(no subject)
With the recents shakings and quakings in the Current, I thought it time to more clearly delineate what It is, this Thing I Do and Teach. After much careful deliberation and assistance from dear ones (thanks, Happydog!), I have determined the Name of my Line. And it is this: Shapeshifter Feri.
"But," I hear you say, "Sista Jenya, what is this Shapeshifter Feri?"
And so I offer you this statement of intent:
Shapeshifter is the Line of Feri Tradition originating with Jenya T. Beachy, at least inasmuch as you can say that anything ‘originates’ anywhere. Since everything is always in process, the best one can do is to arbitrarily pick a moment and say, “here’s where it started” and so it is written: Shapeshifter begins now!
Shapeshifter tradition is primarily concerned with just a few simple things: Right Action, Creativity, Discipline, Service and Laughter, empowered by: Magick, Poetry and Wisdom.
One story that enchants the Line is that of Cerridwen and Gwion Bach. In service to the Goddess, the boy makes a large mistake, ingesting three drops of Her sacred brew, and receiving the power of transformation. The Lady goes after him. He uses his newfound power to pass through many forms, both predator and prey, finally being consumed by the Goddess entirely and rebirthed as the great Bard Taliesin. Shapeshifter wants you to be a fish and a bird and a hare, to be full of outward change and inward stillness.
Shapeshifter calls you to recognize that, if I am God (and I am), then so are you (and you are). That’s a big responsibility; we meet every being sovereign to sovereign and know that we have to share this world. Each other Ruler has just as much a right to be here as we do. We can learn from them, or at least from ourselves in interaction with them. Sometimes another person or a situation is a scratching post for us, helping us to sharpen our claws for when we really need them, helping us to practice being brave when actually very little is at stake. Shapeshifter helps you to get ready for when something really hard comes upon you.
Shapeshifter gives Heart.
Shapeshifter has an Idea; it encourages curiosity and exploration and adventure.
Shapeshifter implores you to sing, to dance, make bad art, or learn to make a new good art. Play the banjo or kazoo. Shapeshifter is unpretentious and likes to have a good time.
This doesn’t mean that Shapeshifter is not serious. Shapeshifter is deadly serious. There is no path that leads into the Center that is easy or benign. People get broken, tangles are forcibly undone, change comes quickly and discomfits those around us, or too slowly and we get bored and tempted to go back to our old ways. There are many trials on every worthy path. Shapeshifter encourages you to walk at least a step or two every day.
Shapeshifter has high standards; you will be called to step into the highest Truth you can reach today. Tired excuses will not be excused. You must kick your own ass. And you must rest from your ass-kicking as well. This is Shapeshifter canon.
The Gods (this means Us) have given us (also us) this physical realm as our home, our school, our playground and our church. With every challenge, we may learn from the Teachers that are all around us, the Elements and our other Kin of Spirit and Nature. Birds teach us to get above it all, see things in a new light. Water teaches us to go around, and to wear down. Shapeshifter uses these lessons to help us learn to walk on the Earth with respect for ourselves and our fellow beings of all forms.
Shapeshifter is Alive.
Shapeshifter knows that all things have consciousness, from the tiniest particle to the Universe Herself and that we can make connection with any of these, at any level. There are convenient stopping places: a single human personality, a community of like-minded folk, a school of fish, a tree, a thunderhead, a nebula. Some of these things are far beyond our ken, and communication is difficult, if not impossible. Even so, Shapeshifter recognizes consciousness in all its forms and offers a respectful greeting.
Shapeshifter is always Learning.
Shapeshifter was born in Feri Tradition, in the dark, wild magick of the Mad Poet, and the clean, simple magick of the Kitchen Witch. Shapeshifter also incorporates Jane Robert’s Seth Material and Rumi’s poetry and teachings from 12 step programs and owes much to teachers and friends Alison Harlow, Francesca de Grandis, Valerie Walker, Thorn, Cora and John Mirassou. We are grateful for the teachings and the friendship.
Jenya is an Anderson Feri Initiate, Rootworker, Diviner, Mother, Lover, Writer, Poet and Preacher. All these things come to fruition in the unique practices of Shapeshifter.
Also, dancing. Did we say?
Shapeshifter won’t tell you who to worship, but will help you to “turn on the porch light and see who is there” (thanks, Victor!), to know the Gods that sing in your blood, that fascinate your mind, that arouse your desire. The first of the Gods is God Herself/Goddess Himself and you are Hir beloved child. Shapeshifter honors you, sister, brother, neither, both.
Shapeshifter is Passionate.
Shapeshifter preliminary training consists of roughly three courses: Basic, Center and Circumference. These courses are co-creative; they are part Jenya, part You, part bee and flower, part alphabet, part song. This training is not for everyone. Money (and other energy) exchange happens. Work and Play happens. Rituals of completion and readiness may be sprinkled throughout, at need.
Initiation into Shapeshifter Feri is never guaranteed, but may come sometime after the preliminary training, and after an indeterminate time of apprenticeship. Shapeshifter needs you to be honest about your expectations, so you are not disappointed.
Shapeshifter travels the wires, the wireless, the aka threads, the astral planes, appearing in sounds, pixels, goosebumps and energy surges. We ride the energy moving freely through space and time, affecting all the worlds.
Shapeshifter shares the Love.
Shapeshifter requires commitment, but will not hold you hostage. The student-teacher relationship is always at Will. To travel this path, one must be of high integrity, fastidious practice, and a deep commitment to living in accordance with one’s own Divine Will.
We are called Shapeshifter because the forms aren’t the Truth. Appearances change, twist and bend, as they should in this Craft. We seek what lies beneath. The Tradition that can be spoken is not the true Tradition (thanks, Taoism!). Every word, every ritual, every tool is a finger pointing to the moon, or a shadow on the wall of the cave.
Shapeshifter invites you to explore the Cosmos within you.
Shapeshifter invites you to dance round the Fires of Creation.