Return of the Old Gods

Magical rituals, various gods and goddesses, life in harmony with nature, but also bloody sacrifices and devil worship. These are just some of the things that come to mind when one hears the word paganism. For centuries, it was the subject of theological disputes for Christians and a synonym for false religion. Since the Enlightenment, it has been a source of romantic notions and inspiration for occult groups and European national movements. In the 20th century, Modern Paganism emerged – a new religion that reconstructs pre-Christian traditions. However, a thousand-year gap lies between it and those traditions, and our knowledge is limited. What does it mean when people today return to these traditions? And how do they revive them? Pavel Horák's book is the first Czech study on the topic of paganism, combining historical analysis with field research among modern pagans in several European countries.