The term ‘paganism’ was often used in a derogatory way by the early Christians.

It is this that gives a clue to the real beliefs held by the original pagan people, for in the early days they would believe implicitly in the power of the earth and the blessings of the sun. Their lives were ruled by the vagaries of the seasons and they developed their ways of placating and supplicating the powers, which they perceived as much mightier than themselves.

Whether they called these powers gods or spirits did not matter; they needed to develop a relationship with them.

Sometimes the powers could be tamed, sometimes they were made angry and would not co-operate. There were times when one power could be called upon to intercede on a person’s behalf and other times when one must accept the fate meted out.

https://blackheartbrotherhood.family.blog/2024/01/21/paganism-and-magic-unveiling-the-mysteries-of-spellcasting/