P.A.U. 19 – Sharp Dressed Blog & Other Things

Hello and Merry Meet fellow Bloggers and Readers!

So far, I’ve gotten no feedback on what you think of the revamp of my new bio (see P.A.U. 18 for that one) but I know one person at least liked it. Still, my vote of confidence as to whether it’s well written and still fairly entertaining, to me, are sketchy at best. So if you can, please don’t forget to stop by, give it a read and give me your thoughts on it. I’d very much appreciate it. Thank you!

If you haven’t noticed already, I’ve made some serious changes to the blog. I’m trying to give it a slightly more Professional feel, to a certain extent, while also trying to promote “ease of use“. If you feel any of the side-bar stuff is confusing, a bit crowded, busy or something – please let me know! I’m changing things up only because I want it to be easier for my Readers and fellow Bloggers to find things and navigate my blog! So I’m not just doing this for me. If you liked the way something was before, try to explain to me what it was in a comment or take a screen-cap and share it with me.

Daily Prompt Response: Mentor Me

Have you ever had a mentor? What was the greatest lesson you learned from him or her?

Calypso receiving Telemachus and Mentor in the Grotto (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yes; I’ve had a Mentor. If I had to be honest with myself I’ve had two major mentors in my life who have profoundly affected my understanding of Magick and being a Pagan. However, I’ve also had other very important Mentors or Teachers come into my life since then. At least six I can think of I met down in Florida when I lived there for two years.

My very first true Mentor that I remember is the reason I finally got down on my knees and swore an oath, dedicating myself to my God and Goddess as I finally accepted the path I had always been born to, just had not yet figured things out on my own and fully come to terms with accepting the path I was meant for.

In a single day, my 1st Mentor shared with me as much as he could before we had to part ways. I have not seen him since that day and I have no idea if he knew what kind of impression he’d leave upon me, but I can’t help but wonder if he had not already seen the Priestess within me waiting to come out when we met. He had that all-knowing twinkle in his eye which told me he was privy to much more than meets the eye.

P.A.U. 18 – Revamping the Bio

Merry meet one and all!

So I said I wanted to get around to trying to revamp my bio. If you haven’t seen it, it’s the thing I’m referring to under the “About” tab. I urge you to look at the original to do a proper comparison. I will tell you right off the bat that giving exact times or dates for me, is very difficult. I don’t have the best memory in the world, I will admit. So some of the dates from the original will look possibly a year or two different from the newer update. Just being honest and warning you now.

Oh and yes, I did get around to doing a rough draft version of a possible update for my Bio. I did that tonight/this morning. I decided I wanted to try it out without the “Third Person” narrative to see if I liked it any better. I like my work to feel personal to my readers vs. impersonal. Sometimes I feel “Professional” sounding is a bit too stuffy and uptight. I’ll be quite frank with you, I’m not really like this 1st rough draft. I think it sounds kind of “blah”. It doesn’t sound like good ole, excitable, Fae-like Gweny.

P.A.U. 16 – Mainstreet Universe Book Interview

Pool Party (Photo credit: besighyawn)

Hello and good evening everyone!

Truth be told I’ve wanted to write-up something new for the past few days. However, I’ve been very busy on, sadly, Second Life reorganizing my inventory. Something they recommend for Newbies of Second Life. Also cleaning house in my inventory which is just as important. I’ve also been busy trying to figure out how to made a “Business Card” of sorts to promote my skills and services as a Priestess and Healer.

Before I move on to what I wanted to get at with today’s update, if you are interested in tracking me down to ask me about a Reading (Tarot/Oracle/Psychic) or other services I offer (as a Priestess & Healer people, get your minds out of the gutter), my name is Lady Gwendolynn de Dannan. Feel free to IM me or drop a notecard my way. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can when I’m online. Thank you.

And if you just want to friend me and get to know me better, that’s another good reason to say hello and I won’t object.

Down to business, I know it’s a little late – but as they say, better late than never! I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this in a previous P.A.U. before so if I haven’t, I remembered and I’m doing it this time for you benefit! Tomorrow, Tuesday,  February 5th, 2013 at 7 P.M. EST (4 P.M. PST, that’s my time by the way), Daniel Michael of Mainstreet Universe; Blogtalk Radio, will be doing a book interview with me about “Operation Charlie Bravo”.

Are You or Are You Not? That is the Question – Priest/ess

English: Priestess of the Egyptian goddess Isis, holding a situla (a bronze jug). Roman statue of the 2nd century AD, on display at the Museo Archaeologico Regionale, Palermo, Sicily. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A true musing of my mind for you today folks. If you get “scared” grab a Plushie to hold, squeeze and cuddle (or a pet). If you get confused, which may or may not happen because I’m going to try my best to be pretty clear and not jump around too much, please ask me to clarify my meaning in comments. Thank you.
This is dedicated to all the Priests, Priestesses and others of that nature of all paths, orders, traditions, faiths or whatever and wherever you may be.

As primarily a Solitary Priestess on her path it has not always been easy, as I am sure it has been much the same for others like myself. People don’t often understand the trials, struggles and tribulations we experiences. The hardships and ridicule we endure. We’ve done nothing wrong except be ourselves and pursue a path that “fits”, “makes sense”, a part of who we are we cannot fight that brings us great joy and happiness in following that path. Conversely, there is also much sadness, sorrow, worries, doubts and fears too.

In modern society most people expect that anything you can/could do in the world can be proven with a single piece of paper that supposedly “claims” you’ve done some kind of official study with someone, somewhere to achieve this new level of understanding or learning. This too goes the same for Priests and Priestesses. I can’t tell you how many times, because honestly I don’t remember, I’ve told someone, “I’m self-studied” or “I’m self-taught/trained” and immediately they’ve ceased all contact with me or they’ve completely mocked, berated, belittled and ridiculed me.

It hurts, it sucks but there isn’t much you can do about it, except have faith in yourself and that you are following the right path for YOU.

Too many people, as I hear, get discouraged by these sorts of things, but again – it’s like what I’ve heard many a good Christian say, “It’s a test of your Faith. A test of your Dedication. A test of your Endurance, perseverance and personal strength.” I actually and honestly believe that, to a fair degree. See, when you follow a path that is considered, “Reconstructionist” to me, in a way, anything goes or your Path, can be whatever it needs to be or wants to be so long as it runs in the same vein of what your initially trying to pursue as your actual path.

You Want the Truth?! You Can’t HANDLE the Truth!

English: The Priestess (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So a discussion with my S.O. (significant other) reminded me of this topic I wanted to write a few weeks ago. I initially wasn’t feeling up for writing today/yesterday, but had a change of heart as soon as I remembered this, feeling it was far more important to write than to not write at all. As a Priestess there are situations I encounter I’m uncertain of how to resolve or solve. When I run into a situation like this I try to consult with friends, because I don’t know many other Priests or Priestesses I want, can and have access to talk to – not to mention trust. Believe it or not – I don’t feel I can talk and or trust every Priest or Priestess I meet, neither should you unless you get a good vibe.

Often times these experiences I have come to me through personal growth-life lessons. I don’t always know what “Pearl of Wisdom” I am meant to gleam from the situation, but I typically hope the right choice I eventually do make will result in the da-dah-da-DAAAHHH! prize (the wisdom, ). Not only will I be able to use this information for myself, but more often than not – what I have learned can help heal or benefit others in some way shape or form. Which is exactly what I use it for with anonymity established out of respect, of course.

Now, some of you out there may be asking, “Alright Gweny, I follow you. Though I’m confused about where the title of the article comes into this.” and we’re getting to that – now. The situation I was discussing with my S.O. had to do with someone who said and at times demanded to be told the Truth - always. This also meant the “Blunt, honest to God/dess, Ugly“ Truth. Overall, I admit I’m a pretty honest person. I may omit things for typically a very good reason. It’s something, I think, most honest and good people do too. I don’t sugar-coat but I try to be honest in a way that is compassionate, understanding and will be accepted and understood – or close enough. If not, maybe they aren’t meant to learn that lesson from me. No biggy.

A Thankless Job – Or Maybe Not?

Image via Wikipedia

This is a VERY special story near and dear to my heart, for it is NOT something someone like myself sees everyday, but when it happens people like myself are filled with a VERY warm feeling inside and a gladness that cannot possibly described adequately in words. Firstly, some brief re-cap for those of us just joining in on the L.G. train. For those of you out there who don’t know, I’m a Priestess. Don’t ask what Tradition, you won’t get an answer for personal reasons.

In my personal experience and field, the job of the Priest/ess can be and largely is lots of hard work, dedication, long hours, often doesn’t pay (monetarily) for a VERY long time, and more often than not is a THANKLESS job but someone has to do it and we know that. We do this job regardless because we understand sometimes seeing a “Shrink” isn’t the first option people want to think of when it simply comes to “needing someone to talk to you can trust”.

In our field, I’ve come across two types of “Thanks yous” in my life thus far. The ones that are out of obligation and the ones that are given out of PURE and HONEST gratitude. The latter is the one I would LOVE to hear the most – but often we as Priest/esses don’t hear these types of “Thanks Yous“. We often have to convince ourselves that what we do is for the highest and greatest good of those who come to us and it doesn’t matter if they return to give that heartfelt “Thank you” we have to learn to accept not everyone WILL return to do just that. So we must be satisfied by the fact we “tried” to help the individual whether they take our advice or no, it is their free-will, and it’s in Spirits hands after we have done our job.

Congratulations! You Are Ordained!

Image by ξωαŋ ThΦt (slowly back...) via Flickr

Now I know not everyone takes the Universal Life Church seriously, since ANYONE can go on the site and register to become an ordained minister, but for those of us not entirely savvy on how we’d go about getting this done under the religion of our choice, it does make things easy. Not to mention if we plan on starting our own religious organizations it is very handy.

Today I finally broke down and went on the Universal Life Church to register and become an Ordained Minister in the belief system of my choice. This to me is MOST excellent considering I have followed my own path for a VERY long time and still have met very few who walk the same path as I in perfect love, trust, and respect for one another no matter sex or slight differences in ideology.

So today, I am proud to say I am officially an Ordained Minister of my Faith/Path and can perform any and all rights of passage or religious ceremonies. Yay! Very few people can truly understand how much this means to someone such as myself, even if it was NOT given to me by someone within my own path except by “Spirit” itself-I am happy regardless and in a way somehow relieved.

~Namaste~

Image by Tilemahos Efthimiadis via Flickr