joi, 14 iulie 2011

[Witch_Essentials] Digest Number 2923

Messages In This Digest (6 Messages)

Messages

1a.

Re: Problems with "Eclecticism" & "Eclectic" Wicca

Posted by: "gaia_d" Gaia_D@yahoo.com   gaia_d

Wed Jul 13, 2011 3:51 pm (PDT)



Re: Problems with "Eclecticism" & "Eclectic" Wicca

BLACKBIRD SAID:

Hi All,

I must say, It's with just a touch of disappointment that I sit down to
write this post; after all with 4000+ members too our group I'm sure
there must be a good many self described Eclectic Wiccan's in that
number; and it seems a shame none of them has chosen to write a word to
defend their path.

As a Self Described Pagan, one might justly Argue I should keep my nose
out of this one, but I must admit on due consideration, I think it best
I not take that option seeing that no-one better suited to carry this
banner has chosen to step forward;

GAIA REPLYING:

I'm wondering why you feel there *must* be a response, if no other
(actual "Eclectic Wiccans") did –

BB:

I have chose to pick it up myself. So as best I can I will now lay out
...

A Case for Eclectic Paganism

If I may ...
The Essay I am replying to seems to largely make the case for the
superiority and Authority of well established Gardnerian Trads over a
more personal and Eclectic Path;

GAIA:

If that's what you got from it, I'm afraid you might have
misunderstood.

The paths are, as I think the author herself stated, "DIFFERENT"
– and "different" does not necessarily mean "better"
or "worse" – just "different". There are blessings
and problems, benefits and drawbacks to each.

The key is to determine which "problems and drawbacks" one is
willing to deal with, in order to enjoy the "Blessings and
Benefits" that one desires.

BB:

so let me first point out that Gardnerian Wicca itself begins as an
Eclectic Path.

GAIA:

I've heard this argument before, and I think it confuses the
("eclectic") *origins* of Wicca, with current Gardnerian Wicca
– which is in no way "eclectic".

Just because Gardner himself took from many different paths to create
Wicca, in no way makes Gardnerian Wicca an "eclectic" path, in
how it is currently practiced.

BB:

Consider if you will the Ranking system in Wicca of Initiate, Priestess,
HighPriestess or Priest; almost certainly a borrowing from the
Freemason's 3 tiered system; and utterly unnecessary in a true famtrad;
in a true famtrad the "HighPriestess" is called Grandma, as she most
likely has the deepest knowledge and life experience to call upon if and
when needed by her family and neighbors.

GAIA:

Please provide your references and quotes for the assertion that
"in a true famtrad the "HighPriestess" is called Grandma" --

– as well as whatever particular "FamTrad" you're
referring to.

My point there is that you (seem to be) making an *assumption" that
I do not think you can support.

For example, you're assuming that a "FamTrad" refers to a
single family or small group of "family and neighbors", and
evidently, ( just three?) "generations" –

How do you *know* that was the case with all FamTrads? The term
"FamTrad" refers not (necessarily) to the makeup of the Group/
Coven (iow, that it must be a "family" practicing it), but
rather, to the origins of that particular Tradition.

BB:

And while as Professor Hutton Makes Clear, Gerald Gardner might have
been uniquely qualified both in terms of mundane learning, and esoteric
experience to found Wicca, it was still at the end of the day an
Eclectic Blending of his knowledge and his experience. (To include
anything he may have learned from Old Dorothy.) There-fore covened or
no, Wicca at it's inception was the unique, and eclectic creation of a
given individual; Gardner.

GAIA:

Agreed – but again, that's the Path's origin, not how it is
practiced today.

BB:

That seeming to be the case it seems to me at the very least odd; that
Pagan's that can only trace their lineages back to Gardner should hold
themselves above others on their own eclectic paths.

GAIA:

Again, you're making an assumption: Who says that a Wiccan who can
trace their lineage back to Gardner "holds themselves above
others"?

This is a common misunderstanding of many. I certainly don't
"hold myself above" anybody, and while I know of several other
Gardnerian HP's and HPS's, I know of none who "hold
themselves above" anybody.

We simply honor, appreciate, respect and value our own Path!

BB:

If we compare Wicca to the Native American Medicine Path, the
Aboriginal Shaman of Australia or any other surviving Indigenous path;

GAIA:

I'm not sure that's a logical, reasonable comparison.

BB:

Gardnerian Wicca is in it's infancy;

GAIA:

Well, perhaps – But what does that say of "Eclectic" Wicca?

Besides, longevity is not considered any sort of "Proof" of
validity, in Wicca or indeed Paganism in general.

BB:

no matter how deep the roots of the tree that dropped that fruit go;
Wicca is itself a very young tree. It's pride in this matter seems to me
misplaced; much as a 8 year old might inform a group of 5 year olds they
should defer to him, as they are just babies.

GAIA:

Neither Callisto nor myself – nor any other (Traditional) Wiccan
that I know of – would support any such notion of being "better
than" any other Wiccan – or for that matter, "better than" any
practitioner of *any* Religion or Metaphysical practice; nor would we
claim our Tradition is inherently "superior to" any other
Tradition – only DIFFERENT from.

So please stop already with the, "You think you're better than
everybody else" accusation/ rhetoric; it's an insulting,
childish and erroneous assumption, it's wrong, it's "sour
grapes", and it gets really old.

BB:

There are eclectic pagan practices that don't claim to be Wicca but
clearly show signs of the person having been strongly influenced by
Wicca because they borrow practices that are Wiccan.

GAIA:

Uh, no offense, but that's a very circular argument that makes
little sense. Could you please, possibly try to clarify what you meant?

Also, you need to remember that "Eclectic Paganism" is *not*
the same thing as "Eclectic Wicca*:

"Paganism" is an "umbrella" term, denoting a very wide,
diverse *collection* of paths, of which Wicca is only one.

Especially in this discussion, the difference is extremely important,
since the original article to which you're replying referred to
Eclectic WICCA, not (the more general) Paganism.

Furthermore, neither myself nor I think Callisto, has any issues with
the term, "Eclectic Paganism" – In fact, we feel it's a
much better, more accurate term and wish "Eclectics" would use
it, rather than "Eclectic Wicca"!

BB Quoting Callisto:

Sometimes they'll make claims that are not entirely accurate, such as
claiming to practice Religio Romana (reconstruction of ancient Roman
religion) ... yet are casting circles and celebrating sabbats (which are
not part of authentic RR).

No doubt true ...

BB:

So for any Pagan, the Question presents itself, do you celebrate the
Sabbats according to the traditions of your path, or your ancestors; or
in accordance with a Celtic Calendar that really only applies to a
relatively small portion of the world; or do you - I dunno do some
homework, find out what the Sabbats and Celebrations of the Indigenous
people in your neighborhood were and honor those; or do you strive for
some mixture of Culturally historical and locally appropriate
observations?

GAIA;

There's no conflict there –

Gardnerian Wicca allows for some degree of adaptation in that regard;
but (for example) the Gardnerian Ritual and Circle Cast would be very
similar and have certain elements in common – THAT is what would
make them Gardnerian rituals.

BB:

At the end of the day like most things; One will get out of ones
spiritual path largely what one puts into it, if you dont do much
homework, if you dont research the people, the culture the prayers; then
you should not call what your doing "Authentic (Whatever)"

GAIA:

Exactly – and that's yet another reason why Gardnerian training
is both required, and so stringent.

BB:

Quoting Callisto:

Tradition based practices place primary emphasis on maintaining a
balance between religio-mythic authenticity and unverified personal
gnosis (UPG) -- with authenticity taking greater precedence over UPG.
That's because UPG is "personal truth" which is not universal, and often
does not mesh with religio-mythic authenticity. Whereas Eclectics are
most often the direct opposite and put far greater emphasis on UPG than
authenticity, with insistence that all UPG be deemed valid and equally
true to the path regardless of one person's UPG differing from someone
else's understanding.

BB:

Now this I find quote Bizarre myself - in that I know I have more than
once heard it said, or written - that the point of Wicca was to create a
Religion of Prophets, with access to the Gods themselves; A beautiful
thing, one hopes Wicca achieves this, but the paragraph quoted above
certainly begs the Question; what is the point if that which is gifted
to the Priest/ess from the Gods themselves is of secondary importance to
observing the forms? I can't for the life of me think of anything more
exactly backwards in all the world.

GAIA:

I cannot speak for Callisto, but I think you've misunderstood her.

I don't hear her saying that personal experience with the Gods is
unimportant – just that claims to "personal gnosis" (ie,
"It's true for me") must also be "balanced" with
"religio-mythic authenticity".

BB:

What gifts of Gno-ing that come to me from Nan, that is the primary
thing; when and how they come is of no importance besides that ... Yea
know the two most stunning things that have come to me, have come to me
with no ceremony at all; just an open mind a given lazy Sunday drive
home.

GAIA:

That's all well and good – But if you make claims of
"personal Gnosis" that do not "jive" with actual
historical knowledge about (for example, your Goddess), you're creating
/ living in a dream world, and one which you cannot share with anybody
else. Now, that may not seem to matter to you --

But i think it's important to recognize that one of the great benefits
of any religion -- no matter *what* that "religion" might be -- Is the
mutual comfort, support, encouragement, and other blessings that come
from *sharing* with like-minded others, in a religious-spiritual
Community.

BB:

Anyhow - As Ghost once Said: The Invitation comes from HER.

Not from Gardner or any other authority, when we start putting the
customs of man before what we have been gifted by the Gods; We might as
well just go back to our nearest Catholic Church and join our neighbors
in the Choir.

GAIA:

With all due respect, BlackBird -- i have to say that Pagans are *not*
the only ones who seek meaningful relationships with their Deities; and
i think that's a rather nasty, intolerant and unfair generalization to
make about another Religion. There are plenty of good, honorable and
sincere Catholics who enjoy profoundly meaningful and beautiful
relationships with their God.

BB:

Lastly let me take a moment to visit the Question of Satan, since the
author of the orignal Article brought him up.

Quoting Callisto:

The Christian god simply does not fit into traditional Wicca, he is not
a Wiccan deity.

As for Eclectic Wicca: it's often stated "Wiccans don't believe in
Satan, that's a Christian deity and we don't worship Christian deities."
So which is it, do Wiccans believe in Christian deities or no? It's all
or nothing. Pagans, witches and wiccans don't claim to only believe in
parts of pantheons. The whole is either accepted or rejected. If there
is no Satan, there is no monotheistic God. If it's ok to graft one
Christian deity on to an Eclectic Wiccan practice, there's no valid
argument to deny someone else from grafting on the other and form
"Satanic Wicca".

BB:

First off I have said before I think the "Wiccan's Don't Believe in
Satan" position is ill considered and inherently flawed; If as Pagans we
believe in The Gods have a existence beyond our own imaginations; then
Satan most certainly exists;

GAIA:

I somewhat agree – but that wasn't the point of Callisto's
reference to Satan – you didn't even address it.

She was saying that those who claim to be "Eclectic" Wiccans
(please remember, Wiccans, not Pagans) who (often very strongly) deny
that Wicca can include Satan or Satanism, are being illogical when they
say they *can* include Jesus in their (Wiccan) religion and worship.

I think the relevant issue (regarding "Satan") in this discussion is,
How do you (or any "Eclectic Wiccan") reply to that?

Thanks for the Discussion -- Blessed Be -- Gaia

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Messages in this topic (6)
1b.

A Quick Re: A Case for Electic Paganism.

Posted by: "Blackbird" blackbird_61@yahoo.com   blackbird_61

Wed Jul 13, 2011 5:48 pm (PDT)





--- In Witch_Essentials@yahoogroups.com, "gaia_d" <Gaia_D@...> wrote

GAIA:
Please provide your references and quotes for the assertion that "in a
true famtrad the "HighPriestess" is called Grandma" --

– as well as whatever particular "FamTrad" you're referring to.

My point there is that you (seem to be) making an *assumption" that I do
not think you can support. For example, you're assuming that a "FamTrad"
refers to a single family or small group of "family and neighbors", and
evidently, ( just three?) "generations" –

BB re:
This will take a few days to dig into - but for the benefit of members
who may be following the conversation, Raven Grimmasi speaks eloquently
to this in an interview with Pan Gaia published a year or two ago, Anne
Moura speaks to this in her Grimior for the Green Witch; and I believe
Zen Budapest as well in the Holy Book of Women's Mysteries; but I will
have to sit down with my sources this weekend and verify those
references, and provide specific citations as best I can;

I think part of the problem here is the word Fam-Trad itself which on
reflection is obviously a relatively new invention by which traditional
Family Paths, like Anne Moura's could distinguish themselves from
Gardnerian/Brit-Trad Wicca as it pushed it's way into public
consciousness. When Grandma was learning the Craft from her Grandma the
word did not exist;
For example, you're assuming that a "FamTrad" refers to a single family
or small group of "family and neighbors", and evidently, ( just three?)
"generations""
Up until very recently Yes, Obviously today, Authors like Moura and
Grimmasi are popularizing what they where taught when young; and I know
myself a woman who has been teaching her own families trad to students
who would learn; quite honestly she was among my best friends for
several years till she moved out of the local area and we lost touch.
But as to the "Just 3 Generations" here we are simply dealing with life
expectancy and energy; even if Great Grandma is still around, and still
able to pass on some wisdom and knowledge, it becomes questionable if
she still has the energy to do serious Craft Work, no?

GAIA:
That's all well and good – But if you make claims of "personal
Gnosis" that do not "jive" with actual historical knowledge about (for
example, your Goddess), you're creating / living in a dream world, and
one which you cannot share with anybody else. Now, that may not seem to
matter to you --

But i think it's important to recognize that one of the great benefits
of any religion -- no matter *what* that "religion" might be -- Is the
mutual comfort, support, encouragement, and other blessings that come
from *sharing* with like-minded others, in a religious-spiritual
Community.

BB re:
Time permitting I will work up a fuller reply, as I said I believe a
through reading of Elaine Pagels the Gnostic Gospels is really the best
Answer I can offer; but on this I think we will ultimately and
profoundly disagree,

As I said, when we put the forms created by man, over what is gifted
from the Gods; that leads to Orthodoxy, and ultimately to the separation
of the religious from the spiritual; and the failure of the path in
Question. We certainly see this in the Mediaeval Christian Church who
burned their Gnostics; then Sainted them Centuries later.

Blessings, BB.

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1c.

A Quick Re: A Case for Electic Paganism.

Posted by: "gaia_d" Gaia_D@yahoo.com   gaia_d

Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:22 pm (PDT)





--- In Witch_Essentials@yahoogroups.com, "Blackbird" <blackbird_61@...>
wrote:
>
>>
> BB re:
> This will take a few days to dig into - but for the benefit of members
> who may be following the conversation, Raven Grimmasi speaks
eloquently
> to this in an interview with Pan Gaia published a year or two ago,
Anne
> Moura speaks to this in her Grimior for the Green Witch; and I believe
> Zen Budapest as well in the Holy Book of Women's Mysteries; but I will
> have to sit down with my sources this weekend and verify those
> references, and provide specific citations as best I can;
>

GAIA:

I would like to see those -- But remember, neither Grimassi, nor Moura,
nor Budapest, are "Traditional" WICCANS, so their contributions -- while
interesting -- may have limited relevance to a discussion on Traditional
- Eclectic WICCA.

As for my own perspective on the "Old Paths" -- are you familiar with
Dolores Ashcroft Nowicki's "Village Craft" --

See for example:

http://www.widdershins.org/vol6iss5/samhain00.00.html
<http://www.widdershins.org/vol6iss5/samhain00.00.html>

http://www.folkithewood.co.uk/Folk_ithe_Wood_of_the_Servants_of_the_Ligh\
t_Practising_Traditional_English_Wisecraft/Welcome.html
<http://www.folkithewood.co.uk/Folk_ithe_Wood_of_the_Servants_of_the_Lig\
ht_Practising_Traditional_English_Wisecraft/Welcome.html>

I studied this ancient version of the Witches' Craft (AGain, it was NOT
"Wicca", but rather an earlier, more "primitive" tradition that was "a
way of life for a group of people in North Anglia, in northern England,
working in harmonious tandem with the earth."

It had *some* but certainly not all aspects of (what we know as) Wicca.

BB:
> I think part of the problem here is the word Fam-Trad itself which on
> reflection is obviously a relatively new invention by which
traditional
> Family Paths, like Anne Moura's could distinguish themselves from
> Gardnerian/Brit-Trad Wicca as it pushed it's way into public
> consciousness.

GAIA:

It should be remembered that according to Pagan-Wiccan history, there
were many "FamTrads" that did adapt Gardnerian material, when it became
available/ popular.

Also - i must add that i think it's wise to cultivate a bit of
discretion, skepticism and wisdom toward this topic of Pre-Wiccan
"FamTrads" --so many have made so many claims, that until reasonable
evidence is presented for any such "Trads", There is an awful lot room
for error, mis-understanding, mis-representation, and creative history
floating around.....

Also, the fact remains that those paths were *not* Wicca, so their
usefulness in this discussion is probably limited.

When Grandma was learning the Craft from her Grandma the
> word did not exist;
> For example, you're assuming that a "FamTrad" refers to a single
family
> or small group of "family and neighbors", and evidently, ( just
three?)
> "generations""
> Up until very recently Yes, Obviously today, Authors like Moura and
> Grimmasi are popularizing what they where taught when young; and I
know
> myself a woman who has been teaching her own families trad to students
> who would learn; quite honestly she was among my best friends for
> several years till she moved out of the local area and we lost touch.
> But as to the "Just 3 Generations" here we are simply dealing with
life
> expectancy and energy; even if Great Grandma is still around, and
still
> able to pass on some wisdom and knowledge, it becomes questionable if
> she still has the energy to do serious Craft Work, no?
>
> GAIA:
> That's all well and good – But if you make claims of "personal
> Gnosis" that do not "jive" with actual historical knowledge about (for
> example, your Goddess), you're creating / living in a dream world, and
> one which you cannot share with anybody else. Now, that may not seem
to
> matter to you --
>
> But i think it's important to recognize that one of the great benefits
> of any religion -- no matter *what* that "religion" might be -- Is the
> mutual comfort, support, encouragement, and other blessings that come
> from *sharing* with like-minded others, in a religious-spiritual
> Community.
>
> BB re:
> Time permitting I will work up a fuller reply, as I said I believe a
> through reading of Elaine Pagels the Gnostic Gospels is really the
best
> Answer I can offer;

GAIA:

OK - but i really don't see what relevance the Gnosic Gospels can
possibly have on a discussion on the difference(s) between Traditional
and "Eclectic" WICCA --

I also forwarded your reply to Calllisto, so we can be expecting a
response from her, to your comments.

Blessed Be - Gaia

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1d.

Eclectic Wicca/Paganism - Kata and Witchcraft a Side Bar.

Posted by: "Blackbird" blackbird_61@yahoo.com   blackbird_61

Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:16 pm (PDT)




In the 60's and 70's alot of freshly minted "Black Belts" took American
Karate down what I believe was an ill considered path, morphing it from
an ancient system of That combined a Warriers Spiritual Path with his
essential need for effective defense, into a form of kick boxing.
Although I was young when I first learned Kara Te; It was always the
Kata, and the Path they represented that interested me, my dad was an
amatuer boxer and I knew how to throw hands well enough. So I have
always been very much the Traditionalist in this arena of my life.
Today, after years of Scorn and Neglect the American Karate Community
appears from this writers perspective to be rediscoverying the Kata, the
Bunkai, and the deeper aspects of Karate. Some of the Reviews for
Five Years, One Kata
<http://www.amazon.com/Five-Years-Kata-Bill-Burgar/dp/0954446607/ref=sr_\
1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310613389&sr=8-1> might make my point better than I
am just now., This is an outstanding tome which provides important
insight for any karateka, not just Shotokan practitioners. Since each
kata contains a fully developed, practical self-defense system, the
ancient karate masters did not generally learn the plethora of forms we
attempt to master today. Instead, they focused on one or two core forms
such as naihanchi or sanchin kata, then went on to devote 5 or 10 years
to deeply understand every nuance of one single additional form. Over
time they internalized the strategy, principles, and tactics of that
kata, mastering every detail. Once they fully understood all aspects of
that kata, they might then pick-up another new form to study. Even so
the reviewer above does not touch on the deeper spritual aspects that
come from long focused practice of a single Kata. Karate exploded in
Popularity in the 70's but it is only rediscovering much of what it lost
in that explosion now. Wicca of course has also seen an explosion,
From a time when I was a young man when books on Wicca or any other
Pagan Path were only to be found in small out of the way bookstores like
'Talking Leaves' in Buffalo, to today, when Books offering metaphysical
knowleged can be found at any Borders. Needless to say not all those
books are of the same Quality, Authority, or Depth; and not all appeal
to all potential readers. And While I am myself on a particualarly
Ecclectic Pagan Path, and will continue to offer a certain
encouragement to those who feel likewise drawn to an Electic path.
This Aging Karteka can also look across the Isle at my friend and be
glad she is there, be glad she is the fierce defender of her Traditions,
because in time when the Dust of this current explosion settles, She and
those she has taught will be needed, to provide a latern and sacred
grove for those who will in time feel the need to seek out the roots of
Wicca and return to them, to offer them a place to complete the circle.
Blessings, BB.
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2.

Life Rolls On ...

Posted by: "Blackbird" blackbird_61@yahoo.com   blackbird_61

Wed Jul 13, 2011 6:44 pm (PDT)




Given my current conversation with Gaia on another thread the timing of
this post may be a little unfortunate, and I want to asure members that
one thing has nothing to do with another, I have planned this post for
some days now. ...

But ...

My company will soon be eliminating my dept, it is a sword that has hung
over my head for more than a year, and it looks like it will finally
happen soon; at the same time there are simply other things I am looking
to focus on in the year and a day following my coming Birthday.

Finally there is the simple fact that this group is "Witch Essentials"
not Pagan Essentials, and while I hope I have provided a alternative
voice for the last year or so, and hope to so some extent in the future.
I think it is time my role as Day to Day moderator be filled by an
actual Witch, Gardnerian or no.

So I am asking members preferably members who have achieved a ranking of
Priestess or above in your Trad if someone would be willing to step
forward for a Year and a Day or more and fill my shoes, while I step
back from the role of Moderator to simply day to day member.

If you are interested please email:
Witch_Essentials-owner@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:Witch_Essentials-owner@yahoogroups.com> to let Gaia, and the
other moderators your interested in picking up my hat. BTW: I am only
suggesting you take up the baton for a year and a day, if your interest
is more long term more power to you. I am not looking to resuming a
moderator/leadership role in this group in the future.

Blessings, BB.

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3.

Re Eclecticism

Posted by: "Nightshade" bloodmyst2@gmail.com   nightshade85@ymail.com

Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:22 am (PDT)



I tried to post this yesterday as a link but here is an article from my blog on an eclectics view of eclecticism.

Although it is not directed at the particular articles discussed already, I thought it might be relevant for other eclectics.

What is the nature of eclecticism? What is eclecticism? Is there a right way of doing eclecticism?

Well these are very valid questions and I will attempt to answer them to the best of my ability.
I will do this in relation to my own craft as that is what I know about best of course.

What is eclecticism?
Eclectic is a word which means that one selects and chooses things from different sources. In the context of paganism this means that one chooses beliefs and practiced from certain cultures or traditions which they feel a connection to. They work with these things and sometimes like me try to create a coherent system out them.
What eclecticism isn't:

Eclecticism does not mean that you can "pick `n choose" a deity to suit your needs, especially if you have never heard of that deity before you googled- "deity of beauty and love".
I personally find this very disrespectful and feel that that is akin to "using" a god. How would you feel if someone were only interested in using you for your knowledge and then told you that you must help them find love or whatnot, without even bothering to get to know you. How rude!
I certainly wouldn't help you if I was said god/dess.
With the advent of pop Wicca and do it quick spells and rituals it has become common practice for people to do this "pick n use" thing.
It is only manners and good witchy/pagan practice to get to know your deities. A case in point. I officially dedicated to Hekate last dark moon even though I knew she was calling to me as a matron for about two years. Why? Because I had to learn her mythology, understand all the facets of her personality and build a relationship with her.
The last point is the one thing that many people forget about when they get into spells and such. They see that it is a love spell and they think Aphrodite did the love-thing so let me use her. Never bothering to talk to her, or getting to know her and honouring her properly. Instead they demand she help them or bless them with something. I find this rather arrogant, and I'm sure the gods do too.
Eclecticism is also not being sloppy in your practice. No matter how loosely structured your rituals are or how spontaneous they are, you should not be sloppy and do shoddy work saying "anything goes" and "if it is easy that's the way".I don't know about you but I think that no matter how informal a ritual or honoring is, it should be done with respect and reverence. This means cleansing before a ritual, even if it just hands and feet, cleansing the space you are working in, creating a sacred atmosphere or space and not being drunk or filled with narcotics.
I also think that my eclecticism is not the easiest path. I mean I am trying to cohere many different systems and to do so requires hard work, study and practice. Eclecticism is not the easy way out like some would believe.
A personal example of eclecticism
I am a gothic, solitary, eclectic witch.
Lets unpack this:
Gothic- I am a person who focuses much on death magic and many darker aspects of the craft. In my circle I light a candle of death and a candle of life, so once they are lit I stand in the realm in between, the realm of shadows, a crossroads of sorts. This is the place where I feel most magically connected as I have one foot in the mundane and one foot in the spirit realm.
Solitary- rather self explanatory. I work alone, save when I absolutely need a partner or when I wish to celebrate a Sabbat with my mom.
Witch- a witch can mean many things. To me it is a person who practices the core of what the word witch implies- the art of magic. So I do spells, rituals and make charms and poppets and work very closely with herbs.

Eclectic – Ahh. Here we are at the core of this discussion. What is my eclectic practice. I have already gone over the gothic part so lets go over other parts.

I work closely with animal spirits- this means that I learn the animal lore of all cultures that I can, not just one culture, so this includes but is not exclusive to Native American spirituality, African folklore, Celtic animal symbolism and Egyptian symbolism.
My deities come from different cultures. Anpu (Anubis-Grk) and Hekate. Egyptian and Greek pantheons. Yes they are different cultures but I have never had a problem with this, neither has my mom who honours Hindu and Egyptian deities.

Greek and Egyptian cultures are intimately connected thus the issue is settled quite well. But what if the pantheons are more different like say a west African Goddess and a Sumerian God? Personally I think as long as you are willing to go to lengths to honour each deity with their cultural preferences in mind there should be no problem. The Hoodoo practice is filled with eclecticism and they have no problem with working with vastly different cultures or God/desses.

If this means that you have to set up a separate shrine for each deity then so be it. Shrines don't have to be large or expensive.
I see no reason why you should have to stick to one specific pantheon if gods from other pantheons call to you as well. Of course it does make it easier I'm sure but I'm not for the easy path I'm for the path that calls to me.

Now that the issue of deities is cleared up lets get on to another issue. Cultural eclecticism. I draw from many cultures as do many eclectics. For instance here is how my interests read in no particular order.

Egyptian mysticism and magical practice.

Herbalism including African, European and Hoodoo Animal symbolism (already explained above)

Neo Wiccan practice- i.e. Dedicatory Religious Witchcraft

Native American spirituality

Dark Goddess work as explained in the group Blackberry witches Oracle by Sorceress Slaying Crow and work that is Hekate specific.

Kitchen witchery

Various other cultures that interest me greatly either through aesthetics, ritual, or herbal aspects include Hindu, Gypsy and Asian(Chinese, Japanese).
What I do with this is make a coherent system that incorporates the things that interest me in each of these paths. It is not easy. It is not everything and anything goes, it is not using the god/desses.
It is the ability to see the beauty in all of these things and the patience and strength to be able to find a connection between them.
Is there a right way to do eclecticism?
I hope that from this article you will see that my eclectic practice is probably quite different from yours. Save for a few things which I think are integral (like the what it is not section and what it is section), there is no one right way of doing eclectic work. As long as you are growing on your path and feel fulfilled and challenged you are doing it right in my opinion.
Whatever cultures you work with, whatever practices you do whichever god/desses you worship/work with, it will be right for you so long as you are working hard, studying hard and finding fulfillment.
I will repeat this as it bears repeating- Eclecticism is not the easy way out. Anyone who says this or is practicing it like this is unlikely to grow on their path and thus will reap what they sow.
Of course I can expand upon this and can probably write an entire book on it but I will leave it here for now and hope for the best.

Article originally posted on Wiccantogether.com article has also appeared on Realpagan.net and esotericreflections.co.za

This article is copyright of Nightshade author of thepurplebroom.wordpress.com and esotericreflections and active account holder on Realpagan.net

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