THE NETTLE EPOCH 20/20
For wisdom, like money, is a shelter
the advantage of knowledge is that
wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
Ecclesiastes 7:12 Berean Study Bible
PART ONE
a'al rode in high on the back of the East wind over a bleak and torrid landscape. It was aeons of so called time since he had traversed these currents and the alien nature of this earthy realm, with its dense matter and tangible tension, did not go un-noticed to him. However, the planets and such had aligned, cause and effect an immutable law to which ALL in this universe are beholden to. The affirmation had arrived on the ether and so, with much effort he had emerged from the Materia Prima and begun his descent, the pressure building from above and below as he travelled.
Meanwhile far, far below...........
Twelve lone travellers, each on their own individual paths who were quite unaware of all this, save for wondering why the hairs on the back of their necks suddenly stood up without warning and goosebumps appeared on their arms, just the cold and fatigue i'm sure, they all reasoned. Each had been travelling across this misty isle far from any villages or settlements, their quests known only to themselves. After journeying all day, dusk was creeping over the horizon, changing the vista and the tracks on which they travelled. Weariness had begun to sneak over them; from their aching feet, to their tired legs and upward into their minds. But where in this inhospitable land could they rest? And they each one cursed that they had not the foresight to ensure they had a suitable place to place their heads this night.
However, in this uninhabitable void there was a crossroads, and there was in fact a dweller at this place in-between, this individual had built a sanctuary there, To provide shelter and sustenance for travellers and seekers, for those who needed to rest when weary from their travels. Those who needed to replenish mind, body and spirit before they continued on their path. A place where you could linger at the crossroads a while and ponder on which was the right direction to take,so as not to cover old ground.
A small stone Inn called The Wergula lay adjacent to the crossroads, it was covered in parts by a rambling wild rose and it had thick ornately carved oak shutters at the windows. The courtyard out front was surrounded at the edges by huge bramble thickets and patches of tall magestic Nettles standing to attention like warriors on the battleground, in the centre of the courtyard there was the welcome sight of fire, burning brightly in the foreboding wilderness.
So it was that one by one, twelve shadows arrived and gathered around the fire, grateful for its warmth. Their hollow stomach's aching to taste some of the rich Boar, Mushroom and Sage stew that bubbled in a large Iron pot suspended on a tripod over the fire, sending coils of smoke, bright sparks and a delicious scent up into the air.
There began whispers among them as they were none to sure of where they had alighted and felt all of a sudden fearful and vulnerable. Suddenly a movement in the twilight, a figure emerged and moved forward to stoke the flames and stir the pot, 'Welcome' said she...'Who are you?' the twelve inquired, 'Where are we?' they wondered. 'It is of no consequence where you are or who I am really, we promote verbs over nouns around these parts!' she declared. 'But, as seekers you should know this...'
'I embody The line of knowledge,
the masculine AND the feminine AS ONE.
I am the keeper of the flame,
stoker of internal foundries,
The one who dwells in between,
Some call me Titchener,
some call me Nwyfree,
others the Nettle lady,
And yet others call me Ides.
I am of the Clan McFarlane.'
And I stand on the shoulders of giants,
'You are safe here' she told them and so, they all allowed themselves to relax....just a little - these were strange times after all, and they all remarked to each other how it was almost as if they couldnt trust their own eyes any more. 'Do not doubt your own power my friends' The Nettle lady urged 'Intuition, plus the ability to clear and maintain your own internal landscape is imperative in these times.' she continued 'Remember this... The true price of freedom is eternal vigilance.' They cast glances around at each other but did not know what to say, so they ate, watching the fire and the sky. They talked among themselves of their respective lives, homes and families, of their travels fair and foul, Of helpful strangers and tricksters. As they chatted they laughed and smiled, and a camaraderie grew between them until they felt familiar to each other as if they had met before.
If only they knew, that directly above them right over the crossroads flew Ba,al, and so to, rising up to meet him, in a mass of green, black and orange, swirling and writhing as it came flew the Earth serpent. Flying down from above, hurtling and tumbling like Thors' hammer, yellow and golden came the lightning serpent. There they met the One and the Three, I (eye) Contact! Energy gradually building to form the eye of the storm. A triad containing the spark, which in turn contained ALL. It had been brought to this place of limbo to fill the void, for nature abhors a vacuum. The eather swirled and created a potential for change, movement and magick. And so it was that the wind blew fiercely, the thunder roared and the lightening cracked sharply.
Far, far below the stars shone brightly, and a purple streak crept over the inky sky. The air pressure dropped and they observed a low growling noise in the distance, a vibration could be felt. The rumbling grew closer and big fat drops of rain began to fall slowly, at first but then ever faster and heavier until the rain was lashing down upon them. The very earth itself shook and the heavens opened and a downpour the likes of which not been seen since the days of Noah began.
They were all of a sudden on guard again....
'You told us we are safe here!!!' they cried
'Do not be afraid' said she
'Know you are protected' The Nettle lady instructed them.
Then suddenly came a flash of bright white lightning, it burst from the heavens which illuminated the whole scene for a few brief seconds as if it were day, the birds fell silent and Cernunnos stirred. Something immense was coming, that much was certain....Swifty and deftly the Nettle lady placed a heavy iron lid on the stew pot. She shouted at the twelve to follow her to the Inn and the sanctuary which lay within. Instinctively they all ran towards the shelter, The dweller at the crossroads swung open the heavy Oak door for them to enter.
For reasons unknown they hesitated...
'Do not dwell on the threshold my friends' said she
'Cead mile failte'
And so one by one the 12 shadows did indeed cross the threshold...
