Categories of Witchcraft and Pagan Music

Pagan Liturgical Music

The music used in rituals, magick, worship, and spellwork are the liturgical music of Paganism. There are three basic types of Liturgical Music: Chants, Meditation, and Instrumental/ Drumming. For a further discussion on this topic go to the Liturgical Music section of the site.

Devotional Music

This style of music is very similar to the liturgical music, however it can serve as both a function in the ritual or for concerts, parties, and various other performances. It's worshipping but does not have to be used as a form of magick. It all depends on how it's used. An example of this genre would be by the group Libana. The recordings are chants and other similar type of music, but set as a full song or choral piece.

Folk Music

Pagan Folk Music is derived from both the oral tradition of societies and the Folk Music movement of the 1960's. Many Pagans in the early days of the religion used Irish, Celtic, and other folk music set to new text (Pagan focused) or a folk song sound. An example is the well-known song Lord of the Dance, first recorded by Patricia Crowther for the Gardinerian Tradition. The text is set to the folk tune Simple Gifts. Another example is Issac Bonewits' setting of text to folk music. He has recorded two full length albums using many folk tunes set to his own original text focused on Pagan Worship. You can find the text to the songs at his website http:www.neopagan.net.

Pagan Rock Music

Rock music inspired many pagans to compose and to record music using Pagan Text. These are composed in the traditional (or not so traditional) rock n roll beat. There are many different artists in this style including Gypsy, Inkubus Sukkubus and many others.

Children's Music

Pagan music and Goddess worship strikes a flame towards the teaching to children of parents in the religion. Anne Hill, Starhawk, and Janet Baker published a collective book called Circle Round. It includes many songs geared towards children. The book includes the songs in music notation and a separate CD of the music is also available. This is the most popular collection that includes children's songs. Elaine Silver has several recordings that include songs geared towards children.

Classical Music

This is a category that is not directed towards the Pagan Community, however many classical pieces are Pagan related and are popular among Pagans. Some of the musical compositions that are Pagan themed are Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Wagner's Ring Cycle, and the film composer John Williams also composes music for the concert stage. He composed a piece for bassoon and Orchestra called The Five Sacred Trees, and inspired by Robert Graves' The White Goddess, a popular book in Wicca.

Other Genres

There are many other genres and styles of Pagan Music. As Witchcraft Music develops and evolves, these styles and artists will be included. Any suggestions or artists that someone would like to add to the list please contact Admin@witchcraftmusic.com