Within a Meadow

I used this in a very successful on-line class. Each student had to write down initial impressions, then engage in an on-line chat or two to discover other perceptions, finally to write on any change in perceptions (which were often profound). We had 17 weeks of discussion on this story. Enjoy, but questions are probably better answered off-list.

BIRTH CIRCLE

Chant:

Seek refuge from the seven Beasts.
Gather moonbeams within your heart.
At distance by three filled circle,
Toss a stone and search in about.

Endeavor ever small the great,
And practice ignore shadow tall.
Find instead entwined timeless kiss
Of dragon fly and thistle down.

The young shaman repeated the words of his Grandfather again and again, but still did not understand. With departing breath the seer had given a final gift -- or so he said -- "the secret to your inner peace." Kiyan had no peace now, only niggling dread and sleepless nights. A universe of dreams shattered by Tangri Demons; the grumbling skies and flashing eyes gave warning. His spirit was lost.

Yet, in the forbidding land of half-sleep there creeps visions, some with tiny claws, and others with fairie wings. He leapt to his feet with shaking form and sweated brow. He had seen! He knew! It was as simple as that!

It took a morning to braid the chain of snake grass and rosemary -- the length of three of his shadows at sunrise. The stone he selected was of variegated hue with many rills and niche -- confused like himself. He did not feel like a shaman as he wandered aimlessly until dusk, but the breeze blown rain seemed to wash more than the dust from his feet. The drizzle stopped and so did he. The stone arched high into the misted air and it took a while to find. With the dawn the search would begin. For now -- sleep.

Kiyan rolled his Lupo cloak that had served as a blanket and ate sparingly of his oat cakes, jerky and berries. Licking his pouch served to slake his thirst, though he could hear a stream gurgling nearby. One end of the grass rope was secured to the stone and leg-spike trust into the dark earth. A great circle was then defined at the end of the line, three-filled strides around (27), and staked out with twigs and pebbles. Within this domain he would live for three days. His universe folded in.

By fortune or brush of Silver Goddess his new world touched the edge of the brook. A warm cedar smiled down but he dared not look up or at its shadow. An unknown berry bush shaded a group of granite boulders. A barren fruit tree rose above its last year crop of fetid mush, uneaten by furry things skittering through the grass. Grass -- grass. The rest was grass -- and sand -- and windfall branches. It could be worse.

Inch by inch, foot by measured foot, Kiyan explored his realm. Each blade of yearning grass a mystery. Each pebble and branch a hiding place for teaming life. Each unearthed nut and seed a promise of life. His nozh blade probed down and through the decay of Fall to find the kiss of Spring.

Father sun was hot on his neck -- draw energy from the heavens. The stream provided tinkling laughter to accompany his chuckled blessing over each new treasure found. Myriad curious and friendly birds sang unseen by the youth with nose only inches from the cool upturned earth. Ah, Mother -- breathe with me! Insect companions joined in the search, while worms and beetles were set carefully aside. He feared there would not be time to see it all. Feel the tiny roots glide toward the single drop of morning dew. Listen to the clouds teach the new sparrow how to fly. Cry for the flower carelessly crushed by yesterday's foot. Lie still while the dragon wings fan your slumbering brow.

Know that the Great Spirit that made you, made even these.
Know that birth and death are one -- and eternal.
Know …

Gone is yesterday with careful nurtured memory.
Prepare for the new day's draw on dream and purpose.
Today…

Dance in the rain. Roll in the blessed earth such that each blade, and stone, and seed and twig presses crubble marks into your naked flesh. Smile as the night mistress sweeps away the scudding clouds to allow the stars to wink in fine applause.

Listen to your spirit laugh -- and laugh -- and laugh.


faucon