discovering the weight of prophecy
At Summerland this year, uberrod was kind enough to perform a Norse rite similar to the Court of Bridghe that we had done the year before, seeking to get to know the spirits from the Hall of Sif.
Much like the CoB, it was a 2 part event, with the first being a meditation to meet the main aspects of Sif - one of which was prophecy. Before beginning, he briefly described to us their appearances and functions as he had encountered them in his preparatory meditations.
We began the guided meditation by stepping through a fire. I stepped through, only to emerge precisely where I had entered, as if I had never stepped forward at all. I took a breath and tried again And again I was denied entrance to Sif's Hall, finding myself once more staring at the same flame.
I gently chided - both myself and the flame - and tried a third time. This time, the world erupted in brilliant white light and I was in Sif's hall. Around me stood the others, the functions. I drank the sights in, hoping to analyze their memories later, turning slowly from one to another. I remember noting that Kinship had children with her, one of whom was a boy toddler with the cutest blond curls.
Suddenly, however, my world went blank. Not like the dark of night. More like the momentary darkness you find after staring into the sun. And my hearing faded, as if I was in a vacuum or a bubble.
My senses returned as suddenly as they had reappeared, and I was looking at the pavilion. I did not, however, feel as if I was sitting inside it. Rather, I felt as if I was the concrete supporting it, and as if I was being dragged below the earth.
I did as I usually do, and I turned my head to where Jas sat - he has always been the rock that grounds me and I was sorely needing that assistance. As my eyes tried to focus on him, I realized he felt somehow fuzzy. I began to feel heavier, sinking faster.
Panic started to set it, so I reached for my inner nemeton, for my tree, and found the strength I needed. I watched Jas become more focused and then closed my eyes again, steadying myself and willing the crazy sensations to stop.
After a short time, all returned to normal. I was somewhat weary, but felt lighter for all the weight I had escaped. Rod led the rest of the group back from meditation, and we began to discuss among ourselves, to relate and compare our experiences.
It was then that Jas advised he had been nabbed by Prophecy, that she had sat upon his chest, and when reeling from the very weight of her, he had reached out for help.
In retrospect, it seems he found me, that this time *I* was the rock which steadied him. I know that I did not do this alone, had it not been for my sacred tree bearing the crushing weight, we could both have floundered.
It was also sobering reminder that I need to be strong for myself, to support myself, so that I can support him when needed also.
Originally Posted via LiveJournal app for Android, but edited to be more complete later from home.