Aleister Crowley: 'Paganism is wholesome because it faces the facts of life.'

Paganism is wholesome because it faces the facts of life.

Paganism is a term often associated with ancient polytheistic religions, but it encompasses a broader perspective that focuses on nature, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all things. Aleister Crowley's quote, "Paganism is wholesome because it faces the facts of life," embraces the idea that embracing and acknowledging the realities of existence is essential for living a fulfilling and meaningful life. This quote highlights the importance of accepting the inherent truths of our existence, no matter how challenging or uncomfortable they may be.Paganism, as a belief system, places great emphasis on an individual's relationship with the natural world. It recognizes the cyclical nature of life - birth, growth, death, and rebirth - and finds spiritual significance in these processes. By acknowledging the realities of life, both the joys and the hardships, paganism provides a framework within which individuals can find solace, meaning, and purpose.Contrastingly, modern society often tends to shy away from the harsher aspects of life. We try to hide from the inevitability of death, the impermanence of all things, and the cyclicality of existence. We are bombarded with an idealized version of reality through various media outlets, which can blind us to the full spectrum of human experiences. This escapism stifles our ability to confront challenges head-on, hindering personal growth and self-discovery.However, there is a philosophical concept that sheds light on the importance of facing the facts of life, and it is known as existentialism. Developed by thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Friedrich Nietzsche, existentialism posits that individuals are responsible for creating their own meaning and purpose in life, as opposed to relying on external sources for validation. It emphasizes the necessity of facing the realities of life, such as the inevitability of death and the absence of inherent meaning, in order to live authentically.Existentialism serves as an intriguing counterpart to the idea of paganism. While paganism finds solace and meaning in the cyclical nature of existence, existentialism focuses on the individual's responsibility to find and create their own purpose in a seemingly meaningless world. In this sense, both philosophies bring attention to the importance of facing the facts of life, but from different perspectives.Where paganism acknowledges the cycles and interconnectedness of life, existentialism emphasizes the individual's agency to confront these facts and find meaning within them. By juxtaposing these concepts, we can navigate a path that combines the wisdom of ancient traditions with the personal autonomy advocated by existentialism.In conclusion, Aleister Crowley's quote, "Paganism is wholesome because it faces the facts of life," highlights the significance of embracing the realities of existence. Paganism offers an approach that honors the natural cycles of life and finds spiritual fulfillment within them. Meanwhile, existentialism compels us to take responsibility for creating our own meaning amidst a seemingly meaningless world. By combining the wisdom of paganism and the self-driven philosophy of existentialism, individuals can strive to lead authentic lives that acknowledge and embrace the facts of life.