The LanChester Pagan Association

Join a group of like-minded pagans within the Chester County & Lancaster Area. Make new friends, and help others on their path. The group is intended to share, learn and support each other, while providing fellowship. We welcome new members and encourage families to join. We come from all social levels and walks of life, young and old, novice and elder.

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Meet other like-minded local Pennsylvania Pagans, Wiccans, Druids, all walks of pagan life within the Chester County & Lancaster County area.

  

Paganism There are other kinds of Paganism besides Wicca. Lots of them actually. Many of these paths have beliefs in common with Wicca, but they are all unique and separate religions. Some of the different Pagan religions: Asatru Asatru is a tradition based on old Norse beliefs, and is significantly different from basic Wicca. Followers of this path call themselves Heathens. Celtic Reconstructionism Celtic reconstructionists are trying to rebuild the ancient beliefs and rituals of the Celts. Discordian The worship of Eris, Goddess of Chaos, can have some startling and offbeat results. I'll admit, I barely understand this stuff. Druidry The Druids were the priesthood of the ancient Celts, and their beliefs are still followed today. Hellenism Also known as Greek Reconstructionism or Hellenic Polytheism. Hellenismos is a modern practice of the ancient Greek religion. Kemetic The Kemetic faith is the modern practice of the religion of ancient Egypt. Santeria Santeria is a typically Caribbean religion whose roots are in Africa, but has been blended with Roman Catholic images as well. Shamanism Shamanism is more of a philosophy than a religion, and involves deep spirituality and healing. Stregheria Stregheria (or Strega) is traditional Italian witchcraft, and it dates back beyond the modern-day Wicca. Vodou / Vodun It's more commonly known as Voodoo, and it's a religion from West African that migrated to Haiti and North America from the slaves hundreds of years ago. Wicca Wicca is a new religion based on old ideas. It is often confused with the practice of witchcraft, and though very similar they are not the same thing. What is a "Pagan"? For a modern use, Pagan is a word used to name a category or classification of individuals & religious traditions. The way to descried it is to compare it to a term in taxonomy. Humans are Animalia (animals). Trees are Plantae (plants). Bread Mold is Fungi (fungi). So for us, our "Kingdom" would be Pagan. Using the common dictionary definition, all religions that are neither Christian, Jewish, nor Islamic are Pagan(including all polytheists, pantheist, and atheists). So, like humans and horses are both animals; Wicca and Hellenism are both Pagan. Following a taxonomy model, we could then classify each pagan religion into a "Phylum". Buddhism and Hinduism could be classified as "Eastern Traditions". Hellenism and Celtic Reconstructionism could be classified as "Reconstructionist Traditions". Wicca and Unitarian Paganism could be classified as "Neo-Pagan Traditions". Wicca then becomes a "Class" of religion, and I can easily explain how it can be considered both Pagan and Neo-Pagan, and how it differed from the Eastern & Reconstructionist Traditions but still all can be Pagan. Wicca (and the other Pagan Religions) then can be classified further into each of its denominations & sects. Dianic Wicca and Universal Eclectic Wicca are both Wicca, but still very different. There will be those who will disagree with the way Paganism is explain here, but it is a highly logical definition and does not contradict either the dictionary meaning or the modern usage.

Some of the communities we serve: Chester County, Pennsylvania Chester County was organized in 1682. The territory was granted to William Penn from King Charles II, and was named for Cheshire, England. In 1789 the present limits of the county - consisting of 760 square miles - were formed. When the Europeans first settled in Chester County there were Indian villages in several areas. The land was settled by English Quakers, Scots, Irish, and the Pennsylvania Dutch. Chester County played a significant part in the founding of our nation, including the Battle of Brandywine, the Paoli Massacre and the Valley Forge encampment. Situated for the most part in the fertile Piedmont Upland section, where the terrain is rolling and elevations range below 1,000 feet, the county contains many exceptionally fine farms and estates. The eastern portion of Chester County has become a residential area, reflecting the westward advance of metropolitan Philadelphia. The population of Chester County has historically been agriculturally-based and grew at a slower rate than the United States and the region until 1940. Since 1940 there has been an accelerated migration to Chester County from urban centers. Agricultural and horticultural activities have maintained a strong position in the economy of the county. Greenhouse products, roses, dairy products, and mushrooms provide a major source of income. Chester County has become the mushroom growing center of the United States. The first steel to be manufactured in America was produced in 1732 at Coventry Forge, North Coventry Township. Today the largest industry in terms of employment is the primary metal producers, who employ nearly one-quarter of the county’s industrial work force. In addition to the many cultural and recreational facilities shared with the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the county has its own attractions, including several Revolutionary War sites. You can also see modern mushroom growing houses and grazing land for thousands of Santa Gertrudis cattle. Chester County lies in the southeast corner of the state and is bounded on the south by the states of Delaware and Maryland. There are 57 townships, 15 boroughs including West Chester, the county seat, and one city.

Atglen Avondale Berwyn Birchrunville Birmingham Caln Chadds Ford Charlestown Chester Spribgs Cheyney City of Coatesville Cochranville Devault Devon Downingtown East Bradford East Bbrandywine East Caln East Coventry East Fallowfield East Goshen East Marlborough East Nantmeal East Nottingham East Pikeland East Vincent East Whiteland Easttown Elk Township Elverson Exton

Franklin Frazer Glen Moore Hughland Honey Brook Kemblesville Kennett Square Kennett Township Kimberton Landenberg Landenberg Lewisville London Britain London Grove Londonderry Lower Oxford Malvern Modena New Garden New London Newlin Township North Coventry Nottingham Oxford Parkesburg Penn Township Pennsbury Phoenixville Pocopson Pottstown

Sadsbury Sadsburyville Schuylkill Township South Coatesville South Coventry Spring City Thornbury Township Thorndale Tredyffrin Township Upper Oxford Upper Uwchlan Uwchlan Township Valley Township Wagontown Wallace Warwick West Bradford West Caln West Chester West Fallowfield West Goshen West Grove West Marlborough West Nantmeal West Nottingham West Pikelan West Sadsbury West Vincent West Whiteland Westtown

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Lancaster County was created on May 10, 1729, from part of Chester County and named for Lancashire, England. Lancaster, the county seat, named for its England counterpart, was laid out in 1730. It was chartered as a borough on May 1, 1742, and as a city on March 10, 1818. The best non-irrigated farmland in the world brought the Amish here to settle. And you can experience their plain lifestyle as you wander through Eastern Lancaster County and marvel at a people who survive in today's world without telephones or electricity. Visit historical sites. A one-time capital of the United States, home of the Conestoga covered wagon and Kentucky rifle which opened the West for settlement, Lancaster has a lot of history to explore. Or shop hundreds of outlet stores where you can stock up for Christmas (and every other holiday for that matter) with quality goods from around the country. Choose from any one of hundreds of places to stay - hotels, campgrounds, bed & breakfasts - and dine in any one of thousands of restaurants featuring Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, French Cajun or just plain old delicious American meat and potatoes.

Adamstown Akron Bart Blue Ball Buck Caernarvon Christiana City of Lancaster Clay Colerain Township Columbia Conestoga Denver Earl East Hempfield East Lampeter East Petersburg

Eden Elizabethtown Ephrata Gap Grasshopper Level Kinzer Lancaster Township Landisville Leacock Leola Litiz Little Britain Manheim Manor Township Marietta Martic Township Millersville

Mount Joy New Holland Oregon Paradise Peach Bottom Penn Township Reinholds Smoketown Sporting Hill Strasburg Turniptown Upper Leacock Warwick West Cocalico West Earl West Hempfield West Lampeter