A Big Personal Step

[Lark]

Well it's finally official.  Last night I became a Gardnerian 1st Degree initiatate. It was a decision that has been in the works for some time and was really based on my need to be able to reconnect with my own spirituality on a deeper and more emotional relationship with Deity.

One of the problems of being a teacher and group leader (as many of you know) is that you can find yourself spending so much time worrying about logistics, group management, and ensuring that everyone in your group is having a satisfactory spiritual experience and in the process you begin to neglect your own spiritual needs.  And after 12 years of running my own group I found that I had almost a spiritual disconnect within myself.

Interestingly enough, before I went up for my initiation yesterday I did a Tarot reading for myself.  I read with the Sacred Circle deck, so some of this is based on the card interpretations in that particular deck.  When I flipped out a card for a significator it came up with the Queen of Swords, reversed which says that I have been operating to much from an intellectual apprach and not balancing it with the other elemental associations.

Then I flipped up the card for the current situation and it as...wait for it...Initiation!  (Well go figure!)

The rest of the reading basically reaffirmed what my signifcator had already told me about working from the head and not from the heart and soul.  Then it went on to say that I was embarking on a journey which might be difficult at times, but in the long run if I wanted it badly enough I would get what I was seeking,.

Surprisingly enough the initiation itself was nowhere near as scarey as I had thought it might be, even with my own personal hangups.  And it made me finally fully comprehend why so many of the BTW's that I have spoken with had stressed that one shouldn't look for a group based on what Trad they practiced, but rather on whether you loved and trusted those in the group.  It was that Perfect Love/Perfect Trust that meant that I had no doubts left when I walked into that ritual for initiation.

So now I guess I finally really do qualify for membership in the FMMPPH brigade (not that I haven't been accused of being part of it before.)

-Lark-

[Still Kate]

Congratulations Lark. You work so hard and this is so very much deserved. I am so happy for you, enjoy!

Blessings
Kate. xxxx

[Labrys]

Congratulations, Lark!  Yes, caring for others is exhausting and I think taking this step for yourself (and that wonderful trip you have planned) are both wonderful steps in spending some time for YOU!

[MyValenwind]

Oh yay, congratulations Lark! My best wishes go out to you on continuing on your path and doing such an awesome job! ^_^ You totally earned it.

[Hornedgod777]

Congrats, Lark!

[Brijrian]

Congratulations, Lark! I remember my first degree initiation into an Alexandrian based trad...I was glowing for at least a week after. I'm very glad that you are practicing good self care

May your connection to Spirit grow and deepen.


(And by the way, please educate me: what does FMMPPH brigade mean?)

[Lark]

(And by the way, please educate me: what does FMMPPH brigade mean?)

I put one too many M's into it.  It should have been FMPPH or in other words "Fascist Meanie Poo-Poo Heads" which is what people often call us mean old Traddies when we don't think SRW is da BOMB!

-Lark-

[MyValenwind]

I wanna be in the FMPPH brigade! I already know SRW is teh suxxor, so half my job is done there. LOL.

[Brijrian]

Oh....you mean Silver RavenWolf, not Super Robot Wars..it all makes sense now..