05/26/2026

Back from the Druid Grove

I went to the druid grove in Cleveland this weekend. It was a wonderful. I really relaxed and slept so much. I did a lot of prayer and offerings to the muses and I received a lot of inspiration. I got the spark I need to properly rewrite Aralise with a beginning that makes sense. I also got some short story material out of it. I love the Muses and the Gods so much. I also did trance dance. Trance dancing is sorta like ancient Dionysian rituals even though many other gods had practices similar to that. I tranced to a song dedicated to Cybele, the Mountain Mother, and felt close to her by the end of the weekend. Above is the henna design my friend did on me!

I also met this ancom trans collective that is going to take care of me when I'm recovering from bottom surgery hours and hours from home. I'm not hyped to have to go all the way to Cleveland but it is what it is. I'm getting Buffy, Charmed, and Xena (the 90s lesbian trifecta) to watch during recovery. I have to get my FMLA paperwork in and tell my boss I'll be out for two months. He's gonna freak because I'm a productive employee and he won't easily replace me.

All in all though, I'm feeling a bit worn and down? Leaving the grove is legit like leaving a tiny magical world and now I have to look at the shitshow that is this country. I hate how much you get gaslit when you point out all the fascist shit being done today. I've also got several stories to edit and resubmit and that makes me feel like melting into a puddle. Pride is also this weekend and I volunteered because I didn't want our gay elders to sit out in the sun, but I really just want to do nothing and chill at home right now.

You're not delusional. The current regime is doing Nazi shit right now. Don't let them make you feel crazy.