The Truth about Intentionality

Most of my day was consumed with Oak Leaves. Since I was sick anyway, I thought I might at least make a productive day of it. So today I chose to work on Oak Leaves. As I only received the final files tonight, completion some time tomorrow will be acceptable.

I spent a few minutes chatting with Brett Wheat-Simms about the Words of the Ancient Wise blog, and my goals for the year. I also received my evaluation back from Erik for my first Sellars assignment. All in all, it was very positive. He has also asked me to help him set up a mechanism to discuss common Fallacies. Should be very interesting.


At around 8pm the ADF chat started and we discussed, in some depth, the concepts of Kindred. It was interesting, and I am thinking of reintroducing some kind of joint vespers idea with Pam. We have been asked to sing some samples of Taize on the Thursday video chat.

I think that maybe that is the essence of productivity. Always be actively engaged in something. Sunday's reading on the Words of the Ancient Wise brought this to mind:

NOT to be slack and negligent; or loose, and wanton in thy actions, nor contentious, and troublesome in thy conversation, nor to rove and wander in thy fancies and imaginations. Not basely to contract thy soul; nor boisterously to sally out with it, or, furiously to launch out as it were, nor ever to want employment.

MARCUS AURELIUS. MEDITATIONS. Book viii. 19.

It reminds me also of Franklin's Virtue of Industry:  "Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."

Never fall to the default, but rather choose your next activity. This is what is really important. Am I really doing something I intended to do, or just something I fell into. I spent quite a bit of time figuring out this virtue of Industry (what ADF calls Fertility). I even wrote a complete Meditation on it. It bears re-reading.

Getting Myself Committed

Confirmation comes in strange clothes. This blog is about my personal journey, and so the only ones I expected to have any real interest are my friends and family. Imagine my surprise when I received a comment from a new contributor to yesterday's blog. The comments were positive, encouraging and served to confirm my resolve to resolve to commit.

The idea of having commitment as my personal theme for 2010 really only coalesced at the end of yesterday's blog. I think that validates the psychological practice of 'talking it out.' So if 2009 was the 'Year of Change,' which had the result of not changing a damned thing, then 2010, as the 'Year of Commitment,' is going to change everything. As a Stoic, I just love paradoxes.

So here are the things that I am doing right now, that I am going to keep doing throughout the year.

1. I am currently working on the DP, and will complete it by year's end.
2. I have already started the Olympian Oracle, to prepare it for publication. That is also to be done by year's end.
3. Complete the Oak Leaves submissions on time for the balance of the year. I have to get to work on this one, as the blue line for the Spring issue is due in a few days.
4. I have made some significant progress on the Stoic Studies program with Erik at the College. I am going to complete this, which shouldn't take more the 4 - 5 months. Afterwards, I am going to continue working through the yet to be developed Stoic Mentorship program.
5. Pam and I have decided to work our way through some personal Stoic studies. We will start the year off with Keith's Stoic Serenity course, and when that is complete, work on William's Guide to the Good Life. This may not take us to the end of the year, but some other course may come up in the meantime to flesh it out. The point is that we study, deeply, together.
6. Words of the Ancient Wise. Everyday, alone or together.
7. This Blog, 3 times/week minimum. I have already experience of the power of writing, beyond mere catharsis.
8. Renovations to the upstairs of the house. With the holidays over, there are simply no excuses for not finishing what we started.
9. Health. This one is a bit of a stretch, but I might just try to shoehorn it in. The car broke down this week (New Year's Eve) and we decided to go car-less, for the time being at least. This means more walking (a lot more!). I am also going to be taking the bus to and from work. The extension of more activity in my life seems to be reasonable though. Wii on nights when we have no-where to go, and walking to places where there are things to do.

So these are the nine things I have committed to continue. None of them introduce new intentions or practices, none are strictly speaking, new. The list even breaks down nicely into Spirit (1-3 in green are focussed around the ADF), Mind (4-6 in blue are all about Stoic Studies) and Body (7-9 in red). The last is also easy enough to figure out, with the physical/emotional action of writing, the labour of renovations, and the obvious health focus.

Not too much. Not too little. So I am committed to the Nine through the end of Ten.

Io, Saturnalia!

Hard on the heals of the Thorhaven Vigil, gapped by a short nap, we began the preparations for Red Maple Grove's Yule Vigil. Pam and I volunteered to prepare this year's rite as a good old fashioned Saturnalia. Pam did most of the heavy lifting, editing the Scipt, while I contributed a few points and pieces, while simultaneously preparing for my role as Odin and my oath.

We included some songs, Solstice Song, which I wrote as a request from Lee for a special inclusion to our ritual. We also included Jenni's Io, Saturnalia (you can hear the mp3 here). With it's rousing chorus of Io, Saturnalia! it became the greeting for the evening (and subsequent morning.) We had even purchase some fresh holly to place at the base of the tree, but of course, we forgot it at home. It wouldn't be an ADF rite if we hadn't forgotten something. I credit this wonderful quirk of my rituals to Farrell, and the ever involved presence of his patron (if you want to know more, you should ask him). This wonderful opportunity for spontaneity beautifully offsets my slight OCD tendencies, and is a good reminder to all of us that we are NEVER in control. We either participate with the natural flow, or we struggle futilely against it.

Of course Judith was there, and as the amazingly stabilizing influence that she is, came with offering in hand, a bunch of sage. When she discovered that we had forgotten the holly (which Michael was offer to the tree), she gladly offered Michael the sage she had brought for her own offering. Of course, Michael was thrilled to use sage in what was essentially a Roman ritual, because it allowed him to insert a little of his own spirituality into the rite (if you want to know more, again I would suggest you go to the source.)

The ritual itself went very well. By the time Pam and I showed up at the tree ring, there was already a crowd gathered. It was wonderful to see the grove again, and we had a few surprise guests from Thornhaven, and Regional Druid, Daniel Lamarche, was also there! It was definately going to be party. Everyone was in a great mood, spirits were high and it was time to start.

We went through the opening sequence, and everyone joined in with a rousing Io, Saturnalia! This was going to be good rite! As we proceeded through the rite, we came to the Two Powers meditation. I had written something very specific to the day, and to the spot we were standing on. It was WAY too long for use in ritual though, especially standing out in the snow, with the sun setting in the west and any hint of heat quickly dissipating. I found myself jumping paragraphs and summarizing on the fly. For anyone interesting in the full meditation, probably better used indoors and during a personal ritual, use the link above. We proceeded with the rite, each taking their turn to participate.

The offerings went well, with Lee dedicating the Fire. We had brought along a bbq lighter, but it wouldn't light. Lee came with multiple back ups however, but they too were being awkward. After trying the bbq lighter a couple of times myself, I turned to Farrell and said, "Would you mind?" A quizzical look came over his face, and then he understood what I was asking. I tried the lighter again, and it worked. At the same time, Lee's lighters finally took and the flame was well started in the storm lantern. Erin acted as the opener of the Deep Gate, and played her part beautifully.

When it came time for Michael to place the holly at the base of the tree, he used Judith's offering of sage instead. The gates were opened and a song followed. Farrell requested that the outdwellers leave our rite in peace. We ended the rite with another song, and hit pause, leaving the gates open through the night, that the gods might lend their energy to our rite (and to the coming dawn.)

We hit pause on the ritual and partook of Bruce's generous gift of hot choclate to everyone (Yay Bruce!) then cleaned up and headed back to Lee's place, with Lee carrying the flame.

Back at Lee's place, everyone was greeted with a hearty Io, Saturnalia! as they entered. Once we had reached a critical mass, Pam and I unveiled the gift we had gotten for each family. One of the traditions that surrounded the ancient Saturnalia was that of giving small clay figures to the participants. In honour of that tradition, we gave out small ceramic cookie jars (complete with cookies) to each family. They loved the thought (probably because they were cute!)


Erin handed out gift bags with a Ferrero Roche and little candles.

There was a wonderful meal (thanks to Jess and all), and everyone had a good time talking. Lee's grand-daughter (and her moms) dropped by for a visit, and the house was in and out throughout the night. Michael provided the Omen for the ritual partway through the night.

There was so much wonderful activity, that Judith, Michael and I sat together at the table and worked through the omen, and I took notes based on the interpretations, which I could then pass on to anyone who was interested later on in the evening. Judith was a great help as well with her beautiful Ogham cards (that she commissioned and designed herself). The Omens were:

Huath: rest, recuperation, pause from strife. One image is sitting around the campfire resting, aware that on the morrow the quest resumes.





Ailm, fir (pine): the long view. Now is the time to consider the long term, to plan for far ahead, to look into the distance.



Fern, (alder): protection. This is a protection few. It suggests keeping our eyes open and watching where we're placing our feet as we walk ahead. Look with your eyes where your feet are going. It also reminds us that our deities are watching over us. They are protecting us.




To me, the meaning seems clear. The last big event that our grove had participated in was the Fire in our Hearth, aka the Isaac thing. We have rested from that long enough, and it is time to start considering (taking the long view) of where or what our next contribution would be to the Ottawa community. Perhaps another 'event'? That remains to be discussed.

We had a great night of fun and discussion. I asked everyone what they thought of my musings on rebirth, and the conversations continued. Pam and I cut out around 11 pm, because we were due to drive my mother to airport to in the wee hours. We returned to the vigil, and learned that Farrell earned the badge for Fire Warden, by preventing the candle from melting away. The fire was tranfered to a new candle and the flame continued unabated.


Sadie also gave out some gifts, a book for Pam and somehow was led to give me an Ogham card set! Perfect for my learning of the different omens, ahead of working on the Olympian Oracle.


As we finished off the festivities we prepared to wrap up the rite in Lee's side yard. The offerings made, and as we thanked the Nature Spirits a flock of crows launched into flight with raucous approval. Dawn broke as we finished up. We gave thanks for the omen and the gifts and the celebration, and closed the gates. All in all it was a wonderful rite.

Hail Sunna!

Recollections and reflections on the Thornhaven Solstice Ritual.

I had been planning for this for weeks, bought a set of Runes, created a Rune Poem to help me prepare. I was going to act as Vetgam, the Wanderer, one of the names of Odin. I had also prepared my first Sumbel Oath. This was going to be a very big night.

There were many preparations to make, and Pam took care of the lion's share of getting together all of the food and offerings. I was explaining my oath to Irisa, when she graciously volunteered to act a witness to it. She is thousands of miles away, and asked that I send it to her. But I hadn't even written it yet! As soon as the thought entered my head, the verses started to flow. It was poetry, but unlike anything I had ever written.

I sat to write my oath, the words and ideas flowing onto the page. I read it to Pam and she seemed genuinely shocked. It was a powerful oath, but she said it didn't sound like me. I assured her that this came from my heart and mind, but it was so unlike any other poetry I had ever written, my First Oath for example, that it seemed somehow alien. As Apollo is my God, his influence over me is strong, and I have felt that evidence (for me) of his power is shown through the precision of the verse forms I write in. This new oath was free flowing, strangely full of internal rhymes, a mix of imagery and reality. Pam said it was like someone else had had a hand in writing it. Both of us realized at the same time that it was Odin. There was a strong feel of the Rune Poem surround the Oath. He and Apollo were apparently working together to get me through this.

I asked Julie, Pam, Irisa and Diane to witness my oath (2 present, 2 distant). All agreed that this was a strong oath, but if I felt I should do it, the do it I should.

The trip to Thornhaven was long, and Pam and I talked. We had a wonderful conversation with Irisa on the way, and though we arrived later than anticipated, we were ahead of the majority of the participants. In order to keep an air of mystery and secrecy about the coming 'Visitor' we were to keep a low profile.

Julie showed me to the living room and gave me a cloak and staff for my outfit. We tied a bandage around my left eye. Most importantly, she left me to meditate. This was an important role, and I wanted to embrace it fully. So I meditated, and prayed that Odin and Apollo would fill and guide me through this evening, and that their wills would be done. The ritual would be taking place outside the house, in the Mead Hall.

The group of celebrants left for the hall after their preparations, and I was left alone.

The ritual began, and I went outside. It was extremely cold. I had consciously decided to not wear gloves or scarf and to wander with my coat and cloak open. Outside, Brad was tending the torches outside the mead hall, with mixed success. We spoke briefly and deeply, but frequent interruptions would drive me into the darkness. It was starting to get lonely. I witness a magic about him. Twice in his attempts to keep the torches lit, his entire hand exploded in the blue flames of the fuel. He was surprised but merely shook it off. This further increased my level of loneliness. He was kind, but very different from me.

As the ritual wore on, I could see the faces in the warm glow of the Mead Hall through the windows. They were laughing, lighting candles, listening with rapt attention to the ritual. They decorated the tree. I stood outside, growing colder and colder, and felt like the outsider. Brad was friendly with me, but he could walk in any time he liked. I was truly alone. My hands and feet were hurting now, past the cold buzz of a brief exposure.The cloak protected my face, but there was no body heat to spare for the limbs. I was in pain. The staff was a frozen rock in my hands and I could hardly hold it. I yearned for the warmth of the fire and of my friends, and did not know when I would see them. For a preciously brief moment, I was the outsider, the stranger, the beggar on the street, with no warmth, and worse, no hope.

I was lost in thought, in the blackness of a cloudless, star-filled night. When the time came to enter the rite, I was shivering, my hands were cramped, and the shuffle I had thought of adopting came naturally as I drew into the Mead Hall. I was also confused, my typical surety gone. I could not even feel grateful for the gift of warmth, just the need for it. I banged on the door three times with my staff, and the door was opened. The place was quiet, and the laughter I had been longing for was silent. The hood was drawn far over my face, so I could not see their faces, and they could not see mine.

I shuffled into the room,  and I was disoriented. All this was so strange to me. I was guided to a chair by the fire, while someone spoke some ritual phrases of welcome. They didn't mean anything to me. I was too cold, too hungry. Finally, a mead horn was passed to me, and shivering, I drank draught after draught. I was handed a plate of food, which I ate greedily and noisily. The room remained silent. I could not see anyone, but I knew they were staring at me, watching the desperation with which I ate and drank.

My breathing began to slow, and finally, the shivering reduced. I passed the half eaten plate back, and sat quietly, breathing deeply to inhale the warmth.

Finally, I spoke, the first lines of my script coming to my mouth from the depths of my memory. "I am Vetgam, the Wander, known by many names. Seeker of Knowledge, Seeker of Truth." I remove the hood to reveal my bandaged head, one eye looking about the room. I continued with the script, feeling the victory welling up within me when I said "Crying I brought forth the runes!" and held the bag up for all to see.

All were quiet, some serene, some confused, a few frightened. I called them forward to dare and take a rune. Almost all there drew, and as they drew, I felt myself shift and dance and see the weave and the weft of meaning. As I consulted the Rune Poem, I would offer and add additional insight. Many times the same rune was drawn, Isa, the cold slippery ice of winter's hidden depths. Each time a different interpretation came forward unbidden. On only one occasion did I not offer the first reading. A child of the north, one dedicated to the Old Gods, came forward and stated "I make my own destiny, but I would seek your wisdom." When he drew from the pouch, he handed me the stone. Looking, I handed it back and said, "What do you see?" When he had paused, and stated his understanding, I confirmed it and added an additional layer of meaning and responsibility. Here was a strong leader, a fearless warrior. I had never met the man, yet I knew him.

The readings were nearly complete, yet there seemed to be some hesitancy, some confusion. So I called to any who would dare to draw a second time. One stood forth, and reaching into the pouch withdrew the same stone as as first. The message would not be rejected. I asked if there was understanding of the message. "It's hard!" came the reply. "Try losing an eye!" I retorted jokingly. The tension broke and all were laughing. The final rune drawn, I stood and made my way slowly to the door. Calling out my final challenge to head the messages given, I left the mead hall.

I slowly wandered back to the house, and removed the items of costume. I meditated on the meaning of this singular experience. I had been there, and yet it felt different, distant. Like watching it through another's eyes.

After some time reorienting myself to the world, I causally wander back into to Mead Hall and was welcomed in as if it was the first time they had seen me. It wasn't an act, for many understood that the first appearance was indeed that of the Wanderer. I ate, drank and visited with everyone, enjoying the friendship, warmth and entertainment.

Finally it came time for the Sumbel. Auz (the known/unknown warrior) stood to lead us in the Toasts to the Gods, and to the Kindred. The third round came, and it was my turn to read my Oath. All were respectful, and when I sat, I was asked to explain what each part meant. When I describe the stanzas, and the three oaths, Auz asked what the consequences would be of failing to fulfill my oath.

The first oath, that of completing the Dedicant Program prior to next year's end, was backed up by shame. "Not good enough!" he said  and the rest of the grove agreed. If I was going to feel shame, it would not be mere embarassment. I then decided that if I fail to acheive my DP, I have vowed to take out a Half page add in the Oak Leaves to announce my failure. They agreed that this would be sufficient

The second was for the completion of the Stoic Training. I originally suggested that I would burn my books. Auz rejected this out of hand, saying that the destruction of knowledge is unworthy of anyone. He suggested instead that I donate my books to the grove's library (he is not part of the grove). This was as big a deal for me, as I love not only reading books, but possessing them as well.

The final consequecne, was surrounding the creation and publication of the Greek oracle. There was already a sacrifice involved (giving up TV for a year), but should I fail, I would remove everything from my life and retreat (without electronics) to a lonely place to contemplate and complete the work.

So these were the consequences, and they were agreed to by the witnesses, and we drank to it. The rest of the night passed in fun, in discussion, in reflection. Many slept, Pam and I stayed by the fire, dozing on and off. At dawn we held the final part of the ritual, Hailing Sunna in the east. We stood in the snow of the pre-dawn light, shivering, tired and joyful.

Following the conclusion of the ritual, we had breakfast together, sat and talked some more, while one or the other dozed. We finally left at around 9 am, and headed home to sleep for a few hours before preparing for the next ritual that afternoon, our Saturnalia!

Little Brothers Rock!

Yesterday was a good day, as many of them are in my very charmed life. During lunch I continued to work on the Rune Poem, with a lot of help for Arthur Shipkowski (MA for ADF). I combined the three extant Rune Poems (Icelandic, Norwegian & Anglo-Saxon) and made some adjustments to the underlying Anglo-Saxon. It was fun. Thanks Art. Also, Julie provided the final script for Friday's ritual, and it looks great!

Second on the list, Erik from the College of Stoic Philosophers (and the New Stoa) responded to my assignment and proceeded to send the next one (on Sellars' book 'Stoicism')! But in the interest of the holidays, he gave me an additional week to get it done. More fun, but since I have already done quite a bit of work on Sellars, at least this first assignment should be easy.

André was over last night to help me work on the hallway floor. Thanks to him, we were able to get quite a bit finished! The best part of the night was when he looked at what I had accomplished already and said, "You did all this in two nights? That is incredible! This is freaking hard work!" We spent the balance of the evening (with short breaks for dinner, Christmas cookies, and picking up loved ones) ripping, cutting, marking, laying, slapping, smacking, sweating, cursing, re-marking, re-cutting, re-cursing, and in the end achieved a work of art! Still needs to be finished, and with the accumulation of responsibilities over the next several days, the completed floor may end up being more delayed than I would like, but we will be plugging away at it.

Pam has been getting the Saturnalia ritual ready for Saturday (How appropriate!) It is looking great too. We have some elements to pick up tonight while we are out for Lin's NATS rehearsal (see above regarding accumulating responsibilities).

Finally, one of those moments occurred last night. You know, the moments that lasting memories are made of. While André and I were working away at the floor, Pam decided that she was going make Christmas cookies with Katie (pictured here) who was also there (as was Bill, who had gone to hang out with Josh and Derrick). They measured and mixed and blended and baked away happily as they chatted away, making small talk. Katie kept tasting the frosting while they waited for the dough to chill. When the dough was ready, Bill came up and helped them cut the cookies into shape. A few short baking minutes later and the cookies were ready. Pam called out to everyone in the house (André was gone to get Chantal at this point) and in moments the table was surrounded with laughter and sprinkles and frosting. Everyone was into it, including Derrick and Josh! As soon as Emilie found out (she was at work) she asked to be picked up so she could join in the fun. At that point, everyone stopped, mid-cookie as it were, and the fun resumed unabated when she joined the table. We have pictures, and a little video. The cookies will likely only last a few days. But, because Pam was open to an opportunity, we also have a wonderful memory, as do the kids. Thanks, my love, for making life flavourful.

Crossing the Streams

I HAVE been posting some essays on the ADF lists lately, related to Stoicism, and I was gently prompted by a dear friend to think about my blog again. So I am going to go and dig through the posts and bring them up here.

Pam and I are still posting our comments to the Words of the Ancient Wise blog. I am so glad we started that this year. So much cause for deep thought and conversation. I love that I can talk to her about the important, philosophical parts of life. My impression is that this is a rare gift, and that most couples only deal in deepness when there is a crisis. So this is what being blessed feels like.

Back at the Blog

Crazy weekend, crazy day ahead. Went to Thornhaven's ritual on Saturday and then invited Mark and Edain over for supper and wine. It was a good time. Sunday was devoted to Lin and Adam's recitals, who both did really well. Today it looks like back to back to back meetings. Won't be getting anything done then.Tonight is 'The Audition' so no rest for the wicked.

Finding my core

I seem to have lost my way. My OC personality once again focussed too strongly on the trappings of my life, without due consideration for the content. I had forgotten that ADF serves as framework, the language, for my life style, and that the core of it is Stoicism. I wrote the following in and email this morning, trying to explain what Stoicism meant to me, to a self proclaimed Cynic:

---

Peter: ...When we take on, or attempt to take on this mantle of Stoicism... we are [placing ourselves] 'up there' with the all-time greats: Pythagoras, Socrates, Epictetus, Jesus, Buddha, and the like--no? It's not a very long list: but have we got what it takes to join it? If we haven't then our Stoicism is a waste of time--we're living a make-believe Stoicism, a substitute Stoicism, a second-best Stoicism. But then don't they say you shouldn't give up, doesn't Epictetus say it, you should not give up just because there islittle chance of attaining the highest. ...So a qualified Stoicism is better than none?... Where's the optimistic voices in this group?

Me: Here is your optimistic (and resounding) YES! Even the path to
becoming a Sage (whoever, where ever, whatever that is) is strewn with
diamonds.

By my faith in logos, my trust in phusis and my hope of eudaimon, I
have the courage to face the world and its visicitudes.

Through acting virtuously, towards virtuous ends, for virtue's sake, I
am daily granted the serenity of knowing that I am in the right place,
at the right time, doing the right thing.

In my efforts to subject appearances to assent, acts to reservation,
and practice to examination, I daily receive the wisdom upon which I
build my days.

I may not be a 'true' Stoic (I do not believe that enough of their
teachings survive to know) but I am grateful for the joy I experience
daily through these teachings.

And that is enough (and ideed all we can expect).

---
And for me, it is enough. It truly is Stoicism that is the core of my life. I need to remember that. Always

June 7th

Interesting, if full, weekend.

On a spiritual front, we had our dedicants meeting today. 2 things struck me. Lee's comment that the well and the water from it cleanse us all. It washed us inside and out like the rivers in our shrine dedication. She mentioned tears as an example.

Farrell explained that the fire, or pure energy, are represented in the Gods, who are also the embodiement of perfection towards which we reach. Like the path to virtue, it reminded me of the Stoic method of living.

June 5th, 2009

Meditations along the Sacred Way. Following the path from the Tholos and Temple of Athena, past the Gymnasium and the Springs, up through the winding streets to the Temple at Delphi. 27 meditations, one for each Oracle, with an insight and experience to match. Meditating on the Greek Phrase as a mantra at the place. The sites need not occur in alphabetical order, but in the order that makes the most sense along the journey.

The two form of mediation I am choosing to follow, Oracular and Wisdom, aling beautifully with my two Patrons. My primary goal is to complete the Oracular Meditations prior to my final submission. If I don't get to the Tarot meditations, that is less of a worry to me.

Wisdom as a virtue vs. Wisdom as a practice.

Looking to build up some rationalization for the UPG in the Restore Greek Alphabet Oracle.

I need to get to work on 'Scroll/Tablet/Papyrus/' for the first one on how to use the rest of them.

June 4, 2009

 It has been a difficult morning. I am trying to remain Stoic about it, but it is really difficult.

I have to start on the Meditation portion of my DP. So far, I see it as two fold. The Oracle Meditation, and the Virtues Meditation. I will be adding the Nature Meditation in due time.

For the Oracle Meditation, I figure that if i spend 1 week on each of the Greek Alphabet Oracle letters, and one week on each of the Major arcana in the Tarot, this gives me 49 weekly Meditations. I could do something like the visualizing exercise I once did for the Fool. It was quite moving. Trying that with the Greek Alphabet Orcale will be interesting. Is there a story I can use to tie them all together?

The second method will be the Virtues Meditation. I have about 11 months to complete this. If I spend the balance of June writing the introductory meditation (maybe 500 words). Then implement it in July while I re-write the Industry Meditation to better include the character stregths and the Stoics into the meditation.

Using this system, I could complete the entire series in a year, perhaps even publish it as a book through Lulu. With all of the footnotes, and an introduction. With worksheets in the back. Virtues based, not salesman based like the Greatest Salesman in the World.

Ok, on to the letter meditation. Start at the temple at Delphi. Good place to start meditation.

Spring up oh Well

So it's official, Pam and I are heading to Wellspring. This is a little weird for me, heading off to an unknown situation. But I and trying it out, stepping out there. Camping in May is like, well, camping in September. I.e. Risky and cold, but uncrowded.

We are likely bringing Erin along from the grove. Should be, might be, could be fun.

On another note, I came across someone on LiveJournal that has a pdf of Kerenyi's Apollo. Unfortunately the posts stating this are from 2007, so I am hoping that he/she is still checking the account and still has the pdf kicking around and is willing to share it. A lot of hope but other than spending 150ish, that is the only way I will be getting this 74 page booklet that originally sold for 8.50.

The Path of Most Resistance

Pam and I signed up as members of the ADF a few weeks ago. Several things about it caught my interest. Their focus on scholastic research when considering one's religion was a huge appeal. Yes, we are all making it up as we go, however let's make sure that we acknowlegde our own creations instead of trying to give them weight by laying over a veneer of history.

ADF also has a lot of SIGs that I find intriguing, such as the Bard and Liturgical groups.

And so the walk begins with the Dedicant's path. I am planning a schedule of what to do when, so that I can hit all of the marks in about a year. The first exercise I have started to focus on is the Virtues work. I am planning to build a series of meditations on each of the virtues, to increase their number from 9 to 13, to marry each one with a one of the Greek pantheon AND to have a new once completed every lunar month.

Other portions, such as the attendance to rituals etc. are being accomplished in their own time, with our Lammas celebration postponed to this coming weekend. I am really looking forward to it.