How can I be of service? These words may be familiar to many who are walking a path of service to their gods/deities/Cosmic Consciousness/ humanity. They may be offered in all sincerity, at times without full understanding of what it entails. Regardless, the Powers That Are will take us at our words and fill the job vacancy forthwith. The probationary period may last years and there's always the possibility that they may terminate the job. You may, or may not, think my tone is a little disrespectful. Each to their own, in my experience it helps to temper your ego with large doses of humour. An inflated sense of self importance has been the downfall of many walking a spiritual path, never mind in the mundane world.
As for me, my period of service began long before I'd even understood what those words meant. The ancient Egyptian neteru (gods) were of fascination since childhood, such fascination in retrospect was I think a form of devotion that kept their essences vividly alive in my life. Not that they were ever likely to disappear into the mists of time, and end up being just names in popular and academic tomes. They withdraw into the shadows when it suits, watching, waiting, to see what we do. Am I anthropomorphising? Perhaps, but the concept of pure abstraction isn't always easy to grasp. The force is contained within form to enable understanding of its qualities. There is also the issue of ancient Egypt seen through the lens of popular culture. It appears to be centred on certain god-forms to the detriment of others, without an understanding of the cultural milieu they arose in. "New Age" representations do not sit well with me. I digress. Where was I?
The journey to the inner sanctum of the temple and initiation continued in all earnest when I entered the funeral profession. Anpu (Anubis) called and I answered readily. What entailed was a most sacred duty, and years of hardship, on material and spiritual levels. My health suffered, one could say I was tested to the limits of endurance. Yet, I survived, and proved resilient. His assessment continued over the years, during which I offered my time as a volunteer for the Samaritans and Cruse Bereavement Care. Further skills were added to the toolkit of an aspiring Priestess. The journey continued until I was ordained as a Minister with the Sacred Rites Foundation and initiated as a Priestess of Anubis with the Temple of Khem. I'm also on the Board of Trustees with the British Pagan Seminary, and awaiting training as a Pagan Chaplain.
An honour on all accounts. That doesn't mean the hard work is over, I have still to prove myself and be ever mindful to retain a sense of integrity and honesty in such sacred duties. Sounds idealistic, it isn't, standards have to be maintained, as does healthy self-awareness, and professionalism. One's deities/gods will deal appropriately with an egotistical individual deemed unworthy of their priesthood. Hubris has unpleasant consequences.
As for me, my period of service began long before I'd even understood what those words meant. The ancient Egyptian neteru (gods) were of fascination since childhood, such fascination in retrospect was I think a form of devotion that kept their essences vividly alive in my life. Not that they were ever likely to disappear into the mists of time, and end up being just names in popular and academic tomes. They withdraw into the shadows when it suits, watching, waiting, to see what we do. Am I anthropomorphising? Perhaps, but the concept of pure abstraction isn't always easy to grasp. The force is contained within form to enable understanding of its qualities. There is also the issue of ancient Egypt seen through the lens of popular culture. It appears to be centred on certain god-forms to the detriment of others, without an understanding of the cultural milieu they arose in. "New Age" representations do not sit well with me. I digress. Where was I?
The journey to the inner sanctum of the temple and initiation continued in all earnest when I entered the funeral profession. Anpu (Anubis) called and I answered readily. What entailed was a most sacred duty, and years of hardship, on material and spiritual levels. My health suffered, one could say I was tested to the limits of endurance. Yet, I survived, and proved resilient. His assessment continued over the years, during which I offered my time as a volunteer for the Samaritans and Cruse Bereavement Care. Further skills were added to the toolkit of an aspiring Priestess. The journey continued until I was ordained as a Minister with the Sacred Rites Foundation and initiated as a Priestess of Anubis with the Temple of Khem. I'm also on the Board of Trustees with the British Pagan Seminary, and awaiting training as a Pagan Chaplain.
An honour on all accounts. That doesn't mean the hard work is over, I have still to prove myself and be ever mindful to retain a sense of integrity and honesty in such sacred duties. Sounds idealistic, it isn't, standards have to be maintained, as does healthy self-awareness, and professionalism. One's deities/gods will deal appropriately with an egotistical individual deemed unworthy of their priesthood. Hubris has unpleasant consequences.
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