My sister has been known to say that I am the wisest person she knows.

For years, she has asked for my advice and insight ranging from "what to wear" all the way to "should I really marry this guy??" (or "should I stay married to this guy??").  And for years I would tell her what I thought.  I can probably count on one hand the number of times she actually took my advice, only to have her later tell me that she should have done what I told her to do in the first place.  Same goes with my friends.  I would tell them something and they wouldn't take it to heart until some one "older and wiser" told them the same thing.

Being a young Wiccan often presents similar circumstances.  I often hear the phrases "Oh, you've done so much for your age" or "Oh, you are so far on your path for someone your age".  To be quite honest, if not a bit too blunt, I've done and accomplished and devoted myself to my path in a manner that is to be commended of someone of any age.  I know quite a few people who have years double mine and have not done so much.  Not that such a life is a bad thing.  That's just their path.  But does the fact that I'm 26 make me a Junior Priestess??  Last time I looked, there weren't any Traditions that handed out 1/2 Degrees.

This is not a phenomenon unique to me.  I am one of a number of young women and men who have studied their little Pagan butts off to get to where they are on their paths.  Often times it seems that we have to try extra hard to be taken seriously, simply because of age.  In the Maiden-Mother-Crone/Youth-Warrior-Sage phases, the Maiden and Youth are often hearlded for their bright promise and potential--but naught is said of their wisdom.  It is often forgotten that the Crone cycles; she becomes the Maiden.  Is all of the wisdom of the Crone lost in the transition?

As with many Wiccans/Pagans, I believe in Reincarnation.  So I believe that, yes, the Maiden and Youth are full of brightness and potential and the possiblities of what is to be.  But I also believe they aren't discovering the world.  They are re-discovering it.  They view the world through eyes that have seen it all before.  It's wisdom from a fresh perspective.  The young might be young, but we have "old souls".  We've been there, done that in not only this life, but in past incarnations.  And there are many times when it pays to listen to someone less advanced in age.

You see, change and new beginnings aren't the sole domain of the young.  We are in the age of 2nd and 3rd marriages.  Having children later in life.  Going back to school as adult students.  It is in these times, especially, that people should turn to the Wisdom of the Maiden.  The Mother and Crone are often set in their ways.  It's the Maiden who is more flexible, more able to make the transition.  Now, I dearly love the Mother & Crone/Warrior & Sage, and I rely on their guidance for a great many things.  But I, for one, will not count out the Maiden and Youth just because they are "young".

My sister was telling me a cute story about one of my nephews.  She said she was getting ready to go out and, when she came down the stairs, her 8 year old son looked at her and grimaced.  "Mom," he says, "you need to change.  That doesn't look good on you."  So my sister took her 32 year old butt back upstairs and put on something that he thought was more flattering.  You see, even the really young can offer sound guidance!

Pánta eteléutêsan.

*~Delphy~*