Not much to say today....

I've discovered something: Cleaning my apartment is very good for my sanity, and it is making the energies of the place much easier to deal with. Clutter, as I have discovered, does nothing good for me--but unfortunately, when I have a lot to do, cleaning gets shoved aside. The cleaning I'm doing now almost feels like the last step in a ritual to reinvent my life....

In other news: there's the possibility that I'll be celebrating with the Circle of the Phoenix in early February.

Blessed Be!

My apologies

Just a quick update today, as I haven't got much time....

I'm sorry I've been away for so long. I don't know that anyone reads this, but the part I feel bad about is being so lax about my spiritual education. I have not been in a good place for the past few months, and the negative stuff is just beginning to disappear. I'm working very hard to get back to that good place.

Things that are looking up: a possible full moon ritual with the Circle of the Phoenix! They are lovely people there! It will be nice to see them again.

Other than that, once my life settles down, I really want to get serious about things. It's been proven to me time and time again that hiding from everything when life gets difficult isn't the thing to do; I end up alone, and that's never been what I wanted.

Updates and things

Merry Meet, again!

Things are going well. The Seeker classes I'm taking at Magus Books & Herbs are proving to be a valuable collection of experiences for me. The review is helpful, and I get to meet new people--people who think and believe the way I do! That's a definite upside--no more of my hermit-like ways--not all the time, at least (I am a solitary at heart, after all).

My impatience is something I'll have to work on, though; I have been unable to attend any open circles put on by Circle of the Phoenix, because my schedule has been too full.

As for "coming out of the broom closet," I've got both feet inside the doorway; however, I'm standing there with the door wide open. I don't bring up the subject in conversation with people I do not know, but if anyone asks, I'm open to a discussion. I haven't gathered the courage to be out at college (a private Catholic school), but after I graduate this winter, things may be a bit different.

Here's to hoping!

Blessed Be.

Hooray!

After a long time searching, I've finally found a group learning opportunity! The one I mentioned in my previous entry didn't end up going anywhere--but, just yesterday, I attended the first of the Seeker classes offered at Magus Books & Herbs.

My thoughts: I know that I will enjoy this. It does seem a bit rudimentary to me, as I've been a solitary for a long time; however, any learning experience like this one is valuable. Guided study is something I've never done, and review is always, always useful (in my opinion, at least). Points of view and philosophies other than my own are both things of which I could use a hefty dose.

Will I take the study further, and decide to go through with the Year-And-A-Day training? I'm not sure. I'll have to learn about the Omphalos Tri-Cellan tradition, and see if it's something that resonates with me. If not, I'll seek out a group that has to do with Mesopotamian paganism....

Things may be looking up....

I have begun to cast a few more lures, putting my contact information out into the community and hoping that one of the fish bites....

What have I done? I've browsed Witchvox (a wonderful, wonderful networking site that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in paganism and/or networking within the pagan community) again, and looked for groups and pagan clergy members in my area. I've sent an email or two, and I've called that new friend I mentioned. He has yet to reply to the call, but I won't lose hope.

I have also visited the following three shops:
Evenstar Bookstore: http://www.evenstarbooks.com/
2401 University Ave. W.
St Paul, MN. 55114-1507
651.644.3727

Eye of Horus: http://eyeofhorus.biz/minneapolis
2717 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN. 55408
612-872-1292

Magus Books & Herbs: http://www.magusbooks.com/
1309 1/2 4th Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
1-612-379-7669 (Questions)
1-800-99MAGUS (Orders)

I enjoyed my visits to all three shops, but I found that the people at Magus Books & Herbs were the friendliest and most helpful (it was here that I left my contact information, to be given directly to the leader of a local group called Circle of the Phoenix). The range of products sold at Magus would serve an extremely varied set of traditions/paths. I was particularly impressed with the book selection; while I found very little on Sumerian/Babylonian paganism (perhaps I just need to look a little bit more closely the next time I'm there), I saw books on everything from Gnostic Christian subjects to Yoga to Hellenic paganism. The atmosphere there was wonderful, and I was even treated to free tea, because it was Monday.

Note: If you are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area come Saturday, June 28th, I'd suggest that you stop by Magus Books & Herbs to enjoy the Customers' Appreciation Day festivities!

Merry Meet!

I am in search of something that feels like home. Up until now, I have put forth a very modest effort at best, but I am about to change that. Wishing and hoping are no longer enough. Friends of mine are finding that what they want is not far off, but what about me? I’ve been on the path for almost a decade, and it’s about time I found a permanent place in the magickal/pagan community. I need my spirituality to take a bigger role in my life.

I am ashamed to say that jealousy is a part of what has driven me back into action, but it’s the truth—and here, I cannot lie. Others have found what they want. I feel left out and lonely—and in Minnesota, of all places! We are steeped in magick here, and I want to find a group of people to share it with.

What am I? I am an eclectic Wiccan, and I also consider myself a Witch; however, I can no longer tolerate a vague, lapsed kind of worship. If I could find others like me—a teacher, even!—I would be happier. Sumerian/Babylonian paganism speaks to me, you see….but does it speak to other Minnesotan pagans, too? That is something that I’d like to find out; failing that, a coven to call home would be ideal. All I really want is to feel that I have a community to be a part of. Given my current situation (that of a bisexual Wiccan who is also an undergraduate student at the University of St. Thomas), that seems to be a tall order.

My plan is already in motion, but the possible group—the brainchild of a new Witchvox acquaintance of mine—runs the risk of dissolving in August when said acquaintance leaves to attend graduate school in Chicago. Hopefully, those of us who are members at that point will be able to hold it together.

Here’s to hoping that my new friend's idea comes to fruition!