Eclectic paganism is a term used to describe a contemporary form of paganism that draws inspiration and practices from various different pagan traditions. This spiritual path is characterized by its openness and flexibility, allowing individuals to incorporate elements from different cultures and belief systems into their own personal practice. Unlike more traditional forms of paganism, which often focus on a specific culture or pantheon, eclectic pagans do not limit themselves to any one tradition. Instead, they explore and borrow from a wide range of sources, including ancient Egyptian, Celtic, Norse, and Greek mythology, among others. One of the key beliefs of eclectic paganism is the idea that all deities are valid and can be honored and worshipped. This means that practitioners may choose to work with multiple gods and goddesses, or even create their own pantheon based on personal beliefs and experiences.
Wicca and Eclectic Neo-Paganism: Beliefs and Practices, Emerging Worldviews 22
Wicca and other forms of eclectic Neo-Paganism draw their ideas and practices from a variety of sources. There is no single source or authority that they all agree on, and as a result there are multiple interpretations of Wicca with varying degrees of overlap with each other. This makes it a highly consumerist religion: you get to pick and choose what you want to believe, how you want to practice, which influences you want to incorporate, whose school to follow and how far to follow it, etc. Wiccan Traditions Although Gardner is known as the Father of Modern Wicca and one of his high priestesses Doreen Valiente its Mother, even during Gardner’s lifetime the two ended up splitting, with Valiente affiliated at least temporarily with other non-Gardnerian Wiccan Traditions. (In Wicca, a Tradition is roughly analogous to a denomination.) After Gardner’s death, the number of Wiccan traditions has grown dramatically. Some have roots in Gardner’s work; others, such as Dianic Wicca, draw from completely different sources that are flatly contradictory to Gardner’s ideas; still others draw primarily from a single ancient tradition but supplement it with elements from others (e.g. Norse Wicca or Celtic Wicca). Wiccan Beliefs Although people often associate witchcraft with Satanism, Wiccans reject the connection: they argue that Satan is a Christian invention to discredit their gods and that he thus does not exist. Wiccan traditions coming from Gardner, and more broadly Britain, tend to be duotheistic: they believe in two principal deities, male and female, identified variously as the Horned God, Cernunos, the Leader of the Wild Hunt, the Lord of Death, or the Oak King and the Holly King on the one hand, and the Great Mother, Aradia, or the Triple Goddess of Virgin, Mother, and Crone on the other. Gardner himself and some other versions of Wicca believed in a god that stands over these. In Gardner’s case this was an impersonal, Deistic god that did not interact with humanity. Others see this god as asexual or, in Dianic Wicca, as the Great Goddess and reject the male deities of other Wiccan traditions. Others even claim to be Christian witches. There are a host of other options as well, including polytheistic, animistic, or atheistic Wicca.
However, the gods or goddesses are conceived, all Wiccan traditions identify them with pre-Christian pagan deities with the sole exception of the so-called Christian witches.
There is even variety in how the deities are perceived: some traditions see the gods as entities with whom they interact, others as simply the personification of principles or archetypes and not as independent beings. However, the gods or goddesses are conceived, all Wiccan traditions identify them with pre-Christian pagan deities with the sole exception of the so-called Christian witches. Most Wiccans accept the classical five elements: earth, water, air, fire, and aether (or spirit) which unites the other four. These correspond to some extent to the four states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, plasma) plus quintessence (fifth essence, i.e. aether or spirit). There is no universally agreed upon system of ethics among the various Wiccan groups, though most subscribe to the Wiccan Rede: “an it harm none, do what ye will.” In other words, the only constraint on behavior is that it should harm no one, including yourself. Many also believe in the Law of Threefold Return: Whatever you do, good or bad, will come back to you threefold, a principle that may have its origin in the Indian idea of Karma given the number of Western esotericists who studied in India. In keeping with this potential Indian influence, most Wiccans believe that what you do in this life will affect your afterlife, with the majority believing in reincarnation.
There is no universally agreed upon system of ethics among the various Wiccan groups, though most subscribe to the Wiccan Rede: “an it harm none, do what ye will.”
Wiccan Practice Due to its self-identification as witchcraft, the practice most commonly associated with Wicca is probably ritual magic. The instructions for these rituals are contained in the various Books of Shadows used by the different traditions. Gardner’s intent in creating his Book of Shadows was to provide a model or pattern, with each practitioner writing his own, copying from Gardner what was useful or meaningful, eliminating what wasn’t, adding new material, etc. In practice, Gardner’s Book of Shadows eventually reached a fixed form, though other traditions use other practices derived from other sources or invented by the practitioners. Spells are typically cast on a full moon or sometimes a new moon in a magic circle using a variety of magical tools. Gardner’s rituals were largely drawn from Aleister Crowley’s work, though Doreen Valiente, his High Priestess and coauthor of his Book of Shadows, tried to limit or eliminate Crowley’s influence. There are a variety of other sources for these rituals, ranging from Renaissance era or earlier magical texts to new inventions created from the imagination of the practitioners. Once again we see in this the absence of external authority within Wicca: each tradition, each coven, each solitary practitioner is its own authority and does what is right in its own eyes, picking and choosing elements that seem meaningful or powerful and making others up out of whole cloth. Many Wiccans distinguish between white and black magic and insist, in keeping with the Wiccan Rede, that they only practice white magic. Black magic, by definition harmful, they contend is the province of Luciferians and Satanists, not witches. That said, a number of Wiccan groups have collaborated to cast curses at President Trump, an act inconsistent with the Rede and with their contention that they only do white magic. Along with magic and ceremonies connected with the full or new moon, most Wiccans also hold special festivals eight times per year, at the solstices, the equinoxes, and halfway between them. These eight dates form the Wheel of the Year and are the principal holy days in the Wiccan calendar. Wicca and other eclectic systems are the most commonly encountered form of Neo-Paganism, but they are not the only ones. Various forms of ethnic paganism are also making a comeback, some of which have got decidedly violent tendencies. We will turn to these in the next article.
Eclectic Wicca
Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal.
Updated on August 02, 2018The Merriam Dictionary defines the word 'eclectic' as meaning "selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles ." Eclectic Wiccans (and eclectic Pagans, who are a very similar group) do just that, sometimes on their own and sometimes in informal or formal groups.
This means that practitioners may choose to work with multiple gods and goddesses, or even create their own pantheon based on personal beliefs and experiences. Eclectic pagans often prioritize individual autonomy and spirituality, and do not adhere to strict dogma or rules. Rituals and practices in eclectic paganism can vary greatly depending on the individual practitioner.
Overview of Eclectic Wicca
Eclectic Wicca is an all-purpose term applied to witchcraft traditions, often NeoWiccan (meaning modern Wiccan), that doesn't fit into any specific definitive category. Many solitary Wiccans follow an eclectic path, but there are also covens that consider themselves eclectic. A coven or individual may use the term 'eclectic' for a variety of reasons. For example:
- Mixed and matched traditions: A group or solitary may use a blend of beliefs and practices from several different pantheons and traditions.
- Modified traditions: A group could be an offshoot of an established tradition of Wicca, such as Gardnerian or Alexandrian, but with modifications to their practice that make them significantly different from that original tradition.
- Uniquely individual practices: An individual may be creating his or her own tradition of beliefs and practices, and because this system can't be defined as something else, it is usually defined as eclectic.
- Uninitiated practitioner: A solitary may be practicing what he or she has learned from publicly available sources on Wicca, but not be using oathbound, initiatory material, and so recognizes that his or her practice is eclectic.
Because there is often disagreement about who is Wiccan and who isn't, there can be confusion regarding existing lineaged Wiccan traditions, and newer eclectic traditions. Some would say that only lineaged covens (based on traditional practices) should be permitted to call themselves Wiccan. By that reasoning, anyone who claims to be eclectic is, by definition, not Wiccan but Neowiccan ('new' or nontraditional Wiccan). Bear in mind that the term Neowiccan simply means someone who practices a newer form of Wicca, and is not meant to be derogatory or insulting.
Some may incorporate elements of ceremonial magic, while others may focus on nature-based rituals and celebrations. There is also a strong emphasis on personal intuition and connection to the divine, with many eclectic pagans practicing divination and other forms of spiritual communication. Eclectic paganism is a modern spiritual path that allows individuals to explore and connect with pagan traditions in a way that is personally meaningful to them. It encourages creativity, flexibility, and a deep reverence for the natural world. While it may not be as well-defined or organized as some other religious traditions, it offers a unique and individualized approach to spirituality that can be deeply fulfilling for those who practice it..
Reviews for "Exploring Eclectic Paganism in the Modern World: Adapting to Change"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "Eclectic paganism" to be a confusing and disorganized read. The author jumps from one topic to another without providing enough background or explanation, making it difficult to follow along. Additionally, while I understand that eclectic paganism is meant to be a flexible and individualistic spiritual path, this book seems to lack a clear structure or direction. I was hoping for more concrete guidance and practical advice, but instead, I found myself wading through a mishmash of ideas and concepts that left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others seeking a comprehensive understanding of eclectic paganism.
2. Sarah - 1 star
As someone who has been practicing paganism for several years, I was excited to delve into "Eclectic paganism" to gain new insights and perspectives. However, I found the book to be woefully lacking in substance and depth. The author glosses over key concepts and fails to provide sufficient explanations or examples to support their ideas. The writing style is haphazard and overly philosophical, making it difficult to connect with the content on a practical level. I was left feeling unsatisfied and frustrated with this book, as it did not offer anything of value to enhance my spiritual practice. I would not recommend "Eclectic paganism" to others looking for a comprehensive and well-articulated exploration of the topic.
3. Emily - 2 stars
"Eclectic paganism" fell short of my expectations. While I appreciate the author's attempt to present a diverse range of beliefs and practices within paganism, the book lacks coherence and structure. The content feels disjointed, and there is a lack of clear organization, making it challenging to navigate and understand the material. Additionally, I was hoping for more in-depth exploration of particular pagan traditions, but instead, the book mostly skims the surface and fails to provide the level of detail I was seeking. Overall, I found "Eclectic paganism" to be a letdown and would caution others against investing their time and money into it.