Paganism, as a diverse and multifaceted religious and spiritual tradition, has gained increasing scholarly attention in recent years. Academic journals and popular magazines provide important avenues for research, discussion, and dissemination of knowledge related to Pagan themes and issues. This essay aims to provide an overview of selected journals and magazines that focus on Paganism or cover issues of interest to Pagans. The peculiarities and specialties of these publications will be explored, highlighting their unique contributions to the field of Pagan studies. 

The selected journals and magazines for this analysis are: The Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies; Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions; The Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture; Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft; The Journal of Contemporary Religion; and Heathen Freehold Society of BC Journal. These publications were chosen for their established reputation in the field, their focus on Paganism or related topics, and their contributions to the scholarly discourse on Paganism.

The Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies

The Pomegranate, published by Equinox Publishing, is a leading academic journal that focuses on Pagan studies. It provides a platform for interdisciplinary research and critical analysis of Paganism in its various forms, including but not limited to Wicca, Witchcraft, Heathenry, Druidry, and other contemporary Pagan traditions. 

The journal publishes articles that explore the historical, sociological, psychological, and cultural aspects of Paganism, as well as its intersections with other religious traditions, nature spirituality, gender studies, and social justice issues. The Pomegranate also welcomes book reviews, conference reports, and other scholarly contributions that advance the understanding of Paganism.

One of the peculiarities of The Pomegranate is its commitment to scholarly rigor and excellence. As an academic journal, it follows a peer-review process, which ensures that published articles undergo rigorous scrutiny by experts in the field. This contributes to the overall reliability and credibility of the journal as a source of high-quality research on Paganism. The journal also maintains a global perspective, with contributors and readership from various countries and cultural contexts, providing diverse insights and perspectives on Paganism from around the world.

Another specialty of The Pomegranate is its interdisciplinary approach. The journal encourages interdisciplinary research that draws on diverse methodologies and theoretical frameworks, fostering innovative and critical perspectives on Paganism. This interdisciplinary approach allows for the exploration of Paganism in its complexity and richness, engaging with a wide range of academic disciplines, such as anthropology, sociology, history, religious studies, psychology, gender studies, and environmental studies, among others. This makes The Pomegranate a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in the multidimensional aspects of Paganism.

Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions

Nova Religio, published by the University of California Press, is a renowned academic journal that covers a wide range of alternative and emergent religious movements, including Paganism. While not exclusively focused on Paganism, Nova Religio regularly publishes articles that examine Pagan traditions, practices, beliefs, and communities from a scholarly perspective. The journal welcomes contributions that provide critical insights into the historical, sociological, psychological, and cultural aspects of contemporary Paganism, as well as its intersections with other religious traditions, popular culture, gender studies, and social issues.

Nova Religio pays special attention to inclusivity and diversity. The journal recognizes the heterogeneity and complexity of alternative and emergent religions, including Paganism, and strives to provide a platform for a wide range of voices and perspectives. This inclusivity is reflected in the journal’s editorial policies, which promote diversity in terms of authors’ backgrounds, research methodologies, and theoretical frameworks. Nova Religio also encourages interdisciplinary approaches, allowing for the exploration of Paganism in its multifaceted dimensions.

Nova Religio puts emphasis on empirical research and fieldwork. The journal values original research that is grounded in empirical data and fieldwork, providing rich and nuanced insights into the lived experiences of Pagans and other alternative and emergent religious practitioners. This empirical focus contributes to the journal’s scholarly rigor and relevance, as it advances the understanding of Paganism through empirical evidence and firsthand observations.

The Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture

The Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture, published by Routledge, is a unique interdisciplinary journal that explores the relationships between religion, nature, and culture from diverse perspectives, including Paganism. The journal welcomes contributions that investigate the intersections of religion, nature, and culture in various religious traditions, including Paganism, and their implications for ecological sustainability, environmental ethics, social justice, and spirituality.

One of the distinctive features of The Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture is its focus on the interdisciplinary field of religion and ecology. The journal provides a platform for scholars and researchers from diverse disciplines, such as religious studies, environmental studies, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, and others, to engage in interdisciplinary dialogues and collaborations on the topic of religion, nature, and culture. This interdisciplinary approach allows for innovative and critical perspectives on Paganism, as well as other religious traditions, in relation to their ecological, social, and cultural contexts.

Another feature of The Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture is its engagement with contemporary environmental and social issues. The journal encourages contributions that address urgent environmental challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental justice, and sustainable development, from a religious and cultural perspective. This focus on real-world issues and their intersection with religion and culture makes The Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture relevant and impactful for scholars and researchers interested in Paganism and its relationship with the natural world and human society.

Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft

Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft, published by the University of Pennsylvania Press, is an academic journal that focuses on the interdisciplinary study of magic, ritual, and witchcraft in various cultural and historical contexts, including Paganism. The journal welcomes contributions that provide critical insights into the practices, beliefs, and cultural significances of magic, ritual, and witchcraft, as well as their intersections with religion, spirituality, gender, politics, and society.

Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft has an interdisciplinary approach to the study of magic, ritual, and witchcraft. The journal brings together scholars from diverse fields, such as anthropology, history, religious studies, folklore, sociology, and others, to engage in interdisciplinary discussions and analyses of these topics. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a multifaceted understanding of Paganism and its magical, ritualistic, and witchcraft practices, as well as their cultural, historical, and social contexts.

The journal focuses on historical and comparative perspectives. The journal publishes articles that examine magic, ritual, and witchcraft in different historical periods and cultural contexts, providing a broad and nuanced understanding of these phenomena. This historical and comparative approach enables scholars to trace the genealogies, transformations, and cross-cultural variations of magical, ritualistic, and witchcraft practices, including those associated with Pagan traditions.

The Journal of Contemporary Religion

The Journal of Contemporary Religion, published by Routledge, is a leading academic journal that focuses on the scholarly study of contemporary religious phenomena, including Paganism. The journal welcomes contributions that provide critical insights into the religious practices, beliefs, identities, and communities of the contemporary world, as well as their intersections with various social, cultural, political, and psychological factors.

One of the distinctive peculiarities of The Journal of Contemporary Religion is its interdisciplinary and international scope. The journal encourages interdisciplinary research that draws on diverse theoretical and methodological approaches, including sociological, anthropological, psychological, philosophical, and others, to explore contemporary religious phenomena, including Paganism. 

The journal also promotes international perspectives, publishing articles that investigate the religious dynamics and transformations in different regions of the world, allowing for a global understanding of Paganism and its manifestations.

The journal encourages contributions that address current religious trends, challenges, and controversies, including those related to Paganism, such as issues of identity, authority, gender, sexuality, politics, and globalization. This engagement with contemporary issues makes The Journal of Contemporary Religion relevant and timely for scholars and researchers interested in the study of Paganism in the modern world.

Heathen Freehold Society of BC Journal

The Heathen Freehold Society of BC Journal is a unique publication that focuses on Heathenry, a contemporary Pagan religious movement that draws inspiration from pre-Christian Norse and Germanic cultures. The journal welcomes contributions that explore various aspects of Heathenry, including its history, beliefs, practices, rituals, myths, and contemporary expressions.

The Heathen Freehold Society of BC Journal focuses on community-building and networking among Heathens. The journal serves as a platform for Heathen practitioners to share their experiences, insights, and research with the wider Heathen community, and to foster connections and collaborations among Heathens across different regions and traditions. This community-oriented approach makes the journal a valuable resource for Heathens interested in scholarly research and engagement.

Sources:

1. The Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.equinoxpub.com/journals/index.php/POM 
2. Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://journals.ucpress.edu/nr 
3. The Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.religionandnature.com/journal 
4. Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.psupress.org/journals/jnls_mrw.html 
5. The Journal of Contemporary Religion. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.taylorandfrancis.com/journal/the-journal-of-contemporary-religion 
6. Heathen Freehold Society of BC Journal. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.heathenfreehold.org/journal.html 

[Yuliia Vereta is a Polish writer of Ukrainian origin, whose speculative works were published in print and online among others in Star*Line, Asimov’s Science Fiction, Leading Edge, Penumbric, Kaleidotrope, Parsec, Aphelion, Dissections, Bewildering Stories and Pressfuls Press Anthologies. She holds an M.A. in translation and currently works as a translator in Katowice.]