Hard Polytheism and Soft Polytheism || What's the difference? [CC] 

I am a soft polytheist, and I really appreciate this respectful portrayal of it. Thank you!

I didn't realize that there was specific terms for that. I've heard of hard polytheism and soft polytheism without the terms before. I personally am on the fence between the two as I'm on my journey. I think as I grow and learn, I'm becoming more of a hard polytheist rather than a soft polytheist.

Love this! I'm of the belief that divinity is beyond human comprehension, and whatever it is appears to us in a way we can best comprehend. At the end of the day I fluctuate between duo and monotheism.

Crystal analogies are an excellent way to explain the differences between soft-polytheism and hard polytheism. Another item that I appreciate is that you were extremely mindful of gender terminology and that is outstanding! I am someone who claims to be a polytheist and leave it as a general term. I do this because in some views I would be considered a hard polytheist. For example, I do not think that the many gods and goddesses are facets of one great whole and or one concept that was then anthropomorphized. However, others may view me as a soft polytheist because I also see how names of deities may have traveled from one region to another and might have different spellings or pronunciations but the essence of that deity is the same. For example, Wodan in Germany to Odin in Norway to Wotan in the U.K. In my mind, these are clearly the same being. The same for Brigid and Brigantia, in my mind. I think that some of the struggles comes with where we are as a society. We are easily connected to new deities and a vast array of information. With that comes the struggle of knowing how to work with or understand the concepts. We see common ground and common ideas but also differences.

Great explanation

Hmm good question actually. At the moment I perceive mother Gia (feminine side) and the heavenly divine(masculine side) as the way the universe works and orchestrated everything in a beautifully balanced and synchronistic dance. On the other hand I work with Athena and a few other sprite guides (including a few dragons ) and I view them as individual entities so I guess I’m more of a Hard polytheist. Thank you for your time and effort in sharing your knowledge, it’s greatly appreciated 🙏🌸😊

I think you did a great job explaining the difference, love the idea, using the crystals to describe it. I am a hard polytheist, by the way. Blessings

This is a great video. I would just note that things aren't always so cut and dry. For example, I know plenty of hard polytheists (and I count myself among them) who still believe in a greater Divine Source, from which all deities emanate. But that's a Divine source we typically do not and even cannot interact with directly. In the past I have joked that all humans also emanate from the Divine Source, but i would not try using that as an excuse to call out someone else's name when being intimate with your significant other. ;) Also, there's always the question of how far you see deities as distinct individuals. For example, there are widely different descriptions deities with he same name, even within the same overall culture. Is Zeus as described and worshipped in Village A the same Zeus that's described differently and worshipped differently in Village B? Or are there really two gods named Zeus running around? As a hard polytheist, I like what Ian Corrigan (I think I'm remembering the source correctly) once said on the topic: "I don't care whether you're a soft polytheist or a hard polytheist. But if you are attending my ritual, I would like you to treat the gods as if they're individuals." And I think that's the big difference I see between the two (though acknowledge room for nuance and variety.) It seems to me that hard polytheism tends to lead more to a devotional relationship with deities, whereas soft polytheism tends to lead to thinking of individual deities as more plug-and-play. I clearly have a preference when it comes to my own practice, but I can respect those whose needs and goals are different from my own, too.

Interesting you made this video… I found out that my family history goes back to Constantine the great… the one who brought Christianity to Rome, where polytheism was prominent prior to him…

This definition of soft pollythiesim makes sense. I have come to understand soft pollythiesim somewhat differently though. The definition im familiar with for soft pollythiesim is, all gods/ Goddesses of x,y or z job description are the same entity viewed through there different cultural lenses. Example soft pollythiesim would view Brigid, Hephestos and Vulcan, all gods of the forge as the same god or Goddesses depending on culture. But different from Zeus, Jupiter, and Thor. All gods of thunder. And different gods from Freya and Venus, Goddesses of love. So all gods of different subjects are distinct from one another. But gods with the same or similar job descriptions are the same entity. This definition of soft pollythiesim is still technically pollythiesim. Though it does still have some issues. Some gods/ Goddesses have similar descriptions with more than one god or Goddesses of other cultures. The Morrigan fore Example has traits in common with both the Norse goddess Hel and the Greek god Ares. So with one is she really? She also has traits in common with Heckate Hades and Mars. So this view on soft pollythiesim has issues. And speaking from Personal Gnosis here. Brigid and Hephestos just don't " feel " the same. If that makes any sense. This is one of many reasons why I'm also a hard pollythiest.

I am a hard polytheist myself💜

Hard polytheist. Every Deity I encountered has a very distinct personality, I find. Just an experience

So, if you believe that ALL gods and goddesses are different manifestations of one divine energy would that count as soft polytheism? Different names and faces for god/dess in different times and cultures but all valid? Or do you have to actively worship some of them to be a polytheist? I find this such an interesting topic. When I was in the Goddess Temple at Glastonbury I spoke with the priest there because I was curious did they worship the Lady of Avalon as a discrete individual diety or as a manifestation of "goddess" and it was very much as a discrete diety very specific to that place. I'm not sure what I believe really but, is Mary the same "person" as Brigid? Heck no! So that's a starting point... lots to ponder. Thank you for another great video. Ps. You look awesome. Love the black lippy!

It’s hard for me to believe in a hard polytheistic approach when different cultures from around the world have completely different deities. Do those deities exist as well then? Or do hard polytheists believe that ONLY their gods exist and everything else is incorrect?

I dont think hard polytheists realize that just because their is a source or monad from which other deities flow/emanate deny's that divinities divinity. I would think many soft polytheists like many hindu sects and other soft polytheists would say that just because a God is an emanation of a higher God this deny's the polytheism of many groups. Neoplatonic one and emanation comes from pagan philosophy and would probably be described as soft polytheism. Additionally santeria(and othe west african religions) believe that all the orishas(gods) descend from a high God/force olorun who is different. Doesnt mean this divinities arent distinct in their own right but they are all interconnected by a universal unity.