Responsibilitly of the Elders of the Pagan Path

[Gentle Deer Lion Tamer]

This is a great and powerful time for the Earth and Nature based
beliefs. Whether you call yourself Wiccan, Pagan, Witch, Shaman or Neo-
something, we are seeing a greater return and flowing toward these
beliefs than at any other time in history. Thousands of people both
young and old reach out to us seeking answers, searching for the truth
and fellowship with others of like mind. Without exception, these
people are hearing the voices of our ancestors and they are listening
to the gentle voice of the Lord and Lady which echo's in their soul.
For those of us who have traveled this path for a time, this is the
beginning of a new era and one which requires a change in our thought
processes. I will speak to this in greater detail later.

My experience from talking with others has shown, that while many of
us are out of the proverbial "Broom Closet," when talking with close
friends who share our beliefs, we quite often play our cards close to
the vest when dealing with others outside our close circle of friends.
In many cases, this is still a necessity because of family or work
considerations, however it carries over into our dealings with other
followers of our community with whom we have not become comfortable.
With the dawn of this new era, we must shed these apprehensions to
move forward and embrace those just becoming enlightened to the voices
of our ancestors.

Hopefully, those of you who have walked this path for a time, can
remember how confused and unsure you were when beginning you journey.
Like myself, there is a possibility that you wrestled with the
emotional conflicts between what you had always been led to believe by
the unaware, and what your heart was telling you. You probably also
were unsure where to start reading and learning even though there were
only a hand full of books or so to choose from.

Today it is just as confusing to the new seekers of truth and
information if not more so. They still struggle with the same
emotional conflicts as we did, yet there are several hundred books to
choose from and relatively few of us willing to step far enough away
from the shadows to offer advice and guidance in making the right
choices. It is an intimidating situation for them to say the least.

This is the area where I want to nudge your comfort zones and present
a concept which you may not have thought about.

Earlier, I said that those of us who have followed this path must
change our thought processes. In considering this, we must come to
understand that the beginning followers of the Earth and Nature
beliefs we see today are the new generation. These are the people who
are coming forward to learn, understand, embrace and dispel the
centuries of superstition and misconception which surround our
beliefs. Therefore, we must move forward to embrace the next
generation. We must move forward to assume the role of mentors and
guides.

If we ever hope to achieve understanding and acceptance of our beliefs
to build unity within our scattered communities, WE MUST shoulder the
responsibility of ensuring THAT future becomes a reality. We simply
cannot sit idle and hope those who follow will understand the true
meaning of our ways without adequate guidance.

As with any rite or ritual, we know from experience that the
realization of our intent and will is totally dependent upon the
energy we pour into that working. We must then understand that that
ensuring a positive future for our ways is no different. We will get
back exactly what energy we put into the Cauldron of the future.

We are the Elders of the Wiccan, Pagan and Witchcraft community, and
we are the future Wise One's of the past. If we do not teach our
traditions, values, morals and ethics of the old ways, who will?

I receive many request each and every month of new ones seeking
information. Each and every one represents our future reaching a hand
out to us, the Elders, the Wise One's of these paths for guidance and
answers. They are willing to understand, accept and follow this path,
if we will only take the time to truthfully answer their questions and
guide them from our wisdom and experience.

Understand this clearly my friends. They are the future, our legacy,
the ones who are reaching out to change the centuries of myth,
superstition and misconception which we and those before us have
sought for so long.

So as you surf the Internet or encounter one who is new to our ways,
embrace them with love and make the connection with their spirit. I
urge you to not pass them by, but to reach out and take that hand if
even only momentarily to answer a question or offer reassurance. Let
the love of the Lord and Lady fill your spirit and move a few steps
further away from the shadows. Assume your place as one of the
teachers of Strength, Honor, Harmony and Balance. Come forward to help
bring the Lady's children home to the warmth and security of her
bosom.

I charge you to step from the shadows and take your place within the
Circle to escort the dawn of a new day for our beliefs.