Call it earth worship, call it Gaia, call it neo-paganism, but ancient elements of animism are finding new life in a New Age, and as the revival takes hold, the commonalities with Shinto become ever more apparent. But whereas Britain’s paganism is having to be resurrected, Shinto has long remained a living force in Japan. Small wonder therefore that visionaries are looking to borrow and synthesise the two traditions.
Sacred rock. Put a ‘shimenawa’ rope around it, and it might be in Japan –except for the sheep of course!
The Adam and Eve rocks of Avebury, equivalent to the Izanangi and Izanami rocks of Japan. (The Avebury rocks were erected around 2,500 BC)
Pagan ribbons tied to a tree at the Avebury stone circle and carrying their prayers aloft on the wind.
The number of pagan prayer ribbons has grown considerably in recent years, testimony to the way in which neo-paganism is taking hold in Britain.
Amongst the prayers is one that looked very much like an ema. Inspired by a visit to Japan?
An improvised pack of goods and spells, including a prayer for the Brexit decision to be reversed.
A statue at the Chalice Well in Glastonbury. Virgin Mary or Earth Goddess?
The first Goddess Temple to be officially registered in over 1500 years! It’s so successful that branches are spreading all over Europe and beyond. Inside one can get smudged by incense from purifying herbs before sitting in contemplation before images of the Goddess – great ancestress like the Sun Goddess of Japan.
Since aesthetics are such an important part of Shinto ritual, I was glad to see someone taking aesthetic care with the arrangement of leaves before a goddess statue.
Within the magnificent cathedrals of England can be found many instances of the mysterious Green Man, ancient pagan symbol and quite possibly descended from Khidr of the Middle East. In Gloucester Abbey the guides informed me there were no fewer than 40 Green Man statues. Extraordinary!
As in Japan, springs are sacred because of the gift from Earth of life-giving water. This pagan spring at Glastonbury known as White Springs has water with special properties, being particularly rich in iron.
Notice at the White Springs. (Faeries have been claimed by some as the equivalent of kami.)
I was taking a picture of the offerings outside the White Springs when a robin redbreast suddenly appeared and posed for me. Magical!
In Japan that would be an ‘enmusubi’ tree, a sacred symbol of good relationships. Here at Glastonbury it is marked out too as sacred because of its striking form.
Excellent article. I’m a neopagan but I constantly look to Shinto for ideas.
Thank you for writing in… I’m sure you’re not alone, and I believe that with the spread of neo-paganism there will be more and more like you. In the meantime I hope you have taken an interest in Megan Manson’s Pagantama site. A great source of inspiration!