I could see the patterns in the wind- the changes overcoming so many things in the world, and my heart grew heavier and heavier as a result. In this short time-span of just about a year and a half, I have seen so much hatred, so much fear, and so many freedoms and securities steadily eroded away. My contacts and colleagues in the US, once optimistic and hopeful that the time truly had come for Paganism to get recognized on a national level, are once again taking cover and going into hiding, terrified (ironically enough) of the Anti-Terror systems implemented since 9/11. The dust has settled and the flames have died down from the catastrophe that took place at the World Trade Center towers, but rather than a phoenix rising from the ashes in full glory, a horrifying apparition has arisen, threatening the freedoms of us all like no one could have possibly imagined.

I count myself as being very fortunate to be in Austria as opposed to being in the US. The US that I had once known is no more, having been transformed into a land of paranoia, racism, and suspicion. The enemy lurks behind every corner, and anyone who's views do not match with the "mainstream" is possibly a terrorist. A great many people are awakened to this fact, and frightened of it very much, but at the same time they are hesitant to speak out against it- after all, to question current policy is tantamount to being a potential terrorist.
It's quite obvious to us (as much as we may hate to admit it) that the machine that has been set in motion in these past few days cannot be stopped. There has been one war already, and there will be another. Will it stop there? Will it ever end? I certainly hope so, but I can honestly say that I seriously doubt it. More than anything, all of these events have (or shall I say, should have) shown us what happens when we start walking on the path of revenge. I think that one of the things that we tend to so often forget is that just as there is a spiral path by which we can ascend to self-betterment and spiritual perfection or enlightenment, there is also another spiral path that leads in exactly the opposite direction. Karma works in both ways, and so often people tend to forget about that fact.

In my first "Pagans for Peace" article, I encouraged everyone to send healing, peaceful energies to mend the hearts that were broken in the tragedy of 9/11. We need those same energies again now more than ever! Our true enemies- ignorance, hatred, fear, intolerance- are stronger now than they were before, and collectively we must do something to tip the scales back into balance.
There is a tendency, in times such as these, to seek the isolationist path- to sever ties and divide into various closed-off factions. I caution all those who would consider such a choice, however. Is that truly what our world really needs? If we join our energies together- one voice, one people, united Pagans everywhere- are we not, then, so much stronger than a smattering of small groups here and there, easily ignored by the governments of our respective nations? As a worldwide Pagan Community, we have the responsibility- no, scratch that, the DUTY to stand united for those things which we believe in and are dedicated to. Do we truly desire peace for the world? Then we must stand united for peace, and let our voice be heard. United, we have a collective energy a thousand times greater than that of just ourselves. Divided? ... You figure it out. We need to send a message to the world- one of Peace, if that's really what we are after.

May the Blessings of the Old Ones be with you.
Shadow Viper