 |
Journey to the Temple of the Winds |
|
Journey to the Temple of the Winds |
By tradition anyone entering the "offering to the sky" must bring three types of offerings. One for the attendant, one for the shrine and one for the spirit being contacted. It is very important that the offerings exist in both worlds so it is necessary to make some real world preparation before going on this journey. Soul Cakes are usually prepared for the attendant, flowers or incense for the altar and something meaningful for the spirit. This is a rather long journey, but it clearly documents one of the many rites and rituals that are common in this land .January 12, 2002
Cron is a small land that sits high in the mountains above the tree line and seems carved from the deep brown rock that surrounds it. Some chose to make the pilgrimage for the base of the mountain in order to have time to deal with their grief. I wish only to come and go quickly. From Midgard the journey would be up the tree, across the bridge, to the court of the winds and then to Cron. For those familiar with riding the wind it's a simple matter of fingers locked in the appropriate sign, and eyes closed; seeing only shades of deep dead brown (the winds can be toned as well as signed but for those of us without perfect pitch, signing is safer)
The temple of the winds is my chosen destination. For those who have apprenticed in Cron it is possible to ride the wind directly to the offering to the sky, but I did not inherit my family's gift of speaking for the dead and have chosen to spend no time here except for the mandatory journeys all of Draiochtgé must make. As such, my destination is the central square. From there I will walk up the mountainside until I reach the temple and from there climb the 4 flights of stairs to the offering to the sky.
Entering the temple I am met by the same Master I had met on my earlier journeys. Holding out a sack of soul cakes, I greet him, "Father Weret, I've come to speak with the dead. To see if I'm forgiven for promises not kept. She went into Frigga's gentle keeping of that I'm sure, but whether or not she sleeps the sleep of rest or has walked the ladder of the stars I don't know."
"If you cling to doubts and need forgiveness or guidance, rest assured she hasn't walked the ladder, child. No one with earthly ties still left open may walk the ladder."
Just what I need I thought to myself. Another dose of guilt. By not releasing the dead I've kept them bound. My face must have showed my thoughts for Father Weret quickly responded.
"Time is a meaningless concept once a spirit has passed on. They could wait a thousand years and not grow impatient, if they're ready to walk the stars. If they're destined to come back among us, then they'll come when the time is right regardless. Though most wait longer than you have." He looked at me as if he could read all my past lives like a book, which considering who he was, he probably could. "If you're racing to walk the ladder yourself, child, I suggest you come and speak with us before your own time is at hand."
What a child of 18 will turn down a woman nearing 50 will listen to. "Thank you, Father. There will probably be a day in the future when I take you up on your offer, but now I think I'm behind in what I need to do today."
"Of course. Have you, your other two offerings?"
"Rosemary and perfume. She loved perfume." I added
The come with me. Have you brought your own garments? A simple robe of brown cotton is all you need and we have them here if you don't have your own. "
I'd forgotten this part of the ritual, or rather I think I'd chosen to forget. Having a plain brown robe in my own closet implied a familiarity with death I wanted no part of. "I'll use what ever you have, Father Weret."
"Then you may change in the cloak room. Remember nothing but the robe and the slippers. No jewelry, no make-up no additional garments."
We meet the dead on their own terms. Unadorned and humble. I removed my traveling clothes and donned the robe left for me by some unseen and unknown acolyte. I left everything but my offerings in the cloakroom and rejoined Father Weret.
He put a mixture of dust and ash on my eye lids and on both ears. "May you see the truth and hear the truth, may your mind know ease and your heart be lightened of grief." Leave your offering on the altar and then enter the platform on your knees. You may go as close to the edge as you chose. Make your offering to the spirit you wish to contact and then wait."
I've little fear of heights, when I'm safely balanced so I knee walked almost to the opening in the wall. Taking a small dish out of my pouch I poured the perfume into the dish, and pull the hood of the robe up over my head and down across my eyes. With my inner voice I call out, "Mrs. V? I've brought you something. I've come because I've made a decision and I need to have your approval."
Without warning I find myself transported to her family room, where we spent so many hours talking.
"Why would you want my approval? It's your life. You owe me nothing and I expect nothing." Bright red hair still perfectly coifed but she's younger now. Her eyes shine as she looks at me. She's come to me in this moment as the woman with the hobnailed boots. But I was always willing to battle her in that form, to reach out and touch the deeper truth of her.
"Is there not an implied contract between teacher and student? That the worth of the teacher is judged by the output of the student. If I do not follow the path you set my feet on, then my actions might reflect on you. To have invested time in one who has not proved worthy."
"You don't judge yourself unworthy. Neurotic yes, unworthy no. Are you still committed to the Great Work?"
"Of course!" I am a little shocked she can ask that question. My only intention was to discuss issues of form and not substance. I would dishonor many others if I turned my back on so central a principle.
"Then go on about your way, with my blessings. What I enjoyed so much about you was your core differences from me. We could look at the same thing, understand the same emotional and spiritual facts and yet approach things in very different ways. When you moved away I knew that you had chosen to fly in different skies, I was satisfied that I had offered you all I knew and that you would take it and make something new out of it. I scattered seeds. Some seeds died still born on the concrete, other germinated to become ephemeral flowers and others became long lived trees. You on the other hand were a bird. You ate the seeds and then scattered them yourself."
"In virtual bird droppings" I added wryly, unsure if I liked her analogy.
"A better way to look at it is that you surrounded them with nutrient matter so they'd grow more quickly when they found hospitable soil. So if you've come for my blessing on your new path, whatever you chose it to be, you have it. You told me years ago that you always chose to scale the mountain while I took the path around the base no matter how much longer the journey became. I wish you strength and good speed on your journey. And most of all I wish you joy. There in lies your true strength. You lighten the load of others by being positive and upbeat. Your smile is your beacon of light. Don't ever let it fade."
I am touched and honored by her words. "May I come again?"
"You needn't come here. I would be honored to have a place among your elders. You don't hold us by remembering us. We don't become earth bound and unable to go on. I told you that I'd plans for my next life so you should know I'm not even remotely ready to walk the ladder. And besides my curiosity is unabated. Why don't you pick some rocks or shells for each of us and place them in the front hall?"
"As you say mama V. It will be a pleasure and an honor. For you, for Uncle Joe and for Lee."
"There are others but you'll know when the time is right. Now if you'll pull your hood back up over your head you'll be back on the platform for an offering to the sky."
**********************
"So you've survived your encounter" Father Weret offered me his hand as I approached the edge of the platform.
"I'm sure you knew I would" I said as I stood up.
"You've passed the day away here with us and it's now night. When you're dressed I'll walk you to the stone. You can ride the winds safely from there."
"A short cut?" I asked, thinking back on my trek up the mountain in order to reach the temple. I hadn't realized there was any other way.
"Consider it an invitation to come see us again." He replied. "The first time needs to be just difficult enough to harden one's intentions."
Later standing before the stone, in the crisp night air, Father Weret laid his hand on top of my head to begin the ritual blessing at evening parting.
"May the blessings of the night be upon you
May the love in your heart be wide as our sky,
And May your troubles be as light as the clouds."With the final words of the blessing I stepped onto the stone and made the finger signs to return home.