I know when I first started I considered myself eclectic and I really was. I tried things from one path, mixed it with another pantheon, then another pantheon, then added a dash of mythology from elsewhere then wondered why although a Pagan path was for me, it wasn't actually working out. I'd felt Pagan for years, read about it for nearly two decades, yet when I finally put the books down and started walking, things weren't 'quite' right.

Then I finally stopped trying to search so hard, and started to learn the land, to feel it, hear it, sense it, be it, and things started to fall into place. I found the Gods of this land, and this worked, the relationship is strong, sensationally powerful and is extremely rewarding. I am happy and confident in my path. I feel that if I had continued the eclectic route that this would never have happened, for me looking back at things, eclectic meant still seeking, it did not mean found. We never do stop learning along the path but for me I felt that being eclectic, although a learning curve, was actually taking me away from the reality of the path.

So, I was wondering how many here are eclectic? Or did you start out as eclectic and move on to become whatever you are today? I know some say eclectics are lazy, I tend to see them as still seeking, but how do you view eclectics?

OK, I'll admit it, I call myself eclectic. Why? Because I haven't been pagan long enough to know any better. Perhaps a better term is what it says under my avatar 'newbie'

I am still stumbling through the forest, tripping over roots, looking at paths which seem to branch off everywhere. I'm at the stage of reading anything and everything, asking too many questions and learning to look at everything in a different light.

Some things draw me more than others. What I would call 'native' paths (celtic, norse, etc) have the greatest lure at present, and there are others of which I know little and have no desire to explore but this may change as I learn more.

One day I may finally be able to say "This is my path, I am _______"; but until then I will carry on as I am, exploring each new idea and content to be me.

I still call myself eclectic because I can't seem to fit any of the paths that I know about

I'm not Norse or Egyptian, Italian or Greek. I'm not Welsh, Irish or Scottish so don't feel I can call myself a Celt although the Celts actually lived in England too and weren't confined to these other countries as they appear to be now

I'm very English and I quite like spending time with the Druids so there's a path which may suit me. I feel a pull towards Shamanism but don't do mind expanding drugs and have never had an out of body experience - two things which seem to be necessary for Shamanism. I also love High Ritual so may try to find a Golden Dawn group near me but don't hold out much hope

I'm just a bit of a spare part at the moment but I'll keep searching

Julia

my path was more or less fully formed, somewhere inside me, before I knew the words Witch or Pagan.

and I walked it.

I call myself something on an eclectic as I am divided in my heart I am Heathen and mentally I am a Chaos magician.

Storm Raven

I'm eclectic and proud of it!

I'm not the kind of person who 'join', if you know what I mean. I've never been attracted to...mainstream religions, whether that's Christianity or Wicca.

So...I think I'll just repeat what Galena said. (figuratively)

I don't really understand why so many have difficulty with true eclectics (those who do the research, not the idiots, etc)...could it be that people find it hard to believe that some of us just don't need the...extra trimmings? For lack of a better phrase?

Dryad

I've always preferred 'encyclopaedic synthesist' - that way it applies to everything including my spirituality!

ht

I am still seeking my path, i've been studying alot of different areas of witchcraft, pagans, etc etc,

the thing that drew me to paganism was the phrase..."as long as it hurts none..do as you will"......which i kind of take to mean..if it works for you..its right...

mr chazza

ps..please feel free to shoot me down in flames as im very new to this and have no idea what im talking bout half the time...but hey....i mean well !!!!!!!!

'encyclopaedic synthesist' Now that's a new one indeed horsethorn

Discussion is good for the soul, but harm none and the three fold law are ones that many Pagans don't adhere to, they just have their own laws of personal responsibilty

And yes, Galena, I love your answer too

I was never eclectic in the "I need to do a love spell, let's google for love goddesses, ok, I'll call on Hathor, Freya, Venus and Aphrodite" way. And this way, I think, is lazy.

I was (and still am) eclectic in the way of:
Read up on Wicca... Hmm, not me.
Read up on the Teutonic pantheon... Hmm, not quite me either.
Read up on the Celtic pantheon... Hmm, maybe, but probably not. Do more research if nothing else calls.
Read up on the Greek pantheon... Maybe, certainly has possibilities... Come back to this one and read up some more.
Read up on the Egyptian pantheon... Hmm, I like Isis and Sekhmet, but probably not.
Read up on the Roman pantheon... Not bad, Greek was better, must go back to that... Maybe I'm just a generic witch/pagan. May as well keep reading though...
and so on, and so forth

So, I would say that the first type of eclectic is lazy, but the second type is a valid "still searching" path. I have no problem with eclectics who show respect for the cultures they are borrowing from... but I object to pick'n'mix, or mix'n'match eclectics.

It depends, I suppose on how you define eclectic, certainly what's been said so far reflects that. I know eclectics that really look in to everything and respect the paths they use, I've also known people who've acted like it's Supermarket Sweep and had no understanding of what they were doing, both those types refer to themselves as eclectic, but I have a different name for one of them.

I don't quite know what I am supposed to be.

I don't actually use parts of different paths - so I guess I am just more 'me'.

Do mose people term and eclectic as someone who actually refers to different gods from different panthenons etc?

I don't see what's wrong with ecclectism, our Pagan ancestors certainly didn't. I mean, look at the case of Roman soldiers worshipping Epona alongside their own deities.

I'm a polytheist and am dedicated to deities from Irish, Welsh and Norse pantheons. I don't consider myself to be finding my way. Every year I make pilgrimages up on the moors and make offerings to those deities. You can't just assume that all ecclectics are simply 'finding their way', ok, some are and some are lazy but you can't devalue all ecclectic's beliefs by just assuming that 'they haven't found the true path yet'. No one has the monopoly on what the true path is.

I'm an eclectic more by necessity than desire. A short attention span and an inability to keep a set of ideas in one form means my thoughts and theories are constantly altering. I actually think it's a good thing, I didn't get on with any of the organised religions - including wicca - because of the rigidity of them. I like my religion to be fluid and personal. There can't be many people who've managed to incorporate Terry Pratchett into a belief system!

There's more than you might think Fuzi!

To be honest, I dont see what the deal / fuss is with people being eclectic. After all - its the same earth, the same energy - no matter what you call it - the same sky etc.

I agree totally with that.

I guess I am still finding my way somewhat - and probably always will be.

Unfortunately no particular gods have ever shouted out to me, and I find it hard to seek them out

Oh, I think Pratchett has a lot to teach us.

I think I've possibly learnt more from his Witches, than from any real ones that write books.

I think I agree

I know I do, especially the bits with younger witches like Lords and Ladies and Hat Full of Sky, I've often said (half in jest) that I follow the Weatherwax Trad!

so do I.

no jesting, whatsoever

Yes, that's it exactly! Many people assume that eclectic = lazy/uninformed, when that simply isn't true, just as not all white-lighters are Wiccans.

Dryad, who now takes the time to consider the source when people try to insist that she's a 'seeker'

the Pratchett witches have given me plenty of things to think about, but it's really Death who's taken up a permanent place in my belief system. I like the idea of the afterlife being what you expect. I expect to be reincarnated, eventually, but I don't expect everyone to be. It just depends on what you think.

Love the idea of being Weatherwax Trad!

i would call myself eclectic. i take in to account the ideas that i agree with, no matter where they come from ... as long as they mean something to me then i don't see that it matters that they aren't all from the same tradition, pantheon etc.

i came to paganism because i'm the sort of person who needs to form her own ideas and to experiment .. and thankfully this is a way of life that allows me to do that

I too would call myself eclectic, and, like a lot of people who've already answered this thread, that is because it is the label that best fits 'me.' I came to Paganism as a belief system, for discovering more about what I thought, and felt, to be true, NOT as a religion to tell me what to believe formulated by those who had come before me.
That doesn't mean I'm as headstrong as that maybe came across! I have the utmost respect for the wisdom and learning of others, we can all learn from each other - but at the end of the day when you begin to 'walk' as WW put it, you do feel what is right for you. For some that is a path that's already been trodden by many others, for some it's a little off the beaten track.

there's no need for a path if you walk into the jungle with a machete.

Like Kalianah, I tend to read a lot about other paths purely though because I was interested in understanding them, not to follow them. I'm not keen on the mix n match eclectics who match a God from one pantheon and match him with a Goddess from another, especially if they both have other consorts.

I love your summary though Galena, "there's no need for a path if you walk into the jungle with a machete."

[QUOTE] my path was more or less fully formed, somewhere inside me, before I knew the words Witch or Pagan.

and I walked it. [/QUOTE] from Galena

QUOTE

came to paganism because i'm the sort of person who needs to form her own ideas and to experiment .. and thankfully this is a way of life that allows me to do that

from moonbeam

I am also electic and find that it is a true path!!

In a past life, I was a native amerian, so I'm still very tied and interested in those ideas. I'm also a witch, learning. Being a pagan, means thinking for oneself, figuring out what is right and wrong for you.

I'm also a gemini, so I collect bits and pieces, but I do my homework, I read, study, discuss and decide what feels right , to me, in my heart and soul.

I don't feel you have to be on a "certain one and only path or panethon".

Esp, since I believe in reincarnation and believe one has gone, thru many lifetimes.
So how could those all not be a part, of your soul?

I have to admit that i do get annoyed, lol, when someone says ohh i'm just an electic, until i find my path .. arghh, why does it have to be so narrow?

I'm electic and proud of it!!

blessings Whisperedwind~

I don't consider myself eclectic.

my path came from within, not outside influences.

but I think a lot can be learned from every path.
but any ideas borrowed should be done so with full understanding and respect for the source.

I suppose I could call myself an Eclectic Druid - I am firmly treading the path of Druidry but I also like to investigate other things, runes, tarot, Wicca etc. I would guess that there are a whole lot of people out there who have a firm idea of the path they are treading (even if it hasn't got a name) but who suffer from an insatiable curiosity for the esoteric side of life. I think these people, who seem to include the eclectics here, are very different from the "jack-of-all-trades and master of none" fluffy eclectics who draw from all the resources of the Waterstones Mind, Body Spirit section. It all comes down to effort and intent.

Hi, Id classify myself as Ecletic, I know my path is Shamanism though!
Why? Well I tried Studying Druidry with the OBOD, I was very unimpressed by the Course, I left when I was an Ovate. I liked the other OBOD's I met whilst doing the Course and was part of a Grove. But I had many long conversations with the Druids I knew, eventually they let me look at their Druid Grade Course Notes. I also wrote to the Philip, generally it was agreed by all I wasnt going to learn a lot from the Course, so I left.
I joined an Alexandrian Coven in Cornwall for about 6 months, but I didnt get on with that, probably just a personality clash, I cant say it would be the same for all Covens!
But I never felt drawn to Wicca, it just seemed to be what everyone else was into, so I thought Id try it!
I loved Norse Mythology, etc, so I looked into joining the Odinic Rite, that scared me a bit, it had undertones of Nationalist Pride that concerned me! So I didnt bother.
I realised eventually that I had to be true to myself, this was after all my path, no one elses! So I continued to study whatever I liked or interested me, somethings I was guided to, some I chose!
Magical Tools, is what wove it all together for me, I guess. I had been making them from day one, and was now doing it professionally!
I also liked the idea of a Practical Religion, Id always felt strongly drawn to Native American traditions, but I knew I wasnt living in America, nor was I a Native American. The Idea of a form of Celtic Shamananism appealed greatly, but the 'Celtic Shaman' book, greatly disappointed me! So I felt I had to continue creating my own path! This i have done and continue to do!
Healing was also another factor that wove much of my beliefs together!
Ultimately, I realised what I seeked didnt actually exist as a easy to learn Course or Book.
So Shamanism / Animism was for me, but my interests cover many subjects and were not limited to the purely Spiritual Development side of me, I always try to bring things down to earth level, so I also studied Conservation at College, I worked in a Zoo, to get to know some Power Animals face to face. I tend to read a lot of History, Mythology, Folklore and Archaeology books as well as the usual Spiritual Development, type stuff.
Anyway, I found my path, it is Ecletic, it is Shamanic / Animistic, though it didnt have a ready made book, etc! So I wrote that too! It should be published this year by Capall Bann!

CA-CHING!

Branching into post necromancy Mr P? lol

I love that: Ecclectic=lazy must be very lazy in my case then! Have never seen it as still searching, Im on my own path but have been pinching bits and pieces from all over the place. If it makes sense and works I'm happy to work it into what I do

Mind expanding drugs are not necessary, and the ability to go into trance states comes with practice

Seconded

Eclectic? Yes it is a genuine path. I think the path purity obsession comes from the Monotheists - not the ancient pagan traditions.

Skegga

POMONA: "CA-CHING" is the ring of the old-fashioned cash registers - someone making money, be it dollars, pounds, or euros. See also the "Paganomics" thread.

Hi, I got it Mr.PPP!
But Im not expecting to making much! It just seemed relevant here!
Book should be out this May Im told!
Ha Ha!

I consider myself a Norse Pagan, although I'm aware that in itself is a problem for some Asatrur and Heathens so maybe I am a tad eclectic. I've been drawn to the Norse Gods since childhood, but I'm not comfortable with some of the beliefs and practices of the recreationist paths. For instance I'm teetotal (by choice - not in recovery ) and I prefer to remain working within my own family, attending open circles when circumstances suit us, rather that become affiliated to a group with all the politicking that entails. My husband calls himself an "Eclectic Occultist" . Together we've cobbled together a way of celebrating festivals that is good for our family so I don't really think it matters in the day to day of things.

Sounds like Heathenry to me, Snippety.

Alcohol is no more essential to Heathenry than bell ringing and flower arranging are essential to Christianity. Common yes, essential no. I think most Heathen groups would be very happy to provide a second cup for hornpassings with a non-alcoholic alternative.

I am not aware of any suggestion from ancient Heathenry that eclectic practice was frowned opon. So enjoy your Norse Paganism

Skegga

I started off with Wicca, as thats all I knew really. But I felt I was being told things, but was never told why I should believe that and whatever (mainly because the only books available to me were in WHSmiths (I was 10, couldn't order on the internet and there was no where else I knew to go) and I was scared of searching the internet in case I was found).

A few years later I was studying other paths, and other beliefs. I take things from different paths, because thats the way it works for me, and they all work together. I am still learning a lot, and know I still have a lot to learn. But I look forward to it. But I don't believe I will ever belong to one path; although I'd like to. I just like the freedom.

I'm not sure wether I would call myself eclectic or not, maybe. I'm an animist, I practice shamanism and and hedgewitchery, erm hedgewitchism, Hedgcraft?.... Is that the word for it?

I find the basic beliefs and the two practices all merge fantastically. I don't really follow deity or pantheons, I'm not trying to be a celtic shaman, because I don't live in the Iron age. I wouldn't go so far as to call myself technopagan, but I believe that anima exists inside things like houses, computers and cars. I like prehistoric symbolism, and rock carvings and things like that, but I don't pretend to know the secret behind them. I kind of try and do the old fashioned stuff, but in a modern way. Sometimes when I trance, instead of using my djembe I'll use my drum machine (very handy). I'm quite interested in the effects of binuaral beats, and certain types of strobe frequencies have on brainwave patterns, and believe things like this have a place in spiritual practice. I guess my path is very urban at the moment because of where I live, but then again when I lived out in the country my path was a hell of alot more rural.

But am I ecclectic? I guess I'd have to say yes, because I don't devoutly follow any strict rules or path. I'm always absorbing and intergrating new information and ideas, I'm always adapting, always growing.