Life In a Wyrd World

So- I'm a few pages into the third chapter of Triumph of the Moon by Ronald Hutton, and all I can say so far is... yay!  Finally a book on the history of modern witchcraft and paganism that references facts instead of regurgitating fiction!


At this stage, Hutton has discussed the varying attitudes toward paganism leading up to the witches revolution in the 20th century. The second chapter outlines the development of the modern goddess concept in paganism, and the third (just started) is pretty much doing the same for the modern god concept.  What I'm really enjoying is the fact that while I can follow most of his archeological and literary references (not just because I have studied some anthropology, literature, and mythology, but because they are clear enough for someone who hasn't,) I'm still learning a lot of new things too.  For instance, while I was aware that Robert Graves' 1948 publication of The White Goddess was meant to be read as an actual religious text and not only as poetry, I was not aware that his concepts of a triple goddess and her lunar associations, and the Holly King/Oak King rivalry, were completely original among his contemporaries.  I knew these ideas did not go all the back to paleolithic times as suggested by some pagan *ahem* experts, however I had not realized that these ideas were wholly conceived and wholly unique to 20th century pagans.    I think I'm really going to enjoy this book on the whole, and I'm really glad I picked it :)

In other news, I have finally picked a new tarot deck:  I have absolutely fallen in love with the Deviant Moon deck.  It's kinda surreal, and, dark, and almost creepy, but I like that. It's more less based on the Rider-Waite-Smith model, but the artist who conceived Patrick Valenza had a more cerebral experience in mind as he created it.  It took him nearly 30 years to complete it!  Basically though, it's meant to tap into the deepest corners of the subconscious, and realistically, this is not always a pleasant or happy-fun-times expedience.  Sometimes, we must face our darker aspects- our fears, doubts, and our personal "demons"- and all the crap in our consciousness that can hold us back.  There is always, hope, growth and positivity that comes from acknowledging the broken bits of yourself and looking for the solutions or better direction, so it isn't like this deck is all doom-and-gloom.  It just isn't going to be ponies and kittens that fart candy floss all of the time...
                      

I'm really looking forward to working with them- I love my LOTR deck, but the symbolism of the cards is rather different in a lot of ways from the more universally used RWS interpretations, and I think this  deck is a little more intuitive, so I can actually improve my reading skills.

I'm also jonesing for the Dark Grimoire deck by Lo Scarabeo, which is also RWS derived, but built around a Lovecraftian-based interpretation.  Again with the dark, heavy stuff: I wonder what this says about me?  I already know I'm not much of a Shiny-Happy-People pagan, but I still wonder why I seem to be so regularly drawn to much darker tarot decks....

That's just about what I did today. 

Apart from a preliminary interview with a new client for CPRS (which went well, I think) I did nothing today except check email, eat a Veggie Bites chili cheese dog (it was the best thing EVER,) and hang out with dreigiau_tywyll  and our friend Jen.  We watched Land of the Lost and then played several rounds of CLUE Secrets and Spies Edition.  This game is the business! Basically, instead of trying to solve a murder, you run around the board posing as different spies to complete missions, all the while keeping your true identity secret.  Winning is a combination of secretly orchestrating the advancement of your own agent on the board, and collecting points for completed missions and rendezvous'. Is good times.

So I didn't get anymore of my reading done today for the DP, but I do expect to have my first book done within the next week (maybe two).  The rest of this week will need to spent reading for the DP, finishing my men's wear sketches, and tidying up for the fitting session with Brendan on Sunday afternoon.  I think I will blog tomorrow night exclusively about my DP reading: I think it will be helpful for the writeup process. I should probably also scan my sketches and post them by the end of the week.

I must take care not to sleep too late tomorrow; dreigiau_tywyll and I are going thrifting with Jen for soap-making/brewing equipment, and I think I might try to scope out a food processor or bread maker for our own kitchen- we need both badly!

Jeebus Christi, it's a quarter of 7am.  I need to get my arse into bed, already...

Everybody freaks out about what to do for NYE, but honestly, I feel like I've usually gotten my new year's fix by November 1st.  I guess it's largely a pagan thing, as I view Samhain (Halloween) as the transition from the old year to the new: I make my resolutions and contemplate my goals and expectations then.  December 31st is pretty much just another day to me.

As a result, I don't feel compelled to go out and spend tons of money partying in a club for NYE; I prefer getting together with friends for a house party or something like that.  I may not be as into the "holiday" but I always enjoy time with the people I care about.  This year, it sounds like I might be going out with friends to the Darkroom party, or possibly Late Bar, but we might do a little pre-gaming at my place beforehand.  Haven't ironed out the details yet...

I started my LJ in March of 2005, and I have less than 10 entries.  In nearly FIVE years.  Lame.

Anyway, I'll probably be using it a lot more in the next few months, as I'm finally getting around to finishing my Dedicant Studies for ADF (I really, REALLY want to do the study program for the Brewer's Guild,) andI think it will be a big help with my fashion collection.

So what's new in my world?  not much apparently; I'm actually just picking up old projects again, and much more seriously this time around.  I guess I'm realizing that while I'm unemployed- and quite possibly for a while, from the look of things- I can try to turn this unfortunate situation in my favor.  Money, or the lack thereof, certainly presents it's challenges, but at least I've got lots of free time on my side.

For starters, as I said before I'm going to complete my DP over the next 3 or 4 months, as doing so will allow me to do a lot of other things within ADF.  I'm trying to be more active within the organization as well, as I feel it's important for my deepening faith.  I have never really thought of myself as a devout person in the past, but I have found that the still moments in my religious practice has brought me moments of peace that I desperately need in these difficult times, and am unable to find by way of any other vices or experiences.  I have friends who are likely to be uncomfortable with this sudden openness regarding my faith, but it is nevertheless a part of who I am, and an important part at that.  I certainly would never dane to proselytize to anyone, and offer the same respect for difference of beliefs that I expect from others, but it's my blog and I'll testify if I want to :)  So be forwarned- thar be more spiritual self discovery and pagan images in the future.  I do solemnly swear, however, never to dress like Stevie Nicks or make up a silly, self-indulgent 'craft name'....

In other news, I've also signed on to show a mini-collection of sorts in a fashion show that scaryladysarah will be hosting at Nocturna in February.  I've dubbed my label Pool of Tears, taken obviously from Alice in Wonderland, as it's one of my all-time favorite stories.  I've been talking forever it seems, about trying my hand at a line of clothes and have always been either too lazy or too chicken (mostly the latter) to do anything.  I've got a ton of work ahead of me over the next month and a half, which I'm extremely nervous about, but having a targeted event and therefore a deadline is probably the best medicine for what ails:  this way I have some shorter term goals to help me get focused and get my feet wet, and from there I can continue work on a portfolio.  At the end of this, I hope to apply to and earn my keep in a fashion program for a degree.  I'm still doing research on schools, so more on that later...

For now, I'm working on sketches for  about 3 outfits- I've already got 2 models who have agreed to walk for me: my good friends Mollybeth and Brendan.  I'm still pondering a couple candidates for my last look, and I'd better sort it out soon.  I'll be starting the process of measuring my models and making their body forms for fittings over the next week, so we'll get to know each other *really* well :p  I'll post my sketches soon, and will probably document my design progress as I go along.  The basic idea of my creative vision is equal parts goth, couture, fantasy, and pageantry.  But totally stylin' :)  This particular collection will be for spring, and will basically be my interpretations of aristocratic fashion throughout the last 200 years.

Stay tuned....

Come out to the badass new bar on Chicago's Southside and see the Spring Queen Fling!

And if the show is not enough for you, dance your ass off to DJ Tiger Lily's set afterwards!!!!!!!!!
$5 cover = free raffle ticket

Got a sweet tooth, get your cotton candy fix! Still thirsty, get a drink; specials all night!!







Get twisted, get insane, get Damaged!

Having a crappy week--it started on Sunday with an asshole bus driving. The prick made me get off the bus because he said my Chicagocard had no balance (which is bullshit becasue my month pass had just reloaded), and at that particular moment I had no cash. I had to waste $5 to get the rest of the way to work! When I called to compain, the customer service rep said my card was fine, the driver obviously just didn't understand the equipment.

Now I'm having trouble with my bank over some overdraft fees that should never have been charged to my account, so I called the payroll goddess in accounting today to stop my direct deposit--mwa ha ha ha! At least my money will be in my wallet, where it belongs, while I sort this out. Bastards. . .

Other than that it's the same ol' song and dance-work, play with kitties, work, go to bar occasionally, yadda-yadda-yadda.

I'll come back later when I've cooled off a bit. . . .

Ok, so I never came back after K went into labor. . .chalk it up to excitement! DJ decided to come hang out for awhile around 12:44pm on 10/11/05. He weighed in at 6lbs. 12oz. and 18.5" long! Hooray!

Since then, he's gained almost a whole pound, and is doing very well (though apparently he needs a little work aiming; he's hit everyone in the face at least once, hee hee)

I'm so excited to see him: I bought my ticket last week to fly out for christmas with the family. I'll only be out in California for eight days, but I 'spose that will give me enough time to see the people I care to see. I'll update on DJ's growth and post more pictures as I get them.

My sister is in labor! My mom had a feeling DJ was coming earlier than the doc's guestimated due date of Oct 23. She dropped really low last week.

More news later. . . .

You start one of these journals, and then someone you know says you should update it, and it's like, oh shit! I haven't written anything in six months!

Obviously, stuff has happened; my "baby" sister got married in March, and should be ready to deliver my nephew anytime now! He'll be called DJ, which is short for my father's name, David Joseph. I'm excited to be an auntie, but sad that the distance between us will make it difficult to see him much (my family still lives in the S.F. bay). I will meet him over the holidays, and he will be spoiled rotten!

I'm excited to have had an artistic epiphany this week. This is strange only because I've never considered myself an artist before, at least not in the fine-art sense of the term. I like to think I have a good eye and sense for design, and am very good with making things like jewelry, clothing and such, but I've always struggled with fine art. Anywho, I got a wild idea for a piece that will merge the concept of a pop culture toy from my childhood with ironic and erotic imagery. . .I suppose it doesn't sound as fabulous when I'm vague, but I want to get it rolling before I spill the details ;) My boyfriend (a more accomplished artist than I, by far) and I will collaborate on the project, as he knows all kinds of cool shit; he has the construction know-how to help me build it, and his creative input sure can't hurt!

I'm also eagerly waiting for the KMFDM show in a couple of weeks; I've never seen them live, and I really need to go out and f****ing party! I'm so bored and tense lately; it sucks ass!

Apparently, I ought to add that my mood includes major potty-mouth mode today; ha! I remember dating a navy guy once who complained about how much I swear. . .isn't that hilarious?

THis sucks. . .I slept in ENTIRELY too late this afternoon, and therefore had no time to prepare my work for class. So I didn't go. Again.

Blarg. I'm surfing he net instead. Not exciting. Cats sleeping. At least it isn't hot.

I bought the domain name for our grove yesterday, and today I created a Yahoo! Group for it. Pretty nifty! We're pretty much set now once we've requested permission from the Mother Grove and chatted with the folks from the other Chicago Grove. Don't want to step on any toes.

Hmmm. . .not much to talk about; I'll come back later when I do.