E15

Glyph of Earth

Earth Temple

Wednesday 14th December 1994 (approx 9:45pm)

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Barry: The circle is quiet, and covered in a light scattering of snow. I can see that the Green Man is surrounded by evergreens particularly Holly. There is a fire lit close to the North Stone. The smell of earth is very strong. There are lights placed on each of the standing stones.

Rob: We are clad in great coats of rough wool, with sturdy boots on our feet. Our breath comes out like smoke. We have intricately carved staffs, with a leaf pattern that matches that of the Maypole. We are equipped as for a journey to the forest.

There is a mask hanging down from the Maypole. It is a strange mask because it has no solid form. It is formed from swirling smoke, like a lazy curling from a fire. I take it down, but decide not to put it on yet.

Barry: There is wood close to the fire. I light a torch as it is quite dark.

Rob: Although it is dark, I feel it is morning.

Which direction should we start in?

Barry: The choice is to head South or North, either towards Spring or Winter.

Rob: I feel we should go North. Fennier has appeared with a "What are you waiting for" look.

Barry: The Kestrel is high above the path, which is not a well trodden one.

Rob: The snow is deeper outside the circle.

Barry: I can hear the trickling of a stream, which we pass over.

I can see smoke ahead.

Rob: We seem to be amongst birch trees at the moment.

Barry: The path leads slowly down.

Rob: Can you see the source of the smoke?

Barry: It is a group of huts that are off the path. A small village, surrounded by a stockade. Our path takes us past the security of this narrow existence. They lock their gates.

Rob: They make gestures.

Barry: They fear us, and the wolf and the kestrel.

Rob: The see us as wood wizards, and they fear for their children.

Barry: They do not want the forest knowledge.

Rob: They dare not attack us.

As the path climbs, I can hear a splintering noise, like ice cracking. We reach the top of a ridge and look down on a frozen lake. Water representing the emotions, this says still the emotions. The air is also still, this says still the mind.

The path encircles the lake, and then goes a little further into the forest, still climbing.

Something in the woods is watching us, I can see something in the trees, and so can the wolf.

Barry: I can see dark eyes glittering; the figure is covered in a white fur coat and blends in well with its surroundings.

Rob: We start moving again.

A small man is before us, looking like a Tolkien dwarf. He is clad in white and has a white beard and bushy eyebrows. He stands with his legs apart, hands on hips. The figure in the white robe we saw just is behind us, capering around. He is an old man and seems to be drooling and dancing.

The dwarf demands a password.

Barry: He tells us to name him. He is a guardian. Our journey today, if successful, will reveal the form our earth talismans will take.

Rob: What is the significance of the old fool?

Barry: He is an aspect of ourselves, lost having strayed from the path. He is no better than the villagers. He got lost in the wonder revealed to him. He was not properly protected. He knows much, but uses it not, we must guard against this. If we stray, we must be well protected.

I ask the dwarf if we can help the man. He says that the man is an illusion, an aspect of ourselves, a lesson. He again asks us for his name. The dwarfs name is simply 'Earth' as are all who dwell here. He asks whether we feel we are worthy of his gift. I feel that as we have come this far, we are worthy of his gift. He points ahead to a steep, less well-used track. He says he will see whether we are worthy.

Rob: I ask him whether he will help us to do whatever we choose. He seems puzzled by the question. I ask him if we can use the powers of the Earth for our own ends. He replies that he will not let us misuse the powers of Earth. We thank him for his answer. I feel that we must be careful of those we encounter. Before us is a gap between two hedges covered with snow. It is a maze, the first part of Earth's test. Shall we proceed?

Barry: It is up to us to decide, the kestrel and the wolf seem reluctant to follow.

Rob: I take the mask and put it on. You take my hand and we go straight through to the centre of the maze.

Barry: I see the maze as walls of light that I can see through.

Rob: In it's circular centre is a sundial. The second test. I take off the mask and feel solidity returned.

Around the edge of the sundial are the symbols of ten animals.

Barry: The symbols of the kestrel and the wolf are in silver and the others are made of bronze.

Rob: We take the sundial and turn it until its shadow passes the kestrel then the wolf.

Barry: I am in a clearing surrounded with thorn bushes. I can see the figure of a skeleton in tattered robes. There is no way out of the clearing. The skeleton has in a large bag, a sickle of silver and a large book.

Rob: I feel that this one is yours.

Barry: I decide not to use any of the items, and won't go with the figure. I use my hands to go through the thorns. They bleed, but after a while the thorns give way, and the path is revealed. At the roadside is a large tree, close to a well that is decorated with rags. The rocks around are also decorated. I feel that we should sacrifice some part of ourselves. The nature spirits are venerated, but do not require worship, just understanding. I tear strips and attach to a stone. A light breeze blows.

Rob: Ahead is a large clearing. We are back where we started. The dwarf is waiting at the centre of the stones. He tells us that we know the form of our talismans will take. We will dream it or it will come to us unbidden. We should give it physical form as soon as possible.

He is gone. I replace the mask on the Maypole.

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E15

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