I found myself desperately wanting to create a set of stones to use as with the Greek Alphabet Oracle, and decided that this would be a perfect time to use trance as an aid for focusing intent and building something really important to me. I used a combination of breathing and sonic driving. I began the process by sitting at my altar in front of a pile of stones. I began breathing slowly and deeply, inhaling and exhaling for a count of 3. I allowed myself to relax and settle into the breaths, calming myself and focusing on the intent of the stones. I then carefully selected each stone and assigned it a letter. After they had all been selected I turned on my sonic driving recording and allowed the drumming beat through my chest. The recording I was using lasts one hour, so it gave me plenty of time to work without feeling rushed. During this hour I marked each stone with the appropriate symbol and wrote a brief explanation on the back of them to help me learn what the symbols mean.
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Another incredibly busy day. I drove 3 hours (one way) to particpate in the Kearney PPD. I had an info booth and also did a workshop on ADF & Druidry. I participated in a community building ritual which invoked Hestia as well, which was interesting. I’m proud to be an active part of this community.
Khi Sigma Nu This week, I tried to do my trance work in a very different environment. I have had difficulty focusing at work, so during each morning when I found myself having trouble paying attention to the work I needed to be doing, I found a recording on the internet. This is an hour long drumming build up, so I would put in my headphones and just listen for the first 15-20 minutes. Then when I began to feel energized I would continue to listen to the recording while actively doing my work. I found myself more energized and able to focus on the tasks at hand. It was a very interesting experience for me, and I think that this is one way that I can definitely expect to use this method more in the future.
What a day. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. The morning started with smudging the entire park, chanting my sunrise devotional. I then knelt at the entrance and said a short prayer to Gaia to thank her for her land and help keep negativity away. I participated in the opening ritual which was done in a Wiccan format. The first workshop of the day was a guided meditation. I modified one that I had found on the ADF website to be less pantheon specific and more universal. It was very well received and set a good mood for the day. I spent the day meeting new people and had a very good day. I lead an impromptu workshop on ADF Druidry and then helped lead the closing ritual done in an ADF style. Overall it was a fantastic day.
Khi Nu Gamma September 11th is an unofficial day of mourning within the US. People mourn the loss of those who were killed on September 11, 2001 and those who have died in the war that followed. It brings about a sense of community that is often missing in my city life. It also reminds me once again to honor my own ancestors, for without them I would not be who I am. My meditation this week was focused on those ancestors. I started a sonic driving recording that I was comfortable with and sat myself in a comfortable position. I then began to visualized myself sinking into the ground, into the realm of the ancestors. Once there I was able to visualize the many ancestors who came before me. I thanked each one, both those I knew and those I couldn’t recognize by saying:
“Hail to you, ancestor. Thank you for the gifts that your life has given to me. Without you I would not be who I am.” I repeated this over and over, honoring them in a very personal way. I then returned to this realm, sad at those I had lost, but grateful that they are a part of my existence. I did this each day this week as a dedication to them, as a way to remember all those lost. I then did an Omen at the end of the week to try to sum up the experiences, and the Omen definitely seemed fitting. It shows that I need to be responsible for myself, and that I have high hopes for things that could grow in the future. I also need to remember that what goes around, comes around, which means can be positive or negative, but I took this as a positive step. By honoring the ancestors and welcoming them into my heart, I truly believe they will walk this path with me and help me to become the best person I can be. Greek Alphabet Oracle
Yesterday I spent the day working on bylaws & courses for CTP. I had to approach several different priests to find out how they did things. I was very nervous but pleasantly surprised at how receptive they all were. I approached 5 different priests and everyone was willing to help out. It’s that sort of reaction that makes me proud to be a part of ADF and excited to be a part of the Clergy in the organization.
Rho Eta Omicron My trancework this week was focused on the ancestors, and involved me taking a trance journey to go to the realm of the dead and acknowledge those who came before me. I started a sonic driving recording that I was comfortable with and sat myself in a comfortable position. I then began to visualized myself sinking into the ground, into the realm of the ancestors. Once there I was able to visualize the many ancestors who came before me. I thanked each one, both those I knew and those I couldn’t recognize by saying: “Hail to you, ancestor. Thank you for the gifts that your life has given to me. Without you I would not be who I am.” I repeated this over and over, honoring them in a very personal way. I then returned to this realm, sad at those I had lost, but grateful that they are a part of my existence. I did this each day this week as a dedication to them, as a way to remember all those lost.
I realized that I have not officially mentioned it here, but I have been ACCEPTED to the Clergy Training Program! I somehow doubted it would ever happen but now I’m on my way toward ordination. I also had the experience of discussing ADF with my mom for the first time. She asked questions and I told her about as much as I could very simply. She says it doesn’t sound weird and she’d like to know more. I’m thrilled to be able to share that part of my life with my family. I couldn’t be more grateful.
Discipline has really never been my strong suite when it comes to practicing my spirituality. So much of my life is ritualized as it is that I feel much more comfortable sporadic rituals or prayers when I feel like I need to do something, so I know these CTP courses will be a challenge for me. The discipline portion of the Dedicant Path was one of the most challenging parts of that program for me. I understand the importance of having a regular practice, but this course definitely makes me feel anxious. I’ve started this process by using a morning Sun Devotional that is based on the writings of David Crawford. It’s a very simple prayer, but it gives me the ability to do the devotional no matter where I am, which is important with my crazy schedule.
Today is the trip home from Midnight Flame. I always leave the festival feeling inspired, loved, and ready to take on new challenges. Jan Avende gave me a candle lit from the Hellenic Kin flame. I felt incredibly blessed to have met her. The drive home gave me a lot of time to think, rest, and meditate. I watched the trees fade away and the corn reappear as we approached home. I got to return to my family refreshed and warmed, knowing I am loved. My heart is full on so many levels.
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