Tuesday, August 28, 2007

The Storm Report

So, lots of things have been happening over here. It was finally confirmed that our loan is going through, so Chas and I will be buying (the unfortunately named) Dolphin Dream in Walnut Creek, a brick-and-mortar metaphysical retail store that I used to manage years ago. It's a relatively successful store (est. 1989) and in a good location. We still have to jump through a bunch of hoops (meeting with the landlord, and signing contracts, and such) but we are hoping to take it over in the next couple of months. We do hope to make some changes to the store over the next few years, mostly in the area of decor, products (we will carry more Pagan items such as altar tools, specialty candles, and such), and also the general "vibe", grounding it a bit and making it somewhat more earthy. But we are committed to taking it slow, so as to not scare off too many of the current customers. We *are* planning on having some Feri people do some stuff there, though, and the classroom in the back is large enough so that I might teach some larger group classes, both Feri and non.

Speaking of Feri tradition: a few months ago, I am honored to report, I was passed the Black Wand in a rite with Cora Anderson at her home. It was arranged by my friend anaar (who I actually thought would be doing the actual passing... but when we did the rite it was mainly done by Cora, with Anaar & her husband Steve, Thorn Coyle, Michele Jackson & her husband, and my teacher Mitchell in attendance to support and witness.) It was a very simple and beautiful rite and I am more than grateful to receive this honor from so many talented witches. A couple weeks later I was passed the Black Wand again, this time by Feri priest Dominic (elemirion) who has different lore concerning the wand system. Having both traditional methods of the wands passed to me in this way I feel empowered to combine them together to make them both more accessible, and less hierarchical, than some have interpreted them in the past. I made a pact with Michele after the first rite that I would announce my wand in my bio for Feri Camp and so now that the event has been announced (and also that I have already told my own students about it) I thought I should mention it a bit more publicly, both to communicate my availability to fulfill that role, but also to give the community an opportunity to "keep me real", so to speak. I'm currently writing an article on the wands for this next issue of Witch Eye in which I talk about these two different traditional takes on the wand system, detailing the specifics of each of the three traditional wands, as well as introducing the possibility of several other wands as energetic symbols for additional schools of post-initiatory magical specialty. I'll let my article speak more about how I view the role and honor of the Black Wand, but for now suffice to say that I do not feel that holding it entitles me to any additional authority over any other Feri initiate. What it does bring me, quite simply, is additional responsibility toward the community.

And now coming back down to earth for a bit...

Last week we went to see Avenue Q at the Orpheum in San Francisco. It was a birthday present from Chas and I for Philipsouthernpm (AKA the "weekend boyfriend"). It totally rocked. I especially loved the song "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist". And the fact that one of the characters was Gary Coleman tickled me to no end.

This past weekend Philip and I went to Anaar's birthday party. It was much fun, although I had **way** too much to drink and paid for it the next day. (Philip makes a mean Pomegranate Martini, which incidentally I call a Persephone) and I stopped counting after 5. (Hey! I was there for about 8 hours! And I'm Irish. And I love me my vices.) I craved a cigarette at one point, but did not give in, even though there were several opportunities that presented themselves. I have it on good authority that I did not embarrass myself any, even though I barely remember leaving. I had a really good time. Thanks, Anaar, for inviting me. I hope I wasn't too loud or obnoxious! I do remember not being able to articulate myself as well as I would have liked toward the end. Ahh... alcohol. Good times.

I'm gearing up to go to Between the Worlds in a couple of weeks. I'm very excited. Philip and I will be going. I wish that Chas could go, but he needs to take care of his mom. Hopefully after we get the store we will have enough money to hire someone to take care of her for a day or two and then we can get away just the two of us. It's a hope, anyway...

We're still accepting registrations for the Feri Camp in October. If you are interested you should check it out ASAP! We need a few more so that we can have it at the preferred location. (It's happening no matter what, but the campground we had chosen as our preferred location is awesome! Help make it happen and sign up today!)

Well, that's all I got. Today was my day off and I spent it just wandering around the house, reading, napping, and getting some writing done. (I'm putting the finishing touches on my wand article, as well as a Feri self-dedication rite that Chas and I have penned together.) We also just watched the movie Al Franken: God Spoke, a documentary on one of my favorite left-wing comedians turned politicians. Now we just need Jon Stewart to run for something.

24 comments:

0rko said...

Congrats on the store! Nice to read an update from you! It's been too long.

faerywolf said...

Thanks! I know... I've been crazy busy... between the store thing, my classes, and having three dogs (2 of which are still puppies) I have had little time for much else. Hoping to change that... or at least organize my time a bit better in the near future.

royalbananafish said...

Congrats on the black wands!
I'm also jealous that you got to see Avenue Q...I kept seeing signs for it on BART when I was in town, and knew I wouldn't get to go. Maybe it will come to Portland next.

fattest said...

great news on all fronts! yay!!!

thorn_plutonius said...

Congratulations on the Wand passings!
...and the store...
...and, well, congratulations!

firebirdgrrl said...

Congratulations (and what an awesome update!)

miss_mellie_b said...

Congratulations!!! I'm very happy for both of you.
And if you need any help at the store, let me know. I'm around and I worked retail for years.

heartssdesire said...

Wow, that is big news. Congratulations on the wands. I would love to hear more about what they mean to you and those who passed them.
It was great seeing you by the way! :)

nytemuse said...

Congrats on the store & wands :) I told Chas in his LJ to let us know when you guys are firmly ensconced so us locals can come visit :)
Have fun at BTW; abuse--er, "hug" & for me :)

bluesidhe said...

Storm...Congrats on the store...and the wands. I think you deserve the acknowledgement. I was great meeting you finally, up close and talking after so many years. I think we all had WAY too much ;-)
Blue!

unibear said...

awsome
wow congrats on the retail store, I hope you are wonderfully successful. I have wanted to do that very thing for years now ( for my clothing business) but I am chicken and afraid I would not be able to support myself on it. We really should hang out sometimes snce i am now in the bay area ( san jose. I would be happy to drive to see you, whats your sceduale like ?
Hugs

faerywolf said...

Re: awsome
Thank you so much!
Right now my schedule is insane. I get one day off per week in which I can veg out, and usually end up spending it writing or working on my art. The rest of the time I am shopping for our stores, working on orders, teaching classes, or taking care of Chas' mom. Every once in awhile I can go out and do something special, but it's a rarity and I suspect that with the few exceptions of those events that have already been planned, my social life will resume only once I have taken over the new store and will be limited to there for awhile. I'm not complaining... it's a good move forward, but if I thought I was busy before...

faerywolf said...

I'll let my article speak more about them when it comes out, but in short I see the wands in triple form:
1) They are symbols of power; markers of magical specialty (particular roles that the individual is offering to the community).
2) They are honorifics; those who possess a certain wand who then pass that wand to others are communicating to them (and to the community) that they feel that the recipient is skilled in that particular area. In this we can formally come together and give praise to our peers.
3) The third and final part is magical in focus: they can connect the recipient to an egregore specific to its field of study from which to draw power, inspiration, and a deeper level of magical connection to others in the same field. Sort of like a magical key, or doorway.
It was great seeing you, too! (And please wish your husband a Happy Birthday for me, tomorrow.)

bolowolf said...

Congratulations on receiving the Black Wand and with your store! I hope things go very well with the store.

cinchntouch said...

You've come a long way baby! Congrats! I think I remember when you used to work there oh so many years ago - or another store names Dolphin something or another. Any plans to change the name?

shlomarosenberg said...

MAZEL TOV on your black wand(s)!!! From what I know of you, it seems to have been a formalization of something that has been inside you for at least as long as I've know you, and probably much longer! I am kvelling over this.
And also I think it's wonderful that you are taking over the store. We started in 1989 and are still going strong, so I think that's a lucky year for such things. May you have continued success and may all these movings forward bring you and your much nachas!
I'd love to speak to you guys soon, to check in and let you know about my little victories. I'm sure you're quite busy, but still maybe we can arrange a time.
All my love to you and Chas!

bellamagic said...

I look forwarding to reading more... and congratulations! May you be blessed with the strength and courage to fulfill the meaning of the wand you find within.

faerywolf said...

Thank you so much! :)

faerywolf said...

Thank you! I appreciate it muchly. :)

faerywolf said...

Thank you! And it really rocked. I hope it does move up there so you can see it. And I hope they make a movie. :)

faerywolf said...

Thank you! And it was great meeting you, too. Hopefully we can get more chances to hang out in the near future.

tempested_bird said...

Congratulations on the loan going through! I'm glad to hear it.
As I said to Chas, if you two ever need help with the store (even with moving, set up, etc.) I'm happy to help since I'm local.

satyresque said...

Congrats on your loan! Maybe after you've secured both old and new customers and are stable with the changes you plan to make you can have an event called Dolphin Dream Rebirth or something and give it a name both you & chas would like more. You can list in any advertisements when and if you did that it was previously called Dolphin Dream. Just take it all slowly as you planned and I imagine it would be just fine, I think. You guys will do great! I can't wait to see pics when you are all set up!

robingf said...

local pagan
merry met! have returned to the area glad to see things are still going in WC. To my surprise! Came back to start theatre company and continue the journey.
Glad you are still out there