Living the Wheel: Seasonal Musings of the Pagan Year

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Walking the Ancient Paths

'Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies, and walk on them, and find rest for your soul.'  1001 Meditations (pg. 13) by Mike George

     The Crone is the guardian of the crossroads, and this is Her time. As we journey through our lives we come to many crossroads; we have so many choices, so many roads not taken. How do we choose? How do we know we've made the right choice?

     In two days we will be at the crossroads of the old year and the new. As the Wheel prepares to turn, prepare yourself to walk the ancient paths that stretch before you, ancient, but new as the dawn to you. When you come to the crossroads release old wants and failures to the Crone's care: She will encourage you to look within yourself so you can identify what is holding you back. It will hurt--the Crone is a harsh goddess. She doesn't tolerate lies, especially the ones we tell ourselves.

     When we leave our emotional baggage at the crossroads and walk the ancient paths unencumbered we are able to gain a better understanding of who we want to become. We begin to learn how to change, how to better ourselves, how to give up what causes us pain.

     The crossroads can be a frightening place. We know where we've come from, but not where we are going. We don't know how long the journey will be or what kind of monsters are lying in wait for unsuspecting travelers like ourselves. We don't know if we're going to make it to the end of the journey or drop of exhaustion like the explorers we are.

     Success is never a guarantee. We have only our faith in ourselves and the belief that we can make it. We have the assurance that the Crone will accept neither fear nor failure. Strong as She is, She expects Her children to exhibit the same strength. Unafraid as age and wisdom make Her, She knows we are capable of great courage and greater wisdom. And so we are.

     We can make the journey before us. We will reach the end, alive and unafraid, enlightened and complete. The ancient paths stretch before us, the ways shrouded in mist and mystery, known to those that have gone before. Just as we do now, our ancestors stood at the crossroads unknowing and afraid. They looked to the Crone, they looked within themselves at Her behest, and they found the strength to choose. They chose a path, they chose a destination, they chose a purpose. And they walked. They faced monsters and the unknown, and in so doing brought you to the very crossroads they once stood at, so you can choose, so your children can choose, so generations from now someone will stand where you are, wondering the same things, facing the same fears. And they will choose.

     Whatever it is you seek, whatever you need to know, face the crossroads of choice with a strong heart and a sturdy will. Don't fear to ask for guidance. Forbidding as She is, the Crone is a part of our lifecycle, the guiding force that watches over our steps, judging, yes, but judging with fairness and love. We are Her children, after all. Take heart, and take the first steps of your journey. We will make it, you and I, and all the others walking beside us. We will walk the ancient paths and discover who we truly are.

 

    

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I am a writer and poet living in western Massachusetts. I have a degree in English Lit, with a focus on the nineteenth century, and am working toward a degree in Women's Studies as well. My work has previously appeared in The Pagan Activist, The Pagan Review, GrannyMoon's Morning Feast, and The Montague Reporter. I am currently working on a series of children's books, a novel trilogy, and a poetry manuscript (I simply can't do one thing at a time!). I also have several random fantasy-based short story projects that I attack once in a while.   I am a Dianic Pagan and practice Kitchen Wicca, and am also a Reiki Master. For a glimpse into my own little corner of reality, you can stop in and visit me at Ellie.

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