Paganism / Prog Connection ?

I can't consider my self a paganist, but, when talking about religion, many have told me my personal vision may be close to some pagan beliefs, mixed up with a certain thought that is common to most religions: 'let's be nice with one another for a change'.

In the prog field, there's a very pagan oriented album I moderatly like called 'Triple Aspect' by a rare english band called 'Legend' that pagan interested proggers may like.

We shall see how (and if) this thread develops.

If it becomes a mainly discussion about paganism, it will be relocated to the "Discussions not related to music" section.

IMO bands tend to write about these pagan myths and legends because there far more interesting than the current monotheistic religions.

As for myself I'm an atheist.

ElwoodHerring wrote: Rick Wakeman's "No Earthly Connection" sounds very pagan to me; although Rick himself is a Christian. The music comes across as very earthy and elemental, especially the first half of "Music Reincarnate".

No, by the contrary, No Earthly Connection's cheesy lyrics are an attempt of Rick to write in Jon Anderson's style, he creates a parallel history of how man developed and lost his musical soul.

But his references to The Maker are obviously a reference to God and of course being mentioned one maker we must assume it's monotheist album.

Iván

dojonane wrote: Not so much melodic themes or ethnic folk traditions being crystallized in prog itself...more so the dynamism of spirit taking on different incarnations, songs about anthropomorphic qualities for natural forces, personified elements (i.e. I talk to the Wind), metaphysical leanings like pythagoras' concept of the music of the spheres in ascribing melodies to the sun and the like. More primordial and elemental in terms of symbology then distinct narratives relating to Ra of Baphomet or the like, although I'm sure those exist as well...the lyrical themes found in the band Citizen Cain's work often seem to invoke specific entities and call upon a friction between Christianity and something more ancient, taking its toll on the rationalization of belief into such neat little orders...

You make a point, if there is a gene where I find more Pagan influences is in Medieval Celtic influenced Prog'.

Celtic culture had a very strong religion that even managed to survive Catholicism because they blended their traditions with Christian celebrations.

Somethuing similar to what was done in Perú by the natives. The Spanish boasted around the world that in Perú the Corpus Christy was celebrated as in no other place in the world, but the truth was that our natives were celebrating the Inti Raymi (The Feast of Inti or the Sun) that is precisely in June.

So if you can foind Pagan influences even blended with canonic music is in Folk or more precisely ethnic Prog, but not because the musicians are Pagans, but because of this influence incorporated in Prog.

Iván