Pagan Parenting

[Earth Walker]

Q. Are we responsible to our children for our actions?

A. I have heard people say that they are adults and
can do as they choose, so they are not responsible to
their children for their actions. Some have even said that
they are not responsible for their children's feelings.
They feel that the lessons their children chose for this
lifetime are already determined. Therefore, parents have
little responsibility over the experiences and energies
to which their children are exposed.
When our children return to this world, they have no
control over their reality. They live in homes where the
energy and activity is largely determined by adults.
Our decisions affect them in ways we may not realize.
Children have fully functioning minds and often wide-
open energy systems. They do not have the filters or
buffers we develop as we grow up.
While they are young, a good amount of our personal
energy flows to them for energetic support. Until they
are past adolescence, they continue to exist in a state
of energetic development and flux. Our choices really do
have an impact on the development of healthy minds,
emotions, and spirits in our children.
We cannot force our children to react in a particular way
or to become the kind of people we want them to be,
but we do have a responsibility to them. We cannot
blame it on astrology or karma or ignorance.
Neither these nor our traditions should be used as an
excuse to avoid the responsibility we accepted when
we chose to become parents. We need to hold our
integrity at all times. Even if we are not Pagan, we do
well to honor the Rede "Do as you will...an it harm none."

[Earth Walker]

Q How can I connect with my unborn child?

A On some level, you are already connected. All you
need to do is bring this into conscious awareness.
Very simple meditation and shamanic journeying are
ideal ways to establish a prenatal bond. Establishing
a meditative routine is likely to help condition you to
the task at hand. Once you are calm and centered, turn your awareness inward to your womb. If you need to
begin by using imagination, do so. Send an image of
yourself, happy and welcoming, to your child. Use
visualization to introduce yourself and other family members to the baby.
Remain open to any feelings, thoughts, or memories
that come to mind during silent meditation. Let them
pass through unconditionally and ask that the ones
that directly relate to your baby return. Practice using
automatic writing or specific tarot readings.
Experiment using art, poetry, and music to bring through
messages from your child.
The most important thing we can do to bond prenatally
is to take care of our bodies and our emotions to
maintain a safe and loving environment for our unborn
children. We cannot force an intense prenatal psychic
connection but if we remain clear and open, there is an
excellent chance it will develop naturally.

[Fawn]

*applause*

[random]

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