"Eclectic (adj): Selecting what seems best of style or ideas..." Definition of "eclectic" by Dic.die.net.

Dic.die.net's definition of the word "eclectic" neatly sums up the heart or whatever body part your beliefs about spiritual matters emanate from. As you can probably guess, this writer is an eclectic witch. This means I question everything, all the time, in order to find my way along the wacky Path we call life. I don't insist that other Witches behave a certain way or to agree with almost anything I believe in.

Any organized religion or belief system inherently has problems of interpreting priorities, interpretations from On High and what to do with money. I sincerely hope that Pagans and Witches (excuse me, Wiccans) never get organized enough to have an orthodox canon or a church hierarchy. This would definitely mean eclectic witchcraft would be on the outs.

As an eclectic Witch, I choose my beliefs from a wide variety of sources instead of just relying on one official source. I pick and choose the best from each belief system, mythology or philosophy in order to suit my soul. This means that I must respect all of the sources of belief systems in the world, because they all contain elements I can relate to.
As an eclectic witch, I can't just limit myself to Wiccan and Pagan books. I can learn about life, the universe and everything from watching Nature, from reading any book of faith, and especially from writing. Although I am a Witch, I appreciate aspects of all faiths, including atheism, and incorporate that into my life for the best result.

Get ten Pagans or Wiccans and a room and toss out a concept; you'll get twenty answers (at least). This is because we all have subtle differences in our perceptions of the world. This is the core of our individuality (no matter spiritual beliefs you hold).

For example, just what Witches should call ourselves is under debate. Should we call ourselves Witches or Wiccans? I call myself a Witch and have been rebuked for doing so. Well, I still call myself a Witch, but defend the right of a fellow Witch to call herself (or himself) Wiccan. This lack of dogma in labeling ourselves helps us not only tolerate each other, but exercise our brains and spirits to their utmost.

Learn more about this author, Rena Sherwood.
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