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Man, the last 2 days were quite focused. I had a First Degree Initiation Friday and a Second Degree Initiation yesterday. I think a lot of people at work assume I took Friday off because of it being Good, but no. I had to get the house picked up and the ritual room prepared and the ritual itself prepared and gather all the stuff needed and organize a zillion things. But it went off, and it went off well. There was a lot of fine conversation swirling around after as well as pretty decent food. I didn't have too much cleaning up to do either. This is my 4th Initiation. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it.
I've never done a Second before. That ritual took some rewriting because it was originally written for the flagship grove of our Tradition, and some of the things in it don't apply to other groups so I got permission and made it make more sense to people of my group. Since I was the only Initiate above 2nd, I was going to have to go it alone but my 2 local Elders came to the rescue. I even was able to talk Hersh into bringing a box of incenses, soaps and lotions- all paid for, of course, in one big lump order from the whole grove. That way we don't have to pay postage. We did pay full price for everything (rather than take the usual 'family' discount) since we heard they weren't doing so well financially. So if you need any incense check out Devonshire's site and throw some business their way.
Anyway, the ritual went off great. Ellen said my re-write was powerful and worked really well. That is quite a compliment coming from her. I also got to stretch my artistic side a lot, and that was fun and gratifying. More fine conversation after, and then Gordon was going to go back to a party he'd left. Since hub was off with some friends I asked if I could come along. It's a group of grown-up pagans, and it's always nice to hang out with them. I was even witty and amusing. One fellow was introduced as being a lawyer, an EMT and a fireman, and I said "oh, are you an astronaut too?" which got a good laugh. Rapier wit, I have.
We hung out 'til past 1 and Gordon brought me home. Oh, I didn't mention- we also went to Waffle House and had cheap, cheap breakfast with Brö and Tom, then went to Callahans and looked at horse socks and belt buckles the size of dinner plates and books about raising milk goats. We also drove by the (sadly closed) DOT surplus yard. We were looking for used cop bikes (why not) but didn't see any- lots of cop cars though, even a couple of black and white Camaros. Probably pretty sweet if you like Camaros.
Today was get the house really clean dammit day and dinner with old college friend. Now I'm going to bed!
I've never done a Second before. That ritual took some rewriting because it was originally written for the flagship grove of our Tradition, and some of the things in it don't apply to other groups so I got permission and made it make more sense to people of my group. Since I was the only Initiate above 2nd, I was going to have to go it alone but my 2 local Elders came to the rescue. I even was able to talk Hersh into bringing a box of incenses, soaps and lotions- all paid for, of course, in one big lump order from the whole grove. That way we don't have to pay postage. We did pay full price for everything (rather than take the usual 'family' discount) since we heard they weren't doing so well financially. So if you need any incense check out Devonshire's site and throw some business their way.
Anyway, the ritual went off great. Ellen said my re-write was powerful and worked really well. That is quite a compliment coming from her. I also got to stretch my artistic side a lot, and that was fun and gratifying. More fine conversation after, and then Gordon was going to go back to a party he'd left. Since hub was off with some friends I asked if I could come along. It's a group of grown-up pagans, and it's always nice to hang out with them. I was even witty and amusing. One fellow was introduced as being a lawyer, an EMT and a fireman, and I said "oh, are you an astronaut too?" which got a good laugh. Rapier wit, I have.
We hung out 'til past 1 and Gordon brought me home. Oh, I didn't mention- we also went to Waffle House and had cheap, cheap breakfast with Brö and Tom, then went to Callahans and looked at horse socks and belt buckles the size of dinner plates and books about raising milk goats. We also drove by the (sadly closed) DOT surplus yard. We were looking for used cop bikes (why not) but didn't see any- lots of cop cars though, even a couple of black and white Camaros. Probably pretty sweet if you like Camaros.
Today was get the house really clean dammit day and dinner with old college friend. Now I'm going to bed!
