Update

[qos]

I feel like this journal hasn't had much substance to it lately. There's a lot going on, but most of it is happening on levels and in areas that don't lend themselves to public posts -- even by my usual willingness to disclose a lot.

So let's see. . . what can I say?



In my spiritual life I'm doing some fascinating, intense work with Ereshkigal, who is the Sumerian goddess of the underworld, sister to Inanna. I've been associated with Inanna for years. It seems to be time to learn the lessons of the other side of the cycle they both partake in. This is a deepening and focusing of the underworld work I've been doing since uncrowned_king's death. I've been making some significant breakthroughs in my practice, which is exciting. It's kind of challenging putting this much energy into working with an underworld/death goddess -- but although Ereshkigal gets my first priority right now, I am also spending time and focus on deities like Freyja, to balance the energies.

Also of note in my spiritual life: I had my first paid session as a spiritual director on Sunday. This is a huge milestone for me, one worth noting and celebrating. It was also a lovely conversation, a very special experience, and I continue to be delighted and honored to have this person as my first directee.

_storyteller_ and I are starting to rebuild our relationship -- although that's not Relationship with a capital "R". There was never any hostility between us, but as he observed a couple of weeks ago, we needed some time apart so we could start (mostly) fresh. It's nice to spend time with him again. I've missed him very much.

I went to a "Tantra and BDSM" class a few weeks ago. The class was mostly a disappointment, but I made a delightful connection with E, another woman who was there by herself. We did the tantric connection exercises together and were both surprised by the quick and easy intimacy we established. There's a friendship to be built there, and maybe a (non-sexual) play partnership as well.

As a consequence of griping to oakmouse about my disappointment with the above-mentioned class, I've submitted a proposal to Pantheacon, a major Pagan convention, to teach a class called "Feral Holiness: BDSM and the Sacred." (The community feral_holiness is not focused on BDSM, but I love the phrase, and needed something vivid for my title.) I'lll find out if I've been accepted or not the first week of December.

The day job continues as usual. I'll be in a "Critical Thinking Skills" class Tuesday through Thursday. Critical thinking is something I usually do well, but the course description included a bit about using different kinds of thinking to tackle different kinds of problems, and that intrigued me. It will be nice to have a change of pace. Also, Dave is going to be out of the office a lot over the next few weeks, which should make my days less hectic. Still no word on when "my" new position will be posted as an open requisition. It's coming, but I'm not holding my breath.

During our trip to Leavenworth, uncrowned_king bought me a hematite ring, which I started wearing on my right hand, then moved to my left a few weeks later. I've been wearing it there ever since, and I don't plan on removing it any time in the forseeable future. Today, just before the staff meeting started, one of the directors I work with asked suddenly, "Did you get married? Or did you make a commitment?" Five months (or more) and this is the first time someone has asked about it. I was speechless for a few moments, then realized that while I might be able to tell this person at least some of the story if we were having a private conversation, there was no way I was going to be able to say anything of significance sitting in a conference room with a bunch of other people there and a meeting about to start. So instead, I said, "I've been wearing it for months. It's a long story." I need to have something better to say, and probably a couple of versions (with various depths of truth), because it's probably not the last time I'll be asked -- and it's not a simple answer, nor one easily shared.

Comments

[iswari.livejournal.com]

Congrats to you on your first official session. That's wonderful news!

I'm glad you're sharing a little bit about your process, too.

[qos.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

It's been hard to know what to share -- and I've been too engrossed in actually doing things to write much about it.

[qos.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'd be honored to have you there!

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I think your response is perfectly appropriate for any occasion.

Being paid to do what you love is special. Congratulations...you inspire me.

[qos.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[athenian-abroad.livejournal.com]

I'm planning to be in San Francisco the week before Pantheacon is held. Should we try to plan to cross paths somehow?

[qos.livejournal.com]

If I'm selected and if we can match itineraries. . . . yes. :-)

Or you could take the train up here for a weekend.

[coen.livejournal.com]

congrats on your first paid session as a spiritual director.

[coen.livejournal.com]

"Critical Thinking Skills" class sounds intresting.

I once took a class like that, but it wasn't very good. Or maybe I wasn't very good, or a bit of both, I don't know. I could not get along with the teacher.
At the end of the course we had an exam, and one of the most important questions was: "Why is critical thinking important?"
My answer was: "Because our teacher says so."
I failed the test.
A few weeks later I was allowed a re-examination, and this time there was only one question: "Why is critical thinking important?"
I gave exactly the same answer as the first time.
And I failed again.
I guess I was pretty arrogant at that time.