Nehalennia's Lowlands: Neo-Paganism in the Netherlands

Summary The thesis covers five contemporary Pagan movements: Wicca (or Modern Witchcraft), Druidry, Asatru (or Heathenry or Modern Heathenism) and the Goddess movement. Neo-Paganism is an umbrella term for several religious movements that find their inspiration in pre-Christian Pagan societies, or contemporary indigenous cultures. The research focusses on the ritual practice within Neo-Paganism in the Netherlands, especially the practice of divination and magic and the importance of spiritual, trance experiences for the adherents. The material approach, discussed by Meyer (2006, 2020, 2012), Meyer and Houtman (2012), and Orsi (2005, 2012) is suitable for the manner in which I was inclined to do the research. I situate my research within the broader research field of Dutch Pagan studies. Whereas other authors concentrate, for instance, on power relationships or a psychological framework, my thesis concentrates on the meaning of the repertoires for the daily life of the “average” adherents. I argue that the diverse practices create a relationship with a greater order of existence, induce self-actualisation, and can function as coping mechanisms, and sometimes even have therapeutic meanings for the adherents. Chapter 1, offers the research design, the execution of the research plan, an overview of the Dutch Neo-Pagan field and the main characteristics of Neo-Paganism. The chapter discusses, consequently, the “fuzzy” Pagan community and the “patchwork” character of the Neo-Pagan field and elaborates the main characteristics, such as the organisation in small groups, the importance of religious experiences by means of trance induction and trance states, the preference of secrecy, and the religious bricolage. Moreover, the chapter gives a justification of the methodology of ‘experiencing participation’ (Ots, 1994). This chapter discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this methodology. I created the method of reflexive boundary analysis in order to prevent becoming too close with the group under study. Chapter 2. This chapter investigates how Pagan movements have affected modern civil society in the Netherlands in finding new expressions of celebrating rites of passage. The most important Pagan “liturgy” of the seasonal calendar of the Wheel of the Year incorporates in its symbolism changes in the human life cycle. The relationship between the Wheel of the Year and rites of passage is thus be discussed for the five Dutch Pagan traditions. Chapter 3 delves into the construction of a brand-new Goddess movement shortly after the millennium, Mystic Foundation Avalon. This organised Dutch Goddess Temple, an annual Dutch Goddess Conference and a multi-year Goddess training. Chapter 4, explores the way in which Neo-Shamanic divination rituals offer especially highly educated, middle-aged women therapeutic posibilities. Chapter 5, elucidates how Pagan divination and magical rituals can be used as coping meachanisms to overcome the hardships of life. The conclusion discusses how rituals are important in meaning-making, as coping mechanisms, and creating belonging and as identity markers.