Eclectic Paganism
The term eclectic paganism refers to the practice of a variety of different religions and rituals, each of which focuses on a particular aspect of the traditional pagan religious practices. In this article we will describe some of the eclectic forms of paganism, including Traditional Wicca, Druidry, and a variety of non-Slavic Pagan/Heathen traditions. We will also explore the historical roots of eclectic paganism and the differences between these styles.
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Traditional Wicca
Wicca is a modern Pagan spiritual path that focuses on initiatory rituals. It has a strong connection with pre-Christian pagan deities. There are many different kinds of Wicca, including traditional, eclectic, and hedge witches.
Traditional Wicca is based on the beliefs of the Gardnerian tradition. It is a form of paganism that stresses the balance of masculine and feminine energies. Many Wiccans are oath bound, and must undergo formal training before they can practice.
Traditional Wicca is largely duotheistic, but some groups are animistic. These are called “hedged witches.” They typically specialize in herbal remedies and magic.
Eclectic Wicca is a term that describes practices that draw upon a variety of sources. While some eclectic Wiccans practice on their own, others may be a part of a coven. Typically, each group will have its own initiations and rituals. Some will use a blend of pantheons, while others will keep a Book of Shadows, which serves as a journal for their spiritual practices.
Many of the practices in a Wicca coven are open to the public. Often, there will be a circle in the center, where people chant, dance, or participate in the ritual. The center of the circle will contain an altar, usually with a cup of wine.
Wicca has a number of festivals, including Sabbats. These are special gatherings that occur at the equinoxes and solstices. Most Wiccans celebrate the Wheel of the Year, which is a cycle of eight seasonal festivals.
Druidry
Druidry is a type of polytheistic paganism based on the ancient Celtic religion. There are many different paths that are influenced by the movement. Some are pan-Celtic, some are eclectic, and others are a mix of the two.
Druidry originated in Britain in the 18th century. At that time, Druids were teachers in the ancient Celtic religion. They were also judges, and had the power to banish people if they broke their sacred laws.
The Druid Society was founded on the island of Anglesey in 1772. It was later disbanded in 1844. In the late 19th century, there was a revival of the ancient religion. This movement attracted men with political agendas.
Modern Druids developed fraternal organizations modeled on Freemasonry. These organizations promoted vegetarianism and open cremation.
Druids are revered for their relationship to ancestors. Unlike many other philosophies, they are not trying to convert the world to their beliefs. But rather, they seek to establish a more natural lifestyle and to respect all beings.
Druids believe in the reincarnation of the human soul. They also believe in the importance of a spiritual connection to ancestors and to the natural world. For example, in the Iron Age, druids performed rituals in tree groves.
Today, Druids can be found in most European countries. Although many people are tempted to think that only a small group of Druids practice the religion, there are actually a number of groups.
Various views on the nature of the afterlife
The afterlife is a question of great interest to Pagans. Many believe in reincarnation and transmigration of souls. Others think that there is no afterlife. Still others have ideas that the afterlife is a place of peace and happiness. But how does one define the afterlife?
In some cultures, such as Greece and India, the afterlife is a mythical place, ruled by a god, but in other countries, such as Norway, the afterlife is a literal place where spirits float from the grave. Depending on where a person lives, his or her afterlife may be a happy place, or a gloomy place.
Several different beliefs about the afterlife are practiced by different Pagan groups. However, the basic idea is that after death, the spirit is recycled, and is reborn in a new form. This is a positive process that is said to lead to more learning and experience.
Many pagans take a holistic approach to their religion, which means that they value their own experience. They do not feel they need to join a certain group or denomination to participate. Instead, they find a sense of community and acceptance in the Pagan world.
Some Pagans have a pantheon of deities, while others don’t. There are different paths and beliefs, but all Pagans agree that there is a divine force at work.
Some Pagans also have the concept of magic. They believe that the divine is present in the natural world and can be experienced through ritual.
Social media
Eclectic paganism is a type of neo-Paganism, which borrows from several different cultures. It is also a label that allows practitioners to explore and incorporate multiple religions and practices into their spiritual lives.
Witches use Facebook to share information about their practices. They can communicate through group walls, comments, and private chats. The platform features also allow them to creatively manage interactivity.
For instance, many Witches promote Patreon accounts, which allows people to pay for premium content. Many also promote Venmo, which lets them send money directly to users.
In addition, witches often post their own content, which enables seekers to interact with their message. This can be a helpful way to provide qualitative feedback to the user.
However, social media can also limit the availability of information. For instance, a user may be limited to information via algorithmic linkages, featured linkages, or a newsfeed that (de)prioritizes specific topics.
Fake profiles have been around since the birth of the internet. These pages pretend to be the actual profile of an author, which is then manipulated by those who attempt to sell a spiritual service. Some fake profiles even target high-profile individuals.
Although many Pagan authors have a hard time obtaining verification, this does not necessarily mean that the content is fraudulent. Rather, it is important to be aware of fake accounts and report them.
One of the most popular hashtags on Instagram is #witchesofinstagram. It has been used more than 3.3 million times.
Russian non-Slavic Pagan/Heathen milieu
The Russian non-Slavic Pagan/Heathen milieu is a young one. Yet it exhibits the instability of the pagan microcosm, characterized by the dominance of ideologues and a certain orthodoxy.
There are different religions in Russia, which can be classified under the umbrella identity of “(Neo)Paganism“. Most of the neo-pagan communities are neo-Wiccan. In fact, the term “Wiccan” has been used in recent years to denote the Celtic religion in Russia.
Slavic Paganism Today: Between Ideas and Practice is a compilation of studies by a Russian scholar. In addition to addressing the individual pagan figures and specific creeds, the work also explores the macrocosmic trends.
The book is available in both Russian and English. It is a good resource for Anglophone scholars who want to understand the complexity of contemporary Slavic paganism. While it does not provide exhaustive descriptions, it is a comprehensive and accessible overview of the field.
Some scholars of religion and sociology have been studying the various strands of Slavic paganism for several decades. As the field of Slavic-Russian religious studies has developed, new school formations have been added to the standard strata of conferences and unions of communities.
For example, the Union of Slavic Native Belief Communities, a multilevel community, consists of several local neo-pagan groups. Currently, it counts four families.
Another prominent Russian neo-pagan group is Skidbladnir Sigurd, which is based in Moscow. The godhi is Andrei Solovov.
