This weekend I was in California, to support and serve in a very beautiful ceremony. I was blessed to be able to reconnect with some of my Burning Man family and friends, and sit on the couch with the Devil. I was most grateful to be able to connect with the Daimyo, and take care of some unfinished business. It was a welcome and enjoyable break from my Internship, and I was well taken care of.
Despite some early miscommunication, and a potential stranding at the Oakland airport at 1am, I stayed calm, without expectations, and had an extra adventure, sleeping four hours and arising to discuss DBT and trauma-based cognitive theory with a brilliant woman, still in her PJs. Then, on to ‘carry wood and chop water’, and then a day of celebration and reconnection, excellent food and ritual, and more formal service, then the ceremony, where I was lucky to be able to actually help tie the knot, participating in the aftercare, giving much energy but never being drained. One of my students has clearly graduated, having learned all I could teach her and more, and was acknowledged as such, with great respect.
For me, a very informal but necessary renewal of my relationship and continuing service to the Daimyo took place. The symbol of the relationship will come later, but there are other changes as well. My current name hasn’t suited me for some time, and all of those who teach me and know me on a spiritual level now are aware it’s time for my name to change.
Grim was a name I earned about 20 years ago in my biker days, when I was a very different person. I repeatedly could and did end fights and protect others with just a look, and if it didn’t end, those in the fight knew I would not stop until the fight was over. Grim rode hard, worked hard, played hard, and drank hard. Grim means high intensity, being always ready for trouble, spending energy, slightly tense and alert. Grim’s shields were always up, not open to perceived threats as change, expecting problems. Always protective and armed, even when not needed, just in case. Old ways, about fear, anger, power, and a bad-ass reputation. Grim was and will continue to be needed at times, because Grim could be counted on to steal bikes back from abusive ex’s at midnight, protect, defend, and hide beaten wives at and after the moment of violence, and be a good brother to have your back when you’re in trouble.
My new name I’m considering trying out on a trial basis in place of Grim is... Aldebaran.
Aldebaran is the star marking the left eye of the Bull, Taurus. In Arabic, Al Dabaran means both "Follower" and “Leader”. The early English called the star the “Bull's Eye”, “the centre of a target, which usually carries the highest score", and "a precise or highly effective achievement". The great "red giant", war-like Aldebaran is one of the four "Guardians of Heaven", sentinels watching over other stars. It formed one of the four royal stars of Persia as "Watcher of the East", and Aldebaran was also called one of the four archangel stars (Michael - Military Commander of the Heavenly Host). Aldebaran is also one of the four stars characterized as Horses, reflected both in the famed Four Horsemen of Apocalypse (Revelations 6) and the Chariot Horses in the Book of Zechariah. Hebrews rendered this star God's Eye.
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