The whys and wherefores that attempt to explain this website.
I am a Reflecting-gnitcelfer, Prismatic, Radically Gay Magickal Being evolving into an Abba*. My vocation, in any moment, is in the variable blending of mystic, homemaker, oracle, student, counselor, prophet, and seer. Which I have realized is becoming an Abba, based upon the foundation of a Starets. Also, I bring meaningful expertise in spiritual counseling and guidance, logistics, diplomacy, and event/meeting planning to my DC Metropolitan Pagan community and furtheron.
My Patroness is the Hekatae. The Purple God of Healing [Dian-y-Glas] is my personal God. I was one of the founders of the Prism of the Purple God of Healing- a Queer, magickal working, joyful, and HEALING group (currently on hiatus). I walk between communities, and journey in the 'tween places. I am involved with those who ask of me, in ConnectDC, the Capital Pride LGBTIQ Interfaith Service, the Washington-Baltimore Pagan Clergy Association, and I'm a continuing (third term) student of Reflections Mystery School. [Blessings to my Teacher and Systeri!] One should always be a student in/of the Universe Myriadis and the God/dess/s.
In the recent past, I have served the community in various capacities- Secretary of the Open Hearth Foundation; Planning Secretary of the Pagan Leadership Skills Conference; and President of the Sacred Space Foundation and Conference. I was the first co-ordinator of the DC Pagan Pride Week's InterPath Service (in 2004 and 2005). I was the founding Minister of the Aldari Church [now, Minister Emeritus], founded in 1994 in Northern Virginia. I participated in the writing of the first vision statement of Haven (Nybor & Elspeth [my first Elders]). And I've worked in the DC Radical Faeries as a Circlekeeper, as part of the incorporation and 501c(3) committees, and their annual Red Dragon Feasts (for charity). Among a number of other activities.
At present, I'm [mostly] a free agent within the DC Pagan Communities. I am writing a series of soliloquies (a'la The Federalist Papers) presenting my feelings about living Spiritually with Magick. These will appear on this website. In addition, I will be sharing my commentary on DC Pagan culture, and the dominant social-cultural-governmental paradigms. Best of all, I get to share my Pearls of the Wise- sayings, quotes, excerpts, and articles I find wise and important.
I am available for Tarot readings and spiritual support/counseling (in person and electronically). I support the Open Hearth Foundation at their Pagan Band Jams on the first Saturday of the Month, by donating my Tarot services. My gift to the Universe Myriadis is me, free of the politics and anger.
For me- I am focused on being my beliefs. I walk with the Hekatae and the Purple God of Healing [Dian-y-Glas]. My home is a Spiritually Magickal place. Living my spirituality with magick, I learn daily. I love my life.
*In the early Christian monastic and hermitic movements, the Abba was sought out for advice, counseling, and support. This is part of my vocation.
**These are my 4 stages in living my spirituality- Warrior, Magickian / Priest, Abba (Elder), and Sage. I plan to not be a Sage for quite some time.
The whys of why my website is called Treptower Keys. It’s all wrapped up in history, my history and genealogy, and my patroness, the Hekatae. And now to explain…
Treptower
Back in 1982, my Mom passed away unexpectedly. In the chaos following, I sought out my great uncle’s genealogy project (Dad’s family). I needed to ground and finding out about my family was it. I found genealogy interesting, and still do. And besides, the trips to Manitowoc WI were fun. We turned them into weekend family getaways.
The family’s oral history says we came from Kummerow, in Germany. Back in 1982, we knew of two- a small village on Kummerower Zee (the largest lake in Germany, and a small village, near the Baltic Sea, between Stralsund and Rostock. Now, there are four (all small villages) you can find on Google Maps. All of these lay in Pomerania, divided, and fought over, by Germany and Poland.
NOTE: Kummerow (pronounced CUE-mer rov) means miserable or sorrowful man.
In the Mantiwoc WI County’s Recorder of Deeds office, I found records of my great-great grandfather, Ferdinand. He was my immigrant ancestor, coming from Mecklenburg/Pomerania, with his wife- Sophia in the 1880s. On his death certificate, I found his father’s name- Johann Kummerow von Treptower Deep. I searched for a Treptower, and Treptower Deep, but didn’t find one. (I did find Treptow, a park in Berlin.)
1988. I joined the Society of Creative Anachronism. I chose the name Ferdinand von Treptower. Ferdinand for my immigrant ancestor, and the street I lived on in my hometown of Forest Park IL. Treptower was from Johann. I started a household in the Society called the Freehold of Treptower. Our badge was a gold tower with three steps at its base, centered on red over blue. We ended the freehold in 1991. I continue to use the badge since, tho, I tend to use a castle of three towers. I enjoyed my Society years.
Treptower has been a part of me since I found out about it in my research. I have continued to research it and some things have come to light. Alten Treptower is the name of a city near the southern Kummerow villages. Also, a city originally named Treptower is now a port of Poland. I have no idea how these cities are a part of my history, but I continue my research..
Keys
My Patroness, the Hekatae has many titles. The one closest to my heart is Kleidouchos Panto Kosmou. The Keeper of the Keys of All the Cosmos. All the possibilities. All the choices. All the Cosmos.
In 2002, I fought the Hekatae, when She/They chose me as one of Theirs. Prior to this time, I was comfortable in my Paganism dealing with archetypes- the Blue Lady of Compassion, the Red Lady of Beauty, Wind (the Afterlife), Steel (Strength tempered by Honour), etc. When I was chosen, it was not my choice. I was comfortable where I was. I had chosen to be where I was. I like being static and in my familiar environments and situations [no matter if they are best for me or not]. I said as much as I fought Her/They. She/They are Change, the In-Between, the Warrior, the Support, the Visionary, and so much more. And They chose a stick in the mud. To bring forth change. Yeah right…Me?
Me. You can see a lot of what I’ve become with the Hekatae in my life by perusing my ‘Who Is’ on this website.
I honour the Hekatae. I fight the Hekatae . I pray to the Hekatae. I am supported by the Hekatae. I see with the Hekatae. I am changed by the Hekatae. I bring forth change into the world from, by, through the Hekatae, and myself.
I have keys.