Fulfillment ~ "2023, a Year of Goodbyes"

Friday, September 12, 2014

Night Shift

Baba Yaga
The subdued feeling, the quiet gentleness of this place penetrates every fiber of my being.  It's a quaint little cottage nestled by a pond with geese swimming quietly nearby.  It has weathered green blinds and flower boxes under the front windows filled with Petunias, Primroses, Violets and Pansies. Perfumed pink and cream-colored rambling roses resembling sumptuous, flaky puff pastries filled with cream and dollops of strawberry jam grow profusely in thorny tangles, laughing merrily, heaping over themselves, twisting and turning this way and that as they make their way along and up the sides of the tiny cottage reaching the top where they tumble and cascade down in fragrant clusters.

The warmth of the sun penetrates deep into my back as I stand and watch honey bees busily flying back and forth.

Inside the kitchen a little old lady sits at a table in the middle of the room.  Her body is frail and withered.  Across her shoulders is a black shawl embedded with what look to be tiny little gemstones.  They twinkle and sparkle when she moves.  She is hunched over, her head down, intently scanning a deck of Tarot cards.   The faint light from the window behind her helps a little but not much so she has placed a candle on the table.  Her glasses are balanced on the tip of her nose.  Her long gray hair is pulled back and up, held in place by an exquisitely detailed hair ornament resembling a heron standing on one leg.  She appears to be very, very old.  Her long agile fingers adeptly work the cards and there's a haunting, lovely, cleansing, medicinal fragrance about her.  It reminds me of the scent of Eucalyptus.  Her countenance is calm and comforting.  Around her neck is a long black silk cord holding an oval gemstone. 

Suddenly I hear a muffled sound and look past her toward the window and see a large bird that has just landed on the sill.   It perches there with eyes staring.  She pauses and then slowly turns around, nodding her head in acknowledgement.  

Old Owl immediately senses her approval and settles down on the sill.  There is an unspoken connection between the two.  As she turns to face me, the Crone's eyes are like two fiery, glowing coals as they catch the flame of the flickering candle.  She doesn't seem at all surprised that I am watching her from the shadows.  I believe she senses that I am here.

She knows the question before I ask it.  "Everything you ever wanted to know about Anything is possible here."  I feel an incredible warmth come over me.  She is a Constant, a Diviner, one of the Ancients full of Wisdom, Light and Knowledge.  She is Everything rolled into one.  She is the One you consult when you have an illness; she is the One you consult when you want to know the Truth; she is the One you consult when you are in need of Understanding. 

She is the majestic Horse, the stately Oak, the Wise Old Owl, the stalwart Visionary overlooking the precipice, going over his well thought out battle plan to upstage the enemy, all the while mustering his gallant and valiant troops behind him.

I watch quietly, taking it all in.  I am aware that I am in a magical place and I don't want to leave.

"Come closer, my dear, you have nothing to fear."

I cannot help but fall under the gaze of her bewitching eyes which capture and draw me deeper within.

"But", I ask myself, "isn't this the reason why I am here?"  She is becoming visibly enthused that she has company.

"I am happy you are here as I do not get much company."  "Visitors to my cottage are few and far between."

"I discern that you have a question for me."  "Yes, I do."  "I am wondering if you could answer this for me...

"What exactly is the Matrix?"

Eyes flowing with intensity she replies, "can I be honest with you?"

"You're just not ready."  "It's not that you won't understand."  "On the contrary, you'll understand all too well."  "Why don't we just get to know one another first?"

"Well, let's see", she said as she laid the Tarot cards to one side as she looked at me.  "We don't need these right now".

"I said we needed to get acquainted but you, you've already done just that haven't you?" managing a warm smile.

She said, "that s a pretty direct question and you appear to be a pretty direct individual".

"I'm sorry", I said softly, "I didn't mean to....(I was now wishing I could vanish as I had just hugely embarrassed myself).  "That's alright", she said forthrightly, "I've dealt with questions like this, before:"  "No need for embarrassment."  

She positioned herself more comfortably and was visibly delighted with the question.

"The word "Matrix" was made popular by the movie.  The characters and the actors portraying them along with the creator of The Matrix, and a host of others, are creative geniuses.  They managed to impart its esoteric meaning into a blockbuster of a movie thus illuminating and enlightening many along the way.  This is why you refer to it by name as it makes up the world you live in."    

"Let's make this simple for you by reviewing a few fundamentals. "

"The Matrix is a finite intuitive algorithm.  There are many "matrices in the universe."  "I don't expect you to fully grasp what all this  means so I will do my best to simplify it for you."

"The human brain is capable of thought, cognition, interpretation, cause and effect, rational/irrational thinking and reasoning."  "The human brain is capable of actually compelling, willing and propelling these matrices into being."

"You have heard the saying, "You are what you think."  "Your thoughts actually produce your own reality."

"This is one of the Great Truths."

"The human brain can envision any scenario and will it (think it) into being."

The cosmos is a giant consciousness and you are an integral part of it whether you know this or not. You are infinitely tethered to it".

"Most people go about their lives in a humdrum, mundane manner."  "They think little of the deeper meaning of life but are more interested in getting up and going to work, a half hour for lunch, please the boss, timidly ask for a raise, come home, kiss the spouse, have dinner, help the kids with homework. and then the whole routine starts over again the next day."

"They never really give any thought to their existence other than the weekend when it's time for Saturday night football, a glass of wine or a few beers."

"There are very few who think outside the box (The Matrix) and wonder about who, what, why and when, where, if and how come."

"Think of it this way, your collective brains (those individuals who are aware) are tethered to one giant computer that is centered in the middle of your Milky Way Galaxy."  "This huge behemoth of a computer is extremely sensitive to the vibrations it receives (kinda like a spider who's one leg is gently touching a strand of her web, waiting for a struggling host) as it continually receives human input."   

"And what is the output", I asked?
------
"Why do you continue to stand in the corner?"  "Come over here and sit down closer to me."

I emerged from the shadows and out into the dim light.  I slowly shuffled my way across the wooden floor listening to it creak and groan under the weight of my steps.  I softly grasped the back of the chair opposite hers and sat down.

"I am sorry, please forgive me, I should have invited you sooner."

Being closer to her, I was able to closely study her face.  She reminded me of a long forgotten, ancient and worn marble statue, long since hidden and now covered in vines and brambles, quietly reposing in the corner of an old courtyard, her shrouded face crisscrossed all over with Nazca-like lines.

She was only coming to light simply because someone had been actively searching for her and then, quite suddenly and taken completely by surprise, had discovered exactly what they were searching for.

She was almost alluring in a weird sort of way.  She mesmerized, soothed and comforted.  I felt completely relaxed.

She interrupted my reverie.  

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"  She didn't wait for my answer but pushed her chair back and rose quickly from the table, her black shawl twinkling merrily as she moved, ambling toward the window where a steaming coffee pot was brewing. 

In an instant she was back at the table with two hot cups in her hands. 

"Thank you", I said as I grasped a delicate china cup.

She leaned forward and motioned to me to come closer.  Her glowing eyes were full of intent. 

"Now that we've become acquainted, why don't we get down to business."     

I thought I heard a faint little laugh,  

Her countenance abruptly changed.

The flames were gone and I felt myself being drawn down into two deeply penetrating dark gray eyes as she continued to scrutinize and study me, lifting the china cup to her lips.

The smell of the coffee was wonderful.  It's fragrance soared through the kitchen.

In that very moment I knew I was in for one heck of a ride.  I was now under her spell.  She was drawing me in, like a moth to a flame.

She didn't move a muscle but continued watching me, slowly sipping her coffee.

"Finally", as she put down her cup, "you don't have just one question for me, you have several."  

I shyly admitted, "you're absolutely right."

"Well, let's just take them one at a time.  I will proceed slowly and if you feel the need to interrupt, if you have any questions, please stop me and I'll explain further.  I will simplify things for you so you will understand. 

"Your main concern is wanting to know about the Matrix so let's get started."

"To answer your question, the first thing you need to know is the makeup of the human brain"

"The human brain is composed of three individual parts (or brains)," she stopped, as I had a quizzical expression on my face.

She continued, "this information will help you understand The Matrix and where humanity is, at the present time."

I nodded my head.

"Millions of years ago reptilians roamed your planet; they were fitted with a brain that only lusted and raged.  Scientists today call it the Lizard Brain or the Reptilian Brain.

It only reacted based on instinct.

"Many millions of years after that another change occurred known as the Dog Brain or the Limbic Brain which accounts for emotions and feelings.  This mammalian retrofit inherent in all mammals would allow for loyalty and deeper experiences."  

"Approximately 100,000 years ago another engineering feat known as the Neo Cortex or Human Brain was added which accounts for humans' rational thinking".

"This allowed for the Sciences, Arts, Thinking and Complex Reasoning".  

Note that "they" did not do away with the two former brains.  They just added the third  additional brain on top of the other two."

"Waste not, want not." 

She smiled, "My Dear, they' have been working on your brain for a very long time."

A Planetary shift is occurring on earth right now in which millions of people are "waking up" to a higher level of consciousness and an awareness that there is so much more to life than birth, conflict, struggle and death".  

"The internet is playing a big role in this shift".

"How," I asked?

"Human beings have been disconnected physically and spiritually for thousands of years by virtue of where they live, their different cultures and beliefs.  

"Governments are also implicit in this disconnection."

"Now, this is not to say that we will all come together under one big happy planetary umbrella, discarding centuries old beliefs on who and where we are, where we came from and what we were taught to believe, but the internet has opened up a portal, a connecting device or a tool for a continuing dialogue among all planetary inhabitants, here on earth and elsewhere."

She winked shyly.

"The internet has created an opportunity for earth's inhabitants to express thoughts and views, starting discussions on how to solve this planet's problems".

"Although the internet is in its infancy, hopefully it will blossom into something of great value to all mankind, not something to be siphoned off and used by a few and used to further more chaos, mayhem and division on your planet".

"And I am hoping that it will not be used to enrich a few at the expense of the many."

"The internet will be discovered as actually having changed the receptors in the human brain."

"The brain will gradually respond to the new stimuli, over time."

"This process has already begun and is actually happening as we speak."

"Let's stop your lesson now, as the hour is growing late".

"I have a comfy bedroom just down the hall where you can stay for the night.  We'll continue your lesson in the morning.  I'm up early and you'll smell the coffee brewing.  I also make some awesome pastry."

She rose from the table and motioned for me to stand up.  She was slight of stature and I towered above her.  She adjusted her twinkling shawl around her shoulders and then I was able to see an intriguing pendant she was wearing.

She watched my expression as I studied it.

"The stone you are looking at has no age.  It was given to me by my Grandfather many years ago after I passed my initiation.

"But, we'll talk more about that later, my Dear."

Her long, bony fingers reached for the candle as her eyes burned brightly.

Her dark eyes were intense as she looked into mine.

She pointed her finger toward a long, dark hallway.

It was then I looked toward the kitchen window and saw that Owl was gone.

She knew what I was felling.

"You need not worry about Owl as he has safely returned to his nest".

The candle's warm flame darted, danced and jumped off the walls of the long hallway.

Here and there oil lamps were hung, creating a soft glow and helping to splay shivery shadows across the walls..

I was mesmerized by all I was seeing and feeling.

I somehow felt that I was returning home after a very long journey.

I waited for the old woman to start down the long hall.

Old, forgotten memories of my childhood filled my head.

"But, why would Owl leave?"  "I thought this was where he stayed."  "He seemed so comfortable here."

Sweet woodsy scents of fir, juniper and pine tantalized my senses and filled my nostrils as we started toward the bedroom.

I thought I could heard faint strands of music coming from somewhere.

Then a few more steps and she stopped facing me, her bright eyes glowing in the darkness and the gemstones on her shawl shining on and off like little fireflies.

She made no sound but pointed toward the doorway to the bedroom and gestured for me to step inside.

She tipped the candle in the doorway.

The candle's flame fanned up and out, splaying across a magnificent ceiling towering high overhead.

It seemed to have a myriad of pictures imprinted on it.  

There were two stately windows that reached from floor to ceiling. 

I was reminded of an old and lovely Victorian mansion.  

As she moved the flame around, I could see a silver candelabra sitting on a heavy, ornate dresser with a large mirror which faced a bed with a magnificent headboard.  

It appeared to be carved with what looked like angels, swallows, owls and flowers. 

It had soft pillows that lay, one on top of the other, plumped in a glorious display of uninhibited comfort.

A plush comforter covered the bed, embroidered all over with birds, vines and flowers.

The nightstand had a lovely tall with slender sprigs of Rosemary and Sage.

Their lovely, herbal fragrance permeated this small, uninhabited space.

I was overcome with emotion.

Forest scents of pine and juniper, Rosemary and Sage were quickly embedded as I was now heady with long forgotten smells from my Grandmothers garden of long, long ago.
------
"Time to wake up and smell the coffee!"

This I heard as I was happily wrapped up, snug as a bug in a rug, in a posh comforter, warm and cozy, my head resting comfortably on over sized pillows.

I rubbed my eyes and started unraveling myself from the cocoon I was in, swinging my legs over the side of the bed and firmly placing them on the floor. 

I noticed shafts of sunlight coming in from the windows.

It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to my surroundings.

I kept thinking that during the night I had sensed something enter my room and two bright eyes staring at me but then I finally chocked it all up to "it must have been a dream".

A few feet away there was a small corner bathroom and on the sink I found a cup with a toothbrush and herbal paste.

A large metal bird was standing in the corner on one leg. 

Upon closer inspection I recognized it as an exact duplicate of the hair piece the old woman was wearing. 

I continued staring as I brushed my teeth then I looked into the mirror, surveying the surroundings behind me.      

I was curious as to what was behind the heavy drapes.

As I parted the drapes, I saw that the tall windows looked out upon the quiet pond.

There was an old cobblestone path meandering down to it and on either side, a hedgerow of flowers and shrubs.

Just before the pond a lovely archway stretched over the path from one side to the other.

I just stood there, transfixed, not knowing what to say.

Then I thought, "if there is a heaven this must be it".

As looked further, I could see an expanse of rolling meadows, beautiful tall flowering trees and hear songbirds singing in the tree tops.

There was a gentle humming vibration I sensed, permeating my entire body.

But then I noticed, not too far away, something I did not like.  It was disturbing.

Looming to one side was what appeared to be a very deep, dark and dense forest.

Its slender canopy of black pines was sinister looking and foreboding.

I felt a little unnerved.

The pines reached high up into the sky,

There was a strange feeling that came over me when I looked at them as they seemed to be aware they were being spied upon.

I could now feel a tenseness in the air and hear a haunted, muted sound of as if a woman was sobbing.

This moment reminded me of an exceedingly harsh winter when I saw pine trees on my Grandmother's farm covered in heavy snow and then, out of nowhere, a merciless and bitterly cold wind came, stripping them bare of their needles, their insulation, their cozy snow blankets.

They were left threadbare and clinging to life.

Fate had intervened, leaving them skinny, gaunt sticks, all alone and unable to fend for themselves.

"How cruel and unjust," I thought.

"They did nothing to no one."

I closed my eyes and shuddered, wanting to quickly return to the present.
------
"This is Your Wake up Call," she said to me, her eyes glowing brightly, as I downed a piece of her powdery biscuit and took a sip of her ravenously good coffee.

"Don't be shy, help yourself, my Dear."

I reached for another biscuit and sunk my teeth into it.  It was absolutely heavenly.

I looked at her in amazement and she smiled broadly.

"I told you I make some mean pastry".  Her eyes twinkled merrily, enjoying the look on my face.

"Let's continue our discussion, shall we?"

I found myself settling deeper in my chair.

"To understand the brutally subtle and utterly deceptive control The Matrix has over human beings, one only need understand its complex yet very simplistic makeup and be able to identify its markers".

"One of those markers is evil".

"One only need experience evil to fully understand and slowly comprehend the utter horror and devastation that brings with it."

"You remember looking at the pine trees?"

"Why yes," I said in astonishment.  "How did you know that?"

A sly grin.

"Evil did not exist on earth many thousands of years ago"

"Evil has no role in humanity's spiritual plan but is only present to thwart it ascension."

"Yet, for some reason, evil has been allowed to have its way with all other inhabitants throughout the universe for millions of years either in the form of one species rising up against another with the goal of complete dominance over the other or being able to wipe the other species off the face of the earth."

"There is a reason for this constant penchant for warfare."

"A rebellion occurred on your planet many thousands of years ago.  It was called The Lucifer Rebellion".

"Lucifer was an angel known for his beauty and was one of God's favorites".

"He was called The Beautiful Angel because his appearance was so becoming that this set him apart from all the others."

"Initially he was handpicked by God for an important mission on earth, one that would complete God's plan of bringing humanity together into a celestial circle (completion) with all other celestial beings."

"But Lucifer would have none of this.  He had changed his mind.  His plan was now tantamount in his eyes over the God who created him.

"Lucifer's ego ego got the best of him."

 "He rebelled against God as did the first inhabitants of your world, Adam and Eve."

"Humans become confused when they hear the name Lucifer and that of Satan."

"They are two separate and distinct beings".

"Lucifer was the mastermind of his plan and chose Satan as his accomplice."

"While Lucifer plotted his plan of destabilization, he realized that he needed help in implementing it.

"While most of the angelic hierarchy turned their back on him, one by the name of Satan did not."

"He reached out to Satan, and Satan, in turn, reached out to others for help."

"There were several hundred more that 'signed on."

"At this point in time, seeing that the force of evil has gained such a stranglehold over you humans and, in order for you to live peacefully together, this imperfect, out of balance and errant energy force needs to be put in its place."

"The sorry fact of the matter is, if evil is allowed to exist, it will find a way, through any and all means, to grow, prosper and flourish"

"Its inclination is to take over everything, smother, eradicate and dominate."

"Domination is inherent in all species and must be contained and controlled."

"This is just the way things are."

"Evil, if left to its own inclination, will instill and install institutions and governments, promote enablers and legions of followers, design mechanisms and tools both as a means toward its ultimate quest of complete domination and thus, eternal empowerment over humanity".

"Think of evil not as a nebulous, fleeting thought but something solid like an impenetrable wall that is building its empire brick by brick".

"Evil is the result of an errant gene gone rogue, a universal intelligence that once prided itself on doing good for all mankind on Planet Earth as well as the cosmos but consciously chose the wrong path in pursuit of turning itself into a hierarchical order."

"One that is above the Creator Thought that brought everything into being."

"This hierarchical god is here now and is running rampant on your planet".

"It has been let loose and is deeply and mightily entrenched in your politics, your organizations and governments, your well-being and your souls."

"There is a full scale dark and unholy spiritual invasion taking place in which evil wants to control every aspect of your lives".

"It is firmly ensconced in countless institutions, deeply entrenched in people and organizations and in governments both foreign and domestic".

"Its pernicious appetite and maniacal tendencies are infiltrating the thought processes of many, invading homes, schools and religious institutions, with its ultimate goal-the complete overhaul, the complete reversal, the complete subjugation of all planetary inhabitants under a so-called 'One World Order' with the end result being the complete and passive subservience of the human mind to The Luciferian Hierarchy instead that of the Creator Consciousness."
------
"Any more questions, my Dear?" she asked, setting her cup down while reaching for a napkin to wipe the dainty morsels from her mouth.

I was incapable of replying.  I was too busy trying to comprehend and absorb the history lesson to even respond to her question.

I think I must have looked horrified.

She waited for an answer but I just couldn't find the words.

She knew how in depth this history lesson was as she had tutored other students before and that I was just trying to pull myself along with all the pieces, together.

She somehow seemed pleased at my inability to grasp for words to describe my reaction.

I think that's what she wanted as she knew then, the history lesson had hit home.

I think I finally mustered up something to say like, "you've left me with an awful lot to absorb and a very uneasy feeling,"  

"It's like I've been lied to all these years and used just for the purpose of of enabling a few to control the many."

"Am I on the right track?"

With a thunderous clap of her hands and the glasses tumbling off her nose, she happily shouted, Bingo!"
------
"You wanted to know about 'Output.

"Output is the direct result of input".

"You put in good input the result is good output".

"On the other hand, you put in bad input the result is bad output.

"Thoughts are energy; thoughts are input with the end result being creation."

"One bad thought can impede and restrict the flow of one good thought while one good thought has the opposite affect."

"So", she said, her finger drawing a little circle among the crumbs lying on the wooden table, "what would happen if a bunch of you got together and held hands and prayed for something positive to happen like world peace or an end to the horror going on in the Mideast or a cure for Ebola or instilling world leaders with humility and wisdom?"

"Do you not know that prayer (collective thoughts) can actually turn things around on your planet?"

"This form of energy is being used extensively on other worlds with some of the inhabitants not too far ahead of your earth, who have finally wakened up to the fact they just cannot live the way they are living anymore because there is better way."

"The result of what's going on in your world is from your collective, conscious decision not to change or alter the 'status quo."

"Maybe you are too fearful.

Maybe you believe you just don't have the tools to change things around or maybe you do, but are too lazy to employ them."

"You sit on your couches watching t.v. programs that addle the brain (they have no redeeming value for you, whatsoever) as they are full of loud noise, sex, violence and rage."

"The mind is subconsciously processing all these negative images and actually enabling (giving power) to those thoughts and images that are now being projected upon the world".

"So, in effect, you are willing accomplices and conduits for transmitting and empowering negative energy."

"The result (remember the input vs. the output?)--the result is mayhem and murder, devastation and turmoil, paving the way for your complete dominance."

"This is exactly the end result (output) --goal that Lucifier and his followers desire".

"So you really have a choice, do you not?"

"And it's no wonder you continue to have so many problems on your planet."

"And then, because you are so unaware of what you are doing and how you are being used, the harm you are actually creating and contributing to, you don't realize that you need to stand up and demand an end to all the mayhem."

"And then, to make matters worse, when someone does come along promoting a movie or television program that actually encourages the human spirit to burst forth in great acts of kindness and compassion, or rises up to condemn the wrong doing, he or she is roundly condemned and criticized in order to shut them up."

"This is all being done by the Matrix, of course."

"Another critical marker in recognizing The Matrix, is Control."

"It depends on donors and money and huge amount of followers so it can embolden and defend its powerful position by any, and all means necessary."

"The moral of what I just described to you is, 'it is up to you and others who make up your world to effect meaningful change'."

"You can do it if you realize that the means to do this is actually found within yourselves."

"If you want a better and more humane world," she paused, "do you see that by adding one small letter to the end of the word human (the letter 'e') you get the word humane?"

"There is an intrinsic and undeniable connection between the two."

"Take the first step which is acknowledging the problem and then taking responsibility for it."

"Don't always blame others for where you are at the present time."  -take Ownership."

"Stand up and speak your mind when you see an injustice; when you see someone lying or bullying or taking advantage".

"Nothing is going to change if you do not stand up and fight."

"Most of all, do not be afraid as you have many Wisdom Councilors standing shoulder to shoulder, with you, encouraging and urging you on."

"They are here solely to help you."  

"Another marker is Fear."

"This is a frequent tool used and employed by the Matrix to keep everyone in line and exactly where they want them."

"Thus you are more easily managed, all neatly wrapped up, bundled and packaged."

"There is safety in numbers though as there are more of You then there are of Them".

"The more of 'You' speaking out, the more powerful you become and the less of Them,"  

"The Matrix cannot withstand this type of onslaught, this type of breach in their defenses, this humanitarian outreach, this devoted outpouring of all of you coming together."

She pushed back her chair and turned around to look at the great bird that had just perched on her window sill.

Again, no words were uttered, just a silent acknowledgement between the two.

Owl bowed his head as did the old Crone.

Owl then raised his head, fluffed his feathers and settled down on the sill.

His all seeing eyes caught mine.

Focused, Intense, Reflective, Intuitive, All Knowing, All Seeing.

"No wonder the two of them are so close",

They are 'soul mates."

My heart warmed, my soul stirred.

She turned and looked endearingly at me, straining to see if I was still keeping up with her, one gray strand of gray hair falling haphazardly across her forehead and then she gently tucked it back in.

All the while, those bright little gemstones on her black shawl mesmerizing and twinkling like a thousand little stars.

I felt so close to this old woman.

I wanted to reach over and touch her face.  Tears welled up, "I, I....

"I know," she answered, her soft expression smiling back at me.  "You will come to know why you are here and soon."  She reached across the table and cupped my arm.  "When you know what's wrong and you know how to fix it my Dear, it can be damned overwhelming because the solution is so simple."

"It's going to be alright."

She moved her chair closer and intently looked into my eyes.

"I must share this with you."

"You are the last student I will have."

"My time on earth is drawing to a close."

"We Councilors have only been allotted a finite time on earth in which to instruct and illuminate others."

"We are drawing closer to the mystery of the Night Shift, you and I."

"But now it is time for a well deserved break from your studies."

"You need your rest, as well as I."

"You know where the bedroom is so take the the candle with you and I will light another."

"I'm going to tidy up here in the kitchen and converse with Owl as he and I have long conversations together, a question and answer period if you will, her eyes twinkling, before he leaves and he also helps me with my notes".

"We both have limited time together so we know we have to make the most of it".

"I will come and wake you up in the morning and we'll continue your lesson."

"When you awake you will learn the rest of the story."

"Tonight, my dear, you and I will know and experience the Night Shift".

"Here, Dear", as she looked up at me, placing the candle in my hand, "make your way to the bedroom."

"All is well, all is well."
------
Convergence:

n:  The process of coming together toward a common point.
------
I am so comfortable, so cozy, so unbelievably happy here, warmly nestled within the folds of the down comforter embroidered with the lovely roses, birds and trailing vines.

I love this place.

I stir,

I'm awake, my eyes wander across the room.

I feel that somehow something is different in my room now.

It is nothing fearful just a change of some sort and I am reminded of the old woman's last words to me, "All is well, All is well".

I've nothing to fear as I'm being sheltered, protected and lovingly cared for here.

As my eyes slowly start to focus and I raise my head up from the soft pillows, I am wondering what it is I am feeling.

There is no light in the room as I hear a muffled sound to my right, in the corner and high above my head.

"What on earth is that"? I wonder.

And then I hear and feel the stirring of something moving at the foot of the bed.

"Should I be alarmed?"  

A flutter of wings as the sound of a great bird takes flight.

Owl's wings stretch out in grand manner as he silently swoops down from his high perch, making his way to another perch in the opposite corner.

My heart is thumping wildly as my eyes try in vain to follow him in the darkened room.  

"So this is where he nests at night," I said to myself.  

Then the creature at the foot of the bed raises up and makes its presence known.

A large black cat stretches its sinewy body across my feet, yawns and sits up.

It turns and faces me, luminescent green eyes glowing piercing the dense darkness.

"How fitting for a Crone." I think.

"I was wondering how long it would be before a black cat made its presence."    
------
The black cat didn't stir and Owl had settled down on his perch.

There was a gentle knock on the door.

"One moment," I said as I untangled myself from the comforter and watched the cat watching me as I slipped my legs over the side of the bed.

I lit the candle and turned, slowly making my way to the door.

I pulled it open and saw the face of the little old lady standing before me,

"It's time, my Dear,"

"Get dressed."    

I turned and walked back to the nightstand and put the candle down.

I was curious as to what time it was but there was no clock.

"In fact, now that I think about it, there are no clocks anywhere around."

I moved toward the window ans I was curious and parted the drapes to see outside.

It was coal black.

"I guess we didn't wait until morning."

I dressed and tidied up in the bathroom.  

Taking the candle I walked backed to the door.

"We're ready," she said, "follow me."

Down the long hall we both walked, our two candles spitting and glowing.  

I am always amused to watch the candle's flame darting here and there, hiding in a corner or quickly shooting across a wall.

From the darkness of the long hall we entered the kitchen.

Seated at the kitchen table we positioned both candles.

I noticed on the table was a large and heavy leather book with a lock on it.

The old lady was in no hurry as we both sat down.

"Well, are you ready for the final lesson tour, my dear?"

"Yes," I replied with the utmost confidence but, I hesitated, "this isn't morning or is it?"

"No, it's not morning."  "It's twelve midnight."

She settled back in her chair and swept the black shawl closer around her shoulders.

I felt at ease sitting across from her.

Her demeanor, her glowing, piercing eyes I had come to know were beacons of light, illumination on a dark path, chasing all the shadows away.

I had come to love this old woman and what I was just now learning she stood for.

Enlightenment and Illumination.

Very few are capable of shedding light on The Hidden Path and where humanity had gone wrong, where it was headed and what it could do to rectify its sorry condition.

This old woman had shown the way and provided the answer.

She had a most wonderful and calming effect on me.

There was now an unspoken bond, a connection between the two of us.

Strangely I thought, "have I met this old woman somewhere before?"

A deep silence now permeated the air.

I watched as she gently, yet firmly, laid her hands on the heavy book.

She was wearing a long pale green dress and a striking pendant.  A heron pin fastened her gray hair.

Again, I could smell an astringent, a medicinal scent of cleansing as a lovely smell of Eucalyptus wafted through the kitchen.

She lowered her head and uttered some words I couldn't make out then raised her head, her glowing eyes like two red coals and a smile on her face.

"You have managed to figure out a little of who I am."

She waited for a response.

Actually I wasn't surprised by this but was anticipating it.

I was ready for her.

"Yes", she continued before I got a chance to respond, "I do have Pagan and Wiccan roots but I also have in my genetic makeup a myriad of other genes."

"I have lived in many different places, in many countries and in many different cultures."

"I have experienced much if not all of what life on this planet has to offer."

I have held many positions both lofty and low."

"I have been on both sides of the coin so to speak and am fully and consciously aware of what it is to have supreme power over people or to be one of the hapless many, locked away and forgotten, lying and dying on the floor of a dank, dirty and cold dungeon."

"In this incarnation I have chosen to help those on this planet who are struggling with evil as I've gained considerable knowledge in my experiences dealing with it."

"The role I have at present is to impart the Truth to all who will hear it and believe me, there are not many."  

"Thus I am able to shine a light on the Hidden Path and one that is closed off to so many."

She fingered the pendant she was wearing and a most wonderful expression came over her.

"This pendant is way before your time."

"It is made from a stone that fell from the heavens during the Exodus."

Its beauty radiated and shimmered in the candlelight.

I moved closer to behold a deep and dark work of art, oval in shape, mystifying in color and myriad of lines that looked like constellations, planets and galaxies.

"This, as she looked down lovingly, "is known as a Conjurer's Stone, capable of emotive expression such as guilt, anger, joy and sorrow."

"It helps in pinpointing, understanding and quantifying the underlying problems inherent in Human Nature."

"The other tool which you observed me using, when you first arrived is the Tarot which is a Divination Tool, that allows me to delve deep within the human psyche in order to heal and guide."

"The Night Shift is a term employed to describe when most of humanity's hidden and dark events take place."

"During the night (as opposed to during the day when you cannot hide) is the time when those evil doers plot their agendas, wishing to do harm to others."

"They calculate and debate, plan and copulate as they devise snares in order to catch those unaware."

"Ever since humans first walked the earth, this malignant cancer of evil has existed."

"Evil is a Thought Form manifested in Flesh."

"Think of it as a pimple you just discovered on your face."

"You look at it and decide that it's not too bad so you leave it alone.

"Then a few days later you look at it again.  To your dismay it is now swollen and filled with pus."

"Now you really have a problem on your hands because you didn't address it in the first place."

"It now has manifested the ability to spread and contaminate."

"Is this not the scenario playing out in your world today?"

I nodded my head as I completely understood.

"How could I argue the point?  She was dead on.

Such a simple analogy yet one had to wonder why others hadn't caught on to this but continued to ignore it to their peril.

She signed as if tired, "before we take this last journey together we need to pray."

"But before we pray, I need to ask a question of you."

"Do you believe in God, because we are going to descend into extremely dark and hidden places and I need your answer before we proceed."

"This is for your safety and well being, as well as mine."
------
She looked at me and I looked back at her.  There was no hesitation in my reply.

"I most certainly do."

Then her demeanor changed and changed abruptly.

Her eyes were now two hot, burning coals searing deep into my soul.

She glowered at me and I was caught completely by surprise at how quickly her mood had changed.

 She then said, "I have to ask this of you."  "If you say you believe in God, then why in God's name do you human beings persist in starting war after war, torturing and killing and persecuting each other, rampaging, rioting and raging, murdering babies and all in the name of a "woman's right to choose?"

"What about a baby's right to choose," she almost shouted?"

"Why do you persist in designing more and more lethal weapons and cook up more and more diabolical schemes to use against one another?"

"Why are you constantly motivated by brutality, savagery, killing and maiming?"

"If you truly believed in God there would be those among you whom you would have raised up and elevated to act as strong counsel by now--a powerful deterrent against the demonic forces that have seized your planet."

"Do you human beings not realize nor understand that when God is unwelcome in your midst, when your lofty ambitions (Ego) have elevated you, in your own eyes, to that of being gods, when you continue to violate His Laws of the Cosmos, that this continues your enslavement and tribulation?"

I couldn't answer her as I was dumbstruck and completely taken aback.  

I could only hang my head in shame.
------
She was sorry and saddened she had lost her temper with me and attempted to console me, as she slowly and patiently waiting for me to regain my composure,

She continued, "there is, underway, at this very moment, a convergence taking place on your planet (even though at the present time with all that is occurring, this concept is very hard to envision).

"A detailed summation of the state of the human condition and a plan to stop its death spiral."

"At a time known only to those in charge of these types of affairs, the elevation of humanity's consciousness will be completed and brought under the watchful eye of a group known as the Peace Makers".

"Human Beings will finally be able to climb up and out of the well they have been consigned to and fully live out their lives in peace and harmony, while enjoying the company of a new and vast network of other sentient beings in the universe."  

"This, however, will not be done without the express approval of all of you".

"This decision will not be shoved down your throats as once you are able to see the happiness that awaits you, the hurdles you still face that are holding you back and the future peace and harmony that is just ahead, your willingness to accept will quicken your ascension toward this universal, spiritual inclusiveness".

"This is humanity's destiny...this is where you belong."  "This is what has been planned for you and your world from the very beginning."

There are three stages to a Crone's existence:  Maiden, Mother, Crone.  The  Crone represents Wisdom, Death and Endings.  The waning moon is her symbol.  In early cultures, she is often depicted as a grandmother, a wise woman or a midwife.  She is long past child bearing age.  Because of her Life experiences, and the Knowledge she has accumulated, she is consulted often and is known as a Wisdom Keeper, a Keeper of The Mysteries, a Seer and a Healer.  She is sought out by others as a guide for their transit through the hardships and sorrows of this incarnation.   She is a Lover of trees and plants, children and animals.   She is steadfast in her vigil over those who are taking their last breaths.    
------


The Crone's eyes were intense and the gemstones on her shawl moved with her in the candle light.

"I have agonized as to why so many of you cannot--why so many of you wind up purposely harming others and yourselves in the process of committing evil and why so many of you seem to exist solely for fostering and bringing it into the world, relishing its results of more pandemonium, chaos and conflict."

"This part of the Human Condition continues to sadden me."

"Is there not one person in your world who understands what I am saying?"

By now I had regained some of my composure even as I was weeping.

She pointed in the direction of the dark pine forest.

"Soon, you and I will be making our way toward those trees on the other side of the pond."

"You did see them as I watched the expression on your face."

"Yes," I answered as this was the same dark and foreboding forest I had noticed before.

"We will visit different times and experience the energies present during those times and the results they produced, both good and bad."

"You will learn that the thoughts and wishes of the many and their willingness to keep with the status quo or their decision to do away with the old and establish a new vision for themselves ultimately contributed to either their slow demise or pointed the way to a new future of peace and well being."

"I like to call this part of your lesson, 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'."

"Thus my question to you if you believed in God?"

"Because God is the only One to call upon to protect you as well as myself as we both venture forth together, digging deeper into the unknown dark realms of the human psyche, trying to understand."

"From this venture you and hopefully others will learn a worthwhile and very valuable lesson."

We both raised ourselves up from our chairs.  I stood silent as she walked over to the cupboard, opened it and took out a lantern.  Lighting it she turned around and faced me.  to face me.

"It is time."

She walked ahead of me toward the front door and opened it.  I followed and closed it behind me.

I turned to look at my bedroom window and saw two four eyes staring out.

It was Owl and cat.

What a sendoff!

We traversed quietly and slowly down the cobblestone path, making our way toward the dark pine forest.

After awhile I noticed a large opening in the trees that looked like it could swallow both of us up.

As we stepped into it, I noticed how the tree branches at the top had been carefully braided and intertwined together to form a thick and dense canopy over this yawning portal.

A few more steps and she told me to "watch my step and my head."

Through the portal we went.

We started to descend and I observed how the walls looked less like pine and more like rock.  We had to pay close attention to where we were walking.

We continued on down a narrow, winding and meandering path (like someone couldn't make up their mind which way to go).

I ducked quickly as I almost came in contact with a bunch of twisted tree roots covering the face of a large rock overhang.

My nostrils caught the scent of something but this time I couldn't make it out.   One thing I did know was it was unpleasant.  It smelled of something ancient and forgotten, dark and decaying, something purposely left behind, something entrapped in the past, something creepy, something not nice

The light from the lantern she was carrying swung gently back and forth as we walked.

At least that was comforting.

It was very dark inside the cave and I observed thin lines extending from top to bottom of the cave walls alternating in dark green and black stripes.

She held the lantern higher so there was just the right measure of light for both of us to see where we were going.

I amused myself and staved off my anxiety by watching this little old lady traverse the path with agility while I would stare down at the path every so often, hoping I wouldn't kick up a huge rock and then stumble over it.

The shadows from the lantern darted and danced off the slippery rock walls.    

Everything was quiet until I heard the words, "what makes you think you own this planet?"

I assumed that she had asked the question but she didn't turn but kept right on walking.

"There is a school of thought down here that man, in his infinite foolishness, has laid claim to this rock because he figures he personally owns it".

"Man believes he has all the answers."  

"Well," I said, "I don't think this to be true."  "I mean, we have many learned individuals occupying important positions in science and technology that are constantly studying and making new discoveries, trying to keep us informed."

"Informed of what", she asked?

I didn't reply but was thinking, "come to think of it though, we don't have many that are offering anything in the way of spiritual uplifting or enriching our lives with messages of faith and love."

"We have an entire movie industry that only know how to turn out movies that portray man in his present depraved state...raging war, wickedness, brutality and savagery".  

I answered her back, "haven't we really missed an opportunity here to lift man up, out of his wellspring of ignorance and despair, turn him around, point him in a new direction, motivating him toward acts of kindness and charity?"

I was amazed at my question, as I was mimicking what the old woman was thinking.

"And", I continued, "the real reason for all of this is power and money, don't you think"?

She nodded her head, continuing to walk, following what appeared to be a very familiar path, her dress swishing back and forth.

I could feel she was pleased by what I said.

The lantern's light illuminated the narrow walkway as I obediently followed behind her.

Again, she interrupted my thoughts, "Did it ever occur to you that you human beings are just temporary residents on earth"?

"That you are only 'place holders', occupying a position until someone else shows up to fill in the gap?"

"That you were given only a finite period of time to grow and evolve and after that period of time someone else would take your place?"

I replied, "I suppose one could envision this."  

"Good," she replied.  "Just the answer I was hoping for because now I know that you are open-minded enough to entertain these and other concepts."
------
I noticed her walk was slowing down and then I heard her say, in a soft, almost whisper, "we're here."

Before us loomed an enormous labryinth and a rock platform that extended out for many feet all around us.

There was an enormous drop off and one I didn't care to investigate.

I marveled at the yawning, wide expanse before me and looked upward.

The cave ceiling was covered with glyphs, subdued bearded faces, lost cities, magnificent palaces and golden orbs and silver spirals marked the walls.

If you watched them for awhile, they seemed to move across the ceiling and walls, dancing and flickering, dazzling and glowing.

One could just tell this was a very special place.

We slowly made our way across the platform to a heavy looking, rectangular table with ornately carved legs and four high back chairs with crimson red backs.

She looked around and then placed the lantern at one end of the table.

She turned to me, her etched face and glowing eyes looking into mine with a deep intensity but her words were solemn.

"The earth is a sacred chalice, a sacred vessel."

"When you hear of Mother Earth, also known as Gaia, and how she is revered by the Ancients, how she has a heart beat and is alive, you will come to know why this is so."

"As are all human beings--a housing for the material body and a vessel for the soul."

"We can also connect this idea as to how the universe perceives a human being."

"You all are wells of deep emotions, creativity and reflection."

"Your bodies are sacred as they do not belong to you but were loaned to you for a short period of time while you live out your earthly life and pay respect and homage to your roles."

"You are expected to exercise care when using these bodies in order to be able to fulfill your time in this incarnation as you confront unresolved problems, make amends and confront issues you stubbornly refused to address during your last incarnation."

"You are here to make up for lost time, lost opportunities."

She leaned forward toward me intently, "the reason you are here, personally", is one of Discovery".

"A personal Discovery of just who you are, why you are experiencing all of this and why you signed up for all of this many years ago."

"And you, my Dear, you chose to incarnate at just this time for a specific purpose and for a very good reason."

She leaned back in her high back chair in a most calm and comfortable manner, both arms relaxed as she extended them along the arms of the chair.

Then she became serious, "In a moment we will be joined by two others."

"Do not be afraid of their appearance."

"They are known as Sacred Wisdom Keepers and are here for your benefit."

"Their countenances can be unnerving".

"They will be unlike anything you have ever seen or imagined, before."

She looked down at the dark oval gemstone hanging around her neck, running her fingers slowly over its smooth surface.

"This stone will play an important part in your Discovery."

She looked up at me, her eyes glowing intensely red, the gemstones on her shawl twinkling feverishly, as long bony fingers reached out and gently grasped my wrist.

There was a deep and audible silence between us as if waiting for someone to make a profound statement.

We seated ourselves at the other end of the table, the light from the lantern illuminating our faces.

She continued, "I spoke of the stone I am wearing awhile back when we were in the kitchen."

"Do you remember me telling you that I would describe to you how and when I came to have it in my possession after my initiation?  

"Yes," I replied.  

"Well, it fell from from the sky as we were making our way across the desert."

"We watched this glowing object as it sailed across the heavens."

"There were many who saw it fall to earth but Grandfather was the only one able to pinpoint its exact location."

"How he was able to do this was a mystery."

 "It took two days to locate it and when he was able to draw more closely to it, he was astonished at what he found and now held in his hand."

"Most astounding was its size."  "How could this small stone be the object he had watch fall to earth?"

He wondered, as there weren't any other fragments lying around."

"Its appearance was smooth and silky to the touch".

"But the most interesting thing is when he turned it over...there was a 0 (zero) encased within on the other side."          

"Now, this was a great mystery and not at all what he was expecting."

"The color was an emoticon of expression, deep blacks and dark greens with subtle shards of light blue."

"When he held the stone up to his face, he felt as if his eyes were being seared."  

"But, more importantly was the message this stone conveyed to him."

"He told me that he actually felt that he was bonding with it, in the throes of establishing some kind of kinship."

"That this stone was meant exclusively for him and would only reveal its wondrous powers to him if he agreed to abide by a code that would, in due time, be shown to him."

"The stone's markings reminded him of the infinite and unfathomable universe, deep splashes of intensely brilliant and beautiful color, indecipherable yet mindfully coded messages to be uncovered and revealed, momentous outbursts of purposeful creative energy resulting in spiral constellations, ring nebulae, stars and comets, galaxies and planets."  

"Grandfather instinctively understood what he was holding in his hands was of great value To All Mankind, something so very special with sacred and spiritual significance."

"He wore it for many years and was able to administer faithfully to the people."

"He learned sometime after why he was the only one able to wear the stone and no one else."

"When I turned eighteen, I was initiated into a small group of Believers of which my Grandfather was the Chief Counsel."

At this point I interrupted her as I felt I could handle just about anything and quietly asked, "may I hold it for a moment?"

She rose, almost trance like from her chair and walked over where I was sitting, then walking around and behind me.

I noticed a small vibration beginning in my body, (that same humming noise I had felt before) working its way from my sacral region on up.

I instinctively locked both hands onto my chair and readied myself as I believed that something of great value was imminent.

I could actually feel her deep, penetrating gaze behind me.    

Methodically and meticulously she removed the pendant from around her neck and gently lifted it up and over my head, positioning it with a subdued reverence.  She stepped quietly back.

The vibration I was feeling was now beginning to completely engulf me.

I sat there immersed in a wonderful warmth.  A lovely cocoon of love and healing and happy childhood memories was washing over me.  I remembered old friends, playing with siblings, cousins, happy experiences.  

I felt at one with the universe--undeniable harmony from all things.

Just as I was settling in and reveling in all these wonderful feelings a different energy began to emerge.

It started at my toes and slowly worked its way up.

This was one energy I was very familiar with, one I remembered from the past and one I didn't like at all.

I started to see flashes of scenes and experience inexplicable and horrific events along with very painful and hurtful memories.

I suddenly saw myself, remembering some far off place a long time ago as a kid sittng all alone in the middle of a forest clearing on an old army blanket.

I think it was gray in color or maybe that awful brown.

My mother had made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for me and tucked a banana into my lunch box.  I was all alone.  No sounds of birds or the wind softly whispering through the trees.

Nothing and yet I had no fear.

I could survey the surroundings all around me and saw that the pines formed a circular and dense circle.

I was right in the middle of it.

A beam of light was softly falling down over me and it appeared to be narrow at the top and then became broader as it made its way down.  It seemed like it was being beamed by something high above my head I could not see.

I would always "see" this picture of myself as if I was standing on the edge of the forest, surveying this scene from another vantage point.

This is precisely how I knew about the beam and its narrowness at the top and then becoming broader at the bottom.

As someone who was watching from the sidelines. Curious.

Then there was this house my parents rented.  I really don't want to go there--my mother was pleased she had found this rental house so quickly as Dad was just transferred to another station and we needed a roof over our heads.

But we were going to experience, to our dismay, that this wasn't just any ordinary house.

Flashes of memories started haunting me, again.

Our new landlords took us on a tour of the house.  They believed in letting their parakeets fly wherever they wanted.  What a mess.  And one my mother would have to clean up.

I remember her down on her hands and knees furiously scrubbing the walls and floors for weeks.

In the basement there was a picture of a cat.  The landlords should have taken it down.  It was a poster of a black cat with enormous and frightening green eyes.  The background was yellow.  This wasn't a nice picture of a gentle feline but one that struck fear in the heart of anyone looking at it.

The poster never came down while we stayed there.

While walking through the living room I spied a curious book on the coffee table.  I remember leafing through the pages, as well as my sisters, looking at all the artwork, if one could call it that.

We didn't know at the time that what we were looking at (because nobody bothered to tell us) was Dante's Inferno.

The pictures in that book were of hell and the Devil and bad things.

As I grew older I became more aware that the people who rented us the house were a little different, and more than a bit eccentric.  In fact, they scared me.  I didn't like being around them at all.

My mother was sick in bed most of the time we lived there - four years.  Dad traveled back and forth, working on his B.A.  So the three of us sisters pretty much had the run of the house.

I really can't recall just how long it took all of us to realize that we weren't the only ones living in the house--that there was something else.

My sister ran away from home; our dog disappeared; baby kittens were eaten alive; our cat was tormented; an insidious air of cruelty descended over this house.

Dad was bitten by a venomous spider; my mother lay in bed, day in and day out;

I played hooky from school (unlike me) and I didn't care what the consequences were, for my doing so.

I'd sit at the top of the hill behind our house and daydream, carelessly wondering what lay in store for me once my parents found out.  

All the while, the house continued to take on a life of its own.  

The demonic black entity covertly crept its way into your being, slithering its way through the cracks and crevices of your mind, poking and prodding for any weak points, analyzing the data as its putrid stench smothered anything remotely resembling goodness and purity.

Now I knew.  Now I had become aware.

Now I knew were under attack by an insidious Provocateur--we were living in a haunted house.    

It is amazing how something evil can penetrate the mind and sicken it, deceptively and cunningly manipulating it.

Later, you are left questioning and wondering if what you just experienced was real or a figment of your imagination.

But that's precisely how the Devil works.

The sickening experiences in this house have never left me, in fact, they have crippled me in some areas of my existence and wounded me in ways I couldn't even have imagined until I got older.

I believe now, that I had been assaulted.  

Assaulted by an unknown assailant, a furtive entity, something I couldn't see but could definitely feel.

 A cruel and unrelenting assailant that delighted in tormenting and instilling fear and pain.

The experiences I had while living in this house forever changed me and how I view the world.

It left me with some horrific recollections that they have haunted me to this day.

It reinforced my belief - we aren't the only ones who inhabit this mortal realm.  

There are spirits we can't see with our eyes, both demonic and good, who inhabit this mortal world, right along side of us.

I suddenly realized that I was reliving parts of my past, just as the old lady had warned me about.  

My head was pounding, my eyes were stinging.  The odor was nauseating.  I clutched a piece of cloth to my nose and mouth, holding my breath as I walked.

Torn limbs were scattered about.  Feral dogs were seen combing the wreckage.  Cawing crows perched noisily high above on splintered trees.  

There was a deep resignation, a penetrating and overwhelming sense of horrific loss and deep sadness here.

I could feel panic starting to set in..."here, where was here?  "Where was I?"

Off in the distance, away from the town, you could see pillars of black smoke.    The sky was painted in colours of mourning--black, purple and gray.

I looked down at my clothing.  I was wearing galoshes, had on a heavy coat with a scarf tucked neatly around my neck and in my right hand a stained piece of white cloth.

A man rode by on a bicycle, wearing some sort of armband, his dark cap pulled down but the look in his eyes was unmistakable.

He quickly glanced at me while he passed, the expression on his face belied the fact that he couldn't come to grips with what he was seeing.  He had an awful air of resignation about him.  He sped off.

It took me a few seconds, the putrid stench, the acrid, stinging smoke still burning my eyes and filling my nostrils, for me to realize where I was.

I was in England, during the war and reliving its horrific aftermath.

"The war to end all wars", or so they said.

"What a cruel joke."

I knew, at that moment, that this was another one of those "dark places" the old lady warned me of.

A young mother was pushing a pram.

She had on a dark cloche hat, a long dark blue skirt and a black blouse with a tattered shawl covering her shoulders.  It had big holes in it.

She was approaching me slowly, cautiously maneuvering around piles of bricks and other rubble.  I watched her for a few minutes as she made her way along the makeshift path.  

She put a handkerchief to her nose.

She had a look of absolute dismay and disbelief on her face as she came closer.

Her eyes were filled with tears.  She stopped momentarily and looked down at her baby, a faint smile as she tucked his blanket closer around him and up high, covering his mouth.

Then, "why, why, why?"  she sobbed, as she buried her face in her hands.  "Why would human beings do this to other human beings?"

Several small children were running around, kicking rocks and playing with sticks.

Stark solemnity shrouded everything.

It was cold here and I started to shiver.

Scant rays from the sun filtered through somber, gray clouds.

Maybe it was the realization that I was standing in the middle of what was once a street and what was once a row of houses that now lay crumbled in heaps everywhere you looked.

WWII and "The Evil Access" - Germany, Japan and Italy.  Pretty soon the entire world would be dragged into this global war.

Extraordinary Statistics:  Between 50 - 70 million people were killed during this global war which lasted from 1939 through 1945.  

I was at the lowest of lows as I hung my head in shame thinking of how we humans have such a penchant for inflicting pain and sorrow on others.

"We still haven't learned anything about how to live peacefully together, have we?, I thought.

"Just look at the headlines," she interrupted my thoughts as she paused to talk to me.

I looked up and saw the old woman standing in front of me.

"Your world is in tumult.  Everything is being turned upside down.  "

"You were forewarned that these times were coming.  Now they are upon you".

"And yet, no one seems to have the answer."  "How sad."

The young woman pushing the pram was now seen as a small dot walking slowly off in the distance amidst the rubble and smoke.

Storm clouds appeared to be gathering.  Birds of prey were seen circling high overhead.

Suddenly I found myself seated in my chair in the great hall.

An audible hush was over everything.  Across from me was the old woman.

I could hear what sounded like two doors opening.

One to my left and one to my right except I couldn't see any door anywhere.

The old woman raised her eyes and looked at me, "keep your head bowed, keep your composure and steady your breathing."

A rustling of some sort, then a swishing sound that reminded me of the sound of the old woman's skirt while we walked through the cave.

Then the sound of two doors closing.

I knew that two others had entered the room.    They seated themselves at the table.

"Hello, Cynthia" a soft voice was heard.  "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

I was dumbfounded. No one had ever called me that except my mother, and only when she was mad.

I slowly raised my head and saw a middle aged woman wearing a sumptuous, opulent, gold brocade dress and on her head was a straw hat with a daisy sticking out of it.

"How strange", I thought to myself, "but then looks can belie the truth of the matter can they not"?

She didn't resemble anyone I knew or had known.

She had on long silk cream colored ruched gloves and was holding an elegant cigarette holder in one hand all the while watching the smoke swirl and twirl lazily above her head.   The straw hat was cleverly crafted to reveal just one eye and an extraordinary eye it was.  

The brim cut it off, perfectly so no matter what angle you viewed this entity, you only saw the one green eye.

It peered out from under the straw hat, full of enchantment, and bedazzled those who viewed it as it was full of wisdom and wonderment.

It was a light green, like a beautiful Emerald, with a myriad of gold specks and a dazzling brilliance that dared anyone look at it for any length of time.

Around her neck was a string of baubles, purple, aqua, yellow, green, red, orange and blue.

They looked gaudy and gay, ridiculous and extravagant yet quite becoming, especially on her.  

I thought, "she reminds me of my mother, just a little."

"Dearie", she commented, as she laid down her cigarette holder on the ashtray that had just miraculously appeared, "you're nearing the end of your journey of self-enlightenment."  

She continued, flitting the ashes absentmindedly into the tray, "humanity is in such a conundrum".

No one can figure you out".  

"Was it just a random thought that flitted through someone's mind or did someone actually sit down with clear intent to design and engineer"?

She stifled a laugh as if the question were some sort of joke.

"What a waste of time."

I had to agree.  As from the experiences I had had, nothing seemed to make sense anymore.

The being continued as she made a little circle on the table with her finger, (which reminded me of the old woman) "you go back and forth wondering what it is that you're supposed to do in this life."

"How long are you going to keep this up before you begin to understand that you need to ask for help?"

"Ask the universe for Wisdom and Guidance."  "Your questions will be answered."

"Understand, though, that when the universe answers, something will be required of you and extracted from you.

"Chances are that you will not know what it is until it manifests".

"This is a form of absolution, an opportunity that will allow you to travel further into self if you choose to accept what the universe is asking of you".

Think of the Movie, Mission Impossible, starring Tom Cruise.

"Your mission  if you choose to accept it, will be thus and so".  

"The universe will challenge you to look deeper within yourself, helping you learn more about your spiritual side in order for you to help and counsel others."

You, Dearie, are here, precisely to be a Counselor.

"Surprise!"  as she inhaled deeply, her one green eye mesmerizing all.

But, understand all of this well, before you ask for Guidance."

"Let's try and size you up."  She grew closer.

"You're like most people who haven't a clue."  "Maybe you'll be one of the those who never knew what it was you were supposed to do in this lifetime, thrashing around endlessly and just end up leaving this world with no credits whatsoever to your name."

"If so, may I offer some advice?"

"You are always thinking about the whys and the how comes".  "You're always looking for answers to things even when there appear to be no answers".

"That's good so keep it up.

"To All of You:  Life is a doorway and you're standing on the Threshold".

"You're halfway there, to the other side (your goal) but you're hesitating."

"You need a little more advice and encouragement before you're able to see more clearly what it is you're supposed to do down here."

"I've been watching you, Cynthia, since you were a baby".

"I remember you in your crib, after you had your tonsils out (you were one very sick baby) and how you were fascinated by the sun peeking through the venetian blinds in your hospital room with sunny slats of sunlight appearing all over the walls, on you and in your crib."

"The walls were very dark, as I recall."

"Yes", I murmured.

But, somehow, I recall my hospital room as being very comforting.  Maybe it was because of all the care I received.

"You still love to watch the sun shining through blinds, to this day."  "It makes you happy, I believe."

"How perceptive", I thought.  "Yes, you're exactly right".

I wondered, "could this be my mother in disguise?" as she obviously knew a lot about me.

"And now you're doing some channeling or what some would describe as, "speaking in tongues."

"You aren't quite sure what the message is other than it you feel it is one of comfort and healing, as you just administered this prayer to a doe who was lying on the side of the road as a result of being hit by a car."

"I could see her eyes as you stood over her, providing comfort and warmth, a release from pain as this animal was in the midst of transitioning from this world to the next."

"Her eyes, before you came to her, were full of fear."

"After you said the prayer over her, her eyes visibly changed, along with her demeanor."

"She was full of peace."

"These Acts of Kindness from human beings are always recorded".

I thought to myself, "I hope someone's with me when it's my time to go."

"I can't imagine being left alone to go through the process of dying all by myself."

She winked at me while she read my thoughts.

"I agree."

She continued, "you are a Healer, Dearie."

"Something you are just now, at your advanced age, coming to grips with."

The other entity next to her raised itself up, tall and slender, looking like a flawless sheet of thin ice.

When you looked directly at it your reflection was displayed back to you, spliced into sections, like viewing yourself in that spooky mirror at the Fun House.

The air was visibly cooler.  

The entity spoke:  "Time is short", it said in a rough male voice.

"There is no more time left for assessing, reassessing, addressing, readdressing, vexing and stressing.
"You know what you need to do, so do it."

It had now turned and was towering high overhead, long limbs that almost touched the floor, looking directly down at me, the top of it bending ever so slightly.

It reminded me of "Gumby", that little character from the 1950s.

The candles on the table sputtered and danced as they splayed across the entity's face.

I was weary and so was everyone else.

I knew it, the old lady knew it, we all knew it.

The thee of them looked satisfied.

The Crone's eyes danced in flames as she motioned that the end was coming.

This had been a long journey.

She was telling me that I was nearing the end of my sojourn.

Silence for some time.

We had been sitting together at the table and no one said a word.

There was an audible quiet, a beautiful peace, a celestial silence that had descended over us.

In the midst of the table there was now a carafe of wine and four etched crystal goblets.  

The old woman stirred and looked at me, her eyes meeting mine and the other two, a smile forming as she stood up.

She picked up the carafe and poured the finest vintage wine into the four goblets.

We watched as the cigarette smoke from the green eyed lady slowly made its way upward, turning into funny little impish like faces as it disappeared way above our heads.

The old lady then rapped softly on the table, "Time for a toast, I do believe."

Not a soul stirred.

She handed a goblet to each of us.

"A toast to Cynthia, who has passed her test and is ready to make a difference in the world."

I sipped the wine, and my nostrils inhaled its fragrant bloom as my tongue savored its complexity.

A selective and rich-bodied. vibrant plum magenta full of earth's abundance, alive and well, pulsating in my goblet and now coursing through my veins.

I had finally arrived at my Destination or Destiny, if you will.

"There is one more thing I must do," as the old woman put her goblet down and walked around to me.

She stood behind me, gently removing the oval pendant from around my neck and placing it over hers.

The old woman:  "This talisman helped you to understand the nuances of each experience you just had."

"It is now no longer of any use to you."

I understood.

My friends, all of them...the strange woman with the gaudy baubles for a necklace and one bejeweled green eye, the straw hat with the funny daisy poking through her hat band, the slender ice man whose cool, blue demeanor permeated the air around us and the old woman with eyes glowing fiery orange.

They all encouraged me as I was tested, time and again, keeping me company during my journey and helping me understand when there didn't appear to be any understanding at all.

"All of us are in need of help at some time, help to make sense of where we are at certain times in life", said the old woman.  "

Then we are thankful and blessed when that help does show up."

Laughter.

Her orange eyes danced, "there is a saying, 'When the pupil is ready, the Teacher will appear."

I was savoring my long fought victory and said a quiet, "Thank you."

In unison:  "You are most welcome."

We continued sitting and chatting together, savoring each other's company, savoring the moment.

The carafe of wine always seemed full even though we kept filling goblet after goblet.

It was wonderful, enjoying this new found understanding, this new found union, this comic camaraderie of quirky and uncommon friends.

"Remember never judge a book by its cover."

"It's whats inside that counts."

The candle's glow lit up our faces, mirroring ruddy complexions on all (even ice man) as the warmth from the palatial and succulent wine penetrated deep into our inner cores as we continued to savor the exquisite vintage.

The happiness I felt was overwhelming.

I looked around.  The two entities had disappeared.

The darkness seemed to be ebbing away and the walls of the great hall lighting up.

The old woman commented, "the Night Shift is over.  A new day is dawning full of hope and promise.

She grasped my arm, "The Past is Behind You, the Present is Here and Now the Future is What You Make of It so,  Make the Most of It."

I looked into those fiery eyes with warmth and affection.

"Happy memories and each one of you is capable of making them.  Isn't that what Life is all about, anyway?

I thought I had heard that one, before....

She turned and looked straight ahead, addressing an unseen audience,

"To all of You:

 "Make Your Life Count
      For
           Some Thing".




































































































  


 













 


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