Council of Ancestors

As slumber begins and the dream world beckons, I see her there in the shadows. I hear her whisper " come to me my child." I reach out to her and she takes ahold of my hand and pulls me thru the mist and shadows.

Now I stand here 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 bow my head. In a voice barely above a whisper I say "Blessings my Raven Queen." She rests her hand upon my shoulder and quietly whispers "Rise my child."

As stand and raise my gaze to meet hers she says "I can see you have all but given up, lost faith in what it is you fight for. I lower my eyes in shame and with a trembling voice I say "Yes my Queen I have." I can feel her eyes on me. I fear she is ashamed of me. That I am too weak, unworthy of her love. She is a great warrior and has fought many battles. She is fearless in battle and will never cease a until she stands victorious over her enemy's.

With my head still bowed I whisper "I have lost so many of my companions, my brother and sisters slain without mercy. Now I stand alone on the battlefield. She lifts my head to meet her gaze, and says "You are never alone my child." As she looks back and sweeps her hand across the room. We are with you always, you may not see us, but we are there. And then one by one they stand and begin to beat their swords against their shields with an "Ah Woo". The room is soon filled with the echoes of their battle cry. The rhythmic of the clashing of their shields soon matches the beating of my own heart.

She turns and says to me "The night holds the medicine to calm your soul and ease your mind. It is here that you will rest and prepare for your next battle. As the early morning light begins to seep through the curtains, I open my eyes and see her briefly smile at me before she disappears into the shadows. 

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 the battle again in the morning.

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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............