Some visitors may wonder exactly what I mean when I refer to myself as a “solitary eclectic Wiccan.”
Taking each word in turn, solitary means I practice my religion as an individual, rather than as a member of a larger organization. Think of a Christian who, instead of going to church every Sunday, prays and worships privately without supervision or audience.
I hold the conviction that as a child of the Divine, I have the ability to connect and commune with the Divine without having to go through a priest or other spiritual “guru.” As such, I worship at the times and in the places I choose. This may be a corner of my home I’ve designated as sacred space, in my back yard, or any other place of my choosing.
Eclectic means the dogma of my religion (for lack of a better term) has been shaped and molded by numerous other traditions. In my case, I incorporate various elements from the pre-Christian religions of Europe and the Americas into my own. One may ask, “How do you know if what you choose is right or not?” The answer is simply by using discernment.
Discernment is something we struggle with as a society. Many of us are content simply being told what to do by government, big business, and/or religious organizations, and as a result our powers of discernment have atrophied from lack of use. One doesn’t need to look very far to see examples of the damage this moral and intellectual laziness has caused. You and I are fully capable of deciding what is right for us individually. Quick on the heels of this recognition should be the wisdom says, “My way is my own, and it is not appropriate to tell others they are wrong for choosing differently.”
Defining Wicca in its entirety is beyond the scope of this post. But according to Wiccan author Edain McCoy,
…Wicca has become a term generally used to refer to many of the Pagan traditions from western and northern Europe.
So then, what does Pagan mean? According to McCoy,
Pagan is a generic term for anyone who practices an earth or nature religion.
What is an “earth or nature religion?”
Generally speaking, a religion that operates on the basic premises that (a) all things are interconnected – that the earth is sacred, rather than simply a storehouse of resources to be exploited at humankind’s whim; and (b) every being has the freedom of choice and is solely responsible for the positive and negative consequences of those choices.
Thanks for taking the time to explain. I found it really interesting.
Do you mind if I ever quote you? I like how you put it:
“When one continually digests everything dished out by religious leaders, government, and big business, they may find they’re unable to make a decision without getting someone else’s input first.”
Thanks!
Stuart,
I’m honored both by your visit and as well as your request to quote me, which you’re certainly welcome to do as you see fit.
I’d like to mention though that the concept above can’t be rightly claimed my own. It’s really a distillation and refinement of concepts presented by various authors and spiritual teachers I’ve come across.
[...] of “wiccan” and “pagan” can be found here. I’m afraid I don’t know how to properly define “heathen,” so I’ll [...]
I can think of a number of Wiccans and other Pagans who would object quite vehemently to “Wiccan” being used interchangeably with “Pagan” – there’s a considerable overlap but it’s not the same.
Heathens and others would object because their tradition is not derived from Wicca. Wiccans would object because our tradition is an initiatory one with specific practices and liturgy. I don’t mind people using the term Wicca if they are a solitary, but making it interchangeable with Pagan just makes both terms somewhat wishy-washy, and obliterates their quite distinct cultural origins.
Yvonne,
Thanks so much for your insight.
To clarify, are “Pagan” and “Heathen” interchangeable?
Also, do you have any sources you could refer me to that would shed some light on the “distinct cultural origins” of the terms “Wiccan” and “Pagan”?
Hi Jerome
Glad to be of assistance
Pagan and Heathen are not interchangeable, really. Pagan is an umbrella term for anyone who practices a nature-oriented religion or spirituality – and it’s an umbrella which is so stretched that it’s starting to get uncomfortable standing under it for a lot of people.
Heathen refers specifically to people who honour the Northern gods and goddesses and wights (e.g. Odin, Freya, Thor, etc.)
The best book to read about the origins of Wicca is without a shadow of doubt the excellent “Triumph of the Moon” by Ronald Hutton, which should be compulsory reading for all students of Wicca and witchcraft, in my opinion (and I don’t go round making things compulsory lightly).
As to the term Pagan, there is some debate, but most attribute it to early Christians using it as a pejorative term for those hicks from the sticks who hadn’t caught on to the new religion yet (i.e. Christianity). The term started to be used positively to refer to nature spirituality by late-19th century romantics like Edward Carpenter (my hero!)
Check out the Pagan theologies wiki for more information on this and many other topics.
Pagan and Heathen can be interchangeable insofar as what the words are actually referring to.
But the followers of Heathenry often don’t like it when they are used interchangeably by modern Wiccans because they feel that modern Wiccans have watered so much of pagan practice down that it looks like it has no backbone, no convictions, no education behind it. And I am starting to agree (and keep in mind, I started my pagan walk nearly 20 years ago, and things really HAVE changed, and they really have gone a lot weaker).
By the way, let the record show that just as I am of the conviction that “Heathen” should be reserved for those who walk a Germanic path, “pagan” should be reserved for those who walk with the Roman deities. Look up Via Romana or Religio Romana and you’ll see what I mean. (People who walk an Egyptian path are called Kemetic Orthodox – look up the House of Netjer. People who walk a Greek path are called Hellenismos – look up Sannion, who is a Hellenic himself. People who walk a Celtic path are called either Druids – Senistrognata – Aurrad, but Wicca never was a Celtic tradition, ever, and Maypoles have nothing to do with Beltane.)
Welcome to the world of reconstructionist religions – the religions with historical homework.
Thank you for your clarification. Although I was once involved in organized christian religions , they who always left me feeling empty. I never fet “comfort” only distaste for the required tides and succombing to the will of the Pastor.
I guess I knew deep inside I was different. I have always been close to nature, cultivating plants, nurtuirng my pets and children. Only in the past year have I realized that I have been a solitary eclectic wiccan & never really knew it.
For the first time I am feeling comfortable with my existance. blessings,
Bethe,
You are different, and beautiful, and full of wisdom! Welcome to the rest of your life – a life you get to create, instead of one in which the limits of your joy are dictated by someone else.
I look forward to seeing more of you here.
Bright Blessings,
Jerome
I find the semantics to be quite challenging and perhaps also different when you’re trying to have a conversation with someone on a similar path, versus speaking with(sometimes explaining to) someone of a completely different background whose exposure to alternative religion/spirituality of any kind is limited. Even though I happily relate to the terms Pagan, Neo-Pagan, and Witch, but not Wiccan, I have sometimes said, “Yes, I am Wiccan or close to it,” to people who don’t quite understand (or need to) the subtleties and difference among them. I have found that, like it or not, “Wicca” and “Wiccan” are the most widely recognized words among mainstream non-Pagans.
For ourselves and those interested, I highly recommend Isaac Bonewits’ website and writings. His definitions of Pagan, Neo-Pagan, Meso-Pagan, etc., are widely considered to be academically accurate and practically efficient. http://www.neopagan.net/PaganDefs.html
He also has a section on defining witchcrafts: http://www.neopagan.net/Witchcraft-Classifying.html
bloominglotus,
Agreed – though labels can be helpful in reaching common understanding, they can also be problematic due to the myriad of different meanings the same word can hold for different people.
Thank you very much for the resources mentioned – I plan to spend some time at Mr. Bonewits’ site.
Blessings Jerome; I found your site while scrolling around on various links, and came across your comment about being an Eclectic Wiccan. I was strongly drawn to it, and when I read it, it really hit me that, that is exactly what I beleive and choose to direct my path. I used to practice many years ago, but lost touch until about 4 months ago, and now I practice as much as I can, and truly found my RIGHT path. As Beth commented above, the Christian, Mormon {especially} and all the others dictate what you should and have to beleive in. I never followed that tradition. It was never for me.The magic I practice is candle and herbal magic, and I also, I am a solitary practioner. I do have a silly question though. Since I am solitary, is there such a thing as self-initiation? If so, what kind of ritual would I need to perform. If you know, kindly tell me.. Blessed be, Lady Doria
Lady Doria,
Your question is not silly at all, and thanks for giving me the opportunity to provide an answer.
Self-initiation is definitely possible, and has become more and more common during the Wiccan/Pagan revival of recent years (particularly for Solitaries). As this rite is very special and very personal to each of us, given our unique backgrounds and the beliefs/practices we’ve chosen to weave into our individual spiritual “tapestries,” I recommend spending several days thinking on what your self-initiation ritual could include in the way of wording, etc. to be most meaningful to you. If you’d like a framework to build on and make your own, I highly recommend picking up a used copy of Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. Section 2, Chapter 12 gives an example of what he calls a “Self-Dedication” ritual.
I wish you all the best, and thanks for visiting.
Blessings Jerome; Thankyou so much for your information. It was most helpful. I had the feeling that it would be something that I had to study, and create something for myself that felt really personal, and you only confirmed it for me! Thankyou again, and many blessings…Lady Doria
Hello,
Iam extremely interested in becoming a solitary Eclectic witch but im not sure where to start, i don’t plan on practicing magik until i have learned everything i can about the history off it. i was also curious if anyone knew what books might help me in getting started, My grandparents are Verrrryyy christian and i don’t belive im going to tell them. i have always been interested in the craft even when i was very little; i have always felt a sort of calling towards its something thats always on my mind. Please if someone can give me any information on where to start i would appreciate it.
-C-
Hi there, thanks for stopping by.
It sounds like you’re at an exciting point in your development. If I could offer one single piece of advice, it would be simply to follow your heart, and to trust where it leads you. Different people will recommend different paths/books etc. based on what has worked for them – but remember that what is valid and meaningful for someone else may not be for you.
That said, I’d like to again recommend Scott Cunningham’s book Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.
May love light your path, in accordance with your free will.
Bright Blessings,
Jerome
Jerome,
Thank you so much for the information i will most certainly take your advice and follow my heart
-C-
Jerome thank you so much for posting this, I like others that have commented here am strongly drawn in this direction. Last night after I found various articles on the difference between Wicca and Paganism and then finding a term I’d never heard of “Eclectic Witch” I clicked on the link, read the article and knew I had found my new spiritual home. Strange but it was like the whole world lifted off of me, that’s a great feeling
I love it that you had mentioned twice about Scott Cunningham’s book ~ Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. I had purchased that a couple yrs ago, I’ve read it about half way thru. I will Definitely finish it in the next few days. I know this is an old article but thanks again for posting it
Dear Jerome,
I am from Sri Lanka- a rather small island in the center of the Indian ocean. I recently came across Wicca when I was surfing the net and I was drawn to it.
My early childhood had a more of a Christian background but in my teenage years i was a solid Buddhist. Buddhism is a very open minded philosophy and shares a lot with Wiccan beliefs. For example- Karma is similar to the Wiccan three fold rule (can you call it a rule?) and Buddhism is strongly against harming any living being (harming- not killing i.e. any harm to environment is wrong).
However, institutionalization of the religion and several other things made me weary about my beliefs. But Wicca opened a new door for me. Yet i have a few more doubts…
1. What is the Wiccan belief of life, death and afterlife?
2. Is here a final goal in Wicca? Is it to become one with the Universe?
3. Is the practice of magick compulsory? (I mean no offense but I find it rather a little amusing…)
4. Is maigck a reference to the power we have in us? or rather the potential? the energy to heal or destroy that we all carry within ourselves?
5. I live very close to the equator and therefore I do not observe seasons and equinoxes. I do admire the rains, the monsoons and the sun. Can I build my own rituals around these?
I hope these questions aren’t too many…
Thank you in advance….
Hansi
Thank you for explaining it!
Blessed be .
I did like reading this and thank you for it. I am trying to find myself and where I fit in the world. Most “Wiccan” covens that I find are very strict in their views and I am not into all of that. Once more thank you for this.
Hey, seems you have poked a stick in a hornets nest
.
To add my part I have to agree with Yvonne, where as Pagan is an umbrella term for all nature based faiths and Heathenry refers to the Northern Gods and their people.
As for me? What do I know 20 years ago I started on the pagan path following the Celtic paths, later I started looking into the Feri traditions, then about 18 or so yeas later it all got a tad confusing with who was what and what tradition did I follow, only recently did I find out that I was Eclectic, taking what seemed right to me from different traditions (mainly Celt, Feri and the northern shamanic traditions), I modify them tosuit my needs and if it works I keep it, if it doesnt I look in to why.
In all an excellent post, clear and well explained. Nice one
Blessings
Noscere
Artemis
Um Hi. I was wondering if you could help me out a bit. I’m kinda young but I feel a really strong connection to Wicca but Im not sure what kind is right for me. My parents are church goers, and it never felt right to me. I knew there was something more for me. But I have no experience in the art, but would like to learn. If you could point me to some websites that could help me or some tips, that would be great.
Hi Artemis,
I appreciate your visit and apologize for my delay in replying.
One thing above all else – trust your heart, and know that if you follow it you will be led to the perfect place for you at this point in your growth.
I’d like to gently nudge you toward two books to get you started. The first the title by Scott Cunningham, mentioned a few times above. The second is Evolutionary Witchcraft by T. Thorn Coyle. Read these, take what resounds for you from both, and leave the rest.
Welcome to your personal path of power. May Love and Light keep you and guide you, in accordance with your free will.
Jerome
Thank you for your visit, Jim. A hornet’s nest it is indeed!
Hey, I like your definition of Paganism. Lots of people connect it directly to worshiping gods/goddesses and I don’t really understand why. For me, it is honoring and respecting Nature and the Earth. I guess everyone has their own definition since it’s not a dogma : )
Interesting article and nice blog. I’m glad I found it.
Dave,
I’m so happy you found your way here and came across information and perspectives that are helpful to you. I wish you all the best.
Blessings,
J.
Hi, I’ve just come across your website. I have been interested in Wicca for many years and also the Celtic traditions. I have never gone through any form of initiation, as I have never wanted to work within a group or follow a specific tradition, so it was great to read your information. My favourite book that I constantly turn to is Scott Cunningham, so it is great to hear from someone who also admires his work. I now feel that it is time for some type of initiation ceremony to hopefully feel a stronger connection to the planet. Many thanks.
Welcome Meg! I hope you find this chronicle of my journey useful as you continue your search.
The labels we use to define ourselves (Wiccan, pagan, witch, etc.) may begin to feel limiting as you continue to learn…but if you find this is the case for you, allow yourself to keep growing and changing! “Feeling a stronger connection to the planet,” to ourselves, and to everyone around us are the most important things in my opinion, regardless of how we identify/describe ourselves.
Love and Light,
J.
Confused here:
I’m practising and learning the solitary path.
But if i was to label myself then – the Solitary Eclectic witch sounds perfect to me, because I don’t follow any set pantheon, I am drawn to particular ones such as native american, fairy, Norse etc.
But then can someone explain why one would label themselves a Wiccan?
I was under the impression that as a wiccan you follow the Goddess/God, but also include a mixture of deity’s to whatever you are drawn too.
Or you may decide to follow a set one such as Greek or Celtic.Is that not the same as a Eclectic witch?
Labels are irrelevant I know…
Hi fengirl,
Thanks for visiting! I appreciate your questions.
I don’t think labels are irrelevant, because they serve as a starting point for building identity.
“Wiccan” has become a catch all descriptor for all of the things you’ve described. If there is an unfortunate side-effect to this, it’s that Wicca has become so diluted by poor scholarship and pop culture as to be nearly indistinguishable from the religion Gerald Gardner created in the middle of the last century. As I grew and learned more about what Wicca really is, I chose to stop calling myself Wiccan and instead began to identify as a solitary witch. (If you haven’t read The Triumph of the Moon yet, please do! It may help you.
If you are drawn to a specific culture’s pantheon, (Roman, Greek, Norse, Egyptian, etc.), please respect and honor that culture by looking beyond the latest mass market (Llewellyn) publication and do some honest, scholarly research into that culture’s history. Doing so may give you a deeper understanding of their deities by providing context (gods and goddesses don’t live in a vacuum!)
Also there are many reconstructionist movements for Greek, Roman, Norse, and other original peoples, easily found with a few well-worded internet searches.
I hope this helps, and I wish you all the best on your journey!
Jerome