Well, since everyone else has posted about their weekends...
This weekend, for the second year in a row, I attended Holly House's invitational event Grene Wode. It's a very laid back, relaxing weekend, with lots of song, laughter, informal workshops on weaving, live steel swordcraft and whatever else those there wished to teach or learn. This year's event was much improved by the fact that melspeth and the kids were there, and I got to talk to songstress1973 about our teacher-student arrangements. At the potluck on Sunday afternoon, Mellissa and I shared a bottle of champagne we got for our wedding, and were toasted in it by essentially everyone who was there (shy the non-drinkers, of course!).
Last year, I was basically there as a member of Reik Félag, the Norse culture group Mellissa, the kids and I play in. At that event, I expressed an interest in joining Holly House, and it was expressed to me that Holly House might not be averse to that, either. Over the year since then, my connection to the household has increased, and at Twelfth Night in January, I wore a spring of holly on my tunic - at Mistress Seaglynde's instructions - to identify me as being attached to Holly House. I've worn that sprig at every event I've been to since. And this weekend, at this year's event, one of the first things Mistress Seaglynde said to me was "We haven't sworn you in yet, have we? If you're going to be a member of Holly House, we've got to swear you in." And on Saturday night, they did. I was charged to be a positive force in the world and the game, to encourage those who come after me, especially when they surpass me, and to remember to them the names and deeds of those who went before. I was very honoured, and both proud and humbled all at once. Mostly I was just pleased, because this is something I've wanted for a year.
And now it's official: I'm a haligen.
Semper viridis. Semper verax. Sanguinius in tempus.
Last year, I was basically there as a member of Reik Félag, the Norse culture group Mellissa, the kids and I play in. At that event, I expressed an interest in joining Holly House, and it was expressed to me that Holly House might not be averse to that, either. Over the year since then, my connection to the household has increased, and at Twelfth Night in January, I wore a spring of holly on my tunic - at Mistress Seaglynde's instructions - to identify me as being attached to Holly House. I've worn that sprig at every event I've been to since. And this weekend, at this year's event, one of the first things Mistress Seaglynde said to me was "We haven't sworn you in yet, have we? If you're going to be a member of Holly House, we've got to swear you in." And on Saturday night, they did. I was charged to be a positive force in the world and the game, to encourage those who come after me, especially when they surpass me, and to remember to them the names and deeds of those who went before. I was very honoured, and both proud and humbled all at once. Mostly I was just pleased, because this is something I've wanted for a year.
And now it's official: I'm a haligen.
Semper viridis. Semper verax. Sanguinius in tempus.