An Update, of many things
Feb. 14th, 2007 02:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
grim23This 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.
I relish comments.
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.
I relish comments.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
how do you say that?
Date: 2007-02-14 07:49 pm (UTC)but I see no reference to "leader" just to "follower".
To hear how this is pronounced: http://tinyurl.com/2p2egd
(because I wasn't sure!)
That is my service contribution for today :-)
I'm glad to know you are home safe and that you connected with people who are important to you. As far as what name you choose to use, I applaud you for the evolution but I'm used to the older name and I will fall back on old habits and call you that at times.
Re: how do you say that?
Date: 2007-02-15 04:30 am (UTC)From the Romans, as a nurturing leader: "As a member of the Hyades it was a "Sow"; the colloquial title among the Roman country-people for the Hyades was Suculae, "the Little Pigs", from Sus, "Sow". It was said that the title might come from the resemblance of this group of stars to a pig's jaws; or because Aldebaran and its companion stars were like a sow with her litter. Pliny accounting for it by the fact that the continual rains of the season of their setting made the roads so miry that these stars seemed to delight in dirt, like swine!" Also the Arabic definition can be translated as both leader and follower. *smile*
Grim is fine for now, as this is only a trial run. Even I'm still getting used to it.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-14 08:22 pm (UTC)Yeah. Thank you, by the way. :-)
I have a few insights, but will email you privately.
(Or here, if the comments are truly screened.)
Kittin
no subject
Date: 2007-02-15 04:33 am (UTC)Email privately, as you wish --- I decided not to screen this post.
Love,
Grim/Aldebaran
no subject
Date: 2007-02-15 07:10 am (UTC)However, I do beleive that searching out another name to be an important milestone in anyone's progress, even if the name never comes. The fact that you recognize that Grim is a coat you can put on or take off is the important part.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-19 12:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-15 03:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-19 12:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-15 09:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-15 09:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-19 12:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-15 09:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-19 12:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-16 05:49 pm (UTC)The other image was one I had just seen the morning I first read this, on Cosmic Log. It is an image of the Helix Nebula, also called God's Eye. And I thought you might enjoy the image too. http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/12/54579.aspx
Grim will always be a part of you, as is Samuel Stem. When we evolve we do not lose what we have been, we simply grow beyond it into something new. A butterfly cannot change that it was once a caterpillar - in fact the markings remain much the same, the difference is in the new wings. Enjoy your new flight.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-19 12:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-18 01:06 am (UTC)*looks up at you* Who are you going to war against?
Safiyah
no subject
Date: 2007-02-19 12:59 am (UTC)The primary associations of the name are leading/following, especially in the Tauran system, since the Diamyo is a Taurus, although there are also associations for East. Other associations are building, protection, spiritual growth/Hero's Journey, and enlightenment.
What am I going to war against? War is obsolete, according to the Dalai Lama. *smile*
Aldebaran
no subject
Date: 2007-02-20 02:57 pm (UTC)Anyways, my beliefs aside, you say the Dalai Lama says that War is obsolete. Yet, look around, we are still at war. Look at yourself, you are STILL preparing for something you say is obsolete? Who are you going to war against?
*grins* You always were good at dodging questions without actually answering them.
Safiyah
no subject
Date: 2007-02-20 05:13 pm (UTC)Aldebaran
no subject
Date: 2007-02-21 02:14 am (UTC)*smiles*
Ok.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-21 02:15 am (UTC)Safiyah