Popularising articles by Pavel Horák
Právo, 2024
Interview in Salon, cultural edition of Pravo newspaper.
Religionista Pavel Horák z Etnologického ústavu AV ČR odhaduje, že naše budoucnost bude výrazně p... more Religionista Pavel Horák z Etnologického ústavu AV ČR odhaduje, že naše budoucnost bude výrazně pohanská. Nejvýraznější skupiny tzv. moderního pohanství tvoří severské novopohanství, neodruidismus, slovanskými bohy inspirované rodnověří a současné čarodějnictví zvané wicca. Kde má moderní pohanství své kořeny a proč počty jeho stoupenců rostou? Poslechněte si lehce okultistickou epizodu s hudebními ukázkami v novopohanském duchu.
Sedmá generace, 2021
Rozhovor o mém výzkumu
Study of Paganism
The aim of this article is to provide an overview of contemporary scholarly st... more Study of Paganism
The aim of this article is to provide an overview of contemporary scholarly studies of Paganism- Pagan studies. The article describes a brief history of Pagan studies, its major topics of interest and its theoretical problems. Last two parts of the article are dedicated to recent criticism of Pagan studies and to an outline of future tasks of Pagan studies.
Contemporary Czech Neopaganism
This article is an outline of contemporary Czech Neopagan scene. ... more Contemporary Czech Neopaganism
This article is an outline of contemporary Czech Neopagan scene. lt briefly shows the history ofNeopaganism in the Czech republic, then introduces three major Neo- pagan umbrella organizations, goes on to mention particular Neopagan groups and approaches, and finally tries to put Neopaganism into the wider context. Neopaganism is a new and growing phenomenon on the Czech religious scene. Number of its adherents is likely to grow in future. Nevertheless, Neopaganism is still trying to find its own place in the Czech society, although first steps into a public space have already been made.
An interview with prof. Ronald Hutton.
Dingir 4/2012, Dec 17, 2012
This article focuses on the “Transformation 2012” Phe- nomenon which is a current topic in the we... more This article focuses on the “Transformation 2012” Phe- nomenon which is a current topic in the western culture. Its author describes a process of the proclaimed transfor- mation, its characteristic and the changes which brings to Earth, people, space etc. The conclusion is that the “Transformation 2012” topic is based on the Christian, theological framework despite a different origins of the topic – proclaimed end of the Maya calendar.
Dingir 2/2013, Jun 17, 2013
An interview with a Czech jungian astrologist.
Articles by Pavel Horák
Aries, 2023
The article discusses the reception of occultism in Central Europe through a case study of the mo... more The article discusses the reception of occultism in Central Europe through a case study of the most sophisticated Czech occult society, Universalia: The Society of Czechoslovak Hermeticist. Established in the Czechoslovak Republic of the 1920s, dissolved by the Nazi regime in 1941, and subsequently revived in the 1990s, Universalia significantly shaped the Czech occult milieu through publishing and lecturing activities. The article focuses primarily on how the French occult milieu shaped local Czech occultism, exploring two extremes within Universalia’s leadership: universalism and nationalism. The article tracks these tendencies through discursive historical analysis, paying attention to the topoi related to occultism, universalism, the Czech nation, Slavic ethnicity, and national myths, along with notions of initiation, corruption of society, and the exclusivity of occult ideas and practices. It shows which discursive strategies underlined either universalism or nationalism and charts a balanced image of Universalia and the Czechoslovak occult milieu between 1890 and 1942.
Nova Religio, 2022
The article deals with a possible existence of doctrines in modern Paganism. Generally, Pagan stu... more The article deals with a possible existence of doctrines in modern Paganism. Generally, Pagan studies scholars widely consider modern Paganism a religion without doctrines. Furthermore, Margot Adler, one of the early researchers of modern Paganism, established a narrative that practice is more important than beliefs in modern Paganism. However, based on ethnographic research conducted among modern European Pagans between 2014 and 2017, along with additional secondary data, this article argues that doctrines may emerge in situations of pressure or conflict, or while delineating boundaries and gatekeeping Paganism against other religions. In such situations, beliefs become enforced and turn into the basis of possible doctrines. Doctrines are authoritatively defined theoretical components of religion, comprising of teaching, beliefs, and confessions. Their authoritative character has its historical roots in Christianity and tries to keep the doctrinal contents fixed using dynamic of truth and falsity, which determines orthodoxy – the right faith from error.
Folklore, 2022
This article analyses how pagan Slavic religion and mythology were assembled in the nineteenth an... more This article analyses how pagan Slavic religion and mythology were assembled in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, using the example of folklore research in the Czech lands. It demonstrates how imaginings of the original nature of Slavic religion and mythology, and speculations about the Indo-European past, contributed to Czech nation-building. Reviewing the shift from amateur folklore research to the establishment of institutionalized disciplines, the article argues that Christian theological assumptions enabled the 'discovery' of Slavic religion and gave it a peculiar shape through secularization of the original theological ideas.
Religions, 2021
Several scholars have criticized the efforts to explain Indian mantras as spells, but much is lef... more Several scholars have criticized the efforts to explain Indian mantras as spells, but much is left to clarification. Why do submission-versus-coercion characterizations keep reoccurring, albeit disputed? Why does the difference between this-worldly and other-worldly goals also keep its important role in discussions about mantras? Furthermore, how are these ideas tied to analyses of the beliefs of practitioners? We identify three main positions concerning mantras: They are explained as spells, prayers, or both at the same time. However, the criteria for determining whether mantras are magical practices or religious practices apparently allow for characterizing the very same mantra as either of the two or even as ‘magico-religious’. The general theories of magic are not able to explain this problem. In the last part of this article, we analyse the role that the concept of supernatural powers plays in the debates. It was a whole structure of interconnected ideas, deeply rooted in Christian belief in a biblical God and fallen angels, which formulated the dominant characterization of magical practices in modern scholarship on India. We propose a three-step scheme which shows how the originally coherent account of Christian theology gradually dissolved into a set of problematic ideas that have typified discussions of Indian mantras over the last six or more decades.
This article tries to answer the question of how the concept of Paganism was conceived and shaped... more This article tries to answer the question of how the concept of Paganism was conceived and shaped by the Romantic thinkers, and whether it has influenced our current understanding of both antique Paganism and contemporary Paganism; if yes, how? My aim is to show this with the example of the Romantic period in the Great Britain especially between 1750–1850. I omit the commonplace account on the poets and other artists and their works in this paper, instead of that, I focus mainly on the works of antiquarians, historians, and philosophers, and want to show a different image of the Romantic period than it is often perceived. I start with the work of pre-Romantic antiquarian William Stukeley, and end with the work of Iolo Morganwg. The article argues that the very image of the ancient past was shaped by Christian theological concerns and questions, and the political situation and artistic romantic sentiment of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Thus, the image of Paganism as it exists today reflects religious and political disputes of those centuries. The article also argues that not only has this image of Paganism has been retained till today, but that it has also influenced some notions of contemporary Pagan thought. This notwithstanding, the image of Paganism is no longer considered in its full scope, since the concerns and questions which guided its construction sank into oblivion, while their “product”— the romantic image of the Celts and Druids remained.
This article argues that the concept of paganism, though originally theological in nature, came t... more This article argues that the concept of paganism, though originally theological in nature, came to be used in the Enlightenment and its secular thought as a term for non-Abrahamic ‘religions’. Discussions on paganism were conducted in an environment where concerns about religious plurality had become central. As such, these discussions, and their subject – paganism, also served as a means to find solutions for concerns about religious plurality. This article will focus on three componenets of the discussion on paganism: (i) the origin of idolatry, (ii) the nature of gods, and (iii) the nature of pagan worship. This article argues that purportedly secular concerns regarding paganism expressed by Deist and Enlightenment scholars were in fact rooted in Christian theology. This article is divided into four sections. The first section gives a general account of relevant discussions taking place in the seventeenth century. The second section discusses the father of English deism, Herbert of Cherbury, and his notion of paganism. The third section discusses Herbert’s successors. The fourth section discusses David Hume and his work on paganism. The article argues that internal theological concerns in the seventeenth and eighteenth century gave rise to a specific conceptual language used in thinking about and discussing paganism. This language was later adopted by Neopagans in the twentieth and twenty first century. As such, the article argues, in any study of the phenomenon referred to as “paganism” the present framework inevitably leads one to theological questions and answers. As a result, while the discussion on paganism continues to be a theological one, the phenomenon being studied remains inaccessible.
This article deals with the influence of occultism on neopaganism. It shows that neopaganism is a... more This article deals with the influence of occultism on neopaganism. It shows that neopaganism is a new religious movement established in the 20th century in the West, especially in the United Kingdom and later in the United States. There is a common neo-Pagan claim that neopaganism has its source in pre-Christian European religions or traditions (Celtic, German or Slavic). However, the roots of neopaganism are not so ancient. In fact the roots of neopagan practices (rituals) and ideas has its source in 19th century Hermeticism, also called as occultism. I define neopaganism and modern hermeticism/occultism in the introductory part of this article. I also deal with the issue of the historicity of neopagan practices which is an important topic of debate in Pagan Studies. Then, I show which occult societies and persons had an influence on the later created neopaganism. The influence of occultism is shown mostly through the example of Wicca (modern pagan witchcraft) in the last part of this article.
Společenství Cesty Síly: Jediismus v České republice,, Mar 2013
This article deals with Fellowship of the Way of Force, which is the only representative of Jedii... more This article deals with Fellowship of the Way of Force, which is the only representative of Jediism in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 2012, and presently has 19 members. Their members consider Jediism as their "life belief". Jediism represented by Fellowship of the Way of Force is a typical example of contemporary postmodern religiousness, often referred to as spirituality. We understand spirituality in this theoretical framework in the manner that L. Woodhead and P. Heelas have defined it in their book The Spiritual Revolution (Oxford, Blackwell 2005). This theoretical introduction is followed by an analysis of two aspects of Jediism. One is the inspiration stemming from the Star Wars movies, and the second is the spirituality of Jediism. Also, we open the issue of mythology and its influence on the Jediism in general. The next part deals with the contemporary situation in the Czech Republic, describing the most important influences and movements present. Furthermore, we analyse the issue of whether the Jedis consider Jediism as a religion. They do not, however, consider it as such, since they reject its institutionalized form and strictly rooted doctrine. The negative opinion of the majority of Czech society towards religion in general is another factor. Jedis put emphasis on an individualistic approach. Jediism as such, as well as its followers, takes inspiration from various religions, traditions or techniques. One includes what they prefer in "their own Jediism". The conclusion of this treatise introduces the concept of the Force in Jediism and puts it in the wider context of contemporary spirituality in the Czech Republic.
Book Reviews by Pavel Horák
Pantheon: Journal for the Study of Religions, vol. 1/2014, pp. 228 - 230, 2014
Review of Karl R. H. Frick`s Die Erleuchteten.
Dingir 2/2013, Jun 17, 2013
Conference papers by Pavel Horák
Book chapters by Pavel Horák
Kapitola představuje nový pohled na problematiku tzv. keltských svátků. Argumentuje, že keltské s... more Kapitola představuje nový pohled na problematiku tzv. keltských svátků. Argumentuje, že keltské svátky jsou moderní invencí, která vzniká v prostředí rané britské antropologie a folkloristiky 19. a počátku 20. století a její dovršení najdeme v raném wicce. Kapitola předkládá analýzu jednotlivých svátků a vyvrací hypotézu, že tzv. keltské svátky zanikly díky jejich převrstvení křesťanstvím. Zpochybňuje i zavedené archeologické teorie o tom, jak Keltové slavili oněch osm svátků. Předkládá hypotézu, že na území kontinentální Evropy mohli Keltové slavit snad jen svátky obou slunovratů.
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Popularising articles by Pavel Horák
The aim of this article is to provide an overview of contemporary scholarly studies of Paganism- Pagan studies. The article describes a brief history of Pagan studies, its major topics of interest and its theoretical problems. Last two parts of the article are dedicated to recent criticism of Pagan studies and to an outline of future tasks of Pagan studies.
This article is an outline of contemporary Czech Neopagan scene. lt briefly shows the history ofNeopaganism in the Czech republic, then introduces three major Neo- pagan umbrella organizations, goes on to mention particular Neopagan groups and approaches, and finally tries to put Neopaganism into the wider context. Neopaganism is a new and growing phenomenon on the Czech religious scene. Number of its adherents is likely to grow in future. Nevertheless, Neopaganism is still trying to find its own place in the Czech society, although first steps into a public space have already been made.
Articles by Pavel Horák
Book Reviews by Pavel Horák
Conference papers by Pavel Horák
Book chapters by Pavel Horák
The aim of this article is to provide an overview of contemporary scholarly studies of Paganism- Pagan studies. The article describes a brief history of Pagan studies, its major topics of interest and its theoretical problems. Last two parts of the article are dedicated to recent criticism of Pagan studies and to an outline of future tasks of Pagan studies.
This article is an outline of contemporary Czech Neopagan scene. lt briefly shows the history ofNeopaganism in the Czech republic, then introduces three major Neo- pagan umbrella organizations, goes on to mention particular Neopagan groups and approaches, and finally tries to put Neopaganism into the wider context. Neopaganism is a new and growing phenomenon on the Czech religious scene. Number of its adherents is likely to grow in future. Nevertheless, Neopaganism is still trying to find its own place in the Czech society, although first steps into a public space have already been made.
• Tensions between or calls for nationalism and/or transnationalism in the occult and esoteric movements;
• Attitudes of various state bodies (republics, empires or totalitarian regimes) to occultism and esotericism, from suppression to support;
• Practising occultism or esotericism under socialist regimes;
• Case studies of influential movements, persons, or ideas either originating or being
adopted in East-Central Europe;
• Critical reflection of the scholarship concerning occultism and esotericism in East-Central Europe.
Preliminary Programme
• Keynote lecture by Associate Prof Dr Marco Pasi (University of Amsterdam)
• Conference dinner
• CEENASWE board meeting
• Magical Prague trip (after the conference on 30 September)
Magie, čarodějnictví i víra v nadpřirozeno byly a jsou často označovány jako primitivní, pověrečné a tedy zcela zásadně nemoderní fenomény. Předpokládá se, že tyto jevy mají svůj původ v dávné historii a s moderní společností ani státem údajně nemají nic společného. Opak je ovšem pravdou. Navzdory tezi o postupné sekularizaci společnosti máme množství důkazů nejen o přítomnosti ale dokonce i o rozmachu těchto fenoménů a to jak v nedávné minulosti, tak v současnosti. V kontextu české vědy byla dosud fenoménům magie, čarodějnictví a nadpřirozena věnována jen velmi malá pozornost. Celá řada zahraničních badatelů a badatelek nicméně poukázala na to, že víra v nadpřirozeno může být mimo jiné interpretovaná jako výraz společenské nejistoty, související s proměnami společnosti, utvářením nových forem vládnutí a obecně i nástupem modernity. Skrze víru v nadpřirozeno a její praxi tak lze studovat dynamické vztahy napětí mezi státem a jednotlivcem, respektive konflikty mezi normativním společenským řádem a sociálními aktéry, kteří se vymykají dominantním formám vlády.