Preview of my latest project

I have been toying with the idea of doing a poetry reading project for awhile now... and when Onyx asked me and several other Feri initiates to read Victor's poetry for the A Jewel for Cora project, I decided it was time to start getting busy. So here is a preview of my latest poetry project.

Black Heart Thrum (MP3)

Spiritual Bigotry

I've been seeing a strange trend lately... well, strange to me. Since acquiring the store a few months ago, we have heard a few times that people were concerned that the energy there would become "too dark" now that we have taken over. Now, in general the response has been overwhelmingly positive... but as for the negative responses, I can only assume it's because of our involvement in the Craft.

For example: A woman came in a couple months ago and said, (with a definite tone of sharp concern) "The store's not going to become more WICCAN is it???"

I let her know that, yes, it WAS going to become more Wiccan... and more Buddhist, and more Christian, and more Native American, and more Voodoo, and more Thelemic, and more everything else, to boot.

I am wondering how that would have gone over if she was concerned about the store becoming more Jewish, or more Buddhist, or more <fill-in-the-blank>? Certainly there seems to be a disconnect here. These people honestly believe that they are part of the open minded elite, and I'm sure would be shocked to learn that they are just as small-minded as those fundamentalists that they look down their noses at.

Anyway... I think it's a good thing, actually. Mamma always said if you weren't pissing somebody off then you weren't doing anything important. Our goal has been to change the clientèle of the place and I think it's happening organically. Even just the colors we have chosen to paint the place changes the vibe dramatically... and I'm sure will contribute to some feeling that the store has changed too much for them. That's fine. We know that change is good... and let's face it... the place had gotten so damned saccharine that I'm surprised no one ever went into a sugar-coma.  We've been working hard to ground the place. And I am finally really happy with how it is turning out.

So if you are one of those people who is out there reading my blog because you are concerned about how the store might change... that it might become "too dark" for you... then don't bother coming back in. The store is not for you anymore. We are more Pagan... more Santeria, more Hoodoo, more Islam... we are more Taoist, more Feng Shui, more everything. We are a bit more enlightened (and yes, a bit more endarkened!) now. And if that scares you well, good. We are a mirror. The demons that you see are your own.

Need help With Stellar Myths!

I was hoping that someone (or several someones) could help me with a little project I'm working on... as part of our remodel and restructure of the store, we have decided to rename the suites (what are currently used as reader or massage rooms) after constellations. I wanted each name to reflect what type of thing generally goes on there, so I was thinking that the main reader room could be named Delphinus (connecting it to the Dolphin; the mediator between Gods and mankind in Greek Mythology as well as connecting it to the Oracle at Delphi) and the main massage room Ophiuchus; after the celebrated healer... although I'd be open to something else here. I still need a name for another reader/massage/whatever room, as well as a name for our classroom. Also, a name for our office would be nice, too... but I'll take what I can get.

Does anyone have any star trivia bouncing around their heads? Anyone inclined to make any suggestions? Thanks in advance...

Next Feri Camp, Dates Announced!

crossposted to :

Feri Camp '08: Sex, Love, and Power
With Thorn Coyle, Storm Faerywolf, Michele Jackson, and Karina
June 26 - 29, 2008
New Hampshire

Join Feri students and practitioners for Summer Camp in New Hampshire this June as we explore the mysteries of Sex, Love and Power in the Feri Tradition. Cost of camp is $350 and includes all workshops, intensives, rituals, meals and lodging. There is a discount for tenters, but due to limited space this is on a first come, first served basis. This is a drug and alcohol free event. For more information and a registration form, please email chelidon@mythosphere.com. Space is limited to 40 and is filling fast!

Post-Pantheacon Thoughts

It's taken me a few days to sum up enough clarity to be able to chronicle my experiences at this year's Pantheacon. Things have been rather busy for me this month... a major business trip right before the con... getting sick right after returning... the con itself...  performing my first Feri initiation... and then getting sick all over again! I'm still pretty tired, but I wanted to make sure to at least jot down some bullet points of the major experiences that I had at the con:

• The Feri Ethics panel

Friday night we had a panel on magickal ethics as seen by various initiates from different lines of Feri. Panelists were  Morpheus Anima (heartssdesire), Michele Jackson (mrj15), Thorn Coyle (yezida), Deborah Oak, Valerie Voight, and myself.

Some of the issues that were addressed included the supposed amorality of Feri, and the difference of morality (an external code of conduct to be applied evenly to every situation) and actual ethics (an internal relationship that is forged over time that can change and adapt depending on the situation; which I believe encompasses the warrior ethic of our tradition.)

One of the major points that I expressed was that religion doesn't have ethics, but people do. Sometimes people become distressed that Feri does not hand out a pre-conceived set of ethical guidelines that everyone must follow, to which I drew inspiration from something that Kathy Griffen said about Madonna on her show My Life on the D-List; when talking about her involvement in Kaballah, Madonna recited a version of the Golden Rule, talking about how whatever you put out in the universe comes back to you which is why you should be kind to others... to which Kathy replied something to the effect of, "You shouldn't need a religion to teach you not to be an asshole."

Some very profound things were said by the participants on that panel. Morpheus talked about ethics in connection with the teachings of folkloric Faery teachings; most notably the lore of the three roads as revealed to Thomas the Rhymer. Deborah Oak talked about how in Reclaiming Feri, they incorporate the Three-Fold Law of Wicca (something that most Feri don't connect to, but it was nice to hear another perspective) and Thorn talked about the necessity of being in alignment. I also revealed that --while there are many differences in practices throughout the larger body of Feri-- that there does exist a central Feri ethic which is: Shut the fuck up and listen to your Godself! ;)

• Ascension Magick with Christopher Penczak (torcboy)

Christopher's class was pretty powerful for me. As many of you are aware, Chas and I bought a metaphysical supply store here in the Bay Area last November, currently named Dolphin Dream (end shameless plug!) I found Christopher's class to be very helpful in coming to terms with some of the concepts of the "New Age" movement, such as the "Ascended Masters" which he expertly compared to the witchcraft concept of "the Mighty Dead". This also included a discussion of "the Seven Rays" (which even after having worked in a New Age store for 10 years I still erroneously equated to the chakras) as well as a powerful meditation to connect with them. Very potent stuff and now I have to read his book!

• Feri Ritual: Catching the Promethean Spark

I am very pleased with how the ritual unfolded. It was definitely a powerful rite, and one that was designed to help each participant cultivate a personal relationship with that spark of divinity within us that is the gift of the Gods. It began with a storytelling by Medusa, who expressed the story of how the Nephilim came from the four directions to grant us the gifts of civilization and magick. From there I led a trance in which we connected to those gifts by invoking the sacred crossroads into our own centers, and then we danced that Promethean fire into a frenzy (led by Thorn, Anaar, and Morpheus with sacred bellydance) taking it inside ourselves so that we can then pass it on to others, making sure that these teachings are shared widely to assist in the spiritual evolution of the world. Once again it was a very powerful ritual, and I am already hearing stories of powerful transformation that has been happening as a direct result of it.

• Self-Possession and the I AM with Thorn Coyle (yezida)

A more recently talked about aspect of Feri witchcraft is the idea of self-possession. Thorn talked about this particular aspect of spiritual practice and led a powerful meditation of soul alignment involving voice work, from her upcoming book Kissing the Limitless. Very good stuff!

• The Guardians of the Feri Tradition

I was very pleased to offer my very first presentation at Pantheacon. In it I talked about my connection to these powerful beings, as well as passed some of the lore that I have received about them. Then we invoked them in order to have a personal relationship with them. I've had some good feedback about it and look forward to seeing how this work develops for some of the participants in the future.

• The Spiritual Birthright of Men-Who-Love-Men with Hyperion (revhyperion)

I was very pleased to have finally met Hyperion, whose work I have been aware of for awhile. He gave a wonderful talk and simple (yet powerful) ritual for connecting to the Ancestors of Men-Who-Love-Men in a framework of an ancestrally revealed practice that he calls the Unnamed Path. We descended into the Underworld in order to search for the ancestors --not of our specific bloodlines-- but instead those of our sexual family; the ancestors of Men-Who-Love-Men. When in communion with them several of us received messages from these ancestors and we shared them with the rest of the group. In general they seemed to want us to live our lives to the fullest, and I was touched by both their deep wisdom, and fierce compassion. It is definitely work that i would recommend that gay, bi, and queer men look into, and you can listen to Hyperion's podcasts on the subject by visiting his website.

I was also struck by his process of creating sacred space, which is not "casting a circle" (which tends to be a type of container or barrier) but is instead "Raising the Great Crossroads" which is practically identical to what I was taught in my Feri training (without it being called that). (In a nutshell, I was trained to orient myself to the six external directions, taking their powers and gifts inside me to find my own center, the 7th direction.) Chas and I have been talking about and working with this recently as a ritual alternative (or at times a "supplement") to casting the circle, as the Crossroads construct is more about connection and orientation to the various worlds in which we walk as witches and warlocks. It was striking to hear how similar Hyperion's practice was to our own and I am looking forward to connecting more with him and his work in the future.

• The GLBT Hospitality Suite

Another high point was the GLBT suite in which the promo video for this year's Between the Worlds was unveiled. I am both proud and humbled to have been chosen to be the keynote speaker there this year and was happy to meet this year's musical guest, Mac Apodaca of Sevenrepeat. He was a sweetheart and I'm looking forward to seeing (and hearing) him at the retreat.

The GLBT Suite was a welcomed safe-space and retreat from the intensity of the con... a nice place where we could all just hang out... get a drink (or a few)... and maybe kiss some hot men. I found myself there every night of the con and only got slightly scandalous. ;)

• And last but not least, Shopping!

I found some really incredible finds this year. It was extra fun because I was not only searching for pretties for myself, but also for our store. I found some great jewelry, some great clothing, and these really wonderfully carved wooden staffs. I purchased a large one that is carved in the form of a ram's head, and Chas got a smaller one carved like his raven totem. We also got some fine handcrafted leather masks and bracelets and are looking forward to being able to purchase some for our store.

There were also some things that I wanted to go to but couldn't: Morpheus' talk on the Three Souls (which happened right as we needed to check-out of the hotel!) and Valerie Walker's (veedub) class on the Iron pentacle, which coincidentally was at the only time that I could meet with my own students for some much-needed face-to-face time. I heard that it was great, though.

All in all it was a great experience. It was the first time that I have been able to be there for the whole time, and with Chas, no less! We both had a great time hanging out together, and we celebrated an early 15th anniversary there (which was lucky, since on our actual anniversary we were both sick!)

I was very happy to see some old friends, and to make some new ones. It is certainly an experience that i would recommend to everyone who is interested in Pagan spirituality, as there are so many different types of people and presentations there that there is certainly something for everyone. I already can't wait for next year.

But for now I am tired and am going to bed... for all of those whom I saw at the con (and probably didn't have near as much time to hang out with as I would have liked): I miss you already.

Initiation Announcement

I am pleased to announce that last night, in the presence of the Old Ones and blessed by the auspice of a blood red moon, my apprentice, Puck D. Coyote (puckdecoyote), was brought into the inner circle of the Feri. He has studied with me for several years and I am proud to now call him a Feri initiate, priest, and brother.

Welcome to the wild dance, Puck. I know that you will make us all proud.

Coyote howling at the moon
A primal song that stirs the blood
Sacred laughter is thy gift;
To let it flow forth as a flood.

At the crossroads stand you now
Dancing wild with inner flame
The bluest rose above your head
Nourished by Her Secret Name.

Between the Worlds we dance and sing
The faery ring is now complete
Together now beneath the mound
Drumming to the Black Heart's beat.

Schedule Updates

I just updated my teaching schedule with three four six new events for the coming year:

Beginning with events I will be participating in at Pantheacon 2008 (San Jose, CA): Magical Ethics: Feri Tradition Perspectives with various Feri initiates Friday, Feb. 15 9pm Location: Pantheacon: San Juan Room A panel discussion on ethics in the Craft as understood and practiced by witches of the Feri Tradition. A discussion on the meaning of honor; warrior spirituality; ethics in practice; the Middle Road to Faery; Kala practice; healing and hexing, and more. Ritual: Catching the Promethean Spark with Feri Priests — Doors Closed at Start Sunday, Feb. 17 7pm Location: Pantheacon: Fir Room In this devotional Feri rite our intention is to catch the Promethean Fire of Creation and then pass it on. We will hear the lore of the gifts brought to us, dancing and singing in celebration of our inheritance and great promise. It is our hope that this ritual will spark the fire within us all, opening us to pass that spark to all that we touch and all that we do. The Guardians of the Feri Tradition with Storm Faerywolf — Doors Closed at Start Monday, Feb. 18 9am Location: Pantheacon: Pine Room An important aspect of various forms of witchcraft is working with discarnate beings. In the Feri tradition we work with many, but those known as the Watchers or Guardians are perhaps among the most important in terms of their impact on our personal evolution. We will discuss these ancient and mighty beings and then perceive them directly through invocation and simple ritual. And now on to my regular schedule: The Elements of Witchcraft Fridays in May 2008 (2, 9, 16, 23, and 30) 7-9pm Location: Dolphin Dream, Walnut Creek, CA $25/class, or $100 in advance for entire course The powers that witches call upon are anything but supernatural. Through training we can learn to see beyond the limits of everyday reality, and begin to weave our own threads into the Pattern; to make magick. In this five week course we will open ourselves in trance and experience the five elemental powers of the magickal arts: Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Spirit, and discover how this ancient model can connect us to the land on which we live, and also to the deepest levels of ourselves. We will experience each of the elements in turn and see how they unfold in our lives, bringing us closer to balance, strength, and alignment to our power. Feri Camp: Sex, Love and Power New Hampshire with T. Thorn Coyle, Storm Faerywolf, Michele Jackson, and Karina June 2008 Details Forthcoming Between the Worlds: An Alternative Spiritual Gathering for Gay & Bi Men Sept 9-14, 2008 In scenic Southeastern Ohio Registration begins Mar 01, 2008 Registration ends Aug 17, 2008 Keynote Speaker: Storm Faerywolf Musical Guest: Mac Apodaca of Sevenrepeat

As more details are finalized I will post more here.

Mindless Memeage

Shamelessly stolen from my buddy lonespiritwolf2:

Rules

1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.

2. www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

3. www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.


Ring of Darkness
"No Guarantee of Maturity"

Album cover image edited by haphazzard

Too funny...

This came my way on a list today...

What's in a Name?

What Storm Means

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Living the Dream...

Well, it's been quite awhile since I have posted. We've been working hard over at the shop to "re-paganize" the place, as well as simply bring it back up to what we consider to be a higher standard. We immediately increased the witchcraft section to over three times its previous size and have been busily stocking athames, statues, and ritual tools. We've also been working hard to give the place a make-over, which it was sadly in need of. (The major stuff, like carpet and paint) will come later, but for now we have contented ourselves with re-arranging some of the current fixtures, and doing general decor and cleaning.)

It's been quite an experience. We've worked many, many hours, and are pretty happy with what we have done so far. But there is still so much more coming! Our plans include carrying more herbs, oils, and incense, as well as increasing the book and music selections. The store is certainly more full than it has been in years, so those of you in the bay area are invited to stop by and take a look at what we've done so far. Those of you who are interested in crystals and gemstones will be happy to find a wide range of selection which will only grow after we visit the Tucson International Gemshow this coming February.

And our class selection will change. I will be offering some classes in the future and am in negotiations with some other teachers (both Feri and non) to do events there as well. Offerings include Chi Gong, Sacred Dance, Working with Crystals, Meditation, Yoga, Tarot, Astrology, Witchcraft, and much, much more.

So please visit us. Drop by and say hello!

Dolphin Dream
1437 N Broadway
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-933-2342

We have extended our hours for this month for the holidays. M-F, 10am-9pm, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm. (We will close on Monday, Dec. 24 at 6pm)

Chas and I hope to see some of you there soon!

Combat Card Meme

OK... just 'cause everyone else is doing it (and I don't wanna get left out of all the fun!!)  ;)

COMBAT CARDS 2.1

to fight faerywolf enter your username below

CREATE YOUR CARD

Worship the KoK!

This is the funniest thing I've seen all week. Look what came to our PO Box today:


(click image for larger view)

**EDIT: Yes... this is real. It is a church in Pittsburg, CA, not far from where I live.

Oh, the memeage!

And here is another meme! Comment on this post. I will choose seven userpics from your profile and you will explain what they mean and why you are using them. Post this along with your answers in your own journal so others can play along.

I responded to grey_twolf and he asked me to explain the following icons:

 Peacocks: This is from one of my pieces, "The Love of Gods and Men". Drawing form imagery from the Feri tradition, it's about same-sex male love, and pride... things that I'm totally into. ;) I tend to use it when I am talking about something sexy, compassionate, or dealing with my relationships.


 Bluegod: Again with the Feri! The BlueGod is the spirit of eroticism, as well as spiritual enlightenment. As a priest of the BlueGod I tend to scatter his images about me wherever I go. Again, I use this when speaking of things sensual, or spiritually erotic.


 Bloodrose: This is a tip-of-the-hat to that lineage of the Feri tradition in which I was originally trained and initiated. The rose is the Western equivalent of the Lotus, signifying enlightenment, and the continuous unfolding of awareness. The five petals are reminiscent of an inverted pentacle, representing spiritual energies mediated down to the physical. The oroborus surrounds it all, signifying the ever-presence of the Goddess. I usually use this when talking about Feri, especially things specific to my original lineage.


 BlackHeart: In the Feri tradition (are we seeing a theme here?) the term The Black Heart of Innocence  is used to poetically refer to the natural state of the soul, unfettered by outside social restrictions. I use this in Feri posts, especially those centered around freedom, or just when I want to draw particular attention to the post, since it is animated. ;)


 Wonder Woman - Bracelets: She was my original Goddess figure. A spirit of truth, compassion, and non-patriarchal power, I use this when speaking of woman's rights, spirituality in pop-culture, or just when I'm feeling sassy. ;)


 Melek Ta'us: The Peacock Angel, a representation of the Blue God as described in Middle Eastern myth. This particular image I based on Paul B. Rucker's piece of the same name. Again, I use this primarily for Feri related posts.


 Bluerose: A reworking of Bloodrose (see above) and used to represent posts that have to do with my unique lineage of Feri also called Bluerose. In various myths, the blue rose is a symbol of that which is just beyond our reach... a spiritual goal that exists not in the physical, but perhaps in the otherworld. It feels very Faery to me.

News that should have come on Coming Out Day...

I'm sure I can't be the first to post this, but...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071020/ap_on_en_ot/books_harry_potter

I'm in ur Hogwartz...

...teaching ur children tolerance.

[Sex Filter] 1st Post

Awhile back I announced that I was going to start a sex filter in which I would talk about... well... sex, really. Specifically the sex that either I'm having... or want to be having.

And then I did nothing with it.

Well, I decided that needs to change. My intention is to make this filter unsafe for work (!), so anything of that nature will be behind a cut... so if you DO NOT want to be on this filter, then send me a note to storm@faerywolf.com and let me know and I'll take you off right away.

This is heavily filtered.

This post begins at BTW last month. While there I met someone and fell madly in love. What a minute, you ask... isn't this about sex? Yes... we're getting to that. But first... background...

I was attracted to him immediately but since every time I saw him he was busy I kept my flirting to a minimum and then went on my way. Truth be told there were a few others at the event that I also found attractive (some distractingly so!) and since no one really acted on anything I chalked it all up to friendly flirtation but, sadly, that no one was interested and I would just have to put up with people telling me that they loved my writing and my art but that I would get no play. It's all good.

Oh, I'll admit it... I was rather hopeful that being out in the woods with 90 gay pagan men that I might get some sacred sex out of the deal, but I certainly wasn't expecting it. Or at least I tried not to. When it became apparent to me that either people weren't interested, or (as I was told by a couple folks) that those who were interested were actually intimidated by me because of my perceived status as a public witchcraft teacher (I suffer from the big fish/small pond syndrome, apparently) I just decided to relax and put it all behind me... have a few too many glasses of good wine... and enjoy the ride.

Friday night there was a ritual dance... Komos, in which Dionysus was invoked and the spirit of orgiastic revelry ensued. Wearing my finest leather pants, I enjoyed sights of cute boys in jockstraps, and hunky guys wearing everything else from Renaissance wear, to leather fetish gear. Needless to say, it was my type of party.

Then I saw him. Behind the counter looking my way. We made eye contact, smiled, and I made a beeline for him. Now believe it or not, I'm usually shy when it comes to this sort of thing. If I like someone, then I'm usually much more on the quiet side. Unless I have my "way in". I had been casually flirting with him for a few days, and I guess that (and the couple glasses of mead I had downed just minutes earlier) did the trick because within a few minutes he and I were making out, hot and heavy, and I was in bliss. Each timer I came up from air I was legitimately surprised to find that there were other people in the room... as the whole world fell away with every kiss. I knew that this was much more than just a sexual attraction for me, but I didn't think about it because I was 2000 miles away from home... in a magickal space... charged with erotic energy... and so how could I expect that whatever connection I thought I was feeling be returned?

I was a bit sluttier than I would probably like to admit at that party, but I have it on good authority that I was not alone. I was told that blowjobs were being traded amongst the crowd, but I honestly never saw any of that (dammit!) because I was too far engaged in my own sexual fantasy come true, in which I was taken behind the counter where we continued making out... just a little heavier that we had done in full view of everyone. My head swimming with alcohol, and sexual frenzy, he and I made our way to his camp, where we proceeded to take things to the next level.

This is where the story really begins, at least in terms of a sex filter. He was am amazing kisser... I mean incredible. And looking into his eyes was an experience in transcendence all in itself. But naked, pressed against him, I found myself in a space that was at once primal, spiritually engaged, and heart-centered; a state that I honestly can't recall ever having experienced before. That night it has started to rain a bit, and while we panted and writhed together I recall flashes of lightning exploding overhead... it was as if nature were making love with us.

Whatever shields I might normally have up during a first encounter were not there. I felt my heart pouring into his, and vice versa... which really just made the sex all the hotter. I don't know how long we spent there... touching each other's bodies... tasting each other's skin... though it was cold (he didn't have a tent but one of those Element truck things... the back with a hard cover but open at the end) and the breeze would wash over us from time to time, we were covered in sweat. Eventually we were covered in each other's seed, as well... and usually this is the time in which I say, "shower time, honey!" this time it just felt so good to draw him close to me, our slick skin pressed together, and spend untold time kissing him and praising the Gods who brought him to me. Holding each other we fell asleep, and the first thing we saw in the morning was each other... smiling those goofy grins that you have when you have just fallen in love, and all is right in the world because of it.

For the next couple of days we managed to spend as much time together as possible, some of it clothed, thankfully some of it not. And I was glad to find that the incredible sex of our first night together was not a fluke... no blurring of perception because of alcohol... no trick of the light... each time a celebration of primal love, culminated in the merging of not only our bodies, but of our hearts and our spirits. Probably sounding a bit cliché, but there ya go.

When we left each other, saying our tearful goodbyes, we admitted to each other that we were not good at the regular communication thing. So we agreed to keep in "irregular communication" with each other. So far that has meant a message or an often lengthy call every day. I had no intention of starting up a long distance relationship. (I usually think that they are rather absurd)... but then again maybe I am absurd, so maybe that makes it all OK. He's moving from Ohio to Missouri in a week or so (13 hours closer to the West coast, as he put it) and he's coming out to stay with me for a week next month. I'm excited about him getting to meet Chas, since that's a necessity in my book. And then we'll take it form there. Both of us are definitely sprung on each other. My 14 years experience with polyamory has taught me that all loves are different... but I was not prepared for this one. He engages me on every level that I can think of... we are alike in many ways... and different enough to make sure that it will not likely get stale any time soon. I feel very blessed to have so much love in my life... and very fortunate that some of the hottest sex I have ever had in my life has decided to come along with it. I love my life...

In other news someone at BTW mentioned to me that a Prince Albert piercing never completely closes up... so I tested it out today and learned that's true! I took my jewelry out 4 1/2 years ago and was missing it lately... today I am happy to report that there is now a nice (if small) circular barbell through the end of my cock. Yay!

OK... so yeah this had sex stuff in it, but i guess it was more about relationships, and stuff. I promise next time I'll talk about something more dirty. Any ideas? ;)

Feri Camp Retrospect

I'm back from Feri Death Camp, and while it was a wonderful experience it almost killed me.

Well, sorta.

My first day there I tripped and twisted my ankle. It was very painful and it swelled up for a couple of days. I spent a lot of time hobbling around and being offered various pain killing concoctions, some of which in hindsight I should have taken, if nothing else but for their street value. ;)

The second full day there I started to get sick. This is in all likelihood because of the mold that was present in one of the rooms in the building that was set aside for the teachers. We decided that we couldn't sleep there, and so closed the door (which you had to walk past to get to the other rooms) and decided to use the other two for the four of us. anaar and I ended up sharing a bed which we decided would be the foundation for a good series of rumors about my sexuality. The second morning there I had completely (and I mean *completely*) lost my voice... barely a whisper could escape my lips. After making Kala my voice returned (if only to a frog-like state) and at least I was able to do my work. I had been stressing about it before then, musing that my voice was the only tool I had to offer; so I guess the Goddess decided to teach me a lesson, and one that I think I learned in full. The classes and meditations that I offered were well received and my voice was certainly nothing like what it normally is, teaching me that I have more than just that tool at my disposal.

My morning path was well attended, far more so than I was prepared for so I had to make some last minute adjustments to the final morning's ritual. But it all worked out. My path was about working with the spirits of the dead. Specifically about connecting to their realm, and then helping them cross over, the final class of which was more of a ritual involving Malek Ta'us and the Middle Eastern myth of how he extinguished the fires of Hell. We journeyed first into our personal hell (as put forward by my husband Chas' article for Witch Eye) and then we descended into the underworld dimension of Hell to help trapped souls cross over from that place. It was heavy work and there were more than a few tears shed, including my own.

The Saturday night ritual really affected me deeply. The only plan was that Karina would do a possession with Ana, and I would be possessed by the Arddu. While possessed, I/Arddu would walk the circle looking at the ritual participants and I got the distinct impression that he was examining them... looking closely not at their bodies, but at their energy fields. Some were taken from the circle and brought before Ana, presumably to hear her counsel. Others the Arddu spoke to directly, mostly about darkness and fear, of which he said were his food, inviting the participants to release it into him so that he was "fed". During all of this he/I began to dance, although I couldn't for the life of me tell you exactly what it was like. I felt exaggerated movements and various degrees of energy, which culminated in him addressing the entire circle, inviting them to release their fears into him. I remember seeing and feeling dark, smoke-like tendrils of power emanating from the participants and into my body (at which point the part of me that was still me uneasily trusted that the Arddu knew what he was doing with all of that power). We then moved over to Ana, who lifted her veil and received all that power into her, first with a breath and then sealed with a kiss. (Which I'm sure will elicit even more speculation about my sexuality!) I then collapsed at her feet, and I think she then addressed the circle. We then moved outward while she spoke and eventually moved into a dance in which the participants were asked to "dance the dance of their own death". Part spiral dance, part ecstatic madness, I remember being in the center of the circle, underneath the black veil and dancing clockwise, looking outward to see the firelight broken by shadowy figures moving counter-clockwise around us. This eventually morphed into a foot stomping, high energy dance that merged into a cone of power which I assume was the moment in which all that pain and fear was released and transformed. I don't know, actually. I was only the co-pilot, and for the most part I was simply relaxing, my feet up on the dashboard,  just letting the Arddu do his thing. I have only done possession with him a few times before, and this was definitely the strongest that I have experienced. It was one of those times that either tells you that magic is real, or that you are quite insane. Or both. Yes... probably both.

Michele (mrj15) hosted the ancestor ritual on Sunday night, which was amazing. While she has a casual style, she really has a command of the room. We called the ancestors to come and join with us and my grandmother came to visit, as did Victor. I thought it might sound a bit cheesy, but I introduced them and my grandmother was very fascinated with whatever Victor was saying. (I later heard that Karina (loveandpower) had a similar experience, so it sort of validated it a bit for me.)

As Michele already reported, she and I upheld the tradition began at the last Feri Camp by staying up all night the final night. We laughed so hard we nearly choked. And we had some intense conversations... about Feri... politics... the world. When we started on Britney and Anna Nicole we knew we had gone to far. It was fun... but also a bit of a horrorshow. ;)

I met so many wonderful and caring witches at this camp, both student's and Initiates. Karina's students were powerful, intelligent, and responsible, definitely a credit to the Craft.

In retrospect, I see that everything was as it should be. My injury and my illness were lessons in my own power, but also in how my ego steps in the way of my work (i.e. My ego was bruised because, dammit, I'm supposed to be a powerful teacher and how can I embody that power when I'm hobbled and froggy?) Definitely Kala fodder. It was a good lesson for me.

In other news, I decided on a name for my particular line of Feri: BlueRose. It's both a tip of the hat to my Bloodrose-derived origins, while moving outward into the realm of my own trance experiences, in which I have seen the blue rose as my own Holy Daemon (God Self). The blue rose is the ever unfolding mystery; the holy grail which we strive ever toward, but is just out of reach. It feels very faery to me.

So I'm home now... rested... but still exhausted because I am sick. Happy to be home, but also hopeful that I will get to see everyone again soon. Point me in the direction of the next camp!

In case you missed it...

I just love her so much. I think I want Chas to make me a T-Shirt of this.

Seasons Change

Another aspect of BTW for me was bringing things up to the surface which had not been properly addressed.

It's funny, 'cause when you do the kind of work that I do it's easy to get lulled into a sense that you have already worked on all your stuff. Oh sure, I do my cleansing and my introspective work, but sometimes what you really need is a change of scenery to put it all into perspective. And if that scenery is a magically charged space, well... then expect the unexpected.

Those of you who know me socially, as well as those whom I met and saw at BTW, are probably familiar with the fact that I have been seeing/dating Philip (southernpm) (aka "the weekend boyfriend") for some time now. In fact, some of you might be more accustomed to seeing me with him than with my husband Chas (carnivalia) since the two of us rarely leave the house together due to his mother's care needs. Long story short, as Philip and I stepped into the space of BTW it really started to put a magnifying lens on those issues that we needed to look at, the result of which is that we have decided that we make much better friends than we do lovers.

While there is some level of sadness at losing (at least the idea of having) something more, I am really happy to be making the conscious transition into what feels like a much better place for us all. In terms of break-ups, it's one of the very best I've encountered, which is a testament to each of our commitments to honesty, communication, and above all compassion. I'm looking forward to exploring what it means to be his friend, without any of the pressure that had inadvertently built up over our time together. I think we'll make great friends. How do I know this? Because we already are.

I have some other thoughts about some things that occurred for me at BTW that I will likely post more privately soon, but for now I am happy to report that I made some really good connections there that I am truly grateful for.

More later.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy! (and appropriate meditational movements)

Happy Birthday to yezida!!! I hope it's a great one! We need to plan a trip to Death Guild so I can buy you a birthday drink!

Goodbye Esmeralda...

Alice Ghostley died yesterday. You may remember her from her character of "Esmeralda" on the TV show Bewitched.



I have such a soft-spot for the cast of that show, as they were my first exposure to witchcraft and were directly responsible for me pursuing that path. (When I was two years old I told my mother that I was going to be a witch, and I doubt that it had much to do with the Horned God and the Goddess of the moon at that age!)

Good bye, Alice! You will be missed!

Feri Camp Extended Deadline!

Crossposted to

Good news!  The registration deadline for the upcoming Massachusetts Feri Camp has been extended to September 28th! So if you still want to go, but were worried you couldn't register in time, now is your chance!

New England Feri Intensive
Exploring the Mysteries of Poetry, Madness & Death
With Anaar, Storm Faerywolf, Michele Jackson and Karina
October 4 - 8, 2007
Camp Nawaka, East Otis, MA

Join Feri students, practitioners, initiates and four teachers from distinct lines in the Berkshire Mountains of New England for four nights and five days of intensive classes, ritual, community and magic. We will open to the darker mysteries of Feri Tradition focusing intently on the Mighty Dead, Hoodoo, Psychic Opening and Protection, Danger & Delight, Bardic Circle, the Dark Deities and the turning of the Year Wheel. The Intensive will engage the Whole Self, using a variety of methods including song, poetry, guided meditation, dance, crafts and more.

Please visit http://www.blackheartferi.com/feriintensive.html for more information!

Memeage, it's the word!

I have mucho new people on my friend's list! Yay! But for friends new and old, in an effort to get to know you a bit better... why not take time out from your job and waste precious company time by mis-using their internet resources? C'mon... you know you want to.

Stolen shamelessly from queerpaganquill:

Answer in the comments, all comments will be screened.

1. Do you have a tattoo?
2. How old are you?
3. Are you single or taken?
4. Fish?
5. Do you dream in color?
6. Ever seen a corpse?
7. How about them hipsters?
8. How did we meet?
9. What's your philosophy on life and death?
10. If you could do anything with me, and have no one know, what would it be?
11. Do you trust the police?
12. Do you like musicals?
13. What is your fondest memory of me?
14. If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?
15. Would you cheat?
16. What are you wearing?
17. Have you ever peed in a pool?
18. Would you hide evidence for me if I asked you to?
19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
20. Which do you prefer - short or long hair?
21. What's your favorite day of the week?
22. What's your favorite color?
23. If you could bring back anyone that has passed, who would it be?
24. Tell me one interesting/odd fact about you?
25. What was your first impression of me?
26. Have you ever done drugs?
27. If we were locked in an elevator together, what would you want to discuss?
28. What is your favorite meal to have when you're on date?
29. If there is any habit you have that you could change - what is it?

Happy Birthday!!!

It's time for us all to celebrate that glorious day when the world was gifted with lonespiritwolf2.

Happy Birthday, baby... I'm so glad I got to see you recently. I love you. :)

Back from Between the Worlds...

I arrived home safe and sound early Monday morning from my week of camping at Between the Worlds in Ohio. I'm still adjusting to "the real world" (whatever that means) but I wanted to take a moment to chronicle my feelings and experiences at the event.

I originally had some feelings of trepidation surrounding my attendance at the event. My experience with large groups of gay men (there were about 90 in attendance) have not exactly been all that kind; usually centered in places of addiction (i.e. bars) or basically focused on inflating some already over-inflated egos to the extent of coldness and cruelty to others. Perhaps I'm naive,  but I'm one of those people that feels that people should actually be nice to each other. Or, as carnivalia once put it, "You're one of those who actually believe what they taught you on Sesame Street, aren't you?"

My stress soon melted away as I arrived at the land: 625 acres of reclaimed land that as recent as 20 years ago had been decimated by strip mining. Today it is beautiful; paths and trees, and meadows... simply gorgeous, and a symbol of hope in a world that continues to exploit and destroy our natural places.

Whatever feelings of social anxiety I still had were alleviated as I met the individuals involved in the event; so caring and genuine. They put me at ease with their compassion, their laughter, and their fierce commitment to building a healthy intentional community. Never before have I experienced such a sense of profound love and acceptance, so much so that I was, at times, overwhelmed. My only other experiences with Pagan retreats have been the two Feri Camps that I have taught at, and one Feri Initiates gathering and while I found them all to be very powerful, transformative, and full of connection, it was BTW that spoke most directly to my heart and soul.  I have felt that certain individuals in the Feri community have been my "family". At this little temporary mystical village in Ohio, I felt a profound sense of familiarity even though I had not met most of them before; as if I were truly "coming home" to a family that I had not even known that I had forgotten.

One lesson that I learned was just how much of my power leaks away by living in a straight society. When I go to the grocery store, or walk down the street, I do not feel comfortable showing any level of affection for my husband or lovers unless I am in a queer specific place or a private setting amongst friends. It's an issue of safety, as I have been in situations in which I have been attacked and threatened for my sexuality. Until I got to BTW I had no idea how much of my attention and power is devoted to not showing public affection or being too "animated". It was an important lesson for me to experience, and I am working on incorporating this insight into my current practice.

There were a lot of inspirational experiences at this event. Between the workshops, rituals, intense conversations, and even a surprise heart-connection that swept me off my feet, I feel invigorated to take my practice in a new direction. Certainly one of the very first things I will be doing is returning to the book I have been writing about Witchcraft for Gay men.

I had an opportunity to teach a workshop ("The Amethyst Pentacle") which ended-up beginning with a little introduction to the Feri tradition. I received some good feedback and am honored and touched that so many people seemed to have gotten something positive out of it. The rest of the time I was simply attending other's workshops and basically "smoozing" which allowed me to meet and get to know some amazing people.

I had an opportunity to hang out with Christopher Penczak (torcboy) and his husband Steve Kenson (xomec). They are both really down-to-earth and talented people. (And very geekish, which of course is sexy to me.)  ;)

I also got to meet Doug and Joe from Otherworld Apothecary. They are both initiates in a branch of pre-Wiccan traditional witchcraft, and are ecologists to boot. I took their class on Land Based Craft which really opened up some stuff for me (and truth be told, kinda scared me a little, which to those of you who really know me will know that I then found it potent and cool!) I found their overall approach to be "very Feri" in places, or at least in what I was taught (as opposed to a lot of the public Feri stuff which has incorporated elements of Wicca and Ceremonial magick.) If you get a chance, go to their website. They not only have the finest quality traditional magical oil and herbal blends that I have found, but their bottles and labels are both beautiful and exquisite. Chas and I will be carrying as much of their products as we can after we take over Dolphin Dream in November.

The musical guest was Jeffrey Altergott, and if you are not familiar with his work then you owe it to yourself to check him out. His presence was soft, warm, and his talent is considerable. I didn't get much of a chance to speak with him, but I am hoping to remedy that next year. And I just saw that he friended me here on LiveJournal! Yay!

The keynote speaker was Sparky T. Rabbit. This was of particular importance to me, as it was his work with the Pagan band Lunacy that really paved the way for me to embrace a Queer Pagan path back when I was just a witchling. I made the point of letting him know, since I think it's very important to honor our elders, as they have provided the foundation for us to live and practice as we do.

There were so many more that made this event such a magical one and I would be hard-pressed to mention them all. Many thanks to lonespiritwolf2 and to technocowboy who have been trying to get me to this event for the past several years. I will indeed be going back and am already making my list of what offerings I'd like to present.

Now, I am getting ready for the next . I leave in two weeks for Massachusetts. I'm really looking forward to it. I even have a few new techniques to incorporate into my offerings there. It is promising to be a powerful event.

The next 500 days...

I love this man:

Too funny...

Maybe this is what happened to Larry Craig!

Clowns KKKick KKK ass!

Many thanks to dietrich for telling me about this:

Clowns Non-violently Disrupt KKK Rally in Knoxville

It's all about me! :)

Who else is love? pseudomonas me scripsit anno 2005

Oh my gay stars!

So with all the media bruhaha that has been going on lately concerning the Larry Craig scandal, one might have missed out a similar incident involving another anti-gay lawmaker, this time in Florida.

On July 11, Rep. Bob Allen (official website) was arrested in a restroom at a park in Titusville, Florida after soliciting an undercover male officer and offering to pay him $20 for oral sex. The thing that strikes me is not so much that we have yet another example of a conservative lawmaker who has made it a habit of attacking our people while engaging in secret homosexual activity (I mean, it's par for the course now for these conservative bastards, right?) but that the entire public should have seen this one coming. I mean, just take a look at his website and look under 'Recreational Interest'.

Hmmm... me thinks this one was not well thought out.

Good luck on your trial, Bob! Let's hope there'e not any restrooms on the way to the courthouse!

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.

Wowzers...

From MoveOn.org:

Feri Camp: Mysteries of Poetry, Madness & Death

Crossposted to :

There are still spaces available for October's Feri Camp! Hurry! The window for discounted early registration is quickly running out!

Exploring the Mysteries of Poetry, Madness & Death
With Anaar, Storm Faerywolf, Michele and Karina

October 4 - 8, 2007
Camp Nawaka, East Otis, MA

Join Feri students, practitioners, initiates and four teachers from distinct lines in the Berkshire Mountains of New England for four nights and five days of intensive classes, ritual, community and magic. We will open to the darker mysteries of Feri Tradition focusing intently on the Mighty Dead, Hoodoo, Psychic Opening and Protection, Danger & Delight, Bardic Circle, the Dark Deities and the turning of the Year Wheel. The Intensive will engage the Whole Self, using a variety of methods including song, poetry, guided meditation, dance, crafts and more.

Registration
$300 before August 17, 2007 (hurry... time's running out!)
$315 until September 20th (Final deadline)

Main offerings include:

• The Death Mask with Anaar
• Walking the Bone Road: Necromancy in the Feri Tradition with Storm
• Word Magic and Poetic Madness with Karina
• Ancestor Collage with Michele
• Dia de los Muertos: Sugar Skulls with Anaar
• The Arddu: Trance Journey with the Lord of Death with Storm
• Danger & Delight: Power and Vulnerability in Feri Tradition with Karina
• Ancestor Govi with Anaar & Michele
• Foundations of Feri: Kala/Cleansing and The Iron Pentacle with Storm
• Setting a Spell with Karina
• Bone Mother: Journeys with Ana with Karina
• Tea-time with the Dead: Talkingboards and Spirit Communication with Storm
• The Mighty Dead with Anaar
• Hoodoo Graveyard Work with Michele
• Dispelling a Curse: Ancient and Modern Rites of Cleansing and Protection with Storm
• Evil Eye with Anaar
• Breath, Heart and Devotion with Karina

We will also have several events with everyone together, including:

Panel Discussion/Q & A
Bardic Circle. Bring your songs, stories and poetry!
Danse Macabre: A Ritual Masquerade
Ritual of the Mighty Dead Please bring 4.25" x 5.5" photocopied images of your Beloved Dead (these may or may not be your Blood Ancestors)

For more information and for registration, CLICK HERE

New England Feri Intensive

New England Feri Intensive:
Exploring the Mysteries of Poetry, Madness & Death
October 4-8, 2007
Camp Nawaka, East Otis, MA
With Anaar, Michele, Storm Faerywolf and Karina

Join Feri students, practitioners, initiates and four teachers from distinct lines in the Berkshire Mountains of New England for four nights and five days of intensive classes, ritual, community and magic. We will open to the darker mysteries of Feri Tradition focusing intently on the Mighty Dead, Hoodoo, Psychic Opening and Protection, Danger & Delight, Bardic Circle, the Dark Deities and the turning of the Year Wheel. The Intensive will engage the Whole Self, using a variety of methods including song, poetry, guided meditation, dance, crafts and more.

Registration

• $300 before August 17, 2007.
• $315 until September 20th (Deadline).
• Includes all workshops, meals and lodging.

Work-study/financial assistance may be available, dependent upon the generous contributions of registrants and other members of the Feri community.

For more information, please click here.

Join the New England Feri Intensive On-line Community

Stopping Hate Crimes...

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/fighthate_video

Quiz

What color is your soul painted? Grey Your soul is painted the color grey, which embodies the characteristics of elegance, humility, respect, reverence, stability, subtlety, wisdom, strong emotions, balance, and cancellation. Grey falls under the element of Water, and symbolizes the moon, tide, ebb and flow. Click Here to Take This Quiz

Quizzes and Personality Tests

Happy Birthday Greetings...

Happy 792nd Birthday to Habeas Corpus!

Though you've been missing since October... I wish you well, wherever you are!

I'm in an art show!

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Black Heart Poem

I've been busily writing down all these exercises that have been dancing around in my brain for years now, as I am finally getting to a place with some of my students where I need to have them written down.

This is a portion of a Black Heart invocatory exercise that I recently wrote. Enjoy, or be reviled. Your choice. ;)

Black Heart Thrum
©2007 Storm Faerywolf

Black Heart
Primal Drum
Child’s song
Feral thrum
Passion’s kiss
Shining light
Wild bliss
Starlit night
Serpent’s skin
Second sight
Dark abyss
Shining bright
Black Heart
Pulsing free
Innocent!
Ecstasy!

New England Feri Camp

I am happy to announce that I will be participating in the following event:

Feri Intensive Camp
Exploring the Mysteries
of Poetry, Madness & Death
With Anaar, Storm Faerywolf, Michele and Karina

 

October 4 - 8, 2007
Camp Nawaka, East Otis, MA

Early Registration (before August 15) $300 per person
Late Registration (after August 15) $315 per person

Registration includes Intensive, Lodging and Meals.
Must be received via internet or mail no later than midnight September 19, 2007. No exceptions.

More information and registration available here (51K PDF).

We also created a LiveJournal Community for the Camp, , along with a MySpace Profile

A Circle Casting

I've recently been working on an alternative to the Bloodrose Feri circle that I was taught and so decided to incorporate this poem that I originally wrote back in 1998.  One of the verses borrows heavily (like three out of the four lines!) from a poem by Doreen Valiente, but it was just so perfect I couldn't help it. I have been revising this casting ever since I first wrote it, and just this past week added a new verse (so now there's seven... I love sevens), changed a couple of lines, and reordered it. Chas recently posted a previous version in his LJ when posting about the faery hounds. In the circle script I will pass on it is listed as an alternative to the (somewhat altered) Bloodrosian version that I received, and has a list of "stage directions" including different energetic instructions/visualizations for the participants to perform at different parts, but here is just the poetic invocation for your amusement. 

Invocation of the Circle
©1998-2007 Storm Faerywolf

By Forest dark and standing stone,
By rushing wind and life's first breath,
By flame that burns the flesh to bone,
By ancient sea, the land of death...

By the Mother and Her Son
Is the circle made and done
Descend the light of Moon and Sun
Our Holy Rite has now begun.

My blade has cast the circle round,
with razor's edge and bluest flame,
from earth to heavens, sky to ground,
the power comes that has no name.

We summon forth the faery hounds,
From Outer Darkness now draw near,
to prowl beyond the circle's bounds,
And put intruder's hearts in fear.

Between the worlds of flesh and Fae,
we touch the Source and form the weave,
a ward to keep the worlds at bay,
that none may enter; none may leave.

This holy ground now lies between
The realm of Gods and mortal men,
By human eye cannot be seen
the faery sight alive within.

As above and so below,
enveloped in a cobalt flame,
the stars that shine, the stones that know,
within we speak Her sacred name.

Our newest family member...

Everyone please welcome the newest member of our little family...  We've decided to call her 'Shaylee'. She's a 3 month old Labrador/Pit Bull mix. We rescued her from the pound and she came home to us today. She's a real love.



I think I'm in love.

Witch Eye #15: Call for Submissions

I think it can be agreed by all of us that Feri witches are a creative, opinionated bunch. So you'd think that we'd have *hundreds* of submissions for the next Witch Eye, right?

Well... we have a few... but it's not coming together yet, so here's what we want you to do...

Send us something. A ritual. A review. A piece of art. A story. Humor! Send us your really cool experience in trance that you feel like sharing... tell us what the Gods are inspiring in you. We're still interested in cool poetry, but keep in mind that we get mostly poetry as it is. But an essay... an article... a well mannered rant... Bring 'em on! Whatever little Feri thing you'd like to address, do it and send it in!

Or... if you just can't think of where to start, how about pondering some of these?

• The Mighty Dead: Ancestral Reverence and Practice in Feri Magic
• Love and the Craft: How has Feri impacted your relationships?
• The Dangers of Feri. What exactly are they? And why does it sound so cool?
• Art & Feri. Has Feri impacted your creative life? Are you dancing more? Making music? Are you suddenly creating art for the first time? Tell us!
• You may have aligned your Three Souls, but you still can't use the car-pool lane.
• Initiation. What it is. What it isn't. And why you may never need one. Or want one.
• Dreams... We've collected dreams from folks that involve the late Victor Anderson. Do you have one?
• Cursing. C'mon... you know you want to.
• Ethics. Lost teachings of the tradition found!
• Seeking the Black Heart. Exercises and Stories on the search for Feri's Holy Grail
• Outside Looking In: Feri from a non-Feri Perspective
• Witch Eye: The Swimsuit Issue. Send us your pictures! No, I'm not kidding...
• The Divine Twins. Cornerstone of the Feri mythos and I still can't tell them apart.
• Kala and the Pearl Pentacle: Is the community doing enough?
• Classroom vs. the Coven, or why you are wrong to practice as you do

Our next theme, if we have one, will depend on what I get a lot of. But I love diversity, so send us whatever you want to write about! You can do it. We want material from all aspects of the Feri community: initiates, teachers, students, practitioners, and even educated seekers. You have over three months. Deadline isn't until September 1st! No excuses! Flex those Pride points!

Guidelines can be found here: http://www.feritradition.org/witcheye/submissions.htm
Send all submissions and questions to: witcheye@feritradition.org

A Poem... a Spell... a Teaching... a Prayer

The Sacred Fire
©2007 Storm Faerywolf

Like a fire so it shines
Bright against the empty dark
Dividing into perfect two
And with light, so then color
A splendid texture rich with hue.

This flame it burns against the cold
Against the snapping madness of the unknown
It warms the blood and stills the mind
And calls the trance upon our kind.

A dance... around the fire
Sweat slick thick upon my skin
I take a torch and place it in.

Taking fire from the gods
I hold aloft the sacred flame
A lantern in the velvet night
And so I learn the ancient dark terrain.

Triple Will my compass true
My life a vessel for Your power
Descend with heart of coal aflame
And let me come to know this flower.

High above it blooms so bright
Like a beacon in the night
To hold at bay all shade and fright
And grant the power of the sight.

Beyond the Outer Darkness comes,
the wraith, like curled gray smoke appears
into the mirror of midnight
I scry what lies beyond our fears.

And now I dance again around
This growing fire of which we tend
That seeds a hundred little flames
As next they come with torch in hand.

And soon one day they dance away,
With lanterns set against the night
To carry then their precious flame
To share their sacred light.

And though they’ve come, and though they’ve gone
A hundred times upon and more
And though they’ve lit their darkened homes
Still we tend this sacred fire.

Wash once, rinse twice...

This is a very filtered post, only for Feri initiates, and certainly not all of them.

I just had the weirdest interaction with another Feri student/practitioner. He asked me to not "go public" with it, but dude... this is just too weird to pass up.

Last night on the Witch Eye list a certain someone who has been espousing the Tribal/Family model of Feri cryptically posted that someone very close to me was an example of someone not right for the tradition being officially a part of it. I racked my brains... Could they be talking about a student of mine? We were talking about charging money for classes, and the like, and I had mentioned having to let some students go because of their lack of work. Certainly I have a couple of students who I am currently "on the fence" about and waiting to see if I will let them go, or not, but I couldn't figure out who and so I asked them privately.

Well, I got the response today and it was... (drum roll, please)...  Chas! Apparently because Chas doesn't automatically equate the Feri priesthood with a family that means (according to this person) that Chas' initiation didn't "take". Jesus fucking Christ on a pogo-stick! I laughed out loud!

Chas is very reserved about whom he shares his most intimate insights on Feri with, so I can understand that this person might have no clue as to what Chas is really about... but it's extra weird because this person has never met Chas... And a little weirder because this person is not an initiate, although his wife is, but that's a whole other story.

I just shake my head. I know that Chas is a powerful Feri witch who has an amazing grasp of the Gods who speak to him directly. It's just weird to have my husband maligned in such a way, and then to hear that there's an entire group that apparently holds this idea to be true as well. **EDIT: In a suprising positive development I am now told that his group told him he was off base with his accusation. That's good news, right? ;)

I'm off to make Kala... not because I'm angry (I was briefly, but that moved through me) but more because I am sad; sad that this person's view of Feri is so limited that other ways of practicing/believing seem to threaten their practice, and that as such it translates into judgment, a distraction from the larger Work, I feel.

Instead of washing once, or twice, or even rinsing at all, I sometimes feel I'd rather just hold their heads under the water.

More Kala! :)

Back from Camp...

I've been back from teaching at Feri Camp for a few days now. It's taken me awhile to get back into the routine of my daily life, and thankfully Chas has been very supportive in that area. I've actually gotten a lot of work done since I returned, but I have also had a lot of my attention on all things Feri, making plans, talking to friends, and contemplating what I think is a very healthy future for the tradition.

Camp this year was an incredible experience. I was impressed by the level of sincere commitment to this path, and by the fierce openheartedness of the participants. A lot of energy was raised, and when that happens our complexes tend to arise into view. The result was a lot of cleansing work, and whole lot of sharing... of joy, of pain, of fear, and of laughter. I felt truly blessed to have the opportunity to be in such an environment where we could come together as friends, as lovers, as family, to face both our beauty and our darkness, seeing both as holy.

I learned a lot during this trip. From the beginning I felt that this was about claiming more fully my own power, and I walk away feeling powerful; alive, charged, and changed. More of who I already am. A tremendous amount of energy was raised during our few days there, through trance... through ritual... through drumming... through dance... A common theme being the quest for the Black Heart that really did shine brightly in the eyes and smiles of those present. We did serious work! But also did we laugh... sometimes to the point of tears; the kind of laughter that hurts your cheeks and your belly and reminds you just how wonderful it is to be alive. That we were able to share that, and so much more with each other, is a blessing into itself.

I led some trance work with the Guardians, which always leaves me buzzing, but it was my session with the Amethyst Pentacle that really surprised me. When Chas and I wrote it back in '02 we knew that it was powerful, but going into trance with it and running its power with the participants at camp was nothing short of astounding. I was impressed by the willingness of those present to look into the face of their own pain and --still feeling it-- claim back their power from its clutches. Certainly this is work that will need to be done repeatedly, but that first step is most often the most frightful and that so many looked into that dark mirror of the self and met its gaze so evenly, is an inspiring sight to behold. All this along with reverence, determination, and laughter made the atmosphere both casual and relaxing, as well as focused and filled with deep purpose. As I said in another forum, if this is the future of Feri, then it is something that we can all be proud of. I know I certainly am.

I am also proud to have worked with so many fabulous teachers. This was my first time working with Karina of the BlackHeart line, and it was a tremendously satisfying experience. She really knows her stuff, and has a great command of the Faery current. I am proud to call her a sister of the Craft. Anaar I worked with last year, but it was this year that showed me another facet of her own commitment to the Gods; her connection to them is deep, real, and above all, personal. You show me a Witch who can yell in anger at the Goddess, and I'll show you one who walks the walk. And finally Michele. Her attention is like a surgical instrument, cutting right to the heart of the matter. She doesn't waste time with her words, but lest you might think her harsh because of it let me tell you she is one of the kindest people I know. And one of the funniest. That final night there she and I stayed up all night long just talking about life, about Feri, and just telling each other silly stories. We finally had to leave to try and let Anaar and Karina sleep. We paid for it that final day... in the form of dropped shields and no filters at all... but it was worth it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Now I am home and my life is shifting. People are contacting me and asking if I might travel to their area to teach. It comes at a good time because it is something that I have contemplated for awhile, so I find myself looking into how it might work both in terms of finances, but also in terms of energy; my time here at home is important, as Chas needs to take care of his mom when I am away. But he is also very supportive of me following my bliss, so it looks like I will be traveling at least some in the future. It's a great feeling: to be exactly where you are supposed to be.

With that in mind I shall end this with a blessing to all of you reading this: May you find yourself exactly where you need to be. And may you have the presence of mind to recognize it.

Getting ready...

First off... Happy Birthday to my beautiful Chas! I love you more and more each day... you are the love of my life and I feel nothing short of divinely fortunate to call you my husband.

Tomorrow morning I leave for Feri Camp where I will be teaching about the Feri Guardians, as well as giving some other workshops including one on the Amethyst Pentacle. I've spent today making sure that I am all packed and prepped. There's been so much to do! I just barely was able to get my luggage stuffed and weighed and I'm just under the restricted weight limit. (I'll be selling some books and such there and have to schlep them there myself, so I've been packing, and arranging, and taking inventory, blah, blah, blah.) I'm exhausted, but if it's half as good as last year then it will all be worth it.

I wont have cell phone coverage or access to the internet while I am there (gasp! sputter!) but I am looking forward to my time "off the grid" so to speak. It really is beautiful land there. I promise to come home with pictures.

Wish me luck...

Quiz Stuff

If you want, go here to take a short quiz to decide if my Golden Compass Daemon is correct for me, or not:

http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/?37451

Initially I got a Lion. (Actually, the first time I took it, I got a Crow, but I thought I answered something wrong so I went back and took it again.) I have 12 days before is becomes permanent, so check it out soon! :)

258-year-old gay rights text documented

The lost book Ancient and Modern Pederasty Investigated and Exemplified was written in 1749 by Thomas Cannon, and was partially preserved in handwritten court documents used to suppress its publication.

"This must be the first substantial treatment of homosexuality ever in English," says Dr Hal Gladfelder, who discovered the references in a box of uncatalogued legal documents from the time.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/20070425/co_po/258yearoldgayrightstextdocumented

Take that! :)