Council of Elders

                                                                  

As slumber begins and the dreamworld beckons, I see her in the shadows that dance in my room. I hear her whisper “come to me my child”. I reach out to her and feel her take hold of my hand.

Now here I stand in the great hall before the council of my ancestors. Battle scarred and weary from fighting my demons. She stands and makes her way to me. I kneel and say “Blessing my Raven Queen”. She put her hand upon my shoulder and said to me  “Rise my child”. 

As I raise my gaze to meet hers, she says, “I can see you have all but given up, lost faith in what you fight for.” I lower my eyes in shame “Yes, my Queen I have.” But I can still feel her eyes on me. Is my Queen ashamed of me? I ask myself. She is a great warrior and has fought many battles. She is fearless and would never cease a battle until she stood victorious over her enemies. 

I whisper “I have lost so many of my companions, my brothers in arm. I now stand alone on the battlefield.” She lifts my head to meet her gaze, and says “you are never alone my child.” She looks back and sweeps her hand across the room. “For we are always with you. You may not see us, but we are there.” One by one they stand and begin to slowly hit their swords upon their shields, with an “Ah woo”  the room soon echoes their battle call.

Softly she says “The night holds the medicine to calm your soul and ease your mind. Rest easy my child for we are here.”  As the early morning light begins to seep through the curtains. I open my eyes and see her there in the shadow. As she begins to fade she smiles at me one last time.  

From this night forward I will rest easy knowing that while I sleep they stand guard over me. Giving me the time I need to rest my weary soul and prepare for battle again in the morning.

Musical Memories

 

As the sound of music swirls in the air, images begin to form in my mind. Those of lives once lived. All but forgotten now. As I am cradled in the arms of sleep, I begin to hear the murmurs and chants of my ancestors. As the music engulfs me, and the memories begin to stir. I hear their call, begging not be forgotten. As they swirl around me, each whispering in my ear. Telling me their stories. Of the battles they have fought, and the loves they have lost.  They remind me of who I am, and the strength I possess. To remember in times of strife, I can call upon them. They walk beside me everyday. I live the life I do because of the battles they have fought. 

Until Tomorrow

 

    Its twilight, near the end of a beautiful spring day. As i walk through these ancient redwood pines, I let my hand brush across the ferns as i pass by. The soft sound of my bare feet as I walk the same path my ancestors did before me. I can hear the sound of the stream as it makes its way twisting and turning continuing to carve its path. The sound of the birds as they begin to settle in for the night.

    I stop and watch the fireflies as they dance through the ferns and ivy. Looking up through the tall redwood trees I see the day fade to night and the stars as they begin to shine.. I follow the sound of the stream, walking out of the woods I see a large flat rock still warm from sun. It sits just above a small waterfall. I stretch out enjoying the warmth of the stone, I close my eye enjoying the beauty of this place. Far off in the distance I can hear the faint rhythmic beating of drums, the sound hypnotic voices of my Ancestors as they chant.

    This is where I come to reconnect with nature and my Ancestors. To sooth my soul and to recharge. To get away from the concrete jungle, the crowded highways and the constant buzz of technology. As the soft beams of the full moon begins to make its way through the trees. I stand up, stretch and begin to make my way home. After a few steps I turn around and say "Thank you, to the fireflies for their beautiful dance, the birds for their songs and the stream for its conversation. 

Until tomorrow............