First of all some terms. Most current polytheism beliefs fall under the broad heading of Pagan in common usage. The original meaning of the word Pagan was something close to "people from the country". It came into popular use when those in the cities started largely following the Christian movement, but those in the country still held to their old beliefs. It's possible this divide in beliefs arose from the disconnection with nature that city dwellers experienced as compared to their peers in the countryside. The Gods and beliefs of Paganism are strongly rooted in nature and the natural world, and these influences waned as people moved into the cities. Many people started to become disconnected with the land, a general cultural bias stated to develop that nature served man, not the other way around. However a reverence of nature and the natural survived much longer in those whom their daily toils and dependence was strongly connected to the land.
It may be considered funny how things have somewhat reversed in our current world. Most studies of Paganism today show it's more prevalent in middle class Urban/Suburban areas, while the rural areas have a tendency to be much more conservative and Christian (at least in America). Even though I have no data to back up this thinking, it seems to me that rural folk have much stronger beliefs, no matter what they are, and are much more prone to sticking to those beliefs than "changeable" city folks. To take this thought a step farther, I also feel part of the resurgence in more urban areas is due to a basic longing for the connection with the world and nature that has been lost to many modern peoples. However, their peers in rural areas still have that basic connection, and so don't have a need to "reconnect" the way city folk do. Just some general thoughts on the matter.
Currently there are several terms in common use for Pagans. Pagan, Neo-Pagan, Modern Pagan, Contemporary Pagan, and Wiccan. Some also refer to it as "The Craft" or Witchcraft, but those seem to be more descriptive of the magic side of things. Those that practice these religions are often called Witches, both male and female. However the males can also be called Warlocks. In some systems a Pagan is simply someone who worships the "Old Gods", or worships nature in general. While Witches and Warlocks are Pagans who also practice magic or "Witchcraft". In simple terms, all Witches are Pagan, but not all Pagans are Witches. Magic in general is a system in which reality is affected in some way, through ones own power or the powers of the "Gods". In broad terms, it's much like prayer in Christianity, however in prayer all affects come from God, while in most Pagan beliefs it's a combination of personal power and "Higher Powers", or outside power from nature and the earth.
Most Pagan followers seem to prefer the simple term Pagan or Wiccan (Wica or Wicca seems to have meant "wise ones" at one time). Some do embrace the other terms, but many consider the term Neo-Pagan to be derogatory. For modified descriptors, Contemporary Pagan seems to be the most acceptable in general. The modified terms came into use mainly for the use of academics and outsiders writing about "The Craft". Since Pagan beliefs were largely Oral in nature, partly due to the the prosecutions of Christianity and partly due to the fact many "country people" were illiterate, these is not much historical recordings of the actual "rites" and "practices". So most of what we have today has been recorded in the last 100 years or so. History shows Pagans existed for most of written history, but the details are often not recorded. So today's resurgence in followers of Paganism are forced to follow rites and beliefs developed largely in the last century or so.
Contemporary Paganism (in America) is largely a mix of many different belief systems all mixed together. It shares aspects with New Age, Native American, Hinduism, Buddhism, and many mystic beliefs from the East. In a way it's borrowed the best of each, because in essence it's a personal and evolving religion, that can incorporate any and all ideas. It may be one of the most accepting and tolerant of all religions today, because the Wiccan Rede (more on that in a moment) seems to be the one and only "rule" that all covens and branches of organized Witchcraft seemed to have adopted. And the Rede, at it's heart, says that whatever you believe for yourself is OK. Period. No questions asked.
Wiccan Rede: The most common version is "An it harm none, do what thou wilt." Or without all the fancy language "As long as you harm no one else, do whatever you want." Some leave out the "And it harm none" part, the oldest recorded instance of the Rede appears around 1904, and was simply "Do what thou wilt". So the guiding principle of Paganism today is simply "Do whatever", and at some point someone added "But don't harm anyone while doing it". But some people argue that you can't "Do what thou wilt" if your restricted by not harming anyone. What version each person and coven adopts is a personal choice up to them. Some believe another aspect of Wicca takes the place of the "An it harm none" part. The 3 fold rule. This is a belief held by many Witches that in general that you get back 3x (3 fold) what you do. So if you do good, you'll get back good, if you do bad, you'll get back bad. While this can be seen as a general life rule, it more goes into affect when using "The Craft" or spells and magic to affect the world. My personal belief is that in general in life you "reap what you sow", but when using magic (altering reality or the natural course of things) then you get it back 3 fold.
Personally I subscribe to the whole Rede "And it harm none, do what you will", not as a fixed law or rule, but more as a moral guideline. It's a good outlook to have, and something to always keep in mind. So what constitutes harm? Curses, restricting or affecting free will, and intentionally taking from someone else can all constitute harm. Let's look at those three in more detail. Curses are spells or "harm wishing" that hurts another person directly. Inflicting disease, accidents, bad luck, or failure are all Curses. So is inflicting mental or physical harm out of intent or malice. Free Will is a tricky one, and maybe the hardest to define and control. Some love spells would be a good example, trying to force someone to love you is taking away their free will. In fact trying to directly affect how a specific person feels about you in any way is harming their right to free will, and should be avoided at all cost. At another time I'll explain how you can cast love spells and the like without harm. Lastly "taking" or "stealing" what someone else has is harm. This can also be tricky, and needs deep forethought. If you wish to take something from someone else you are harming. Wither it be a lover, money, or items. There are ways to get what you want and need, without directly harming them. I will also touch on this at another time.
This is just general thoughts about history about Paganism and a brief overview of how I see it and what I believe. Just consider it food for thought as you find you own path in life. Thanks for reading.
Merry Met and Blessed Be.
Dreamweaver
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