This Goddess Gets Virginal

In the past couple of months, I've had the pleasure of working with many of my belly dance classmates towards a fabulous show called Raks Nativity.

Raks Nativity, conceptualized by Nepenthe, is basically the Nativity Story told to Middle Eastern music.  From the Facebook page, it's "a new take on the Christmas Pageant. While the plot remains the same, this pageant depicts each scene with dances from the Middle East and fusion “bellydance”, including Saidi, Baladi, and Wings of Isis."

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am blessed and honored to be playing the Virgin Mary.

Back in September, I attended the auditions thinking that I would try out for one of the more minor roles.  But then I was told to act/dance through Mary's introduction scene, and they said that they imagine her to be kind of like a Disney Princess.  Pppsshhhhaaawww!  Well, snap.  I can do Disney Princess.

So, here I am, preparing to play the Virgin Mary.  Believe me, the irony is not lost on anyone in the cast.  But, luckily, we all have a healthy sense of humor and know that we need to keep some things discreet.

But it just gets better.

Back in October, I was doing a party.  I pulled out my vagina puppet, which I use for the anatomy portion of my demo.  One of the guests suddenly exclaimed, "Is that the baby Jesus?!?"

I cracked up!  Before explaining why I almost died laughing, I said, "You have no idea how funny that is to me!"

I told some of the organizers and staff, and promised that I would bring the puppet to one of the practices.

Unfortunate (or fortunately), I happened to bring it when there were official photos being taken.

Photo by Dreamer's Realm Photography
Can you guess what was sitting in as the Baby Jesus?

I'm honestly really excited about being part of this show.  It's just going to be a lot of fun, and really a great way to bring different people of different denominations, beliefs, and experiences together.

Then I learned that the Chelmsford Independent, their local newspaper, printed an article about the event using the promotional image.  Except, they cropped the middle image.  Here's the screen shot of the website.

holy...moly...

Okay, so this is where I'm starting to freak out a bit.  Truth be told, I knew what a responsibility it is to play the Virgin Mary.  I did grow up with a Catholic family.

But it wasn't until I saw that website that I realized what a responsibility it is to play the Virgin Mary.  Sure, the Nativity Story is mainly about Jesus' birth.  But, really, that's just the climax (that's right, I went there).

The story is really about Mary's experience.  From the Annunciation to the Presentation, Mary is the actual driver of the story.

I know that I'll do the story and Mary proud, but I'd have to say that I'm a lot more nervous after seeing the press this event has received.  There's a part of me that knows about all the other better dancers out there, all the other better actors out there.  There's the little voice of doubt that has suddenly appeared.

But, for this first Raks Nativity production, I know that this is my Mary.  And I'm going to be the best Virgin Mary that this Goddess can be.

Goddess Thankful

In this Goddess' life, there's so much to be thankful for.

Today, we are all reminded to count the blessings, no matter how small.  For sometimes, it is the small blessings that truly make a difference.

I am thankful for the boyfriend (who's forehead kisses always make me feel better).
I am thankful for the kitties (who keep me on my toes, wake me in the morning, and allow me to love them).
I am thankful for my friends (near and far, who remind me every day even if we don't speak that day about where I've come from and where I'm going).
I am thankful for our tiny, filled-with-crap, 1-fuse-box, stompy-neighbors apartment (complete with comfy bed and "princess" chair).
I am thankful for my feet (which have helped me express myself through dance, taken me to distant lands, and sometimes remind me to take care of myself).
I am thankful for my voice (which reflects my moods, energy levels, and love of cheesy music).
I am thankful for my family (which continues to grow and evolve, reminding me that I will one day be responsible for my own).

I am thankful for my business (which has allowed me spread the message of better and healthy sex).
I am thankful for the opportunities Athena's has offered us (which really provide constant rays of sunshine and hope every day..even on the hardest of days).
I am thankful for my Athena's families (which provide me with unending support and laughter).
I am thankful for being a Goddess (which is truly an enchanted life indeed).