The Rousing Chimera: 2010

Rousing Chimera New Jersey House Gathering

Recap Compiled by: Adora

Text Abridged By: Gigi Frost and Beth Athena

Our House celebrated The Rousing Chimera early this year, gathering Oct. 22nd through 31st in NJ.  It was two weeks of Family from all over the world gathered for amazing activities.
Hosted by: Madame X, Herr Wulfsunus, Lady Sequanna, Master Deacon Gray, Alterra Von Feuers, and Ezikiel Tempted.
With Guests: Beth Athena, Asif Murad, Genoveva Rossi, Roy Lucianna, Caterina Belvedere, Rick Wells, Kirin, Adora, Samandryel. Richter LeRoux, and his bride.

Madame X & Herr Wulfsunus welcomed everyone at their home and garden with warm, enchanting energy, fresh flowers, candles, edibles and sleeping accommodations for ten! A special note of appreciation goes to Adora and Richter for their assistance with our lovely gathering brochure and to Beth for assisting with Madame X’s little one.

Dining in casual elegance and Mediterranean decor at Iberia Tavern Restaurant delighted and teased our taste buds with Portuguese and Spanish food, as The Family came together to greet each other once again as well as to meet new guests.

The gathering provided a perfect opportunity to conduct several spiritually enlightening dialogues. Asif filmed interviews with Master Deacon, Ezikiel Tempted, and Adora on Sexual Vampirism, Otherkin, and The Awakening. Do visit The Collective Videos to watch these amazing interviews! In the same vein, Ezikiel hosted a podcast interview in front of a live audience for his Guild Somnium Homunculi, with Herr Wulfsunus regarding his personal experiences as a therian. There is so much to learn from our Elders, truly a blessing to get such insight.

Highlights of the gathering include strolling, shopping, dining in Little India, and the screening of Nosferatu at the lavish Landmark Loew's Jersey Theater, built at the turn of the century and currently being restored. Making the experience more magical, the music was played by a live organist on a vintage organ.

We visited QXT's in Newark, NJ for Blasphemy Night, a relaxing way to wind down after our first evening together to just enjoy each other’s company with music, libations and dancing. It was there too that we welcomed the calling of Mischief Night, where even our hosts donned costumes at the familiar hunting ground. We celebrated Halloween night in NYC at the Sundown Party at UC 87. Samandryel invited us to join him for an evening of ritual magic, illusion, dancing, costumes and a special Samhain ceremony.

Being so close to NYC, we had to spend a day or two exploring Manhattan. We had lunch at the Famous Ray's Pizza; you have never had pizza until you have eaten there. We shared drinks at the creative bar Jekyll and Hyde, bringing back memories of old world charm with dark mysterious decor, then shopped till we dropped, particularly at Gothic Renaissance and Halloween Adventure, where Alterra and Ezikiel met with Fangsmith Father Sebastiaan. Oh and let's not forget our adventures on the subway!

The House Dinner and Parlor discussion on "Our Personal Meaning of Magic" was held at Madame X’s and Herr Wulfsunus’s home. We explored magic in illusions, science, tarot, awakenings, & yoga.  It was a dynamic conversation ranging from personal to spiritual with over twenty in attendance. "The group, as it was, has tremendous potential for transformation (magic)." - Roy Lucianna

It would not be a House Gathering without solemnity, ceremony and ritual. We preformed a Blood Moon Ritual followed by a Naming Ceremony with a perfect circle of thirteen.  With cloaks and masks, our circle gathered at the edge of the swamp underneath the magical Blood Moon to recall the Ancients and draw upon the empowerment of the lunar renewal to elevate our personal energy levels. We also celebrated a few Ascension Ceremonies: The Rite of Fire and Blood to honor Ezikiel as he became an official Member of The Dreaming. The Rite of the Body of Light to honor Lady Sequanna and Master Deacon as they officially took on the charge of Calmae.

It was ten days of beautiful, magical, bonding, and enlightening education with the Family. Time seemed to just fly by. It's a shame that this most amazing experience with such a loving family had to end.  We truly are One Family, One Honor and One Dream – as no matter where we live WE are still One.

Closing Comments:

"We were made of darkness, we became the night and in the shadow of the ancients we bathed in the blood moonlight. May we never thirst! The moment is gone but the memories remain. You are so loved and you time effort and participation in this gathering will not go unnoticed. Our future is made of these building blocks in time." - Madame X

"Tied like the Earth to the sun, tethered like the tide to the moon, we returned to become undone, in the shadows of the ever lucid mood. From the very beginning, I wondered about the day we would have Lady Sequanna and Deacon’s rite of Calmaeship, at the end of it I was on the verge of joyous tears. Outside the Loew's . . . from my radio interview that inadvertently included the sidekick street urchin sneaker salesman, to the skeleton at the ticket booth, to the grandiose experience we had within the theater before and after Nosferatu, I would certainly say we had a good time. Good music, the best of friends, spirits, and a bit of dance, now how could you go wrong! As for the interview… I never really ever spoke of my experiences, then suddenly I felt everyone listening, I momentarily got frightened, then remembered I was with my ilky friends. Happy happy happy, sad sad sad, so when do we do this next?" - Herr Wulfsunus

"The highlight of 2010 for me, it was a pleasure and an honor to spend time with everybody. It was a different experience for me, living all the way across the ocean, it was great participating in an in person parlor. Calmaeship was a very powerful moment and an honor to continue to grow within HotD. I am particularly glad I shared the ceremony with Deacon, I feel it brought us closer and it was an even a greater privilege because of that. " - Lady Sequanna

"What a great time. I think like everyone the place was breath taking and beautiful, but the organ player stole the show for me. I will never forget the whole trip was exciting and inspiring. I really found myself more focused and motivated to work on my own projects and be more involved in the community here. Calmaeship was potent and powerful. I spent a lot of time in reflection and really considering the direction of the future. " - Master Deacon Gray

"Was absolutely wonderful! Getting together with so many house members! And meeting Adora was a highlight. I'm so very happy Lady Sequanna could make such a journey to be there!" - Alterra Von Feuers

"The ascension was challenging, and really opened me up to the world of potential that I have within myself, and as a member of the House of the Dreaming. On a whole, the event was a spectacular success, and I made friends that will stay with me well beyond the years to come." - Ezikiel Tempted

"The gathering was the first chance I'd had to meet and interact with almost everyone. I had met Lady Sequanna once before, but hadn't had quite the same opportunity to interact with her as this time around. The theater was exquisitely beautiful, and having live organ accompaniment was a delightful addition. I am greatly looking forward to the next time everyone can get together. " - Black Swan Beth Athena

"The meeting at Madame X's house was very enlightening. Although I myself have limited experience with magic and energy I walked away from the gathering with a sense that perhaps there are dimensions to the human experience that I would like to explore. I've always been interested in developing my inner self." - Black Swan Asif Murad

"The 2010 Gathering of HOTD was one of the high points of the year for me. Meeting all of the participants was delightful, intriguing and informative. It has been a long time since I have experienced such a sense of family and friendship at a gathering, which is amazing since it was my first and second days being spent with these wonderful people. In addition, relaxing after the beautiful ritual I awakened to new revelations about my own personal evolution thanks to a pleasant conversation with one of my new friends. An experience that will truly remain in my memories for years to come. " - Samandryel

"I did not believe I could feel comfortable with a group of people so quickly and easily. The family of the Dreaming is absolutely amazing and I am simply blessed to have them in my life. There was never a dull moment or a moment of pain or sorrow. I enjoyed how many moments went from silly to intellectual and back to silly. I will admit, I was nervous. It was a great honor to be on The Collective as it was the first thing that really brought me to Madame X. I owe a lot to the show, and it was great to give back by showing my personal opinions on these subjects. I especially want to thank everyone for making my naming ceremony a special one. It will never be forgotten." - Adora

"Difficult to quantify without a string of colorful superlatives & sound effects. Conversations with individuals as well as the group; recording interviews with erudite people; good eats & the incredible generosity of our hosts; seeing the legendary NJ & Manhattan from ground level; hanging out with one of the few kids who has ever rekindled my residual longing for having my own family (rock on, V!); digging up artifacts with Alterra; seeing Deacon dance (!); walking the GW bridge; my beloved pole dancing whilst riding the metro; meeting Jeffrey, who almost never puts his cards away; donuts!!! ...how long a list am I gonna make here? Too large of an experience to squeeze into a tiny space. Even not being an actual member of the House, I felt included beyond expectation, and privileged to share the minds & energies of such unique, intelligent persons. The structured aspect of the gathering was flexible enough to not feel stifling. I have nothing but praise for everyone who put in the logistical effort." - Kirin

"Though the gathering has come and gone. I wanted to reflect back on the good times we all had together. Some of us met prior and some such as I have met many of you for the first time. The dinner at Iberia was incredible and the food was superb. The only thing more delicious (mind my spelling) was the company of those...who surrounding me. The parlor was an interesting experience as well as I listened to your different takes on things showcasing truly how unique we are both from others as well as eachother. I can't wait for the next one." - Richter LeRoux