Rite of Passage
It was a small affair, with a couple of friends, Ang and Carol. Ang I know from Newcastle, and Carol was up for the Writer's Conference and an ex of mine. No flash rituals, no sacrifices; just a sharing of stories, food and drink.

I had symbols taken from my Tarot decks: the 2 and 3 of Cups from the Universal Waite deck; and Strength and the Queen of Wands from the Australian deck. The two represented the combining of male and female together under a higher power; the three a celebration and sharing with friends and lovers; Strength is Cybele's card, Mother Goddess of the transgendered; and the Queen of Wands is my own card, showing me and Pegasus on it (at least in this deck).

Carol gave me a goddess necklace that she had made herself, and I will be wearing this to Thailand. She was witness to my change of name so many years ago (an act I consider to be a first step in this road of change and growth) and I was pleased that she was here for this.

Ang gave me (as always) her friendship, her perspective, and her wisdom, all of which I treasure dearly.

The whole affair lasted 40 minutes. As I was saying to another friend recently, the rite was about choice, making that choice and accepting what that will bring. I needed to share this with others -- I felt the need for a "Rite of Passage" very strongly.

For once though, I feel the future beckon strongly and with promise to me.