As a Wiccan (not Pagan)...

[~Belladonna~]

Do you have to have a belief in the Summerlands? I believe in reincarnation and once we've learnt all of lifes lessons and secrets we will then return to where we began, not sure if that's the Summerlands or not, but it's deffo a place of true Enlightenment.

Is the Summerlands a Wiccan thing or other Pagan religion concept?

Thanks,

[Ben Gruagach]

Personally I consider Wicca to be an orthopraxy and not an orthodoxy. What makes us Wiccan is a common set of practices; our actual beliefs can vary quite a bit (and do vary quite a bit) whenever a discussion of beliefs is brought up.

That means that there are quite a number of different beliefs about what happens after death among Wiccans. Some do believe in the Summerland idea (which I think was adopted from Spiriualism) but it's not mandatory that Wiccans believe that particular theory.

[Stang]

I've met a few Wiccans who believe that when they die, they'll go to a Spiritualist style Summerland for rest and renewal before being reincarnated. Others seem to think more in terms of an Underworld type of interim state between incarnations. But most Wiccans I've discussed this issue with say something like "My rational mind tells me that a belief in an afterlife is just wishful thinking. But my spiritual experiences tell me that I've lived before and will live again." So the focus is more often on reincarnation than on the exact nature of the interim state. But I don't personally know of any group that requires prospective members to hold a belief in reincarnation.

However, someone told me about reading a book that was supposedly about Wicca, and it said that when people die, the good ones go (permanently) to the Summerland and the bad ones go to a place called Winterland. Nonsense like that encourages Wiccan fundamentalism and a desire to burn down the kind of large "best seller" bookstores that sell such crap.

BTW, I'm curious about your "Wiccan (not Pagan)" heading. I assume you know that Wiccans are Pagans, so I suppose you just meant that you wanted to hear whether there was a specifically Wiccan viewpoint that might differ from what some other Pagans believe (which would be the case, IMO). But it wasn't entirely clear to me what you meant by that heading.

[Elderbush]

I'm Wiccan and I have no idea what happens after I die. If someone need/likes/believes it the Summerlands idea is fine for Wiccans who like it, re-incarnation (in the western sense) is fine for those who believe in it.

I don't think that a belief in an afterlife is part of Wicca core beliefs.

[Morgandria]

Well, I certainly hope I don't get kicked out of the Wiccan clubhouse for not believing in an afterlife. I don't believe in reincarnation at all.

[~Belladonna~]

I've met a few Wiccans who believe that when they die, they'll go to a Spiritualist style Summerland for rest and renewal before being reincarnated. Others seem to think more in terms of an Underworld type of interim state between incarnations. But most Wiccans I've discussed this issue with say something like "My rational mind tells me that a belief in an afterlife is just wishful thinking. But my spiritual experiences tell me that I've lived before and will live again." So the focus is more often on reincarnation than on the exact nature of the interim state. But I don't personally know of any group that requires prospective members to hold a belief in reincarnation.

However, someone told me about reading a book that was supposedly about Wicca, and it said that when people die, the good ones go (permanently) to the Summerland and the bad ones go to a place called Winterland. Nonsense like that encourages Wiccan fundamentalism and a desire to burn down the kind of large "best seller" bookstores that sell such crap.

BTW, I'm curious about your "Wiccan (not Pagan)" heading. I assume you know that Wiccans are Pagans, so I suppose you just meant that you wanted to hear whether there was a specifically Wiccan viewpoint that might differ from what some other Pagans believe (which would be the case, IMO). But it wasn't entirely clear to me what you meant by that heading.

Yes, I meant Wiccans only, not other Pagan religions. Sorry for the confussion.

[Dawa Lhamo]

lol... I don't really think about it much. I believe in reincarnation... but whether there's a Summerland in between or a bardo, I don't know. It's a nice idea, though, so why not? But part of the fun of dying will be getting to find out what happens next (if there is something next). ^_^ I don't want to ruin the surprise by worrying over it too much. ^_^

I think probably most Wiccans I know are pretty vague about the Summerlands or other afterlife, because it seems to me that Wicca is more concerned with the present life than the afterlife... sure many believe in something, but not as vehemently as most other religions which have some kind of doctrine on the afterlife. ^_^ Most Wiccans I know are more... whatever... about it.

My HPS said once: I don't know what comes after, but all I know is, if I see a light, I'm goin' for it. ^_^

[KeaErisdottir]

Is the Summerlands a Wiccan thing or other Pagan religion concept?

The Summerlands is more of a "Celtic" thing, and only specific to those Wiccans who believe in it. There are plenty of Wiccans who use the term, who mean completely different things when they say it. For instance, there is a somewhat common Samhain practice of open the West quarter to allow the Dead to pass into the Summerlands, but what is meant by that differs widely from group to group and person to person.

While I take comfort in the belief in an afterlife, I generally don't define what that is beyond what gives me the comfort I need. As I know that the details of my life after my death are part of one of the Great Mysteries, and thus completely inscrutable, it would be pretty arrogant to do anymore window dressing than I need.

[~Belladonna~]

Thanks for everyone's views. They're much appreciated and it's nice to hear what everyone thinks :) The fact that I truly believe when I die my Spirit will go on to a place of Enlightenment comforts me and is enough for me, but like I said, whether it's the Summerlands I am not sure.

[Stang]

Thanks for everyone's views. They're much appreciated and it's nice to hear what everyone thinks :) The fact that I truly believe when I die my Spirit will go on to a place of Enlightenment comforts me and is enough for me, but like I said, whether it's the Summerlands I am not sure.


I think the most common belief among Wiccans is that, if there is an afterlife, it's not a final destination like the christian concept of a permanent paradise, but rather a continuation of the journey, whether it involves a visit to the Summerland or something like the Tibetan Bardo or whatever, possibly leading to reincarnation in this world or somewhere else. Perhaps the idea of the eternally turning wheel of existence predisposes Wiccans to not believe in any sort of static afterlife. So perhaps Wiccans are less concerned about death than members of some other faiths. Although most Wiccans I've talked to do believe that the principle of cause and effect means that their actions and choices will, at least to some degree, influence their journey in some manner during this life and any afterlife, if there is one.

[LadyAquamarina]

I believe in reincarnation but not so sure about the Summerlands.