What's in a name?
by Balance (the Faerie formerly known as Heidi)

Well, let's look at the facts. Faeries I have known all seem to have chosen names other than those with which they were given by their parents. I am no different. My birth name is E. Gregory Myers (you'll just have to guess for what the "E" stands). Having been raised in a Catholic tradition, I chose Michael for my confirmation name, in honor of my then patron, St. Michael, the Archangel. When I first ventured to ZMS in the fall of 1998, I introduced myself to everyone as Gregory, upon my departure from that initial visit, I left a parting note on the board in the Common House, and signed it "Heidi". Heidi has been a nickname for a number of years. You see, I had been living in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware since 1994, and visiting there since the mid-eighties. One of Rehoboth's traditions is to end the summer season with a drag volleyball match. I had been a member of one of the teams for a decade, and my "drag name" was Heidi. If you knew me back then, about thirty pounds leaner with sun-bleached blonde hair about half way down my back, usually worn in a single braid, well, Heidi just seemed to fit. So it became my faerie moniker.

After a few more visits to ZMS (and two to Short Mountain), I proclaimed my intention to become a steward, and was accepted. I moved here in mid-September last year to begin my steward training program (which will be completed by the time you read this). During late November, I noted a shift. Whereas Heidi is certainly a facet of my personality, and indeed is a complex character full of silliness, humor, and is quite possibly my inner Dyke, the name--nonetheless--really didn't capture the essence of who I am as a total person (nor did Gregory for that matter). So I began the search for a new nom de faerie. Here's the process through which I traveled to come up with Balance. First, I'm a quintuple Libran: Sun, rising, and three of my planets. My Moon sign is Pisces, another "dualistic" sign. For the last several years, I have been exploring Taoism as a spiritual point of reference--it works for me. In my work as a choreographer and dancer, I have always strived for Balance, in my work as a bodyworker, I strive to facilitate Balance in my clients' bodies, my pursuit of yoga, qi gong, and meditation--yep--all about Balance. So, early in December, I took a shamanic journey to chat things up with my spirit guides, they were wondering what took me so long! Balance it is, Balance it shall be...

Balance--however--refers to a process (yes, I am a process queen). Balance to me does not refer to a position of stasis, but an ongoing process of dynamic Balance. It refers to the continual interplay of yin and yang. The go between of feminine and masculine, the movement between here and there, continual fluctuation. The process in which I live given the premise that "entropy happens". So, when you here the name Balance, it signifies all that I am, all that I ever hope to be, and all the universe Herself hopes me to be--well--from my perspective anyway, but I do try to listen!

To be sure, Heidi is still a part of who I am, she comes out every once in a while with her unique brand of humor, blondeness (which by the wayis more than just a hair color, it's a state of mind!), and way of being. She's a good friend, and I love her dearly, but there's much more to who I am than just that. Give me a chance, you might be surprised!