Inside Out: A Pagan Tale for the Child Within. Heather Brunton

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      This time Maisey slid her hand easily into Rendal’s and they walked down the hill and entered a forest. Sunlight danced through the thick canopy of trees as the pair walked uphill for a while following a stream that bubbled along toward them. Beauty lay all around. Brilliantly coloured flowers grew in clusters and as the pair approached a bend in the brook, Maisey noticed a whirlpool that seemed to suck half the river away beneath its rocks. ‘This is where the spring flows downward to the well, then on to Id. If we follow it upstream, it will bring us out in Euphoria.’ Having said that, the dwarf led the way through the serene forest until they stood on its edge overlooking Euphoria.

      Before them, in the distance stood a vast city. Radiant colours of light reflected from every turret and tower; many of the central buildings appeared to be made of crystal. Rainbows within rainbows spun outward casting colour in every direction. Maisey was speechless as she took in the view, never before had she seen such beauty. They followed the river into the city and as they entered she asked, ‘Why are there no walls to keep out the enemy?’ For surely there were many who would rather live here than in Id.

      ‘What emanates from within this state keeps all those that dwell in Fear away. Any of those that truly wish, may dwell here but it must begin with the ability to appreciate it first and to leave all manner of turmoil behind,’ said Rendal. ‘Besides, most of those in Id do not know of any other life.’

      Music and voices grew louder as Rendal led Maisey through narrow twisting streets toward the central district which opened out into a vast town square. Maisey felt happiness wash like a wave over her. A carnival atmosphere prevailed as people danced to the tune of flutes and violins, while jugglers juggled and people shopped at a large market filled with flowers, fruits and vegetables and satins and silks. From the ordinary to the exotic, all were lined up for sale. No prices were displayed but happy bartering was evident, though it appeared more a game than a necessity.

      Here were many like Rendal, small dwarf-like people and many like herself and still there were others, the like of whom she had never imagined. Tall with colourful robes, they moved gracefully amid the revellers. Their skin seemed translucent and while she didn’t like to stare, she noticed that it was more that light appeared to move constantly around the beings, creating an uplifting sensation. Indeed when she tried to place just what it was, she realised she felt happy merely looking at them.

      Rendal led her toward a building, turning to urge her on faster. ‘We must meet with the council, they’re expecting us.’

      Maisey was nervous and wondered what was about to happen. Questions were racing through her mind.

      ‘They will answer your questions,’ said Rendal chuckling at her surprise.

      He led the way up a spiral staircase and all the while Maisey pondered his ability to read her thoughts. A door at the top of the stairs led into an octagonal room from which could be seen the bustle in the courtyard and the beauty of the surrounding countryside.

      They seemed to be in one of the front turreted towers she’d seen from the woods. A huge carpet covered the marble floor and the crystal walls were cut at such an angle to reflect prisms of colour, though there was no glare. On the floor were soft cushions, three of which were occupied by more of the robed beings. The trio indicated for her to sit on the remaining pillow and she looked to Rendal for support but already he was closing the thick door behind him, shutting himself and the sounds of the revellers out.

      ‘Welcome. We’ve been expecting you and watching your progress.’

      Maisey looked at them in surprise. She watched the figure on her left as he continued. ‘I am Thoth and my companions are Hathor and Ureaus.’ Thoth, the spokesperson, seemed to be in charge. With long hair and a very long beard, he appeared serious and thoughtful whereas Hathor’s regal beauty seemed to shine forth with such purity that Maisey felt its reflection. Ureaus’ face was lost in a ball of clear light though his posture seemed to demand great respect. She nodded, stuck now for words in the presence of such beings.

      ‘You were wondering why you are here and where ‘here’ is,’ said Thoth.

      The girl remained silent.

      ‘Firstly, let me tell you that where you landed was appropriate. It is the land of Id. We would have changed it if we could have but your state of mind determined it beforehand. Id is the land of ego, where Fear reigns over the terrified masses. Armies of Doubt are used to keep the people there, not by force but by thought. If Doubt can create fear or guilt, it is hard to leave Id. Rendal brought you here because you are salvageable; not so caught in the negative vibrations to be lost forever. Now you are faced with a choice: to dwell in Id or here in Euphoria.’

      Maisey just wanted to go home and she said so.

      ‘Later,’ said Thoth. ‘For now there are just two choices.’

      ‘I’d much rather live here than there,’ said Maisey. ‘I’d have to be crazy to want to live in such a place as Id.’

      ‘Not crazy, just unsure of the fact that you can choose. Your attitude means you are an easy target for Id to gain a foothold. Because you go from childhood and having decisions made for you, to adulthood without seeing that you alone must make your decisions. So you see, a lot of you just drift into Id without knowing that there was ever a choice. I take it your answer is yes, that you wish to dwell here?’

      Maisey nodded.

      ‘Well and good but with that decision come certain obligations which you may or may not want to accept. Determination is one of the obligations and to help you, we will set you a task. It is not an easy task and not the only one you will ever be called on to achieve, however this will set the stage if you like, for how you handle all the other tasks that life may send you. Do you understand?’

      ‘I think so,’ Maisey wondered at the depth of her understanding but said nothing more.

      ‘Good. The task shall be, to find the Rock of Strength and to do so you must return to the land of Id.’

      ‘What?’ She was horrified at the prospect of having to return but Thoth added, ‘Once you have found the Rock, other tasks will seem minor in comparison. We will instruct you before you leave but for now we would have you rest.’

      As if on cue, Rendal opened the door. ‘We’ll talk later,’ said Thoth finalising their meeting and silenced, Maisey left with Rendal.

      Across the courtyard she was led to a cottage set apart from the main structures. It differed from the others with its wooded, rather than crystal, exterior. Flowers grew in window boxes and its ancient appearance belied the technology that lay within.