How many Eclectic Witches are out there...?

[misty]

I think I have finally found a name for my path. I have been leaning toward Traditional Witchcraft since it is the closest I have found that matches my beliefs and interests, but I am finding that I can't just stick to one set of beliefs. There are so many little things from all different paths that appeal to me. I had heard about Eclectic "Wiccans" but didn't really think about there being Eclectic "Witches" until I read a post on here about it. Obviously there can be Eclectic anythings....which if had actually thought about the meaning of the word Eclectic, I would have figured that out :toofless:

I can finally put a name to my belief! I am officially an Eclectic Witch.

How many other Eclectic Witches are there out there on this forum?

[kaosxmage]

There's nothing wrong with being eclectic! Not one pagan path has survived down through the centuries to be handed to us all on a silver platter, so at their heart they are pieced together and eclectic. I'm not a witch, per se, but I do so enjoy their company ....for those on the eclectic witch path, such as yourself, I highly recommend the book Progressive Witchcraft , you should enjoy the work presented there. I like it ...but then again, it takes a heavy dose of direction from the chaos movement.

Best of luck,
--Kaos

[~Broken Lily~]

I'm a Solitary Eclectic Witch. I looked at different Wiccan traditions. Following one tradition just didn't mesh with me. I now follow a path that enriches my life and makes me a much happier person :steppy:

[Ben Gruagach]

I've always considered myself to be an eclectic Wiccan. Wiccan because my own path is based largely on Gerald Gardner's work (maybe Doreen Valiente's more than Gerald's) and eclectic because I openly draw from multiple sources.

[raven grimassi]

Not one pagan path has survived down through the centuries to be handed to us all on a silver platter, so at their heart they are pieced together and eclectic.

I would respectfully disagree. There are several older systems that have been passed along over the centuries. They have naturally evolved over time, and have adapted to cultural and social changes over the centuries. But they're not a patchwork quilt system, as most modern systems appear to be.

There are several significant studies from folklorists during the 19th century who performed field research that turned up Witchcraft in family lines that appear to generational. Anthropologist Sabina Magliocco has recently been in touch with fellow anthropologists in Italy who believe they may have recently encountered surviving Witchcraft family traditions. We're all waiting to see their research, but it sounds encouraging at this point.

Even outside of Witchcraft, there are folk studies that revealed such things as the "veglia" practices of the peasant people in Tuscany. Folklorist & anthropologist Alessandro Falassi talks about the fact that these practices appear in literature dating back to the 15th century, and have been pased along unchanged in family lines up into modern times. It's interesting to note that the veglia practices are rooted in the lore and customs related to the agricultural year. The practices are clearly pagan, and include the sacredness of the hearth fire, and the placing of umbilical cords under a flat rock in the hearth.

An interesting study worth reading is the book The Survival of the Pagan Gods, by scholar Jean Seznec. The author makes a convincing argument for the preservation of Pagan beliefs, myths, and practices down through the centuries. It's a very dry and laboring read, but there are many interesting things to be found.

Best regards - Raven

[DixieWitch]

I'm a Solitary Eclectic Pagan Witch!!! I amm too much of both not to consider myself each.

[kaosxmage]

Raven,

Well, I respect your disagreement. In fact, life is always more fun when someone disagrees. We would never learn anything if we agreed all the time now would we?

I'm not entirely familiar with the Italian descent of witchcraft and such, beyond Leland and his text Aradia. I love the name of the Goddess, and I've worked with her energy, but Leland's work reeked of inquisition confessions. I will look into your recommended reading, even though you have warned that it may be a bit dry. Most of the excellent texts concerning real historical research is a bit dry ...what tests we must endure!

I do recognize your name as an author, although I must confess I'm not familiar with your work. I tend to stay away from Lewellyn publications, but your post has my interest. I think I'll give a read through some of your published works to see what you've come up with as well.

I'm curious about your opinion on Leland's work, if you care to share?

Best regards,
--Kaos

[Gede]

MM~
I'm a Pagan Eclectic Witch - a PEW, which I find kinda ironic :thumbsup: Being eclectic doesn't mean I blatantly steal from different cultures etc, there is no such intention. I call myself eclectic because I acknowledge that my personal beliefs, practices and ideas do not belong to any tradition, they are my own and I accept that, therefore I am eclectic. I remember feeling the need to belong, to have a tradition to fit into, a structure or a mould. For a while I fell to a delusion, but realised that I was fooling myself and embraced my free spirit. Good luck to you~

Namaste, Gede...

[WickedBttrfly]

I am a solitary eclectic witch. I'm happy you found your path!

[cartweel]

I consider myself eclectic, though eclectic-WHAT I'm not so sure about. I've been calling it Wiccan because of my basic belief in the Rede, the threefold law, and other points of the basic philosophy. I'm eclectic because I draw traditions from different cultures to suppliment my own ritual technology: I have a Slavic Patron, I use an Egyptian "circle" system, I view my spiritual path stemming from the Norse, and I celebrate the Celtic festivals. I do NOT, however, know enough about Gardner and the other "founders" to truely believe that "Eclectic Wiccan" fits my beliefs. I see myself as more of a Priest than a Witch, so I wouldn't be an Ecclectic Witch, either.

*Shrugs* Mutt would be a good term, I guess!

[argento_occhi]

solitary eclectic kemetic pagan here -- quite a mouthful, but it's the right way to describe my path. 95% of my path is kemetic-influenced, but there's the 5% leftover that's made up of who knows what else i like. That's why i don't strictly call myself kemetic because that's not my whole path.

bright blessings,
argent

[blueiris]

I'd consider myself to be a very eccletic Pagan witch. If you wanted to strictly describe my beliefs, I suppose I'd be Wiccan, but in my practice I draw from a variety of other beliefs, traditions and so forth so I'm not truly Wiccan. I'm also solitary.

[lythadancer]

I am an eclectic wiccian witch-mostly solitary!

[Strawberry Bounce]

I'm an eclectic Dianic pagan/Witch :bubbles:

[Moonstoned]

I'm a Solitary Eclectic Witch. I looked at different Wiccan traditions. Following one tradition just didn't mesh with me. I now follow a path that enriches my life and makes me a much happier person :steppy:


Me too, and you're just down the road from me too! :woot:

It's ok, I'm not evil stalker type, just giving you a wave and hello :sunny:

[Wolffang]

well I study voodoo,wicca and still studying some parts of paganism so I guess I am most likely solitary eclectic...

[Fairyelf]

I am a Solitary Pagan Eclectic Witch as well ! :boing:

[willow_pheonix]

i'm a plain ole boring ecclectic witch :fpipesmok

[Calen]

Solitary Eclectic Pagan here! I don't consider myself a witch yet, the title doesn't seem to fit at the moment, but that's the Path I am walking towards.

[DraconisArcanus]

I consider myself eclectic, though eclectic-WHAT I'm not so sure about. I've been calling it Wiccan because of my basic belief in the Rede, the threefold law, and other points of the basic philosophy. I'm eclectic because I draw traditions from different cultures to suppliment my own ritual technology: I have a Slavic Patron, I use an Egyptian "circle" system, I view my spiritual path stemming from the Norse, and I celebrate the Celtic festivals. I do NOT, however, know enough about Gardner and the other "founders" to truely believe that "Eclectic Wiccan" fits my beliefs. I see myself as more of a Priest than a Witch, so I wouldn't be an Ecclectic Witch, either.

*Shrugs* Mutt would be a good term, I guess!
<raises hand high, jumping up and down> ME TOO!

Peace!

[raven grimassi]

Raven, I'm curious about your opinion on Leland's work, if you care to share?

It's a bit complex, which is why it took me two books alone to present my views on Leland and Italian Witchcraft.

Essentially, Leland began his field research into the Italian Craft about 10 years before he produced the Aradia material in a published book. This book contradicts his earlier writings on Italian Witchcraft, and is in direct conflict with what he came to believe through direct contact with Italian Witches who aided him in his previous research.

So, to me, the Aradia material is an intentional distortion, but not one created by Leland. He didn't write the Aradia material. It was instead delivered to him in manuscript form. At that time in his life Leland was old and in ill health. He had long wished to find a "witch's gospel" and I believe that in the end he settled for what he got in light of the fact that his life was coming to a close.

His earlier work uncovered authentic elements of Italian Witchcraft, and I feel that Etruscan Roman Remains is a much closer view of authentic Italian Witchcraft.

Best regards - Raven

[Ben Gruagach]

It's a bit complex, which is why it took me two books alone to present my views on Leland and Italian Witchcraft.

Essentially, Leland began his field research into the Italian Craft about 10 years before he produced the Aradia material in a published book. This book contradicts his earlier writings on Italian Witchcraft, and is in direct conflict with what he came to believe through direct contact with Italian Witches who aided him in his previous research.

So, to me, the Aradia material is an intentional distortion, but not one created by Leland. He didn't write the Aradia material. It was instead delivered to him in manuscript form. At that time in his life Leland was old and in ill health. He had long wished to find a "witch's gospel" and I believe that in the end he settled for what he got in light of the fact that his life was coming to a close.

His earlier work uncovered authentic elements of Italian Witchcraft, and I feel that Etruscan Roman Remains is a much closer view of authentic Italian Witchcraft.

Best regards - Raven

I just want to point out that Leland's book "Etruscan Roman Remains" is still available in print. His book "Aradia: The Gospel of the Witches" is much more readily available (I've seen it in stores in various editions) but the other one is out there if you look. It's listed at Amazon.com for instance, which is where I bought my copy.

[ravenmyst]

I just use ecclectic pagan for a title if I need one, however to be exact, I would be a solitary ecclectic pagan wtch, heavy on the celtic and healer herbals. see why the shorter version is best? I also pour through everything from christianity to hindu searching for universal truths to add to my belief system, so the ecclectic fits very well

[tygherrayn]

I would respectfully disagree. There are several older systems that have been passed along over the centuries. They have naturally evolved over time, and have adapted to cultural and social changes over the centuries. But they're not a patchwork quilt system, as most modern systems appear to be.

There are several significant studies from folklorists during the 19th century who performed field research that turned up Witchcraft in family lines that appear to generational. Anthropologist Sabina Magliocco has recently been in touch with fellow anthropologists in Italy who believe they may have recently encountered surviving Witchcraft family traditions. We're all waiting to see their research, but it sounds encouraging at this point.

Even outside of Witchcraft, there are folk studies that revealed such things as the "veglia" practices of the peasant people in Tuscany. Folklorist & anthropologist Alessandro Falassi talks about the fact that these practices appear in literature dating back to the 15th century, and have been pased along unchanged in family lines up into modern times. It's interesting to note that the veglia practices are rooted in the lore and customs related to the agricultural year. The practices are clearly pagan, and include the sacredness of the hearth fire, and the placing of umbilical cords under a flat rock in the hearth.

An interesting study worth reading is the book The Survival of the Pagan Gods, by scholar Jean Seznec. The author makes a convincing argument for the preservation of Pagan beliefs, myths, and practices down through the centuries. It's a very dry and laboring read, but there are many interesting things to be found.

Best regards - Raven


I'm not nearly as learned as Raven here, but I would have to disagree as well, though my reasoning is mainly an unlearned opinion. But I believe that a lot of the Vodoun paths are far older than we realize, and also Gypsy witchcraft. Both are highly traditional, and because of that I would have to say that they have survived the ages much more than most of the other Pagan paths.


As to the point of the thread, I consider myself a Hedge or Kitchen witch, and by the very nature of that path, I would call myself Eclectic.

[Wrenowan]

i am most definetely eclectic. i describe myself as an eclectic pagan. i don't usually add witch to that, though i do consider myself one. But then i could be considered a lot of things.......wiccan, druid, witch, shamin, babylonian(sp), wittan, buddist etc...etc...etc...

and since i'm not one to debate religious practices, i usually stick with pagan, eclectic paga, or polytheist depending on the company. i'm pretty much all over the place.

[SacredWithin]

MM~
I'm a Pagan Eclectic Witch - a PEW, which I find kinda ironic :thumbsup: Being eclectic doesn't mean I blatantly steal from different cultures etc, there is no such intention.

I wanted to compliment what you said and share a little more info b/c not everyone is aware about what Eclectism really is. From what I've learned myself, Eclecticism is about respecting the cultures you take from. Basically, you give them credit and don't twist things around to fit your needs. You either borrow and acknowledge the credability of the culture/religion ro you're basically stealing and twisting things around. Many Pagans in general do not like that feeling and I don't think the cultures would like that feeling either.

The following is an excellent essay someone recommended I read and for those who are not familiar with Eclecticism, here it is:

Cultural Appropriation and Responsible Eclecticism (http://mothersmagic.net/theology/CA.html)

Blessed Be! _vb_

[Dark Phoenix]

I think of myself as a Solitary Eclectic Wiccan or SEW if you whish. One of my teachers said that taking ideas from other living religions is a form of cultural imperialism and if you want to worship Kali for instance you learn her rituals as practiced by Hindu's, so being Eclectic doesn't mean stealing ideas from where ever.

[Dark Phoenix]

I'm not nearly as learned as Raven here, but I would have to disagree as well, though my reasoning is mainly an unlearned opinion. But I believe that a lot of the Vodoun paths are far older than we realize, and also Gypsy witchcraft. Both are highly traditional, and because of that I would have to say that they have survived the ages much more than most of the other Pagan paths.

I would have to agree that some forms of Paganism survived through the ages because they are located in remote regions and are not very well known, which probably protected the belief system from being destroyed.

[Silverfangs]

For a long time I searched for a single path that would fit into my beliefs. But none of the wiccan traditions or other spiritual paths would, by itself, fulfil my spirit. So I started an ecletic path, based on Wicca and Paganism in a general way. For now that is my spiritual road... lets see what the future would bring :tongueout

[Kern]

Im Uncertain.....I am pagan,thats about all I know.....I honor the Goddess(Earth Mother) and a God;though there are many.I believe an after life,reincarnation and animism and in many other spitirts of nature. And I wish to learn more about Witchcraft,but cant call myself one as of yet.
As for family traditions,they exist:My Great Great Grandmother(Born late 1800's) was either a witch or practiced some form of Folk magick that was handed down,she had a ritual book also which my grandmother called a Witches Bible(her term for all I know).I have never seen this book it disappeared yrs ago.My grand mother refused to learn the ways then hand it down to her daughters.So what she believed actually I may never know.But it wasnt wicca,she could do bad spells in w/e she practiced.The one thing my grand mother did learn,was how to remove warts by rubbing it and saying a spell though she whispered so I could not here her.This worked I witnessed it myself.Within a week the wart was gone.

So I am a witch wanne be I guess you could say....

[Selba]

MM~
I'm a Pagan Eclectic Witch - a PEW, which I find kinda ironic

Namaste, Gede...

Heh PEW, I guess I could be called one too.

[misschief]

i guess i could be called one... sorta.

[kiara]

I am a solitary eclectic. Eclectic what, I don't know. :lol:

[moria636]

I can call myself one as well.... ^^^^ lol

[pixidust]

I'm a Solitary Eclectic Witch that leans towards the Fae.

[Aidron]

I am an eclectic witch and have been for most of my 10 years in the craft. I have also practiced alone for 95% of those 10 years well.

If people ask me what I am, 'witch' is what I refer to myself as, and 'eclectic' is the word I use to elaborate on it as I carry influences from Wicca, to Satanism, to Shintoism, to Buddhism, to Vodou and Druidry. Variety is the spice of life in my opinion, and I refuse to dedicate myself to any one path fully as I may miss out something along the way that will benefit or aid me in life a great deal.

[Loopaleigh]

[QUOTE=SacredWithin]I wanted to compliment what you said and share a little more info b/c not everyone is aware about what Eclectism really is. From what I've learned myself, Eclecticism is about respecting the cultures you take from. Basically, you give them credit and don't twist things around to fit your needs. You either borrow and acknowledge the credability of the culture/religion ro you're basically stealing and twisting things around. Many Pagans in general do not like that feeling and I don't think the cultures would like that feeling either.[/SacredWithin]

I'm an Ecelectic Pagan Witch.
I think what SacredWithin here says is very important. To "borrow" from other religions, yet not take the time to understand the culture and the context is dis-respectful. It takes alittle more study and effort, but it is also more rewarding.

[Loopaleigh]

PEW.....I like that, mind if I use that Gede?
I think you may have started something here!

[enchancea]

I consider myself a solitary eclectic pagan witch :smile:

[BlueWaterMoth]

Ooooo......Me! Me! Me! I am! *Sorry, sugar overload!*

Eclectic Witch is the only term I have found that will fit my diverse beliefs.

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

I am...i guess o.O ecclectic wiccan too...of that for sure ^^;; i guess i'm a little more traditional when it comes to my witchcraft than when it comes to wicca...but still ecclectic none the less.

[Kalika]

:lol:

Eclectic Witch... that would be me! :p

[Temptation]

Another ecclectic witch here :broomride

My path has taken me in so many different directions over the years
I could only end up ecclectic and confused *LOL*

I was raised by a Catholic Traditional Witch (my gran), she believed in God,
the Virgin Mary and all the Saints you can possibly name but I suspect it was
more out of superstition than true faith. At the same time she was
totally aware of her own incredible power as a witch and she passed that on
to me and now I'm in the process of passing it on to my daughter.

While the Catholic faith never made any sense to me, I do believe in a
higher power of which we are all part of. I just don't like to call it God
or Goddess. I have a lot of issues with the concept of Deity, which I
haven't sorted out yet.

Anyway, I have borrowed from Wicca extensively and also from Budhism,
Hinduism and most Nature Based Religions.

The Earth is my temple and love is the only universal religion.

Bright Blessings
T :heartthro

[LeaAnon]

I am I am.... she says waving hands and jumping up and down.