People change.
Over the past year or so, I've been undergoing a process of initiation called the catachumenate, as a preparation for Baptism in the Episcopal church. This was completed with Baptism at Easter this year, delayed from last Easter due to the pandemic. It's been an interesting time of self-reflection; not so much great change for me but an affirmation of what matters to me in my life. Remarkably, it included much of what I already think and do. While I do not believe that Christianity is the Force on a one-to-one basis, it obviously informs my Force work and belief. It's just not one and the same thing, something important to this posting.
One of the things that did not hold up, and frankly hasn't in some time, is the Dark Aspect's focus and treatment of the individual. Back some 20 years ago, individual power meant something significant to me. It was the fuel with which I advanced that part of my life, and even then it was not quite what the Dark came to be now. I resumed that interpretation of the Dark with this dynasty, but the events of the past few years, coupled with the catachumenate process, have revealed that I simply do not ascribe to that level of individualism anymore. Darkness is about the individual indeed. But it's not my way anymore, and the past year of thinking it through deeply has come up with specific conclusions.
As such, I am resigning the Dark and turning to the Light.
This decision does not come lightly (har), but I felt it was better than trying to wrangle what I believed into the Aspect. I do think the Dark has value to people and enjoy the many interpretations and explorations that come of it, but it's not me anymore.
This leads me to the next point: In consultation with the Force Academy Inner Council, I am mothballing the Dark Aspect until such a time as the Inner Council sees someone to run it.
This is not a call for proposals, as I imagine the IC will be taking the stance of watching for someone worthy to rise up through their own actions and involvement at the Force Academy. In four years of this dynasty, I have found no heir, either because no one stepped up or the people I thought about asking had their own instability. In any case, there is no one I would trust to turn it over to, but I want to keep the option of a Dark Aspect open here in the future. I care enough about the aspect not to throw it to the winds as has been done in prior dynasties.
I will continue to support, maintain, and develop the site as administrator, and will still be about as a simple Force user. Admin functions will be passed to other leaders. I'm proud of what we've become and the long road the FA has taken so far, and I'm frankly excited to continue to be here in an authentic way.
May the Force be with you.