What does the term "eclectic Pagan" mean?

Question

I know a few Pagans, but none that identify with this label. Can anyone explain it to me?

Answer 1

To put it in common terms, it's a "pick-and-mix", do-it-yourself religion. You chose whatever you like from different beliefs and discard what you don't like. You pick different gods, like one from Egyptian belief, one or two from Norse, one or two from Germanic, add in some Slavic demons and deities and wrap it all in asian ritual practice...

It's a thing that younger believers tend to do a lot, without much regard to history of different beliefs and the fact that some of them just don't mix. None of the "old school" pagans or ones that strictly follow certain pantheons will take an eclectic pagan seriously.

Answer 2

"Eclectic Pagan" is, as already stated, a do-it-yourself Pagan path. Some more traditionally minded Pagans are critical of this "cafeteria style" approach, calling it "McWicca," or "Fluff-Bunnie." I used to be critical of it myself. Then I read the Greek Magical Papyri, a collection of Egyptian spells written in the Greek language from about 400 BCE to 400 CE, and I realized that "eclecticism" has been the norm since classical times. These spells combine Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Gnostic, Hebrew, even some Christian elements. I think the mentality at the time was to use as many divine names as one could find to increase the chances that one of them would stick. So, now, I'm a lot more forgiving of Eclecticism. I prefer to call myself "Syncretic," though, because of the baggage attached to the word "eclectic" in the Neopagan Community. I have been initiated into more than one tradition, studied them all seriously, and have synthesized the parts that work (not just picked the parts I liked) so it has been both an intellectual and intuitive process. It's not so much picking and choosing for me as it is using what I have found, through experience, to be effective.

Answer 3

Eclectic Pagans are Pagans who do not adhere to any given tradition {1} 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".

Answer 4

The term Eclectic Pagan usually refers to one who does not follow a specific tradition. They may combine ideas and beliefs from other traditions, or may simply follow their own path according to their own intuition and belief system.

Answer 5

Eclectic means that they don't follow any particular system all the way through, but pick and choose the parts they like.

Answer 6

It means you are a Pagan that takes beliefs from different groups of pagans, such as Wiccans, Druids, etc, but they don't affiliate with a certain group.

Answer 7

Eclectic means a bit of this and that.

Answer 8

It means they only take the best and brightest aspects of each spiritual tradition and leave the rest behind. Basically a mish-mash of different beliefs, sometimes contradictory.

Answer 9

It means you have to plug it in.

Answer 10

No idea.