Eclectic paganism is a spiritual path that draws upon various pagan beliefs, practices, and traditions from different cultures and time periods. It is characterized by its emphasis on personal choice and individual spirituality. **One of the main ideas of eclectic paganism is the belief in multiple deities and nature spirits, which are seen as embodiments of different aspects of the natural world.** This can include gods and goddesses from ancient polytheistic religions such as Greek, Roman, Celtic, Norse, and Egyptian mythology, as well as spirits associated with specific elements like water, air, fire, and earth. Another important aspect of eclectic paganism is the practice of rituals and ceremonies, which are often performed to honor and connect with the divine. **These rituals can include invocations, offerings, and spells, and are often conducted in sacred spaces such as outdoor areas, temples, or personal altars.
4. More fundamentally, I believe that paganism is at the heart of all religions. It is like a spider’s web, with all beliefs woven and connected strand by strand. I recommend (as always) reading Frazer’s Golden Bough for elaboration, but the way I see it, paganism is religion at its most basic level, and so all paths are essentially the same thing.
I suspect that our ancestors took a more eclectic approach to religion there s plenty of evidence for this, such as the abundance of pagan trappings in Christian rituals and symbols. - Eclectic Chooses the pieces best fitting to herself, just like everybody else does, but doesn t feel the need to attach themselves to any given religious group.
**These rituals can include invocations, offerings, and spells, and are often conducted in sacred spaces such as outdoor areas, temples, or personal altars.** The specific form and content of these rituals can vary widely depending on the individual's spiritual beliefs and practices. **Eclectic paganism also emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
Why be an Eclectic Pagan?
I am proud to be an Eclectic Pagan, i.e. a pagan who draws from many different traditions, rather than following only one path. Beliefs and rituals that I have incorporated into my own spirituality include Shinto, Wicca, Hellenism, Asatru, Celtic Paganism, and plenty of other traditions as well. I find this suits me better than following a single path, and here’s why:
1. I am new to paganism. Therefore, I think it’s important for me at this stage to be as open-minded as possible, and research into the many different forms of paganism as much as I can, instead of committing myself to one path without fully exploring all options. I can see how some new pagans may prefer to stick to one path for the added structure this provides (and if they’re being mentored or practising paganism mainly within a coven then they may have to do this anyway), but as a mainly solitary pagan, eclecticism suits me better.
2. I strongly lean towards Shinto, which is a highly syncretic religion and is rarely practised in isolation in Japan. To the Japanese, mixing religions is a natural part of daily life – your average Japanese may have a Shinto christening, a Christian-style church wedding, and a Buddhist funeral, and see nothing at all wrong with this. As someone who has lived in Japan for an extended period, I’ve come to model my own spiritual approach on the Japanese way of thinking.
3. I suspect that our ancestors took a more eclectic approach to religion – there’s plenty of evidence for this, such as the abundance of pagan trappings in Christian rituals and symbols. And even in pre-Christian Europe I’m sure plenty of mixing and matching went on, especially as so little was written down; the Romans, for example, were quite keen on syncretism, which is why there is so much overlap between Roman and Celtic deities, not to mention the integration of Egyptian deities such as Isis into Roman beliefs.
4. More fundamentally, I believe that paganism is at the heart of all religions. It is like a spider’s web, with all beliefs woven and connected strand by strand. I recommend (as always) reading Frazer’s Golden Bough for elaboration, but the way I see it, paganism is religion at its most basic level, and so all paths are essentially the same thing.
5. Eclectic paganism allows you to easily adapt to your local environment. For example, where I live we have so many foxes that to venerate the Shinto fox-deity Inari seems very appropriate. Then there’s my local coven, Medway Pagans. Their practices are based mainly on Wicca, and so even though magick does not interest me as much as the more religious side of paganism, I nevertheless honour many Wiccan traditions because that is what the coven follows, and therefore what I am familiar with.
6. To me, eclecticism is a more progressive form of religion, one in which the idea that you follow any spirituality is more important than what those beliefs actually are. This allows for more acceptance of the beliefs of others, less dogmatism, and more opportunities for spiritual growth by embracing new ideas.
7. To quote Azeem from that rather cheesy movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, “Allah loves wondrous variety.”
** This can include practices such as ecological stewardship, environmentalism, herbalism, and earth-based spirituality. Many eclectic pagans also incorporate elements of shamanism, divination, and magic into their spiritual practice. One of the core principles of eclectic paganism is the belief in personal responsibility and autonomy. **Unlike organized religions with fixed dogmas and doctrines, eclectic paganism encourages individuals to explore and create their own spiritual path based on their unique beliefs and experiences.** This can involve blending traditions, creating new rituals, and adapting practices to fit one's personal needs and preferences. Overall, eclectic paganism is a diverse and inclusive spiritual path that embraces the diversity of pagan beliefs and practices. **It encourages individuals to deepen their connection with nature, honor the divine in all its forms, and cultivate a personal spiritual practice that is meaningful and fulfilling to them.**.
Reviews for "Eclectic paganism and the concept of sacred space"
1. John - 2 stars - Eclectic paganism beliefs and practices were not what I expected. I found myself confused by the lack of structure and guidance within this belief system. There were no set rituals or guidelines to follow, making it difficult for me to connect with the spiritual aspect. Additionally, the blend of various pagan traditions felt jumbled and disjointed, further adding to my confusion. Overall, I was disappointed and left wanting more structure and clarity in my spiritual journey.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I gave Eclectic paganism beliefs and practices a try, but it didn't resonate with me. The lack of coherence in the beliefs and practices made it hard for me to feel a true connection to the spiritual concepts. I felt like I was picking and choosing from different traditions without a clear foundation to ground myself in. I ended up feeling lost and unsure of what I was truly practicing. I was hoping for a more organized and cohesive belief system, and unfortunately, this didn't meet my expectations.
3. Robert - 1 star - Eclectic paganism beliefs and practices were a complete disappointment. The lack of structure and clear guidelines made it hard for me to understand what I was supposed to be doing. The mishmash of different pagan traditions felt like a hodgepodge of random beliefs thrown together without any coherence. It seemed like a free-for-all, and I couldn't find any depth or meaning in it. I was left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled, and ultimately, I decided to explore other spiritual paths.