Association of Polytheist Traditions
Annual Conference 13 May 2006

Issued by the APT, 25 March 2006
Email the APT
or email J. Blain

Polytheism and Animism in Today's Society

The Gods of Homer's Odyssey - the Greek Gods - the Norse Gods - the Gods of the Welsh and Irish 'Celts' - they are all in the past, aren't they? Or are they?

Feud, fire or furies, 'superstition' or faith ? what have these to offer the modern, or the post-modern world? How do mythology, folklore, traditions and beliefs of a living landscape and 'many gods' help us understand who we are and where we have come from? Why are polytheist faiths - ancient or modern - increasingly important for today's people living in a complex cosmopolitan society - like Britain?

The Association of Polytheist Traditions holds its annual conference on 13th May, at the University of Central Lancashire (Preston). This event is based in ideas of debate and sharing: practitioners and academic analysts investigate polytheist faiths then and now.

The conference theme is Polytheism and Animism in Today's Society.

Panel topics include:

1. Polytheism and Animism - with keynote speakers for the conference
2. On the fringes of Europe: reconstructed polytheism in Russia and Malta
3. The Past in the Present: from Rome to Wicca!
4. Sacred landscapes: perceptions and taboos
5. Trickster deities and 'The Loki discussion' (roundtable debate)

Performances, storytelling, and workshops complete the programme.

The many contributors include polytheists and scholars from Britain, Europe and as far as New Zealand: What brings them here is the wish to debate, share, understand polytheist and animist spiritualities in today's world.

Programme of speakers and topics available on request. Participants include Dr Graham Harvey (Open University), Dr Kathryn Rountree (NZ), Dr Andy Letcher, Gordon 'The Toad' MacLellan, Anne Ferlat (Fr) Dr Jenny Blain, Dr Robert J. Wallis and many others.

Press contacts:
Dr. J Blain, 07919 556371
or email J. Blain

Further information: see www.manygods.org.uk
Co-sponsored by the University of Central Lancashire Pagan Society.