The path cobbled together from bits and pieces, dribs and drabs.

[Toriach]

Or to put it simply the Eclectic Path.

There are many who believe that to be an Eclectic Pagan, or Wiccan, or really an Eclectic Anything is to be without discipline. And while I can see where that can be the case, I do not believe that it must automatically follow. Being an Eclectic can require a very high level of discipline. After all by it's very nature, the Eclectic path more so than any other is one that must be walked completely alone. While Eclectic's might come together to share ideas generally speaking there is no such thing that I've heard of at least, as an Eclectic Coven. This means that when I have serious doubts about my path, my connection with the Gods and Goddesses, and with the Divinity that flows through me, I don't have the comfort of the group to fall back on. Also I have found that many eclectics, certainly this is true for me are almost incapable of doing things "The way they've always been done". No matter how much simpler and even more effective that way might sometimes be. So to walk this path and have it mean something means paying attention not only to what you draw into it but also attention to how all the pieces fit together.

Anyway that's just some thoughts in my head. I look forward to whatever discussions may come.

[Kalika]

:)

Eclectic Witch... that's me.

What path(s) are you most interested in?

Me:

Fae
Green witchcraft
Healing
Divination
Celtic
Egyptian
Greek
Hindu

...ah, the list goes on and on. :)

[RubyRose]

Well, I consider myself an Eclectic Wiccan

Here's what I draw from at the moment

Celtic Pantheon
Fae
Divination

Um ... thats all I can think of at the moment.

[IvyCeltress]

For me:
Green Witch
Celtic Mythology
Native American Divinatin and Purification
Feng Sui
Druid

[Tzhebee]

(my stupid *see* key is stuk, so I have to use the K instead, sorry)

I am extremely eklektik. And kontrary to the belief that eklektiks have it easy, I aktually find it more diffikult, bekause we are *typikally* not taken as seriously. I wish there was an easy list to say where I pull my beliefs from, but for right now, it is everywhere....I have wikkan (gags, sorry), keltik, shaman, kristian, budist, et. So to try and konviense someone that I *am* serious about my beliefs, but not be able to give them what they konsider a *serious* defined title for them, is at least to me, very frustrating!!!

edited to add: I'm sorry, but I kould not stop laughing after re-reading this. I talk about being taken seriously when my post looks retarded bekause I kan't use my "see" key!!!! :lol:

[Kalika]

(my stupid *see* key is stuk, so I have to use the K instead, sorry)

I am extremely eklektik. And kontrary to the belief that eklektiks have it easy, I aktually find it more diffikult, bekause we are *typikally* not taken as seriously. I wish there was an easy list to say where I pull my beliefs from, but for right now, it is everywhere....I have wikkan (gags, sorry), keltik, shaman, kristian, budist, et. So to try and konviense someone that I *am* serious about my beliefs, but not be able to give them what they konsider a *serious* defined title for them, is at least to me, very frustrating!!!

edited to add: I'm sorry, but I kould not stop laughing after re-reading this. I talk about being taken seriously when my post looks retarded bekause I kan't use my "see" key!!!! :lol:

:lol:

Gave me a good laugh too. :D

[Morr]

I'm an Eclectic Wiccan.
I work with the Celtic Pantheon mostly and am influenced by the Celtic Traditions. But I'm also very influenced by Kabbalah and Christian Mysticism. I'm also beginning to look into Marionology as well.
Aside for that, I also take a lot of intrest in energy work & divination.

[MerrisHawk]

I've found so many interests over the years,

Egyptian, Native American and Celtic are the main cultural interests. Other things are divination, paranormal and a little sociology.

[Isildae]

I'm eclectic too!

Green/Herbal/Earth witchcraft
Panentheism
Divination/Geomancy
Egyptian pantheon
Sumero-Babylonian Pantheon
Kitchen Witchcraft(big time!)
Christian/Gnostic/Kabbalic Mysticism
Hindu pantheon
Greek pantheon
Hermeticism

etc. . .*wink*

[DragonSeeker]

I agree with the senitment that it's perhaps more difficult to be an Electic Witch. Not only do we largely have to learn things for ourself, we also have to work with each of the traditions which touch our path to make sure they balance with our other traditions. It's a hard road, but I know for myself as soon as I consider limiting myself to single path I get frustrated with myself.

The paths which touch me are:
Celtic (Welsh, primarily)
Dragon
Ceremonial
Kabbalist
Hindu

[nighstar]

Eclectism, easy? heck no, especially if your serious about your path. being Eclectic, imho, involves LOTS of research, soul-searching, & study.... i dont want to compare it to how much you'd do with other paths, but it's definately competative with them.

i spend so much time just researching things online & compiiling and lots of money on books on various subjects, i spend atleast 2 saturdays a month (because i have no life and i'm a nerd lol) just hauling my various books, notes & my notebook to my school's library where i spend hours reading, thinking and trying to organize things.

it's a lot of work. ^^;

[Faeawyn]

I am so eclectic its not even funny. My husband always teases me because he says I haven't figured out what I believe in yet. Just because I'm not 100% Christian, 100% Wiccan, 100% anything...doesn't mean I don't know what I believe. I just believe 18% from here, and 12% from there, and so on...and if I change my beliefs next year...so be it. Its all a growing process :). I find I'm most comfortable in a belief system I put together myself, than a structured one thats crammed down my throat.

[Michie]

I'm pretty much a newbie, and I've been reading a lot of different things, and the best that I can surmise is that I'm ecclectic...a little bit of this speaks to me, and then a little bit of that. Of course the same is true with other parts of my life, such as music, etc. I've always been called ecclectic, so I don't know why it wouldn't fit here either.

I am very new, but so far what speaks to me is " basic" witchcraft, but not Wicca, taoism, and kitchen witchcraft. I've also found myself interested in a lot of the Celtic and Native American views of things.

Faeawyn, you described how I've been piecing things together...a little of this, a little of that... :)

[SylverStar]

Weee, I'm glad I didn't have to start this one. Thanks Toriach.

I'm comprised of:

Panthesim
Animism
Elemental Witchcraft
Hinduism
Animal Magick

Scrying (stone, fire, cloud)
Pendulum
Tarot
Astrology
Empathy

And stuff I'm sure I've missed
as well as whatever I run into next.

Being Ecclectic is nice because you can always shape your religion. You can add to it and take away the old. It's always growing and evolving. So your religion can grow and change with your spirit.

[Isildae]

It is hard to be eclectic because you don't necessarily know where you stand.

You know what's true for you but you're ideas keep on changing and evolving, and it can feel as though any little sway in another direction is a monumental event.

I always pray for wisdom and peace in that regard.

I know in my heart that being an eclectic pagan is the way for me, but it is difficult and I'm often in need of encouragement.

[Shadowolff]

I definitely consider myself eclectic. I don't feel comfortable with the limitations of any label or the tenets of any specific tradition that says 'thus and not so'... I find things that resonate with my heart in a great many places; as I continue to read and learn I find myself agreeing more and more with the statement that Truth is not so much learned as recognized.

I don't study to find out what I'm supposed to believe/do -- I study to learn how others express the truth as they find it and I embrace that which fits with what is already within me...

It is easier to have it all laid out for you, but this is the Path I chose 35 years ago when I said, "I don't want to know words about God; I want to know God." (Presumptious, much?! Give me a break, I was young... Still am, come to think of it...)

I used to think I was wise [:hehehehe: :hehehe:] -- now I know, all this time later, that I'm just beginning. :braindrai Discouraging? Not at all. It's absolutely exhilerating to have so much in front of me. "The kingdom of Heaven is within you," Jesus said. "Be here now," wrote Ram Dass. I don't have to achieve anything or go anywhere to reach my goal -- I just have to stop sleepwalking and wake to the realization that I'm already here...

Yup. And with every new realization, the Journey begins...

My God, I love being alive!!!

[Nitefalle]

I think eclecticism is important because it allows people to stretch their wings and find out what they really believe, what they're made of, instead of bouncing from path to path, never fully satisfied. I've been eclectic for many years and I think I am slowly settling into a trad, but it was the eclectic path that allowed me to realize that. All that soul searching and self doubt has finally brought me to a path that I really am interested in and want to be a part of. However, when I first started out, I don't think that I would have recognized it at that time. Perhaps it should be a requisite to all starting out? :D

~N~

[xblue420x]

I am one of the millions as well. I don't think it would be possible for me to have one structured belief system..in fact I think it would be very impossible. I think that my downfall with being eclectic is that I can get very confused. I love that fact that I my beliefs change and grow with me, it makes it easier for me to change, sometimes it even gives me a reason to change. I just couldn't imagine labeling myself as this religion or this path when there are still tons of traditions and religions that I know nothing about. I do wish there was a way to say "This is what I am and this is what I believe," but there isn't. I guess I don't find being eclectic difficult because I don't know how easy or hard it would be to believe in one thing, even before I found paganism I didn't have one set belief system. I think if I wasn't an eclectic pagan then I would probably be classified as a researcher..I want to learn about everything, even the things I don't believe in. I want to be able to understand what other people believe.
Anyways, I don't even think I can make a list of where I draw my beliefs from right now..I think I've taken something from everything I've studied so far..from christianity to satanism to faery trads to wicca..maybe sometime before I die I'll know exactly what I've taken from what religions, who knows?

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

It is easier to have it all laid out for you

Not necessarily. As a Celtic Recon, I have set beliefs and practices that I follow and are "laid out." But it certainly doesn't make it easier. You've got no idea how much research and studying I have to do in order to figure out just what those beliefs and practices are. It also, at least in my mind, requires a hell of a lot more discipline to try and 'stick' to those practices, then being able to say I don't like this, so I'll just throw it out.

Not to mention that many people who do follow set paths find eclecticism to be an abhorent practice, akin to cultural rape. I understand the need to follow what is in your heart, but at the same time many of those who are eclectic tend to pick and choose practices from various religions, cultures, and traditions without truely understanding what it is they are borrowing and how that belief came about. I'm not saying that all eclectics are like that, but it is a common practice, and a very disturbing one at that. I know for a fact that the majority of Native Americans (I'm talking full-blooded, and those who are raised with Native beliefs, not "mutts") have major issues with what they definitely consider to be the raping of their culture, and in some ways consider it worse than massacres and displacements of their people at first the hands of the Spanish, French and British colonists and later the Americans.

[Copperaven]

(my stupid *see* key is stuk, so I have to use the K instead, sorry)

I am extremely eklektik. And kontrary to the belief that eklektiks have it easy, I aktually find it more diffikult, bekause we are *typikally* not taken as seriously. I wish there was an easy list to say where I pull my beliefs from, but for right now, it is everywhere....I have wikkan (gags, sorry), keltik, shaman, kristian, budist, et. So to try and konviense someone that I *am* serious about my beliefs, but not be able to give them what they konsider a *serious* defined title for them, is at least to me, very frustrating!!!

edited to add: I'm sorry, but I kould not stop laughing after re-reading this. I talk about being taken seriously when my post looks retarded bekause I kan't use my "see" key!!!! :lol:

lol, looks sorta of kute :)

but I know just what you mean, when I go to join a yahoo group they all want to know what is your path, very difficult to explain that I have no particular path I just do what feels right and that gets results
I am a very eclectic witch, take me as I am or not, I am happy with where & what I am

[Tzhebee]

Not to mention that many people who do follow set paths find eclecticism to be an abhorent practice, akin to cultural rape.

Which is why I do not, currently, perform rituals unless I have "created" them myself. When I was younger, my gma would preach to me about God and Jesus, etc. And I questioned everything. I went to so many people for answers that would fit with me. I eventually found that I *know* what I believe. I can spell it out for you, but it would take pages. But none of the paths I looked at for answers held all my beliefs.

And I feel this need to label myself, because if there is a "name" for me, then I don't feel so alone. But my beliefs do not fit nicely into the existing boxes, at least none that I have found. So I find fragments of other beliefs that fit mine. Perhaps not the entire thought process, but the end result.

As I continue to search for my "title" I come across many things that are close to my beliefs, but not quite. For a while, I chose the Wiccan Rede, but it didn't settle quite right with me, but it was the closest thing I could find to relate to. Then I studied up on Karma and for now, it fits me much better than the Rede. Because you can't always "harm none", but if you do harm someone, then you should have reprocushions.

I guess I am just uncomfortable with a path that is "set", because in my mind, that would make me a conformist and would not leave much room for growth, unless I want to grow in that particular direction. I liken it to a path in the woods. If I want to walk on the dirt path to my destination, then I can choose which "set" belief. But as an Eclectic, I can jump from path to path and run around in the woods and change direction. Or a dessert tray, you can choose the cheesecake every single time, or you can try the pumkin pie, then the chocolate, then the ice cream, etc. Personally, I am more comfortable with that approach.

That does not mean when I jump to or from a specific path that I am "lessening" it. Instead, I do it as a compliment. I thank each path for giving me something to learn and once I've learned all I care to, then I politely leave. I have an enourmous amount of respect for all other paths and the lessons that they can teach me.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

That does not mean when I jump to or from a specific path that I am "lessening" it. Instead, I do it as a compliment. I thank each path for giving me something to learn and once I've learned all I care to, then I politely leave. I have an enourmous amount of respect for all other paths and the lessons that they can teach me.

And I understand what you're saying about not lessening it. But I know many in the recon community would disagree with that. In their eyes to only take bits and pieces is lessening it, because without the whole (the history, the other traditions surrounding it, the culture, and in many cases the language, etc.) it doesn't mean anything.

Then again, a lot of people in the recon community will not associate with those in the neo-pagan, and vice-versa. Recons are seen as having a chip on their shoulder by many neo-pagans because they are very set on "this is how it's done, there is no room for interpretation." And as I said before Recons feel that neo-pagans treat their beliefs with extreme amounts of disrespect and don't understand the traditions they are borrowing from.

Personally I feel that, the Recon community is better served by open communication and relations with the greater neo-pagan community. We can share our knowledge and beliefs in the setting in which they are meant to be a part of and perhaps bring a greater understanding.

Of course, that brings it's problems too. I know I get frustrated when people tell me that the history in a book shouldn't matter, and that telling someone not to read an author for that reason is wrong (I hear this all the time when people discuss Edain McCoy or DJ Conway as they pertain to "Celtic" beliefs...yet in the next breath these same people criticizing and tearing apart Silver RavenWolf for misrepresenting Wicca...:huh: ). Or that I'm being too dogmatic and set in my ways...blah, blah, blah. But for me, if you don't get the historical setting right, then the rest of the information you give is just as likely to be wrong, or at the very least not going to make sense. Not to mention, that it's completley dishonest to put something forth as historical or that's the way it was done, when you're obviously wrong. And about being too dogmatic, if people ask for how the "Celts" did something, I'm going to tell them exactly what they believed and how the practiced, only to get lambasted for being too insistent on sticking to tradition. If you didn't want to know how they actually practiced, then why did you ask?

:rant: But I do have to say that there is nothing more that angers me than people who say being an eclectic is harder than my path. Trust me, spend some time following my path. I highly doubt you'll feel the same way when you're done. Not that I'm saying my path is harder than yours, it's just different. No spiritual journey is more difficult than any other, so please for the gods's sake, get off your high horses (not directed at anyone in particular) and join the rest of us in the real world. What you do is no harder a path to walk than mine. :rant:

[Shadoe]

I am definitely an Eclectic. I used to think of myself as Wiccan, since that's what I came across first, but then I started looking at other Pagan paths and I liked those too. I realized there were some aspects of Wicca I just wasn't comfortable with (mostly the witchcraft aspects, oddly), but there were a lot of concepts that I did like. I like the Rede as a personal philosophy (as long as it's taken with a grain of salt and used with simple common sense) and the Law of Three/Karma, which makes a lot of sense. I have a lot of Taoist and Shinto beliefs in my belief system (and they work really well with the Wiccan stuff I accept). And I've been reconnecting with my Cherokee heritage too, and now that's mixed in.

For specifics...

I don't really adhere to a pantheon, though I like to have Kwan Yin around most of the time. But that doesn't stop me from the occasional focus on other goddesses.
Cherokee medicine
Candle and paper magic
Feng Shui
Tarot
I've just started working with stones
And just started studying runes

So I don't really have a tradition. I don't think it's really possible to have a tradition, as an individual. I think everyone tends to connect in different ways, because each of us is an individual. But hey, that's me. I just don't accept the "one true way" concept.

Is this a "easy" path? Ha! Pick up a Wicca 101 book, follow it religiously, and voila! you've got yourself a tradition. With this eclectic path, I have to look at all the 101 books, and a host of others besides, and skeptically evaluate every single word. Easy? Not by a long shot.

But definitely worth it.

[Tzhebee]

:rant: But I do have to say that there is nothing more that angers me than people who say being an eclectic is harder than my path. Trust me, spend some time following my path. I highly doubt you'll feel the same way when you're done. Not that I'm saying my path is harder than yours, it's just different. No spiritual journey is more difficult than any other, so please for the gods's sake, get off your high horses (not directed at anyone in particular) and join the rest of us in the real world. What you do is no harder a path to walk than mine. :rant:

I see your point and completely understand why it ticks you off, but also ask that you consider the reverse. People on a chosen path claiming that Eclectics are "taking the easy way out". Unless you've been here, you have no idea how difficult it can be, especially when we are asked to "prove" ourselves.

As far as history goes, I believe it is important to understand where you come from, why, how, etc. if you are on a specific path. But remember, everything started from nothing at some point. So perhaps the "Eclectic" path I am on today will be called the Tzhebee path 100's of years from now, with set ritual and path...I know, arogant of me, but I hope you understand what I am trying to say. :)

[Michie]

I guess some of this "ecclectic path" vs "traditional path" discussion doesn't make sense to me because I'm very new to all of this, but I do have a question.

From what I've read about paganism as a whole, it has been strongly stated that I, the student, should not just take on beliefs because the author of this book or that book has those beliefs. Everything I have read says that the whole idea of paganism is to use what is right for you, and that in essence, no two pagans will actually do things the exact same way.

It is my understanding then, that in the most general respect, all pagans are somewhat ecclectic, taking from their teachers what works for them, and leaving what doesn't. Personally, that is what both confuses me and intrigues me about paganism at the same time. There is so much information and so much to learn that it can be overwhelming, but the idea of having the freedom to go with what calls to you, no matter what path it is, is such a wonderfully freeing idea. The idea that I can be spritual by just being me is very wonderful.

So since I've been taking a little of this and a little of that from my lessons up to this date, as opposed to saying, "Wicca in it's whole is for me, etc." I have therefore come to the conclusion that this must make me ecclectic. I have no desire to disrespect anyone's path, but as I do not come from a family line of pagans of any path, or have anyone teaching me any specific way to do things, I am learning by bouncing around and reading what speaks to me.

I guess I'm just a little confused about how being ecclectic is necessarily seen as a "bad" thing from someone on a more traditional path, unless of course someone is making a mockery of your path. I do try to learn about things as much as I can, and try not to disrespect someone else's beliefs. This again is what is drawing me toward paganism - the idea that we can all have different views but still believe together.

Sorry if my question seems a bit naive...I'm just new and trying to learn. :)

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I see your point and completely understand why it ticks you off, but also ask that you consider the reverse. People on a chosen path claiming that Eclectics are "taking the easy way out". Unless you've been here, you have no idea how difficult it can be, especially when we are asked to "prove" ourselves.

Ahh, I think you missed my point just a little. I was pointing out that NO path is more difficult. The path of an eclectic is not more difficult than that of one follows a structured path. And by the same token, my structured path is also not more difficult. All paths are both easy and difficult to those who walk them, no matter what path they choose to walk. If one chooses to walk a path (and not just go along with it because they are expected to) then I feel they can never be considered to take the easy way out. This is where I differ than many recons, because they do feel as you suggested above. And I strongly feel this is not just true of neo-pagans, but of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Taoists, etc, etc, etc.



As far as history goes, I believe it is important to understand where you come from, why, how, etc. if you are on a specific path. But remember, everything started from nothing at some point. So perhaps the "Eclectic" path I am on today will be called the Tzhebee path 100's of years from now, with set ritual and path...I know, arogant of me, but I hope you understand what I am trying to say. :)

It is important to understand where you come from, regardless of what path you follow, or even if you follow a spiritual path. All of life is derived from the past, and without understanding the past and your history, you CANNOT understand today. Without that understanding, life is meaningless and empty.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I guess some of this "ecclectic path" vs "traditional path" discussion doesn't make sense to me because I'm very new to all of this, but I do have a question.

From what I've read about paganism as a whole, it has been strongly stated that I, the student, should not just take on beliefs because the author of this book or that book has those beliefs. Everything I have read says that the whole idea of paganism is to use what is right for you, and that in essence, no two pagans will actually do things the exact same way.

It is my understanding then, that in the most general respect, all pagans are somewhat ecclectic, taking from their teachers what works for them, and leaving what doesn't. Personally, that is what both confuses me and intrigues me about paganism at the same time. There is so much information and so much to learn that it can be overwhelming, but the idea of having the freedom to go with what calls to you, no matter what path it is, is such a wonderfully freeing idea. The idea that I can be spritual by just being me is very wonderful.

I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at here, Michie. As a person who does follow a structured path, I can tell you that I don't consider my path to be in any way eclectic. Eclectics to me seem to borrow bits and pieces from various spiritual an cultural paths. Whereas as a Reconstructionist, I do not. My beliefs and practices are as close as I can get to the actual beliefs and practices of the pre-Christian Scottish people. This includes incorporating some non-Scottish (Germanic and to a lesser extent Roman) beliefs. But I do so only because that is the way they practiced.

No path is going to be completely pure of outside influences, but at the same time that doesn't mean it's going to be eclectic. It makes sense to me to incorporate Germanic beliefs into my Scottish ones, because it's an accurate portrayal of the Scottish peoples. However if I were to mix Scottish beliefs with some Germanic practices, a little Shamanism thrown in, Native traditions, and Taoism that would be completely different as it's not an accurate portrayal of the path I chose to follow.


So since I've been taking a little of this and a little of that from my lessons up to this date, as opposed to saying, "Wicca in it's whole is for me, etc." I have therefore come to the conclusion that this must make me ecclectic. I have no desire to disrespect anyone's path, but as I do not come from a family line of pagans of any path, or have anyone teaching me any specific way to do things, I am learning by bouncing around and reading what speaks to me.

And that's fine. Not everyone has a teacher or a family trad. In fact most don't. Even with my following a more "traditional" path as a recon, I can assure that I don't have anyone teaching me what is right and wrong. I do have to determine that for myself, based on what archaeology, history, cultural and religious studies, and my study of the language tell me. It's not easy, very little is acutally know of Celtic religion as they wrote nothing down, and the Romans did their best to destroy them, followed closely by the Germanic peoples.


I guess I'm just a little confused about how being ecclectic is necessarily seen as a "bad" thing from someone on a more traditional path, unless of course someone is making a mockery of your path. I do try to learn about things as much as I can, and try not to disrespect someone else's beliefs. This again is what is drawing me toward paganism - the idea that we can all have different views but still believe together.

Sorry if my question seems a bit naive...I'm just new and trying to learn. :)

The problem people who follow more structured paths have with eclectics comes down to something you said. It is seen as a mockery of their beliefs. Eclectics may not intend it that way, but we strongly feel that if you don't take the whole of the beliefs for what they are that they A) don't make an sense and B) that is disrespectful in the extreme to "use" something that you don't fully understand. And yes, we do believe that most eclectics do not understand fully the elements they are borrowing, because without a very thoroughly study of the culture and religion and frequently language (much is lost in translation, if you can read the language it was originally written in it makes much more sense) you can't fully understand why they believe as they do/did.

Like I said eclectics do not intend it to be disrespectful or a mockery, but it is frequently taken that way. Go ask a Native American how they feel about you incorporating their beliefs into your spiritual path. Most of them will tell that it shows the utmost disrespect for them. That it's not enough that we had to take their land, but now we're trying to take their culture away from them too.

[Michie]

Go ask a Native American how they feel about you incorporating their beliefs into your spiritual path. Most of them will tell that it shows the utmost disrespect for them. That it's not enough that we had to take their land, but now we're trying to take their culture away from them too.

I have always been interested in Native American culture. As I have recently felt a calling to learn more about their spirtual path, I asked my husband about this exactly. His best friend was (he died before I even met my husband) a full-blooded Native American. I asked him if my learning about these things would seem disrespectful to his friend, and he said absolutely not.

I just read this section of your post to my husband, and he said that every Native American he knows would be more than happy to teach anyone about their spiritual beliefs. He said that they actually prefer to teach their beliefs to as many as possible. He told me that if I was able to approach his best friend about the subject, that his friend would probably take me to a reservation and introduce me to an elder.

So I guess if you are ecclectic, it is not so much about taking bits and pieces from different paths, so much as how you do it. I understand that if I wanted to wear a head dress while I sat at my alter just because I thought it looked cool would be being disrespectful, but I do not believe it is disrespectful to ask someone to teach me about their beliefs.

What I was trying to say in my previous post is that every book I have read so far on paganism has had the theme of, "here is what I believe. Take from it what you will, but do not practice what I do just because I am the one writing about it." Therefore I have always thought the basic idea of paganism is to take what works for you from all the paths, if that is what suits you best. If following one path suits you, so be it. If following several suits you, so be it. Up until now, that has been my "definition" or view of paganism as a whole. So I guess I was just surprised by your stating that people who follow one particular path and only one would feel that those of us who take what we will are mocking them. I would never consider myself mocking anyone's beliefs, whether they speak to me or not.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I have always been interested in Native American culture. As I have recently felt a calling to learn more about their spirtual path, I asked my husband about this exactly. His best friend was (he died before I even met my husband) a full-blooded Native American. I asked him if my learning about these things would seem disrespectful to his friend, and he said absolutely not.

I just read this section of your post to my husband, and he said that every Native American he knows would be more than happy to teach anyone about their spiritual beliefs. He said that they actually prefer to teach their beliefs to as many as possible. He told me that if I was able to approach his best friend about the subject, that his friend would probably take me to a reservation and introduce me to an elder.

The difference here is that you would be learning from the Native Americans themselves. Willingly giving the knowledge is a vastly different thing than what I was referring to. I too have been taught by Natives, and they shared that knowledge unbegrudgingly. However if I were to just one day decide that I thought they had some pretty cool notions and without bothering to properly learn their traditions, and mix it in with my own beliefs, then I know for a fact that none of them would appreciate it.

Yes, they want to share their knowledge, but only with those who are willing to put the time and effort into really understanding it (at least in my experience), not with those who don't care about the history and tradition behind those beliefs and practices. I've read some articles about this, I'll have to try and find them for you, so that you can see what I mean. They aren't nearly so willing to share when they feel that you are going to "abuse" that knowledge.

I wouldn't dare mix my knowledge of Native traditions with those of my Celtic beliefs. It would be disrespectful to both cultures.

[Toriach]

Some thoughts...

I feel that some reconstructionists and tradionalists are grandstanding drama majors. To say that because an eclectic chooses to incorporate, Hellenic, Cree, LaVey Satanic, Gypsy, what have you concepts or methods into their practices they are practicing "cultural rape" is offensive to me. Now if an eclectic chooses to take their smattering of knowledge and start proclaiming themselves some kind of expert, or even worse choosing to teach not as an eclectic but as an expert in a tradition that they have only a novices understanding or less, then I can better understand recons and trads being offended.

I think that some members of the two aforementioned groups enjoy feeling a sense of moral and cultural superiority and so they advance the notion that only someone who was spent X amount of time studying their path is worthy to use any aspect of it. Personally I find this to be a bit much. If you feel that for your spirituality to be fulfilling you must do this then by all means. However don't be surprised when others choose to have a different point of view as to what makes their spirituality fulfilling to them. Further acting as if because you spent 20 years studying at the feet of the great D'Har master and learning all the names of the masters that went before and memorizing the whole history of your tradition makes your path more "real" or "worthy" than mine and makes you a better person than a dirty cultural raping eclectic is arrogant and bigoted. Having said that however I do not wish to give one the impression that I do not think you should not have the right to be proud of your accomplishments. Be proud. You set out to do something and accomplished it. Good for you. Don't however lower yourself by demeaning others to enhance your pride. It not only offends people but it tends to make your own path look bad.

As to the "difficult". I personally believe that all parts of life have difficulties and challenges. After all there is no reward without striving. I believe this is true of work, love, spirituality and more. While I do agree with the idea that no one form of spirituality is more "difficult" than another, I have found that some reconstructionists and traditionalists are willing to hold this opinion about every path out there EXCEPT eclecticism. When the big E is up for discussion suddenly phrases like "Well they're just lazy." and "Gee it must be nice to just pick and choose.", suddenly get tossed around. Hence my statements in anticapatory defense of this path. Simply me saying that being an eclectic is not about being lazy, it's not even (for me at least) about picking and choosing. Rather it is about exploring all that the spiritual world has to offer and blending what I have learned into a cohesive whole.

Now then speaking directly to my eclectic compatriots I will say this. I can understand why reconstructionist and tradionalists become offended when after pointing out an authors historical inaccuracies relating to their paths their problems and concerns are dismissed with, "Oh it doesn't matter." Even if it doesn't matter to you, it clearly matters to the other person and that should be respected. For myself I do my best to listen and understand the other persons point of view, and personally I don't like historically inaccurate writing by someone claiming to be an expert on something either. However for me inaccuracies in one part of a book does not automatically invalidate the value that I personally may have gotten from another part of the same book. I have said as much in conversations with recons and trads. Some of whom have been able and willing to understand my point of view even if they personally do no agree with it. Others have lookied at me with disgust because I did not immediately grab up the book in question preparatory to throwing it on the bonfire along with whatever other books they don't approve of.

Well like I said at the beginning some thoughts of mine. If anything I've said is unclear please don't hesitate to ask for clarification. I'll be happy to elaborate as best I'm able.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Toriach, I understand your point of view completely and understand why you feel that way. But I do have to agree that I completely hate the concept of using any part of path without the whole, and I understand why many feel it's like cultural rape. Just because you don't share their opinion doesn't make it bigoted. It makes you bigoted to think you know better than they do what constitutes cultural rape of their culture. *note, if it seems I was saying you're bigoted Toriach, that was not my intent. But I do feel that the idea that someone outside the culture can make the determination of what constitutes cultural rape "bigoted," to use your word from the above post.*

Borrowing from someone's culture without fully understanding what it is you're borrowing is a terrible thing to do in my opinon. I don't understand the need some people have to do so. If you want to incorporporate something into your path to make it all your own, then by all means do so. But please make sure you understand what it is you're borrowing. I know I get irritated when people see for example Danu as just another example of the "great mother goddess" or the Morrighan or any of her triplicity as just "a war goddess," or Lugh as "a sun god." They can't be pigeonholed that way, because they are so much more than that. Some gods can be seen as simply representative of a particular aspect of life, but when people do that to all the gods, and ignore that they aren't what they think they are, then yes that is going to irritate me, and rightly so. It's seemed to me that this unfortunately happens more often amongst eclectics, because again unfortunately, there seems to be a higher number amongst eclectic who don't take the time to really understand their path. I honestly believe that yes, some eclectics are eclectic because they're lazy. By all means I'm not saying all of them are, or even most, but I do think it happens more often in the neo-pagan community amongst eclectics than others.

Now, I'm going to bow out of this conversation. I only posted originally because I was very sick of reading in everyone's posts that being eclcetic is harder than anyone else's paths. It's not, and it's demeaning to the rest of us to say it is. It has that same holier than thou attitude that you said you hated seeing among trads and recons.

[nighstar]

No spiritual journey is more difficult than any other, so please for the gods's sake, get off your high horses (not directed at anyone in particular) and join the rest of us in the real world. What you do is no harder a path to walk than mine. :rant:

indeed, which is why in my first post i said that i dont want to compare how much study/difficulty would go into eclectism with how much you'd do with other paths, only saying that they're definately competative each other. i think comparing difficulty of paths is stupid because, first of all, what does difficulty even have to do with anything?

even i, an eclectic myself, find that other eclectics (and anyone else for that matter) who claim that their path is difficulter that _________ path need to get off their high horses and join the real world.


From what I've read about paganism as a whole, it has been strongly stated that I, the student, should not just take on beliefs because the author of this book or that book has those beliefs. Everything I have read says that the whole idea of paganism is to use what is right for you, and that in essence, no two pagans will actually do things the exact same way.

It is my understanding then, that in the most general respect, all pagans are somewhat ecclectic, taking from their teachers what works for them, and leaving what doesn't.

you have to keep in mind, however, that "paganism" is a general, very broad umbrella term for a very large variety of paths.

the reason that paganism in general is considered "eclectic" is because it is such a broad group of paths, HOWEVER, while paganism may be electic in nature due to it's broadness that electism stops once you leave that broadness and go into a specific path within that broadness, aka a "tradition". a tradition is not umbrella terms, unlike"paganism", and therefore is not eclectic, rather it is specific & focused.

even the Wiccan path of Universal Eclectic Wicca isn't as eclectic as one might think, it is a specific path of it's own. UEWs have a core set of beliefs, a standard of conduct, and a specific ranking system (among other things). so while they ARE eclectic, they are only eclectic whilte following a specific path. a Wiccan path. ^^; that is what makes Eclectic Wiccans different from Eclcectic Pagans, while EPs may follow somewhat of a Wiccan path, they also may follow many other paths, while EWs focus a particular one (Wicca).

<<; ......where was i going again.... o yeah. ^^;;;

so if this helps, think of it this way..... the word "dog" is a very general term for a vary large species of animals.... but when you say "German Shepard", that is a dog, but it's a specific breed. the word "paganism" is a very general term, you could be talking about any one of thousands of varieties of paths (thus the term is eclectic in nature), but once you mention a specific path like Shamanism, while it is a part of that general term, it is a SPECIFIC part of it and is not eclectic in nature....

i babble too much, i know... ;-;


Now if an eclectic chooses to take their smattering of knowledge and start proclaiming themselves some kind of expert, or even worse choosing to teach not as an eclectic but as an expert in a tradition that they have only a novices understanding or less, then I can better understand recons and trads being offended.

exactly. i'd be offended (AND embarassed) and i'm not even of a particular path... :lol:

[Toriach]

Toriach, I understand your point of view completely and understand why you feel that way. But I do have to agree that I completely hate the concept of using any part of path without the whole, and I understand why many feel it's cultural rape. Just because you don't share their opinion doesn't make it bigoted.
Mo, I gave you a pass last time because in part I was in a hurry and in part because when I have a visceral dislike towards someone or their words I try to err in the direction of peace and civility. You have however aroused my ire a second time and this time I shall not be so forgiving although I shall as I do in all things endeavor to remain civil. So let's start with your opening comment. Quite simply you are in error.


To say that because an eclectic chooses to incorporate, Hellenic, Cree, LaVey Satanic, Gypsy, what have you concepts or methods into their practices they are practicing "cultural rape" is offensive to me.

Further acting as if because you spent 20 years studying at the feet of the great D'Har master and learning all the names of the masters that went before and memorizing the whole history of your tradition makes your path more "real" or "worthy" than mine and makes you a better person than a dirty cultural raping eclectic is arrogant and bigoted.
My statements from my post in response to you. I did not say that believing taking parts of a path was cultural rape was bigoted I said that I found it offensive. I did say that believing that practicing only one whole path makes a person better than another person is bigoted.


Now, I'm going to bow out of this conversation. I only posted originally because I was very sick of reading in everyone's posts that being eclcetic is harder than anyone else's paths. It's not, and it's demeaning to the rest of us to say it is. It has that same holier than thou attitude that you said you hated seeing among trads and recons.
Personally question how well you bothered to read EVERYONES posts. Certainly you didn't read mine very well since at no time to I make use of the word difficult nor do I insinuate such. I speak of the eclectic path requiring a unique sort of discipline nothing more. Further I made a point of re-reading all the posts preceding yours and found the word difficult or a near synonym used a total of three times.

Secondly, each person has the right to regard their path in whatever manner they see fit, even in contrast and comparison to anothers. This thread was started for discussion of the Eclectic path. While certainly it is not solely for Eclectics to post within it is meant first and foremost for persons of that path. A non Eclectic should have some care and basic respect and consider that perhaps a moral outrage lecture is not suited to this thread.


Borrowing from someone's culture without fully understanding what it is you're borrowing is a terrible thing to do in my opinon. I don't understand the need some people have to do so. If you want to incorporporate something into your path to make it all your own, then by all means do so. But please make sure you understand what it is you're borrowing. I know I get irritated when people see for example Danu as just another example of the "great mother goddess" or the Morrighan or any of her triplicity as just "a war goddess," or Lugh as "a sun god." They can't be pigeonholed that way, because they are so much more than that. Some gods can be seen as simply representative of a particular aspect of life, but when people do that to all the gods, and ignore that they aren't what they think they are, then yes that is going to irritate me, and rightly so. It's seemed to me that this unfortunately happens more often amongst eclectics, because again unfortunately, there seems to be a higher number amongst eclectic who don't take the time to really understand their path. I honestly believe that yes, some eclectics are eclectic because they're lazy. By all means I'm not saying all of them are, or even most, but I do think it happens more often in the neo-pagan community amongst eclectics than others.
To be honest if what I quote above is what you had posted in the first place I would not have taken such an instant dislike to your words. I have been and still am attempting to give you the benefit of the doubt and believe that you neither intended to, nor realize that, to me at least your initial post was high handed, sounding as if You, the mighty follower of your one true path was going to set us dirty little eclectics straight. In the future you might want to consider that coming into a thread started by an eclectic, hoping to draw other eclectics into discussion and then calling eclectics cultural rapists might not be well recieved or appropriate.

As for you above quoted statement, well I still strongly disagree with much of it. Of course you are free to be annoyed by whatever annoys you and I would never expect someone to stop just because I disagree. However I myself am annoyed by people who feel that a person who has a different level of understanding or a different kind of understanding in regards to a particular deity is not worthy to include that deity in their worship and practice. Furthermore your use of the term "rightly so" in regards to your annoyance is a bit much. That bespeaks that your annoyance is not something personal to you but rather something that all right thinking practicioners of your path must feel. And let's face it there are many recons and trads who are not bothered by Eclectics in the least. Further more I think your statement about some Eclectics not taking time to understand their path is if read as written laughable. I wonder perhaps if you meant the path the Eclectic is borrowing from. If so then I can see your point even if again I do not agree with it. If however you are meaning that the Eclectic is not understand their Eclectic path then you are way off. Now as to laziness. Well certainly some eclectics are such because they are lazy. So are some Christians, and some Buddhists, and some Celtic reconstructionists. Get my point? Laziness can be a reason for doing a number of things. This to me though raises the question of if a person chooses a spiritual path out of laziness is that as valid a reason as the many myriad other reasons why people pick a particular way.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Mo, I gave you a pass last time because in part I was in a hurry and in part because when I have a visceral dislike towards someone or their words I try to err in the direction of peace and civility. You have however aroused my ire a second time and this time I shall not be so forgiving although I shall as I do in all things endeavor to remain civil. So let's start with your opening comment. Quite simply you are in error.

First of all, you failed in your "endeavor to remain civil." That much was clear from your very first word. My name is not Mo. If you wish to shorten it to Mòrag that is fine. But to abbreviate it the way you did, was incredibly offensive, and definitely falls outside the bounds of civility. If I were talking to you on the street and you were to do such a thing, I wouldn't have given you even the smallest moment of my time and would have walked away, therefore not even hearing the rest of what you had to say. When abbreviating a person's name, it is common practice to ask permission first. I wasn't so rude as to butcher your name, in fact before I posted I went back to make sure I had your name right. So please show me the same respect.

Furthermore, when you obviously didn't understand what I was saying do not deign to tell me when I am "in error", especially, when what I wrote was clearly stated to be be an opinion. Opinions are never right or wrong, and to suggest that you are the only one in the conversation who could know what is right, is incredibly outrageous.


Personally question how well you bothered to read EVERYONES posts. Certainly you didn't read mine very well since at no time to I make use of the word difficult nor do I insinuate such. I speak of the eclectic path requiring a unique sort of discipline nothing more. Further I made a point of re-reading all the posts preceding yours and found the word difficult or a near synonym used a total of three times.

Toriach, you obviously didn't read my posts throughly, much as you accuse me of doing. To repeat I said from the beginning some feel that it is akin to cultural rape, not that it was cultural rape. I said it was a position I could understand, not that I agreed with it all the time, though there are times that I do. I stated that last position in particular several times. If you had been reading my posts as throughly as you claim, you would have seen that.

If you need me to go back and quote the posts where people say the eclectic path is more difficult or that everyone should be required to follow an eclectic path at some point, then I can do so. Additionally I never said who in particular made those statements, just that they were made and I felt that the notion should be corrected.


A non Eclectic should have some care and basic respect and consider that perhaps a moral outrage lecture is not suited to this thread.

And the eclectics in this thread should have the same care and basic respect for those non-eclectics who chose to post their observations, respect is a two-way street. That's all I was doing, posting my observations, not "a moral outrage lecture." I feel that Tzehbee and Michie were very respectful in their responses to me, they obviously didn't agree with me, but were at least polite. You're most recent post has left something to be lacking in that department. You may not like my opinons, but I still have the right to post them, in whichever thread I feel they are appropriate. I felt that this was as good a place as any to share what are the opinions of many who follow more stuctured paths. These threads (I'm talking all threads in the Paths forum) are yes for discussion amongst people who follow similar paths, but they are also for those who wish to learn about those paths, so it is appropriate to share the view that some non-eclectics have when looking from the outside in


To be honest if what I quote above is what you had posted in the first place

That is what I posted initially. You obviously misinterpreted my words if you think otherwise. I merely restated my position, using different words.


I have been and still am attempting to give you the benefit of the doubt and believe that you neither intended to, nor realize that, to me at least your initial post was high handed, sounding as if You, the mighty follower of your one true path was going to set us dirty little eclectics straight. In the future you might want to consider that coming into a thread started by an eclectic, hoping to draw other eclectics into discussion and then calling eclectics cultural rapists might not be well recieved or appropriate.

I never said my path was better than that of "dirty little eclectics" or that I, "the mighty follower of [the] one true path" was going to "set [you]...straight." You are the only one to make those sorts of claims about my intent. My intent was merely to share my opinion and in some cases the opinon of the majority of CRs and traditionals I have been in contact with. It was not to set anyone straight as you seem to think.

I also never claimed that eclectics are cultural rapists, or said that anyone posting in this thread was, only that some see them that way. If you interpreted it that way, it was not a result of what I typed, it was a result of you reading far more into my words than I said or was intended.


However I myself am annoyed by people who feel that a person who has a different level of understanding or a different kind of understanding in regards to a particular deity is not worthy to include that deity in their worship and practice.

I find it incredibly offensive when people work with gods they don't understand. It is offensive to those who took the time to actually get to know the deity and even worse it is offensive to the deity to think that you can utilize/work with their power when their power or they are clearly not understood. If you (general you, I don't want to be accused of suggesting that you think this way) think that the Morrighan is only a war goddess and you attempt to work with her understanding her only as such, you're either going to be ignored or get burned, badly. The Divine isn't something to be trifled with, and attempting to work with a power that isn't understood would be a mistake. Whether people want to see her as such is their problem, but they will be wrong. If you read the myths related to her, it is very easy to see that and not a matter open to interpretation.

And to spell it out, so that I am sure you know what I am saying here. Not all eclectics fail to understand the gods they are calling upon, many actually do take the time to research and get to know what the deity they are calling upon is all about, but it has been my observation that it is common practice among eclectics (and in fact Wiccans as well) to place the gods into neat cubby holes, like war, love, or sun god/goddess, when in fact that is only the smallest fraction of what that god represents/is.


Furthermore your use of the term "rightly so" in regards to your annoyance is a bit much. That bespeaks that your annoyance is not something personal to you but rather something that all right thinking practicioners of your path must feel. And let's face it there are many recons and trads who are not bothered by Eclectics in the least.

I said rightly so, because I must say, I do think it is right to be offended at what I see as blatant disrespect and misunderstanding. But at no point did I say that all recons must feel the same as I (though in this case most do) as you seem to think. I think that they should be offended, but whether they are or not is up to individual choice.

I feel that I must add that among the Celtic Recon community, I am in fact amongst the few who will have anything to do with eclectics or even other neo-pagans for that matter. Most of them can't stand to be discussed in the same breath as other neo-pagans, and in fact do not like to be called neo-pagans at all because they don't believe that it is right to classify a reconstructionist path as neo-pagan. The opinions I posted about some seeing it as cultural rape and eclectics as lazy, are the majority opinion among the Celtic Recon community, and in fact from what I've seen most (note I'm not saying all, in case you yet again misinterpret my words) other non-Celtic Recons feel the same way. My feelings, that we should interact with other neo-pagans (or even that we are neo-pagans) and share our paths with them, is actually quite in the minority. The recons here at MW do not portray an accurate representation of the feelings of the majority of recons, because as I said most recons don't choose to interact with the neo-pagan community at large and so wouldn't be posting here in the first place.


If however you are meaning that the Eclectic is not understand their Eclectic path then you are way off.

This sentence doesn't even make sense. But if it says what I think it does, that you somehow believe that I was claiming eclectics don't understand their own eclectic path, then the following is my response. I clearly stated that it is not a good idea to incorporate elements from any path, whether it is Hinduism, Christianity, Satanism, or even a Celtic path, if/when those aforementioned paths are not fully understood. Not that they don't understand the eclectic path.


Now as to laziness. Well certainly some eclectics are such because they are lazy. So are some Christians, and some Buddhists, and some Celtic reconstructionists. Get my point? Laziness can be a reason for doing a number of things. This to me though raises the question of if a person chooses a spiritual path out of laziness is that as valid a reason as the many myriad other reasons why people pick a particular way.

I never said all eclectics are lazy. I said some people who follow an eclectic path are lazy and that it could be because they find it easier to be lazy on an eclectic path than say a recon path (the amount of study you have to do to accurately follow a recon path is staggering, I would find it quite difficult to be a lazy recon). I feel the words I wrote very clearly stated my position. Yes, you can be lazy on any path, butI feel that including Christians, etc. wasn't necessary because it was fairly obvious we were discussing neo-pagans here, not Christians, Hindus, or Satanists. I merely typed my observations. I have encountered far less lazy recons than I have eclectics. ~shrugs~ However, the majority of eclectics I've met have not been lazy, so please do not again deign to tell me that I'm saying all eclectics are lazy.

[Toriach]

So I'm curious to hear if anyone has what they think of as a core practice or belief to their Eclecticism?

For myself ages ago long before I left the world of Christianity behind I began to study, Zen, Buddhism and the Tao Te Ching. The simplicity of the Tao struck a chord in me. The idea of patience, and self mastery are ones that I feel are at the core of everything I do. It has led me to a style that I call Minimalist Magick. It's why by and large I don't work much with deities, or concern myself over much with correspondences. Rather I simply raise energy and then direct it, occasionally using a single deity or archetype if I need help in focusing.

So I'm eager to hear from others. Do you have a core to your Eclecticism? Or do you truly just use whatever works for you on the day with no real consitency from moment to moment?

[SylverStar]

Well, I'm going to make this quick because well, I don't have much time. I haven't throughly read what everyone has said, but I do want to state that no matter what path you follow you start out with basic knowledge. You may be Hellinic and still not understand the gods for many years. Or you may be Wiccan and the true meaning of the rede may not come to you after several years of studing. What I'm getting at is that it is the same for the ecclectic path. You may only know bits and pieces of what you have study. But in this path when you find those ideals that fit you best you can go back and study deeper. I think one person stated that taking the ecclectic path leads you to a non-ecclectic path. Now this is not always true but it surely leaves you open to find what fits. Some may consider this cultural rape, and living in a world with globalization dominating that would be the last thing I would want. I have looked into Greek recon. and found it not suiting for me. I have never been the kind of person for traditional methods. I could not imagine devoting myself completely to one path I do not believe in whole heartly, especially one that takes so much learning and knowledge. There are several recon members on this board that I look up to because they have this knowledge and disipline. (most of them are older than me too).

Toriach as far as a core to my ecclectisism those things would be Hinduism, Greek/Hellinic ways, and Elementalism. None of which I'm an expert on but I still have a whole life to work on that.

[Toriach]

Toriach as far as a core to my ecclectisism those things would be Hinduism, Greek/Hellinic ways, and Elementalism. None of which I'm an expert on but I still have a whole life to work on that.
Thanks for the response SylverStar. When you have more time to elaborate I'd love to know more about why those practices make up your core and how you feel they affect or are affected by other aspects of your eclecticism.

[nighstar]

So I'm eager to hear from others. Do you have a core to your Eclecticism? Or do you truly just use whatever works for you on the day with no real consitency from moment to moment?

most definatly i have a core, but... hmm... listing or naming what makes up that core is a little hard... :lol: i've been meaning to sit down and do that one day but have yet to get to it. :foh: ....i need to think about this more, but i'll say what i can for now :lol:

the best way i can think of describing it is.... pantheism, minus the "theism", i dont believe in gods or goddesses... :crazylaug my path centers around nature and the elements, animism (the belief that everything has a spirit) plays heavily in it, as does the Tao yin & yang...... i need to think of the rest before i say it :lol:

[poetic]

I am so eclectic its not even funny. My husband always teases me because he says I haven't figured out what I believe in yet. Just because I'm not 100% Christian, 100% Wiccan, 100% anything...doesn't mean I don't know what I believe. I just believe 18% from here, and 12% from there, and so on...and if I change my beliefs next year...so be it. Its all a growing process :). I find I'm most comfortable in a belief system I put together myself, than a structured one thats crammed down my throat.
I would just like to say that that is the most sensible thing I have ever heard spoken about religion.

[StormTortoise]

Walking a spiritual path is not easy, and it doesn't matter whether you're a down-the-line reconstructionist or "roll your own." Each brings its own set of challenges.

My own "core" carries a lot of Native American and Norse -- a lot more similarities between those two than one might expect -- and a lot of input from the Tao. It would be a difficult task to "package" my belief system in a book for the masses, but it suits me.

Not everybody's the same, and it would be presumptuous (and perhaps egocentric) to say there's a "one-size-fits-all" belief system anywhere in the world. In fact, one of the main faults with Christianity is that its believers generally subscribe to the notion that their system is for everybody, and they will stop at nothing until everyone believes the same way they do.

I doubt if the gods are really concerned whether you use an athame, a feather, or your finger ...

[Eclectic Celt]

Merry Meet
Well I don't really know where to start but here goes...
I follow the Wiccan Rede.
I believe in everything mystical and paranormal.
I look to the Celtic deities.
I am a Chirstian, but loosing faith.
I am a solitary practitioner.
I use crystals for healing.
I use herbs when needed for rituals.
I follow the Wiccan Sabbats.
I use tarot, pendulum, runes and astrolgy for answers.

So what am I? Am I an eclectic Wiccan/ witch/pagan?????
Please help
Blessed Be

[Æon Flux]

I would definately call myself eclectic, and usually I say that I am an eclectic Wiccan since I follow the Wiccan Rede´.

The reasons I am eclectic are many.

First of all I have not yet had the oppertunity to be taught in a specific tradition buy someone already experienced within that tradition, which I think is essential.
I do not think there is a way one can join a cirtan tradition over the internet because most traditions require a teacher, initiation and group get-togethers in order to do the tradition justice. (this is only my opinion)

Secondly, I am not a person who can be taught one thing and then nod my head and join something I do not fully believe in.
My whole life I have been eager to gather my own information, make up my own opinions and my own believes about things.

Being eclectic to me is the same as following my heart and my inner call.

For an example... I am right now especially interested in Celtic and Norse traditions.
What i do then is I do a good amount of research, about it's history, view of the world, myth, arts and ethics.
I think about it a great deal, ask myself questions about it and often discuss the matters with other pagans and witches.
Then I will start incorperating it somewhat into my path.

This is a way for me to evolve withing my spiritualiy.
I'm a free-spirit, and moving in and out of traditions as some kind of lost bumblebee isn't really something that appeals to me.

I prefer to teach myself, sometimes with the help of others, and I love to take in all kinds of spiritual ideas and myths into my path in order to make it something that I feel is right for me.

My influences right now is, as I said, Celtic and Norse.
Mainly because I feel comfortable with them, but also because they are a part of my culture, since I live in Sweden.
The images and myths used in their spirituality is easier to understand for me then, let's say... egyptian traditions.
I am also very much interested in Faerie traditions, and feys.
It's also got something to do with my roots and where I live.

Being eclectic for me is not a problem, I offer respect to other people and whichever religion they may chose to seek out, and I expect people to return the favour.
If they choose not to, so be it.

I walk the path I walk, I've made the mistake of getting stuck in something i didn't fully believe in before, and I ended up a emotional wreck with depressions, severe paronoia and eating disorders.
To me being cirtan of what i believe in because it feels right and not because someone says it's right is essential in order for me to feel good and have an interes in my spirituality.

Blessings,
Mina