Owl Works, Inc

 

For anyone reading this - I don't expect this to make sense to anyone else but me.  Journeys through the inner world and especially a journey of self discovery is intended to cover material that is pertinent to the journeyer - not necessarily the public at large.  For those who are students of Draiochtgé your initial journey will be very, very different since you are establishing your primary relationship with the land of the winds, not revisiting places you've known for several score of years.

May 23, 2003

I stood in the lobby of Owl Works Inc and looked around me.  It's been a long time since I've been here.  Since I got a cubical on the third floor and committed to work my way up to the proverbial corner office.  When I made the decisions I did in my life in the real world did I really understand what I was leaving behind? 

The young woman at the reception desk looked toward me and then got up and walked my way. 

"Master Mage Freya.  High Master Cumalaine is waiting for you in her office.  You can go up now if you'd like."

I thanked her and headed toward the elevator.  It seemed that I was being sent through channels instead of getting an audience with the Lady herself.  There was a time when any conference room could be used for a personal audience and in some senses I think if my need had been strong enough a summoning from any where would still have worked.  But in the other world it is always good to let things unfold as they want.  Asserting control where there is no need is simply bad manners in any world.

Within every land there are various schools or guilds.  Owl Works Inc has been around for a long time but is focused strictly on supporting woman in their work with higher magic or technology (which after all is really the same thing).  Owl Works is also dedicated to the Goddess Athena.  None of the Gods or Goddesses of air are limited to just one land here in Magh Ildathach.  Many of them have what amounts to be "temples" in every corner of Magh Ildathach  .  Athena's main Temple is in Corcra (the land of the east wind) but she has a presence in many of the lands.

Cumalaine's outer office was empty and the door to her office stood open when I arrived on the 21st floor with a cup of chai in each hand.  "Cumalaine are you in there?" I asked as I entered her outer door.  "I've brought chai"

"Smart woman." Her voice sounded through the open door "At least you still know enough not to show up empty handed."  Cumalaine's grayish blond hair was woven into the same intricate upsweep it had been on the day I'd first seen her almost 40 years ago.  She had seemed infinitely old back then and now looking into her unchanging eyes she appeared infinitely young.  She held out her hand for one of the cups I was carrying.  "Do you want to sit down?" 

"I'd rather take a walk, if you don't mind" I said.  "I just realized that I can't take the next step if I still don't understand why I took the first step.  Was there ever any other choice?"

We were both silent on our way down in the elevator.  The questions seemed to come clearer to me in the silence.  I was dedicated to the Goddess at 10.  I have never questioned the how or why. I lived my life in her service until one day when I realized that I was free to leave without penalty.  That I could try another path or even serve another Goddess if I chose and now I find myself here unsure of my next step.

Cumalaine nodded to the same receptionist who had greeted me on my way in, as we walked through the lobby and out to the street.  As I've said all the buildings in Dubh are surrounded with green areas so it only took us the length of a city block to enter on to a wooded path.

"Cumalaine, I need an answer.  How can I tell everyone who I am if I don't know the reason behind one of the single biggest influences in my life.  Most children spend their early years in Nglas simply being children and growing up enough to chose their destiny.  I think I missed those years and my destiny chose me before I knew what I was agreeing to."

"And so?  Would you feel better if I told you that you had been marked at birth as one of ours and that you didn't have any choice to make?  I don't understand why it's an issue now.  It's never been an issue before."

"I don't know" I replied.  I had a feeling that I just needed to think for a moment and everything would become clear.  I plopped down on to the nearest bench and began letting my thoughts wander where they may until I found myself staring at the answer.  The key wasn't a sign of power, it was a sign of integration.  The pursuit of the key required an understanding of all the winds and the equal recognition of how each wind manifests itself in the seeker. 

"Cumalaine, I think I win the dummy of the year award.  How could I have been so obtuse?"

""Because wisdom is always in the dark corner where we never seek to look.  You understood everything but the deepest kernel and you had enough sense to keep looking until you understood what was going on.  One fault of air that we share with fire is to think that action is always the superior path.  You have faulted yourself for the time you've taken on this journey but you would have been turned down in the end by Dubh or by Nglas if you had not understood the real reason for the journey.  The unity of the winds demands people who can use all their skills and abilities and are adept in some fashion in every area."

"So earning my key isn't the end, rather its the beginning of a new path.  Thank you for the insight."

"I just came along for the walk, you did all the work.  Why don't you come back again and we'll have discussion about what comes next.  You still have to answer the question and you still have to stand before the council but once that is done then the future awaits. Plus your office is still sitting empty waiting for you to come back...

"Cumalaine, I don't know what to do with you..  I can't go back.  I want to go forward.  That's what this is all about isn't it?  I said as I patted her arm.  For a moment there it actually sounded like she was expecting me back... That certainly wasn't my view of the future but only time would tell.

Journey to Corcra - Lesson of Sovereignty 6/9/03