Ibeji celebration
Dec. 11th, 2002 06:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rowanfWell, I went off to the American Magic Umbanda House's Ibeji devotional last night. The bridge traffic was terrible but I did make it to Berkeley in time for dinner and decided to go by Saul's Restaurant and Delicatessen on Shattuck at Rose (not too far from BFUU where I was going). Before my brisket and latkes had even made it too my table it was born in upon me that I was sitting in the area where a klezmer band was setting up. I mean, a guy sat down next to me and pulled out an accordian! *LOL* The band was the Ellis Island Old World Folk Band and consisted of the accordian, an upright bass, two violins, a piccolo and a trombone! I though their logo was fun - it has the statue of liberty playing the violin. They evidently play every second Tuesday so I could listen to klezmer music before my Afro-Brazilian religious experiences if I wanted to. Hmmm. The energy is great but the cultural dissonance also.
The Umbanda ritual was a bit of fun with all the kids and kid energy. Bruce gave me a Pombagira necklace. My first ikele! I talked with Oko and with Exu in the form of the loa Papa Legba during the consultations. Papa was very welcoming and said I could "play in his house anytime". Before too long I really need to figure out if I am serious about pursuing this path, I think. It feels like I'm reaching the point of no return and I want it to be done with consciousness and not just because I didn't think about it. This pantheon is putting its mark on me. Gus once told me a story wherein he asked a Hindu fellow about the proper offerings for Ganesh (of whom Gus had a statue on his dashboard). The man looked at him and said, "Yes, I can tell you. But if I do you will be obligated to use the knowledge that you have. You won't be ignorant anymore." I am getting to the point (6-8 months, many rituals and 5 books) where I won't be ignorant much longer and will have the obligations of knowledge. Already I am giving regular offerings to Pomba and Exu. Perhaps it is already too late for ignorance. Sometimes I understand the comfort of monotheism. *wry grin* Now I'm up to four pantheons that regularly need/expect my attention and devotion. Eeep!›
The Umbanda ritual was a bit of fun with all the kids and kid energy. Bruce gave me a Pombagira necklace. My first ikele! I talked with Oko and with Exu in the form of the loa Papa Legba during the consultations. Papa was very welcoming and said I could "play in his house anytime". Before too long I really need to figure out if I am serious about pursuing this path, I think. It feels like I'm reaching the point of no return and I want it to be done with consciousness and not just because I didn't think about it. This pantheon is putting its mark on me. Gus once told me a story wherein he asked a Hindu fellow about the proper offerings for Ganesh (of whom Gus had a statue on his dashboard). The man looked at him and said, "Yes, I can tell you. But if I do you will be obligated to use the knowledge that you have. You won't be ignorant anymore." I am getting to the point (6-8 months, many rituals and 5 books) where I won't be ignorant much longer and will have the obligations of knowledge. Already I am giving regular offerings to Pomba and Exu. Perhaps it is already too late for ignorance. Sometimes I understand the comfort of monotheism. *wry grin* Now I'm up to four pantheons that regularly need/expect my attention and devotion. Eeep!›
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Date: 2002-12-15 08:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2002-12-16 11:48 am (UTC)