A long Ass Initiation

Photo Credit: Cindy Palmano

I have neither forgotten about this blog, nor have I forgotten about my underworld journey through the album "Boys For Pele". What I have discovered is like Eurydice when entering the underworld it is easy to lose track of time, and lose the course you are traveling on. Also, like Orpheus it is easy to doubt your own beliefs and convictions, turn to prove yourself right and end up having to face your own consequences and losses. In Orpheus' tale he loses Eurydice when he turn to prove to himself that she is in actuality following him out of the Underworld breaking the rule set forth by Hades and sending Eurydice back to the Underworld. In my case facing parts of my own psyche, personality, and ego I thought I had faced and handled previously.

So I did my Initiatory Rite. I drank my Chtonic Cordial, and Invoked Isis and Epona.

I allowed the songs Beauty Queen and Horses to fill the space and my being. I connected. I communed. I felt like puking. The cordial hit a resistance at the top of my stomach, and fought to come back up. Sometimes witchcraft and magic is like that. You have to surrender to it, and remove your body's normal response to allow the flow of magic in. I forced myself to keep the magic in, and I descended.

And Holy Hel did I descend. So here I have to make mention that the Underworld is not the fire and brimstone that is preached from the pulpits in most christians churches around the world. The Underworld can be a terrifying place, but it can also be a beautiful calm and peaceful place. After all, what better way to lull souls and spirits into staying than by presenting them with a lovely experience while slowly removing their previous identities before sending them back out in reincarnation. (But all of that is for another time.)

So for the last year I have found myself creating a new career for myself. A good stable financially, emotionally, spiritually, and creative career. March 1st marks my one year anniversary! WooHoo!! Hurray!

I also had to face some professional jealousy (not in my new career), but in a previous one. Someone from my past, and I suppose my present stepped forward and presented a body of work to the world that I had often dreamed of doing. This person got some accolades and a presence in the broad community at large. Having known this person for many years a lot of what is presented in the body of work concerning said person's life just doesn't add up with my experiences of this person. And honestly, I had to take a step back look at my jealousy, and have a come to Alleghany talk. Think of it as a come to Jesus talk, but way more serious and stern. Just a thousand mirrors made out of golden mica reflecting back at you, asking everything you never wanted to answer.

Its true I was never going to present a written body of work. Sincerely. I wrote a short 40 some page booklet and it felt like one of the worst chores I ever did. Accepting that I had to say "I can't fault someone for doing something I acknowledge I would not end up doing or completing". Did that work live up to or represent the topic well? Eh, I can't say definitively  because the writing voice was an over used hillbilly voice using words that aren't commonly in the vernacular here any longer, and it makes the whole thing unenjoyable to read.
And in that process (one in which you can see I am still facing and working through) I have to face my own ego in that I am the one who should have written that body of work. My vision, my experience, my creations would have been more true and honest. It wouldn't have been selling my Appalachian Heritage out by exploiting the Ol' Mountain Dew Hill Billy persona. At least, thats' what my ego says. But I didn't write anything. I didn't publish anything with an "official" publishing house. So who am I to say anything?
I do wish this person the best of luck in their endeavors though. Its always a pleasure to see a local person succeed. Even if there is always that little sting of regret that I or you didn't get there first.



During this year My father was also diagnosed with Cancer in his tonsils. He is currently on his last week of chemotherapy and radiation. The oncologists will be reassessing his progress, and the diagnosis after that. Talk about real Underworld shit. Facing a parent's mortality is an odd thing to do. Children usually know at some point growing up that their parents will most likely die before they do. But you don't really understand what that means until something big happens. Like my dad being diagnoses with the big C. However, the prognosis has always been fairly positive. My reactions have been to stay optimistic, and proactive.

I have watched a local school of Witchcraft I helped co-found flourish this past year as well. It originally started with just the four co-founders. We are now to 11 members and students. Our petition window opens soon for new people to potentially petition to start classes. So that is super exciting.

So next month get ready for me to be back on track. I will have another update up for you all in a little while explaining what I will be doing. 

The Next song on the album of "Boys for Pele" is Blood Roses. 

I do have certain feelings towards this song. A friend who had made New Orleans his home the lat few years died on October 31, 2019. 

So definitely expect him to make an appearance in my process of moving through the Underworld.

Have a great week or two!