A number of Maltese pagans interviewed for a book by Social anthropologist Dr Kathryn Rountree pleaded her to conceal their identities in fear of being fired from their jobs should the belief-system they practice come to light.
The book’s working title ‘Between the Worlds: Witches and Pagans in Malta Today’ attempts to explore neo-paganism in the Maltese Catholic society. Dr. Rountree’s curiosity was tickled by a series of field trips to study Malta’s ancient megalithic temples that date back to between 3000 and 4000 years B.C.
Dr. Rountree was further spurned on to write her book when a Maltese person with the pseudonym of Isabella contaced Dr. Rountree via e-mail asking her if she knew about a secret order claiming to have revived the worship of a pre-Christian Maltese Goddess.
According to Massey News Isabella was not really part of any “secret order”, but she was in touch with many Maltese wiccans and pagans. When Dr Rountree accepted an invitation to attend a Summer Solstice celebration she met several Maltese pagans and witches in Malta who gathered to participate in pagan rituals. These rituals have nothing to do with common Catholic perceptions, where paganism is not synonymous with devil worship, Satan and the Occult.
Dr. Rountree a senior lecturer in the School of Social and Cultural Studies in Auckland describes paganism as “an umbrella term for a large number of modern western nature religions”, each with their own beliefs and practices which include expressing love for and kinship with nature by celebrating seasonal cycles. In fact some surprising links can be drawn between paganism and traditional Catholicism, especially where the celebrations of Christmas an Easter are concerned.
Dr Rountree observed that Maltese pagans and witches do not reciprocate the antipathy towards orthodox Christianity and that they maintain an affinity with Catholicism simply because they are so deeply imbued with it.
The social Anthropologist believes that the book exposing the existence of a contemporary pagan culture may not be warmly welcomed in Malta however she insists that her true aim is to educate people about the true nature of neo-paganism.
© Copyright 2006 - MaltaMedia Online Network
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