firefly124

So,

bluedolfyn just reminded me that I never posted a follow-up on how that ritual went. Thus, here it is. Nutshell version: nervous firefly was nervous, but it all went pretty well anyway.

TL;DR version

Let's start with the part where I left my notes at home. *facepalm* But I figured I'd kept it simple enough that I could wing it. This, however, is why I left out the rather key bit of any ritual in which one actually invokes the relevant Deity. *headdesk*

I'm very glad to have such an understanding Patroness. She came anyway. :-D

Kept it extremely simple. Told an abbreviated version of the Miao Shan myth, including the rather wonky timeline problems with it, explained that this was the first of Her three big festivals of the year, had incense offerings and invited people to request Her blessings on anyone they felt was in need, and then as Her birthday gift, simply sent energy to the people of Japan and the rescue workers there, leaving it up to each person in what way to take that forward.

jenett, I really liked your suggestion for selecting/encouraging other mundane methods of promoting compassion and healing. Ultimately, I ended up deciding that's something I'd be more comfortable doing in my own space, though after some of the feedback I received, I think it might not have seemed as much like I was "taking over" the temple space as I'd feared, so I may go that route another time.

In other news, I've also started teaching interested temple regulars a very basic bellydance choreo, which we're planning to do for Philokhoria (our Summer Festival). I did warn them I would literally kick their asses, as I included the Suhaila Squats as part of the warm-up. Of course, rusty as I am, I also kicked my own. Ow.