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Ask someone their thoughts on death and you'll get varied answers. However if you look closely at the answers, especially those from non-Pagans, more than likely you'll find one theme that seems to overshadow all else. Fear. Fear of death, of what will happen to them after death, of the process itself. This is a fear that is the product of a million years of conditioning. For thousands of years, most of the world has lived under religions that are essentially fear-driven. Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism. A basic tenet of them all being if you are sinful, you will be punished. If you do not obey the laws, you'll pay. If you behave "evilly" in this life, you will suffer the consequences when life is over. Now, if you're living in a hut or a tent, and have no food to eat, the teachings of these religions might be a comfort to you. They offer a prospect of "heaven", a reward, even if it is after death. There's something to hope for, as long as you live without what the church deems as sin. If you are "god-fearing", you'll obey the religious laws and reap your reward. And so, amidst all the misery of your condition, you live with fear as well. This, in my opinion, was the original concept behind the organized, patriarchal, religions. Today, most of us do not live such squalid lives. We have food to eat, good homes, luxury even. We have the opportunity for "heaven" in our everyday lives. But the fear is still with many. There is continuous worry over living right, avoiding sin. And it is this fear that keeps so many from enjoying their lives right now. It holds them back from their true potential in this life. Unfortunately, humans are like that. We tend to keep on under conditions that are less than ideal, because we cannot conceive of , or because we fear, something different. We grow attached to our neuroses, clinging to the familiar life of fear and misery. So what does all of this have to do with reincarnation? The belief in reincarnation frees us from the fear. Believing that this life is only one in a series, and knowing that not punishment, but rest and reflection await us upon death, gives one an incredible sense of freedom. Once you discover that life is eternal, nothing can stop you from being joyful now. We do not need to fear death, as it is only another life transition. If we do not fear death then there is no need to worry about what tomorrow will bring. The Pagan belief in reincarnation is the crux of all the other beliefs. We are able to love, to learn, practice tolerance and find harmony. We are free to pursue our own path, striving for the enlightenment that will continue in our next life and our next. We travel the path from mundane to divine without fear. The encompassing symbol of our faith is that of life renewed through the mother, that of birth and rebirth. Contrast this with a religion whose symbol is one of death and its like day and night. Embrace your life, take from it all the joy you can. See each day as a chance to learn and to grow and to love. And when the time comes, there is no need to fear death. For it is but another path that opens up to us, another step toward the divine.
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