Rousing Chimera Meditation
By Madame X
This night was given onto our family as a night of celebration and sacrifice. This is a night of fire and blood for our brood. With each passing year the mystery of this night reveals itself further.
Tonight we celebrate that which has blossomed over the past year, we pay homage to the Ancients, and we prepare for the coming year. The feast we share is not only for us but for those that have come before us that watch and for those yet to come that wait. In our libations we quench not only our thirst but also our spiritual hunger honoring and praising those that from the dreamlands have guided us together under one Honor, one Family, and one Dream. We not only honor the past and the future with our breath, but also the present, those that are here in flesh and bone have served us in spirit, heart and blood. Their names we utter in gentle tones, as we etch them on moon-kissed parchment, burning for the universe to bless. To them we seal our debt.
In silence we find our center; that tinny center of light that like an ember glows warm in our heart - peace. We can seek it for the world but it begins inside. A small tranquil moment, then another, and another, together many quiet silent peaceful moments multiply, and are unavoidably transmitted to those closer to us, and then from them to others close to them, adnosium. We can see a geometric progression as our inner peace grows to encompass the world. Our spirit rises to those nations big and small in need of peace: Taiwan, Tibet, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Latin America… Our spirit rises to those throughout the world who suffer in hatred: the Hawaiians, the Native Americans, the oppressed, the hopeless, the forgotten, the disoriented, the misanthropes… Our spirit rises to those individuals we know that struggle with rage, deceit, jealousy and wrath... Our spirits rise to meet each others’ in an offering of peace. As our embers meet, our center fire is lit.
Cleansed by ocean waters, illuminated by ancient fires, standing somewhere between the earth below and the opium laced heavens above, our mass summons the Ancients to our side and assures us everlasting continuity. Our different views, knowledge, perspectives and beliefs mesh terrifically to reveal our dream essence, our Chimera! Beyond words, our egregore is elevated to the Ancients. House of the Dreaming is an amalgam of individuals; our differences strengthen us, this night, we, as a family, rise together renewed. Our Veil of the Waking Dream unites us with fire and our spiritual heritage bonds us in blood. The crisp bell ripples the air, stopping time, extending the moment: a glint of meteoric steel enters a narrow spout of crimson lush over slate.
We walk a mobius path of becoming, a path of awakening and evolution where along the way we cast off precious parts of the self no longer needed. We toss them into the flames, drown them in the tide, burry them in the soil, expel them into the air. Our processional walk of creative alienation leads us to a minimalist self. We are the Dreaming, we have been called here because of our critical appreciation of our personal reality, identity, and integrity. Our night side is strong, yet we are just as tenacious as we delve into our dayside. By nature we are isolationists, yet we delight in human contact and high-energy environments. Our duality meshes impeccably; we are both in the same; seamless. Our path is continuous, aware, self-validated; though it we become empowered: unique resilient survivors; the Dragon Wheel, the Leviathan, the Oroboros, the Rousing Chimera!
“May this day be fulfilling in what we contemplate, of what reflections we find of ourselves in action and thought, in deed and duty, of love and acceptance. May you feel the strength of the Family we have became, the energy we share, and the ties we hold true in our hearts. We are of many facets and there is beauty in our individuality of mind and soul. When we come together in spirit, our strength, power and wisdom are one at this special time. I strive for perfection in what I chose to become in this realm and of the other. I command my choices with strong will, determination and drive; knowing that my life is mine to make whole with only myself to make it so. With this strength I will break free of fear, hesitation and procrastination. I wish you all a beautiful day of celebration in whatever way you choose. I hold you near and dear in my heart and mind, sharing this grand day of our House with our House! A rousing Chimera to you all! Nemaste”
Alterra - Member
“What a great day to celebrate who and what we are along with the others who find such things unifying! I will spend time writing and drinking tea, wishing I were with you in NJ or simply hanging out with at home away from home with Alterra toasting the year with a little of the green death. … Wickedness never ceases, it only hides its shark toothed grin to lure in the prey! Cheers my friends! “
Deacon - Member
“Reflection often finds me staring at who I am now, and wondering if I could be happy like this forever. Eternity is such a long time, if something were to achieve perfection wouldn't it eventually begin to think that there was something more? Considering that there are several concepts in the human paradigm that we scarcely fathom (eternity, perfection, unity, transcendence...though I may be localizing on a couple of those) enough to define, how will we even be able to tell when we have achieved these states of being that reason often idolized? It's interesting to me that the masters of craftsmanship often find new and innovative ways of doing things- Sculptors learn to shape new materials with greater precision, Artists find new media to mix and match to create the vision they feel in their hearts, knitters begin making socks ad sweaters from the center out in hand-spun wool. They realize that they have mastered a step of the process, not because they can do it correctly every time they attempt it, but because they understand the reason for the process to get them to this point. It seems, in my crafty adjective, that enlightenment is not (for me) a strange new awareness that allows me to shoot lasers out of my eyes at floating sharks (you really don't need to ask...) but to be able to understand all that has happened before, and be ready and willing to accept the things yet to happen. Opening yourself fully to the coming experiences for many folk may mean preparing for the worst or simply coming to accept that your decisions are made by you, and you must choose to accept or change the consequences. Perhaps I am putting this too simply, but there are my thoughts. Enjoy!”
Ezikiel - Dedicant