Witchvox Article

Author: Sunfell
Posted: July 14th. 2001
Times Viewed: 3,481

If you look around the stacks of Pagan books available in the bookstores and metaphysical shops, you might rightfully believe that the majority of the Pagan and Wiccan religion consists of newcomers. Books with '101', 'Beginner', or 'Basic' in their title seem to make up a good number of these books, and the people avidly perusing them, many of them teens or youngsters in their college years, would seem to acknowledge that.

There are no real statistics on the Pagan population and their time in service, but some casual questing has led me to believe that the majority of the Pagan population- perhaps more than half- have been practicing their way for five years or less. This ties in with the emergence of the Internet as a tool for research, questioning, and community, with The Witches' Voice playing a large part in the gradual integration of the Pagan community. We have a lot to thank them for.

There is also a growing number of what I call 'journeyman-class' Pagans- those who have been in practice for at least a decade. And these are slowly feeding a growing pool of what I call the 'master-class' Pagans: those who have been working and serving for fifteen to twenty years. I count myself among this group. And of course, there are the revered ones who seeded the Craft in all its facets, the genuine founders and Elders, with thirty or more years under their belts. They wrote the seminal books on the Craft, they started the first circles and covens, and they tentatively poked their hats out of the broom closet to see if anyone would shoot holes in them.

Who is an Elder today? Well, we can certainly dismiss the jewelry festooned, fancifully dressed and named proto Pagan who has crowned themselves as 'Lord this' or 'Lady that'. They mean well, but to many bemused eyes, they're more like SCA-ers on steroids, eager bumbling puppies trying to make an impression, and instead, making a mess. These baby Pagans must be treated gently and guided to their true blossoming, not run off as nuisances.

Along with the Pagan pups, we might also cast a wary eye upon the journeyman Ego Cruiser, who might have an initiation or two under her belt, but has the classic 'eyes bigger than the stomach' syndrome. This is the one who sweeps in, trailing sycophants, and tries to play power games with established groups, stealing members, fomenting dissent, and generally degrading communities into warring factions. This sort of behavior does not make an Elder, instead, it makes a big mess, and formidable enemies.

So, where are the Elders? If they're not the fancied-up, petulant, circle crashing, attention demanding divas some might mistake for Elders, who are they, and where are they hiding?

They're right under your noses, beloved ones. They're writing inspiring letters, essays, and rituals. They're gently correcting the overeager newbie who's just tipped over the wine chalice. They're bailing out of bed at 3 AM to drive 90 miles to solve a crisis with members of their coven. They're the ones with huge phone and internet bills. They're organizing, conducting, arranging, haranguing and generally doing all the 'dog work' to keep their little groups going without falling apart. They are the ones who send the Ego Cruisers packing, and who give the sycophants a choice: stay, and shut up and learn something, or go, and never come back.

They can tell you stories of their coming out, and what happened to them, their careers, and their friends. They've probably been interviewed by the press. They know first hand what the Pagan community was like before the Internet, and before 'Buffy' and 'The Craft'. They've been shot at, vandalized, had threatening mail, been harangued and proselytized to death, and have had every argument with evangelicals you can imagine. They've survived to tell the tale. They'll discourage the young Pagans from going out and baiting evangelicals, perhaps comparing it to mud wrestling with pigs. Or perhaps relating the story of losing everything in a fire set by 'loving Christians'.

They'll probably have the plainest and sparest clothing in the group, because they've outgrown their Hardwarian jewelry jangling stage. But if you take a close look at their robes, perhaps you'll see a few more wax drips, wine stains, and incense spark holes than the others. They'll comport themselves like the quietly humble, plainly dressed black belt in your Aikido class. They may BE that quietly humble, plainly dressed black belt! They'll have a 'been there, done that' way about them, but not be cynical about it, because they know that all comers to the path must pass through the same stages they have. You'll see wisdom, humor, and many many miles shining out of their wizened eyes. They'll have a book in them, perhaps written, perhaps not. But they'll be a precious fountain of knowledge, wisdom, anecdotes, and information. They'll be the ones who can put together an Sabbat altar from memory, know the oils and incenses by a sniff or two, and have whole tables of correspondences- and their substitutes- in their heads- or their Palm Pilots. They might even suggest the proper wine to go with that Sabbat meal, and fetch it from their own collection. They'll have swapped the beater car and student apartment for a 'younger' car and their own home. You'll be in awe of their art and music collection, and their library.

They probably won't go by 'Lord this' or 'Lady that', because they were taught that such titles are meaningless, and even if the title was bestowed upon them for their leadership, won't insist upon using it. Their natural charisma will give them title. They are the natural focus of the group, but do not dominate it. But people naturally gravitate towards them, seek their counsel, follow their directions, and function smoothly under their experienced hands.

Elders can spot troublesome people in a heartbeat, and take the steps needed to correct the problem before it gets out of hand. They've survived witch wars, and have the scars to prove it, and so know all the signs of trouble brewing. They are not afraid to say 'No' to someone who wants into the group, but isn't ready yet to participate, and are not afraid to send people packing if they get out of hand.

Some elders, either because of lack of community where they live, or poor experiences or conditions within the existing communities, prefer to be solitary and work alone. (They can and do get 'burned out'.) This is very unfortunate, because the experience of an elder can do much for a group. But these isolated ones can still serve the Pagan community at large, by writing books or essays, conducting occasional workshops, or travelling to large gatherings and sharing their knowledge and experience.

If you have a genuine elder in your group, consider yourself in possession of a treasure. Treat them with care and reverence, and celebrate your good fortune. Make sure that you are carefully listening to their words, and learning from them, because one day, it will be you who are the elder.

Sunfell

ABOUT...

Sunfell

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

Author's Profile: To learn more about Sunfell - Click HERE

Bio: SUNFELL is a 29-year veteran of the Craft, and has been studying and practicing since age 12. She doesn't consider herself a true elder yet, but she's getting there, and is currently practicing at 'master' level. She doesn't have a local community to serve, so she utilizes the internet as a platform to write, teach, and occasionally offer counsel. Her website is http://www.sunfell.com. She is a frequent contributor at The Witches Voice, and humbly thanks them for their five wonderful years of service to the Pagan world community.

Other Articles: Sunfell has posted 12 additional articles- View them?

Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE

Email Sunfell... (No, I have NOT opted to receive Pagan Invites! Please do NOT send me anonymous invites to groups, sales and events.)

Home - TWV Logos - Email US - Privacy

News and Information

Chapters: Pagan/Heathen Basics - Pagan BOOKS - Traditions, Paths & Religions - Popular Pagan Holidays - TV & Movies - Cats of the Craft - Festival Reviews - Festival Tips - White Pages (Resources) - Issues/Concerns - West Memphis 3 - Witch Hunts - Pagan Protection Tips - Healing Planet Earth

Your Voices: Adult Essays - Young Pagan Essays - Pagan Perspectives (On Hold) - WitchWars: Fire in the Craft - Gay Pagan - Pagan Parenting - Military - Pagan Passages

Pagan Music: Pagan Musicians - Bardic Circle at WitchVox - Free Music from TWV

Vox Central: About TWV - Wren: Words, Wrants and Wramblings - Guest Rants - Past Surveys - A Quest for Unity

Weekly Updates: Click HERE for an index of our weekly updates for the past 6 years

W.O.T.W. - World-Wide Networking

Your Town: A Link to YOUR Area Page (The largest listing of Witches, Pagans, Heathens and Wiccans on the Planet)

VoxLinks: The Pagan Web: 8,000 Listings

Your Witchvox Account: Log in Now - Create New Account - Request New Password - Log in Problems

Personal Listings: Pagan Clergy in Your Town - Adult Pagans - Young Pagans - Military Pagans

Events: Circles, Gatherings, Workshops & Festivals

Covens/Groups/Orgs: Local Groups Main Page

Other LOCAL Resources: Local Shops - Regional Sites - Local Notices - Global/National Notices - Local Skills & Services - Local Egroups - Political Freedom Fighters

Pagan Shopping: Online Shops Index - Original Crafters Sites - Auction Sites - Pagan Wholesalers - Pagan Local Shops

Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2009 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.

Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wrenâ€™s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witchesâ€™ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.

Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.

Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.

Witches, Pagans
of The World

Current Topic
Editorial Guide

NOTE: The essay on this page contains the writings and opinions of the listed author(s) and is not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Witches' Voice inc.

The Witches' Voice does not verify or attest to the historical accuracy contained in the content of this essay.

All WitchVox essays contain a valid email address, feel free to send your comments, thoughts or concerns directly to the listed author(s).