Eclectic Wicca and Eclectic Paganism

Eclectic Wicca and Eclectic Paganism are paths that are difficult to define. These are Traditions that draw on a wide variety of sources, often in a "mix-and-match" fashion. Some people use this as a way to avoid inconvenient ethical boundaries, but most eclectics simply find one set of Traditions too confining.

Many choose the Eclectic Path because they believe too many have fallen into a "functional" trap. I have known Wiccans that are completely flummoxed if you don't give them the "proper" ritual response. For those people, faith has been reduced to a comfortable series of vain repetitions; it has become only what they do, not why they do it. This is one of the reasons I chose an Eclectic Path myself.

Eclectic means "choosing from a variety of sources". In religion, this means taking only the best elements of a variety of traditions. Eclectic Wicca and Eclectic Pagan are essentially the same except for self-identification. I have met people who call themselves Eclectic Pagans who have studied nothing but Wiccan Traditions, and Eclectic Wiccans whose beliefs are closer to Buddhism or Native American Faiths. Eclectic is a powerful word, but it is one of the most difficult to pin down to a single belief system.

Following an Eclectic Path

Choosing to follow an Eclectic Path often means that you will be leaving behind most of your safety nets. You can't simple pick and choose; you need to be able to justify why you do or don't believe in something, even if only to yourself. You also make even more of an outsider of yourself. You become a small sub-group of a small sub-group. (Yes, I know pagans number in the thousands. We are still a small sub-group compared to Hindus, Christians, Buddhists and Muslims.) Many Eclectics are also Solitary Pagans.. The isolation can be devastating to some, a relief to others.

Just as a side note, you can't avoid labels (I've known people who tried). There will always be a way to classify what you believe. If you want to be "eclectic" to avoid being put in a particular class, odds are you will fail. Remember that your faith is for you and your spirit, not for whatever people will call you. Most people will never get it quite right anyway.

If you do choose an Eclectic Path, remember that every faith has something worth studying. Keep learning, keep growing, and most of all keep true to yourself.

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