Eclectic? what does it mean?

[swgamble]

Hey I am new to the forum and new to paganism. I find myself drawn to the Celtic gods (Mainly Lugh, Morrigan and Brigid). But I am also interested in Roma folk magic and voodoo.

I have seen the word Eclectic used multiple times while reading through the beginners forum to mean serving a variety of gods from across multiple pantheons. I figure that this would be the closest thing to how I would identify.

I wondered if anyone else who identified that way would give me some direction on how to move forward.

[Euryalus]

Hey I am new to the forum and new to paganism. I find myself drawn to the Celtic gods (Mainly Lugh, Morrigan and Brigid). But I am also interested in Roma folk magic and voodoo.

I have seen the word Eclectic used multiple times while reading through the beginners forum to mean serving a variety of gods from across multiple pantheons. I figure that this would be the closest thing to how I would identify.

I wondered if anyone else who identified that way would give me some direction on how to move forward.

 
While I don't identify as anything, let alone an eclectic, (though I'm currently trying out several different things at once, which I suppose makes me a de facto eclectic...) Eclectic Paganism is pretty much what you said: drawing on multiple influences from a variety of cultures to create a coherent practice.  (As I understand it this is distinct from Syncretic Paganism which is using elements of one religion in the context of another, e.g. Tamaran Wicca, which is the worship of the Kemetic Netjeru within a Wiccan framework as opposed to within a Kemetic framework.)  While an eclectic practice can seem to the outsider to be "easy-mode Paganism", from what I gather doing it well is in many ways more difficult than sticking to a single branch.  (Lots more reading, both of explicitly Pagan and religious books to learn the practices and scholarly texts to know what in the former is plain-and-simple BS / fluffy-bunny whitelightery.)  There's the additional risk of accidental cultural appropriation, which is using deeply meaningful symbolic aspects of another culture/religion in a shallow or incorrect way.  (For example you should probably stay away from anything Native American unless taught to you in person by an actual tribal elder.)

So I would advise that you proceed cautiously with your research and experimentation with eclecticism, and remember to consult multiple sources to make sure your information is valid and never delve further into another culture's practices than their laity would without going through the proper channels, i.e. the ones that members of that culture would go through.

[Fausta]

I have seen the word Eclectic used multiple times while reading through the beginners forum to mean serving a variety of gods from across multiple pantheons. I figure that this would be the closest thing to how I would identify.

What is "Eclectic"?

Explanation, dictionary style:

    Somebody who is eclectic, selects from various doctrines, methods or styles those parts she considers the best. The word also denotes a whole, constructed from pieces obtained from various sources.

Definition of a Sort

    Eclectic Pagans form a large group, consisting of people with widely different religious views. This "denomination" or "group" is not easily definable and one could say that the only feature binding it together is - being eclectic.

Very simply put, Eclectic Pagans are Pagans who do not adhere to any given tradition  and/or religion, but build their own religious world view out of pieces they have picked from different traditions and/or religions, adding to the mix - when they see a need - features they have developed themselves. Those Eclectics who do consider themselves as belonging to a given Pagan religion, combine features from the different traditions of that religion, often adding also features derived from elsewhere. Many "basic Pagans not belonging to any religion" are some grade of eclectics. Many of them identify themselves simply as "Pagans".

Eclectics are often solitary, but there are also eclectic Pagan groups, for example Wiccan covens.
 
(link to the rest)

[SunflowerP]

While an eclectic practice can seem to the outsider to be "easy-mode Paganism", from what I gather doing it well is in many ways more difficult than sticking to a single branch.

 
I consider Darkhawk's article On Eclecticism, Syncretism, Multiple-Path, and other Combinatorics to be very useful for those who want to do eclecticism well.

Sunflower

[swgamble]

I consider Darkhawk's article On Eclecticism, Syncretism, Multiple-Path, and other Combinatorics to be very useful for those who want to do eclecticism well.

Sunflower

 
Thank you. This was exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. I going to be mulling over this for awhile I think.

[ZenDruidry]

I consider Darkhawk's article On Eclecticism, Syncretism, Multiple-Path, and other Combinatorics to be very useful for those who want to do eclecticism well.

Sunflower

 
Yes, thank you as well!

[MadZealot]

I consider Darkhawk's article On Eclecticism, Syncretism, Multiple-Path, and other Combinatorics to be very useful for those who want to do eclecticism well.

Sunflower

 
Bookmarked.  This forum rocks.