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The problem with defining neo-paganism is that it's an all encompassing umbrella which covers many different groups and movements. The term neopaganism was coined by Tim Zell, editor of The Green Egg. [1] Today, the term neo-paganism is commonly used to refer to those religions or spiritual paths that has been re-imagined, continued, or revived since 1950's, or so, from various parts of what we know about ancient paleopagan religion. It is of notable mention that neo-paganism also rejects the paleopagan practices that are no longer suitable for the modern day, such as, human sacrifice as a means to honor the Gods.

Paleopaganism

This can be defined as the "polytheistic, nature-centered faiths of tribal Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania and Australia...".[2] Specifically, the words paganism and neo-paganism are used to describe modern faiths which are derivatives of Indo-European cultures. Therefore, the word paleopagan most commonly refers to, but is not limited to, Indo European cultures.

Mesopaganism

Mesopaganism is a term describing those religious practices based on paleopagan religions, however, are intertwined with duothestic and/or monotheistic practices. Examples of mesopaganism are Wicca, Free Masonry, Voudoun, Santeria, et al. [3]

Neopaganism

Neopaganism is a term used to describe modern movements to create ways which are based on paleopagan practices for modern day polytheists. This include Asatru, Heathens, Druidry, Wicca, Core Shamanism, et cetera.

Asatru

This is a revival of the ancient Teutonic Religion. Asatru literally translates in to "faith of the Æsir". Asatruars honor the Æsir Gods of the Norse/Germanic Culture. Some commonly known Æsir Gods are Odin, Thor, Tyr, Loki, and Fenris. In 1972 a sheep farmer in Iceland petitioned his government to recognize Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið as a religious body. It did in 1973, Denmark and Norway soon followed.[4] Most Asatruars believe in a type of animism, and rebirth of the soul.

Wicca
Wicca is a religion made popular by Gerald Gardner in 1954 when he published his book Witchcraft Today[5]. Although some claim it, there is no evidence that Wicca is older than 1954, which is why it is viewed as neopagan by anthropological academia. Most Wiccans believe in a type of duotheism or duo-monism, animism, rebirth of the soul, A Horned God and a Triple Goddess.

Druidry
What we know about the ancient Druids is scarce as they only observed oral tradition, foreboding the act of writing their practices down. Modern Druidry is commonly based on Classical Roman and Greek writings, Gaelic traditions and Legend, however, some are pushing the envelope to include a wider range of cultures that share many spiritual parallels with each other. Most Druids believe in animism, are polytheists, and believe in the rebirth of the soul. Druidry typically holds no claims to the origin of the Universe or a Prime Mover. Neopagan Druidry is in no way connected with Christian practices.

Shamanism
Shamanism has been around for a long time. We know from living tradition and history what the shamans practice actually is. Although, Shamanism was never lost to time, it has been re-incorporated or infused into many neo-pagan faiths. It has also been used to describe aspects of those faiths that already resemble the practice of shamanism.