Afterword

Abstract

Such an interesting and important collection of chapters provides the opportunity to survey the whole field of the study of modern Paganism, and poses and proposes answers to some large questions about it. Two are suggested and attempted here. The first concerns the nature of the sources on which Paganism draws and has drawn for the ideas and images which form its identity, and whether they can be classified according to particular periods. The second deals with the present status of Paganism in the Western world, with especial regard to its achievements to date in establishing a place for itself within wider societies, and the strengths and weaknesses which currently characterise it as a result.