The Pagan Federation is a charitable incorporated organisation originally founded in 1971 as the Pagan Front. Its stated aims are to:[1]
- Eliminate discrimination against pagans on the grounds of beliefs which are recognised and protected in law and consistent with the Equality Act 2010
- Raise public awareness of the beliefs and practices of pagans
- Cultivate a sentiment in favour of equality and diversity
The term “pagan” is derived from the Latin pagus, the smallest unit of land in a country district. Pagans were those who followed the beliefs and religions of the countryside rather than the officially recognised cults, even after the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as it official religion.[2] Paganism comes in many different forms, such as Druidry, Witchcraft and Wicca, but what they all have in common is the belief in a divine force inherent in nature, with which humans need to form a relationship.[3]
By 1981 the original Pagan Front had become infiltrated by right-wing extremist groups such as the National Front, and so in October that year the Pagan Front became the Pagan Federation.[4]
Pagan Dawn
Pagan Dawn is the Pagan Federation’s official magazine. Published quarterly, it was founded in 1968, three years before the foundation of the Pagan Front. It was originally titled The Wiccan, but its name was changed in 1993 to reflect its coverage of alternative pagan paths such as Druidry and Shamanism.[5]
