourselves "how are we living our current life?"

Responsibility. Pagans are charged with taking personal responsibility for their actions as well as their own spiritual development. Each Pagan is considered their own Priest or Priestess, and held accountable for their own decisions and education.

Clergy. It is extremely rare to find full-time Pagan clergy. The vast majority serve as teachers and group facilitators on an un-paid and volunteer basis. Most clergy certifications, degrees, and training are internal to their own group or tradition.

Animism. Many Pagans treat the world and everything in it as having an inherent spirit, of which we as Pagans are also a part. Pagans treat the earth as sacred, which is one reason Paganism is often considered a form of earth-based spirituality.

Return. Most Pagans believe in both immediate and future karmic return, or the idea that any positive or negative energy we send out into the universe is returned to us amplified. This is one of many reasons Pagans don't engage in curses or hexing.

Magick. Many, but not all, Pagans also believe in magick (spelled with a "k" to distinguish it from stage magic). While very similar to prayer, magick can also draw upon the intent and energies of personal and natural forces in addition to the divine.