by Janine Donnellan
(First published in the February 2011 Axis Mundi and Diary of a Heretic.)
I have never been the type to be concerned about my age, although at times I think it is quite incredulous that I managed to get to this age in my life so quickly; time certainly flies when you are having fun.
Personally I have never thought of age as being a barrier to anything that I wanted to do. My father had instilled in me from an early age that I have the ability do anything that I put my mind to. This wonderful advice has stayed with me all my life and has been the impetus for me breaking through several glass ceilings placed before me throughout my working life.
Unfortunately we live in a youth oriented society where looking young has become a multi-billion-dollar industry. The sad aspect of this attitude about looks and age has the unfortunate power of curtailing an individual’s ultimate potential and talents at a relatively early age and thus depriving us of new skills and creative developments in many mediums such as art, writing, photography, music and technical innovation. Interestingly, this type of ageism is not only directed at today’s baby boomers which I am one of, but also at the old of tomorrow – the X & Y generations – a kind of pre-emptive negative stereotyping.
As a growing community we should recognize the perspective which is actually an ancient and indigenous perspective on aging – that with old age come many positives, especially the lived experiences and perspectives that are referred to as ‘wisdom’. There is a perception that the concept of respecting our elders appears to be disappearing, particularly with the younger generations.
Recently there had been some discussions on Facebook about the devaluing and disappearance of our pagan elders in our community and I thought that Axis Mundi would be an ideal forum to raise this important topic and to gauge other pagans’ viewpoints.
Perhaps the word disappearance is incorrect; perhaps our elders have merely become invisible by choice, having felt neglected or grown weary of the attitudes of the current pagan community and have simply left, retreated to their own private circles or have become solitaries.
I have to admit that occasionally I have felt like I have become ‘invisible’ to the community. I’m not sure if is from an age related invisibility or from ‘the not being accepted’ perspective, which could partly be related to some ageist attitudes, and partly related to my eclectic beliefs. There is a possibility that I could be leading myself down the garden path through my own somewhat distorted perceptions. But through talking to and hearing what other pagans have to say there is something amiss here and only through honest discussion can we bring our thoughts, desires and fears out into the open and bring about some positive resolutions.
I would like to state there is also an onus on our Elders not to recede into the background but to stand in their power and help break through the attitudes that are currently facing them and start sharing their experience and knowledge. It is after all a two way relationship.
In this issue of Axis Mundi we have included some articles and viewpoints relating to our older and wiser pagans and we would love to have some input from our readers. Let us know your views on whether you agree or disagree that our pagan elders are becoming the ‘Invisible Generation’ and some suggestions on what we can do the change the situation.
Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. ~ Samuel Ullman
I would tend to agree, today’s youth does not seem to pay attention or give the respect to the elders. Especially when they do have more experiences in life and knowledge that gen x&y. I been around my great grandmother all my life until recently after her passing, but she was a very wise woman whom I listened to intensely.
I believe that our elders play an important role in the youth development even if they cannot see it.
I can only speak from my own experience. As a crone of 70 and a life long practicing witch. As I have matured my energies have changed as have my focal points. My energy has not been pulled back from the world but my presence has to a great extent. I still do healing work on the planet, plants, animals, people and situations. I just no longer have a lot of patience for all the interpersonal stuff people so often choose to put themselves through. Now I need naps more than conversation, especially with contentious folks. I used to welcome an opportunity to enter a discussion with the possibility of expanding understanding of paganism or conversing and sharing with like minds. Creating a harmony of understanding is a worthy goal but it consumes time and energy. As my time grows shorter and my energy decreases I have chosen a way to do what I can and still enjoy some peace. Long winded but just to share one reason why elders actually do retire in many ways.
At 60, but with less years knowing I was on the path than you I can still see where you are at Tamsel. Enjoy the time you have left and say a prayer for the youth of today. This material world of the last 50 years just can not last this way. I hope [know] that there are some that will survive and then the old ways will return. There is no option really, other than extinction. BB
There is a saying everything IS as it should be. As with all things change is inevitable, things expand and then contract and then expand. That is the nature of the universe. I live for the day and don’t worry about tomorrow. I don’t think we can ever go back to the old ways. We can take aspects of things that resonate with our beings and then adapt them to our particular circumstances.
Everything in life evolves as it journeys back to the Source.