Umbrella of Zeus

RSS feed

2009-10-15T16:00:18Z

Thanks to teal_cuttlefish , I now have an RSS feed.

melia4ofwands

RSS of my new blog

2009-10-13T14:37:22Z

You can read my new blog on your LJ by going to the below link and entering in the web address of my blog http://4ofwands.wordpress.com/

http://www.livejournal.com/syn/

I'm told there is a way to send new entries on that blog onto my LJ but I can't find how to do that.

moving

2009-10-12T14:51:07Z

After much thought and prompting from Zeus, I'm going to combine my LJ (my spiritual journal) and my mundane blog into one. The new blog is going to be located on wordpress. I will keep this one but I don't expect to post to it very often, if at all. For my reasons and such, please check out the first post.

http://4ofwands.wordpress.com/

Hail Hermes

2009-09-30T21:48:24Z

Hermes
Though I speak your name not
in the various letterings
that I have urge to write,
know that in writing them
I honor you also.
I never needed to write,
not a single letter,
until you entered that rite
and set me to giggling.
Whatever gambling game
you played to win me
from ivy-tressed Dionysos
has caused me to continually
write, praise, laugh and honor
both daimons and deities.
Hail Hermes, silver tongued thief,
Gambling Fiend and Irreverent One.
May I continue to honor you
through my offerings to others.

The Tale of Man

2009-09-30T20:13:53Z

The tale of Man

Kore sits to rest
near the cool comfort
of a meandering river.
Idle hands went to work
shaping clay near at hand.
Quickly her clever fingers
sculpted a god-shape.
While studying her work,
she was joined by Zeus.
"Father, give it life."
Zeus readily breathed
life into the clay.

"I will call him, Korian."
"No daughter, he should be
named for my breath of life.
Zeusian or maybe Aerian."
As they spoke, a shape rose
from the clay and vegetation
surrounding the bank
where the two gods sat.
"No, he should be named for me
as he is made from my body.
I shall call him Gaian."

"Enough of this squabble!"
stated Kronos the judge
when they later presented
to him their case.
Zeus shall control his fate
for giving him life,
Gaia shall have him
for that lifetime,
but Kore gets him
when life expires
for she is his creatrix.
As for his name,
let it be Homo
for the detritus
Of which he is made."

------

idea for this poem taken from Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 220 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.)

Zeus devotional announcement

2009-09-28T21:52:23Z

I am delighted to announce that we are now accepting submissions for the Zeus devotional. Please spread this announcement far and wide.

This devotional will focus on Zeus, King of the Hellenic gods. All his historical aspects in myth, cult, art and philosophy are fair game. Modern experiences are also desired but they must have the above logical foundation or be clearly labeled as opinion.

Entries on other deities will be accepted if and only if they focus on said deity's relationship to Zeus or historical syncretic realities.
Examples:
Jupiter as the Roman equivalent of Zeus
The Indo-European Sky Father as the cultural ancestor of Zeus;
Tyr and Indra compared and contrasted to Zeus:
Zeus-Ammon;
Serapis embodying aspects of Zeus;
Hera as sister, wife and queen to Zeus.
Hermes as herald to Zeus.
Apollo as oracle of Zeus.

The following types of entries will be accepted:
hymns, prayers, poetry;
ideas for rituals, festivals, meditations and divination scholarly essays ;
opinion essays and personal experiences;
original short stories.

Non-fiction should be at least 1 full page in MS Word and should not exceed 10 pages. It should be documented as needed. The editors prefer endnotes or in-text citations to foot notes.

The editors reserve the right to make minor changes to any submission for purposes of spelling, punctuation, grammar, style, formatting and clarity. The editors also reserves the right to reject any submission that is deemed not commensurate with the criteria set forth above.

As with all of our devotional anthologies we cannot provide payment or contributor copies, since the proceeds will be used for charitable donations and to help bring out further volumes in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina line. Please read the BA policies: http://www.neosalexandria.org/publishing.htm

Please send all submissions to zeusdevotional@gmail.com. With your entry please submit a 2-5 sentence author biography. Submissions will be accepted starting October 1st, 2009 and ending on March 31st, 2010.

Crossroads

2009-09-26T15:27:06Z

A bowl of water,
the sea in miniature.
A small rock,
a piece of earth.
Smoke of incense
tracing the sky.
These are her realms.
Crossroads are not
always paths or roads.
A play yard puddle.
A sea cliff.
A river bridge.
These are subtle
yet crossroads still.
Birth
Puberty
Death
More crossroads
internal and personal.
Whenever there is change,
wherever there is transition,
there she is found.
Hekate

The Tale of Mint

2009-09-22T04:47:16Z

The Tale of Mint

Nymphe of Kokyos,
plaything of Aidoneus,
overstepped her bounds
in jealousy over her,
the new underworld queen.
Queen to her lowly status.
Loudly complain did the nymph
about her better form
about her beauty excelling
that of her rival,
about her lascivious arts,
declaring that Aidoneus
would return to her arms
within a fortnight
while the soiled maid
would be left to wander
bereft and alone.
Anger, unchecked,
that had already laid
waste to the land of man,
found another outlet
and trampled the nymph
leaving nothing behind
but a strongly scented herb,
Mint.

Toilet Humor

2009-09-21T23:37:34Z

Zeus and Hermes
The travelers two
Know how hard it is
To find a clean loo
Some say that
Was their beef.
Not the lack of welcome
That met the Chief.
But no outhouse,
or rest room
or even latrine
was the cause of doom
for a village Phrygian.
With one exception,
Philemon and Baucis,
whose kind reception
included the use
of a homely privy.
So Zeus and Hermes
Saved those civvys
And set them up,
Never left alone
all because they offered
the gods a throne.

All in thanks for getting us quickly to our destination so that my son could use the toilet.

The Descent

2009-09-21T21:42:05Z

Bless the Harvest
With variety and abundance
as your daughter's descent begins!
Oh Holy Demeter, Mother of the land,
the Dance of Life continues.
From life comes death,
as Plouton calls back
his wife who went out
his gates in the spring,
much to our delight.
Do not mourn too long or
too hard, have a care for us,
your children yet here on Earth.
May the harvest last us
Through your sadness.
Hail Mother Demeter!

Zeus, Lord of Moisture,
You who release the snow,
bless the Earth
With neither too little
nor too much.
Help us to appreciate
this time of snow and ice,
of internal activity,
so that we live in the now
instead of in anticipation
of your daughter's return.
Hail Father Zeus!

Kore,
Beloved May Queen,
Your return to Earth
gave joy to your mother
and all that dwell here.
But the wheel has turned,
the Dance of Life continues.
Please gentle Lady,
do not be in a rush
to be with your love.
Let us glide slowly
into the realization
that your time here is done.
Long has your husband looked
for your return,
while the spirits await
Your even hand.
Your return brings joy,
passion and light
to the world below.
Hail Kore!

Pleading with Hermes and Zeus

2009-09-19T05:07:58Z

Parents will understand and laugh about this post. Others will probably just roll their eyes or may just want to skip this post.

I am in the midst of potty training my 2.5 year old son. On the way to his grandparents' house, we got stuck in rush hour traffic. My son picks that time to tell me that he needs to go "poo-poo".

Crap. There is nowhere to pull off for him to go until we get to my in-laws' house and we are a good 10 minutes away. I explain this to my son, saying that he needs to "hold it" for a little while. To which my son says "mama, poo-poo!"

Double crap. We get off the highway and I tell my son to "start praying to Papa Zeus and Lord Hermes! Ask them to clear the way so that you can go poo-poo." Now there are 5 stop lights between the highway exit ramp and our destination, with the 3rd one being the one with the longest wait. We kept saying over and over "Papa Zeus and Lord Hermes please clear the way so he/I can go poo-poo [in the toilet]!"

We didn't get stopped by a single stop light. Not one!

He made it to the toilet without an accident!

What the heck do you offer in thanksgiving for that?! : )

My wheel of the year: The Dance of Life

2009-09-17T21:14:29Z

When one moves down a spiritual path, I don’t believe you leave everything behind. Some of it, you carry forward. I’ve purposely kept a couple of things from my past…the Easter Bunny, Santa and the Wheel of the Year. To me, the Easter Bunny and Santa are Spirits or Daimon’s of selfless giving. The Wheel of the year I’ve kept because it makes sense to me and because it gets me through the long Rocky Mountain winters. It is a never ending yet constantly changing cycle. It is the Dance of Life.

In my opinion, the story of Kore/Persephone and Demeter’s actions/reactions is a perfect fit for the Wheel of the Year. I took a lot of my inspiration for this idea from Jennifer Reif’s book “Mysteries of Demeter”. This is not to say that she does this or endorses it, but it was through her descriptions and rituals of the various festivals that the idea for this took shape. Below I will describe the progression of the Dance as I see it.

I see the Fall Equinox as the start Kore’s progress to the Underworld. The colder days are the days that she has moved quickly to reach her goal. The warmer days are when she slows down to savor her time here on earth. I think that Hades opens the gates to the Underworld at the same time as she departs in his eagerness to see his wife again. The consequence of this is that some of the dead wander out. I see the Fall Equinox through midnight on October 31st as the best time to communicate with our beloved dead. This means that Hades or his minions must ride the “Wild Hunt” to round up the dead before the gates close behind Persephone at midnight on October 31st. November 1st is Persephone’s first day back in her lover’s arms. It is also the start of Demeter’s period of mourning and the beginning of the cold months.

This then leads into the modern celebration of Heliogenna. Originally conception for this holiday came from Hector Lugo. I have adjusted his ideas to fit my own personal needs. It is a 9 day festival celebrating the gods, family and the return of light. It is arranged so that Winter Solstice is always on the fifth day of the festival. On day one of the Heliogenna I honor the First Ones, the Protogonoi, and the fey (nymphs). On day two I honor the Olympians and Celestial gods. On day three I honor the Kthonic gods and the beloved dead. Day four is the day I celebrate Demeter visiting Persephone and Hades to ensure her daughter is treated well and in doing so reconciling with her brother. When Demeter leaves, she brings Helios with her who has been tarrying longer and longer in the lower realms because of Demeter’s decree that nothing shall grow. Day five is a celebration of Helios’ return and his promise to strengthen day by day and the day that my immediate family opens are gifts to one another. Day six of the Heliogenna is in honor of Demeter and all mothers, whether mortal, divine, blood-kin or heart-kin. The last three days are the day of thanksgiving and days to honor friends and family. The days to honor friends and family always fall on the 24th and 25th of December. This leaves the day of Thanksgiving as a floating day, depending on when the Solstice falls, it will either by the 7th day or the 9th day. This is the day to count your blessings and to give thanks wherever thanks is due.

Next is the beginning of Spring, February 2nd. This is the day that I supplicate to Demeter to throw off her ropes of mourning and start making the earth ready for her daughter’s return. Mid-March is the Spring Equinox. This is when Persephone begins the return journey to her mother. During this time the gates of the Underworld barely open to let Persephone through and slam shut in Hades’ reluctance and displeasure at the necessity of letting her go. Do not think that he is idle though. It is he who lets go of the seeds to Demeter’s care so that his wife’s return to earth can be heralded by flowers galore. Kore arrives in time for the first of May. This is the day to surprise your friends and lovers with flowers sent from “the Queen of May”.

Summer solstice is the time to celebrate Helios at his height but it also carries the awareness that nothing lasts forever. From now until the start of August, I tend to spend as much time as possible enjoying the warm weather. A storing up of warmth to carry me through the winter. The start of the harvest season, August 1st, always comes too soon for me. This is the time to thank Demeter and Kore for the warm days and to ask for a plentiful harvest to carry you through the winter. This then carries us back to Kore’s progress to the Underworld.

This is not to say that I leave out my favored deity, Zeus. He weaves in and out through this wheel with his Ktesios jar and such. But he is with me always and the story of the year isn't about him (though it may be BECAUSE of him) but about his daughter and ex-consort. So this sums up my take on the Wheel of the Year. It is the story that I follow to keep my in sync with the seasons. I hope others find this of interest and of help.

Movie of my Life meme

2009-09-16T21:16:03Z

1. Open your library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing
5. New question– press the next button
6. Don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool

Opening Credits: Nasty by Janet Jackson
              What kind of movie again?!

Waking Up: Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield

First Day At School: Nowhere Fast by Fire Inc. (Streets of Fire soundtrack)
                       Not much of an education, is it?

Falling in Love: T R O U B L E by Travis Tritt
                  HA! I can agree with that!

Breaking Up:   Fancy by Reba McEntire
                       Uh oh.

Prom: Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles
                 well people do tend to look funny when dancing...

Life’s Okay: My Heart will Go On by Celine Dion

Mental Breakdown: Kokomo by the Beach Boys
                   There is worse places to have a break down.

Driving: Life's a Dance by Michael Montgomery
                      works

Flashback: If I cound turn back time by Cher
                         Ok that is just funny.

Getting Back Together: Heartland by George Strait

Wedding: San Antonio Stroll by Tanya Tucker
                  a good song for the reception

Birth of a Child: Hurts So Good by John Mellencamp
                   <snickers>

Final Battle: Lucky Star by Madonna
                       obviously this is why I die

Death Scene: Bad to the Bone by George Thorogood
                  YES!

Funeral Song: These Dreams by Heart
                     could be appropriate

End Credits: The 1812 by Bond
                     Nice!

This is Zeus

2009-09-12T15:06:52Z

Born in a cave,
then abandoned
for safety's sake.

An orphan raised
by nymphs and warriors
fed on milk and honey.

Dance and arms,
discovery and learning
filled his youthful days.

Gaia and Metis
help him trick his father
into rebirthing his siblings.

With wisdom and strength,
he leads his siblings and allies
to victory over the Titans.

He proved his mettle again
in battle with Typhoeus
and in war with the giants.

Creativity unleashed
with all equally,
whether mortal or divine.

Interests unbound:
home and community,
fields and stars.

Eagle, snake, ram and wolf;
oak, crown and lightning;
these are his symbols.

Sky god and king of all
Cave dweller and wanderer
Guardian and guide of men.

This is Zeus.

Chants

2009-08-27T20:00:49Z

In the shower I found myself singing/chanting "Zeus, Lasheikmi, Tykhe-Aprodite, Hermes, Hekate, Hestia." to a tune similar to the chant "Air moves us, fire transforms us, water shapes us, earth heals us."

It had me wondering about other chants that people do . So 'fess up. What do you sing or chant when you honor your gods?

Really, I'm not crazy

2009-08-26T23:40:00Z

not any more than the average Pagan any way.

So I called up the HP of my mostly defunct coven to get her opinion on my meditations of late. Not long after she sat down, she asked me if I've been doing any major energy work. I told her no. She says well you have some major energy portal (or something like that I don't remember exactly) in your house. I could tell she was having a hard time focusing on what I was saying. She said she was having a hard time not slipping into an alpha state which is where she tends to channel information. After I finished telling her what was going on lately, she slipped into her alpha state. She starts telling me what she is seeing then she says "you better start writing this down because it isn't coming from me". So I start writing. Below is a copy of what I wrote.

-soon you will shed what is limiting your knowledge; transformation coming

-senses gentleness (but that may lift), amusement and curiousity

-3 paths that are currently running parallel
   one path has a plant that is shaped like flame but isn't flame colored (after describing it we decided it was very similar to a cobra lily)
   one path has a shallow reflecting pool that gives answers, leave offering by pool to gain wisdom
   one path is dark gray, foggy and torch lined

-Hears "priestess" and "naga rampa magaria"; sees a figure drapped in faded black with wings and serpents intwined around her feet. Can't see head because of drape.    Sees "your" Father's face smiling with approval (described as dark haired man in his prime with not quite a mustache or goatee). Also hears "pick a path".

After that she returns to normal saying everything is gone.

I think rampa is ramp but I have no clue what magaria means or who it may be. Any ideas? Thoughts? It seems that Naga Kanya will lead me to another? Whatever is happening has Zeus' approval at least.

This is really outside the realm of normal for me. Really it is!

Naga Kanya

2009-08-25T14:57:53Z

According to J. C. Cooper’s “An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols” (page 150):
“The Naga and nagina are serpent kings and queens or genii, often divinities in their own rights; they can be depicted as either fully human, or as snakes, or as humans with cobra head and hoods or with ordinary snakes heads, or as human from the waist upwards and serpentine from the waist downwards. They frequently share the same symbolism as the Chinese Dragon as rain-givers and the life force of the waters, fertility and rejuvenation. They are guardians of the threshold, of the door and of treasures, both materials and spiritual, and of the waters of life.”

Naga Kanya are the daughters of Nagia with similar duties. Naga Kanya is a bringer of treasures (akin to Lakshmi) but not merely of material wealth. She brings the ultimate treasure, wisdom, represented by the gem or diamond-pattern on the back of a cobra's hood or the jewel imbedded in Kanya's forhead. Symbolically, the snake part represents the realm of the unconscious or the animal world or underworld; the wings represent Spirit or celestial realm and the human is the intermediary between the two realms or represents the earth. She holds a conch shell to show her willingness to pour her blessings on any of the 3 realms. I thought this would make a beautiful representation for Hekate since I dislike most statues of her. Too many statues are just ugly or emphasize her underworld aspects. I want one that is more rounded especially since I'm starting to see her as more of a pre-Greek mother goddess. If I could find one with out all the India features and costume, even better. (No such luck.)

I did another meditation before bed again trying to make sense of the previous night’s meditation. I went up to the cliff and to see if someone, like Hekate or Zeus, would show up. I heard a feminine sound kind of like a clear of throat. I looked around and didn’t see anything. I heard it again and so looked some more. A tiny sprite or spirit came up to me and grew as it got closer looking like a baby naga. Then she acted like she was distressed so I tried to hold her to give comfort but she just shrunk and dissipated. I did a whole bunch of silly things to try to help before she disappeared. I then heard a giggle. She was teasing me. The next thing I remember is hearing the feminine sound again and turn around to see a (the?) Naga Kanya, just like the statues I saw earlier that evening only less heavy on the indian features and costume. She grabbed at me and held me close. Then preceded to tickle me which set me to squirming, laughing and gently wrestling to get away (I’m not normally ticklish). She then grew very large until I was infant sized and then proceeded to set me to nursing for a few seconds. About this time I started to think this was a bit odd. I don’t remember what happened next but as the meditation was ending I kept hearing “Lasheikmi” repeated over and over until I consciously “kept” a hold of it. The first couple times unconsciously I dismissed it as nonsense. But it kept repeating until I kept it even after I laid down to sleep. I was even told how to spell it. (“La-sheik-mi” Sheik as in the middle eastern name for prince, La as in the French feminine article, mi like the greek e on Aphrodite only with an “i”.) I slept lousy because of fear of forgetting the word/name. Never thinking to get up and write it down. A couple of times during the night I did and worried at it until I remembered it correctly.

So, as per usual, I'm at a bit of a loss. Can my internal world get much stranger? Forget that I asked that.

Odd meditation

2009-08-24T15:36:01Z

So I saw a "calling card" for Zeus. Something that he seems to send me when he wants "see" me. So last night before I went to bed I sat down to meditate. Now I ought to point out that I often see in meditations "movie fashion" instead of active participant.

I started out in the usual cave opening, sitting on a bench. Someone took my hand. I look over to see a youngish male whose face I can't see. I at first wonder if this is Zeus. No that isn't the feeling I get. Before I can figure out who he may be, he stands up and gently pulls me to my feet. We leave the cave. We follow some paths up until we get to a cliff. I stop but he doesn't and pulls me with him. Mid fall I have golden brown wings that unfurl that stop our descent...well my descent as the "man" is floating besides me. I have had another physical change to add to the wings, from the waist down I am serpent-like. The meditation pretty much ends there. No explanation, no clues.

I've started looking to see if there is a name for the being I became. The wings motif isn't new but the serpent-like body is. The closest I've been able to come is dracaenae but they don't have wings.

The "man" who was with me I suspect is my agathos daimon or guardian spirit.

Any thoughts?

Forest Jubilee

2009-08-24T15:20:04Z

Deep in the forest,
A double pipe was heard.
The birds joined the tune.
The Korybantes danced
through their forms
beating their shields
in time to the pipe's
rollicking melody.
Only to be joined
by lumbering bears
skipping and wheeling
bringing them face to face.
The trees hummed,
the rocks clacked and
the Dryads slipped in
with a counter melody.
The lions roared
And the wolves howled
with approval and joy.
Why all the joy?
To honor Lady Hekate,
Divine friend of dogs,
Lady of the paths,
Lightbearer.

idea for this poem taken from Nonnus, Dionysiaca 3.61ff

Hekate speaks

2009-08-22T21:20:52Z

My child, you have never walked alone.
Me and mine have always been in the by and by.
Ancient and yet still relevant
Protection from the catty and the beastly
You are a reflection of me
Look within to find me
My bounty is yours, be patient.
Weaver and web am I
Knowledge spirals in and spreads out
As shadow queen, I deal with the shadows
But ask me for help in dealing with your own
Learn from me, return to me
Try, try and try again
For you cannot find that
Which was never missing.
Celebrate your harvest
Fortune is with you.

another tarot poem

dreams coming true

2009-08-17T23:43:55Z

This doesn't happen to me often but often enough for me not to be weirded when it does. Just surprised that it does happen.

About 5ish years ago, I had a dream that Hubby and I were the only ones at my in-law's house and we were getting ready for some event. Our child was with his grandparents, off camping. A normal enough dream except at the time we were part of a quad and always stayed there AND I wasn't pregnant or even thought I could get pregnant. It struck me because of the oddity of the dream. It was so normal yet so far from what my life was about. At the time the dream made me a little sad. I told hubby about it and then chalked it up to the oddities of dreams.

Then this last Saturday, I lived that dream. We left our son with his grandparents out at branding to come into town for Hubby's 20th high school reunion. It was while we were getting ready that I realize the dream had played itself out. I felt weirded out and comforted all at the same time. It has happened to me numerous times...one time I remembered a dream in time to avoid a major fight with my parents.

Don't know what you call these type of dreams. I've never met anyone else that did this either...or at least admitted to it any way. How can life be uncharted yet be able to get glimpses of the future? Most of the events I remember are just glimpses nothing major (well other than that almost fight.) so what is the point? Am I missing something? I just don't know.

internet and email issues

2009-08-14T21:31:22Z

Haven't been able to access my email since last night. Internet service has been intermittent today. Going to be gone for most of the weekend so you may not hear from me until Sunday night or Monday morning. Hopefully my ISP's issues will be worked out by then!

Dfest meanderings

2009-08-12T04:37:39Z

I attended a workshop on Themis. I see a definite connection to Tykhe and Nemesis. After researching, even a connection to Aphrodite became apparent (Themis is the one who states that women and men should come together in love and marriage.) The thing that was stated that made my head hurt was that there was a connection between Artemis (Ar-Themis) and Themis. So far all I can find is a statement that Themis is actually Artemis' mother (not Leto who is Apollo's mother) but not where this statement comes from...IF there is a connection there, it would answer as many questions as it causes.

I wasn't able to attend the ritual for Hekate, which disappointed me. But much to my surprise one of my covenmates handed me a key the next day and told me that it was given to her with the statement "this isn't meant for you". I was the only person she thought of that it could be meant for... I've always had a love and respect for Hekate but she has never responded to any of my ovetures before so I fluxuate between amazement and doubt.

The workshop I did for Zeus was a flop. Leaving aside my nervousness and inexperience at giving a workshop, it was poorly attended. 3 people came for support, 1 was interested and 2 others were near by and stayed to listen. I am disappointed but at the same time I did fulfill my promise to Zeus to give a workshop on him. Unfortunately, I can't force people to attend. I hope to eventually turn my outline into an essay.

I also attended a workshop on Persephone and Hades but didn't learn anything new at it.

The women's mysteries meditation stuck with me until I wrote a poem similar to it. Now I can stop writing it in my head whenever I'm at rest. (Like in the early morning when I'm supposed to be getting ready to meet an obligation and instead find myself meandering through the images!)

I took my 2.5 year old to the drawing down. I was very surprised when the goddess (not sure who though...the walker told me they were guess the crone. I didn't think to ask until after I walked away. Silly me.) told me I honored her by bringing my child before her. My thought was that she honors ME by seeing him. This is the 2nd time I've been told that I do great honor by a god when I feel it is the god who honors me by accepting my devotion. Not sure I get this.

My tree

2009-08-12T04:13:29Z

Leaning against my tree
The tree planted at my birth
I'm here to recoup, to recover
After the vagaries of life
Have tossed me to and fro
Leaving me worn out and feeling low

I shift to get more comfortable
Against the cradling roots
Only to find myself falling
Falling through a cleft
That was not there just moments before

Down I gently slide
Down a spiraling stair case
When I finally come to a stop
On a short landing
I see a niche
And in this niche is a spinning woman
she smiles at me
And gestures me on my way.

So I continue down the steps
Slowly and with much care
Until I come to a larger landing
Where there is someone waiting for me
A young girl full of laughter and exuberance
Bouncing from foot to foot
She runs toward me arms open wide
Only to slip inside of me
Setting me to laughing and bouncing

Down the steps I find myself skipping
Moving with ease
Moving with glee
Down to a short landing
Where I see a niche
And in this niche is a woman
Measuring out some thread
She smiles at me
And gestures me on my way.

So I continue down the steps
Skipping and bouncing without a care
Until I come to a larger landing
Where there is someone waiting for me
A woman full of curves and passion
Swaying to music only she can hear
She dances toward me arms open wide
Only to slip inside of me
Setting me swaying and humming

Down the steps I find myself dancing
Moving with gladness
Moving with passion
Down to a short landing
Where I see a niche
And in this niche is a woman
Inspecting some thread, scissors in hand
She smiles at me, shaking her head
And gestures me on my way.

So I continue down the steps
Humming and dancing with abandon
Until I come to a larger landing
Where there is someone waiting for me
A crone full of wisdom and grace
With a cane and a secret smile
Arms open wide I move toward her
Only to find myself
Back at my tree
The tree planted at my birth
No cleft to be seen.

--------------

This poem was inspired by a Dfest ritual meditation. I couldn't get the images out of my head, so I set it down in hopes that the images will stop popping up when I'm meandering in my thoughts.

short story

2009-07-03T03:36:58Z

Philemon and Baucis' snake or Why you should always tend your household guardian

Sitting there in the humble abode of the one couple in the whole village that would take them in were two strange travelers. The owners of the house bustled around outside trying to put together a meal to feed four.

One sat there rumbling, muttering about inhospitality and what ifs. "There will be consequences! We can't have this type of attitude towards those in need."

"What are you going to do?" chuckled the other. "Wipe out the whole valley?"

"EXACTLY!" the first one thundered, slamming down his drink onto the unstable table. "A perfect punishment. Nip this in the bud, right now!"

Just then a small snake that was hiding in the corner slithered forward. As it got closer to the strangers, its appearance changed. It became larger and more colorful, so colorful that it looked like a rainbow.

"Excuse me Zeus-Anax. May I interrupt your plans?"

"Certainly young phulakes*. What have you to say about this village?"

"Oh Great Agathos Daimon I stand before you to report about this house. Of the village I know little because I am quite content here and so rarely stray abroad. The master and mistress of this house are quite kind and generous despite their low means. I get milk and honey and the occasional bit of fruit. In return I keep the rodents and insects out of their cupboard. They are the first to help a neighbor or a traveler. The love they bear for each other is a fine example of what love is all about. So I ask, that whatever you plan, these two be spared."

"I will take your information into careful consideration. Thank you phulakes."

The large snake bobbed its head in respect and then returned to its original shape as it made its way to the pantry.

"Well," said the second traveler, "there you have it. Instead of destroying the WHOLE valley, leave this one house. Make it a shrine to us and them" gesturing towards the couple outside "our priests."

"You are good for something Hermes, no matter what Apollo says about you. It will be done," stated Zeus emphatically.

Hermes grinned and refilled his father's cup just as Philemon and Baucis returned to attend to their guests.

*Guardian or watcher