Old School Pagan in a New Age World

What defines Pagan?
If you look in Oxford or Webster's you may find
Pagan defined like this:
"A person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions."
"An adherent of a polytheistic religion in antiquity"
You know, back in ancient times, Paganism was a mainstream religion.
Today Pagans define themselves many different ways.
 
Now, I hate labels.
I'm not really comfortable being defined simply as a Pagan.
My Religion is Nature.
My Spiritual Path is one that leads to The Goddess.
The Sacred Feminine.
I suppose that makes me "Pagan" by definition.

If I'm going to be labelled Pagan,
Then I'm 100% Old School Pagan.
I was Pagan when being Pagan wasn't exactly "cool".
In fact People tended to shy away from You.
In My Path tradition was adhered to.
Devotion & Prayer were/are regular practice.
Studies were taken very seriously.
There were No shortcuts.
Although We were taught not to "fear" Our deities,
We were taught to respect them.
For those whose path included Magick,
That too was serious business.

Somewhere along the way,
The New Age community arrived.
Change is good.
Many Spiritual paths that were once feared are now
more accepted.  More accessible.
Ok, Most change is good.
There seems to be a lack of respect in the New Age Community.
A lack of reverence.
Not by everyone, but by enough people.
A huge sense of entitlement.
Not to mention the titles!!!
Most Elders I know are humble people.
They've been on their path long enough,
that they need not announce themselves.

Old School Pagans recognize one another.
We're very familiar with the Elders of Our communities.
We don't need titles although We may have them...
We don't regard Ourselves as Gods or Goddesses
But we understand the potential within ourselves.
It's not always easy being an Old School Pagan,
But I wouldn't change a thing.

Blessings!