IG Thoughts
IG was taxing, relaxing, fun, educational, motivating and deeply moving. I made new connections while refreshing and strengthening many I already had. I learned a few things about myself and had some thoughts and ideas that have been kicking around in my head for some time reaffirmed.
The drive was not bad. We had some good conversations about a wide range of topics, though, unsurprisingly, we tended to stay focused on the craft and Bluestar specifically. I thoroughly enjoyed those discussions.
This being my first trip to Diana’s Grove I arrived with no expectations, only a desire to experience what lay ahead. I was struck by the beauty and serenity of the Grove, even in late autumn. For a while we just milled about the main entrance taking in what was all around us. Once we were greeted by Pat we set up in our cabins and decided to make use of the outdoors showers before it got too cool. For something as mundane as a shower, the experience was simply magical. I know of no other way to describe it. Silence all around, broken only by the warm water flowing over me, staring off into the forest in front of me. I dare say it was the best shower I have ever had.
After our showers more folks began to arrive and the reconnecting began. In that last year or so I have been amazed by how much I miss my people and how intensely I feel the reconnections when we met up again. This is something I have never known before, never thought I would want, need or even be capable of. I have no other words.
We shared the evening meal and then made preparations for opening ritual - which appropriately enough was a dual Initiation. I can think of no more appropriate way to open an Initiates Gathering than with a 1st Degree elevation. Having been only recently (5 months) elevated myself it was really quite moving for me to be a part of this rite. I was able to observe, participate and truly appreciate the beauty of the ritual itself.
Over the course of the next few days I participated far more than I usually do at gatherings of any kind. In fact, I was at every structured discussion and all but one of the unstructured. The breakout session by degree was, for me, the discussion I took the most from. Unfortunately I began developing bronchitis and was unable to attend any other rituals - a fact which has left me feeling very disappointed. I was really looking forward to them.
So what did I learn at IG? What did I take from this experience? I took from IG a greater sense of community, a deeper connection to my family and the sure knowledge that I am where I am meant to be. I learned a great deal about what it means to be a part of this family and where I fit into it. But I did not only take from IG - I also gave. I gave hugs, kisses, support, ideas, opinions and parts of my self I have only ever hoped I had. Hopefully I gave enough to balance what I took.
Finally, this weekend also reaffirmed for me that I need to make a significant change in my life. I can no longer continue what I am doing. It is consuming me, suppressing and erasing who I truly am - who I need to be. But that is another story.
The drive was not bad. We had some good conversations about a wide range of topics, though, unsurprisingly, we tended to stay focused on the craft and Bluestar specifically. I thoroughly enjoyed those discussions.
This being my first trip to Diana’s Grove I arrived with no expectations, only a desire to experience what lay ahead. I was struck by the beauty and serenity of the Grove, even in late autumn. For a while we just milled about the main entrance taking in what was all around us. Once we were greeted by Pat we set up in our cabins and decided to make use of the outdoors showers before it got too cool. For something as mundane as a shower, the experience was simply magical. I know of no other way to describe it. Silence all around, broken only by the warm water flowing over me, staring off into the forest in front of me. I dare say it was the best shower I have ever had.
After our showers more folks began to arrive and the reconnecting began. In that last year or so I have been amazed by how much I miss my people and how intensely I feel the reconnections when we met up again. This is something I have never known before, never thought I would want, need or even be capable of. I have no other words.
We shared the evening meal and then made preparations for opening ritual - which appropriately enough was a dual Initiation. I can think of no more appropriate way to open an Initiates Gathering than with a 1st Degree elevation. Having been only recently (5 months) elevated myself it was really quite moving for me to be a part of this rite. I was able to observe, participate and truly appreciate the beauty of the ritual itself.
Over the course of the next few days I participated far more than I usually do at gatherings of any kind. In fact, I was at every structured discussion and all but one of the unstructured. The breakout session by degree was, for me, the discussion I took the most from. Unfortunately I began developing bronchitis and was unable to attend any other rituals - a fact which has left me feeling very disappointed. I was really looking forward to them.
So what did I learn at IG? What did I take from this experience? I took from IG a greater sense of community, a deeper connection to my family and the sure knowledge that I am where I am meant to be. I learned a great deal about what it means to be a part of this family and where I fit into it. But I did not only take from IG - I also gave. I gave hugs, kisses, support, ideas, opinions and parts of my self I have only ever hoped I had. Hopefully I gave enough to balance what I took.
Finally, this weekend also reaffirmed for me that I need to make a significant change in my life. I can no longer continue what I am doing. It is consuming me, suppressing and erasing who I truly am - who I need to be. But that is another story.