Sorry I've been absent for so long. Between school and work and ritual team and all the other things I do, I've been having trouble finding enough time to think. So here's the quick update:
School - in theology we are learning about the importance of fiction and metaphore in the Bible - which is leading me to some great new insights and others in the class to great consternation. In this case I'm happy that I'm not christian and the teacher isn't challenging some of my core beliefs.
Linguistics is all about Linguistic Human Rights. These are a class of Human rights mentioned in the UN Declaration of Universal Human Rights, but they are rarely implemented or even talked about. They include such rights as: be able to use your native language to conduct your daily life, be educated to an elementary level, to have your language respected, and to learn the dominant language (meaning the government is required to provide teachers for you). Incredibly interesting stuff here - but a bit of a challenge, how can I increase people's access to LHR?
Work: Party day went well and boosted our numbers (as expected). Other than that, things are going well. Box of Rocks is still being a pain, but now I'm not there to notice as much - and other people are noticing more, so maybe something will be done about it soon. I'm not so keen on the getting in at 6:30 am, but that means that I get home in time for dinner so I guess I'll just have to keep getting up.
Wedding: Planning is coming along - we have a date for meeting with my dress maker. The attendants clothes are ready for the first fitting. The script is getting written (slowly). We are still working out some details (like guest lists) but I think we are making progress.
Ritual team: This is where things have gotten really interesting. This year, for the first time, a group of people were able to stick it out and continue under C's leadership, and have been asking the hard questions and demanding accountability. This is apparently a new thing for her and her husband T. They are clearly uncomfortable explaining their actions to the Board, and are growing visibly frustrated by the lack of blind following. This group of members (and board members) however have seen the pattern and are not willing to allow it to continue. They are insisting that it is time for the group as a whole to grow beyond it's creators. This is causing no small amount of stress for all involved. I for one am willing to continue to be stressed by it though because I can see that if we are succesful, we will produce something well worth it.
And the signs are showing that we are having a positive effect. Last night, we started planning for the Ostara ritual (Sunday, 3/20, 6 pm at FUS). Things went really well - we got more done during this first meeting than we usually do in a first meeting. Some of this has to do with T deciding not to show up at all because of all the turmoil in the group. Then C tells us that she isn't going to be priestess this time - to which we gave a hearty "THANK YOU". Not the responce she was looking for (her wording and tone of voice on the announcement were clearly meant to make this a punishment for the pressures).
So now we are in the delightful position of looking for a priest and priestess for Ostara. I'm likely going to be the priestess if we can find a suitable partner. I didn't jump at the oportunity, but I've been a priestess before (which none of the others present have to my knowledge). This is going to be quite a bit different from other rituals by this group - I don't like to preach so I won't be delievering a sermon.
So now you are all up to date on the large things in my life. I'll see you again soon.