The Pagan Assembly of Nova Scotia (PANS) is a legal structure for a NeoPagan organization based on the beliefs and practices of NeoPaganism, and adapted to the needs and sensibilities of modern people. PANS is a non-profit religious, scientific, educational, and artistic organization formed to practice the full spectrum of legal activities practised by any religious organization.
PANS defines NeoPaganism as an inclusive and diverse path oriented toward science, holism, and ecological stewardship principles. PANS is dedicated to preserving Mother Earth, achieving human potential, renewing ancient relationships with Deity in a modern context, and creating a world of peace, love, freedom, health, and prosperity.
Our Mission
To build a caring and inclusive community where we ground ourselves spiritually, pursue justice in Nova Scotia’s larger society, and work to heal the natural world.
Our Values
The Pagan Assembly of Nova Scotia is committed to:
• Encourage members to be guided by their personal, individual conscience and wisdom.
• Create a loving community; inspire spiritual growth and encourage lives of integrity, joy and service.
• Provide a welcoming and compassionate faith-based community.
• Support members in their free and responsible search for truth and meaning
• Be positive role models while recognizing that children, youth, and young adults are valued members of our faith community, with much to give and to receive. It is in acknowledging the inherent worth in ourselves and each other that our community is strengthened.
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Article 1: Purposes
Based on our understanding and interpretation of the religious observances of our deep ancestors and the reality of modern life, to accomplish the goals stated above:
1. PANS advocates and practices open, inclusive, and public ceremonies to worship Mother Earth and the Old Gods and Goddesses, rites of passage to mark the cycles of our lives, and magical rituals to accomplish our other goals honestly and ethically.
2. PANS advocates and practises scientific and scholarly research and debate about ancient faith traditions, the Indo-Europeans, comparative religion, folklore, ethno-musicology, and every other relevant field of human knowledge.
3. In keeping with our reverence for and worship of Mother Earth, PANS advocates and practises ecological and environmental research, education, and active stewardship.
4. PANS advocates and practises the use of the divinatory arts and sciences as tools for spiritual counselling and liturgical guidance, advising all parties concerned as to the presence or absence of appropriate credentials as required by civil law.
5. PANS advocates and practises the investigation, dissemination, and performance of a wide variety of counselling arts and methods, both mainstream and alternative, as well as techniques of mediating disputes and judging conflicts between organizations and/or individuals in the NeoPagan community; advising all parties concerned as to the presence or absence of appropriate credentials as required by civil law.
Article 2: Offices
The principal office of the Corporation shall be located at the home of the sitting Chairperson.
Article 3: Governing Documents
The supreme governing document of PANS is this Constitution. In the event of a contradiction between any other documents and this Constitution, the Constitution will take precedence.
Article 4: Calendar
The NeoPagan calendar is informed by historical evidence of an observance of both lunar and solar events. It consists of, but is not limited to, the following:
Solar Holy Days
• Winter Solstice
• Imbolc
• Spring Equinox
• Beltane
• Summer Solstice
• Lughnasa
• Autumn Equinox
• Samhain
Lunar Holy Days
• The Dark of the Moon
• The Full Moon
Article 5: Discrimination
1. Membership and rank in PANS, attendance at public or semi-public activities, and participation in any PANS’ program or event, shall not be denied to any person based on race, ancestry, colour, physical disability (except as mentioned elsewhere in this article), age, gender, or affectional orientation, but may be denied to individuals practising creeds inimical to NeoPagan values.
2. Membership in the Board of Directors, the Clergy, and other such positions of responsibility and trust, as the Board of Directors may determine, shall be granted only to practising NeoPagans who are not simultaneously practising a creed inimical to the values of PANS.
3. As used herein, “inimical creeds” shall include varieties of conservative monotheism, atheism, demonism, racialism, or other such faiths, as shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
4. Proven communication or behaviour that discriminates against any person based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, ethnicity, disability, or any other virulently offensive language shall be grounds for expulsion from PANS. This does not include strong verbal statements about the theology, history, or psychological characteristics of different religions.
5. All organizers of public and semi-public ADF activities shall make strenuous efforts to facilitate the participation of differently-abled individuals. Nonetheless, all aspirants to any given rank or position must be able to meet all the relevant qualifications previously determined for said rank or position, unless the Board of Directors shall rule otherwise in a particular instance.
Article 6: Amendment of Constitution
1. A 3/4 vote of the Executive approves this initial Constitution.
2. This Constitution shall only be amended by a referendum of the full membership of PANS.
3. At least three-quarters must approve amendments of the total votes cast.