Church of Eclectic Pagan Fellowship
Many Paths...One Goal
Eclectic Paganism
Eclectic Paganism
by Rev. Heidi Andrews
by Rev. Heidi Andrews
| Eclectic (from the Greek eklektikos): 1. Selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles. 2. Composed of elements drawn from various sources. 3. One who uses an eclectic method of approach. |
Often
when someone asks me what Pagan path I follow, I answer by telling them
I’m Eclectic. A small few nod, but others immediately say, “Eclectic?
What’s that?”
Eclectic Paganism is fast becoming a very popular path among practitioners. Eclecticism puts a lot of emphasis on self-expression and building one’s own philosophy. Many Eclectics study various different subjects, practice or experiment with what they’ve studied, and may choose particular parts of their studies to incorporate into their own belief system. Many equate this with the Scientific Method.
Many Eclectics allow all paths to flow together and diverge as their needs mandate. In their view, it’s more about being on a path than which particular path they are following. To Eclectics, all spiritual systems offer wisdom that one can learn and grow from.
While Eclectic Pagans may not follow one particular path, many still feel it is important to respect the culture or tradition that they are borrowing from. It is not about just picking and choosing what one likes or thinks looks good together. Each piece of a tradition or belief system that an Eclectic borrows and incorporates into their own practice is a gift and should be honored as such. To quote a Traditional practitioner, “It’s (Eclecticism) not like making ChexMix.” Traditionalists feel that the borrowed beliefs and practices should be well studied and understood before being incorporated into an eclectic system.
The Eclectic path does allow a great deal of freedom to pick and choose. Eclectics may honor a variety of pantheons, or none in particular. They may have patron deities from Celtic and Egyptian origins. Eclectics may take prescribed rituals and adapt them for their own use. While they are not connected to the carefully nurtured and charged current of a traditional coven, there is still great energy involved in discovering new techniques or ways of combining and expressing old ones. Eclectics build their own energy or draw from universal sources. It’s important for them to have a well-developed intuition to aid them in maintaining their creativity.
Like Traditional groups, Eclectic groups may choose to use a degree system to signify a level of learning. It may be a system quite similar to that of particular Traditions. They may also use a completely different system they have devised themselves depending on the group and its focus. Self-initiation is common, and groups may rotate leadership among the different members giving everyone a chance to be in charge, from the novice to the most experienced practitioner. This is not to say that some groups don’t choose their leaders based on their degree system or by simply voting. It’s up to the group to decide what is best for them.
The Eclectic path is not for everyone. Many have problems with the apparent lack of structure. Eclecticism requires openness to new ideas and experiences. One should also have a well-developed sense of what works and what doesn’t. The challenge for Eclectics is to learn and understand the basics of what works for them and then, out of the apparent chaos, combine, analyze, and discover the magick of their own creation.
I believe one of the biggest problems Traditionalist feel there is with Eclecticism is a lack of personal responsibility. I think they see many choosing to be Eclectics in order to create an ethical system that allows them to do whatever they want. I feel, however, that no matter what form of Paganism one chooses to follow, personal responsibility is still one of the top priorities and basic principles. A person is responsible for what they choose to believe and the consequences that may come from those beliefs.
For the most part, Eclectics share many of the same values as Traditionalists. They, however, pick and choose parts from different religions and bring them together in their own meaningful way enabling them to explore every aspect of their spirituality rather than following a preset, possibly dogmatic, path. Eclecticism, a highly individualistic path, has much to offer, just like the various Traditions, for those that choose to pursue it.
Eclectic Paganism is fast becoming a very popular path among practitioners. Eclecticism puts a lot of emphasis on self-expression and building one’s own philosophy. Many Eclectics study various different subjects, practice or experiment with what they’ve studied, and may choose particular parts of their studies to incorporate into their own belief system. Many equate this with the Scientific Method.
Many Eclectics allow all paths to flow together and diverge as their needs mandate. In their view, it’s more about being on a path than which particular path they are following. To Eclectics, all spiritual systems offer wisdom that one can learn and grow from.
While Eclectic Pagans may not follow one particular path, many still feel it is important to respect the culture or tradition that they are borrowing from. It is not about just picking and choosing what one likes or thinks looks good together. Each piece of a tradition or belief system that an Eclectic borrows and incorporates into their own practice is a gift and should be honored as such. To quote a Traditional practitioner, “It’s (Eclecticism) not like making ChexMix.” Traditionalists feel that the borrowed beliefs and practices should be well studied and understood before being incorporated into an eclectic system.
The Eclectic path does allow a great deal of freedom to pick and choose. Eclectics may honor a variety of pantheons, or none in particular. They may have patron deities from Celtic and Egyptian origins. Eclectics may take prescribed rituals and adapt them for their own use. While they are not connected to the carefully nurtured and charged current of a traditional coven, there is still great energy involved in discovering new techniques or ways of combining and expressing old ones. Eclectics build their own energy or draw from universal sources. It’s important for them to have a well-developed intuition to aid them in maintaining their creativity.
Like Traditional groups, Eclectic groups may choose to use a degree system to signify a level of learning. It may be a system quite similar to that of particular Traditions. They may also use a completely different system they have devised themselves depending on the group and its focus. Self-initiation is common, and groups may rotate leadership among the different members giving everyone a chance to be in charge, from the novice to the most experienced practitioner. This is not to say that some groups don’t choose their leaders based on their degree system or by simply voting. It’s up to the group to decide what is best for them.
The Eclectic path is not for everyone. Many have problems with the apparent lack of structure. Eclecticism requires openness to new ideas and experiences. One should also have a well-developed sense of what works and what doesn’t. The challenge for Eclectics is to learn and understand the basics of what works for them and then, out of the apparent chaos, combine, analyze, and discover the magick of their own creation.
I believe one of the biggest problems Traditionalist feel there is with Eclecticism is a lack of personal responsibility. I think they see many choosing to be Eclectics in order to create an ethical system that allows them to do whatever they want. I feel, however, that no matter what form of Paganism one chooses to follow, personal responsibility is still one of the top priorities and basic principles. A person is responsible for what they choose to believe and the consequences that may come from those beliefs.
For the most part, Eclectics share many of the same values as Traditionalists. They, however, pick and choose parts from different religions and bring them together in their own meaningful way enabling them to explore every aspect of their spirituality rather than following a preset, possibly dogmatic, path. Eclecticism, a highly individualistic path, has much to offer, just like the various Traditions, for those that choose to pursue it.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
- Confucious
- Confucious
