A year a day and some change

Whew!!! By the Gods, I cannot believe it but I have all the memories for it really must be so. I have officially completed my year and a day training, made it out alive, and am a CAYA Priestess. Who knew?!

I was still floating on cloud nine from all the activities and hot tubing and general magical merriment that started last Thursday and didn't end till Saturday. But alas yesterday's dentist appointment had a way to knock my back down into the mundane. Something about throbbing pain and trying to sleep will do that to you.

I am however happy to report I awoke this morning bright eyed and pain-less though slightly weird feeling in the mouth, but I can deal because I don't have big gaping holes in my canine anymore!! They look like normal teeth! A little stained, a little overlapping, certaintly not perfect but not eroding holes of doom. I am SOOOO happy.

I only wish I could have had it done prior to the Retreat and Ordination then I would have been able to smile more without having to worry, but oh well.

The Retreat was AMAZING. And much of it secret so you won't get a peep out of me in that regard. But the general overall time was fan-freakin-tastic, it was so nice to be all together, and eat all together, it really was an Oasis. I spent the most amount of time in that Hot Tub than in any water ever in my life lol. So many good conversations had with so many of my brethren, I really do feel we are closer than ever now. I don't know what the future brings but it can only get better.

And then the public Ordination. Holy mother of pearl was that just breathtaking. I have to say when I was getting read I was a little freaked out due to my whites somehow mischievously getting red one them, but I was able to wash it out and it dried in time that I don't think anyone noticed.

It was the first ritual in a long time that I went to and literally had no hand in the planning. And it went off so well, all the new Initiates are superstars already. Hearing new voices and feeling new energy was just so damn exciting.

Stepping up to proclaim ourselves to the greater coven was a heady experience. The words sounded so right and the room seemed to buzz with energy as everyone took their place as priest and priestess.

Our little siblings truly out did themselves with their secret part of the ritual. There was coordination and blessings of poetic power, and jars of goodies! One of the highlights of my night was looking into my jar and seeing a Companion Cube and knowing exactly who it was from. (If you don't know what a companion cube is don't fret about it all you need to know is it is awesome)

And now it's all over. But the work isn't lol. Nope even though the training is over that drawing board is still full. Many a good thing is on the horizon, Warrior group, Harvest Home, Beltane, Amazon Training (I know what was I thinking?! lol). And even a new idea that has implanted itself in my brain on Sunday and grown at extreme rates.

So until next time to greater and better things,

Branwen, daughter of The Dadga and Morrigan
Priestess of Bardic Warrior Wisdoms

The Greatest Song in the Verse!

While I do not condone the religious rammification of this holiday. Frankly I think St. Pat did Erin a deservice by "ridding" her of the pagans. But as I live in America, where the holiday is not about Church and the continued growth of Christiandom but is instead about BEER and Irish Pride, I continue to celebrate March 17th with merriment and alcohol.

And I invite you to do the same. So here you are for you're enjoyment, and my continued pleasure. My favorite Drinking Song, discovered one St. Paddy's day a few years ago that contiues to capture me in it's catch tune and hearty message.



Now back to the dishes and my Beer. lol

Branwen

Just one of those days...

Cats are truly wonderful things. Ok so I think animals in general are wonderful, but currently it is a cat sitting in my lap purring contently avidly seeking my attention as if I were the most awesome best person in the universe, so for now it is the felines that get the most praise.

I don't know if Una just felt this morning that I wasn't in the best of moods and came to cheer me up, or if she herself wasn't feeling so great and needed some extra attention. But either way it's nice. Orangies have always been one of my favs. Even the goofy ones.

From The Goblin and the Fairy

Saturday evening was Loverly, thanks to everyone who came. I had a blast. The Absinthe was delicious the company was more than charming and the movies were perfectly bloody. It was a full house but just the right number of folks came that it wasn't too jammed full. I think we will most certaintly be having similar evenings in the future.

So what's wrong with today? Nothing in particular, I have many things I need to do, however I lack the...initiative to do any of them. I literally just laid in bed for two hours thinking of nothing or at least very little. Which for me is an amazing and scary feat.

I just feel rather useless these days.

Now before I begin on this train of thought please let it be known that this is just me venting and what not in one of my down spells and that it will pass so try not to worry about it.

So yay useless...I haven't had steady work in over three months, and frankly it's getting to me. It's not a dire situation or anything, Bran and I can live and have lived quite comfortably on his salary alone so it's no big deal, and he often tries to encourage me to not fret and indulge myself. But I can't. I don't feel like I'm contributing anything, and I just feel...lost.

I don't know where or what I'm suppose to do anymore. There was a time when everything was laid out and straight and I had goals and it was groovy. But then a hurricane of shite came through and I'm still picking up the pieces.

Should I continue to go to school? If so, what do I get a degree in?? What job would I have after school? Do I want to just get a job? What job? What the fuck am I qualified for?

Do I give up Animation and try my hand at being a history teacher? Is there another option I'm not seeing yet?

Questions, questions, questions, and no answers.

I feel double the guilt in this state of none being. I am not only not contributing towards Bran and I's future and household, but I'm not fullfilling my families expectations of me. I know family honor and duty is an antiquated concept in todays society but it means something to me. My folks always believed in me, always no matter what hair brained idea I came up with they had this weird unwavering faith that I was going to make something of myself. And what if I don't? Is it because I squandered opportunities and myself or is it because whatever they thought they saw wasn't really there?

Too many questions. None of them really making me feel any better. As of yet the Gods are decidedly silent on the subject, so I guess this is one of those things that this little mortal has to figure out for herself. Yipee.

Well enough self-pity and prattle. I think I'll take a walk, some fresh air and then tidy up the house. It's the least I can do.

Preparation

Or the post of shit I need to do. lol

So Ordination of CAYA is right around the little corner, as in 12 days away. As anyone who knows me knows, I generally get grand ideas of outfits for special occasions. Ordination is really no exception, however I have had to reel it in a bit as well...12 days people.

Here is the plan thus far:

From A Celt in the City

Ok so it still looks like a lot of work. But for the hell of it let's break it down. This outfit consists of

• white conical corset
  
• white chemise with train
  
• red draped cloak
  
• fur/fake hip belt
  
• sword belt and sword
• brass cuffs
• torq
  
• indigo skin paint (optional depending on time)
  

Of that list there are only four things that I do not have, and thankfully the corset is not one of them lol. So really I just have to make the chemise, the draped cloak, the hip belt, and find the cuffs.

That seems do able right?....maybe? *fingers crossed*

Of course this isn't the only thing happening right now. Nopers. While trying to get this done. I also have to fancify up my wand, and finish up the last of my readings.

In the more immenant future. I have to clean house BIG time today, in prep for my Movie Night on the morrow. And at the same time, find/procure the items I need for ritual tonight, AND memorize/decide what I want/need to say for said ritual tonight about the illustrious and industrious Bee Goddess.

I know what you're thinking.

"What the hell are you doing on the computer with all that to do?"

I tend to agree with you so I suppose this is adieu', positive energy appreciated to get it all done!

Branwen