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Paper short abstract

The project explores masculinity and priesthood in Italian Neopaganism through an ethnographic study of male priests devoted to the Divine Feminine. It examines motivations, gender positioning, marginalization, vulnerability, and the relationship between spirituality, identity, and activism.

Paper long abstract

The project investigates the relationships between masculinity, priesthood, and Neopagan spirituality in Italy through an ethnographic study that includes a diverse sample of men (heterosexual, cisgender, queer, and transgender) who serve as priests within various traditions and movements of Contemporary Paganism, such as Wicca, Witchcraft, Goddess Spirituality, and Druidry. Grounded in a critical and non-monolithic definition of masculinity, and recognizing that “male” is not synonymous with heterosexual manhood, the research explores what motivates these men to dedicate themselves to the worship of the Divine Feminine and how this choice impacts their personal and social identities. It pays particular attention to conditions of marginalization, invisibility, and vulnerability often experienced by male Neopagan priests. Through semi-structured interviews, the project documents the motivations, roles, practices, and lived representations of priests of the Goddess, analyzing their gender positioning and their relationships with priestesses and their respective communities. Additionally, it addresses dynamics of media representation and the relationship between activism and spirituality, highlighting how men serving the Sacred Feminine uphold values of equality and inclusion. Through the narratives and life stories of the interviewees, the research amplifies the experiences of men within the context of the Divine Feminine, exploring the challenges and transformations faced by the Sons of the Goddess in their journeys. It investigates whether, in their priestly roles, gender positioning is decisive or secondary, thereby fostering open dialogue on gender, spirituality, and media, while promoting a deeper understanding of the intersections between masculine and feminine in all their manifestations.