Kenaz; the Light of Knowledge and Truth

As I descended the stairs in the Tower, I noticed the lanterns upon the walls, illuminating the stairs so that I could descend them in safety.  The door was inscribed with Kenaz and a lantern hung above the Rune.  I opened the Door and crossed the threshold into the Otherworld and found myself in a large Library. 

There were books and scrolls everywhere, on shelves against the walls reaching stories upwards towards the ceiling, on tables in the center where someone had been working diligently in study. 

Lamps and lanterns glowed everywhere illuminating the space with warm golden light.

It was beautiful and I was filled with joy and pleasure at the sight and the warm power of the place.  

I wandered, finding a book in my hand and enjoying the firm ornate covering and the crisp clean pages and the words in neat print, then a soft, worn, leather tome with gilded edges on the soft delicate pages, then a plain ragged paperback with handwritten poetry.  

Each was a treasure of great worth to me. 

The words in one book reminded me that knowledge is Power, and that words hold Power. Truth is Power. Stories are a way of using that Power to create a better world, Stories and Poetry are magick, they can inspire and invoke and enchant.  They can change the world. 

My purpose in this world is about communication; poetry, and storytelling, and teaching knowledge, and telling truth.   My purpose is to help others find the candles, and light the lanterns, and teach them where to find the Library, and how to read the words.  

Gebo; the Gift of Joining

I stepped over the threshold into the Otherworld and looked at my feet.  I was standing upon the soft new grass of a warm spring day and my bare feet were almost hidden under the hem of a party dress the color of new willow leaves.  When I lifted my gaze, I found myself on a gentle slope in the morning sun. There were others there, all dressed in brightly colored finery.

A tall pole stood in the center of the meadow, colorful ribbons dancing in the breeze.  And at the other side of the gathering stood two people, their hands joined and, smiles upon their faces.  The two gazed lovingly into one another’s eyes, as if they were oblivious to any but the other, and I felt profoundly blessed to be present, and grateful to witness the gift of their joining.

The assembled celebrated with cheers and laughter, dancing and singing to the music that came from a small group of musicians sitting close to the Maypole. I danced and sang among them for as long as I could and when I felt the time had come for me to go, I offered a blessing upon the couple and took my leave.

Dagaz; Dawn Comes

I stepped through the Door and into the Otherworld and looked at my feet.  I wore heavy black boots and a thick woolen dress and cloak.  It was so dark all around that the trees surrounding me were barely visible and cast no shadows, for no moon and no stars shone in the sky above.  It was brutally cold, I shivered even beneath the heavy woolen clothes and despite the heavy boots, my feet felt as if they were naked to the ankle-deep snow in which I stood.  

There was no discernable path in the snow, and no footprints to indicate that anyone had passed here before me.  There was no sound, no wind, just the incredible weight of loneliness and darkness and cold, deep in my bones and my heart.

I wandered alone, stumbling over rocks and roots hidden beneath the snow. It seemed that there would be no relief from the dark and lonely place my heart had been living for longer than I cared to remember.  I wandered for what seemed an eternity.

But after a time, I noticed that I could see the Trees.  I thought perhaps my eyes had simply become accustomed to the darkness but, the snow appeared to be paler.  And then, I noticed a sparkle on the snow that drifted up from the surface as I walked.  I thought my eyes were  playing tricks on me but, then I saw another sparkle.  And I looked up. 

I looked up from my feet and from the snow-covered ground and through the trees to the sky.  I saw a single star just above the horizon, and just the hint of light beginning to show in the East.  Dawn was approaching and as I continued to walk, Daybreak pushed at the dark sky.  I stood looking at the growing light and breathed deeply and released the darkness with a sigh. 

 Light returns.  Dawn comes.