This is probably too little, way too late, but in the event that you hadn't found your answers yet, I want to toss in my two cents.

You are right in that most Pagan paths, especially traditions like Wicca, are very similar to Shinto.

There are altars and incense and statuary and all that, but it is also similar in that Shinto also has four cardinal directions that correspond to primary elements and guarded by protectors. They even have animals associated with them like many Pagan paths do, called shijin (sometimes shishin). Also analogous to syncretic Wicca that uses the Watchtowers of Christian mysticism, syncretic Shinto, like Shugendo, has the Shitenno (which are the Four Buddhist Heavenly Kings).

Most Pagan paths also have a hierarchy structure when it comes to deities, ranging from heavenly deities to manifest deities, just as Shinto does. Many Pagans believe that their gods are in everything, and Shinto holds this belief as well. A rock, tree, even people.  In fact, just as in many Celtic traditions, many of the kami were once mortals that ascended through living extraordinary lives or through veneration.

I suppose the real linking fator is that unlike many religions, both Paganism and Shinto do not hold their spirits and deities as being supernatural. Even magic and mysticism are well within the natural world; you are simply manipulating forces that exist in the world in a way that others cannot.

That's just a quick rundown, but there are plenty more similarities. Again, I know this is a late response, but if it is still relevant and you still have interest, you are welcome to pick my brain for anything else you might want to know.

Mar 4, 2009 -- 8:25PM, Katsuninken wrote:

This is probably too little, way too late, but in the event that you hadn't found your answers yet, I want to toss in my two cents.

You are right in that most Pagan paths, especially traditions like Wicca, are very similar to Shinto.

There are altars and incense and statuary and all that, but it is also similar in that Shinto also has four cardinal directions that correspond to primary elements and guarded by protectors. They even have animals associated with them like many Pagan paths do, called shijin (sometimes shishin). Also analogous to syncretic Wicca that uses the Watchtowers of Christian mysticism, syncretic Shinto, like Shugendo, has the Shitenno (which are the Four Buddhist Heavenly Kings).

Most Pagan paths also have a hierarchy structure when it comes to deities, ranging from heavenly deities to manifest deities, just as Shinto does. Many Pagans believe that their gods are in everything, and Shinto holds this belief as well. A rock, tree, even people.  In fact, just as in many Celtic traditions, many of the kami were once mortals that ascended through living extraordinary lives or through veneration.

I suppose the real linking fator is that unlike many religions, both Paganism and Shinto do not hold their spirits and deities as being supernatural. Even magic and mysticism are well within the natural world; you are simply manipulating forces that exist in the world in a way that others cannot.

 

That's just a quick rundown, but there are plenty more similarities. Again, I know this is a late response, but if it is still relevant and you still have interest, you are welcome to pick my brain for anything else you might want to know.

Wow, hey that was very informative thanks. I've always known that paganism and Shinto are very similar, but I've never really been very sure about the differences. Wonder if anyone could shed some light on this for me? 

Thanks in advance.

The animist "pagan" practices are very similar to the animism of Shinto.  Practices such as Shinto and Paganism (the term is a little too vague for my tastes, but whatever) all have a great deal of similarities.  I recommend you read more about animism in world religions and find the similarities for yourself and draw your own connections.  The most fundamental differences between Shinto and other animist practices are bound to be cultural, not necessarily spiritual.